18 best things to do in Berlin | Our top picks

Berlin doesn’t slow down. It’s Germany’s biggest city and its boldest – restlessly rebuilding itself, constantly shifting, never boring. Street art covers everything, nightlife never really ends, and even world-class exhibitions vanish before you’ve had a chance to tell your friends. It’s messy, creative, and unapologetically raw.

This guide pulls together the top things to do in Berlin – the ones worth your time, your steps, and maybe even a hangover.

The information in this article is inspired by Pocket Rough Guide Berlin, your essential guide for visiting Berlin.

1. Go up the Fernsehturm

Rising like a misplaced sci-fi prop, the Fernsehturm dominates central Berlin. At 368 meters, it’s the tallest structure in Germany – a steel-and-concrete needle stabbing the sky above Alexanderplatz.

Built in the 1960s by the East German government, the tower was a monument to socialist ambition – and a subtle middle finger to the West. You couldn’t miss it then, and you can’t now. The viewing platform sits at 203 meters, offering panoramic views across the city. On clear days, you’ll see the full sweep of Berlin – the orderly grids of Mitte, the green sprawl of Tiergarten, and, if you squint, the curve of the Spree slicing through the east.

There’s also a revolving restaurant, which makes a full rotation every half hour. The food’s fine but forgettable – it’s the slow spin above the city that makes it memorable.

Come early or book ahead online to skip the queues. And don’t be surprised if the Fernsehturm photobombs your pictures all over town – it was built to be seen.

2. See Berlin’s past in paint at the East Side Gallery

The Berlin Wall didn’t just divide a city – it became a canvas for protest. Today, the East Side Gallery preserves that spirit across 1.3km of original Wall, its concrete slabs covered in murals painted just after the Wall fell in 1989.

Winding along the banks of the Spree in Friedrichshain, this open-air gallery is a raw, unfiltered piece of Berlin’s history. Some works are bold and timeless, others cryptic or faded – but all of them capture the chaos, hope, and exhaustion of a divided city coming back together. The most famous panel? A full-lip smooch between Brezhnev and Honecker, captioned “God, help me survive this deadly love.”

It’s one of the most striking stops on any list of things to do in Berlin, and worth visiting early in the morning if you want to see the murals without the selfie-stick crowd.

Friedrichshain, where the gallery sits, is also one of the best areas to stay in Berlin if you're after a mix of edgy nightlife, riverside walks, and Cold War history just outside your door.

3. Dig through design history at the Museum of Things

Kreuzberg is full of surprises – and tucked behind an unassuming doorway off Oranienstrasse is one of its quirkiest. The Museum of Things (Museum der Dinge) is a shrine to the everyday: plastic utensils, packaging, toys, appliances, logos, and forgotten tech.

Don’t expect dramatic lighting or blockbuster exhibitions. This place leans into clutter. Glass cabinets are packed with mid-century typewriters, retro radios, toothbrushes, and other bits of mass-produced design from the 20th century onwards. It's a chaotic, fascinating window into the rise of consumer culture – and a quiet rebellion against museum perfectionism.

It easily earns a spot among the weirdest museums around the world, but design nerds and vintage collectors will be in heaven.

If you’re not in the mood for that kind of deep dive, Oranienstrasse still rewards a wander – pop into the NGBK gallery or grab a coffee at one of the street’s many offbeat cafés. But if you’re even mildly curious about the strange beauty of everyday stuff, this little museum hits the mark.

4. Walk the glass dome of the Reichstag

The Reichstag is more than just a symbol – it’s where Germany’s past and present collide. Bombed, burned, ignored, then resurrected, this Neoclassical hulk was finally brought back to life in 1999 as the home of the Bundestag, Germany’s parliament.

What draws most people, though, is the glass dome. Designed by Norman Foster, it spirals above the main chamber, letting in natural light and offering 360° views over Berlin. It’s free to visit, but you’ll need to book ahead, and it’s worth doing. From up here, you can trace the old path of the Berlin Wall or pick out city landmarks from high above the government quarter.

It’s one of the smartest architectural statements you’ll find on any list of things to do in Germany – a transparent democracy quite literally built into its design. If you’re building a Germany itinerary, this should be near the top.

