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Berlin, Germany

Destination Guide

Berlin

Germany

Best things to do in Berlin

50 curated attractions in Berlin, Germany. Handpicked for every kind of traveler.

Best time

May - September

Average temp

10°C/50°F

Budget

Mid-range

Safety

Generally safe

About Berlin

Berlin is a city defined by its tumultuous history and its transformation into a cultural hub. The fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 turned the city from a divided capital into a symbol of unity, and the remnants of that wall can still be seen today, notably at the East Side Gallery, where artists have turned sections into open-air canvases. This historical backdrop influences everything from the architecture to the eclectic cultural scene, with institutions like Museum Island and the Berliner Philharmonie drawing visitors interested in art and music. Add in a nightlife scene famous for its clubs, and you have a city that feels like both a museum and a playground. Many visitors come specifically for the museums and galleries, which are abundant and often world-class.

Who it's for

Art lovers, history buffs, and night owls will find plenty to enjoy. The city's size and layout can be overwhelming for those looking for quick trips between attractions. If you prefer polished environments with predictable schedules, you might find Berlin's creative chaos a bit much.

Getting around

Public transport: Very Good

  • The public transport system is extensive and efficient, making it easy to navigate the city
  • Most major attractions are within a 30-minute ride on the U-Bahn or S-Bahn
  • Walking between spots in the central districts usually takes less than an hour
  • Berlin's layout is spacious, which means the distances can be deceptive
Pfaueninsel (Peacock Island)

Pfaueninsel (Peacock Island)

Islands
Victory Column

Victory Column

Monuments & memorials
Berlin Botanical Garden

Berlin Botanical Garden

Botanical gardens
Oberbaumbrücke

Oberbaumbrücke

Architecture
Teufelsberg (Devil's Mountain)

Teufelsberg (Devil's Mountain)

Mountains & volcanoes
Potsdamer Platz

Potsdamer Platz

Squares & plazas
Hackescher Markt

Hackescher Markt

Streets & neighbourhoods
Berlin Wall Trail

Berlin Wall Trail

Streets & neighbourhoods
Gendarmenmarkt

Gendarmenmarkt

Squares & plazas
KaDeWe Department Store

KaDeWe Department Store

Malls & department stores
Berlin Cathedral

Berlin Cathedral

Churches & cathedrals
Nikolai Quarter

Nikolai Quarter

Streets & neighbourhoods
Fork & Walk

Fork & Walk

Food and Drink Destinations
Kollwitzplatz Market

Kollwitzplatz Market

Local & craft markets
Berliner Philharmonie

Berliner Philharmonie

Concert halls
Old Mint (Alte Münze)

Old Mint (Alte Münze)

Specialty & quirky museums
Reichstag Building

Reichstag Building

Modern architecture & skyscrapers
Museum Island (Berlin)

Museum Island (Berlin)

Art museums & galleries
Grunewald Gate

Grunewald Gate

Historical Attractions
Brandenburg Gate

Brandenburg Gate

Monuments & memorials
Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe

Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe

Cultural
love at second sight

love at second sight

Shopping and Markets
Spree River

Spree River

Natural Wonders
Berlin Wall Memorial

Berlin Wall Memorial

Monuments & memorials
Markt am Maybachufer

Markt am Maybachufer

Shopping and Markets
Charlottenburg Palace

Charlottenburg Palace

Castles & palaces
Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church

Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church

Churches & cathedrals
Tiergarten Park

Tiergarten Park

City parks
Lustgarten

Lustgarten

City parks
Altes Museum

Altes Museum

Art museums & galleries
East Side Gallery

East Side Gallery

Street art districts
Kurfürstendamm

Kurfürstendamm

Shopping streets & districts
Spree und Havelschiffahrt

Spree und Havelschiffahrt

Urban Attractions
Pergamon Museum

Pergamon Museum

History museums
Tierpark Berlin (Berlin Zoo)

Tierpark Berlin (Berlin Zoo)

Zoos
Berlin Zoological Garden

Berlin Zoological Garden

Zoos
Molecule Men

Molecule Men

Arts and Entertainment Venues
Soviet Garden

Soviet Garden

Urban Attractions
Marienkirche (St. Mary's Church)

Marienkirche (St. Mary's Church)

Churches & cathedrals
Humboldt Forum

Humboldt Forum

Specialty & quirky museums
Berlin TV Tower

Berlin TV Tower

Observation decks & city views
Markthalle Neun

Markthalle Neun

Shopping and Markets
Berlin Dungeon

Berlin Dungeon

Specialty & quirky museums
Frau Tonis

Frau Tonis

Shopping
DDR Museum

DDR Museum

History museums
Alexanderplatz

Alexanderplatz

Squares & plazas
Dreifaltigkeitskirche

Dreifaltigkeitskirche

Churches & cathedrals
Checkpoint Charlie

Checkpoint Charlie

Monuments & memorials
Friedrichstraße Bahnhof

Friedrichstraße Bahnhof

Urban Attractions
Nowkölln Flowmarkt

Nowkölln Flowmarkt

Shopping and Markets

Where to eat in Berlin

The places worth planning a meal around.

Coccodrillo

Coccodrillo

Italian

★ 4.7 · 19,573 reviews

Café am Neuen See

Café am Neuen See

Regional & seasonal

★ 4.2 · 12,038 reviews

Zagros

Zagros

Kurdish · $$

★ 4.8 · 4,674 reviews

Bonanza Coffee Roasters

Bonanza Coffee Roasters

Coffee · $$

★ 4.3 · 2,525 reviews

The Barn

The Barn

Cafe · $$

★ 4.3 · 2,293 reviews

Bellboy

Bellboy

★ 4.4 · 1,870 reviews

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