Berlin, the capital and largest city in Germany, is truly a world city. Young, international and modern, the city is filled with history, culture, media, and innovation. There is always something to do, and when looking for the next big thing, Berlin is the place to be!
We've listed some top attractions and sights below, enabling you to make the most out of your visit.
Berlin's Top Sights
Reichstag
The Reichstag building is the housing of the German parliament, the Bundestag. The building has stood in place since 1894 but has completely been modernized since. Today you can look out from the building's glass dome to get an amazing overview of the city.
Brandenburg Gate
The Brandenburg Gate is Berlin's number one landmark, a must see! Built in 1791, it was just one of many old city gates around the city of Berlin which, at that time, was still a manageable size. The gate was a symbol of the division during the Cold War but now stands for peace and unity. From the gate, you can walk over Unter den Linden, a famous avenue with several other historic buildings.
Berlin TV Tower & Alexanderplatz
The Berlin Television Tower (the Fernsehturm), stands out of the skyline at 365 meters, making it the tallest building in Berlin. Built in the 1960s, visitors to the tower can enjoy a unique 360° panorama of the city. The tower sits on Alexanderplatz, the lively central square in Berlin's Mitte district.
Gendarmenmarkt
The Gendarmenmarkt is said to be the most stunning square in the city. Three of the most impressive examples of architecture are found here: The Concert House and the German and French Cathedrals (the Deutscher Dom and the Französischer Dom). The church buildings now host an exhibition on German parliamentary history and the Huguenot Museum.
Berlin Cathedral
The Berlin Cathedral (Berliner Dom) has a magnificent dome that makes this another famous landmark of the city. It is a notable example of late 19th-century architecture.
Kurfürstendamm
A stroll down Kurfürstendamm is recommended for shopping lovers. Extending all the way from the ruins of the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church on Breitscheidplatz to Berlin's elegant Halensee neighborhood, Ku'damm is the most expensive street in the city and home to the most exclusive brands. Europe's biggest department store, KaDeWe, is right at the edge of this boulevard, on the Tauentzienstrasse.
Charlottenburg Palace
The Charlottenburg Palace was once a royal summer residence, today it is the largest palace in Berlin. The beautiful palace hosts fine collections of china and paintings and is situated in the middle of a picturesque garden right next to the river Spree. If you don't fancy a walk in the park, you can feed your mind in the museums located nearby.
Museum Island
Museum Island is an island in the river the Spree, a UNESCO world heritage site where five world-renowned museums are situated. You will find here the Altes Museum (Old Museum), the Neues Museum (New Museum) the Bode Museum, the Pergamon Museum and the Alte National Galerie (Old National Gallery). The collections in these buildings encompass over 6,000 years of art and cultural history.
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The Berlin Wall Memorial & Documentation Centre
The Berlin Wall Memorial (Gedenkstätte Berliner Mauer) is located on Bernauer Straße and consists of the Memorial to the Victims of the Wall, a Documentation Centre and the Chapel of Reconciliation. The last remaining segment of the wall and watchtower gives visitors a real feel of the reality of the divide of the city.
Potsdamer Platz
Once the bustling heart of the city, then a no man's land from 1945 until the fall of the wall, the history of Potsdamer Platz has been eventful and is typical Berlin. The area changed completely after 1989 and is now a shopping and nightlife district.
Checkpoint Charlie
Checkpoint Charlie was the best-known border crossing between East and West Berlin during the Cold War. The famous "YOU ARE LEAVING THE AMERICAN SECTOR" sign stood here, a sign that became a symbol of the division of Cold War Berlin. The museum tells you more about the Berlin Wall and about numerous escape attempts from East to West.
Good to know
- There are public Wi-Fi hotspots all around Berlin. Learn more here.
- Want to get tips from the locals? Download the free ''Going Local Berlin'' app, to get tours, recommendations on events and restaurants, and hidden places to discover the Berlin "of Berliners".
- To navigate your way through the many events in the city, use the city's event calendar, and find exactly the right exhibit, festival or concert that suits your preferences.
