14 Must-Experience Activities in Berlin

For a captivating mix of elegance and edginess that will enchant anyone eager to immerse themselves in vibrant culture, striking architecture, diverse cuisine, exhilarating nightlife, and a laid-back atmosphere, make your way to Berlin.

Whether you lean towards upscale or alternative, the German capital has something to satisfy every palate. Here are the top experiences that Berlin has in store for you.

Explore the Wonders of Museum Island

Often referred to as Berlin’s 'Louvre on the Spree', this remarkable ensemble of five museums is a true gem in the city’s rich tapestry. Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1999, Museumsinsel offers a journey through art and cultural history from the Stone Age to the 19th century.

Marvel at ancient artifacts in the Pergamon Museum and Altes Museum, admire 19th-century masterpieces at the Alte Nationalgalerie, and get up close with medieval and Renaissance sculptures at the Bode Museum. The Neues Museum is renowned for housing the stunning yet contentious bust of Nefertiti, which has faced repatriation requests from Egypt for nearly a century.

Travel Tip: As part of the extensive Museum Island Master Plan, the Pergamon Museum will be entirely closed to visitors beginning October 23, 2023. It is not expected to reopen partially until spring 2027, with some areas, including the iconic Ishtar Gate, remaining closed until 2037.

Trace the history of the Berlin Wall

Few historical moments have the capacity to resonate globally. If you were alive and of age during the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, you likely recall the jubilant crowds celebrating and dancing at the Brandenburg Gate. While the physical wall may be gone, its legacy endures in the collective memory and at sites like Checkpoint Charlie, the Gedenkstätte Berliner Mauer (Berlin Wall Memorial), and the vibrant East Side Gallery, adorned with colorful murals.

Experience the nightlife at Berlin's legendary clubs

Berlin’s reputation for electrifying nightlife traces back to the hedonistic 1920s, when icons like Marlene Dietrich and Christopher Isherwood celebrated life to the fullest. Since the Wall came down, Berlin’s club scene has reestablished the city as a top destination for music enthusiasts worldwide.

The most avant-garde clubs are nestled in repurposed spaces like power plants and abandoned buildings, particularly in Kreuzberg & Neukölln and Friedrichshain. Electronic beats thrive at cult favorites such as ://about blank, Kater Blau, and Griessmühle, while Prince Charles shines as a hub for hip hop. Don’t miss the fetish-centric KitKatClub, and for punk vibes, head over to SO36.

Travel Tip: Some of Berlin's most exciting parties occur during the day: here's how to enjoy the clubs in the afternoon.

Savor drinks in the open air

From beer gardens and rooftop bars to casual gatherings in parks and along the Landwehrkanal, Berliners embrace a laid-back approach to outdoor drinking and socializing. While the city buzzes with energy year-round, the warm weather brings a unique vibrancy that’s hard to beat.

Be captivated by the splendor of Schloss Charlottenburg

A stunning baroque palace, Schloss Charlottenburg reflects the former splendor of the Prussian royals. Summer visits are particularly delightful, allowing you to combine a leisurely walk, sunbathing, or a picnic in the lush palace gardens with a glimpse of royal treasures.

Plan ahead to visit the Reichstag

Having endured fires, bombings, and rebuilds, the Reichstag—wrapped in fabric and finally transformed into the contemporary seat of the German parliament—is one of Berlin's most iconic landmarks. Designed by Paul Wallot in 1894, it has housed the Bundestag since 1999, where policies are crafted and debated.

Travel Tip: Reserve online in advance for a free visit to the impressive glass dome. As this is a government building, you’ll need to present identification for entry.

Dine and shop at Markthalle Neun

This charming market hall, established in 1891, was rescued by passionate locals in 2009. Local and regional vendors showcase their products, and on Street-Food Thursday, aspiring and semi-professional chefs set up stalls to serve delectable bites from around the globe. There's even a craft brewery on-site, Heidenpeters.

Explore Berlin's vibrant art scene

Art enthusiasts will be wonderfully overwhelmed in Berlin, which boasts hundreds of galleries, numerous world-class collections, and a multitude of international artists. The city has become a major player on the global art stage, with the Hamburger Bahnhof serving as its primary contemporary art venue. This expansive museum, located in a repurposed railway station, perfectly complements its impressive collection of paintings, installations, sculptures, and videos with its lofty architecture and grandeur.

Local Tip: For an even more Berlin-focused experience, check out Urban Nation in Schöneberg. This relatively new gallery celebrates street art and redefines the traditional museum concept with its unique approach to showcasing art.

Discover Jewish history and culture at the Jüdisches Museum

The Jüdisches Museum in Berlin offers a profound and emotional exploration of 2000 years of Jewish history in Germany, extending beyond the 12 years of Nazi atrocities that many exhibits highlight. Learn about Jewish cultural contributions, festive traditions, the challenging journey to emancipation, and notable figures like philosopher Moses Mendelssohn and jeans inventor Levi Strauss, as well as the stories of everyday people and families.

Stroll or bike through the paths of Tiergarten

Once used by Berlin’s rulers for hunting boar and pheasants, the sprawling Tiergarten was transformed by master landscape architect Peter Lenné in the 18th century. With its expansive lawns, shaded pathways, wooded groves, charming nooks, ponds, and streams, the Tiergarten ranks among the largest urban parks in the world and serves as a delightful escape from the city's hustle and bustle.

Travel Tip: During the summer, several delightful beer gardens invite you to unwind, including Café am Neuen See and Teehaus im Englischen Garten.

Experience urban renewal at Potsdamer Platz

Despite its name, Potsdamer Platz is not merely a square; it represents an entire district, transformed in the 1990s from land that was once divided by the Berlin Wall. Developed by some of the world's leading architects, it stands as a testament to successful urban renewal.

Travel Tip: The area is quite compact and can be explored quickly—unless you decide to take in the view from the Panoramapunkt or delve into German cinema at the Museum für Film und Fernsehen.

Capture a moment at the historic Brandenburg Gate

This neoclassical royal city gate has seen the likes of Prussian emperors, Napoleon, and Hitler pass through. Once located east of the Berlin Wall, the Brandenburg Gate transformed from a symbol of division and oppression to a representation of a united Germany after 1989. The landmark is especially enchanting—and perfect for photos—at night when its majestic columns and the proud Goddess of Victory sculpture are illuminated in a warm golden light.

Shop along Kurfürstendamm

No visit to Berlin is complete without a stroll down Kurfürstendamm (commonly known as Ku’damm) in Charlottenburg. Together with its extension, Tauentzienstrasse, it forms the city's longest and busiest shopping avenue, featuring a mix of high-street brands and designer boutiques. Be sure to check out KaDeWe, the largest department store in continental Europe, boasting an incredible food hall, and the innovative flagship stores at Bikini Berlin, a revamped 1950s icon near Zoo Station.

Local Tip: Take a moment to look up. Amid the hustle, the stunningly ruined Gedächtniskirche (Memorial Church) stands as a solemn reminder of the absurdity of war.

Discover the exhibits at the Topographie des Terrors

On the site where some of the most notorious institutions of Nazi Germany (the Gestapo headquarters, the SS central command, and the Reich Security Main Office) once operated, this powerful exhibit chronicles the stages of terror and persecution, highlighting the perpetrators and detailing the brutal impact these institutions had across Europe. An additional outdoor exhibit focuses on the profound changes in life for Berlin and its residents after the Nazis declared it their capital.