- 1️⃣ Brandenburg Gate and surroundings
- 2️⃣ Reichstag - German parliament
- 3️⃣ Berlin Wall and East Side Gallery
- 4️⃣ Museum Island (Museumsinsel)
- 5️⃣ Berlin TV Tower (Fernsehturm)
- 6️⃣ Checkpoint Charlie
- 7️⃣ Potsdamer Platz (Potsdamer Platz)
- 8️⃣ Monument to the Murdered Jews of Europe (Holocaust-Mahnmal)
- 9️⃣ Charlottenburg Castle (Schloss Charlottenburg)
Berlin impresses with its diversity - from monumental monuments to avant-garde art, from history to modernity. This is a city that draws you in, inspires you and is constantly changing. If you're planning a visit to the German capital, it's worth knowing which places are really worth seeing.
In the list below you will find Berlin's 15 biggest attractions - The most famous, symbolic and unusual ones. Practical tips await at each of them: what to visit, how to get there and when is the best time to go.
It's time to discover Berlin step by step.
1️⃣ Brandenburg Gate and surroundings
🎠 Travelling with children to Berlin?
👉 Top 10 - attractions for children in Berlin
Brandenburg Gate is Berlin's most recognizable symbol and also a place of great historical significance. Erected in the late 18th century, over the years it has witnessed landmark events - from the triumphs of the Empire to the divisions of the Cold War. Today, located at the Pariser Platz, is a must-see point on every tourist's map.
🔸 During the visit it is worth:
🔹 see Brandenburg Gate at dusk - It is then beautifully highlighted,
🔹 take a walk Unter den Linden avenue up to Museum Islands,
🔹 look under Monument to the Victims of the Holocaust right next door - its maze of concrete blocks is very impressive,
🔹 stand exactly where it ran Berlin Wall, and feel the symbolism of German reunification.
📍 Access: lines U-Bahn U55 or S-Bahn to the station "Brandenburger Tor"; also numerous buses and streetcars.
🕐 Tour time: 1-1.5 hours - preferably in the morning or late afternoon, when the light perfectly highlights the monumentality of this building.
2️⃣ Reichstag - German parliament
Reichstag is the seat of the German Bundestag and one of Berlin's most important buildings. After war damage and a major renovation designed by Norman Foster, the building gained a modern glass dome that symbolizes transparency of power and attracts millions of tourists a year.
🔸 During the visit it is worth:
🔹 enter the roof and the glass dome, which offers a magnificent panorama of Berlin (free entrance, but online registration required),
🔹 view the interior with a guide and learn more about the history of the German parliament,
🔹 see original graffiti of Soviet soldiers From 1945 inside the building,
🔹 take a walk in the green areas around - Tiergarten is located right next door.
📍 Access: station "Brandenburger Tor" (S-Bahn, U-Bahn), a few minutes' walk.
🕐 Tour time: 1.5-2 hours - It is best to book entry to the dome in advance online, especially during the summer season.
3️⃣ Berlin Wall and East Side Gallery
Berlin Wall is a symbol of the division of Germany and the Cold War. Erected in 1961, it separated West and East Berlin for nearly 30 years. Although today most of the wall no longer exists, parts of it remind us of the city's dramatic history. The most famous of these is East Side Gallery - A stretch of more than a kilometer covered with paintings by artists from around the world.
🔸 During the visit it is worth:
🔹 walk along East Side Gallery and view the most famous graphics, such as "Brotherly Kiss". (Brezhnev and Honecker),
🔹 visit Berlin Wall Memorial at Bernauer Straße - with original wall fragments, watchtower and documentation,
🔹 stop by Checkpoint Charlie - A former border crossing between East and West,
🔹 see the remains of the wall at the Topography of Terror, where the Gestapo and SS headquarters were located.
📍 Access: To East Side Gallery -. S-Bahn "Warschauer Straße".; to Bernauer Straße -. U-Bahn U8 or streetcars M10, M8.
🕐 Tour time: 1.5-2 hours - best in the late afternoon, when the wall casts long shadows and the photos come out most interesting.
4️⃣ Museum Island (Museumsinsel)
📚 See Berlin from the side of the exhibits and displays
👉 Top 10 - museums that are really worth visiting
Museum Island is a unique museum complex located on an island in the Spree River, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is home to five world-class museums that house masterpieces of art and priceless archaeological artifacts - from ancient Egypt to 19th century artworks.
