The capital of Germany is a city that has been wounded, destroyed, rebuilt and become a protagonist in the history of Europe and the world over the last 60 years. Famous also for the wall that divided it into two parts, from the post-war period to 1989, Berlin has been able to re-evaluate and rediscover its treasures of human history, hidden by this dark period. Today, it is also known as one of the capitals of electronic music, design and fashion.
So let's find out together what to see in Berlin!
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1 - Tiergarten
Like all large cities, Berlin has its own large urban park, ideal for a few moments of relaxation in the open air: we are talking about the Tiergarten, located in the western part of the city, between the Brandenburg Gate and the Zoologischer Garten Berlin.
The Tiergarten is the largest and oldest park in Berlin and covers 210 hectares, including paths, lakes and large meadows, also populated by various species of animals and plants. It is especially popular with locals, who come here for a lunch in the midst of greenery, to relax a bit or to do some sport. In the centre is the imposing Siegessäule, or Victory Column, one of the capital's most famous monuments.
The Tiergarten is easily accessible on foot from the Brandenburg Gate, from where you can reach the Victory Column (1.9 km, 23 min). Reference metro stop U Hansaplatz, line U9 - Get directions
Discover the park by bike: take part in a guided bike tour where you can ride through the entire Tiergarten, passing underneath the Victory Column and up to the Brandenburg Gate.
2 - Brandenburg Gate
The Brandenburg Gate, or rather the Brandenburger Tor, is a true symbol of the city and of Germany.
Anemblem of the division of the two Germanys at the time of the Cold War, once the Wall fell, it became the image of a newly united country, but not only: this square also has an important historical value because many events, rallies and protests were held here.
Designed by Carl Gotthard Langhans in 1791, it has a neoclassical style and consists of twelve columns topped by the famous Quadriga by Johann Gottfried Schadow.
It is located on Pariser Platz. Easy walking distance from the Reichstag (500 m, 6 min). Reference metro stop Brandenburger Tor, line U5 - Get directions
SEE ALSO: Visiting the Brandenburg Gate: schedules, prices and tips
Visit it in the morning: as one of the symbols of Berlin, the square is always very crowded! So we recommend you reach it in the morning as a first stop, certainly before 10am.
3 - Reichstag
The Reichstag Building ( Reichstagsgebäude in German) is one of the symbols of the city and the seat of the German parliament. Although it is a government building, today part of the parliament is open to the public: you can visit its large glass dome, ask for the free audio guide in Italian at the entrance and walk along the large internal walkways admiring the city and listening to its history.
The Reichstag is also an important historical site: among other events, the birth of the German Republic was proclaimed from one of the windows of this building in 1918. The building was later almost completely destroyed by fire in 1933 and, during the war, was also used as a clinic for new births. Finally, in 1990, the official ceremony of the reunified Germany was held here.
SEE ALSO: Visit the Reichstag: times, prices and tips
Plan your visit: the visit is completely free and lasts 1 hr. To be sure to visit the Reichstag, you must make a reservation on the official website by selecting the day and time. Alternatively, you can go to the Visitors' Service desk located near the Reichstag Building next to the Berlin Pavilion on the southern side of Scheidemannstrasse. If there are free seats, you will receive a nominal admission ticket to visit the dome within the next two hours. You can also ask there for a fixed-time ticket for the next two days.
Practical information: directions, times and prices
How to get there: at Platz der Republik. Easily accessible on foot from the Brandenburg Gate (500 m, 6 min). Reference metro stop Bundestag, line U5 - Get directions
Hours: terrace and dome daily 8am-24pm, admission until 9:45pm.
Ticket price: free
4 - Hamburger Bahnhof
If you love contemporary art, you definitely can't miss the Hamburger Bahnhof, a museum housed in a former railway station, hence the name Bahnhof, meaning station in Italian.
The Hamburger Bahnhof houses masterpieces of contemporary art from 1960 to the present day and is the city's most important contemporary art space. Many works by Andy Warhol and Roy Lichtenstein are exhibited here, as well as works by Keith Haring, Anselm Kiefer and many others.
The location is truly unique and worth the visit alone!
