Berlin, you are so wonderful! there are so many sights in our capital – from museums and monuments to entire city districts. all berlin highlights and the right tips for them, you will find in this article.
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Berlin is a city that has been the center of world-shaking events over the past centuries.
No wonder berlin just bursting with sights and it is quite impossible to see all berlin sights during a normal visit.
We therefore present you some top berlin sights that simply can’t be missed on your city trip.
Berlin boutique hotels
11 special hotels in berlin
Our program for 3 days
22 real secret tips for berlin
all our travel tips for berlin
general tips: the best way to visit berlin attractions
Before we start with the attractions, we have some tips to make your sightseeing tour through berlin easier.
#1 reaching berlin’s sights by public transport
bus and train are the best way to get around berlin. The public transportation system is considered one of the best in the world and is actually much better than its reputation.
All berlin sights are located near a subway or suburban train station, so you can leave your car at home. In general, it is difficult to find parking spaces within the berlin ring, and free parking spaces are not available anyway.
Make sure your accommodation is close to a subway or suburban train station. In this article you can find out which parts of the city and which hotels are particularly worthwhile in berlin:
Alternative to U-bahn& co. are there various sharing providers in berlin where you can rent cars, mopeds, e-scooters or bicycles using an app?.
#2 buy the berlin welcomecard
If you plan to visit museums or other highlights that require a fee, the berlin welcomecard is worth your while.
You can find them in different variations and it allows you to ride bus and train for free and get discounts of 20 to 50% at 200 berlin sights and attractions.
the berlin welcomecard is available for 48 or 72 hours and 4, 5 or 6 days and you can order it online:
#3 take a guided tour
Guided tours are always worthwhile if you want to see see as many sights as possible in a short time and get interesting background information. The best way to do this is with a guide who knows the area.
there are many interesting tours through berlin, such as tours on special topics, culinary tours or the very classic sightseeing tours.
Here are some of the most interesting:
If you’re looking for unusual tours that take you off the beaten tourist track, check out our article on them:
#4 book tickets for berlin sights in advance
Berlin is actually well visited at any time of the year. So you can always expect queues in front of berlin’s most famous sights. But if you buy your ticket in advance, you can skip the queue and save valuable vacation time.
Here are the most popular highlights in berlin, for which it is worth booking your ticket in advance:
price per person tickets
| television tower |
24,50 euro |
to the ticket |
| GDR museum |
9,80 euro |
to the ticket |
| panorama point |
11,50 euro |
to the ticket |
| new museum |
12 euro |
TO THE TICKET |
| madame tussauds |
24 euro |
to the ticket |
| hardrock cafe |
20 euro |
to the ticket |
Berlin highlights on a map
For a first overview of the city, we have drawn you the sights on a map.
You can also save the map on your computer or cell phone:
#1 brandenburg gate
as a landmark of berlin no tourist can miss the brandenburg gate. Hardly any other building is so connected with the history of the city as the brandenburg gate.
By the way, there used to be 18 city gates in berlin, but only the one remains.
Directly in front of the brandenburg gate is the always well visited parisian square, on the famous strolling mile under the linden trees ends.
Just beyond the brandenburg gate, the next berlin highlights await.
If you go straight behind the gate, the road of the 17 leads you. June directly to the victory column. if you go around to the left you will see the holocaust memorial, the tiergarten and potsdamer platz and if you go around to the right you will see the reichstag after a few minutes.
The brandenburg gate is a good starting point for a sightseeing tour of the city.
the brandenburg gate and pariser platz
#2 reichstag
surrounded by spree and tiergarten german politics is made in the reichstag building. You are not only very close to the political events, but also face to face with a fascinating building.
The 23 meter high and 40 meter wide glass dome belongs to the reichstag, which you can visit for free. In addition, there is also a roof restaurant above.
Attention: you can visit the dome visit by appointment only. This goes online on the website of the german parliament. Alternatively, you can also register on site at the visitors’ service office, but only if there are still free seats available. We therefore recommend to make a reservation in advance.
On the roof terrace if you wish, there is also a free audioguide, which gives 20 minutes of interesting information about the reichstag building, the dome and the work of the parliamentarians.
Alternatively, you can book a guided tour through the dome and the reichstag. The registration in the reichstagskuppel is there directly:
In some cases, access to the dome can be canceled at short notice, which means that even registered visitors can no longer enter. this is either due to the weather, the security or the parliamentary business.