🔸 During the visit it is worth:
🔹 visit Pergamon Museum - With reconstructions of monumental monuments, including. The Pergamon Altar i Ishtar Gates of Babylon,
🔹 see bust of Nefertiti At the New Museum (Neues Museum),
🔹 enter Alte Nationalgalerie, where works by Monet, Manet, Caspar David Friedrich and other masters are on display,
🔹 stroll through the courtyards and boulevards surrounding the island - the views here are truly picturesque.
📍 Access: station S-Bahn "Hackescher Markt" or U-Bahn "Museumsinsel" (U5); walking distance from Unter den Linden or Alexanderplatz.
🕐 Tour time: 2-3 hours (one museum) or even a whole day if you want to see them all - best to buy in advance Berlin Museum Pass.
5️⃣ Berlin TV Tower (Fernsehturm)
🔭 Think you know everything about Fernsehturm?
👉 10 interesting facts about Berlin's TV Tower that will surprise you
Fernsehturm, or the Berlin Television Tower, is Germany's tallest building (368 meters) and one of the city's most distinctive skyline landmarks. Erected in the 1960s by the East German government, it was meant to be a symbol of modernity and the supremacy of socialist Berlin. Today, it is a tourist attraction with an amazing view of the entire capital.
🔸 During the visit it is worth:
🔹 drive up to the observation deck (203 m) and see Berlin from a bird's eye view - in good weather the visibility reaches 40 km,
🔹 visit rotating Sphere restaurant, which makes a full rotation every 30 minutes,
🔹 in the evening to see the illumination of the tower from the square Alexanderplatz,
🔹 take a photo from below - the silhouette of the tower against the sky is one of the classics of Berlin photography.
📍 Access: Alexanderplatz - Transportation hub with S-Bahn, U-Bahn (U2, U5, U8), streetcars and buses.
🕐 Tour time: 1-1.5 hours - It is best to book tickets online in advance to avoid queues, especially on weekends.
6️⃣ Checkpoint Charlie
Checkpoint Charlie is the most famous border crossing between East and West Berlin during the Cold War. It was here that Western citizens could enter the part controlled by the GDR. The site became a symbol of the division of the city, as well as the scene of tensions between US and USSR soldiers. Today it is a popular tourist attraction with a reconstruction of the guardhouse and a rich historical display.
🔸 During the visit it is worth:
🔹 take a picture at reconstruction of the watchtower and the famous sign "You are leaving the American sector,
🔹 visit Museum of the Wall (Mauermuseum) with accounts from refugees, exhibits and documents from the era,
🔹 learn the stories of daring attempts to cross the wall, including by balloon, hiding in a trunk or a makeshift boat,
🔹 take a look at the art installations and signage along the street Friedrichstraße.
📍 Access: metro station "Kochstraße / Checkpoint Charlie" (U6).; also accessible by walking from Potsdamer Platz.
🕐 Tour time: 1-1.5 hours - It is advisable to come in the morning or early afternoon, when it is less crowded.
7️⃣ Potsdamer Platz (Potsdamer Platz)
Potsdamer Platz is today Berlin's modern business and entertainment center, but its history dates back to the 19th century. Before World War II, it was one of the busiest intersections in Europe. After the war - a "no man's land" place next to the Berlin Wall. Today it impresses with futuristic architecture, shopping malls, cinemas and the impressive Sony Center complex.
🔸 During the visit it is worth:
🔹 take a walk through the Sony Center - covered with a glass dome, especially impressive in the evening,
🔹 enter Panoramapunkt - An observation deck on the 24th floor, offering great views of downtown Berlin,
🔹 see fragments of the Berlin Wall set up along the square and read a brief history of the place,
🔹 relax in one of the modern cafes or watch a movie in the IMAX cinema.
📍 Access: station "Potsdamer Platz" - S-Bahn, U-Bahn (U2), buses and streetcars.
🕐 Tour time: 1-2 hours - best visited in the afternoon or evening, when the square comes alive with lights and sound.
8️⃣ Monument to the Murdered Jews of Europe (Holocaust-Mahnmal)
Monument to the Murdered Jews of Europe, also known as Holocaust Memorial, is one of the most moving memorials in Berlin. It consists of 2,711 concrete blocks of varying heights, arranged in the form of a labyrinth over an area of 19,000 m². The monument symbolically captures the chaos, isolation and disorientation experienced by Jews during the Holocaust.