Come early, skip the café, and bring ID. Security is tight, but so is the experience.

5. Wander through the Hackesche Höfe courtyards

Tucked behind a modest façade near Hackescher Markt is one of Berlin’s most stylish architectural surprises: the Hackesche Höfe, a network of eight interconnected courtyards dating back to the early 1900s. Once a hub for housing, commerce and entertainment, the entire complex was restored in the 1990s and now buzzes with boutiques, cafés, galleries and small theatres.

Each courtyard has its own look and rhythm, but it’s the first – with its bold Art Nouveau tiles and striking blue-and-white façade – that really grabs you. It’s also home to the Chamäleon, a cabaret venue that nods to the wild spirit of Berlin’s interwar nightlife, now revived with a contemporary edge.

The area around Spandauer Vorstadt is one of the city’s more polished corners – still lively, but with a different pace than Kreuzberg or Neukölln. You won’t find Berlin’s grit here, but if you’re into design, indie shopping, or just people-watching with a strong coffee, this is a solid stop.

6. Walk the line at the Berlin Wall Memorial

The Berlin Wall sliced the city in two for nearly three decades – and here, at the Berlin Wall Memorial, you can still feel the weight of that divide. This stretch on Bernauer Strasse is the only place where the Wall’s full structure survives, complete with watchtowers, border strips, and the so-called “death strip.”

Unlike the colourful graffiti of the East Side Gallery, this site strips it back. It's raw, grey, and far more unsettling. The open-air exhibition lays out escape attempts, border stories, and personal accounts of life along the Wall, while the Documentation Center offers deeper context.

Walking this area is essential if you want to understand what Berlin lived through – and why it looks the way it does today. If you’re planning a trip to Germany, especially with history in mind, make space for this. It’s sobering, yes, but unforgettable.

The memorial is free, self-guided, and best explored early in the day before tour groups arrive. You’ll find it just north of the Nordbahnhof S-Bahn station.

7. Reflect at the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe

Just south of the Brandenburg Gate, this striking memorial pulls no punches. Designed by architect Peter Eisenman, the site remembers the six million Jewish victims of the Holocaust through 2,711 grey concrete slabs, arranged in a grid that slopes and dips across the space. It’s intentionally disorienting – part sculpture, part space for reflection.

There’s no signage within the field of stelae, no single path to follow. You walk it alone, your way. The feeling is physical: unease, quiet, separation.

Beneath the memorial, the underground Information Centre adds vital context through photographs, documents, and personal stories. One of the most affecting spaces is the Room of Dimensions, which shares final letters and diary entries from victims across Europe.

If you're looking for things to do in Berlin that go beyond landmarks and nightlife, this is essential. It’s not a place for selfies – it’s a place to pause, absorb, and remember.

Admission is free. Come early or late in the day for a more reflective experience.

8. Step inside the Jüdisches Museum Berlin

This isn’t just a museum – it’s an experience designed to unsettle you. Housed in a bold, zigzagging structure by architect Daniel Libeskind, the Jüdisches Museum Berlin tells the story of Jewish life in Germany through centuries of resilience, persecution, culture, and survival.

The building itself does half the storytelling. Sharp angles, empty voids, and disjointed corridors create a physical sense of loss and dislocation. You don’t just read about the Holocaust here – you feel its absence carved into the walls.

Inside, the permanent exhibition covers 1700 years of Jewish history in Germany, with a mix of personal objects, photographs, art, and multimedia displays. It’s deeply informative without ever becoming dry, and gives much-needed context to both Germany’s past and present.

Give yourself at least two hours – this isn’t a museum to rush. The garden outside offers a quiet place to decompress afterwards.

Located in Kreuzberg, the museum is easily combined with a stroll through one of Berlin’s most dynamic districts.

9. Take a picture of Brandenburger Gate

You’ve seen it in textbooks, news footage, and postcards – but standing in front of the Brandenburg Gate still hits different. Built in the late 18th century as a grand Neoclassical entry to the city, it’s watched over some of the most defining moments in Berlin’s history.

Napoleon marched through and stole its crown – the Quadriga statue – before it was reclaimed. The Nazis used it as a backdrop for propaganda. Then the Berlin Wall went up just beyond it, cutting it off into a no-man’s land for nearly 30 years. When the Wall finally fell, the world watched as Berliners flooded through the gate to reunite.

