Berlin is a city that has a great deal to offer. Whether you enjoy museums, parks, ancient buildings, culture, art, shopping, or restaurants, you will find a satisfying diversity of things to see and do. It is essential to plan ahead as the city is packed with so many exciting attractions that you will be spoiled for choice. Here are ten amazing places to visit this year.
1. The Reichstag
The Reichstag houses the German parliament, and you must book in advance to pay a visit. It is worth the effort to see this building that survived wars, bombings, the Nazis, and the division of the country.
The design by Sir Norman Foster to modernize the building includes an impressive glass dome that effectively combines the old and the new. The dome is open to the public for tours, and you can get a bird’s eye of the hustle and bustle of the city.
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2. Museum Island
Museum Island is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is home to five important museums where you can see over 6000 years of art and history. In the Altes Museum, you will see mainly Greek and Roman art of antiquity. Pergamum is a collection of ancient architecture.
The Neues Museum houses mainly archeological objects. In the Bode Museum, you will see works from the Byzantine Empire to the start of the 19th century. Fully experiencing all these attractions in one day is impossible, so it is best to plan to visit one or two per day.
3. Humboldt Forum
Opposite Museum Island is the Humboldt Forum, an area of about 30,000 square meters dedicated to art, science, and culture. Under one roof and spread over five floors, you will find state-of-the-art interactive exhibitions.
The architecture combines ultra-modern building elements with the reconstructed facades of Berlin’s former Baroque palace. The reconstructed sides shine in bright quince yellow, while the eastern side on the banks of the Spree is smooth and modern with a viewing platform and terrace above the water’s surface on the riverbank.
4. Mauerpark
At the time Berlin was divided, the site of the current park was the border strip of the Berlin Wall. After reunification, it became a public park. Mauerpark was opened five years after the Wall fell. Today it is the site of a large and busy Sunday flea market where you may stumble upon some vintage clothing or a rare record at one of the many stalls.
The market is hugely popular and is the venue for weekly Sunday afternoon Bearpit Karaoke. The route of the Berlin Wall runs directly through the park and forms a popular route for joggers and cyclists.
5. Kurfürstendamm
Kurfürstendamm is the most expensive address in Berlin. Some of the most exclusive brands in the world have their home here. No trip to Berlin is complete without a stroll down this popular shopping boulevard to see the latest designer items.
The boulevard is 3.5 kilometers long and officially begins at Breitscheidplatz, a major public square. Europe’s biggest department store, KaDeWe, is situated on an extension known to the locals as Tauentzien. Other side streets are also full of designer boutiques, bookshops and cafés.
Watch this video to get a glimpse of this wonderful boulevard:
6. Gendarmenmarkt
Gendarmenmarkt is definitely among the most beautiful squares in Berlin. It is located close to Friedrichstraße, a well-known and exclusive shopping street. A trio of impressive buildings forms a harmonious site around the square.
The Concert House complements the German and French cathedrals with their almost over-dimensioned domed towers. In the summer, orchestras play beautiful classics in the open air; in winter, the square transforms into a winter wonderland. This includes a Christmas market where you can sip mulled wine and enjoy German Christmas biscuits.
7. Berlin Wall Memorial
The Berlin Wall Memorial is located in the center of the city and extends along over a kilometer of the former border strip. It contains the last pieces of the Berlin Wall.
Traces of border obstacles and historical remnants on display help visitors to gain insight into life during the East-West Berlin split and learn how people would escape from East to West Berlin. Another popular section of the Berlin Wall Memorial is the East Side Gallery on the Spree river, which has many famous graffiti sections.
8. Potsdamer Platz
Before World War II this was the heart of the city, but it became a no man’s land until the fall of the Wall. Since then, Potsdamer Platz has transformed completely into a popular shopping and nightlife district.
The skyline is dominated by skyscrapers and the Sony Center. Visitors hoping to spot celebrities may get their wish, even if a film festival is not taking place. What used to be a wasteland is now a must-see for all visitors to Berlin with its bustling life, restaurants, cinemas, modern architecture, and shopping center.
Watch this video to get an idea of what awaits you at Potsdamer Platz:
9. The Berlin TV Tower
The TV Tower was built by the East Germans in 1969 to show off their technical advances. Today it offers you the best vantage point to see the city. Take an elevator to the observation deck, which is 203 meters high.
You will be able to see the Reichstag, Berlin Cathedral, the Olympic Stadium, and Potsdamer Platz from the top. You can eat at a revolving restaurant that gives you a 360-degree view of the city or enjoy a beer at the bar.
10. The Berlin Cathedral
When visiting any city in Europe, a trip to the city’s main cathedral is always worthwhile. Located near Museum Island, the beautiful cathedral with its picturesque domes is a striking sight.
The cathedral was damaged extensively in World War II but was painstakingly restored to its former glory. Pay a visit to the crypts below the cathedral or get stunning views of the city from the top.
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