One of the world’s most historic cities and the capital of Germany is the cool and urban city of Berlin. The city’s combination of grit and glamour is a major attraction for tourists with a lively culture, brilliant food and infamous history. Whilst Berlin is full of historic monuments and museums, it is also a place to enjoy incredible architecture, artistic flair and a vibrant nightlife. The city of such rich history has an increasingly urban scene and is a uniquely interesting city with a lot to offer.
Browse the East Side Gallery
The East Side Gallery is the world’s longest open-air gallery showcasing 1.3km of Berlin’s art and history. The gallery is the longest stretch of the Berlin Wall still in existence and following the fall of the Berlin Wall, 118 artists from 21 countries came together to create the incredible, artistic gallery you will find today. Not only will you take in the historic sight of the Berlin Wall but you will witness some of the city’s most beautiful, moving and artistic graffiti painted upon it including Dmitri Vrubel’s Fraternal Kiss and Birgit Kinders’s Trabant breaking through the wall.
Price: Free (tours and museum admission is an additional charge)
Hours: 24/7 (times apply to tours and museum admission)
Take an audio tour through the Reichstag
German history was written in Berlin and the Reichstag was witness to it all. Surviving wars, fire and the country’s division, the Reichstag is a symbol of both history and the new German era. The Reichstag is the home of the German government and the architectural wonder of the Reichstag Dome is open for the public to explore whilst the important decisions of tomorrow are being made right below. A historic, informative audio guide of the city provides an in-detail account of the countries history and politics whilst displaying incredible panoramic views of Berlin. There is no better way to check out the beauty of the Berlin landscape than from the top of the Reichstag Dome.
Price: Free but advanced booking is essential
Hours: Daily 8am-midnight (last admission to dome at 10pm)
Stroll through Tiergarten Park
Stretching over 500-acres in the centre of the city, Berlin’s most famous park is just a short stroll from the Reichstag and a beautiful place to wander. With famous monuments and hysterical street performers, Tiergarten Park is an interesting circuit to explore whilst navigating tree-lined paths and the banks of the River Spree. The park is also home to Zoo Berlin, the most species-rich zoo in the world.
Price: Free (zoo admission is an additional extra)
Hours: 24/7 (zoo admission varies dependant on season)
Grab a bier
When in Rome! Or in this case, Berlin! Berlin is home to some of the most incredible breweries in the world and you will find steins are on the drinks menu in the majority of bars, pubs and even cafes. Bier tours are also conducted throughout the city to introduce you some of the best and most adventurous bier Germany has to offer. With hundreds of beers to choose from across the city including a huge variety of craft beer, you will be spoilt for choice.
Price: Varies by establishment
Hours: Varies by establishment
Pay your respects
The Holocaust Memorial is a place of remembrance located close to Brandenburg Gate. The Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe is a touching tribute to the innocent victims who lost their lives in World War II. The memorial consists of 2711 concrete slabs of varying height and the abstract design allows the freedom to explore and confront your own personal version of the historic topic.
Price: Free
Hours: 24/7
Get locked up in Gedenkstatte
One of the most interesting and immersive tours you can experience in Berlin is a tour of Gedenkstatte. The former Stasi prison which housed suspected political prisoners is an incredible and informative afternoon guiding you through the prison and historic buildings. The guides are ex-inmates who tell you not only the history of the prison but also, their personal experience allowing you to really connect with the history of this secret detention centre.
Price: 3.50€
Hours: Tours start Monday – Friday at 11am and 12pm or weekends at 10:30am, 12pm and 1pm.
Visit Brandenburg Gate
One of the most iconic landmarks of Germany and the most recognised symbol of Berlin, you can’t miss the chance to see the Brandenburg Gate up close and personal. An incredible amount of German and European history was made at this site and if the statues could talk, they would tell you some tales. Brandenburg is Berlin’s only remaining historical gate which previously symbolised the division crossing through Berlin but now symbolises the reunification of Germany.
Price: Free
Hours: 24/7
Bathe at a Brandenburg lake
The state surrounding Berlin is known as the land of 3000 lakes. Brandenburg is beautiful year-round but most inviting in the Summer. The Summer months offer deckchairs, pedalos and more, so whether you want to swim, sunbathe or sail, Brandenburg’s lakes have something to offer everyone. Each lake has their own character and a lot of lakes are accessible by public transport but the most private lakeside patches are only accessible by a walk or cycle.
