11 Best Things To Do In Berlin: A Dramatic Quest

Germany is a destination that will never fail to impress travelers yearning to see its beauty. This country, as you visit, will roll out a roller coaster ride of treats, temptations, and feasts, opening its arms for you to experience its sceneries that stir the soul, culture that lifts spirits, big-city spectacles, romantic palaces, half-timbered towns, and a whole lot more. One of the best cities to visit in Germany is Berlin. There are so many things to do in Berlin. 

Featured in blockbuster films such as “The Bourne Supremacy” and “Inglourious Basterds,” Berlin is a melting pot of everything nice. The city blends glam and grit so well that anybody who connects with this place will be mesmerized by its vibrant culture, world-famous food, bold architecture, intense nightlife, and easy-going vibe. Whether your preference leans toward posh or toward punk, this German capital will satisfy your cravings. Here are the best things to do in Berlin.

Best Things To Do In Berlin: Lots Of Drama In This Place

Berlin, Germany’s capital, is famous for its exceptional landmarks, vibrant culture, and a way of life that’s all out yet very relaxed. What are the best things to do in Berlin? Let’s find out.

1. Drop By The Historic Berlin Wall

The Berlin Wall is a very important element in Germany’s history. So, if you are searching for things to do in Berlin, visiting the Berlin Wall should be on the top of your list.

At one point in history, the eastern portion of Germany had been in conflict with the country’s western portion because of differing ideologies. West Germany was more of a “fascist.” But above and beyond being divided by ideology, Berlin, for almost three decades, was divided by a concrete barrier that snaked across the city, serving as an ugly symbol of the Cold War. That barrier was the Berlin Wall. 

Today, the conflicts are gone, and much of the wall has been torn down. But, standing on the spot where the Berlin Wall was is the Berlin Wall Memorial. You can revisit history by visiting this memorial, where you can stop by the visitor center to watch a short film on Berlin Wall’s history, as well as view some exhibits. Here, you can learn about the political and historical contexts that led to the construction of this wall, its fall, and Germany’s reunification. After taking part in the activities offered by the visitor center, you can find your way across the street to see remnants of the border strip.

2. Snap A Selfie With The Brandenburg Gate

Just like the Berlin Wall, the iconic and imposing Brandenburg Gate is also an important piece in German history – but it’s more of the good guy. The Brandenburg Gate served as a memorial of the division brought by the Berlin Wall. Then, it was located in a restricted area, and could not be visited by East or West Germans. After the fall of the Berlin Wall, Brandenburg Gate became a symbol of German unity. 

But the story of it dates back several years ago. Looking at it, the Brandenburg Gate, or Brandenburger Tor in the local language, takes inspiration from the entrance of the equally imposing Acropolis in Athens. The gate is also one of the most-photographed sites in the city. Located in Pariser Platz (Paris Square), which is among the most famous squares in Berlin, this gate was built for King Frederick William II beginning in 1788. It was designed by Gothhard Langhans, a royal architect. If you are headed to the city, visiting Brandenburg Gate is one of the things to do in Berlin that you must try.

3. Let The Treasures Of Museum Island Unfold Before You

Paris has the Louvre, and Berlin has the “Louvre on the Spree,” the Museum Island. This place is a formidable cluster of five treasure-houses that has become an undisputed highlight of Berlin’s impressive landscape. 

Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999, Museum Island, known in German as Museuminsel, presents art and cultural history from the Stone Age to the 1800s. Visiting this place is one of the must-try things to do in Berlin. 

Its five treasure-houses are: the Pergamonmuseum and Altes Museum where you can learn about art from antiquity, the Alte Nationalgalerie where to find 19th-century art, the Bode-Museum for Medieval and Renaissance sculptures, and the Neues Museum which houses the beautiful yet controversial Nefertiti bust that has been the subject of repatriation request from Egypt for almost a hundred years. Egypt badly wants the bust back to its territory.

With so many things to do in Berlin, our blog has listed this German city as one of the best places to visit during October. Believe it or not! Read the story here. 

