Berlin’s huge and kinda all over the place in the best way possible. Every time I’ve gone, there’s always something new happening. In this guide, I’m keeping it simple with a mix of the best things to do in Berlin, plus some budget-friendly and totally free stuff if you’re tryna keep costs low.
Famous Experiences In Berlin
Best Things To Do In Berlin
Learn About History At The Reichstag Building
The Reichstag Building is notably one of Berlin’s most important landmarks. At the top of the building is a refurbished dome and terrace accessible to the public and open daily from 8 am. There’s even a rooftop restaurant there where you can enjoy breakfast with views.
While it is free to visit the German Bundestag, you have to register in advance as there is controlled and limited entry. This is still a government building after all. You want to have your personal information handy for the booking, such as official photo identification.
But I highly recommend doing this as part of a guided tour which also covers the surrounding parliament district because it gives you waaay better insights into the history of Berlin which is incredibly interesting. It’s so much less hassle and will also set a foundation for the rest of your trip.
Visit TV Tower For Panoramic Views Of Berlin
An trip up the TV Tower is one of the iconic things to do in Berlin both in the day and at night. BUT I recommend going near sunset, so you can see the day view, then wait until the sky darkens for the night view.
The TV Tower is Germany’s tallest steel structure (so checkmark there) and literally Berlin’s most notable landmark. You’ll reach 203 meters in less than a minute with the high speed elevator, that brings you to the observation deck with those beautiful city views.
There’s also a revolving restaurant and bar up top which makes for a romantic dinner spot (take note couples!). It takes 30 minutes for the restaurant to complete a full rotation.
The Berlin TV Tower is typically open from 9am to 11pm. You want to book your tickets in advance to save time.
Explore Berlin From The Waters
One of the chill and scenic ways to see Berlin is to hop on a Spree River boat tour. The 1-hour cruise from Friedrichstraße or Museum Island takes you right through the heart of the city, giving you a different perspective of Berlin’s most famous sights (and all without having to walk!)
You’ll pass by big landmarks like the Berlin Cathedral, Museum Island, and even the Reichstag. It’s a cool mix of old and new where you’ll see historic buildings standing right next to modern glass architecture.
Best of all, there’s audio commentary in multiple languages, so you can learn a bit about what you’re seeing without it feeling too heavy or touristy.
The boat cruise is especially nice on a sunny day, but even in cooler weather, the boats are covered and cozy. You can buy drinks or snacks onboard too, making it an easy and enjoyable activity. Make sure to book your tickets early to secure the time slot you want!
Hot Tip: Arrive earlier before your departure time so you have more seats to choose from.
Take A Trip To Museum Island
Berlin has over a 100 museums, but if you were to choose which to visit, then The Museum Island is a no-brainer. Museum Island basically encompasses some of the oldest museums in the city, like the Altes Museum, Neues Museum, and Pergamon.
You can spend a whole day just visiting the ones here and I’ll bet that will give you a sufficient dose of museum visits for your Berlin. The awesome thing is they are all clustered together and you don’t have to spend much time traveling.
For convenience, just get a museum island multiple entry ticket that gives you access to multiple museums here. Way more worthwhile and time saving than having to grab individual tickets at each one.
Some museums even host exclusive behind-the-scenes tours for curious travelers and special events. If you want to explore the arts, culture and history altogether, a visit to Museum Island is one of the finest things to do in Berlin alone.
For other who like more quirky or deeper dive into history, a couple of interesting museums in Berlin (that are not on Museum Island) that you can consider are:
- DDR Museum – For history lovers
- lluseum Berlin – Illusions fun for kids and adults
- Madam Tussads is not unique to Berlin but of course, still incredibly popular.
Interesting Tours And Activities In Berlin
City Biking/Walking Tour In Berlin
Berlin don’t just have a lot of history, but very important ones at that. This is primarily because of Germany’s role in the World War. I don’t think you can ever really cover all the events this city or country has gone through.
But getting a foundation of the important events will give you much more appreciation of all the sights you visit subsequently. That is why I always recommend going on a walking tour right at the start of the trip.
There’s many options, you can choose to dive deep into a specific period of history like the Cold War and Third Reich, or get a more general overview of the whole city. And best of all, you even have options of how you want to do it – by foot or on a bike.
Embrace Local Artistry On A Street Art Tour
Berlin is one of the most creative cities to see in person. Many nomads who love to use this city as a base actually really enjoy the artistic scene, be it in music, arts or other avenues. That said, one of the easiest and most obvious creative form of expression you’ll see here is street art.
That said, a guided street art tour is one of the most interesting adventures you can go on in Berlion. Sure, you can see some of the art yourself, but what’s more interesting is really knowing the stories, histories and artists behind them.
Street art in Berlin is more than just visually attractive graffiti, many of the iconic pieces come with stories behind them. It’ll expose you to a different side of Berlin from a local artist’s perspective.
Explore The Hidden Parts of Berlin
This is likely not something I’ll suggest for your first trip to Berlin, unless you have extra time. But if you’re looking to go beyond the typical tourist sights, the Hidden Backyards Walking Tour in Berlin is a fun and eye-opening way to explore a more local side of the city.
This guided tour takes you through the lesser-known courtyards and alleyways of neighborhoods like Mitte, showing you places you’d probably miss on your own. These courtyards are tucked behind normal-looking buildings, but once you step inside, you’ll find cool street art, quiet gardens, small galleries, and indie shops.
Some have interesting histories from Berlin’s past, especially around WWII and the Cold War, while others are creative spaces that artists and locals use today. In some sense, it’s not just about what you see but also the feeling of discovering secret parts of Berlin that make the city so unique.
It’s a great choice if you’ve already seen the big sights and want something more authentic and off-the-beaten-path. Be sure to charge your camera/phone, there are tons of artsy, Instagram-worthy corners.
Free Things To Do In Berlin
The Classic Brandenburg Gate
You have probably seen this structure in many Berlin photos. Brandenburg Gate is one of Berlin’s most famous and meaningful historic monuments.
This intricate neoclassical monument has stood tall since the 18th century and is a must-see for anyone traveling to Berlin.
I recommend arriving before 10 am if you want a photo without the crowds as it gets pretty busy later. This is the meeting point for many tours, activities, and protests. At night, the gate lights up beautifully, enhacing the elaborate detail in the architecture.
Visit The Holocaust Memorial
Located near the Brandenburg Gate is the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe so you can combine a visit to both these landmarks. As tragic as it is, the holocaust is a big part of human history, and this 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. While it is not as big as some of the other Holocaust museums like Yad Vashem in Jerusalem and Auschwitz-Birkenau, it is still very impactful.
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.
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 digital nomads who are in the music space love this destination 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 via the S-Bahn railway and U-Bahn metro system. It is also quite a walkable city once you get to a certain district, which is a great way to soak in the surroundings.
The hop on hop off bus is another convenient option if you want to easily travel across the main attractions and districts.
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.
