What to do in Berlin?
Berlin, the capital city of Germany, is a destination for everybody. There are lots of attractions such as historical sights, beautiful buildings, museums and cool things to explore.
So, what to do in Berlin? Well, among our favorites is Reichstag’s dome, the Tiergarten and the East Side Gallery. Also, another nice activity is chilling on the Spree River banks. You will find out about these & much more below. 🙂
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Must see
Giant Ampelmann
The Ampelmann represents the traffic lights for the safe pedestrian crossings on the streets of Berlin. It first appeared around 1940, to reduce traffic accidents. Nowadays it is one of the city’s most iconic symbols.
You can see it at every pedestrian crossing or you can find it in souvenir shops. Also, you can check out its giant remake near Potsdamer Platz.
The Wall of Art — East Side Gallery
The East Side Gallery, an international memorial of freedom, is a 1316 meter long section of the Berlin Wall. In fact, it is known as the largest & longest lasting open-air gallery.
Close to the city centre, the East Side Gallery stands since the 1990s. 105 paintings were made by artists from all around the world on the East side of the wall.
It is a major tourist attraction, called an “iconic piece of history” with amazing artwork.
Tip: Usually it is very busy and parking is hard to find.
Holocaust memorial
This is a memorial to the murdered Jews of Europe with 2711 slabs arranged in a grid pattern. The most moving part is the underground labyrinth so-called “place of information”. Here, the names of 3 million Jewish Holocaust victims and heartbreaking letter fragments are preserved for eternity.
Hidden Berlin
Tuesday at the Philharmonie
Every Tuesday, at lunchtime, people are expected at the Berliner Philharmonic to enjoy a few moments away from their daily routine. Members of the Berlin Philharmonic, Orchestra Academy, Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester, Staatskapelle Berlin and students from the Berlin music conservatories have concerts during these occasions.
Moreover, you can enjoy lunch at a reasonable price since catering services are offered on such occasions.
The entrance is free, but there is a limited number of seats (1500).
Note: The Berlin orchestra was ranked several times as the best one in the world.
Museumswohnung WBS 70
A museum flat on Hellersdorfer Straße 179, which is a cultural throwback in 1987. It is a representative household of a German family form that time with all the items left untouched. The flats in the Grabenviertel neighbourhood were renovated in 2004. The “Stadt und Land Wohnbauten-Gesellschaft” organization left this apartment unchanged.
The museum flat is not close to central Berlin but it definitely gives another perspective of the everyday life back in the 1980s.
Teufelsberg
A former US listening station during the Cold War. Nowadays is just the perfect place to get a glimpse of Berlin and enjoy some time here. The hill is the highest point of the city, you can get an amazing view from 114 meters high. People often come here for a picnic or just a relaxing day in the green fields.
Curiosity note: The archives of the operations during the Cold War will be opened in 2020. Then we will find out what happened exactly on the “man-made hill”.
Badeschiff
Talking about cool places in Berlin…there is a swimming pool in the Spree River! Besides the relaxing river tours, riverside architecture and pubs on the banks, you can also enjoy a day swimming in a floating pool on the Spree.
Fun & chill
Flea Markets
In Germany, flea markets are very common, people enjoy coming here for different reasons. They sell and buy vintage goodies, local designs & fashionable articles or electronics in Arkonplatz, Nowkoelln Fleamarkt or Gendarmenmark.
Mauerpark, though, is the most lively from all the flea markets in Berlin. Here, people also come to enjoy a nice evening. There is a beer garden and regular karaoke sessions.
Hackesche Höfe
Hackesche Höfe is one of the liveliest quarters of Berlin. It consists of 8 interconnected courtyards with entertainment hubs, art galleries, theatres, cinemas, boutiques and cafes.
This is a place with a bit of everything: culture, shopping, places to relax and much more.
Tiergarten
Tiergarten is the largest urban park in the city, it used to be a royal sports place, where they used to hunt. The central park is a good place for a picnic, a relaxing evening or ball games.
Also, you can go for a walk and admire the numerous monuments and sculptures from the park or visit the zoo.
Today, there are still many governmental institutions located in the park, such as the German Chancellery or the resident of the German President.
Alexanderplatz
There are two major attractions laying on the largest socials square in Berlin: the Fernsehturm and the Weltzeituhr.
The Fernsehturm can be seen from almost every part of the city. The tower is 368 m high and you can get up to 204 m to have lunch and enjoy a panoramic view from the revolving restaurant.
The Weltzeituhr, a world clock, which shows the time from 24 time zones.
Alexanderplatz goes by the name “Alex” between locals and it is a major meeting point. Besides the world clock and TV tower, you can find various restaurants, cinemas and shopping places within short walking distance.
In winter, the Christmas markets take place here and at the Rathaus, near the World clock and at the shopping centre.
Note: The square is mainly busy, parking is very hard to find.
- Il kino — a bar, cafe and cinema in a cozy place with many activities.
- Eschenbräu — a hidden gem in Berlin, an authentic brewery with tarte flabmee and pretzels. You can also bring your own snacks.
- Tajikistan — tea house and cafe with various Russian and also international specialties. PS: shoes go off in the interior.
- Marjellchen — a restaurant with traditional German food and cozy atmosphere in Charlottenburg.
- Nürnberger Wirtshaus — taste Franconian beers and traditional sausages.
- Imbiss 204 — delicious traditional food, very affordable prices.
Culture shock
Reichstag’s dome
A glass dome in the top of the Reichstag building, which symbolizes the reunification of Germany. You can get an amazing 360 view from the top, including the Parliament.
Charlottenburg Palace
The biggest palace in Berlin, built in baroque and rococo style. Its interior is quite exotic.
Charlottenburg is surrounded by a big garden, where there is a Mausoleum, Belvedere palace and a theater. The Belvedere palace was used as a tea house and a viewing tower.
These can be visited by the public, there is an admission fee of 4 Euro at the Belvedere and 2 Euros for the Mausoleum.
Nice to check out: Porcelain Cabinet, at the Belvedere, which holds thousands of porcelain for tea and coffee, interior decorations and various dinner services .
Brandenburg Gate
Located in West Berlin, the formal city gate is a major tourist attraction. The Brandenburg gate is a symbol of the European unity and peace and it has impressive architecture.
Museuminsel
The museum island is mostly occupied by museums which are part of the Berlin States Museums.
Some of these are:
- Pergamon Museum — the most visited museum in Berlin;
- Bode Museum — hosts a big collection of sculptures, treasures and coins;
- Alte Nationalgalerie — contains very famous artworks of the 19th century.
Deutsches Historisches Museum
And finally, a throwback in time to German history. It is the place where you will understand the history of the country and Europe. Moreover, the Deutsches Historisches Museum is one of the most frequented museums in Germany.
You’ve discovered new things to explore in Berlin. Are you ready to plan your city break? P.S.: Don’t forget to get a pretzel!
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