The reichstag is one of the most important sights in berlin
the dome of the reichstag is particularly impressive
#3 berlin dom
the berlin dom is located on the museum island. Some say it is one of the most beautiful domes in germany.
Admission costs 7 euros and can be paid on site. You are allowed to go up to the dome where again a great view of berlin awaits you.
the walls, ceilings and windows of the cathedral are magnificently decorated in baroque style, with marble elements, mosaics and four huge organs.
In the basement you will find the hohenzollern crypt, one of the most important dynastic tombs in europe. Here you can see the magnificent sarcophagi of the berlin royal family from the 17th century. Up to the 20. visit the century.
AttentionThe hohenzollern crypt is closed until 2023 due to construction work.
directly in front of the dome is the pleasure garden, with its romantic fountain. by the way, this is a nice place to relax on the grass.
the berlin dom is located directly on the spree river
#4 television tower and alexanderplatz
high, higher, berlin television tower! In fact, the tower, with its 368 meters of height, is currently the highest building in germany. Some people say that berliners affectionately call the tower "imponierkeule", "protzstengel", "st. Walter or telespargel call. But honestly: nobody does that.
the tv tower is one of the most prominent highlights of the berlin skyline and the view from the top is worth the climb.
You can have a drink or a snack at the bar 203 high up in the sky. If you are in the revolving restaurant "sphere if you want to eat, you need an extra ticket, but at the same time a table will be reserved for you.
tickets can be purchased online or on site. Since the television tower is one of the most popular berlin sights, you can rarely just walk in. you will then be assigned a time slot on site, which is often several hours later.
Therefore it is worth to book a ticket online without standing in line.
the ascent with online-ticket costs 24,50 euro per person, the ticket on site costs 21,50 euro.
Attention: baby carriages, large bags and suitcases are not allowed up there for safety reasons. Unfortunately, wheelchair users or people with walking aids are not allowed on the tower for the same reasons.
Directly at the television tower is the alexanderplatz, called alex for short by the berliners. Many people think it is very ugly, but on closer inspection it is not.
Around alexanderplatz there are some exciting examples of GDR architecture. Most famous is the world time clock, on which you can read the current time in many places around the world.
Really ugly is only the shopping mall alexa, which is fortunately hidden at the edge of the alex.
the tv tower rises high and offers a great view over berlin.
#5 victory column
A generous pedestal, a high column and a crowning victoria on top – that is the berlin victory column. the statue is also called "goldelse" by the berliners and in contrast to the alleged nicknames of the tv tower this is really true.
The victory column is one of the most important national monuments of germany.
It is located in the middle of the "big star". this is a centrally located square in the middle of the tiergarten, surrounded by a busy traffic circle and linking some of berlin’s most important streets.
to get to the victory column you have to go through one of the four underpasses, which will take you safely underneath the street to the monument.
For only 3 euro entrance fee you can enter the building and climb up a spiral staircase, where again a wonderful view over berlin awaits you.
Attentionthe inside of the column is very cramped and therefore not for people with claustrophobia.
the victory column stands in the middle of the zoological garden
#6 charlottenburg palace
the charlottenburg palace dates back to the times of the prussians and is berlin’s largest and most magnificent palace. the palace garden in english style with the adjoining landscape park is already worth a visit.
Among the palaces you can visit are the old palace, the new wing, the mausoleum of queen luise, the belvedere and the new pavilion.
the old palace is the big main building. The new wing is an annex built by queen luise and king friedrich I. For their personal chambers have built.
The belvedere is a garden house with a view of the spree and a large collection of porcelain. in the new pavilion there is an art exhibition, where paintings from the 18th century are on display. And 19. It is exhibited in the nineteenth century.
you can visit the whole area, all buildings for 17 euro per person, otherwise you can visit only the old palace or the new wing, for 12 and 10 euro respectively.
the charlottenburg palace is also an event venue. orchestras occasionally play in the orangerie, and there is also a christmas market every year.
the charlottenburg palace from its garden side (photo: hans bach)
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#7 east side gallery and oberbaumbrucke
the east side gallery is an open air memorial and today one of the most popular berlin attractions.
Directly on the spree, on the border between friedrichshain and kreuzberg the longest still preserved part of the berlin wall is located. numerous artists have immortalized themselves on the west side of the wall, creating a 1.3-kilometer-long open-air gallery there.
