10 Unforgettable Things To Do In Berlin

Anyone who appreciates, history, art, or architecture would be crazy not to add Berlin to their bucket list. Serving as the setting of some of the most prominent events in modern history, Berlin is packed full of highlights that pay tribute to its fascinating past. It’s also a visually stunning city filled with spectacular art and architecture.

Whether you like learning all about the history of a destination, relaxing in green spaces, or visiting grand palaces, Berlin and its surrounding areas have everything you need. Keep reading to find out about 10 unforgettable things you simply have to do in Berlin.

10 Pay A Visit To Museum Island

Museum Island is simply a must, not just for lovers of history, but for anybody visiting Berlin. Here you’ll find no less than five museums that are renowned around the world for their fascinating art and history exhibits. Not only will you get to experience the wonders of European art and history in the museums on the island, but you’ll also have the chance to learn more about history from elsewhere in the world.

Aside from being incredibly interesting, Museum Island also happens to be one of the prettiest places in Berlin. Be sure to bring your camera along!

9 Check Out The Famous Reichstag

You can’t go to Berlin and not check out the Reichstag. Perhaps one of the most famous landmarks, not just in Berlin, but in the whole of Germany, the Reichstag has been standing for more than a century.

Take some photos of the phenomenal building from outside before going inside and climbing to the top for some unrivaled views of Berlin. The best part about the Reichstag dome is that you don’t have to pay anything to visit, so this is definitely one to add to your list of things to do in Berlin.

8 Have A Picnic In The Tiergarten

Looking over the city of Berlin from above, you’ll see mostly buildings and concrete. In addition to being home to some of the world’s most impressive and historically significant architecture, Berlin also hosts some wonderful green spaces. One of them is the fabulous Tiergarten Park.

Inside the park, you’ll find a number of trails that you can stroll through at your leisure, as well as some blue lakes that attract photographers from all over the world. Pick up some local German fare and set up a picnic in one of the shady green spaces.

7 Witness Potsdam's Sanssouci Palace

You can visit the fantastic Sanssouci Palace from Berlin, but you’ll need to take a train to the fairytale town of Potsdam, which is only a short ride away. There are several tours that take you straight from Berlin if you don’t want to make the trek yourself, but it’s definitely worth taking a day out to see.

Sanssouci was the summer residence of Frederick the Great. Closely resembling the Palace of Versailles, but without all the tourists, the building itself isn’t actually the most impressive part of the complex. The terraced gardens outside look like something out of a storybook!

6 Stand In Awe Of The Berliner Dom

One of the most beautiful sights in Berlin, the Berliner Dom is also known as the Berlin Cathedral. Even if you don’t get a chance to go inside—the lines can be long sometimes—it’s still worth it to spend some time gawking at the structure while you’re on Museum Island. It’s simply magnificent.

Although the building is stunning on its own, what makes it even more unique and fascinating is that you can still see the damage and burn marks on top of the turquoise dome from when Berlin was bombed.

5 Buy Books On Your Way To Bebelplatz

Berlin is certainly home to a dark history and is full of sites where you can actually follow in the footsteps of those who were the victims of persecution. Be sure to add the public square known as Bebelplatz to your itinerary, as this is where the Nazis infamously burned books in 1933.

On the other side of the road, there are several vendors selling second-hand books. In honor of those who did not have the right to read during the days of Nazi persecution, pick up a few books before walking over to the square.

4 Take A Day Trip To Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp

There are several locations in the city of Berlin itself where you will be able to pay tribute to victims of the Holocaust, including the Memorial of the Murdered Jews of Europe. But it’s also worth taking a day trip to visit the Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp in the village of Oranienburg.

A haunting place where Soviet soldiers, political prisoners, and others were once held, the concentration camp has preserved its original housing units and other features from the days when it was in use. As you walk to the camp from the train station, you’ll follow the same path the prisoners took after arriving in the village.

3 Get Inspired At The East Side Gallery

Berlin is known for its turbulent history, but it’s also famous for boasting some of the world’s most impressive art. The East Side Gallery, which straddles the River Spree, is home to more than 100 paintings, making it the biggest open-air art gallery in the world.

Set against the remains of the Berlin Wall, the gallery itself is a testament to the city’s past. This is one place where you won’t want to forget your camera! It’s also a great place to boost your creativity and get inspired for your own artwork.

2 See What’s Left Of The Berlin Wall

What was arguably the world’s most famous wall is no more. But you can still see the remains of the Berlin Wall and the very line that divided East and West Berlin. Though you can visit the Berlin Wall Memorial by yourself, it’s a good idea to get a guide to explain the complex history behind it.

There are three sections of the Wall Memorial itself, including the open-air exhibition, the documentation center, and the Chapel of Reconciliation, where you will be able to pay tribute to all those who suffered because of the wall.

1 Take A Photo Of The Brandenburg Gate

Now universally known as one of the symbols of Berlin, the Brandenburg Gate is a testament to the rich pre-Nazi history of the city. According to Conde Nast Traveler, When Berlin was a Prussian Metropolis, there were originally 14 gates surrounding the city, and the Brandenburg is the last remaining one.

Not only is it an impressive structure in its own right, but the gate has been part of some pretty significant events. Both Napoleon and Hitler passed through the structure, which is now one of the most photographed monuments in Berlin.

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