Yes, it’s now surrounded by chain cafés and camera phones. But don’t let that stop you. Come early or late to beat the crowds, or just embrace the chaos – it’s part of the scene.

If you’re only in Berlin for a short time, this one’s non-negotiable.

10. Escape the city with a day trip to Sanssouci

Need a break from Berlin’s buzz? Hop on a train to Potsdam and wander through Sanssouci, the summer palace of Frederick the Great – an 18th-century king with a love of philosophy, flute-playing, and perfectly manicured gardens.

Set on a hill west of Potsdam’s centre, the rococo-style palace was built as a retreat “without cares” (sans souci in French). It’s smaller than Versailles but less showy – all elegance, symmetry, and quiet corners. The grounds are vast, stretching across terraced vineyards, fountains, temples, and a scattering of other palaces and pavilions.

Schloss Sanssouci itself is open for tours, and it’s worth going inside for a glimpse at Frederick’s private study, the opulent reception rooms, and the view from the marble-floored gallery. But the park is the real star, especially in spring or autumn, when the crowds thin out.

It’s one of the best places to visit in Germany for palace-hopping, and a solid choice if you're looking to expand your list of things to do in Berlin beyond the city limits.

11. Hunt for bargains at Berlin’s best markets

Skip the malls – Berlin’s markets are where the real shopping happens. From street food to antiques, vinyl to vintage, there’s something here for every kind of browser, collector, or bargain hunter.

Each neighborhood has its vibe. Mauerpark is chaotic but fun, packed with secondhand everything, live music, and plenty of snacks. Boxhagener Platz is smaller but good for clothes and books, while the Turkish Market along Maybachufer is the go-to for produce, spices, and cheap fabric. If you’re into slow fashion or retro design, you’ll also find excellent vintage stores scattered across Kreuzberg and Neukölln.

Markets rotate by day, so check listings before you go. Most stalls are cash-only, and some vendors don’t speak English – it’s all part of the charm. Sundays are best for flea markets, though note that regular shops are usually closed that day.

12. Try one of Germany's favourite meals Currywurst

Forget the fancy restaurants – if there’s one thing you have to eat in Berlin, it’s Currywurst. A chubby pork sausage, chopped into bite-sized chunks, drowned in curried ketchup and served with fries. It sounds ridiculous. It kind of is. But it works.

The origin story’s a mix of postwar invention and Berlin grit. Legend has it that a resourceful Berliner whipped it up in 1949 using American ketchup, British curry powder, and a German bratwurst. Whatever the truth, it caught on fast and never left.

You’ll find Currywurst all over the city at Imbiss stands – no-frills snack bars that serve quick meals on the go. Some use skinless sausages, others keep the casing. Some ketchup’s sweet, others spicy. Everyone’s got an opinion about which is best.

Try it at Konnopke’s under the U-Bahn in Prenzlauer Berg or at Curry 36 in Kreuzberg if you want the classics. Just don’t eat it with a knife and fork – Berlin wouldn’t forgive you.

13. Visit Berlin Zoo – wild fun for all ages

You don’t have to be traveling with children to enjoy Berlin Zoo, but if you are, this one’s a hit. Opened in 1844, it’s the oldest zoo in Germany and one of the most diverse in the world – home to over 20,000 animals, including big cats, rhinos, giraffes, and one very famous panda couple.

The enclosures are thoughtfully designed, and there’s real effort put into conservation and education. The aquarium next door – ticketed separately – is worth a look too, especially on rainy days.

Located at the edge of Tiergarten, right by the Zoologischer Garten station, the zoo is easy to reach and makes a great break from museums or city walking. There are plenty of shaded areas, places to eat, and even a decent playground, making it one of the most family-friendly things to do in Berlin.

If you’re travelling through Germany with kids, this is one of the best stops you can make. Aim for a weekday visit if you want to avoid the weekend stroller gridlock.

14. Try Berliner Weisse – Berlin’s strangest brew

When it comes to German beer, Berlin does things a little differently. Alongside the usual suspects – cloudy wheat beers, crisp Pilsners, and the occasional Dunkel – you’ll find Berliner Weisse, a sour, low-alcohol wheat beer that’s more about refreshment than punch.

