9 Best Things to do in Berlin

Berlin has stories to tell. Walk down any street and you’ll feel the city’s past mingling with its vibrant present. Here, history isn’t tucked away in museums. You’ll see it on street corners, painted on walls, and woven into daily life.

The German capital doesn't shy away from its complex past. It’s a city that’s learned from its history and built something remarkable on top of it.

Whether you're curious about the Cold War, love street art or just want to soak up the atmosphere with a beer in hand, Berlin delivers. With the iconic Brandenburg Gate, idyllic boat rides and hidden ruin bars – there’s always something new to discover.

So what are the best things to do in Berlin, Germany? Read on for the essential experiences – the must-see sights, the stories that matter and the local secrets that’ll make your trip to Berlin unforgettable.

1. Stand beneath the Brandenburg Gate

You can't visit Berlin without seeing its most famous landmark. The Brandenburg Gate rises 26 metres (85 feet) above Pariser Platz, in the dead centre of the city. Perched dramatically on top, you’ll see the Quadriga – 4 horses pulling a chariot that looks ready to gallop right into the sky.

Built in 1791, this gate has seen it all. Napoleon's troops marched beneath its arches, staking their claim on the city. During the Cold War, the Berlin Wall ran right in front of it. This turned it into a symbol of the city’s divide between East and West Berlin.

Then, in 1989, as the wall crumbled, it became the backdrop for wild celebrations as the city reunited.

Today, the Brandenburg Gate represents freedom and unity. You’ll often find street performers here, and the square buzzes with visitors from around the world. It looks particularly stunning lit up after dark.

Local tip: Get here early in the morning for photos with fewer visitors around.

The grand Brandenburg Gate standing in a snow-dusted courtyard.

2. Follow the Berlin Wall’s story

For 28 years, a concrete barrier split Berlin in 2. Today, you can trace its path and see how this wall shaped lives on both sides of the city.

Start at the East Side Gallery, the longest remaining stretch of the Berlin Wall. This 1.3-kilometre (0.8-mile) section along the River Spree has been transformed into the world’s largest open-air gallery. Over 100 artists from around the globe painted murals here, turning a symbol of division into one of hope.

You’ll spot Dmitri Vrubel’s famous painting of Soviet leader Brezhnev and East German president Honecker sharing a socialist fraternal kiss. Other murals capture the joy of freedom and reunification. It’s powerful street art with real meaning behind it.

For the full story of how the wall affected everyday life, head to the Berlin Wall Memorial on Bernauer Strasse. Here you’ll find preserved sections, a documentation centre and stories of daring escape attempts. You’ll see that the barrier wasn’t just one wall, but a complex system of barriers and guard towers.

Local tip: Download the Berlin Wall app for a self-guided walking tour. Look out for the double row of cobblestones that marks where the wall once stood throughout the city.

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Evocative street art of the socialist fraternal kiss on the Berlin Wall.

3. Explore Museum Island

Right in Berlin’s heart, you can visit 5 world-class museums, all clustered on a small island in the River Spree. Museum Island is a UNESCO World Heritage Site packed with treasures spanning 6,000 years.

The Pergamon Museum is the most popular, and for good reason. Step inside and you’ll walk through massive reconstructed ancient buildings. You can marvel at the Pergamon Altar from ancient Pergamon and the stunning Ishtar Gate from ancient Babylon. The scale will take your breath away. They’ve rebuilt entire temple facades and city gates inside.

The Neues Museum houses the famous bust of Nefertiti, the Egyptian queen who has become an icon of ancient beauty. The building itself tells a story of destruction and rebuilding. It was severely damaged during World War II, then brilliantly restored by British architect David Chipperfield.

Don’t miss the Bode Museum’s Byzantine treasures or the Altes Museum’s Greek and Roman collection. The newest addition, the James-Simon-Galerie, serves as the island’s welcome centre and offers lovely views across the Spree.

Local tip: Book a Museum Island day ticket online to save money and skip queues. Allow a full day if you want to see all 5 museums, though 2-3 makes for a more relaxed visit.

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Bode Museum by Spree River on Berlin’s Museum Island.

4. Experience Berlin’s legendary beer culture

Berlin takes its beer seriously, and you’ll quickly discover why locals are so proud of their brewing traditions. This city has been perfecting the art of beer-making for centuries, and today you can enjoy everything from traditional brews to innovative craft creations.

Start with a classic beer garden. You can head to Prater Garten in Prenzlauer Berg, which claims to be Berlin’s oldest.

For something distinctly Berlin, try a Berliner Weisse. It’s a tart, low-alcohol wheat beer that’s traditionally served with a shot of raspberry or woodruff syrup. Locals will tell you it’s an acquired taste. They’re right. But that’s half the fun.

If you’re curious about the craft beer scene, the city has embraced the movement wholeheartedly. You’ll find innovative breweries like BRLO in former East Berlin, where they brew in shipping containers. Or Zur Wilden Renate, which combines craft beer with Berlin's famous nightlife culture.

Local tip: Many beer gardens let you bring your own food, as long as you buy a drink. Swing by a bakery or deli first, and don’t forget to return your glass, it’s part of the tradition.

A bustling beer garden on the banks of the spree.

5. Pay your respects at the Holocaust Memorial

Just steps from the Brandenburg Gate stands the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe. This moving memorial consists of 2,711 concrete blocks of different heights arranged across a gently sloping field.

