Things to Do in Berlin: Top 10 Sights & 1–2 Day Itinerary
Berlin is where the Cold War is easiest to see on the ground. The Wall ran past the Brandenburg Gate until 1989, a stretch of the former death strip survives on Bernauer Strasse, and the Bundestag has met in the rebuilt Reichstag since 1999. Around them sit Museum Island, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1999, the Berlin Cathedral and the 368-metre TV Tower on Alexanderplatz.
Below you will find our ten picks for a first visit, itineraries for one and two days, practical tips on trains and tickets, and then every Berlin attraction in our catalogue. Opening hours and prices are on each place's page – check them with the venue before you go, as many museums close on Mondays.
Audio guide
Explore Berlin with an audio guide
A narrated walk on your phone: map, GPS and stories you won't find on the signs. No app — it runs in your browser.
Why visit
- You can follow the story of the divided city at original sites, from the Berlin Wall Memorial to the painted wall of the East Side Gallery.
- Five museums stand side by side on Museum Island, including the Neues Museum with the bust of Nefertiti.
- Many headline sights are free: the Brandenburg Gate, the Holocaust Memorial, the Topography of Terror and, with advance registration, the Reichstag dome.
- Public transport is dense and simple: S-Bahn, U-Bahn, trams and buses reach almost every sight without a car.
Top 10: what to see first
Our picks for a first visit — each with a short reason why.
Landmarks
Brandenburg Gate
Berlin
The Brandenburg Gate in Berlin is Germany's most famous landmark and the country's symbol of reunification. Built in the late 18th century as a city gate, it later stood in the no-man's-land of the Berlin Wall, and its reopening in Decembe…
15–45 min Free entry1. Built 1789–1793 and stranded in the border zone from 1961 until it reopened on 22 December 1989. Open around the clock and free.
Landmarks
Reichstag Building
Berlin
The Reichstag building in Berlin is the seat of Germany's federal parliament, the Bundestag, and its glass dome is one of the most popular things to do in Berlin. You can walk a spiral ramp right above the debating chamber and enjoy a 360-…
60–90 min2. Walk the ramp inside Norman Foster's glass dome above the parliament chamber. Free with online registration; the dome is closed 19–30 October 2026 for maintenance.
Monuments
Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe
Berlin
The Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe in Berlin, widely known as the Holocaust Memorial, is Germany's central place of remembrance for the six million Jews killed in the Shoah. Just south of the Brandenburg Gate, a field of gray conc…
30–120 min Free entry3. Peter Eisenman's field of about 2,700 concrete slabs next to the Brandenburg Gate, with a free underground information centre (closed Mondays).
Museums
Museum Island
Berlin
Museum Island in Berlin is one of the world's great museum complexes and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1999. On the northern tip of an island in the Spree River, five historic museums stand side by side, spanning thousands of years of…
180–480 min4. Five museums on one island; see Nefertiti in the Neues Museum. The Pergamon Museum itself is closed for renovation until 4 July 2027.
Churches & monasteries
Berlin Cathedral
Berlin
Berlin Cathedral (Berliner Dom) on Museum Island is the largest Protestant church in Germany and one of the most striking landmarks in the city center. Under its huge green dome you'll find a lavish main church, a historic organ with more…
60–120 min5. Germany's largest Protestant church: the 1905 Sauer organ, the Hohenzollern crypt and about 270 steps up to a walkway around the dome.
Viewpoints
Berlin TV Tower
Berlin
The Berlin TV Tower (Berliner Fernsehturm) at Alexanderplatz is the tallest structure in Germany at 368 meters (1,207 feet) and the skyline icon you'll spot from almost everywhere in the city. From the silver sphere about 200 meters up, yo…
60–120 min6. Germany's tallest structure at 368 metres. Book a time slot online; sunset slots sell out first.
Historic sites & memorials
Berlin Wall Memorial
Berlin
The Berlin Wall Memorial on Bernauer Strasse is the most important place in Berlin to understand what the Wall really meant. Stretching for about 0.9 miles (1.4 km) along the former border strip, it preserves an original section of the Wal…
90–240 min Free entry7. 1.4 km of the former border strip on Bernauer Strasse with original Wall, a viewing tower and a documentation centre. Free entry.
Historic sites & memorials
East Side Gallery
Berlin
The East Side Gallery in Berlin is the longest surviving stretch of the Berlin Wall and one of the largest open-air galleries in the world. Running for 0.8 miles (1,316 m) along Mühlenstrasse in the Friedrichshain district, it is covered w…
45–120 min Free entry8. The longest surviving section of the Wall, 1,316 metres painted by artists in 1990, including the famous Fraternal Kiss. Free, open 24/7.