🔸 During the visit it is worth:
🔹 take a walk through narrow corridors between blocks of flats, experiencing changing perspectives and emotions,
🔹 visit information center at the monument, which features survivor accounts and names of victims,
🔹 familiarize yourself with the concept of the project - the lack of names, symbols and colors are deliberate efforts to leave room for reflection,
🔹 Combine your visit with nearby attractions -. Brandenburg Gate is located just a few minutes' walk away.
📍 Access: station "Brandenburger Tor" (S-Bahn, U-Bahn) or a few minutes' walk from Potsdamer Platz.
🕐 Tour time: 45 minutes - 1.5 hours - preferably in the morning or in the predawn hours, when there is silence conducive to reverie.
9️⃣ Charlottenburg Castle (Schloss Charlottenburg)
Charlottenburg Castle is the largest and most beautiful Baroque residence in Berlin, the former seat of the Hohenzollern family. Surrounded by beautiful French and English-style gardens, it impresses with sumptuous interiors, art collections and a rich history dating back to the 17th century.
🔸 During the visit it is worth:
🔹 visit representative royal apartments, including Golden Gallery And the chambers of Frederick the Great,
🔹 see collection of porcelain and silverware, as well as paintings by masters - including Watteau, Pesne and Chodowiecki,
🔹 take a walk around the palace gardens - especially charming in spring and summer,
🔹 visit Mausoleum, New Pavilion i Belvedere, located within the complex.
📍 Access: station U-Bahn "Richard-Wagner-Platz" (U7). or buses to the stop "Schloss Charlottenburg".
🕐 Tour time: 2-3 hours - preferably on a sunny day to fully appreciate the walk in the gardens as well.
🔟 Berlin Cathedral (Berliner Dom)
Berlin Cathedral is the largest Protestant church in Germany and the architectural jewel of Museum Island. Its massive dome dominates the surrounding area, and the interior impresses with its intricate decorations, marble altar and monumental organ. The cathedral is not only a place of worship, but also an important monument and viewpoint.
🔸 During the visit it is worth:
🔹 enter observation deck under the dome, which offers a panoramic view of Berlin and Museum Island,
🔹 see sarcophagi of Prussian rulers in the basement of the temple - including Frederick I and his wife Sophie Charlotte,
🔹 listen to an organ concert - the cathedral is famous for its exceptional acoustics and powerful organ,
🔹 take a walk around the square Lustgarten, which stretches in front of the cathedral and is often bustling with activity.
📍 Access: station "Museumsinsel" (U5). or "Hackescher Markt" (S-Bahn). - A few minutes' walk.
🕐 Tour time: 1-1.5 hours - preferably in the morning hours to avoid the crowds and be in time to enter the dome.
1️⃣1️⃣ Zoo Berlin - Germany's oldest zoo
Zoo Berlin is one of the oldest and most renowned zoos in the world - it has been in continuous operation since 1844. It is located in the heart of the city, right next to the Tiergarten park, and offers the opportunity to see more than 20,000 animals from over 1,000 species - including the famous giant pandas!
🔸 During the visit it is worth:
🔹 visit Panda Garden - The place where panda Meng Meng and her cubs live,
🔹 see feeding demonstrations for lions, penguins and seals, which are held at specific times,
🔹 take a look at Berlin Aquarium - one of the largest in Europe, with sharks, jellyfish and crocodiles,
🔹 Spend time on the green alleys and by the playgrounds - the perfect place for family recreation.
📍 Access: station "Zoologischer Garten" - U-Bahn (U2, U9), S-Bahn (S3, S5, S7, S9), buses and regional trains.
🕐 Tour time: 2-4 hours - preferably in the morning or before noon to catch a glimpse of the most active animals.
1️⃣2️⃣ Alexanderplatz
Alexanderplatz is one of the most recognizable and vibrant places in Berlin. Formerly a parade square and space of socialist architecture, today it serves as an important transportation hub, meeting point and shopping center. It is here that the famous Berlin TV Tower, World Clock And many stores.