4. Absorb The Grandeur Of Schloss Charlottenburg

A stunning palace in Baroque architecture, Schloss Charlottenburg, Charlottenburg Palace in English, evokes the grandeur then of the Prussian royals. You could remember Prussia from your school history. Prussia was a German state which formed the German Empire when it united the German states in the 1870s.

Schloss Charlottenburg started as a summer home for the royal family during the late 1600s, then became a lavish palace after Frederick the Great commissioned upgrades and additions during the 1700s. Now, it literally takes more than a day if you want to see the entirety of the palace. 

Inside, you can view Frederick I and Sophie Charlotte’s living quarters, the chapel, and the New Wing or Neuer Fluegel where Frederick the Great resided. Then, you may also journey outdoors to see the Royal Gardens, the family mausoleum, and an ornate teahouse. If you wish to learn history and architecture, include this on your things to do in Berlin itinerary.

5. Be A Witness To The Inspiring Story Of The Reichstag

Next on this list of the best things to do in Berlin is a visit to the Reichstag. This Parliament Building is a symbol of the country’s past, present and future. It blends various architectural design styles from the late 1900s up to now. Somehow, the Reichstag has symbolized Germany’s path from its dark past to its bright future. 

The Reichstag has been burned and bombed, rebuilt and buttressed by the Berlin Wall, and wrapped in fabric and turned into the residence of the German parliament. Its very first construction happened between 1884 to 1894, only to get destroyed by arson in 1933, which marked a turning point in the Third Reich’s history. 

During the Second World War, it was bombed, and so it had not become the seat of the government until 1999, when its famous glass dome was installed. Today, visiting the Reichstag is very popular among tourists from all over the world.

6. Tour Sachsenhausen, One Of The First Concentration Camps Nazi Germany’s Third Reich Established

The cruel Nazi Germany, the state formed by dictator Adolf Hitler and his Nazi Party between 1933 and 1945 when they controlled the country, has left wounds and bruises to human history worldwide. These people were infamous for their atrocities upon so many people. 

If you wish to learn more about this part of Germany’s history, take this dramatic tour to Sachsenhausen, one of the first concentration camps Nazi Germany’s Third Reich established. An expert historian will join you in this tour where you can learn the history of the camp’s establishment, as well as the timeline of the atrocities that happened here. 

Today, Sachsenhausen serves as a national memorial to the prisoners who lived and died here. In this tour, you will also visit the various locations inside this camp, such as the command headquarters and the execution trench, providing you with the facts during the time of the Third Reich’s rule.

Things to do in Berlin are just as exciting as the things to do in Hamburg, its neighboring city. Get to know the best photography spots in Hamburg here. 

7. Go On This Berlin Icebar Experience

Where do drinks and winter converge? Here in the Berlin icebar experience. Enter a winter wonderland at the Berlin Icebar, a venue in the center of the city, where the winter season is all year round. Everything, from this venu’s walls to the seats to the glasses containing your drink, is made of natural ice. 

Your package already includes three drinks tokens, one for the front bar at room temperature and two for the drinks in the Icebar proper. Don’t worry because they will provide a cozy jacket and pair of gloves to keep you warm and still comfortable in the 10 degrees Celsius space.

8. Berlin Is Paradise For Shopaholics 

Shopaholics will find themselves very much welcome in Berlin’s several shopping destinations. This German capital spoils shoppers with some of the best experiences in Europe. If you are in it for this experience, this is one of the best things to do in Berlin that you should not skip. 

A veritable epicenter of what’s cool, Berlin may have the big-name shopping centers, but if you prefer not to splurge so much, you will also find streets brimming with sleek boutiques, creative thrift stores, and quirky flea markets that make this city a prime shopping destination for all tastes, styles, and budgets. 

Some of the best places to shop in Berlin are Mauerpark Flea Market, Bikini Berlin, Kurfürstendamm, and the Mall of Berlin.

