Berlin is one of the largest cities in Europe, with an eclectic and distinct cultural flair running through the streets. With nearly 3.6 million inhabitants, Berlin offers a little something for everyone with plenty of interesting endeavors to choose.
This article highlights some of the best things to do in Berlin including some free activities to stretch the penny.
Backpacking in Berlin
Recognized as a city of experimentation, Berlin embraces creativity and individual empowerment, making it an ideal and exciting destination for solo travelers. Most digitla nomads who are in the music space love this desitnation as it is home to many media festivals.
The city is quite accessible and affordable for solo travels and features some of the most excellent museums, art galleries and nightlife. The best time to discover the city is from April to October. Although, there is no wrong time to visit this charming city.
The best ways to get around in the city when traveling alone in Berlin is public transportation or walking. It also provides an opportunity to soak in the surroundings. Popular public transport includes the S-Bahn railway and U-Bahn metro system.
Best Things To Do In Berlin
When traveling alone in Berlin, it is hard not to fall in love with the people, culture, lifestyle, and nightlife. Berlin is a highly creative and lively metropolis with a famous reputation for being a party city.
Fortunately, Berlin is a very welcoming city that invites visitors with open arms. To get the most out of this enticing city, here are some of the best things to do alone in Berlin.
Segway Joyrides in the city
Head out on a smooth joyride and sightsee by segway. This two-wheeled self-balancing scooter allows you to hit all the main sites effortlessly. The tours can last from 2 to 3 hours and takes you on an energizing cruise through the beautiful city.
On average, segway tours enable riders to spend up to 10 minutes at each destination to ensure sufficient time to soak up landmarks while making time for a diverse selection before the day is over.
Next to bikes, Segways are the next best for solo travel in Berlin. Tours start at approximately $80 per rider.
Take a trip to Museum Island
The name says it all. Museum Island is composed of some of the oldest museums in the city, featuring the Altes Museum, Neues Museum, and Pergamon, to name a few. Museum Island rests in between the River Spree, and the Kupfergraben circled by a 400-meter long canal. Some museums host exclusive behind-the-scenes tours for curious travelers and special events such as music festivals. A visit to Museum Island makes one of the finest things to do in Berlin alone.
The infamous Brandenburg Gate
Brandenburg Gate is one of Berlin’s most famous landmarks and is iconic for sharing Berlin’s unique and charming history elegantly.
This intricate neoclassical monument has stood tall since the 18th century and is a must-see for anyone traveling to Berlin alone. The best time to visit this significant monument is during the peak months from April to October. Ideally, I recommend arriving before 10 am to beat the crowds as it can get pretty packed on most days. Visit Brandenburg Gate from 10 am to 6 pm. At night, the gate lights up beautifully, emphasizing the elaborate detail in the architecture.
Embrace local artistry on a Street Art Tour
Berlin is guaranteed one of the most creative cities to see in person. Locals have put Berlin on the artistic radar for many creatives worldwide. Artists worldwide come together and share one thing in common: a passion for street art and expression.
Berlin offers Street Art Tours that take you through the strange and stellar areas that make Berlin the great city it is known as today. Each tour can last up to 3 hours and starts from an average of $23 per person. Street Art Tours are essential for solo travel in Berlin.
TV Tower offers panoramic views of the nightlife
For the night owls out there, embarking on a solo excursion to the TV Tower is one of the best things to do in Berlin at night.
The TV Tower is Germany’s tallest steel structure and Berlin’s most notable landmark. A brisk ride up the elevator transports you to the Observation deck attached to a revolving restaurant that serves the essence of Berlin on a plate.
In less than a minute, you’ll reach 203 meters. It takes 30 minutes for the restaurant to complete a full rotation—a fun fact: the restaurant does not have a kitchen. The kitchen is downstairs, and meals are brought up to guests via a secret elevator.
Restaurant tickets start at $30 per person, and Observation Deck admission starts at $26 per person. The Berlin TV Tower is typically open daily from 9 am to midnight from March to October. They open an hour later at 10 am from November to February.
Reichstag Building
The Reichstag Building is notably one of Berlin’s most famous landmarks. Reichstag offers 30-minute grand tours for solo travelers to experience and learn historical exhibitions.
At the top of the building is a refurbished dome and terrace accessible to the public and open daily from 8 am. The famous landmark also features a rooftop restaurant that lights up beautifully at night.
While it is free to visit the Reichstag Building, it’s best to book in advance, considering it is a highly sought-after experience.
Booking online in advance avoids long wait times (sometimes up to 5 hours) at the door. It’s good to have personal information handy for the booking, such as official photo identification, to save time when scheduling.
Free Things To Do In Berlin
Visit The Holocaust Memorial
Located in the heart of Berlin is the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe. As dark as it may sound, this tragic event is part of our history. It serves as a place of tribute and remembrance.
Designed by famous architect Peter Eisenman, the Memorial features 2711 concrete slabs at different heights in an open-space grid formation that creates a sense of abstract uncertainty. It is by far one of the most distinct memorial sites globally.
The Memorial is accessible daily from 10 am to 7 pm and features an underground exhibition that highlights detailed information on the history of the holocaust. The average time spent here is 1 to 2 hours and indeed an experience to remember for a lifetime.
Unwind in Tiergarten Park
If you are looking to escape Berlin’s bustling streets, visit Tiergarten Park for some peaceful solitude. The park is just a brief walk from Brandenburg Gate. Perfect for taking a lunch break, people watching, or a relaxing stroll. Tiergarten offers over 500 acres of pure greenery for a breath of fresh air.
The park includes benches and picnic tables, an open green lush landscape, and intriguing monuments. Inside the park is a small lake to go canoeing or sit by and take in the view.
The park is open to everyone daily and is, without a doubt, one of the most comforting free things to do in Berlin. Tiergarten Park is perfect for those traveling alone in Berlin.
Berlin Wall Memorial
The Berlin Wall was initially formed as a division between East and West Berlin during the Cold War. In 1989, some of the wall was torn down as a symbol of reunification to end the division between both sides of Germany.
Today, the remnants of the Berlin Wall can be found throughout the city and now features incredible artwork hand-made by both local and international artists. The wall has become an open air gallery filled with vibrant creations that reach over 1300 meters long.
One of the paintings being the renowned Fraternal Kiss created by artist Dmitri Vrubel in 1990. The best time to visit the Berlin Wall is from May to September when the weather is perfect for a brisk stroll or bike ride along the wall.
Free walking tour in Berlin
That is correct! The metropolis offers walking tours that are one of the most fun, free things to do in Berlin. Who knew such a thing could exist in such a dashing city.
Berlin is known for its free walking tours that take guests on a 3-hour long walk through the city’s top attractions. A local guide leads these tours with excessive knowledge of Berlin’s history and treasures.
Visit some of the most iconic landmarks in Germany such as Brandenburg Gate, parts of the Berlin Wall, and the symbolic TV Tower.
Visiting Berlin
Berlin is an amazing city to embrace vibrant nightlife, diversity, and history in a classy, modern way. With a wide selection of fun things to do in Berlin, I recommend striving to spend at least 3 to 5 days, if not more, in this colorful and exciting city. Berlin solo travel is a recommended adventure for budget-backpackers.
