There are many places to visit in Berlin ranging from historical sites to cultural centres. The Brandenburg Gate symbolises the city’s rich history, while East Side Gallery presents a more modern culture, in the form of street art. People can walk around to see the old sites, visit some museums or just enjoy the local atmosphere of numerous coffee shops and pavements selling various goods. Whether strolling down what is left of the Berlin Wall or discovering any of those stylish cultural trends of today’s thriving society, there genuinely is something for everyone in Berlin.
10 Famous Places To Visit In Berlin
Here’s a list of the top places to visit in Berlin and enjoy the history and culture this city has to offer:
1. Brandenburg Gate
Photo: Abdel Rahman Abu Baker / Pexels
The Brandenburg Gate is one of the most famous places to visit in Berlin. It was built in 1791, and it has had its fair share in terms of the Prussian era and other subsequent times in history, as well as the Cold War period because it was right beside this partition known as the Berlin Wall. Today, people come to visit the Brandenburg Gate, which, with its Neoclassical architectural structure, is historically significant. The gate particularly appears attractive at night when it has been illuminated, perfect for taking photographs by visitors.
Major Attractions: Historical significance, photo opportunities
Best Time To Visit: Year-round
Nearest Airport: Berlin Brandenburg Airport
Nearest Train Station: Brandenburger Tor Station
2. Museum Island
Photo: Alexander Van Steenberge / Unsplash
Museum Island is one of the top attractions Berlin has for experiencing the city in terms of its culture and history. This area is actually UNESCO World Heritage with five excellent museums, and each of the museums presents a completely different collection. These 5 museums include Pergamon Museum, Bode Museum, Neues Museum, Altes Museum and Alte Nationalgalerie. From the structural Pergamon Altar to classical Europe art and the world-renowned Nefertiti Bust, these beauties can be found on Museum Island, located at the Spree River, where beautiful sights are prominent.
Major Attractions: Pergamon Altar, Nefertiti Bust, art collections
Best Time To Visit: March to October
Nearest Airport: Berlin Brandenburg Airport
Nearest Train Station: Friedrichstraße Station
3. Berlin Wall Memorial
Photo: Anastasiia Nelen / Unsplash
The Berlin Wall Memorial on Bernauer Strasse is one of the most important Berlin tourist places to explore and learn about Berlin’s divided past. This open-air site keeps parts of the original Wall, with watchtowers and a rebuilt “death strip,” which is a replica of the no-man’s land area between the two main barriers of the Berlin Wall. An outdoor exhibition shares stories of escape attempts, life in a divided city, and the Wall’s fall in 1989. Guided tours and audio guides help visitors understand the history better.
Major Attractions: Original Wall segments, historical exhibits
Best Time To Visit: April to September
Nearest Airport: Berlin Brandenburg Airport
Nearest Train Station: Nordbahnhof Station
4. Reichstag Building
Photo: Wendel Hilário / Unsplash
The Reichstag Building should perhaps be at the top of your places for Berlin trip visits, as it is the most famous building in Germany. Constructed in the late 1800s, It was used as a junction during World War II and then remained closed for many years before it was restored and given a new glass roof by the architect Norman Foster in the mid-nineties.The openness achieved architecturally by the construction of a dome signifies democracy in a very literal way. The building is surrounded by beautiful gardens and many of Berlin’s main attractions.
Major Attractions: Glass dome, panoramic views, historical exhibits
Best Time To Visit: March to October
Nearest Airport: Berlin Brandenburg Airport
Nearest Train Station: Berlin Hauptbahnhof
5. Alexanderplatz And The Tv Tower
Photo: Yahya Momtaz / Unsplash
Alexanderplatz, or Alexander Square, is considered the centre of Berlin and is a densely populated transport hub. Its highlight is the Berlin TV Tower (Fernsehturm), reaching 368 metres in height. While in the building, visitors can view the interior from the observation deck and enjoy their meals at the circular restaurant. In Alexanderplatz, there are also many historical monuments, such as the World Time Clock and the Fountain of Friendship. Being the last stop on the East Coast, it has all the other aspects that one would expect from a first-time tourist destination.
