Berlin is full of history and one of my favourites European cities to visit. As a city, it had to endure the bombing of the allies during World War I & II, after which it was divided during the Cold War into two different states, the German Democratic Republic (East) & the Federal Republic of Germany (West). In 1961 the east started building the wall that separated families and friends for almost 30 years to where it was demolished for the most part in 1989. One year after, in 1990, Germany was finally reunited and Berlin became a single city once again.
All these stories have directly affected Berliners to become the citizens they are today. You can still see differences between Ossi and Wessi as they have lived under two completely different economical and political systems. In my opinion, there is still an imaginary wall that surely will disappear in the next generations. You can feel all of these footprints in every little thing Berlin and the people who live there have to offer: their creativity, street art, techno music, the re-using of buildings and converting them into public spaces, and so much more.
As you can read, Berlin has gone through a lot, from being completely destroyed until now where it is one of the most exciting cities bringing in for example the best DJ´s from around the world to still their techno cravings. Berlin is definitely a Fenix, rising from the ashes.
Here we leave you some tips on where and what to see, we hope you enjoy your stay:
- Views of the city
- Museums
- Historic must-see points
- Not normally found in travel guides but cool to do
- Going out, boroughs, Clubs und Party Machen!
- COVID-19 travel restrictions to Germany
Views of the city
Panoramapunkt
Located in Postdamer Platz it is a great place to have an overall view of Berlin. We went for the sunset and was beautiful. We actually saw it from the cafeteria while tasting a german beer (around 5/6€ depending on the beer you want). Absolutely recommend it. I would recommend you to book in advanced on the internet as it is very popular and can be sold out soon.
Entrance ticket: 7,5€*. Find ticket information here.
Television Tower
Also known in german as Fernsehturm, located in Alexanderplatz is a “must-see” in Berlin. Was built during the 60ths as a symbol of East Germany’s achievements and as the Panoramapunkt has a 360º view of the city. As for advice, I would choose one of the two if you are visiting the city for a few days. I did both but on different trips and I preferred the Panoramapunkt as I could take pictures of the city landscape with the TV Tower. From Panoramapunkt you can actually see the Reichstag, Tiergarten, Holocaust Monument and the Under the linen. From the TV Tower, you can see Museum Island, the cathedral, the under inen and at the end the Tiergarten. Ah! and the Panoramapunkt is cheaper!
See entrance ticket information.
Reichstag dome or German Bundestag
Soooo cool! it’s free to get in and give you a free guide to listen while on the dome. Remember to book in advanced as it is very popular and normally is fully booked. Bring your passport or ID in order to be able to get it. The views from the city are very nice and the whole structure is amazing. The visit can take around 1 hour or 1 hour and a half.
Museums of Berlin
Museum Island
The Museum Island is located in the Mitte district right in the centre of Berlin on the shore of river Spree and it’s formed by 4 museums:
Pergamon Museum
In this museum, you will be able to see pieces of the most stunning architecture works of antiquity as the Ishtar Gate from Babylon which, by the way, is breathtaking or the Pergamon Altar which unfortunately is currently closed for renovation works).
Bode-Museum
Sculptures, late Antique and Byzantine Art.
Neues Museum (New Museum)
Here you will find the famous bust of Nefertiti but be aware that it can not be as you expect as it occurred to some people at seeing Mona Lisa, the bust is in an around glass container and the room where it is normally very crowded.
Alte Nationalgalerie (Old National Gallery)
A friend of mine described it as the “bonbon” of the Museum Island, not so known but with great art pieces from Prussian art, German Romanticism, and French Impressionism. Can’t miss it!
Altes Museum (Old Museum)
Here you will find Greek antique art, Etruscans and Romans pieces.
In my humble opinion is a lot to see and lots of queuing so what we would recommend is to choose just a couple of them and see the others on the next visit (unless you are crazy about antique art and museums so you definitely have to go to all of them). Also, I would advise you to go to the museums on rainy days… Berlin is not known for its hot and sunny weather so check the weather to plan your visit.
One day ticket entrance for all museums: 18€*
Three-day ticket entrance for all museums: 29€*
Berlin Welcome Card (72h) for all museums: 45€*
Berlin Cathedral
Right in Museum Island, you have to make a jump here if in the area and rest in the green in front of it.
Entrance ticket: 7€*
Hamburger Bahnhof
Just in case you still want to go to any other museum here you have the contemporary art museum with pieces of Anselm Kiefer or Liechtenstein.
Historic must-seen points
Brandenburg Gate
Next to the Reichstag and the Holocaust Memorial you will find the gate being the entrance as well to the Tiergarten. You can’t visit Berlin without a pic here!
