With a burgeoning underground scene in both art and music, Berlin is a popular holiday destination. With its own unique and important history there are plenty of spaces through which you can see both the past and look towards the future. You may choose to spend your time visiting important monuments such as the Brandenburg Gate, the many memorial sites, and pretty gardens. For those of you who have visited Berlin before we’re sure that you will have already ticked many of the top things to do in Berlin. So, read on to discover the top alternative things to do in Berlin, Germany. We’re willing to bet that you wouldn’t have done these before.
1. Historic places: Berlin Wall Memorial and the Berliner Unterwelten (subterranean Berlin)
Located in the middle of the capital, this historic site is first on the list for many people. The wall in total extends 1.4 km (0.8 miles) along the former border strip. There is a large exhibition center on the site of Bernauer Straße and this includes materials remaining from that time. Be sure to also visit the observation tower for a bird’s eye view.
From a bird’s eye view to a different perspective at the Berliner Unterwelten-Museum. As you descend into the underground bunkers of this unique museum you’ll learn more about the secret history of the city. Nowhere else can you see the incredible ruins of the bunkers which have been open to visitors since 1999. The guided tours throughout this four-floor exhibition focus on the civilian air raids during the Second World War, escape tunnels and many archaeological finds. The tours will last for 90 minutes It is worth noting that due to the nature of these tours they are not suitable for young children.
Berliner Unterwelten (Subterranean Berlin)
Address: Brunnenstraße 105, 13355 Berlin, Germany
2. Museums: Pergamon Museum and the Jewish Museum
The Pergamon Museum is home to three of the most impressive collections. The Antikensammlung has important pieces of Greek and Roman art and is just one of the collections. For many, the highlight of the Pergamon Museum is the 3D laser reconstruction of the Pergamon Altar. Additional constructs include the Market Gate of Miletus, the Ishtar Gate and the Processional Way from Babylon. Pergamon Museum is the most visited museum in Germany.
Another popular museum to visit is the Jewish Museum. Since its doors opened in 2001 this museum has been leading the way in educational events and activities. They have a huge collection that includes 9,500 works of art, 1,500 objects of religious use, 4,500 objects of material culture, 24,000 photographs and more than 1,700 individual collections in the archive. The museum focuses on the history of the Jewish people and is a great way to spend an afternoon in Berlin.
Jewish Museum
Address: Lindenstraße 9-14, 10969 Berlin, Germany
Website: Jewish Museum
3. Buildings: Reichstag Building and The Bebelplatz
Located just north of the Brandenburg Gate, the Reichstag Building was home to the German Houses of Parliament until it was seized by the Nazis. There is a roof terrace, which offers panoramic views and can be visited with a booking in advance. There is also a rooftop restaurant which offers a fantastic menu. Admission is free.
Keep the history books open and you’ll be transported to the infamous book burning episode which took place at Bebelplatz. Now on the spot where the books were burned, there is a glass plate on the floor. Look down and you’ll see an underground library that has no books on its shelves. A lasting memory, indeed. In 1933, all books that the Nazis deemed as promoting a different ideology, were burned. In total, over 20,000 books were burned at The Bebelplatz.
The Bebelplatz
Address: Unter den Linden, 10117 Berlin, Germany
Website: The Bebelplatz
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4. Admire the street art along the streets of the East Side Gallery and check out the Soviet graffiti in the Reichstag
When the Berlin Wall fell, parts of it were left as a historical reminder. A section of that has become known as the East Side Gallery and is a living visual graffiti area. Many international artists come to depict symbols of peace and love on a wall which once stood for something very different. The wall at this part stretches 1.3 km (0.8 miles) long.
If you’ve already visited the East Side Gallery, head to the Soviet graffiti area in the Reichstag. Once the German Parliamentary building, the walls of the Reichstag were graffitied in 1945 when young Russians scribbled on the walls. Some simply write their names whilst other people wrote sentences, dates, and slogans. Many of these names were hidden beneath the wooden paneling and weren’t brought to light until a building work exposed them many years later.
