16 Must Do Things in Berlin
(Ultimate 2026 Guide)
The capital of Germany is probably one of the most unique cities in Germany, where an edgy, urban scene mixes with tangible history. Whether you’re looking for the best techno clubs or wanting to learn more about its past, Berlin is a must-visit! Here are my 16 top things to do in Berlin.
I was born in the South of Germany and actually didn’t visit Berlin until I was around 17, by which point we had long moved to the UK. It was interesting to see the capital, which was so different to the Germany I knew.
I used to say Berlin isn’t for everyone, but my most recent visit in April 26 has really changed my mind. Because Berlin is so multi-faceted, it truly has something for everyone. It is edgy with pockets of serenity, it’s historical but modern and as the Berliners like to say, it is “poor but sexy”.
Whether you are into culture, history, nightlife, beautiful nature or art, you will find it here. I have tried to put a broad range of things to do in this post, but if you have a special interest or looking for something else, just pop a comment under this post and I’ll give you my recommendations.
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Planning your trip?
How to get to Berlin:
You will likely either fly into Berlin Brandenburg Airport or come via train or bus (e.g. Flixbus – often the most affordable) from another nearby country.
✈️Flying into Berlin Brandenburg Airport:
There is an airport express train every 15 or so minutes which takes you from the airport to the main station (Hauptbahnhof) in a little over 20 minutes. A single journey costs just 5€!
You could also get a taxi, which takes 30+ minutes and cost more than 50€.
🚄Train:
Europe is incredibly well connected by train and you can move easily between countries. The German train website is called Bahn.de and it has all trains that go into Berlin on there.
Also check out my guide on the best night trains in Europe for inspiration.
Where to stay in Berlin?
Berlin has an excellent public transport system, even throughout the night. Due to that, it can be convenient to stay right in the centre (Berlin Mitte), but is not necessary and other areas may give you a better glimpse into the “real” Berlin.
Check out my full accommodation guide for Berlin here.
Best hostels and hotels in Berlin:
🛏️ The Circus Hostel (very central, nice rooms, clean)
🏬Hotel Johann (quiet location, nice rooms, good value)
🏩THE GATE GARDEN Hotel (super beautiful, central and huge garden)
Activities to check out:
- Third Reich & Cold War 2 Hour Guided Walking Tour (Great way to learn about history and get an overview of Berlin)
- Boat Tour with Bilingual Live Guide (Berlin from the beautiful river Spree)
- English Bus Tour to Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp (Important for history. Warning: Extremely difficult topics and brutal history)
- 75-minute Trabi Safari (iconic way to see the city)
Top things to do in Berlin
1. Enjoy incredible views from the Reichstag Dome for free
If you book one thing in Berlin, let it be this. The dome sits on top of the Reichstag, the building where the German parliament meets and where a lot of important history took place (e.g. the building caught fire in 1993, giving the Nazis a reason to effectively end the Weimar Republic and start their reign of terror).
From there, you get 360-degree views over Berlin’s centre as well as admire the unique design of the glass dome. You can also look down into the German parliament’s debating chamber, a symbol of transparency and the people above the government.
Going up is free but you have to register online and it sells out quickly (try and get a sunset spot if you can!).
Tickets: Reserve your slot here.
When to book: Peak Season 1-2 months in advance, otherwise a few weeks
You can get tickets on the day by registering at the service center with your ID and seeing if any spaces are still available, but I’d really recommend pre-bookings.
2. Join a historic walking tour
Berlin is overflowing with history and it’s impossible to discover it all on your own. A walking tour is a great way to start your time in Berlin, you get an overview of the city plus the most important history.
The guides are always extremely knowledgeable and will be able to answer any city or history questions you may have too.
I’d choose a tour that covers things like Brandenburg Gate, the Reichstag, the Jewish memorial, Hitler’s Bunker and Checkpoint Charlie. Those are some of the most important historical places that are best told in stories by an experienced guide!
3. Wander the East Side Gallery
The split of Berlin into East and West was one of its most defining moments in history, shaping the city to this day. One of the most striking remnants of that time is the East Side Gallery, a permanent open-air gallery featuring artwork on the longest surviving section of the Berlin Wall.
It is completely free to visit and easily one of the best things to do in the city! Check out my full guide on where to start and what to see below:
4. Get sweeping views over Berlin at the Weltballoon
A really unique and fun way to get incredible views over historic and modern Berlin. It’s very safe and described as an “environmentally-friendly way to experience Berlin from the air”.
It is one of the more pricy things on this list, but everyone who has gone has said it was one of their favourite experiences and super thrilling.
You also don’t need to reserve tickets, just stop by!
5. Visit a beer garden or beer hall
You can’t go to Germany and not try their beer, and a beer garden or beer hall are the best way to do just that.
While beer halls historically come from Munich and South Germany, there are incredibly ones in Berlin that are just as authentic (e.g. Hofbräuhaus Berlin). They’re honestly so fun with live music, cheers songs and dancing, plus the food is amazing!
Food to try: Käsespätzle, Schweinhaxn, Schweinebraten, Knödel
Where to go: Hofbräuhaus, BRLO Brwhouse, Prater Garten, Café am Neuen See
6. Check out and learn about Berlin’s Street Art Scene
Berlin is THE city for graffiti and street art. It dates back to when graffiti took off in the US and West Berlin had those close ties through the post-war split among the Allied Powers. At the same time, a 155km “blank canvas” was erected by East Berlin (the Wall), quickly turning into a place for political dissent and artistic expression.
When the Wall fell, artists from both sides created a flourishing of creativity and artistic expression. Artists from all over the world also flocked to Berlin due to the cheap rent in previous East Berlin and the atmosphere of freedom.
Nowadays, Berlin strikes a fine line between street art and vandalism, and not all art is legal. Yet it is still a crucial part of the cities identity.
Personally, I can only start to give you an insight into this fascinating topic, I’d highly recommend taking a tour with a local!
7. Go to Hackescher Markt for unique art stores and the Ampelmann Store
Hackescher Markt in Berlin is a mix of modern shops, art galleries, museums, design and unique stores. It’s one of my favourite places to wander and get souvenirs.
Make sure to watch out for the golden plaques (Stolpersteine) on the ground, common here as this was a predominantly Jewish area. They area a reminder of the fate of former residents of the houses.
You’ll also find the famous Ampelmann store here. Ampelmännchen are the traffic light signs from East Berlin that have now been turned into an iconic symbol.
My favourite stores:
- Neurotitan Shop & Gallery
- EAT BERLIN
- the weekly market (Thursday & Sunday)
- Saveur de Bánh Mì (BEST FOOD!!)
8. Explore the Museum Island
Museum Island in Berlin is pretty literally what is says: an island on the river Spree full of museums. But it is also full of history, home to the stunning Berliner Dom (shown above) and Lustgarden, a great place to realx on sunny days.
It is home to five huge museums originally built by Prussian rulers (Prussia was Germany before Germany existed).
Here you can find famous artefacts like the world-famous bust of Nefertiti in the Neues Museum, pieces from the French Revolution to the First World War in the Alte Nationalgalerie, beautiful sculptures in the Bode-Museum, ancient Greek art including Zeus Altar in the Pergamonmuseum (highly recommend!) and finally ancient art and culture in the Altes Museum.
Just across the river is also the DDR Museum, which showcases everyday life in East Germany. In my opinion one of the most interesting ones too, but go early because it gets busy.
9. Head up the TV Tower
This is THE landmark of Berlin, visible from almost anywhere in the city. The TV tower is over 360m tall and home to an observation deck and restaurant. It’s a really cool experience with 360 degrees views over Berlin.
TV Towers were built post WW2 as concrete was cheap and it was a sign of Germany rebuilding itself and advances in technology. You will find them in many prior Soviet countries as they served as propaganda landmarks.
10. Deep dive into WW2 in the Topography of Terror
This is a permanent, free exhibition about the Nazi crimes, specifically of the of the SS and police in the Third Reich. It’s a good way to understand this history better as the gallery is mostly historical photographs supplemented by introductory texts and short quotes.
I think it’s an essential visit while in Berlin. Understanding history is key to making sure it doesn’t repeat itself.
11. Walk along the Spree (or hop on a boat tour)
The Spree runs along much of the centre of Berlin and it is a beautiful area of the city. During spring, much of it is lined by blossoming trees and on a sunny day, you’ll find most the locals here.
A river tour is also a fun way to see Berlin from a different side and many include drinks or some food.
12. Join one of the iconic Trabi Safaris
Nothing beats a Trabi safari, they are easily the most fun way to see the city. You get to drive and share the car with your friends while learning about Berlin’s history.
Trabi’s were the cars of East Germany and are now a kult symbol. They were produced without major changes for nearly 30 years and are tiny, colourful and photo-worthy.
13. Explore the nightlife and techno clubs of Berlin
Berlin is world-famous for its nightlife and for good reason. It is home to some of the most fascinating underground and techno clubs.
This once again dates back to the time after the fall of the Berlin Wall, where many buildings stood empty and locals used them to celebrate their newfound freedom.
Some of the most famous clubs are Berghain and Kit Kat, both of which are unique (please look them up before you go) and often hard to get into.
Good clubs to go to as a tourist are Tresor, Sysyphus, Kulturbrauerei, Renate and Holzmarkt25.
14. Find some gems in secondhand shops
Berlin is full of second-hand shops, unique handmade boutiques and weekend markets, making it a shopping heaven.
Some of my favourites are Humana, Paul’s Boutique, YUMMY Vintage and the Oxfam Shop.
There are also frequently markets like the Mauerpark Flea Market and the Antique Market at Ostbahnhof Station which are both every Sunday. You can find which ones are on here.
15. Learn the history of concentration camps at the nearby Sachsenhausen
Concentration camps were a horrible part of WW2 and Nazi Germany, and I think visiting one of the memorial ones is important to do once in your life. It teaches you the horrors of this part of history like nothing else and is a stark reminder of what should never happen again.
I will put a word of warning here, it isn’t an easy visit. The history is brutal and inhumane and it’s a deeply emotional place to visit. There is no right or wrong way to react. Come prepared and take some time to rest and take it in afterwards.
Visiting Sachsenhausen is free, you need to get the ABC public transport ticket and head to Oranienburg on the S1 or RE5 train. From there, it’s a 30 minute walk or short ride on the 804 bus. Alternatively, a guided tour can be a good way to have this organised for you and get information directly from an expert.
16. Visit the World Clock and go shopping at Alexanderplatz
Alexanderplatz is the largest public market square in Germany and used to be a cattle market in the 1700s. It is now the centre of Berlin for shopping. Any shop you can think of is likely here.
You’ll also find the Weltzeituhr (world clock) here, which features 24 columns representing the 24 time zones of the Earth.
You may also be interested in:
How many days do you need in Berlin?
You need a minimum of 3 or 4 days to see the main sights of Berlin, more if you want to explore other areas or add some day trips.
While you can see the absolute highlights in 1-2 days if necessary, I think Berlin really is a city you get to know better the longer you stay. There are so many hidden gems that you’ll only really discover by exploring.
Is Berlin worth visiting?
Yes, Berlin is one of the most multi-faceted cities in Europe, full of history, culture and its own unique vibe. I believe the city has something for everyone!
Is Berlin walkable for tourists
Yes, the centre of Berlin and many main attractions are very walkable. It is also a very pedestrian-friendly city (as so many in Europe), meaning exploring on foot is fun and safe.
I personally love exploring the city by walking as I feel I get to see areas I usually wouldn’t as well as explore local shops, small alleys and so on.
Hi, I'm Bell
I’m a solo traveller, writer and designer. I created my blog to share the many different ways to travel the world. Learn more about me here!
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Travel Off Script contains affiliate links to support the running of the blog. If you make a purchase through these links, I will earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you.
