Berlin is an important European center for politics, media, culture, and science, as well as one of the most visited major cities in Europe.
The capital city of Germany was the most famous location of the Cold War due to the Berlin Wall. After reunification, Berlin maintained its leading role. About one-third of the city’s area is made up of forests, parks, gardens, rivers, canals, and lakes.
Table of Contents
Berlin attractions
Brandenburg Gate
One of Germany’s most visited attractions and a symbol of Berlin.
Throughout its more than three-hundred-year history, it has served many different functions: a symbol of peace, war, victory, terror, and above all, war (at the time, the Cold War), and since 1989, a monument to German reunification.
It was here that Ronald Reagan spoke his famous words: „Mr. Gorbachev, open this gate. Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall.”
Access: U55 metro to Bundestag station; Bus 100 to Reichstag/Bundestag stop.
Holocaust Memorial
Next to the Brandenburg Gate is this park, which aims to remind visitors of the horrors of the Holocaust and the suffering of its victims.
The memorial is located on a 19,000 square meter area covered with 2,711 concrete columns of varying heights and arrangements. The columns stand on undulating terrain with gradually rising stone blocks.
It’s a moving experience to walk through here and go down to the information center at the end, but it’s definitely worth doing! Here you can find photographs, documents, and life stories that provide deeper insight into this dark chapter of history.
Entry is free!
Reichstag
It functioned as the parliament of the German Empire until it was set on fire in 1933, and since 1999 it has once again been home to the German legislature.
Its glass dome is one of Berlin’s top attractions, offering an unforgettable view of the German capital from its viewing platform, and you can even see into the Bundestag’s plenary chamber!
Entry to the dome is free, but online registration is required! All information and registration can be found here!
Access: U55 metro to Bundestag station; Bus 100 to Reichstag/Bundestag stop.
Checkpoint Charlie
It was the most famous border crossing between East and West Berlin, and this checkpoint became a symbol of the Cold War. Following the erection of the Berlin Wall in 1961, this point was the site of the famous standoff between American and Soviet tanks.
Directly to the right of the wall, in the Mauermuseum (Checkpoint Charlie Museum), you can see some of the most unusual vehicles used for escapes, such as the one-person submarine, and other exhibits documenting what happened during the division.
Access: U6 metro to Kochstrasse/Checkpoint Charlie station.
Berlin Wall Memorial
This remaining piece of the Berlin Wall commemorates the wall that divided Germany and Berlin during the Cold War.
Since 1999, an exhibition and documentation center has been operating, showcasing the former border barrier and informing visitors about the wall, daily life around it, and its fall.
Entry is free!
Access: U8 metro, M10 tram to Bernauer Strasse station.
Berlin Cathedral (Dom)
A Protestant cathedral on the northern part of the Spree River island, known as Museum Island.
The building was constructed between 1894 and 1905 based on designs by architect Julius Raschdorff, during the reign of Emperor Wilhelm II. Built in neo-baroque style, its distinctive green dome is a defining element of the city’s skyline.
The crypt beneath the cathedral serves as the final resting place for numerous significant rulers and family members of the Hohenzollern dynasty. This crypt is one of the largest royal burial sites in Europe.
It is the most significant Protestant church building in Germany. It often hosts concerts as well.
The 98-meter-high dome offers a full panoramic view of the city, worth admiring Berlin from here. You can reach it via 270 steps.
All information can be found here!
Access: Bus 100, 200 to Lustgarten stop.
Gendarmenmarkt
Located in the historic city center, often referred to as Berlin’s most beautiful square. It got its name from the gendarme regiment (Gens d’Armes) stationed here in 1703.
The square features the French and German Cathedrals, the Schauspielhaus, and a statue of Schiller. But when in the square, don’t just look ahead, look down too! Quotes from famous German figures are engraved on the square’s pavement.
Access: U6 metro to Französische Strasse; U2 metro to Stadtmitte or Hausvogteiplatz station.
Oberbaumbrücke
The Oberbaum Bridge is a double-deck bridge crossing the Spree River in Berlin and is considered one of the city’s landmarks.
It connects Friedrichshain and Kreuzberg, districts once separated by the wall, making it an important symbol of Berlin’s unity.
East Side Gallery
Currently the world’s longest open-air gallery.
More than a hundred paintings can be seen on an original, still intact section of the Berlin Wall over a kilometer long on Mühlenstrasse. The most famous is the kiss between Erich Honecker and Leonid Brezhnev.
Access: S3, S5, S7, S9 train to Ostbahnhof station.