9. Party The Night Way At In City’s World-Famous Clubs

As much as Berlin welcomes shopaholics, the city is also hospitable for nighttime revelers. Its reputation for a rather intense and unbridled nightlife is also anchored in its history. The interest for partying is rooted in the 1920s when the biggest names in Germany would party like it was 1999. Then, since the fall of the Wall, this love for nightlife even intensified. 

Interestingly, the edgiest clubs can be found in buildings and structures that were once abandoned apartments, power plants, and other repurposed locations, such as Friedrichshain and Kreuzberg & Neukölln. For electronic music lovers, find Kater Blau and Griessmühle on the map. For those who love punk, mosh away at SO36. With several things to do in Berlin, discovering its nightlife is a must-do.

Can’t get enough of the things to do in Berlin? You must love Europe so much. For more of Europe, such as the wonders in Amsterdam in the Netherlands, head over to this story. 

10. Learn About Jewish History And Culture At Jüdisches Museum

Somehow, the history of Germany and the existence of the Jews are like a creamer to a coffee. You can’t understand the former without learning about the latter. The country is aware of its historical responsibility toward the Jewish people and Israel as a result of the crimes and atrocities during the Nazi regime and Hitler’s time. Familiar with the Holocaust? There you go. 

If you want to learn about the relationship of Germany with the Jews, one of the best things to do in Berlin is to visit the Jüdisches Museum. This museum will take travelers on an eye-opening and emotional journey through 2,000 years of Jewish history in the country, so it goes beyond just the 12 years of Nazi’s atrocities toward the Jews. 

Here, you can find out about the contributions of the Jewish community to the country, as well as renowned personalities like philosopher Moses Mendelssohn and jeans inventor Levi Strauss – yes, Levi Strauss is Jewish – and the fates of ordinary individuals and families in the community.

11. Zip Inside Panoramapunkt – The Fastest Lift In Europe Is In Berlin!

Think that all that drama is already too much to handle? Shake it all off by experiencing a thrilling adventure riding Panoramapunkt, Europe’s fastest lift as you zoom up the Kollhoff Tower.  

It is unique because by the time you realize you are being carried up, you will already be a hundred meters above the streets below, overlooking the city and the pint-sized pedestrians. The ascent happens in only 20 seconds!

Lastly, for an unforgettable experience, do not forget to visit the terrace just before sunset for the most picturesque view of Berlin.

Thank you for reading our “things to do in Berlin” guide. If you love it, feel free to share it around online. You may also read a related story on the best photography spots in Verona in Italy. 

How Much Budget Do You Need To Enjoy The Best Things To Do In Berlin?

To enjoy all the best things to do in Berlin to the fullest, you must know how much budget you should prepare. Next up, we are going to provide you with the essential information you need about your travel budget when visiting this good-looking German city.

So how much money will you need on your trip to Berlin? According to tourists who previously visited the place, you should plan to spend around $150 per day in Berlin. They have spent $57 on average on meals for one day, and $20 on average on local transportation. Around $140 is the average hotel price in the city for a couple. So, a trip to Berlin for two for one week would cost around $2,110 on average.

Anything Is Possible In Berlin

Visiting Berlin, you will realize that there is lots of drama unfolding in this place, from the story of the Berlin Wall to the story of the Nazis. 

People who have been to Berlin say that it is the “least German city” in Germany. Berlin is not like Munich, Hamburg, or Nuremberg, for it is edgier, grittier, and has the vibe felt in cities like New York City and Chicago. In this German capital, old and historical sites coexist with modern and cutting-edge architecture. 

Berlin is also a city of art, boasting more than 170 museums, some of which you can find on the renowned Museum Island. Berlin is also a haven for classical music enthusiasts, with the highly-acclaimed Berlin Philharmonic. It is a place for shopaholics and art lovers. In fact, more and more artists from all around the world visit Berlin to take inspiration from its creative spirit, making the city among the most exciting destinations in Europe. 

This vibrant destination is abuzz with change, it cannot stay still even for just a moment. With so many things to do in Berlin, prepare for a dramatic quest.