Discover my top 10 things to do in the capital of Germany, Berlin!
10) Head to the Topography of Terrors Museum.
At the Topography of Terrors, visitors can gain a better insight into the life of a Berliner under the control of the Nazis. The Museum displays a number of documents, photographs and exhibitions. It is located on the site that was once the headquarters of the Gestapo (the secret police of the Nazi state) and the high command and security service of the SS (Hitler’s personal bodyguards). *FREE TO VISIT*
9) Explore the city during the festive period and enjoy the Berlin Christmas markets.
Have a gluhwein (or two) at one of the many Christmas markets littered across the city. The markets are present in Berlin during late November through to early January.
8) Spend time on Museum Island.
At Museum Island, take your time exploring any (or all!) of the five world-famous museums located on this island. Museum Island also provides the perfect opportunity to see Berlin Cathedral as pictured below.
7) Take the lift to the top of the Fernsehturm.
This iconic TV tower almost follows you around the city. Take the lift to the top for fabulous panoramic views across Berlin.
6) Wander around the East Side Gallery.
The Berlin Wall separated East and West Berlin from 1961 to 1989. At 1316 metres long, the East Side Gallery is the longest section of the Berlin Wall that remains standing. As soon as the wall fell, artists began painting the concrete slabs with political graffiti and the section was announced as an open air gallery in 1990. *FREE TO VISIT*
5) Travel slightly outside of the city centre for a tour of the Olympiastadion.
The Olympiastadion hosted the 1936 Olympics with the Nazis in power. It was here that Jesse Owens became a four-time Olympic Gold medallist, destroying Hitler’s initial attempts to portray the supremacy of Nazi Germany and the Aryan Race. Today the stadium is used as the home of the Bundesliga football club Hertha BSC, in addition to hosting numerous other sporting events and concerts. 60-minute tours of the stadium can be booked here.
4) Check out Checkpoint Charlie.
As one of the few gaps in the Berlin Wall, Checkpoint Charlie was the most famous crossing point between East and West Germany. The checkpoint booth, barrier, sandbags and US flag at the site today are based on those found at Checkpoint Charlie during the Cold War. *FREE TO VISIT*
3) Pay your respects at the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe.
The Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe comprises of 2711 concrete slabs covering an area of 19,000 square metres. It is a moving place of remembrance for the six million Jews who lost their lives during the Holocaust. *FREE TO VISIT*
2) Visit the Brandenburg Gate.
Berlin’s most iconic landmark, the Brandenburg Gate, was opened in 1791. It has come to be known as symbol of unity and peace, following the reunification of Germany in 1990. *FREE TO VISIT*
1) Tour the Reichstag Building.
*FREE TO VISIT* The Reichstag Building is the meeting place of the German Parliament. Visitors can take an audio-guided tour of the building’s glass dome and roof terrace, which offers 360 degree views over the city. Tickets must be arranged in advance of your trip and can be obtained here.
In Germany? Make sure you check out my favourite things to do in Munich too!
Thank you! It’s time for another visit to Berlin! Maybe next year…
Berlin is an amazing city, full of history and culture. Everyone needs this city on their bucket list! Thanks for sharing.
Glad you enjoyed! It’s such an interesting city and definitely one for the bucket list – an important place to be reminded of a lot of mistakes from the past that should never be repeated again!
Great list! Berlin’s my favourite city to visit. I’ve only been there once, but the plan is to revisit it as part of my first trip whenever travel becomes a thing again. Now I’m looking forward to it even more. 🙂
Thank you! I hope that trip is sooner rather than later 🙂
Good list that brought back happy memories of my visit.
Oh Berlin, one of my favourite cities, and such a great list 🙂
Thank you! 🙂
My hometown!!! All good points, but I would add go to Boxhagenerstr for night time. There are lots of bars and restaurants to hang out. And a daytrip to Potsdam to visit Sanssouci is time well spend, too.
Omg I’ve been in lockdown for way too long, forgetting about little things such as nightlife!! Great additions, thank you :)!
Haha, often you can be too tired to go out at night when on holiday. Sometimes I pass out 8pm after an entire day of sightseeing and walking 🙂 Summer time is great in Berlin as well with all the beer gardens. Oh man, I want to be there now!!! You made me go back on memory lane and now I am thinking about all the great times and I really fancy a Bratwurst now… 😉
Brings back memories of our time there. Loved our time there and saw a great concert with Neil Young .
Sounds like a great trip! Oh to go to a concert again.. almost forgotten what that feels like!
I was ticking mentally while reading your list…have visited most of them. Berlin is not only a very historic place but a very modern one too. The main train station is an example of modern architecture. I enjoyed wandering around the different levels during our transit through the station. Thank you for bringing back memories. I hope the pandemic subsides soon so that my trip to the Black forest area materialises.
Absolutely – Berlin has a fabulous juxtaposition of old and new architecture which I loved too! I visited Freiburg over ten years ago as a teenager and would love to go back – so I hope you get to the Black Forest soon! 🙂