Traditionally, it’s served with a shot of syrup to balance the tartness. Ask for mit grün and you’ll get woodruff syrup – bright green, herby, slightly weird. Mit rot means raspberry, sweeter and probably the safer bet. Either way, it’s an acquired taste – but worth trying at least once, especially on a hot afternoon or as a quirky hangover cure.

This oddball of the beer world might not top every list of the best German beers, but it’s unmistakably Berlin. You’ll find it in most traditional pubs and beer gardens around the city – just don’t expect locals to be drinking it unironically.

Try it in a proper glass, ideally outside, and embrace the fact that your beer is glowing neon.

15. Dive into Berlin’s legendary nightlife

Berlin’s nightlife is a beast – unpredictable, unapologetic, and unlike anywhere else in Europe. You can lose a night (or a weekend) in its labyrinth of basement bars, pop-up venues, smoky Kneipen, and world-class clubs. Yes, Berghain gets all the hype – and yes, it’s as intense as you’ve heard – but it’s far from the only party in town.

This after-dark energy isn’t new. In the 1920s, Berlin was infamous for its cabarets and counterculture. Even during the Cold War, West Berlin stayed up late – partly to keep morale high, partly because no one told it not to. After reunification, the city’s empty buildings and unregulated spaces became home to a new nightlife culture: gritty, DIY, and proudly hedonistic.

That spirit survives. Whether you end up sipping cocktails in Neukölln, dancing in a Friedrichshain warehouse, or finding an unmarked door in Kreuzberg that leads to something wild, one thing’s certain – you won’t be bored.

16. Recharge in Tiergarten – Berlin’s green heart

Right in the middle of the city, Tiergarten offers a much-needed breather from Berlin’s urban sprawl. Once a royal hunting ground, it’s now a sprawling park of dense woodland, winding paths and quiet lakes – perfect for aimless wandering, bike rides or a picnic with takeaway currywurst.

Originally laid out in the 16th century and redesigned in the English landscape style, Tiergarten was almost completely flattened during World War II. Locals turned it into farmland to survive the postwar famine, planting potatoes where chestnuts once grew. Today, it’s hard to imagine – the replanting was so successful that it feels like it’s always been here.

It’s also well-positioned: the park sits between the Brandenburg Gate and the Berlin Zoo, making it an easy stop if you're stringing together the major things to do in Berlin. If you’re after something quieter, head for the southwest corner – fewer people, more trees, and the occasional fox if you’re lucky.

17. Explore world-class museums on Museum Island

Set in the heart of the Spree River, Museum Island is exactly what it sounds like – five heavyweight museums packed onto one small island. It’s one of Berlin’s top cultural draws and easily makes the list of essential things to do in Berlin.

You could spend days here, but if time’s tight, go straight for the Pergamonmuseum. Even with parts closed for renovation, its reconstructed ancient monuments – including the Ishtar Gate of Babylon – are jaw-dropping. The Neues Museum is another highlight, home to the iconic bust of Nefertiti and some of the best Egyptian collections outside Cairo.

The Altes Museum focuses on Greek and Roman antiquities, the Alte Nationalgalerie is great for Romantic and Impressionist art, and the Bode-Museum houses a strong sculpture collection and Byzantine art.

The museums are walkable between each other and well connected by public transport. Buy a day pass if you plan to hit more than one, and start early if you want to dodge the crowds.

18. Go shopping in Kadewe

If you like your shopping with a side of spectacle, head to KaDeWe – the Kaufhaus des Westens, or “Department Store of the West.” Sitting on Tauentzienstrasse just off Ku’damm, it’s the biggest department store in continental Europe and still Berlin’s top spot for luxury retail therapy.

The lower floors are packed with designer labels, beauty counters, and high-end homewares, while the real draw is up top: the sixth-floor food hall. It’s a maze of gourmet counters, international delicacies, champagne bars, and pastries you’ll definitely take a photo of before eating.

KaDeWe first opened in 1907 and became a symbol of modern Berlin – glitzy, ambitious, and slightly over-the-top. These days, it’s less about keeping up with trends and more about indulging in them.