Soviet graffiti in the Reichstag
Address: Platz der Republik 1, 11011 Berlin, Germany
Berlin Tour Guide
Matti Geyer
I was born in Berlin the year before the wall fell and thus had the fortune and privilege to grow up in a city that was growing up itself. In 2008, I decided to turn my passion for this amazing city into a career by becoming a tour guide. Both my parents lived in East Germany: My dad became a teacher, until refusal to join the Communist party ended his career, whilst my mom worked as a tour guide for tourists from the Soviet Union. In a way, I am following in her footsteps, although our tours would be incredibly different. For instance, my mom failed her first test tour, when she didn’t refer to the Berlin Wall by its official East German propaganda term ‘antifascist protection barrier.’On my tours, I am always happy to share personal family stories about what it was like growing up in such an exciting and ever-changing city. I have a Bachelor’s degree in English and History from the University of Potsdam and a Master’s degree in European Studies from the Viadrina Frankfurt/Oder.When I’m not guiding, I work as a journalist at one of Berlin’s biggest radio stations or spend time with my wife and son. I have also lived in New York City and in Brussels, where I worked at the Goethe-Institut and the European Parliament, respectively. I speak fluent English with hardly any accent. I am a member of the Berlin Guides Association. I am looking forward to showing you around this amazing city – on and off the beaten track – and to sharing its fascinating anecdotes, stories, and secrets! I am also a big fan of Potsdam, and am always happy to take people there as well!
Tours by Matti
Berlin Tour Guide
Asaf Leshem
My name is Asaf and I am a professional tour guide. I hold a Ph.D. in Dark Tourism and interpretation of history. In Berlin I guide tours on such topics as the Cold War, the Third Reich, Berlin's Jewish Heritage, Berlin and Brandenburg's Prussian History, and more. I also guide in Potsdam, and I am certified to guide in the Memorial and Museum Sachsenhausen. I am also an enthusiastic runner and cyclist. For repeating visitors, looking for unique experiences outside the city, I guide special cycling tours in Brandenburg's northern lake district, and in the Spreewald Biosphere Reserve.
Tours by Asaf
Berlin Tour Guide
Tina
Born and raised in Australia, I studied psychology at the University of Queensland but had always loved reading modern history books. I came to Berlin for a nerdy history vacation in 2017, fell in love with the city and decided to make it home. I offer tours of Berlin and its surrounds which are rich with history and packed with energy. I don’t just show my guests Berlin's sights; I also explain the history behind them in an accessible and engaging way and help my guests to connect with the city’s spirit and uncover its real soul. Not sure what to do in Berlin? In addition to my Tips on Trip101, you can find lots of ideas on my Instagram. Every Thursday I post a highlight Story called "Tina's Tips" where I suggest events in Berlin for the coming week, like comedy, live music, gallery tours, dance parties etc.
Tours by Tina
5. Explore the Botanic Gardens and relax in Liquidrom, a futuristic German spa
If strolling through the flowers sounds like an ideal way to spend a day then head to Berlin’s Botanical Garden. Started in 1889, there are a number of different flower areas from herbaceous and medicinal plants to roses, aquatic and marsh plants. In fact, there are over 20,000 different plant species on site and these attract half a million visitors each year.
After a stroll through the gardens, head for a relaxing spa treatment at the Liquidrom. Located in the center of Berlin, Liquidrom has four nude saunas and offer a number of additional pool features. You’ll love the floating pool, Omm-sound pool and the Japanese-inspired outdoor area with a hot water onsen. At the heart of Liquidrom, you’ll find the dimmed Cupola Hall with warm salt water. The underwater color and light combinations mixed with the sound of classical music will have you instantly relaxed. Check online for DJ and artist performances.
Liquidrom
Address: Liquidrom GmbH & Co. KG, Möckernstraße 10, 10963 Berlin
Website: Liquidrom
Berlin, two sides of a coin
There is so much to see and do in Berlin we know that you’ll have a great time planning your holiday. From the highest points with panoramic views to the deepest depths of underground bunkers, our list has covered it all. You’ll find lots of alternative and secret activities hidden in Berlin. Start with our list and then discover your own wonderful delights. Happy exploring!