Historic sites & memorials
Topography of Terror
Berlin
The Topography of Terror in Berlin is a free documentation center on the exact site where Nazi Germany ran its machinery of persecution. From 1933 to 1945 this block housed the headquarters of the Gestapo, the SS leadership, and the Reich…
90–180 min Free entry9. On the site of the former Gestapo and SS headquarters: a free documentation centre, open daily 10:00–20:00, beside a long surviving section of the Wall.
Palaces
Charlottenburg Palace
Berlin
Charlottenburg Palace (Schloss Charlottenburg) is the largest and most important palace complex of the Prussian kings and German emperors in Berlin. With its green dome, lavish baroque and rococo rooms and a sprawling palace garden, it is…
120–240 min10. Berlin's largest palace, a baroque summer residence of the Prussian kings with state rooms and a 55-hectare palace garden. Closed on Mondays.
Top sights on the map
Open the full map1-day itinerary
Early morning: Reichstag dome
Register online in advance for an early slot and bring your passport or ID card. Allow time for the airport-style security check.
Places: Reichstag Building
Morning: Brandenburg Gate and Holocaust Memorial
Five minutes on foot to Pariser Platz, then south to the field of concrete slabs. The information centre beneath it is free and worth an hour.
Places: Brandenburg Gate Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe
Afternoon: Museum Island
Take the U5 or walk along Unter den Linden. Pick one museum, such as the Neues Museum, then visit the Berlin Cathedral and climb to the dome walkway.
Places: Museum Island Berlin Cathedral
Late afternoon: Everyday life in the GDR
Across the river from the cathedral, the hands-on DDR Museum lets you sit in a Trabant and explore a prefab flat. It is open daily until 21:00.
Places: DDR Museum
Evening: TV Tower
Walk to Alexanderplatz for your pre-booked slot on the observation deck, which is open until 23:00.
Places: Berlin TV Tower
2-day itinerary
Day 1: Government quarter and Museum Island
Reichstag, Brandenburg Gate and Memorial
Three landmarks within a few minutes' walk of each other. Book the dome in advance.
Places: Reichstag Building Brandenburg Gate Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe
Gendarmenmarkt
Lunch near the square framed by the Konzerthaus and the German and French Churches.
Places: Gendarmenmarkt
Museum Island and the Cathedral
One or two museums, then the cathedral. Museums on the island are closed on Mondays.
Places: Museum Island Berlin Cathedral
Day 2: Cold War Berlin
Berlin Wall Memorial
Start at the visitor centre by Nordbahnhof S-Bahn station and follow Bernauer Strasse to the viewing tower. Allow one to two hours.
Places: Berlin Wall Memorial
Checkpoint Charlie and Topography of Terror
The U6 takes you to Kochstrasse. The square is crowded and touristy; the free exhibition at the Topography of Terror nearby adds the context.
East Side Gallery at dusk
Walk from Ostbahnhof along the painted Wall to the Oberbaum Bridge, about an hour with photo stops.
Places: East Side Gallery
Getting there
From BER airport: According to the Berlin-Brandenburg transport association VBB (timetable from 14 December 2025), the FEX Airport Express runs every 15 minutes and reaches Berlin Hauptbahnhof in about 23 minutes, stopping at Südkreuz and Potsdamer Platz. The RE20, RB24 and RB32 regional trains and the S9 and S85 S-Bahn lines also serve the airport. BER is in fare zone C, so you need an ABC ticket (single fare 5 euros) to reach the centre.
By train: Long-distance Deutsche Bahn trains stop at Berlin Hauptbahnhof. From there the U5 underground line runs to the Brandenburg Gate, Museum Island and Alexanderplatz.
Getting around: S-Bahn, U-Bahn, trams and buses cover the city centre (fare zones AB). Buses 100 and 300 pass many sights, including the Lustgarten by the cathedral. If you are staying longer, the Deutschlandticket (63 euros a month in 2026) is valid on all local and regional public transport in Germany, but not on ICE or IC trains.
When to go
Spring and early autumn are pleasant for walking between the main sights. In October, the Berlin Cathedral is regularly part of the Festival of Lights. Note that the Reichstag dome is closed from 19 to 30 October 2026 for cleaning and maintenance, while the roof terrace stays open. During Advent, the Gendarmenmarkt hosts a Christmas market that usually charges a small entry fee.
Plan around Mondays: Museum Island, the Jewish Museum, the information centre under the Holocaust Memorial, Schloss Charlottenburg and the Berlin Wall Memorial exhibitions are closed on Mondays. Outdoor sights such as the Brandenburg Gate and the East Side Gallery are open every day.
