Things to do in Berlin: the must-sees and our tips

In short: Berlin is all about its history and its neighbourhoods. Walk through the Brandenburg Gate, go up into the Reichstag dome (registration required), explore Museum Island, follow the traces of the Wall, then soak up the atmosphere of Kreuzberg and Prenzlauer Berg. The city is huge: group your visits by area.

The Brandenburg Gate and the Reichstag

A symbol of the city and of reunification, the Brandenburg Gate opens onto the Unter den Linden boulevard. Right next to it, the Reichstag, home of the German Parliament, is topped by a glass dome that is free to visit with prior online registration: the view over the government quarter and the Tiergarten is well worth it.

A short walk away, the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe and its concrete slabs invite quiet reflection; an information centre lies beneath the memorial.

Museum Island

In the middle of the Spree, Museum Island, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, brings together five major museums, from Antiquity to the 19th century, as well as Berlin Cathedral (Berliner Dom). Pick one or two museums that suit your interests rather than trying to see everything in a day.

Following the Wall

• The Berlin Wall Memorial on Bernauer Straße: a preserved section, an observation tower and an open-air exhibition to understand life along the Wall.
• The East Side Gallery: the longest section still standing, covered in artists’ murals, along the Spree.
• Checkpoint Charlie: the former crossing point between the American and Soviet sectors, very touristy, with its museum.

Neighbourhoods to enjoy

• Mitte: the historic centre, its courtyards (Hackesche Höfe) and galleries.
• Kreuzberg: multicultural and lively, with cafés, street food and the canal banks.
• Prenzlauer Berg: restored façades, leafy squares, brunches and markets.
• Friedrichshain: nightlife and a monumental former avenue (Karl-Marx-Allee).

Parks and breathing space

The Tiergarten, a huge park in the heart of the city, is best crossed on foot or by bike up to the Victory Column. Tempelhofer Feld, a former airport turned park, is a unique spot for a picnic or a ride along the runways. To the west, Charlottenburg Palace and its gardens recall royal Prussia.

Day trips from Berlin

• Potsdam: the palaces and gardens of Sanssouci, reached by S-Bahn or regional train (zone C).
• Wannsee and its lakes, for a day in nature.

Getting around

• The S-Bahn and U-Bahn serve the whole city; trams complete the network in the east.
• Zones: A and B for the city, A, B and C for the airport and Potsdam.
• From BER airport, the FEX express train reaches the main station in about twenty minutes.
• Cycling is very practical: the city is flat and well equipped with bike lanes.

All our tips for the country: Travel in Germany.

Where to stay in Berlin?

Mitte for a first visit, Prenzlauer Berg for peace and quiet, Kreuzberg and Friedrichshain for atmosphere. All the areas are covered in our guide Where to stay in Berlin.