20 Must See Attractions in Berlin

Berlin is the biggest metropolis in Germany and a hub for history, art, culture, and politics. It boasts three UNESCO World Heritage Sites, a huge variety of museums, art galleries, and theatres, and a fantastic array of restaurants, cafes, and bars. Berlin is the perfect destination if you’re looking for a city break that blends sightseeing and nightlife.

Due to the sheer number of tourist attractions in Berlin, it can be tricky to see it all in a single visit. If you’re not sure where to begin, start with these 20 must-see Berlin attractions.

1. The Reichstag Building

• Address: Platz der Republik, 111011 Berlin
• Website: bundestag.de

The Reichstag Building is home to the German Parliament, and it has played a crucial role in Germany’s history throughout the 19th century. The building was damaged during a fire in 1933 and air raids in 1945, and it wasn’t until German reunification in 1990 that it was fully restored. The Reichstag is open to the publi, so you can admire its architecture. Be sure to check out the building’s impressive glass dome to enjoy fantastic views of Berlin.

2. Jewish Museum

• Address: Lindenstraße 9-14, 10969 Berlin
• Website: jmberlin.de
• Opening Hours: 10 am – 7 pm daily

The Jewish Museum showcases the history of Jews in Germany from medieval times to the present day. There’s a variety of multimedia and interactive exhibits sharing valuable insight into Jewish culture. The building itself, designed by Daniel Libeskind, is a work of art that heightens the impact of the exhibits. Book a guided tour with a knowledgeable host to get the most out of your visit.

3. Brandenburg Gate

Address: Pariser Platz 1, 10117 Berlin

The Brandenburg Gate is one of the top attractions in Berlin and a popular stop on Berlin walking tours. It was originally constructed in 1791 when the city was Prussia’s capital. During the Cold War, the gate symbolized division, but toda, it is considered a representation of reunification and peace.

4. Holocaust Memorial

• Address: Cora-Berliner-Straße 1, 10117 Berlin
• Website: stiftung-denkmal.de

The Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe was designed by Peter Eisenman to be intentionally disorienting in order to make visitors feel uneasy and confined.

It is comprised of 2,711 rectangular blocks, and since there isn’t a vantage point or overview to take it all in at once, it’s necessary to walk through the structures and engage with them to get the full experience. Be sure to visit the underground information center to learn more about the memorial and the victims of the Holocaust.

5. Checkpoint Charlie

• Address: Friedrichstraße 43-45, 10969 Berlin
• Website: mauermuseum.de
• Opening Hours: 9 am – 10 pm daily

Checkpoint Charlie is the Berlin Wall’s most renowned border crossing point. It has been featured in many well-known films, including The Bridge of Spies starring Tom Hanks. The Wall Museum at Checkpoint Charlie is also worth visiting to learn more about the history of the Wall and the lengths people would go to to escape East Germany.

6. The Berlin Wall

Remnants of the Berlin Wall remain throughout the city, but some parts are more renowned and worth visiting than others. Check out the Berlin Wall Memorial’s visitor center to learn about the East and West Berlin divisions. 

Don’t miss the East Side Gallery, which sits on the banks of the Spree River and is adorned with famous works of graffiti, including the striking portrait of Brezhnev and Hönecker kissing in a Soviet display of mutual respect.

7. Potsdamer Platz

• Address: 10785 Berlin
• Website: potsdamerplatz.de

Potsdamer Platz is one of the best-known and busiest squares in Berlin. It was destroyed in World War II, then split down the middle by the Berlin Wall. Today, it has been restored and is home to several impressive buildings, including the Sony Centre and the Daimler-Chrysler Site. Head to the observation deck at the top of the Kollhof-Tower to see fantastic panoramic views of the city.

8. The Berlin TV Tower

• Address: Panoramastraße 1A, 10178 Berlin
• Website: tv-turm.de
• Opening Hours: 10 am – 10 pm daily

In 1969, the TV Tower (Berliner Fernsehturm) was built in Alexanderplatz to symbolize the Eastern Bloc’s technological advances. It is now one of the most iconic landmarks in Mitte (the city center). Take the elevator to the observation deck to enjoy views from the highest vantage point in Berlin.

9. DDR Museum

• Address: Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 1, 10178 Berlin
• Website: ddr-museum.de
• Opening Hours: 9 am – 9 pm

The DDR Museum is in the heart of former East Berlin, and it centers around the history of the Deutsche Demokratische Republik. Visit to learn what life was like for residents in East Germany and discover more about Stasi surveillance techniques. Exhibits are in both German and English.

10. Museum Island

• Address: Bodestraße 1-3, 10178 Berlin
• Website: smb.museum/en/museums-institutions/museumsinsel-berlin
• Opening Hours: Tuesday – Sunday: 10 am – 6 pm

Museuminsel sits in the Spree River and is home to some of Berlin’s best-known museums. The island itself is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and it’s a charming historic area to walk around. Give yourself several days to cover all the museums here as they each have extensive collections.

Pergamonmuseum

The Pergamonmuseum is home to a series of historical buildings and structures, including the Pergamon Alter and the Ishtar Gate of Babylon. It also houses the Islamic Art Museum, which displays Muslim, Christian, and Jewish artifacts, and the Antiquity Collection, which features Greek and Roman artworks.

Altes Museum

The Altes Museum houses a series of impressive ancient Greek and Roman antiquities. You’ll see huge Pantheon-inspired columns and rotunda and be immersed in the exquisite art and culture of the Greeks and Romans.

