19 Best Things to Do in Berlin

Berlin is one of Europe’s most popular destinations for a city break thanks to its vibrant culture, art scene, history, and nightlife. There’s no shortage of interesting tourist attractions and fun things to do in the city, but with so much to see it can be tricky to know where to start. If you’re planning a trip to Berlin and need some help planning your sightseeing itinerary, check out these 19 essential things to do.

1. Take a Boat Tour on the Spree River

The 250-mile-long Spree River cuts right through the heart of Berlin and it offers a fantastic opportunity to explore the city by boat. Boat tours, many of which depart from Friedrichstraße and Nikolaiviertel, last between one and three hours, and most of them include an audio guide so you can learn about the key landmarks as you pass them.

Common highlights include the Reichstag Building which serves as the headquarters for the German Parliament, the Victory Column (Siegessäule) in Tiergarten, and the historic Museuminsel (Museum Island).

2. Tour the Defunct Tempelhof Airport

Tempelhof Airport was originally commissioned by Hitler but he never saw its completion. It operated until 2008 when the runways were opened up to the public for walking, running, kite-surfing, and skating. The huge park has basketball courts and a baseball field, and there are even beer gardens for socializing and allotments for locals to grow their own vegetables. If you want to learn more about the history of the airport, take a guided tour of its buildings with an expert.

3. Explore the City by Bike

Berlin is a highly walkable and cyclable city and one of the best ways to see the sights on a short trip is by bike. You could plan your own self-guided tour and hire a bike from one of the many rental outlets, but if you want insights into the city from a local expert, join a guided bike tour instead. Popular highlights on city bike tours include the Brandenburg Gate, the Holocaust Memorial, and the Berlin Wall which once separated West and East Germany.

4. Enjoy a Day Trip to Brandenburg Lakes

Brandenburg is the state that surrounds Berlin, and it’s a lush, green stretch of land with more than 3,000 lakes. Many of the lakes are accessible by public transport for those who want to escape the bustle of the city for a day of peace and quiet. Popular activities include wild swimming, sailing, rowing, paddleboarding, cycling, hiking, and sunbathing. There’s no shortage of lakes to choose from but just a few of the most popular include:

• Heiliger See
• Schlachtensee
• Strandbad Wannsee
• Müggelsee
• Teufelssee
• Strandbad Plotzensee

5. Discover Prussian History at Sanssoucci Palace

Sansoucci Palace was once home to Prussian kings and queens, and you can get a glimpse into their glamorous lives when you take a day trip to Potsdam. Tour the beautifully furnished rooms of the palace which retain their original designs, and be sure to wander around the stately park and grounds. Finally, don’t leave without checking out the vineyard crypt in which Friedrich the Great is interred.

6. Drink Glühwein at a Christmas Market

Germany is renowned for its Christmas markets and some of the best in the country take place in Berlin, so if you’re visiting during the holidays they shouldn’t be missed. You can expect food stalls, games, handcrafted gifts, Ferris wheels and carousels, and plenty of Christmas decorations.

More than 100 markets crop up during the festive season, but the best and most popular are at Alexanderplatz, Roten Rathaus, Charlottenburg Palace, Friedrichshain, and Gendarmenmarkt. Don’t forget to enjoy some glühwein (mulled wine), which translates to “glow wine” in English and is sure to give you some rosy cheeks.

7. Take in the East Side Gallery of the Berlin Wall

There are several places where you can check out the remains of the Berlin Wall, including Potsdamer Platz, but the East Side Gallery is arguably the best spot. Sitting on the banks of the Spree, this section of the Wall is adorned with impressive street art created by more than 100 artists from 21 countries.

Painting began almost immediately after the Wall fell, and in 1990 it opened officially as an open-air gallery. It is now a protected memorial and a must-see attraction for learning about the plight of residents in East Berlin during the Cold War.

8. Book a Street Art Tour with a Local Guide

Street art brightens walls and alleyways throughout Berlin and one of the best ways to see it is by taking a walking tour with a local guide. Friedrichshain is a hotspot for impressive murals, with highlights being the former train repair station Raw Gelände, and Intimes Kino which is an arthouse cinema.

Haus Schwarzenberg Street Art Alley near Alexanderplatz has an impressive ever-changing display. There are also several murals in Kreuzberg, including works by Os Gêmeos, ROA, and Victor Ash.

9. Taste Berlin’s Best Street Food

Berlin has a thriving street food scene so be sure to sample some classic local dishes such as currywurst and döner kebab — both of which originated in Berlin. Some of the best places to find street food kiosks are Mauerpark Streetfood-Markt, Markthalle Neun, Marheineke Markthalle, and Wochenmarkt am Winterfeldtplatz.

10. Sing and Shop at Mauerpark Flea Market

Mauerpark Flea Market is one of Berlin’s biggest and busiest, and it takes place every Sunday. There’s a huge mix of vendors selling everything from clothes to records to antiques.

The atmosphere is incredibly friendly, and this is heightened by the popular Bearpit Karaoke which takes place on Sunday afternoons from late spring until early autumn. Anyone and everyone is welcome to sing, and it’s a fantastic spot to soak up the sun, have a few drinks, and make friends.