Holocaust Memorial
Just around the corner from Brandenburg Gate is another must-see in berlin. The sculpture is a remembrance of the murdered Jews in Europe and has many interpretations for some it shows with its ups and downs how without realising people got into a deep labyrinth which was really difficult to scape, others see it as a cemetery full of thumbs… In my opinion really beautiful and a place to think about.
Victory Column & Tiergarten Park
Tiergarten is one of the biggest parks in which I have ever been. Definitely, you should go for a stroll if the weather is good and take a pic of yourself with the Victory Column.
Checkpoint Charlie
Right in front of the McDonalds the gate to the American sector. It is just a small reminder of our recent history and a very crowded road.
East Side Gallery
In the borough of Kreuzberg, this is my most recommended place to go to in Berlin. I really love it. You can see the wall that split the city in two for almost 30 years and how people and artists have converted it into an open-air art gallery with stunning, colourful, cheerful and full of meaning pieces. So don’t miss it!
Spree Cruise
If you don’t have too much time in the city and you are lucky enough to have a sunny day, go on a cruise! prices go from 15€ for one hour (which I think is more than enough and you see lots of things or even 50€ or beyond for 3 hours trips.
Sanssouci Palace & Garden
Quite far away from the city centre. We came here just because we rented a car and it was in our way, otherwise, I’m not sure if I would have come all this way by bus. But is it is in your route you should for sure stop and check it!
Others: Gendarmenmarkt, Charlottenburg Palace, Wall Memorial and Documentation Centre.
Not normally in travel guides but cool to do
Tempelhof Airport
I didn’t know what to expect when I heard about this old airport converted into a park, I think I was just expecting a park but when I arrived my jaw felt off. You can actually see the airport and you can walk, bike or skate into the taking off the runway. It is not “beautiful” but surprising and very characteristic of the german reuse or reconversion of old buildings. Normally people go there in groups on sunny days to do bbq´s and spend the day there. As it is on the way to the Schoenefeld Airport we stopped there before leaving Berling for a stroll and taking some nice pics.
Teufelsberg or Devil’s Mountain
This is an abandoned American Listening Station from US National Security Agency (NSA) built over a man-made mountain covering an old nazi military building. Don’t expect toilets there, it’s more like a squat place, full of street art, graffiti and weird shit but it is a cool place for pics. There is a little bar if you want to drink something, very “Berliner way”. By the way, be ready to walk as the entrance is a bit far away from the parking lot or bus stop even the way is very nice through a forest. We stopped here in the car on our way from Postdam.
Entrance ticket: 5€ (just cash at the entrance)
Street Art
Berlin is one of the most amazing cities for graffiti and street art. Its streets are full of colour, talent and creativity so if you have time we highly recommend you to go for a walking tour.
Going out, boroughs, Clubs und Party Machen!
Kreuzberg
This borough has been very popular for many years, definitely one of my favourites. Here, apart from the Eastside Gallery, you will be able to find many of the trendiest clubs in Berlin as Club Der Visionaere or Watergate and also the Oberbaumbrücke a known double-deck Bridge over the Spree. Plan a whole afternoon strolling here also it’s a very nice place for having dinner and it is full of restaurants.
Prenzlauer berg, Mauerpark & Flea Market
One of the most popular boroughs in Berlin has been known as a bohemian district. Very nice to go for brunch or if you are travelling with children this is nice for walking around and doing some shopping. If visiting the area don’t miss the Mauerpark which I would advise you to go to on Sundays as Flea Market is on and they do a Karaoke in the park!
Biergartens
If you go in the summer don’t forget to make a jump to one of these, they are bars with an outdoor garden with some plants and where you will be able to try all kinds of german beers and traditional food. Highly recommended!
Neukölln
it is an original inmigrants borough that has been kidnapped by hipsters as it is happening in many European cities as happened in London with Hackney. If you have time I would definitely advise you to go for a stroll, you can also go and grab a beer at the terrace of Klunkerkranich for sunset. Won’t be disappointed!
Panorama bar/ Berghain, Tresor, Watergate, KitKat(sexbar), Club der Visionaere
Berlin is the world techno capital, so when in this city party machen! must be also part of your route.
What you should know is that getting inside german clubs is veeery difficult so here you have some tips that may or not help you to get in:
- Try not to go in big groups, 2 or 3 people as maximum.
- Don’t be noisy, try not to call anyone attention.
- Absolutely don’t drink alcohol while queuing.
- The dress code is normally casual, remember you are in Berlin not attending a wedding.
- In places as Panorama / Berghain don’t take out your phones from your pockets, NO PICS ALLOWED!
Here you have a session from Berghain so you know more or less what to expect if you are lucky enough to get inside:
If you want to know more about what to eat in Berlin, check here.
If you want to keep on updated with travel tips subscribe to our newsletter:
