100 Things to Do in Berlin, a Bucket List City

FOMO is real! Do you worry about overlooking something incredible when travel planning? If so, then you’re in luck because this curated list of 100 things to do in Berlin will ensure you create an unforgettable and personalized vacation. You will find landmarks, attractions, museums, outdoor activities, beaches, where to eat and shop, and where to get the perfect photos for lasting memories. Don’t skip the Plan Your Trip section for when to go, how long to stay, what to pack, how much to budget, where to stay, and how to get around. It’s all here, keep reading for 100 Things to Do in Berlin.

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100 Unforgettable Things to Do in Berlin Germany

Not to Miss Landmarks in Berlin

• Visit the iconic Brandenburg Gate, a symbol of Berlin’s unity and history.
• Check out the remnants of the Berlin Wall and murals at the East Side Gallery.
• Take a selfie at Checkpoint Charlie, a famous Cold War checkpoint.
• Pay respects at the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe.
• Marvel at the grandeur of Charlottenburg Palace, a stunning Baroque palace.

Points of Interest in Berlin

• See Tränenpalast (Palace of Tears), a former East/West Berlin border crossing.
• Photograph the Gedächtniskirche Memorial to Peace.
• Photograph the Bismark Memorial and climb the Victory Column.
• Enjoy a Third Reich and Nazi Germany bike tour.
• Photograph the Broken Church, Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church.
• Check out the churches in Gendarmenmarkt.
• Check out Bebelplatz and the Memorial to May 10, 1933 Nazi Book Burning.
• Cross the double row of cobblestones representing the Berlin Wall.
• See the old apartment blocks in Prenzlauer Berg.
• Check out Neue Wache, dedicated to the Victims of War and Dictatorship.
• Must Do Attractions and Activities in Berlin
• Walk the Reichstag glass dome, reservations are required.
• Say hello to the Giant Pandas at the Berlin Zoo, the oldest zoo in Germany.
• Join a guided street art tour in the district of Friedrichshain.
• Wander around the old town, Nikolaiviertel.
• See the infamous Michael Jackson balcony at the Hotel Adlon.
• Check out the AquaDom at Sea Life, the largest cylindrical aquarium in the world.
• Tour Humboldt University.
• Bungee from the Park Inn Hotel Roof.
• Go for a ride in a classic Trabant.
• Climb the dome of the Berlin Cathedral.
• Relax in the Liquidrom Thermal Baths.
• Listen to the free Tuesday concert at the Berlin Philharmonic.
• Check out the old industrial buildings and graffiti at Nature Park Südgelände.
• See the Anne Frank mural at Dead Chicken Alley.
• Explore Spreepark abandoned amusement park.
• Watch the Monster Kabinett show.

Berlin Museums, History, and Art Spaces

• Learn about life under Communism at the interactive DDR Museum.
• Learn about Nazi persecution and terror at the Topography of Terror.
• Climb the Berlin Wall Memorial viewing platform to see the dead zone.
• Visit the DDR Watch Tower, formerly used to monitor the border strip.
• Tour Berlin’s underground bunkers at Berlin from Below.
• Experience the fall of the wall at the Wall Museum.
• Visit the Berlin Wall Memorial and Documentation Center to learn about the history of the wall.
• Check out a 1970 East Berlin apartment at the Museum Flat WBS-70.
• Explore the unique and thought-provoking exhibits at the Jewish Museum Berlin.
• Learn about the Cold War at Mauermuseum.
• Learn about Jewish history and culture at the Jewish Museum Berlin.
• Learn how Hitler gained control at the Berlin Story Bunker.
• Learn about the secret police force at the Stasi Museum.
• Learn about the Final Solution at the House of the Wannsee Conference.
• Visit the Nineties Berlin exhibition or the Little BIG City experience.
• Browse the alternative art at Neurotitan Gallery.
• Spend an afternoon at the Old National Gallery on Museum Island.
• Browse contemporary art at the Hamburger Bahnhof Museum.
• Visit the Berlinische Galerie for modern and contemporary art.
• See the Greek and Roman reconstructions at the Pergamon Museum.
• Step into the world of science at the Museum of Natural History.
• Check out the David Hasselhoff Museum or the Ramones Museum.
• See the street art at the Urban Nation Museum.
• Take an unguided tour of the Olympiastadion.

Outdoor Activities in Berlin

• Have a picnic at Tiergarten Park, enter through the Brandenburg Gate and don’t miss the English Garden.
• Take a boat ride on the Spree and photograph the double-decker Oberbaumbrücke.
• Explore the gardens of Charlottenburg Palace.
• Rent a bike and cycle through the Mauerweg route.
• See the Soviet War Memorial in Treptower Park.
• Wander through the Botanical Garden.
• Have a picnic next to the fountain in Volkspark Friedrichshain.
• Ride a bike at Tempelhofer Feld, the former Nazi parade grounds.
• Take a walk along Unter den Linden and photograph Zeughaus.
• Go for a swim at Strandbad Wannsee.
• Go for a hike in Grunewald Forest.
• Photograph the waterfall in Viktoriapark.
• Take a walk along the Landwehr Canal and stop on the picturesque bridges overlooking the houseboats.

Shopping in Berlin

• Shop for souvenirs at Alexanderplatz and photograph the Urania World Clock.
• Wander the market in Mauerpark Flea Market on Sundays.
• Shop ‘til you drop at KaDaWe or the Berlin Mall.
• Explore the trendy shops and boutiques at Kurfürstendamm.
• Browse the stores and eateries at Hackescher Markt.
• High-end shop on Kurfürstendamm and Friedrichstrasse.

Where to Eat in Berlin

• Grab a quick lunch from a vendor at Markthalle 9.
• Stop for coffee and a treat at Café Kranzler.
• Eat traditional currywurst at Curry 36.
• Enjoy a traditional German meal at Schwarzwaldstuben or Zur Letzten Instanz, Berlin’s oldest restaurant.
• Have dinner and a beer at the famous Hofbräu Wirtshaus.
• Satisfy your sweet tooth with a visit to Fassbender & Rausch, a famous chocolate shop.
• Treat yourself to a Michelin-starred restaurant at Facil or Tim Raue.

Berlin Nightlife: Pubs, Cocktails and Nightclubs

• Kick back with a beer at the whimsical Birgit and Bier or Prater Garden, Berlin’s oldest Beer Garden.
• Dance the night away at Berghain, Watergate, Tresor, or Ritter Butzke.
• Catch live music performances at the historic SO36 club in Kreuzberg.
• Sip cocktails with a view at Monkey Bar, Weekend Club, or Klunkerkranich bar.
• Enjoy dinner and a concert at Charlottenburg Palace.
• Watch Cabaret at the Chamaeleon Theater.
• Enjoy a cocktail at the elegant Clärchens Ballhaus, a historic ballroom turned bar.
• Have a relaxing night of live jazz music at A-Trane.
• Search out Buck and Breck, a hidden speakeasy bar. for craft cocktails.

Berlin Lookouts and Viewpoints

Check out the view from the Berlin TV Tower, the dome of the Reichstag Building, Panorama Point, Victory Column, St. Nikolai-Kirche Tower, Neukölln Arcaden rooftop terrace, or Park Inn Hotel TerracePanorama.

Berlin Special Events

• Oktoberfest is the last weekend in September to the first two weeks in October.
• The Festival of Lights is held in October.
• Lollapalooza Berlin is held at the beginning of September.
• The Fusion Festival (European Burning Man) is held at the end of June or the beginning of July.

Note: Be Sure to check the Berlin Board of Tourism website for upcoming festivals, special events and what’s happening this weekend.

Day Trips From Berlin

• Tour Sanssouci Palace and the historic city of Potsdam.
• Visit the Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp Memorial.
• Explore the charming town of Wannsee and relax on its beautiful lakeside beaches.
• Spend a day in Dresden, known for its stunning architecture.
• Take a day trip to pretty Leipzig, the music capital of Germany.
• Check out Teufelsberg, the abandoned US Spy Station.
• Tour Spandau Citadel or Schloss Kopenick.
• Spend a day in Lübbenau and take a scenic boat ride through the canals.

Plan Your Trip to Berlin Germany

Why Visit Berlin Germany

Berlin had approximately 10 million visitors last year. People are drawn to Berlin by it’s incredible history, but there’s so much more to this city. Berlin is full of history, museums, fun attractions, and great shopping.

How Many Days in Berlin Is Enough

3 days in Berlin is enough to experience the city. Add another day if you plan to attend a special event or wish to take a day trip.

Is Berlin Safe for Solo Travelers

According to Travel Safe Abroad, the overall risk of travel in Berlin is low. However, there is a medium risk of pickpocketing, mugging, and scams. The risk of terrorist attacks is high. Check their website for more information.

Best Time to Visit Berlin

The high tourist season is from May through September. Oktoberfest celebrations actually occur in September. April and October are shoulder seasons with fewer crowds and some rain. April is the best time to visit wine country. The end of November through December is the Christmas Market season, expect higher prices and crowds. Winter is cold with gray skies and snow.

How to Get to Berlin

Several airlines fly nonstop to the Berlin Brandenburg Airport. A nonstop flight from NYC to Berlin is 8 hours. Washington DC to Belin nonstop is 8.5 hours. It is a 30 minute train ride from the airport to Berlin Hbf. Trains run every 30 minutes and tickets are about 4€. This is faster and less expensive than a bus. A taxi ride is about 30 minutes and costs over $65. Berlin is well connected to Germany by train.

How to Get Around Berlin

Berlin is super easy to navigate and well-connected by above and below-ground trains. Day-use tickets are available and very reasonable. Click through to check tickets, tariff zones and route maps.

Where to Stay in Berlin

I stayed at the Ibis Hotel Berlin Hauptbahnhof. I chose this hotel because it was easy to get to from the airport and convenient for an early morning train departure. This is a no-thrills hotel in a good location to grab public transportation.

What Should I Budget for Berlin

According to Budget My Trip, the daily cost of travel is $150 per person per day. As always, the cost is based on your travel style. Check their website for more information.

What Should I Pack for Berlin

Berlin is a casual city. Most tourists wear jeans, shorts, and cotton T-shirts. Be sure to pack comfortable shoes. Bring a nice outfit if you plan to go clubbing or have a romantic night out.

Are There Any Romantic Things to Do in Berlin

Berlin has several Michelin-starred restaurants and rooftop bars for a romantic night out.   

Things to Do in Berlin with Young Children

The Berlin Zoo, interactive DDR Museum, and Aquadom & Sealife Aquarium are all child friendly. There is also a Legoland in Berlin.

Things to do in Berlin with Young Adults

Berlin is a great city for young adults. They may be interested in climbing the Reichstag Building, watching the Monster Kabinett show, and exploring the Teufelsberg abandoned US Spy Station.

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