SEE ALSO: What to see at the Hamburger Bahnhof: opening times, prices and tips
Buy your ticket inadvance: avoid the queues at the entrance and enjoy the beauty of this place now by purchasing your ticket online.
Practical information: directions, times and prices
Directions: Invalidenstraße 50-51. Easy walking distance to Reichstag (1.5 km, 20 min). Reference metro stop Berlin Hauptbahnhof, line U5 - Get directions
Hours: Tue, Wed and Fri 10am-6pm, Thu 10am-8pm, Sat-Sun 11am-6pm, Mon closed
Ticket price: full price €8.00, reduced €4.00 - book online
5 - Museum Island and Pergamonmuseum
Museum Island, or Museumsinsel in German, is Berlin's UNESCO World Heritage-listed museum quarter. There are numerous museums here, but the most famous is definitely the Pergamonmuseum.
Housed in a marvellous and imposing building, the Pergamonmuseum preserves exhibits from different historical periods, from the Roman Empire to Ancient Greece, from the Middle East to the sections dedicated to Anterior Asia and Islamic Art; but the highlight of the whole collection is definitely the great Babylon Gate!
As this is one of the most visited attractions in the city, we recommend that you buy your entrance ticket in advance to avoid the long queues at the ticket offices.
SEE ALSO: What to see at the Pergamonmuseum: opening hours, prices and tips
Buy the Museuminsel Pass: the Museum Island pass, which allows you to enter all the museums there and save a considerable amount of money. Buy it directly on the official website, cost €19.00. There is also a version of the Berlin WelcomeCard - Museum Island and Transport, which includes transport like the normal Welcome Card and the Museuminsel museums like the Museum Pass.
Practical information: directions, times and prices
Directions: in Bodestraße. Easy walking distance to Bode-Museum (750 m, 9 min). Reference metro stop U Museumsinsel, line U5 - Get directions
Hours: daily 10am-6pm, Thursday 10am-8pm. Closed Mondays.
Tickets: full price €12.00, concessions €6.00 - book online
6 - Berlin Cathedral
Berlin Cathedral ( Berliner Dom in German) is located in the Museuminsel, and the building we can admire today dates back to 1904, the result of a renovation commissioned by Emperor Wilhelm II to adequately reflect not only the grandeur of the Lutheran religion, but also the prestige of the royal dynasty. The building is 114 m long, 73 m wide and 116 m high. At its top is a large copper dome, decorated inside with paintings depicting scenes from the New Testament and the Reformation period; it is also possible to reach the top of the dome by climbing 270 steps: from here one can admire the entire city.
The visit is discounted with the Berlin WelcomeCard.
As soon as you enter, you can admire the large stained glass windows, while the central pillars depict the four great masters of the Protestant religion and the Lutheran Reformation: Luther, Melanchthon, Zwingli and Calvin. Don't miss the Baptism Chapel, the Hohenzollern Crypt and the marvellous Pipe Organ with 7,269 pipes and 113 registers.
SEE ALSO: Visit Berlin Cathedral: how to get there, prices and tips
Admire the view from the Karl-Liebknecht-Brücke: stop on this bridge, located behind the Cathedral, to admire the view of the Spree River, the Television Tower and the Cathedral itself. Alternatively, you can also enjoy a walk on the Humboldt Promenade.
Practical info: directions, times and prices
Directions: in Am Lustgarten. Easy walking distance to the Pergamonmuseum (350 m, 5 min). Reference metro stop U Museumsinsel, line U5 - Get directions
Hours: Mon-Sat 10am-5pm, Sunday 12pm-5pm
Ticket price: full price €9.00, concessions €7.00. With Berlin WelcomeCard €6.50. Family ticket: €9 (1 adult with up to 3 children under the age of 18)
7 - Alexanderplatz and Television Tower
Alexanderplatz is one of Berlin's most famous squares, loved and frequented by Berliners and tourists alike. It represents one of the city's hearts and is an important junction for city traffic: 20 bus and tram lines pass through here.
Recognising it is really easy, as it is here that the iconic Berliner Fernsehturm, or Television Tower, stands, which at 365 m high is visible from every point in the city! It has now become one of the symbols of Berlin and allows you to admire the entire German capital from above (admission is included in the Berlin WelcomeCard). The observatory is about 200 m high and also houses a revolving restaurant and bar.