Walking through creates different feelings. At the edges, the blocks are low, and you can see across the entire memorial. Move deeper, and the ground dips while the blocks tower above you, creating a maze.

Beneath the memorial, an underground centre provides historical context about the Holocaust. The exhibition shares the systematic persecution and murder of European Jews through personal stories and testimonies. The final room slowly reads aloud names and brief biographies of Jewish victims.

The memorial is open 24 hours a day and is free for you to visit. Many people leave stones on the blocks – a Jewish tradition of remembrance.

The Berlin Holocaust Memorial, with its shadowy stone paths.

6. Step back in time at Checkpoint Charlie

Checkpoint Charlie was the most famous border crossing between East and West Berlin during the Cold War. Today, a replica of the original guardhouse stands on Friedrichstraße. It even has sandbags, and “You are leaving the American Sector” signs in 4 languages.

The nearby museum tells the story of the Cold War and shows the clever escape attempts people made to flee East Berlin. You’ll see everything, like hot air balloons and modified cars used to cross the border.

Local tip: The area around Checkpoint Charlie has become quite commercial, with actors dressed as soldiers posing for photos. If that’s not for you, consider joining a walking tour that will give you deeper insights into how the division affected ordinary Berlin residents.

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The historic guardhouse at Checkpoint Charlie.

7. Discover street art in Prenzlauer Berg

If you’re still wondering what to do in Berlin beyond the major historical sites, the city’s creative districts offer plenty to explore.

Head to Prenzlauer Berg, where Berlin’s transformation plays out right before your eyes. This former East Berlin area has evolved from a gritty bohemian quarter into one of the city’s trendiest neighbourhoods. You’ll notice that it’s packed with café culture, independent shops and some of Berlin’s best street art.

Start your exploration around Hackescher Markt, where you can wander through the famous Hackesche Höfe. These interconnected courtyards will surprise you with their mix of galleries, shops and restaurants. As you stroll through, you’ll marvel at the beautiful Art Nouveau architecture sitting alongside vibrant contemporary murals.

Head north into Prenzlauer Berg proper and you’ll discover streets lined with restored 19th-century buildings, brightened by colourful murals and graffiti. The neighbourhood has a relaxed, creative vibe that’s perfect for wandering without a set plan.

Don't miss Kollwitzplatz, named after the renowned German artist Käthe Kollwitz. She lived nearby and created some of the most powerful anti-war and social justice artwork of the early 20th century. Her emotionally charged prints and sculptures, often depicting the struggles of working-class families, made her both celebrated and controversial.

The square also hosts a Saturday farmers’ market and is surrounded by cafés where you can sit outside and watch Berlin life unfold.

Local tip: Book a street art walking tour to understand the political and cultural stories behind Berlin’s vibrant graffiti scene. Many tours also include visits to artist studios hidden in courtyards.

8. Join a Cold War walking tour

With the right guide, Berlin’s Cold War past feels immediate and real. A walking tour helps you understand how the city’s division affected everyday life. You can learn how people adapted, resisted and ultimately overcame the barriers between East and West Berlin.

Most tours take you to key sites like the Brandenburg Gate, Berlin Wall remnants and former border crossings. But the real value is in the personal stories. Hear how families were separated overnight when the wall went up, the creative escape attempts and the moment it all came crashing down in 1989.

The guides will point out subtle details that you might miss on your own. For example, the former guard tower locations or where escape tunnels were dug beneath the wall.

Local tip: We highly recommend smaller group tours – they make the experience feel more personal and less rushed.

Hand print mural along the Berlin Wall.

9. Take a relaxing boat ride along the Spree River

After all that walking, your feet have earned a well-deserved rest. Hop aboard a boat and cruise along the Spree River for a relaxing way to take in the city’s most famous sights. It’s a brilliant use of your time in Berlin.

From the water, you’ll get stunning views of the impressive Reichstag building and the gleaming government quarter. As you drift past Museum Island, you can admire the grand architecture. The boat will also take you under Berlin’s historic bridges and past the modern glass buildings that line the riverbanks.

Most boat tours last between 1 and 3 hours, and many offer audio commentary in multiple languages. You’ll learn interesting facts about Berlin’s history while enjoying the gentle motion of the river. Some evening cruises even include dinner or drinks, making it a perfect way to unwind after a busy day of sightseeing.

During summer, enjoy the sunshine on the open-air upper decks. While winter cruises offer you heated cabins with panoramic windows.

Local tip: The departure points are usually near Museum Island or the government quarter, making it easy to combine with other attractions.

A cruise boat coasting along the river in Berlin.

Experience Berlin with Nordic Visitor

Berlin rewards curious travellers. Whether you’re walking along remnants of the Berlin Wall, standing in quiet reflection at the Holocaust Memorial, or discovering vibrant street art in former East Berlin, the German capital offers profound experiences alongside cultural discoveries.

The city's real magic happens in the spaces between the major sights – the courtyards, the cafés, the conversations that bring its complex history to life. Each neighbourhood tells its own story, and simply exploring each one is one of the best things to see and do in Berlin.

Planning your trip to Berlin? Our travel experts can create the perfect Germany tour for you. Join a small group tour with a knowledgeable local guide and up to 15 like-minded explorers. Set your own pace on a self-drive adventure with hand-marked maps and 24/7 support.

Or travel via train tours to explore both historic cities and diverse landscapes from the Rhine Valley to the Bavarian Alps. Whatever your style, we’ll help you discover why Germany continues to captivate travellers year after year.

Get in touch with us to start planning your trip to this electric German capital.