Alte Nationalgalerie

The Old National Gallery displays a huge variety of artworks, including collections of Romanticism, Neoclassicism, Impressionism, Biedermeier, and early Modernity. Highlights include a collection of French Impressionist paintings by Monet, Manet, and Renoir, and a series of iconic Romantic works that includes the Monk by the Sea and The Gothic Cathedral at the Water.

Neues Museum

The Neues Museum is divided into three key sections — the Museum of Prehistory and Early History, the Egyptian Museum, and The Antique Collection. One of the most famous artifacts here is the renowned bust of Queen Nefertiti.

The Bode Museum

One of the largest coin collections in the world is at the Bode Museum, which also houses the Museum of Byzantine Art. Bode is also home to the Sculpture Collection, which includes masterpieces created by Donatello and Antonio Canova.

11. Berlin Cathedral

• Address: Am Lustgarten, 10178 Berlin
• Website: berlinerdom.de
• Opening Hours: Monday – Saturday: 10 am – 5 pm / Sunday: 12 pm – 5 pm

The impressive Neo-Renaissance Berlin Cathedral was constructed in the early 20th century, and it’s an architectural feat. Highlights include the huge organ which is still used for religious services today, and the impressive dome that you can climb for beautiful views of Museum Island.

12. Charlottenburg Palace

• Address: Spandauer Damm 10 -22, 14059 Berlin
• Website: spsg.de
• Opening Hours: Tuesday – Sunday: 10 am – 5.30 pm

Charlottenburg Palace is the largest palace in Germany, and its a beautiful example of Baroque architecture. It was built at the end of the 17th century as a royal summer residence for Sophie Charlotte, Prussia’s first Queen consort. You can take a tour of the extravagant rooms and check out the collections of crown jewels and royal silver. Don’t miss the spectacular Orangery and Tea House in the beautiful palace gardens.

13. Potsdam

Potsdam is the former royal palace and gardens of the Prussian royals and the German Kaisers. Today, it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is comprised of several impressive palaces and historic neighborhoods. Potsdam lies 15 miles away from central Berlin, and you can either book an excursion with a guide or hop on a train for a day trip.

14. Gendarmenmarkt

Address: 10117 Berlin

Gendarmenmarkt is a charming square that houses one of Berlin’s biggest and best Christmas markets. There are several historic buildings in the square, including the French Cathedral and the reconstructed Konzerthaus, where the Berlin Orchestra performs regularly. Even if you’re not visiting during the festive season, you can soak up the atmosphere by having a coffee in one of the square’s cafes.

15. Topography of Terror

• Address: Niederkirchnerstraße 8, 10963 Berlin
• Website: topographie.de
• Opening Hours: 10 am – 8 pm daily

The Topography of Terror is an incredibly poignant museum that highlights the true horror of the Nazi regime and serves as a memorial to those who died at the hands of Hitler. It is situated in a series of former prison cells, and its exhibits include details of Berlin’s Jewish ghettos.

16. Oberbaum Bridge

Address: Oberbaumbrücke, 10243 Berlin

Oberbaum Bridge connects the districts of Kreuzberg and Friedrichshain across the River Spree. It’s an ornate double-deck bridge that was built in 1895. It was used as a checkpoint during the Cold War, and since the reunification of Germany, the bridge has served as a symbol of unity between East and West.

17. Tiergarten

Address: Straße des 17. Juni, 10785 Berlin

Tiergarten is a 500-acre park at the heart of Berlin and a beloved green space that draws countless visitors daily. It once served as royal hunting grounds before becoming a leisure park in the late 17th century. The park contains several important landmarks, including the Victory Column, which you can climb for an impressive view.

18. Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church

• Address: Breitscheidplatz, 110789 Berlin
• Website: gedaechtniskirche-berlin.de
• Opening Hours: 9 am – 7 pm daily

The original Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church was built in the late 1800s, but it was destroyed in WWII. In 1961, a new church was constructed around the remains of the original, and the new concrete and glass structure offers an interesting contrast against the Neo-Romanesque original.

19. Berlin Zoo

• Address: Hardenbergplatz 8, 10787 Berlin
• Website: zoo-berlin.de
• Opening Hours: 9 am – 4.30 pm daily in winter, 9 am – 6.30 pm in summer

Situated in the sprawling green space of Tiergarten, Berlin Zoo strives to protect and bolster populations of endangered species. The zoo has a series of breeding and reintroduction programs and is keen to educate people on the importance of animal protection around the world. Visit to learn about the valuable conservation work the zoo does and to see animals in environments that are as close as possible to their natural habitats.

20. Nightlife Hubs

Berlin is a popular city for clubbing and live entertainment. There’s no curfew, unlike in other German cities, and the streets are incredibly safe, making it an attractive destination for non-stop partying. Popular neighborhoods for nightlife include:

• Friedrichshain for international cuisine
• Hackescher Markt and Oranienburgerstraße for clubs, bars and restaurants
• Auguststraße and Torstraße for Mediterranean-style cafes and bars
• City West for artistic and edgy bars and pubs
• Oranienstraße for historic taverns

Plan Your Adventure in Berlin

Now you know which of Berlin’s top attractions you can’t afford to miss, you can get started planning your sightseeing itinerary for your upcoming visit. Berlin has lots to offer, so prepare for a jam-packed trip to this vibrant German city.