SEE ALSO: Visit the Television Tower: opening hours, prices and tips
Buy a priority ticket: this is one of the city's most popular and visited attractions. To save valuable time and avoid long queues, buypriority admission or the Berlin WelcomeCard.
Practical info: directions, times and prices
How to get there: at Alexanderplatz. Easily accessible on foot from the DDR Museum (700 m, 9 min). Reference metro stop Alexanderplatz, lines U2, U5 and U8 - Get directions
Hours: approx. 10am-10pm (times may vary depending on time of year, please consult website)
Ticket prices: full price from €22.50, concessions from €12.50. Free with Berlin WelcomeCard.
8 - Berlin Wall and East Side Gallery
With the end of World War II and the defeat of Germany, the German capital was divided into two parts by the famous Berlin Wall', which stretched over 170 km and was about 10 m high. On 9 November 1989, the wall was torn down and today
only short sections of it remain, the most famous of which is the East Side Gallery, located in the eastern part of the city and overlooking the river Spree, as it has been decorated by dozens of artists with murals and works of art that have become famous worldwide.
The East Gallery is located in Mühlenstraße. Easily accessible on foot from the Markthalle Neun (1.3 km, 15 min). Reference metro stop Warschauer Straße, line U1 and U3 - Get directions
SEE ALSO: Visit the Berlin Wall: how to get there, prices and tips
Visit the Wall witha guide: the Berlin Wall is probably the city's best-known and most iconic attraction. Visit it with a guided tour in Italian to learn the real history and interesting anecdotes.
9 - Gendarmenmarkt
Not only museums and palaces: Berlin is also home to wonderful squares and one of the most beautiful is definitely Gendarmenmarkt, in the heart of the historical centre, halfway between the Brandenburg Gate and Museum Island.
The Gendarmenmarkt square is a true Berlin jewel and is home to some wonderful buildings: in the centre is the Schauspielhaus Berlin Opera House, while on either side stand the French and German Dome.
We recommend visiting both, as they are open to the public and have many wonders to discover. The Französischer Dom, for example, is not a real church, but a tower: at the entrance you can buy a ticket and walk up the long staircase to the top of the dome, from where you can enjoy a wonderful view. The Deutscher Dom, on the other hand, houses a permanent exhibition on the historical development of liberal parliamentary democracy in Germany, which is very interesting and admission is free.
Walk alongthe beautiful Unter den Linden: to reach the square from the Brandenburg Gate you have to walk along this elegant, tree-lined boulevard, one of Berlin's main thoroughfares and which divides the entire historical centre from east to west. Admire the shop windows and stop at one of the many cafés.
Directions: to Gendarmenmarkt. Easily accessible on foot from the Brandenburg Gate (1.2 km, 15 min). Reference metro stop U Hausvogteiplatz, line U2 - Get directions
Timetable: Gendarmenmarkt always open / Französischer Dom Tue-Sun 11am-6pm, Mon closed / Deutscher Dom Tue-Sun 10am-6pm, May to September until 7pm, Mon closed
Ticket prices: Gendarmenmarkt free of charge / Französischer Dom general €5.50, concessions €4.50 / Deutscher Dom free of charge
10 - Jüdisches Museum
Photo by Superchilum. The Jüdisches Museum is the largest Jewish museum in Europe and is also distinguished from other city and European museums by its unique architecture: designed by architect Daniel Libeskind, from above the structure is shaped like a lightning bolt. Inside, there are various permanent collections and temporary exhibitions that tell more than two millennia of Jewish history in Germany. Between panels and interactive exhibits you can really get to know their history in depth, with a special focus on the persecution period of World War II.