Friedrichstadt-Palast
Also called the „German Broadway,” this building is Europe’s largest revue theater. It’s a true cultural center where the Berlinale and film festivals are held.
Access: U6 metro, tram 12 to Oranienburger Tor stop.
Unter den Linden Boulevard
Literally translated as „under the linden trees.” The boulevard is located in the immediate vicinity of the Brandenburg Gate and Pariser Platz, extending all the way to the Opera House.
Be sure to take a pleasant stroll along this 1.5 km long boulevard!
Access: U55 metro, S1 and S2 train, Bus 100 to Brandenburger Tor stop.
TV Tower
Germany’s tallest freestanding building, interestingly located in the city center at Alexanderplatz.
There’s an observation deck where visitors can go up to 207 meters. Another special feature is a restaurant that rotates completely in half an hour, allowing you to enjoy a 360-degree panorama.
All information can be found here!
Zoo
Germany’s oldest and one of the world’s largest zoos. The park is 160 years old and home to about 1,400 animal species and a total of 14,000 individuals.
One of its attractions is the monkey house and a darkened building where nocturnal animals can be observed.
All information can be found here!
Access: U2, U3, U9 metro, S3, S5, S7, S9 train to Zoologischer Garten station.
Botanical Garden
Here you can see plants from all over the world, totaling about 3 million specimens. The most notable are the tropical greenhouses, where large palms, bamboos, and water lilies can be viewed.
The botanical garden also includes a museum, the Botanical Museum (Botanische Museum), and a large herbarium (Herbarium Berolinense).
All information can be found here!
Access: S1 train to Botanischer Garten station, then 700 m on foot.
Victory Column (Siegessäule)
Berlin’s main symbol, erected to commemorate the Prussian victory over Denmark in 1864.
The column stands on a granite pedestal and is divided into four separate parts. The lower part is decorated with reliefs and mosaics depicting Prussian victories. On top stands an 8.3-meter-high gilded bronze statue representing Victoria, the Roman goddess of victory.
285 steps lead to the statue’s viewing platform, climbing which offers a wonderful view of Berlin, with the entire city visible from the tower.
All information can be found here!
Access: U9 metro to Hansaplatz station, then 600 m on foot; Bus 100 to Großer Stern stop.
Charlottenburg Palace
It’s a bit further from the center, but it’s considered Berlin’s most beautiful palace, so it’s worth a visit. In 1705, King Frederick I asked the builders to make the castle similar to Versailles.
In the center of the palace are the Hohenzollern apartments and the Porcelain Room, whose ceiling is decorated with Chinese and Japanese figures. The palace garden features elements of both French and English styles.
All information can be found here!
Access: U7 metro to Richard-Wagner-Platz station, then 750 m on foot.
Sony Center
So that Berlin doesn’t miss out on modern style, an open shopping center was built on Potsdamer Platz, connected by a steel structure. In the dark, it lights up in different colors, making it worth visiting at night.
Access: U2 metro, S1, S2 train to Potsdamer Platz station.
Currywurst
How does a food item end up in this article? It was created by Herta Heuwer in 1949 and has become Germany’s most popular fast food. It even has its own museum – if you have free time, visit the Currywurst Museum.
Tourist passes
Berlin WelcomeCard
Provides discounts on many attractions, and most passes include free public transportation.
There are three types of passes: Berlin WelcomeCard, Berlin WelcomeCard all inclusive, and Berlin WelcomeCard Museum Island.
Berlin WelcomeCard:
- For 48-hour, 4 and 5-day passes, free public transportation in AB or ABC zones is included;
- For 72-hour and 6-day passes, it can be purchased without public transportation, or with free AB or ABC zone public transportation;
- Free public transportation for up to 3 children (up to 14 years old);
- Discounted entry to more than 180 locations.
Berlin WelcomeCard Museum Island:
- Only available as a 72-hour pass;
- Can be purchased without public transportation, or with free AB or ABC zone public transportation;
- Free public transportation for up to 3 children (up to 14 years old);
- Discounted entry to more than 180 locations;
- Free entry to museums on Museum Island.
Berlin WelcomeCard all inclusive:
- Available for 48, 72 hours, 4, 5, and 6 days;
- Free public transportation, including Potsdam and airport train;
- Free entry to more than 30 locations;
- Discounted entry to about 150 locations;
- Cheaper pass for ages 3-14.
All information can be found here!
CityTourcard
Provides discounts to numerous locations. All types include free public transportation. Separate AB and ABC zone passes are available.
Options for 48-hour, 72-hour, and 4, 5, 6-day passes are available.
With one pass, up to three children (ages 6-14) can use public transportation for free.
All information can be found here!