Probably the most famous piece of art at the east side gallery is the brother’s kiss. It shows the heads of state of the Soviet Union and the GDR, leonid breschnew and erich honecker, kissing like brothers.
at the southern end of the east side gallery is the very photogenic oberbaum bridge. From the bank of the spree, on the river side of the east side gallery, you have a wonderful view of berlin’s most beautiful bridge.
Our tip: the oberbaumbrucke is great to photograph especially in the late afternoon or at sunset. then the sun falls diagonally on the red bricks of the bridge and the water of the spree turns beautifully dark blue.
The brother’s kiss is probably the best known painting of the east side gallery
#8 checkpoint charlie
the checkpoint charlie reminds of the phase of the occupation zones and of the cold war. at the same time it is probably the most touristy place in berlin, full of souvenir stores and crowds of people at any time of the day or night. A detour is still worthwhile, because the checkpoint charlie is a historically important place in the city.
It is one of the most important border crossings in the times of german division.
Not much is left of the crossing, even the small control house is a replica from the year 2000. Around checkpoint charlie you will find actors dressed up as american soldiers, who will pose for a few euros for souvenir photos.
the small border post at checkpoint charlie is now a tourist attraction
#9 under the linden trees
Under the lime trees is probably most famous street of berlin. It connects the berlin cathedral with the brandenburg gate, and during your walk you will also pass by other berlin attractions.
among other things, the newly built berlin palace, the museum island, the humboldt university, the state opera, the new guard, several embassies and the german historical museum are located along the street. At the very end there is the pariser platz with the brandenburg gate.
Worth seeing is also the bebelplatz in front of the staatsoper. large book burnings took place here during the nazi era, which are commemorated there today.
Unter den linden crosses among other things the friedrichstrabe, one of the most famous shopping streets in berlin.
The university library on bebelplatz
#10 kurfurstendamm
the kurfurstendamm, called ku’damm by the berliners for short, is the berlin’s most famous shopping street. Here one fashion store follows the other.
from exclusive designer brands to more affordable houses like H&M, you can find everything your shopping heart desires here.
Worth seeing is the memorial church, which is located directly at the ku’damm. The half-destroyed church is a reminder of dark times and now serves as a memorial.
Behind the memorial church, kurfurstendamm merges into tauentzienstrasse. There you will find the most famous department store in germany and the largest in continental europe: the kaufhaus des westens, or kadewe for short. In the kadewe you will find on more than 60.000 square meters of space for a huge selection of fashion, cosmetics and household goods, and at the very top a whole floor of delicacies.
the kudamm and tauentzienstrabe are ideal for a shopping tour in berlin
#11 gendarmenmarkt
the gendarmenmarkt is one of the most beautiful squares in berlin.
The beautifully designed square is surrounded by ensemble of three centuries-old monumental buildings: the german cathedral, the french cathedral and the concert hall.
On and around the square there are numerous noble restaurants and hotels, while on the square itself regular events take place. These include, for example, the christmas market at the gendarmenmarkt and the classic open air, which takes place in summer.
Our tipthe square is always beautiful, but in the evening it is especially worth seeing with the illuminated buildings around it. besides, there is much less going on then.
french cathedral at the gendarmenmarkt
#12 potsdamer platz
Another berlin highlight for many visitors is the potsdamer platz. Here is not only an important junction of the berlin S-bahn, but also several skyscraper.
compared to cities like new york this is of course a piece of cake, but in germany you rarely see something like this.
potsdamer platz was a border area at the time of the german division. in the 90’s the big redesign started and for a long time the place was the biggest construction site in europe.
Particularly worth seeing is the sony center with its spectacular roof construction.
Despite all its modernity, potsdamer platz also has a monument that recalls old times: germany’s first traffic light and one of the first in europe. It has been here since 1924.
Worthwhile is also the visit of the kollhoff-towers. In the 24. And 25. on the first floor is the panorama point, a viewing platform with panorama cafe in 1930s style. you can reach the top with the fastest elevator in europe.
This elevator also has a queue, but with the online-ticket you can get in directly.
The roof of the sony center at potsdamer platz is a real eye-catcher
#13 museum island
If you are fascinated by culture, art and history, you can easily spend several days on the museum island. Because it is the most important museum complex in europe and of course the museum island is also a UNESCO world heritage site.
Berlin has a lot more museums to offer, more than 175 in total! by the way, you can find a detailed article about the best museums in berlin here:
Back to the museum island. Here you will find five museums worth visiting: the old museum, the new museum, the old national gallery, the bode museum and the pergamon museum. since the end of 2020 the completed berlin palace is also located here.