If you are travelling with your family: as an alternative, consider a visit to ANOHA - Die Kinderwelt des Jüdischen Museums Berlin, a museum that always retraces the history of the Jews in Germany, but in a setting and from a point of view ideal for children. It is located directly opposite the Jüdisches Museum. Get directions
Directions: at Lindenstraße 9-14. Easy walking distance to Berlinische Galerie (350 m, 4 min). Reference underground station Kochstraße, line U6 - Get directions
Hours: daily 10am-7pm
Admission: general €8.00, concessions €3.00
11 - Checkpoint Charlie
One of the must-see attractions in Berlin is Checkpoint Charlie, a reconstruction of the crossing point between East and West Berlin. This is actually a purely tourist attraction, where there are figurants dressed as American and Soviet soldiers to take a souvenir photo with; the original Checkpoint Charlie was in fact dismantled once the Wall was destroyed.
Checkpoint Charlie is located at Friedrichstraße 43-45. Easily accessible on foot from Topographie des Terrors (400 m, 5 min). Reference metro stop Kochstraße, line U6 - Get directions
SEE ALSO: Visit Checkpoint Charlie: schedules, prices and tips
See Berlin from above: just a few steps away from Checkpoint Charlie you will find the Air Service Berlin - Welt Balloon, where you can buy a ticket for the panoramic hot air balloon and admire the whole city from above!
12 - Topographie des Terrors
In the heart of the city, a few steps from Checkpoint Charlie, you will find the Topographie des Terrors museum, a no-nonsense museum where you can learn more about the plans and actions of the Gestapo and SS during the National Socialist period in Germany.
This visitor centre established in 1987 is housed inside the old cells used by the Gestapo and offers a range of documents, photographs and objects.
Admire a piece of the wall: the East Side Gallery is not the only piece of the wall in Berlin. Outside the Topographie des Terrors museum, in fact, there is still a long piece of the Berliner Mauer.
Directions: Niederkirchnerstraße 8. Easy walking distance from Checkpoint Charlie (400 m, 5 min). Reference metro stop Kochstraße, line U6 - Get directions
Hours: daily 10am-8pm
Ticket price: free
13 - Potsdamer Platz
Potsdamer Platz is the modern heart of the city; during World War II this area was completely destroyed and was abandoned for a long time during the Cold War, but today it is the symbol of the new, redeveloped Berlin.
Here you will find yourself surrounded by tall skyscrapers housing offices and flats: on one side you will find the Mall of Berlin, one of the largest shopping malls in Berlin, full of shops and activities; on the other side you will find the Sony Center, a futuristic complex of 7 buildings with a roof all lit up.
Postdamer Platz is located in the western part of the historical centre. Easily accessible on foot. Metro reference stop S+U Potsdamer Platz, line U2 - Get directions
14 - Holocaust Memorial
The city's history is indelibly linked to the sad events of the Second World War, which is why the Denkmal für die ermordeten Juden Europas, or Holocaust Memorial, stands right in the centre. This memorial dedicated to the Jews is the highlight of the Guided Tour in the Footsteps of the Third Reich, a very compelling tour recommended for discovering even the lesser-known details of the history of Nazism in Germany and Europe.
The area is covered with 2711 concrete blocks of different heights, from 20 cm up to almost 5 m. The result is a labyrinthine structure, narrow and almost irritating for those walking through it, giving a feeling of bewilderment, loneliness and estrangement. There is also an Information Centre with numerous exhibitions and events, retracing the stories of some of the Jewish families.
SEE ALSO: Visiting the Holocaust Memorial: opening hours, prices and tips
Find out where the Führerbunker was located: the bunker where Hitler spent his last days before taking his own life. A few steps away from the Holocaust Memorial is a large sign telling the history of the place. Don't expect much, today there is an anonymous car park here, but it is still a place of great historical importance.
Practical info: directions, times and prices
How to get there: on Cora-Berliner-Straße. Easily accessible on foot from the Reichstag (900 m, 11 min). Reference metro stop Brandenburger Tor, line U5 - Get directions
Hours: always accessible
Ticket price: free
15 - Zoologischer Garten Berlin
Photo by Marek Śliwecki. If you are travelling with children or want to spend a day out of the ordinary, then don't miss a visit to the wonderful Zoologischer Garten Berlin, Berlin's zoo. It houses around 20,000 animals of 1,500 species from all over the world, and even an aquarium! Opened in 1844, it is located in the westernmost part of the Großer Tiergarten, completely surrounded by greenery, and is the oldest zoo in Germany.