Price: Free
Hours: 24/7
Enjoy a Bratwurst
Germany is famous for its bratwurst sausages, incredible and juicy meat which can be enjoyed in a number of variations. Traditionally served with sauerkraut and beer, the bratwurst is a staple German food. In Berlin, the most popular variation is a currywurst, a curry-flavoured sausage which is the signature dish of the city and it is estimated that 800 million currywurst are enjoyed every year.
Price: Varies by establishment
Hours: Varies by establishment
Watch the sunset from Berlin Fernsehturm
The iconic tv tower and tallest building in the city also offers incredible 360-degree views across Berlin. Whilst views are unbelievable at any time of day, the sweet spot is at sunset for a stunning view from the observation deck. You can also explore the menu at the revolving Berlin TV Tower Restaurant offering the city’s panoramic views whilst you enjoy a meal or even just a cocktail. The restaurant offers a variety of menus and experiences, all offering incredible food and a culinary journey.
Prices: 22.50€ adults and 13.00€ children (tickets including restaurant tables are from 25.50€ excluding food)
Hours: Daily 10am-10pm
Explore Tempelhofer Feld
The former Tempelhofer Airport is now a public park and one of the few places in the world where you can enjoy a casual stroll down a runway. After the airport’s closure in 2008, the city of Berlin reclaimed the space and transformed the site into one of Europe’s largest parks. The abandoned airport turned park is a unique location where you can wander along the former train tracks and runway whilst watching windsurfers catching the breeze, walking the dog or enjoying a bbq. The Tempelhofer Airport building and hangars still provide the park with a backdrop whilst history is ever-present within the park in the form of scattered bullet holes from World War II. Tempelhofer Feld is a must-visit for aviation lovers.
Price: Free
Hours: Sunrise to sunset
Haggle at Mauerpark
Offering everything from vintage clothes and rare records to locally-designed crafts, the biggest flea market in Berlin is Mauerpark. Every Sunday, the busiest flea market invites locals and tourists to browse stalls, enjoy an alfresco beverage and even, enjoy an outdoor singing session at Bearpit Karaoke. Mauerpark Flea Market is a shopping haven and a great place to find gems and unique items.
Price: Free
Hours: Every Sunday 10am-6pm
Visit Museum Island
The UNESCO World Heritage Site in the heart of Berlin is home to five incredible museums of architecture and art. The one island just requires the one ticket to access all museums. With intricate sculptures, magnificent artwork and classical antiquities, Museum Island is a cultural hotspot to appreciate artistic flair and creation. The buildings are works of art in their own right and incredible backdrops for photography.
Price: 19€ (under 18’s free)
Hours: Tuesday-Sunday 10am-6pm (closed Monday’s)
Visit Checkpoint Charlie
The filming location of many spy movies including James Bond was a border crossing in Berlin between East and West Germany whilst the German division was active. Checkpoint Charlie was also the site of numerous escape attempts from East Berlin and an open-air exhibition close-by tells both success and failure stories. A symbol of the Cold War, Checkpoint Charlie to this day has sandbags, flags, a barrier and checkpoint booth making it a popular photo subject.
Price: Free
Hours: 24/7
Experience the nightlife on a bar crawl
Berlin has one of the most vibrant and buzzing nightlife scenes in all of Europe. One of the best ways to experience what Berlin has to offer is to tag along on an incredible evening with The Original Pub Crawl Berlin. The pub crawl introduces you to some of the city’s best bars and clubs whilst getting to know a variety of travellers from across the world. It is the best ticket to a good night out and a great way to experience the alternative nightlife of Berlin. If you’re a party animal, you don’t want to miss as a night out in Berlin.
Price: 15€
Hours: Daily at 9pm
Berlin is a city of many interesting personalities and an eclectic mix of activities. You will be spoilt for choice with things to do and a visit never quite seems long enough. With a tangible history, vibrant culture and incredible attractions, the sprawling metropolis of Berlin is one of Europe’s coolest and most visited cities. Grab a map, beer and bratwurst in hand, and get exploring!
