Berlin is a great city with a lot to offer. It is a perfect place for a getaway. It is also a great city to live in. Berlin’s storied past and diverse cultural landscape can make putting together a well-rounded itinerary incredibly easy.
Like many smaller European cities, the German capital can be a little difficult to navigate. In a way, Berlin is a microcosm of the European experience. It has a history that has a rich mix of tiny cobblestone streets, grand boulevards, and modern, high-rise buildings. It has thriving art and music scene, delicious food, and fantastic nightlife.
In fact, Berlin has grown to become a favorite destination for those looking for a romantic getaway. There are many ways to explore this fascinating city.
What to Do in Berlin
With so many options, making a list of the must-see attractions in Berlin can be overwhelming. The best strategy is to choose a few points of entry and spend some time exploring. But even that can be quite confusing.
While Germany has tours and trips of all kinds available throughout the country, Berlin has a distinct appeal that makes its landmarks and activities a must-see during your visit. So, we’ve put together a list of our top things to do in Berlin.
Berlin is home to some of the world’s most significant cultural sites. Its rich history dates as far back as the 14th century.
The city’s architecture reflects its past as the capital of the Holy Roman Empire. The Brandenburg Gate, the Reichstag, and the Berlin Cathedral are all landmarks that have defined the city’s history.
There are also many museums and galleries. For example, the KW Institute for Contemporary Art has been a major non-profit showcase for new talent since the early 1990s. The East Side Gallery is a tribute to the pioneering spirit that held the city together during reunification. It features over 100 murals, graffiti artworks, and slogans created by a collective of Berlin artists.
The city’s culinary scene is both diverse and vibrant. Berlin is home to more than 600 restaurants and cafes. There are many fine-dining restaurants, as well as inexpensive, casual eateries. It’s no surprise that the city’s restaurants are some of the most popular in Europe.
Berlin Activities
Here are some of the activities available to you in Berlin.
Discover Berlin on a Walking Tour
On this half-day walking tour of Mitte, you’ll see many of Berlin’s most important sites and highlights, as well as get interesting commentary from your guide.
Learn intimate facts about the German city’s various ages, ranging from present times to the Cold War, Nazi, Imperial, and Prussian periods.
Checkpoint Charlie, the Holocaust Memorial, the restored Reichstag, the Brandenburg Gate, and the Berlin Wall are among the other highlights of this jam-packed guided tour.
Prices: 20 € (24 USD) per person.
Classic Bites and Culinary Trends Neighborhood Food Tour in Berlin
During this half-day walking food tour, you’ll eat your way through Berlin, stopping at places you might not have discovered otherwise. Given the city’s culinary wealth, eating out is a must-do in Berlin.
Sample street cuisine, fusion specialties, dessert, and Pilsner beer with a Berlin local while learning about Berlin life, food, and culture for an immersive experience.
Prices: 106 € (125 USD) per person.
Go on A Night Sightseeing Rickshaw Tour
By taking a rickshaw excursion, you may save time and explore Berlin’s best landmarks at a faster pace than a walking tour.
Get a close-up look at the attractions and see the best of Berlin at night.
Prices: 40 € (46 USD) per person.
Big Bus Berlin Hop-on-Hop-off tour with Walking Tour
Big Bus Berlin, with its stunning views from an open-top bus, is the ideal introduction to a city with a turbulent history.
This meticulously planned trip takes you to Berlin’s major buildings and sights, from the majestic Brandenburg Gate to Cold War icon Checkpoint Charlie.
Prices: 26 € (30 USD) per person.
Go on a Berlin Dinner Cruise
See the city from the river while enjoying a guided dinner. This sunset dinner cruise passes by the highlights of Berlin for 2.5 hours.
Prices: 55 € (64 USD) per person.
Take a Tour of Dresden From Berlin
Dresden, the capital of Saxony, is only 165 kilometers from Berlin. The city is also known as the ‘Florence of the Elbe,’ due to its likeness to the magnificent Italian city and its location on the Elbe’s banks.
This 10-hour tour includes a guided walking tour of the city and its historical monuments, free time for lunch and shopping, and the use of a private, luxurious vehicle for up to 6 persons.
Prices: 700 € (820 USD) per person.
Go On a Guided Tour of the Reichstag Building
The Reichstag is one of the most famous buildings in Berlin. The Reichstag is an internationally recognisable symbol of democracy and the current home of the German parliament
It’s not often that you can take in such a breathtaking view as the political decisions of the future are being made right beneath your feet. The Reichstag serves an important function in Berlin as both an architectural marvel and a historical witness.
Prices: 10 € (12 USD) per person.
Free Things to Do in Berlin
Here are some free things available to do in Berlin.
Visit the Berlin Wall Memorial
The Berlin Wall Memorial, located in the heart of the capital, is the main memorial site of the German division. The memorial is one of many historical attractions in Berlin. Located on Bernauer Strasse, it extends approximately 1.4 kilometers from the former border strip.
The memorial features the remaining component of the Berlin Wall, as well as the preserved grounds behind it, and can therefore offer an idea of how border barriers evolved until the end of the 1980s.
See the Brandenburg Gate
The Brandenburg Gate is one of the more popular places to visit in Berlin. It was built during the 18th-century reign of Friedrich Wilhelm II and has long been a defining emblem of Berlin and both the city’s separation and unification.
It was located in no-land man’s land between East and West Germany during the Cold War.
Visit the Neues Museum
In 2009, the Neues Museum opened its doors to the public.
The Neues Museum is one of the best museums in Germany. It brings together geographically and thematically relevant exhibits from three independent collections: Egyptian art, prehistoric items, and classical antiquities.
Spend an Afternoon at the Kurfürstendamm
This well-known West Berlin avenue, also known as Ku’damm, has a diverse selection of stores, restaurants, and nightclubs.
You can choose to spend your time browsing through the shops, or an evening dancing away in a nightclub.
Go to Mauerpark
Mauerpark is a social, cultural, and artistic center of Berlin. Previously an area of conflict during the Cold War, Mauerpark is now home to amphitheaters, cafes, and local flea markets. The park is among Berlin’s attractions.
You can go for a walk, read, play basketball, have a picnic, or participate in community gardening.
Visit The Holocaust Memorial
The Holocaust memorial is a place for reflection, remembering, and warning. The Memorial commemorating one of modern history’s biggest disasters is located near the Brandenburg Gate in the heart of Berlin.
Stroll along the Berlin Wall
For over thirty years, Berlin was a divided city, with a wall cutting through its center. The Berlin Wall separated the city between East and West Berlin from 13 August 1961 to 9 November 1989.
Today, relics of the Wall, its remains, and memorial sites can be found across the city, including the East Side Gallery, the Berlin Wall Memorial in Bernauer Strasse, and the green Mauerpark.
Final Thoughts on Things to Do in Berlin Germany
Berlin is a dynamic city that’s constantly changing. It’s a great place to live and an even better place to visit. With so much stuff to do in Berlin, it’s easy to see why so many people choose it as an ideal destination
There is an endless list of places to discover in Berlin. The city offers an activity for everyone, so there’s definitely no need to stay cooped up in your hotel room the whole time.
If you plan on traveling to other major cities in Germany after your stay in Berlin, check out some facts we’ve compiled about Munich.
Last updated on October 13th, 2023 at 03:02 pm