It is not just a place of entertainment, but a true centre for research and promotion of animal diversity: the zoo actively promotes the European Endangered Species Programme, with the aim of preserving endangered species.
Plan your visit: devote at least half a day to it, especially if you also visit the aquarium. And to save money, we recommend you buy the combined Zoo + Aquarium ticket. Finally, the zoo can be easily reached by tourist bus, which runs through the Großer Tiergarten.
How to get there: on Hardenbergpl. Easily accessible on foot from Kaiser-Wilhelm-Gedächtniskirche (400 m, 5 min). Reference metro stop Berlin Zoologischer Garten, lines U2, U3 and U9 - Get directions
Hours: approx. 9am-4.30pm, at certain times (summer months) closing time is delayed until 6pm or 6.30pm
Ticket price: full price €17.50, concessions €9.00 / combined Zoo + Aquarium full price €23.50, concessions €12.00
16 - Charlottenburg
A few kilometres from the historical centre of Berlin, but easily reachable by public transport, Charlottenburg Palace is one of the most impressive sights in the German capital, which deserves at least half a day's visit (admission included in the Berlin WelcomeCard). It consists of the Old Palace, the New Wing and the Gardens, and inside you can admire its marvellous rooms, such as the White Room, the Golden Gallery or the Oak Gallery, where the portraits of the Hohenzollern dynasty are displayed.
The Charlottenburg is the perfect place to get to know Prussian Berlin! Badly damaged during World War II bombings, it fortunately escaped demolition and has been restored to its former charm. In Baroque style, this castle represents the power and grandeur of the Hohenzollern dynasty, which ruled Prussia for centuries.
Attend aconcert in Charlottenburg: the castle is a wonderful place to step back in time. But attending a concert by the Berlin Orchestra is a truly unique experience! If you get the chance, don't miss it!
Directions: in the Charlottenburg district, 6 km from the Brandenburg Gate. Reachable by direct train to Berlin Charlottenburg station (10 min), then bus line 309 to Schloss Charlottenburg (5 min) - Get directions
Opening hours: variable. Approximately Tue-Sun 10am - 4.30pm. Occasionally there are special openings of different indoor areas, see official website / gardens daily from 8am until sunset
Ticket price: Gardens free of charge. Old Palace €12.00. New wing €12.00. Entire complex €17.00. Free with Berlin WelcomeCard.
More things to see
In addition to the famous Pergamonmuseum, there are other museums on the Museuminsel: the Bode-Museum(admission €10.00), the Neues Museum(admission €12.00), theAltes Museum (admission €10.00) and theAlte Nationalgalerie(admission €12.00). A Pass is available to visit them all, which is very affordable (all admissions only €19.00). Close to Museum Island is also theHumboldt Forum, a new cosmopolitan centre for culture, art and science, with numerous exhibitions (depending on the section, see the official website). Other museums worth a visit are the German History Museum Deutsches Historisches Museum (€8.00) and the DDR Museum(entrance fee €9.80), where you can discover life in East Germany.
If you are travelling with children, in addition to the zoo, you cannot miss the Illuseum Berlin museum of illusion(entrance fee €12.00) and the famous Madame Tussauds wax museum(entrance fee €26.00). Near Alexander Platz you will also find the AquaDom aquarium (€19.00) and the Little BIG City Berlin (from €18.00), a museum with a miniature city where even the youngest children can learn about its history.
10 things to do in Berlin
Cruise the Spree: one of the must-do activities in Berlin, admiring the city from a different perspective. Info and costs here;
Street Art Tour: Berlin is one of Europe's street art capitals. Discover the iconic places, not only around the Wall but also far from the usual tourist routes. Info and costs here;
Experience Berlin's nightlife: the most famous clubs are the Watergate or the Berghain. Club der Visionaere, Golden Gate or Zum Wielder Renate are also wonderful. For lovers of electronic music, a night at the club Farbfernseher is a must.
