Planning a trip to Berlin, and wondering what are the top things to do in Berlin?

Berlin is the capital and largest city of Germany. It is known for being one of the most laid back, fashionable and progressive cities in Europe. Besides that, it is one of the most international cities in Europe and maybe even in the whole world!

Berlin boasts excellent shopping and energetic nightlife. And most importantly — Berlin has an abundance of different museums and important sites of World History. 

If you are planning a trip to this wonderful city, check out our article for some travel inspiration!

Top Things to Do in Berlin

Join a Walking Tour

Join a walking tour to see the highlights of Berlin!

There are a number of walking tour options you can choose from. If you are interested in alternative lifestyle and street art, book an Alternative Berlin Tour. If you are into historical landmarks, a traditional City Tour will be the best option. Interested in WWII or politics? Join a tour to a Concentration Camp or go on a Third-Reich Berlin Walking Tour. There are also Off the Beaten Path Berlin excursions available.

You can book walking tours from your hotel, from local travel agents or online (Viator, GetYourGuide, etc.).

Go on a Guided Tour of a Former Airport — Flughafen Tempelhof

Berlin Tempelhof Airport was one of the very first airports in Berlin.

It was built in 1927 and reconstructed in 1930 by the Nazis. The airport ceased operating in 2008 because it was too close to the city and its capacity has been exceeded. Tempelhof was one of Europe’s three iconic pre-World War II airports, and a powerful symbol of Nazi Germany.

Located just 4 km from Brandenburg Gate, Flughafen Tempelhof is a cool place to visit if you are interested in the history of Germany. It is an important historical landmark and an impressive structure.

Now the airport is for various events and as a refugee camp. Right next to the airport, there’s Tempelhofer Feld — airport grounds turned public park. 

Join a tour of the airport to see all the most important areas of the airport — the roof, runway, departures lounge, etc.

Visit the museums of the Museum Island

The Museum Island is a museum complex in the historic centre of Berlin. 

It is a World Heritage Site and one of the most important museum sites in the EU. Visiting the museums of Museum Island is one of the top things to do in Berlin.

The museum complex consists of:

• The Altes Museum — Berlin’s oldest museum; features a vast collection of ancient art
• The Neues Museum — the second oldest museum on the Museum Island; features a collection of ancient artefacts, including Egyptian and Greek relics
• The Alte Nationalgalerie — features a large collection of paintings and sculptures of the 19th century
• The Bode Museum — is home to a number of sculptures, a collection of coins and medals, and Byzantine art
• The Pergamon Museum — home to a collection of Islamic art and the Middle East Museum exhibition
• The Humboldt Forum — the museum is dedicated to Berlin’s ties with the world; also known for its collection of non-European art (Africa, Asia, America, Oceania)

All of these museums are internationally significant and are all set in beautiful historical buildings.

Take in the Beauty of Sanssouci Palace

Sanssouci Palace is a historical palace and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Often called the “Versailles of Berlin”, Sanssouci Palace is one of the best places to visit in Berlin.

Built-in Rococo style, Sanssouci Palace features numerous temples and follies. The palace grounds boast a beautiful park and a pond. You can get a very beautiful view of the whole palace from the banks of the pond, with the palace reflected in the pond. Exploring Sanssouci Palace grounds is one of the top things to do in Berlin.

Even though Sanssouci Palace isn’t located in the city, it is easy to get there. Take a train to the main station of Potsdam, and from there, take a bus to the palace.

Explore the Former US Spy Station at Teufelsberg

Teufelsberg is a man-made hill on the outskirts of Berlin.

The hill is made of WWII rubble and features an abandoned US Spy Station which now is one of the largest street art galleries in Europe. It boasts beautiful street art and murals created by artists from all around the world.

The former US Spy Station is known for its unique architecture and the 360° panorama rooftop terrace. It is one of the most interesting and unique sites in Berlin. Exploring Teufelsberg is one of the top things to do in Berlin

Visit Berlin Zoo

The Berlin Zoo is one of the most species-rich zoos in the world.

It is the most visited zoo in Europe and one of the best and most popular zoos in the world.

The zoo is home to 1400 different species and over 20200 animals. It also features an aquarium, the Aquarium, which is one of the most notable aquariums in Europe.

The Zoo collaborates with universities and research institutes from all around the world in order to protect endangered species. 

The most notable animals in the zoo are the large cats, a panda and a polar bear. The most famous attractions are the animal feedings.

Visit the Locations of World History in Berlin 

Berlin is known for its diversity of nightlife, great shopping and important cultural landmarks.

But, unfortunately, it has a rich history of violence too. There are several important landmarks in Berlin that serve as reminders of the violence of WWII and commemorate mass violence and genocide.

Here are some of the must-visit World War II sites In Berlin:

• The Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe, also known as the Holocaust Memorial
• The Berlin Wall Memorial
• Checkpoint Charlie — the best-known Berlin Wall crossing point between East and West Berlin
• Topography Of Terror Museum — a museum that contains a set of buildings that housed the Gestapo and SS headquarters
• Führerbunker — the site of Hitler’s bunker
• Reichstag — built-in 1894, the building housed Germany’s government throughout history; now it houses the Bundestag
• German Historical Museum — a museum dedicated to the history of Germany
• Sachsenhausen Memorial And Museum — a former concentration camp

Berlin Travel Tips

1. A number of budget airlines operate flights to Berlin. So, you can fly cheaply from various destinations in Europe.
2. There is so much to do. On average, you need about 5 days to explore the city. However, a long weekend is fine too. You’ll manage to visit all the top attractions in Berlin.
3. Berlin has a great transportation network. Public transportation is the most convenient way to travel around the city. You don’t need to rent a car if you are only staying in the city.
4. If you are planning to use public transport a lot, get a 24-hour ticket or seven-day ticket to have unlimited access to all public transport in Berlin (the S-Bahn, U-Bahn subway, buses, trams).
5. The city has 3 public transit zones: A, B and C. Zone C are located the furthest away from the Centre. If you wish to travel only in zones A and B, you will need to purchase an AB ticket. If you need to travel through all the zones, you’ll need to get an ABC ticket.
6. Berlin is a year-round destination. But late spring and summer offer the most pleasant weather.