Old museum
Collonades on the museum island
the old museum is dedicated to the art and culture of the ancient greeks as well as the etruscans and the romans. Here you can see, among other things, sculptures, weapons, gold jewelry and silver treasures from the respective cultures.
New museum
A particularly valuable exhibit is kept in the new museum, namely the bust of Nefertiti.
In addition, the new museum includes the egyptian museum, a papyrus collection, and exhibits from the prehistory and early history of mankind.
Old national gallery
the old national gallery shows mainly sculptures and paintings. Here you will find paintings by kasper david friedrich and ernst ludwig kirchner, among others.
Bode museum
the bode museum houses artifacts of byzantine art, italian and german sculptures, coin series as well as some paintings.
Pergamon museum
the pergamon museum consists of three wings and houses a collection of antiquities, the museum of the front asia and the museum of islamic art.
Highlights of the museum are the huge pergamon altar, the market gate of miletus and the ishtar gate.
Berlin palace
the berlin palace has an eventful history behind it. It was first built in the 15th century. it was built in the 19th century and has been rebuilt several times since, used for other purposes, bombed, torn down, rebuilt again.
Originally the residence of the prussian kings, today it serves as a public place for art, culture and science with the humboldt forum housed here.
From the original appearance is currently but the facade with the magnificent dome. The rest of the building is modern and fully adapted to the purpose of exhibitions and events.
A highlight of the palace is the freely accessible roof terrace, which you can reach by elevator from the first floor. There is also a restaurant upstairs.
the old national gallery on museum island
the berlin palace with the humboldt forum
#14 jewish museum
The jewish museum is located in kreuzberg and is the the largest jewish museum in europe. the museum focuses on jewish history and culture as well as migration and diversity in germany.
At the museum you can see exhibitions and collections or take part in events. The wide range of activities also includes guided tours, workshops, lectures, concerts and readings.
you will always come across the era of national socialism and its impact on jewish life in germany, europe and israel.
The museum is not only interesting because of its content, but also, because of its extraordinary architecture by daniel libeskind and the beautiful museum garden.
Our tipthe museum is really big, so you should bring at least three hours of time with you.
This is what the Jewish museum in berlin looks like from the outside
#15 topography of terror
the topography of terror is an exhibition project, which you can visit for free. It is dedicated to the documentation and coming to terms with the terror of national socialism in germany, with a focus on the period from 1933 to 1945.
In the past, the headquarters of the secret state police (gestapo) was located right here, and other important nazi institutions were located nearby, which gives the project an even greater significance.
The exhibition is divided into an indoor and an outdoor area. In the museum you can see original photos, posters and documents from the Nazi era, which make you think about the horror of that time.
in addition to two permanent exhibitions, you can take an informative tour of the museum. There are also temporary exhibitions.
open-air exhibition at the topography of terror
#16 gdr museum
Directly opposite the museum island, the interactive DDR museum deals in a permanent exhibition with the life and everyday culture of the GDR.
The phase, which lasted about 40 years, is presented here vividly and in great detail, so that you can easily put yourself in the time.
Above all, the interactive elements make the museum an experience for young and old alike.
For example, you can print out old recipes in an original GDR kitchen in a reconstructed Plattenbau, so you can cook the dishes at home. Or you can sit in an original trabant and take a virtual drive through east berlin.
Our tipthe museum is always very crowded and the queue is long. With the online-ticket you can get in without standing in line.
In the interactive DDR museum you can immerse yourself in everyday life in the GDR (photo: DDR museum)
#17 holocaust memorial
Berlin played a central role during the Nazi era, which is why you will find the most important memorial to the Jews murdered by the Nazis in europe in the capital city.
The memorial, located between brandenburger tor and potsdamer platz, is an undulating, 19.000 square meter large field, on which 2.711 cuboid concrete steles are erected. The field is freely accessible from all sides and is supposed to reflect the powerlessness and despair of the european Jews of that time through its abstract shapes and gray colors.
Below the stelenfeld is the "place of information", an underground building accessible via stairs, which provides information about the persecution and murder of european Jews on a large presentation area.
exhibition closed on mondays
View of the holocaust memorial
#18 hackesche hofe
the hackeschen hofe are located in stadtteil mitte around the square of the same name, the hackeschen markt.
the hackeschen hofe are a total of eight very worthwhile places to visit, interconnected backyards, where there are boutiques, ateliers and cafes to discover.