Major Attractions: TV Tower, World Time Clock, shopping centre
Best Time To Visit: March to October
Nearest Airport: Berlin Brandenburg Airport
Nearest Train Station: Alexanderplatz Station
6. Charlottenburg Palace
Photo: Lāsma Artmane / Unsplash
Charlottenburg Palace, located in Berlin is one of the largest palaces in Berlin and must be on your Berlin tourist places list. It is famous for its Baroque and Rococo architecture and this 17th-century palace was used as a summer residence by the kings and queens of Prussia. This place has luxurious rooms, extraordinary paintings and sculptures, and very well-arranged gardens inspired by Versailles. The Royal Palace is open for tourists, and they can visit the Grand Hall, the Porcelain Cabinet, and the New Wing, which displays the royal relics.
Major Attractions: Grand Hall, Porcelain Cabinet, gardens
Best Time To Visit: April to September
Nearest Airport: Berlin Brandenburg Airport
Nearest Train Station: West End Station
7. East Side Gallery
The East Side Gallery is the longest open-air gallery, making it one of the must-visit tourist places in Berlin. It stretches to about 1.3 km of the preserved section of the Berlin Wall and includes more than 100 walls painted by artists from around the world, with inspiring slogans referring to freedom, non-violence, as well as hope. Tourists can walk along the Wall, observing the painting, and witnessing the change the city has seen over the years. The gallery is by the Spree River and, therefore, visually appealing and a site for cultural significance.
Major Attractions: Mural art, historical context, photo opportunities
Best Time To Visit: Year-round
Nearest Airport: Berlin Brandenburg Airport
Nearest Train Station: Warschauer Straße Station
8. Tiergarten
Tiergarten, Berlin’s largest and most famous park, is a green oasis in the heart of the city. Covering over 210 hectares, it offers tranquil paths, lush lawns, and serene ponds, making it a favourite spot for both locals and tourists. The park is home to several landmarks, including the Victory Column and the Berlin Zoo, one of the oldest and most diverse zoos in the world. You can enjoy picnics, boat rides, or leisurely bike rides while soaking in the beauty of nature. Tiergarten is especially beautiful in spring and autumn when the foliage creates a magical ambience.
Major Attractions: Victory Column, Berlin Zoo, serene pathways
Best Time To Visit: April to October
Nearest Airport: Berlin Brandenburg Airport
Nearest Train Station: Tiergarten Station
9. Checkpoint Charlie
Photo: Rocío Perera / Unsplash
Checkpoint Charlie, the most famous border crossing place during the Cold War era, is now a historical landmark that offers glimpses into Berlin’s divided past. One of the famous Berlin tourist places, the site features a replica of the original guardhouse and informative displays about the Berlin Wall and escape stories. The nearby Museum, Haus am Checkpoint Charlie, provides in-depth exhibits about life in East and West Berlin, escape attempts, and the fall of the Wall. Visitors can also explore souvenir shops and cafes in the area. This symbolic site is a reminder of Berlin’s complex history and resilience, making it a must-visit for history enthusiasts.
Major Attractions: Guardhouse replica, escape stories, nearby museum
Best Time To Visit: Year-round
Nearest Airport: Berlin Brandenburg Airport
Nearest Train Station: Kochstraße Station
10. Jewish Museum Berlin
Photo: Marek Śliwecki / Wikimedia Commons
The Jewish Museum Berlin is a powerful and visually appealing structure in Berlin and is widely regarded as one of the most intellectually stimulating museums in the city. Daniel Libeskind designed the building with a dynamic zigzag look; the irregularity represents the history of Jewish existence in Germany. Some of the items that are found at the museum revolve around Jewish history and culture, which is accompanied by a vast collection of photographs and other items which tell the story of several centuries of Jewish history, triumphs, and suffering.
Major Attractions: Holocaust Tower, Garden of Exile, interactive exhibits
Best Time To Visit: Year-round
Nearest Airport: Berlin Brandenburg Airport
Nearest Train Station: Hallesches Tor Station
There are many places to visit in Berlin, and no matter its history, culture, or galleries you’re interested in, Berlin is the perfect blend of the old and the new. Whether you are here for the monumental Reichstag building, murals of East Side Gallery, or simply exploring the streets walking around, Berlin is full of stories to share. Book your trip with TripXL for a seamless and hassle-free experience.
Cover Photo: Serkan Göktay / Pexels