12 Best Things to Do in Berlin

Today symbolising peace and unity, the Brandenburg Gate is probably the most iconic landmark in Berlin. This 18th-century neoclassical monument is closely associated with the tumultuous history of the city, and is annually visited by about 1 million people for New Year’s Eve. Due to the historical importance of the Brandenburg Gate, it’s best to go there early morning to avoid the crowds. Bars, restaurants and street food stalls are available all around the gate.

Built at the end of the 19th century, the Reichstag Building is one of the most historic edifices in Berlin. Located just north of the Brandenburg Gate, it was reconstructed during the ‘90s and a large glass dome that offers a great 360-degree view of Berlin was added on the roof. It’s best to book well beforehand if you don’t want to queue to get in. Audio guides are available in many languages to give you information about the history of the place. They also point out all the interesting sites visible from the dome.

Named Museumsinsel in German, Museum Island is a selection of 5 world-class museums in the city centre, on the northern part of an island on the Spree River. The museum complex on the northern end of the island is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that offers you a genuine stroll through history. From the magnificent Pergamon Altar and Ishtar Gate of Babylon kept in the Pergamon Museum to the captivating Bust of Nefertiti conserved in the Neues Museum (New Museum), Museum Island is truly worth a visit. A 3-day pass is available, so that you can visit at your own pace.

The Berlin Cathedral is one of the largest religious landmarks in Germany’s capital. Built in the 1800s, this elaborate Protestant church is a mix of Italian High Renaissance and Baroque styles. Its most striking feature is a 114-metre-high dome that’s crowned by a gilded cross.

Inside, you can see Wilhelm Sauer’s fully restored organ with 7,000 pipes, a marble and onyx altar designed by Friedrich August Stüler, and around 90 ornate sarcophagi. The Berlin Cathedral sits on Museum Island, between Lustgarten and the Spree.

Located just south of the Brandenburg Gate, the Holocaust Memorial – officially named Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe – is the place to go to learn more about one of the most terrible tragedies that occurred during the 20th century and pay respect to its victims. Walking through the 2,711 concrete slabs of different heights that make up the memorial while thinking about what happened is extremely moving. The museum installed underneath the memorial is very informative and also poignant.

Commonly called Alex by Berliners, Alexanderplatz is one of the largest public square in Berlin. Located in the centre of East Berlin, it’s an important public transportation hub surrounded by department stores and shopping malls. Take a seat at one of the snack bars near the Brunnen der Völkerfreundschaft (the Fountain of Friendship amongst Peoples) and take in what remains of the socialist urban aesthetics, including landmarks like the 365-metre-tall TV Tower and the Urania World Clock, erected in 1969.

Pergamonmuseum is a museum within a historic building that's part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is home to the iconic Pergamon Altar. The building dates back to 1930 when construction was completed under Emperor Wilhelm II.

When you visit this museum, you'll find the Pergamon Altar inside. This is a massive construction that was originally built in the city of the same name in ancient Anatolia. It was reconstructed in this museum where you can see it in all its glory. It's located on Museum Island in the centre of town.

The East Side Gallery is a 1.3 km-long section of the iconic Berlin Wall in Mühlenstraße. Once a divider of East and West Berlin for over 30 years, it now serves as both a memorial and a permanent open-air gallery. You can see a series of murals by artists from around the world.

Many of the artworks have strong political messages, while others are symbols of peace. A highlight is My God, Help Me to Survive This Deadly Love, which depicts a kiss between Leonid Brezhnev and Erich Honecker. On Saturdays, you can join a guided tour by the Berlin Wall Foundation – commentaries are available in English and German.

Go to the flea market at Mauerpark for a cool Sunday filled with shopping, eating and singing. From furniture to clothing to antiques, you can find a wide selection of new and second-hand items at this lively market. Grab some food at the many stalls selling local and international favourites that you can wash down with a beer or a glass of wine. At 3pm, head to the amphitheatre to listen to or sing at the karaoke sessions held here. Popular, hip and festive, the Flea Market at Mauerpark is a must-see in Berlin.

Comparable to Paris’ Champs-Élysées, Kurfürstendamm is a 4-km-long avenue that stretches between the Beton-Cadillacs monument to the west and the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church to the east. Lined with boutiques, restaurants, hotels, car showrooms and cafés, it’s a very pleasant street to stroll down, with the lines of plane trees along its entire length offering some shade. Many of the shops are upscale, but you can also find affordable brands like Bershka and H&M. Kurfürstendamm is also home to KaDeWe, one of the largest department stores in Berlin.

Prenzlauer Berg is the best area for a fun night in Berlin. The streets just north of Kollwitzplatz feature a fair choice of cool watering holes. If you want to sample beers, then Monterey Bar on Danzigerstraße should be your place of choice. They have no less than 250 German and international beers for you to taste. If you’re looking for a hip and quirky place, then WohnZimmer on Lettestraße should please you. Furnished like at the flea market, the venue as an undeniable cool vibe. If you’re looking for an old school NYC bar ambience in Berlin, you should go and have a drink at Badfish Bar on Stargarder Straße. Whisky, craft beer, and super-friendly staff and management will make your night.

Wasserturm is the oldest water tower in Berlin, located 1.5 km north of Alexanderplatz, in Prenzlauer Berg. The neighbourhood around this historical landmark hosts a lively dining scene that offers a wide range of cuisines. Serving Alsatian and South German dishes, Gugelhof is a long-established restaurant on Knaackstraße. Café Anna Blume is a cool venue located at the corner of Kollwitzstraße and Sredzkistraße. Their breakfasts are especially famous. If you fancy dining on fondue and wine, head to Ars Vini on Sredzkistraße. They have an incredible choice of fondue types, even for dessert.