🔸 During the visit it is worth:
🔹 see Urania World Clock - iconic symbol from the GDR era, showing the hours in different parts of the globe,
🔹 take a stroll towards the Fountains of Friendship Among Nations,
🔹 visit Alexa shopping center Or Primark, C&A, TK Maxx stores - a shopaholic's paradise,
🔹 watch the street artists who perform daily in the square, especially during the summer season.
📍 Access: station "Alexanderplatz" - One of the largest intersections of U-Bahn (U2, U5, U8), S-Bahn, streetcar and bus lines.
🕐 Tour time: 1-1.5 hours - It is worth stopping here on the way to other attractions, such as the TV tower and Museum Island.
1️⃣3️⃣ Kurfürstendamm and Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church
Kurfürstendamm (Ku'damm for short) is Berlin's most famous shopping avenue - full of boutiques, cafes and department stores. It is an elegant and dynamic street, often compared to Paris' Champs-Élysées. Its symbolic point is Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church - destroyed during the war and left as a warning against destruction.
🔸 During the visit it is worth:
🔹 visit Memorial Church (Kaiser-Wilhelm-Gedächtniskirche) - the original ruined tower and the modern part with the famous blue stained glass windows,
🔹 take a walk Kurfürstendammem and take a look at the stores of global brands - from luxury to chain stores,
🔹 visit a department store Kaufhaus des Westens (KaDeWe) - One of the largest in Europe,
🔹 Have a coffee at one of the trendy cafes or have lunch at a local bistro.
📍 Access: station "Zoologischer Garten" - U-Bahn, S-Bahn, buses and regional trains. The church is located right next door.
🕐 Tour time: 1.5-2 hours - An ideal place for quiet shopping and relaxation after a busy tour.
1️⃣4️⃣ Tiergarten Park and Victory Column (Siegessäule)
Tiergarten is the largest park in the center of Berlin - the green heart of the city, stretching over 200 hectares. It is a favorite place for walks, picnics and bike rides for locals and tourists alike. In the middle of the park rises the Victory Column (Siegessäule) - symbol of Prussia's triumphs, which offers an impressive view of the city.
🔸 During the visit it is worth:
🔹 climb to the top Victory Columns (about 285 stairs) to see the Berlin skyline and the famous June 17 avenue,
🔹 take a stroll through the alleys Tiergarten - The ideal place for a moment of respite among the greenery,
🔹 Stop by numerous monuments, including. Goethe Monument, Bismarck Monument whether Monument to Soviet Soldiers,
🔹 rent a bike and ride through the park all the way to the Brandenburg Gate.
📍 Access: The nearest S-Bahn station is "Bellevue" or buses to the stop "Großer Stern" (traffic circle around the column).
🕐 Tour time: 1.5-2 hours - Preferably on a bright day, in the morning or afternoon, when the park is bustling with activity.
1️⃣5️⃣ House of World Culture (Haus der Kulturen der Welt) and surroundings
Haus der Kulturen der Welt (House of World Cultures), jokingly called the "oyster shell" by Berliners, is a center for contemporary art and debates about global challenges. Located on the banks of the Spree River, next to the Tiergarten park, it attracts not only with its exhibitions, but also with its original architecture and view of the river.
🔸 During the visit it is worth:
🔹 see modern art exhibitions and installations touching on social, political and cultural issues,
🔹 sit with a coffee on the terrace overlooking the Spree and Bellevue Palace - The seat of the German president,
🔹 take a stroll along the boulevards around the building - a great place for a quiet stroll or relaxation,
🔹 in the evening to watch illumination of the edifice reflected in the water - an exceptionally photogenic place.
📍 Access: station S-Bahn "Bellevue" or buses to the stop "Haus der Kulturen der Welt".. A few minutes walk from the Victory Column.
🕐 Tour time: 1-1.5 hours - preferably in conjunction with a visit to the Tiergarten or Reichstag.
Summary
Berlin is a city that does not let you forget itself. Every step along its streets is an encounter with history, culture and modernity all in one. From the majestic Brandenburg Gate and traces of the Berlin Wall to futuristic neighborhoods and bustling squares, Germany's capital offers impressions that cannot be faked.
Whether you're interested in monuments, art, architecture, or just urban atmosphere, you're sure to find something to your liking among these 15 attractions. Or maybe Berlin will just surprise you with something you don't expect?
It's worth coming back here - rediscovering the city each time.