11. Climb the Victory Column and Admire Tiergarten

The Siegessäule (Victory Column) in the leafy green expanse of Tiergarten is reminiscent of the French Arc d’Triomphe. It was erected in 1873 as a symbol of Germany’s victories over other nations and it is now one of West Berlin’s best-known landmarks.

For a small fee, you can enter the column and climb its 285 steps to its 226-foot-high lookout point. There’s also a small museum inside the column that offers insights into the monument’s history, including details of how it survived the bombings of World War II after it was relocated by the Nazis.

12. Explore WWII History at the Topography of Terror

The Topography of Terror memorializes the persecution experienced by Germany’s Jews at the hands of the Nazis. It is designed to serve as a warning from history and it offers an unflinching reminder of the horrors of the Holocaust.

The museum is situated on the site of the former Gestapo headquarters where political prisoners were interrogated and tortured before being transferred to concentration camps and prisons. This is one of the leading places in Berlin to learn about this bleak period in German history and read the stories of those who bravely resisted the National Socialist regime.

13. Take a Walking Tour of Berlin’s Landmarks

Mitte, the most central portion of Berlin, is easily walkable and packed with attractions. A great way to get a lay of the land and see the city’s most famous landmarks is to take a walking tour with a local travel guide.

A typical general tour will cover the likes of the Brandenburg Gate, the Reichstag Building, Checkpoint Charlie, and the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe which is dedicated to the Jewish victims of the Holocaust. If there’s an aspect of Berlin’s history or culture that you’re particularly interested in, look for a themed tour such as a Third Reich and Cold War tour for a deep dive into the city’s Soviet past.

14. Watch the sunset from the TV Tower

The TV Tower (Berliner Fernsehturm) in Alexanderplatz is an iconic Berlin landmark. You can climb the tower to enjoy incredible panoramic views of Berlin 680 feet above the ground, or, for a unique dinner, visit the revolving restaurant at the top of the tower to enjoy traditional German fare alongside awesome sunset views.

15. Admire the Architecture of Berlin Cathedral

Berlin Cathedral (Berliner Dom) is a 20th-century structure that was built as a grand display of imperial power. It’s impressive both inside and out, but be sure to take a wander around the interior to see its full marble and onyx glory.

The cathedral’s huge 7,269-pipe organ is a must-see, but it’s even more impressive to hear it in action during a service. Berliner Dom is crowned with a huge dome which you can climb for gorgeous views of Mitte.

16. Enjoy Berlin’s Entertainment and Nightlife Scene

Berlin is renowned for its nightlife and it boasts some of the world’s best techno clubs for those who love to dance. There’s no curfew in Berlin unlike in other major cities in Germany, so you can party until the small hours. If techno vibes aren’t for you, check out one of the city’s many jazz bars, comedy clubs, and theaters instead, or simply head to the pub for a few beers.

Friedrichshain, Hackescher Markt and Oranienburgerstraße, Auguststraße and Torstraße, City West, Oranienstraße, Kreuzkölln, Prenzlauer Berg, and Nikolaiviertel are some of the best districts for fun nightlife.

17. Visit Berlin’s Animal Attractions

Berlin is something of a haven for animals, despite its busy atmosphere. You can catch sight of foxes, rabbits, and even wild boars in the city, and in summer you’ll see sheep grazing on Tempelhofer Feld. There are also several animal attractions to explore that are great for families, such as:

• Berlin Zoo
• Mauerplatz Children’s Farm
• Alt-Marzahn Animal Farm
• Britzer Garten Petting Zoo
• Kinderbunten Bauernhof (Colorful Children’s Farm)
• Charlottenburg Goat Farm
• Tierpark Petting Zoo

18. Get Panoramic Views At the Top of Kreuzberg

Kreuzberg is a district of Berlin, but it’s named after a 200-foot-high hill that is the highest point in the city. A small, serene green space called Viktoriapark is at the top, and it’s home to a babbling waterfall and a monument dedicated to King Friedrich Wilhelm III. There’s also a small vineyard that produces Kreuz-Neroberger white wine which you can sample for a small donation. This is a lovely spot to relax and take in panoramic views of the city.

19. Hop Between Berlin’s Museums

Berlin is home to more than 100 museums but some of its oldest and most famous can be found on Museum Island. The museums here were built between 1830 and 1930 with the aim of making the royal art collection available to the public.

• The Altes Museum was the first to be built, and it’s home to the Collection of Classical Antiquities which features Greek, Etruscan, and Roman coins, jewelry, and sculptures.
• The Neues Museum is dedicated to Egyptian and Prehistorical exhibitions.
• Alte Nationalgalerie is an art museum with works from German and international masters including Claude Monet, Adolph von Menzel, and Max Liebermann.
• The Bode Museum, built in the Baroque Revival style, has an extensive collection of sculptures ranging from the Middle Ages to the 19th century.
• The Pergamon Museum is Berlin’s most-visited, and it houses archeological artifacts from ancient Babylon, Assur, Uruk, Egypt, Priene, and Miletus.

Where Will Your Berlin Vacation Take You?

Berlin has something fun for every visitor, no matter their tastes and pace of travel. Which of these activities will you try on your upcoming trip to the German capital?