Berlin, the lovely capital of Germany, is a prosperous state. The largest city in Germany, it is a cosmopolitan place with historical value. Renowned for its universities, orchestras, museums and numerous entertainment venues, there is much to see and do here. The zoo is one of the most famous zoos in Europe, and with the world’s oldest large-scale movie studio complex, Berlin is a favourite place for international film productions. The city is lively with its nightlife and contemporary art shows. If you are planning to stay here for a getaway, you can book a hotel in Berlin for your accommodation. There are also vacation rentals in Berlin that offer easy access to some famous attractions. Whether you’re in Berlin for a short holiday or a long break, you cannot miss the below list of curated landmarks. Read on to find out where to go.
1. The Berlin Wall Memorial
The Berlin Wall Memorial is situated at the historic site on Bernauer Strasse and is one of the things that Berlin is famous for. The memorial consists of the last piece of the Berlin Wall that separated Germany in the Cold War, and it is 1.4 kilometres (less than a mile) long. It has been preserved along with the historical grounds behind it, a historical monument to help visitors understand Germany’s past.
The Berlin Wall Memorial
Address: Bernauer Straße 119 13355 Berlin
Website: The Berlin Wall Memorial
Tip from tour guide
Did you know that during the Cold War, it was practically impossible, and certainly ill-advised, to build anything on either side of the Berlin Wall? Today, Bernauer Straße is a normal street with a normal tram line and a mile-long memorial with multiple exhibitions on the Berlin Wall.
2. The Brandenburg Gate
The Brandenburg Gate is Berlin’s only surviving historical city gate, symbolising both the Cold War division into East and West Germany, and with the fall of the Wall, a unified Germany. It is also one of the earliest examples of a neo-classical building in Germany, marking it as an impressive iconic monument.
The Brandenburg Gate
Address: Pariser Platz 10117 Berlin
Website: The Brandenburg Gate
3. Charlottenburg Palace
The beautiful Charlottenburg Palace, a romantic place in Berlin was once a royal summer residence but is today Berlin’s largest and most magnificent palace. Named after Sophie Charlotte, the first Queen consort in Prussia, she was an accomplished musician, who often strolled through the grounds of the castle. When she died, the palace and the area around was named after her. A magnificent royal palace, it is certainly worth a visit.
Charlottenburg Palace
Address: Spandauer Damm 10 -22 14059 Berlin
Website: Charlottenburg Palace
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4. The Gendarmenmarkt
Gendarmenmarkt is lauded as the most beautiful public square in Berlin, with some going as far as to say it is the most beautiful north of the Alps. The square is in the middle of the concert house and two church buildings. Climbing atop the towers of the churches, you can view the postcard-perfect sight of Berlin. In summer, wander through the square to listen to the orchestras play in the open air, and in winter, shop for Christmas goodies at this Christmas market in Berlin.
The Gendarmenmarkt
Address: Gendarmenmarkt 10117 Berlin
Website: The Gendarmenmarkt
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. Jewish Museum Berlin
The Jewish Museum Berlin allows visitors to understand more about migration and diversity in Germany. Not only that, its architectural structure is one of Berlin’s most recognisable landmarks. Designed by Daniel Libeskind, the use of voids and lines intersecting each other tells a story of German-Jewish history in the most symbolic manner. Expect to see cultural history and contemporary art installations alongside the permanent history exhibition.
Jewish Museum Berlin
Address: Jewish Museum Berlin Lindenstraße 9-14 D-10969 Berlin
Website: Jewish Museum Berlin
6. Grosser Tiergarten and the Victory Column
A 20-minute stroll through Tiergarten Park leads you to the Victory Column with its golden statue. It has survived War World II without much damage, and visitors can access the tower via four tunnels, where at the middle of a roundabout seats this must-see landmark. Buy a ticket to ascend to the top of this 66.89metres tall column, and view the panoramic sights of Germany from there. Incidentally, this is the site wherein 2008 Mr Barack Obama gave a speech before he was elected President of the United State.
Grosser Tiergarten and the Victory Column
Address: Grosser Stern 110785 Berlin
Tip from tour guide
Have you visited the Siegessäule (Victory Column) in Berlin? Then you'd be intrigued to know that it's not the only one of its kind. Near the Brandenburg village of Hakenberg, there's another one, erected in 1875 to commemorate the Battle of Fehrbellin on June 18, 1675. Despite the 1648 cease-fire agreement of Westphalia, regional conflicts continued. In May 1675, Friedrich Wilhelm of Berlin-Brandenburg marched with a skeleton army to protect his lands from the Swedish army. Though they were outnumbered and tired, Friedreich's forces used their topographic knowledge of the local swamps and defeated the Swedish army to regain their territory.
Assisted and admired by local peasants, Friedrich Wilhelm would subsequently be known as the Great Elector!
7. Pergamon Museum
The Pergamon Museum is an encyclopedic museum that has collections encompassing European and non-European art, archaeology, and ethnology from various nations, cultures and periods. It was founded in 1957 to preserve the cultural artefacts of the former state of Prussia and is considered the national museum of Germany. Funded by the government, it has the most extensive collection of artefacts documenting Germany’s history from past to present.
Pergamon Museum
Address: Staatliche Museen zu Berlin Education, Outreach, Visitor Services Genthiner Str. 38 D – 10785 Berlin
Website: Pergamon Museum
8. Berlin Cathedral Church
Looking for things to do in Berlin? Visit the Berlin cathedral church to appreciate the impressive dome-like roof. The city’s most important Protestant church, its elaborate decorative and ornamental designs have fascinated many. Historically, it was the court church of the rulers of Prussia and later the German Emperors. It is open for admission to all baptised Protestants in the region.
Berlin Cathedral Church
Address: Am Lustgarten 10178 Berlin Zum Stadtplan
Website: Berlin Cathedral Church
9. The Reichstag
The seat of the German parliament, the famous Reichstag building with its glass dome is a must-see landmark. The glass mirrors of the dome are an artwork on its own. The building symbolises the unity of the German people and was reopened after German reunification on October 3, 1990.
The Reichstag
Address: Platz der Republik 1 10557 Berlin Zum Stadtplan
Website: Attraction Name
10. Museum Island
The Museum Island of Berlin is a Unesco World Heritage site. Boasting five world-renowned museums, some of the most famous and important cultural exhibits on show including the legendary bust of the Egyptian queen Nefertiti, and the stunning Pergamon Alter as well as breathtaking Ishtar Gate.
Museum Island
Address: Am Lustgarten 10117 Berlin
Website: Museum Island
Berlin, the cosmopolitan city awaits
Whether you’re visiting Berlin for work or for play, the city’s many landmarks bear testament to its rich history and cultural diversity. Even if you only have a day or two to spare, the many museums of Berlin will enthral and fascinate you with its well-preserved cultural artefacts as well as its stunning architecture. Additionally, you can choose a cozy hotel or an Airbnb vacation rental in Berlin for your accommodation. So pick one, or all of the above landmarks there to start your sightseeing today!
History
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