A night where everything is allowed: the KitKat Club is one of the most alternative clubs in Berlin, where everything is really allowed, a place of madness and transgression;
Taste the street food: the symbol of Berlin street food is the currywurst, a grilled sausage cut into rounds, with ketchup and a sprinkling of curry, accompanied by Chips;
Discover the Nikolaiviertel: the remains of what has survived to the present day of Berlin's former medieval quarter, partly destroyed during World War II. It is located in Mitte;
Discover the bars of Holzmarkt: a series of small bars located on the riverfront, with deckchairs and in some cases even sand, which become a real meeting point in summer;
Coffee break at the House of Small Wonder: one of Berlin's hidden cafés with a unique bohemian atmosphere;
Excursion to the Wannsee: a beautiful lake on the outskirts of Berlin, also the site of important historical events. Here, in fact, the Wannsee Conference and the 'Final Solution' were held in 1942. Info and costs here;
Excursion to Sachsenhausen: concentration camp 40 km from Berlin. It was one of the largest in Germany, active from 1936 to 1945. Info and costs here;
What to see in 1 day
With only one day available, some sacrifices are inevitable. You'll have to optimise your time and forego some sights. Here is the Berlin in a Day itinerary.
9am - Brandenburg Gate
9:30am - Reichstag Building
11:30 - Memorial for the Murdered Jews of Europe
13:00 - Gendarmenmarkt
14:30 - Berlin Cathedral
16:00 - Berlin Wall and East Side Gallery
19:00 - Alexanderplatz and Television Tower
What to see in 3 days
In one weekend, you can dedicate yourself to all the main attractions in the historic centre. Here is the Berlin itinerary in 3 days.
Day 1: Brandenburg Gate, Reichstag, Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe, Gendarmenmarkt, Berlin Cathedral, Alexanderplatz and Television Tower
Day 2: Potsdamer Platz, Topographie des Terrors and Check Point Charlie, Jüdisches Museum, Berlin Wall/East Side Gallery
Day 3: Museum Island and Pergamonmuseum, Neues Museum, Großer Tiergarten
What to see in 7 days
In a week, we recommend devoting the first five days to visiting the main sights, then moving on to the surrounding area to discover wonderful cities, such as Postdam, or places with a tragic past, such as the Sachsenhausen concentration camp. Here is the complete itinerary.
Day 1: Brandenburg Gate, Reichstag, Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe, Gendarmenmarkt, Berlin Cathedral, Alexanderplatz and Television Tower / Distance travelled: 4.4 km
Day 2: Potsdamer Platz, Topographie des Terrors and Check Point Charlie, Jüdisches Museum, Berlin Wall/East Side Gallery / Distance travelled: 6.5 km
Day 3: Museum Island and Pergamonmuseum, Neues Museum, Großer Tiergarten / Distance travelled: 3.9 km
Day 4: Berlin Zoo, 2-hour boat ride along the Spree / Distance travelled: 4.3 km
Day 5: Hamburger Bahnhof, Charlottenburg Palace / Distance travelled: 5.9 km
Day 6: Sachsenhausen Memorial tour from Berlin / Distance travelled: 68 km
Day 7: Potsdam and guided tour of Sanssouci Palace from Berlin / Distance traveled: 60 km
Plan your stay in Berlin
Berlin is an averagely expensive city, with a cost of living not dissimilar to that of Italy, but it is also a destination that allows you to organise a low-cost trip. Reaching the German capital is very easy, there are many direct flights from Italy, even with low-cost airlines(compare flights). The best time to visit is from May to October, but if you don't fear the cold, don't miss Christmas in Berlin.
Thebest district to stay in is Mitte, as it is the most central, while to save money we recommend Kreuzberg and Neukoelln, which are well connected to the centre. If you' re looking for nightlife, this is concentrated in the districts of Friedrichshain and Kreuzberg(compare accommodation on booking). In the historical centre you can mainly move around on foot, but in some cases it is necessary to use transport. The tourist bus is also very convenient. To save money, we recommend the purchase of the Berlin WelcomeCard for free transport or the Museum Island and Transport version to include the Museuminsel museums for free.
If you are travelling low-cost, you can find plenty of very clean and reasonably priced hostels in the city centre. For lunch, prefer typical street food (such as currywurst), which will save you money. Finally, Berlin is also perfect to visit with the family: you will find plenty of attractions for the little ones, such as the zoo, the big Tiergarten, the Television Tower and the Little BIG City Berlin.