Explore Tegel Forest to feel rejuvenated
Contributed by Tour Guide, Asaf Leshem
Nature lovers visiting Berlin can spend some time exploring Tegel Forest. Along with lush greenery, you may also spot some wildlife in the forest. Berlin’s most famous tree, a 916-year-old English oak called Dicke Marie is located in this forest and is said to be the oldest tree in Berlin. The awe-inspiring oak grew near the north shores of Lake Tegel several decades before the establishment of the church village of Tygel. Although the tree is in a poor state due to complications from neighboring maple trees and buildings, it’s nevertheless remarkable that it survived countless weather conditions and historical events from the establishment of Berlin through the turbulent 20th Century. Visiting Dicke Marie can spark one’s imagination. If time travel were possible, this forest would probably be the safest place to land as it is one of the few places in Berlin that hasn’t changed for almost a thousand years!
Aside from Dickie Marie, only 2 km (1.2 mi) into the forest, you can find the tallest tree in Berlin! The last time it was measured, the impressive larch was 43 m tall (141 ft). It has quite a few tall brothers and sisters next to it, all about 180 years old.
Take a quiet walk through Weißensee Cemetery
Contributed by Tour Guide, Asaf Leshem
The Jewish cemetery at Berlin-Weißensee is a beautiful spot to have some quiet moments to yourself. I never get bored at Weißensee Cemetery. It’s like walking through a gamebook, where at the end of every turn you choose a different path and discover something new. I’m also never sad when I walk through the cemetery. It’s a place commemorating the life and culture of Berlin in the 19th century, set in a wild and beautiful jungle.
The distance between two family graves is about 1 km (0.6 mi) here. It takes me more than 45 minutes or sometimes an hour to explore the place. I stop at beautiful graves, read the names, and take pictures. And then, I just listen to the birds or the rain, almost as if I were in a beautiful rainforest offering a symphony of different plant species.
Enjoy lush surroundings and spot wildlife at Spreewald Biosphere Reserve
Contributed by Tour Guide, Asaf Leshem
Spreewald Biosphere Reserve is home to a diverse and interesting assembly of animal and plant species. It’s a regular pitstop for many birds on their migration journey to Africa. On one of my tours, we encountered some of the more permanent residents enjoying the rich conditions of late summer.
Join Critical Mass Berlin
Contributed by Tour Guide, Asaf Leshem
Source: Asaf Leshem
Critical Mass is a peaceful cycling demonstration designed to bring awareness and aspire for more sustainable and cycling-friendly cities. The ride usually has several hundreds of people cycling. It’s open to all and is quite informal. And to add to the fact that you’ll be riding for a good cause, the route runs along all the beautiful sites of Berlin!
Visit the Memorial to Europe's Sinti and Roma Murdered Under Nazism
Contributed by Tour Guide, Asaf Leshem
Another memorial you should check out is the Memorial to Europe’s Sinti and Roma Murdered Under Nazism. The 2nd to 3rd of August mark the Roma Holocaust Memorial Day. This day commemorates the victims of the Romani genocide committed by Nazi Germany, known as Porajmos, which translates to “the Devouring” in English.
On your visit to Berlin, I recommend stopping by the two-part memorial, located between Brandenburg Gate and the Reichstag. The Memorial has added a new exhibit, which gives a voice, and crucially, faces to nine people who were persecuted by the Nazis in different places in Europe.
Enjoy a refreshing run through Berlin
Contributed by Tour Guide, Asaf Leshem
Visiting Berlin and looking for a unique experience? Try trail running to feel refreshed and energized. My recommendation is to take the S1 from Friedrich Straße station and get off at the S Hermsdorf stop. Just 1 km (0.6 mi) to the west is the northern part of the lush Tegel Forest. Enjoy a truly scenic run!
History
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