There are two entrances to the courtyards, one on sophienstrabe and one on rosenthaler strabe. a walk through the hackeschen hofe is a must for us when visiting berlin.
art nouveau facades in hackesche hofe
#19 kreuzberg
we are often asked: "what are the must-see sights in berlin??". Sure, you have to see the classics like the brandenburger tor. But what really makes berlin are the individual neighborhoods.
We always recommend that visitors simply take a stroll through some of the districts. For us this is the real highlight of berlin. one of these neighborhoods is kreuzberg.
in kreuzberg you can find a lot of streetart, here for example in oppelner strabe very close to schlesisches tor
Kreuzberg is a famous, notorious district of berlin and is considered by many to be a coolest area of the city celebrated.
For a long time, kreuzberg was a rather neglected neighborhood, home to many guest workers and the alternative scene of West Berlin.
kreuzberg is still alternative, even though many of the buildings are now nicely spruced up and the rents are no longer affordable for many old-established kreuzbergers.
The audience here is predominantly young, international and alternative – in other words, kreuzberg! Between oranienstrasse, mariannenplatz and bergmannkiez you will quickly find yourself in a colorful mix of cultures, like nowhere else in germany.
Very worth seeing is the market hall nine, where you can eat delicious food. You will also find some of the hottest clubs in the city in kreuzberg.
Kreuzberg is of course a good place to explore on your own. If you want to know a bit more about the background, you can do that with a local guide.
#20 prenzlauer berg
Another district of berlin worth visiting is prenzlauer berg in the northeast of berlin, or prenzlberg for short.
The district borders directly on mitte and is therefore very centrally located. prenzlauer berg was a typical working-class neighborhood in the east, but also a cultural and alternative center. after the turnaround, the cheap rents in the run-down old buildings attracted many students, artists and alternatives, who have shaped the district for a long time.
In the meantime, the creative people have almost completely given way to young families and higher earners. The old buildings have been extensively renovated and there are many restaurants and small stores.
in prenzlauer berg more than 300 buildings are under monument protection. especially worth seeing here are kastanienallee, the kollwitzplatz and the helmholtzplatz, with their many restaurants and bars.
Another gem is the cultural brewery. This is a disused brewery from the 19th century. The area is a nineteenth-century neighborhood that now houses cafes, stores, a theater and a cinema in several courtyards. in december, one of berlin’s most beautiful christmas markets is also held here.
our tipif you visit prenzlauer berg on a sunday, you should definitely have a look at the mauerpark. then the weekly flea market takes place here and on the meadow of the park there are numerous performance artists and musicians. one of the absolute highlights is the mauerpark-karaoke. just follow the noise, you will discover it.
Mauerpark in spring
#21 friedrichshain
Friedrichshain is like kreuzberg another, alternative quarter of the city with lots of bars, restaurants, flea markets and nightclubs.
Central points of contact are the simon-dach-kiez and boxhagener platz.
friedrichshain is also home to berghain, probably the most notorious techno club in the world, and the east side gallery. Interesting east architecture can be found especially on karl-marx-allee, where time seems to have stopped.
for alternative art and culture, you should check out friedrichshain’s see the RAW-area. The focus is on intercultural projects, exhibitions, markets and the numerous clubs and bars in the area.
You can also explore Friedrichshain’s most interesting corners with a guided bike tour, which also takes you to kreuzberg:
Friedrichshain still life
#22 boat trip on the spree
A nice way to explore berlin is by boat on the spree river. from different piers you can experience berlin’s attractions from a whole new perspective.
on the way you will pass by several berlin sights. Among them are for example the east side gallery, the oberbaumbrucke in friedrichshain-kreuzberg, the government district or the 30 meter high molecule man.
every passenger also gets a free audioguide, which gives information about the different sights in german or other languages.
The boat tours on the spree river pass all the important sights
these were our 22 favorite berlin sightseeings!
Do you know berlin and do you have more tips about the highlights of the city?? Feel free to leave a comment!
Read also our other articles about berlin:
info, tickets and tips for your visit
22 real secret tips for berlin
All info& tickets for your visit
Our program for 3 days
Berlin boutique hotels
11 special hotels in berlin
The best museums in berlin
Where to stay in berlin?
lost places berlin
abandoned places in berlin and surroundings
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