FAQ
How many days do you need in Berlin?
One full day covers the Reichstag, Brandenburg Gate, Holocaust Memorial, Museum Island and the TV Tower. Two days let you add the Berlin Wall Memorial, Checkpoint Charlie and the East Side Gallery. With three or four days you can visit more museums and Schloss Charlottenburg.
How do I get from BER airport to central Berlin?
Take the FEX Airport Express, which runs every 15 minutes and takes about 23 minutes to Berlin Hauptbahnhof. Buy an ABC ticket, as the airport lies in fare zone C. The Deutschlandticket is also valid.
Do I need to book the Reichstag dome?
Yes. Entry is free, but you must register online with the Bundestag in advance and bring an original passport or ID card if you are 16 or older. Same-day places are sometimes available at the service centre next to the building.
Is the Pergamon Museum open?
No. It is closed for renovation and is due to reopen on 4 July 2027. The other museums on Museum Island are open, and a panorama exhibition opposite the island shows original sculptures and a 360-degree view of ancient Pergamon.
What are the best things to do in Berlin with kids?
Families like Berlin Zoo with its giant pandas, the hands-on DDR Museum and the wide open Tempelhofer Feld for cycling and kite flying. The Reichstag dome has an audio guide for children aged 6 to 13.
Is the Deutschlandticket worth it for tourists?
It costs 63 euros a month in 2026 and covers all local and regional transport across Germany, including the airport trains. It suits longer stays or day trips by regional train; it is not valid on ICE or IC trains and runs as a monthly subscription.
All attractions (53)
Landmarks
Brandenburg Gate
Berlin
The Brandenburg Gate in Berlin is Germany's most famous landmark and the country's symbol of reunification. Built in the late 18th century as a city gate, it later stood in the no-man's-land of the Berlin Wall, and its reopening in Decembe…
15–45 min Free entry
Landmarks
Reichstag Building
Berlin
The Reichstag building in Berlin is the seat of Germany's federal parliament, the Bundestag, and its glass dome is one of the most popular things to do in Berlin. You can walk a spiral ramp right above the debating chamber and enjoy a 360-…
60–90 min
Museums
Museum Island
Berlin
Museum Island in Berlin is one of the world's great museum complexes and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1999. On the northern tip of an island in the Spree River, five historic museums stand side by side, spanning thousands of years of…
180–480 min
Historic sites & memorials
Berlin Wall Memorial
Berlin
The Berlin Wall Memorial on Bernauer Strasse is the most important place in Berlin to understand what the Wall really meant. Stretching for about 0.9 miles (1.4 km) along the former border strip, it preserves an original section of the Wal…
90–240 min Free entry
Historic sites & memorials
East Side Gallery
Berlin
The East Side Gallery in Berlin is the longest surviving stretch of the Berlin Wall and one of the largest open-air galleries in the world. Running for 0.8 miles (1,316 m) along Mühlenstrasse in the Friedrichshain district, it is covered w…
45–120 min Free entry
Monuments
Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe
Berlin
The Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe in Berlin, widely known as the Holocaust Memorial, is Germany's central place of remembrance for the six million Jews killed in the Shoah. Just south of the Brandenburg Gate, a field of gray conc…
30–120 min Free entry
Historic sites & memorials
Checkpoint Charlie
Berlin
Checkpoint Charlie in Berlin was the most famous crossing point between East and West during the Cold War, and today it is one of the city's most visited sights. On Friedrichstrasse, where the American and Soviet sectors met from 1961 to 1…
30–120 min Free entry
Viewpoints
Berlin TV Tower
Berlin
The Berlin TV Tower (Berliner Fernsehturm) at Alexanderplatz is the tallest structure in Germany at 368 meters (1,207 feet) and the skyline icon you'll spot from almost everywhere in the city. From the silver sphere about 200 meters up, yo…
60–120 min
Churches & monasteries
Berlin Cathedral
Berlin
Berlin Cathedral (Berliner Dom) on Museum Island is the largest Protestant church in Germany and one of the most striking landmarks in the city center. Under its huge green dome you'll find a lavish main church, a historic organ with more…
60–120 min
Zoos
Berlin Zoo
Berlin
Berlin Zoo (Zoologischer Garten Berlin) is Germany's oldest zoo that is still operating and one of the most species-rich zoos in the world. Set in the heart of West Berlin, right next to Zoologischer Garten station, it is home to more than…
180–300 min
Palaces
Charlottenburg Palace
Berlin
Charlottenburg Palace (Schloss Charlottenburg) is the largest and most important palace complex of the Prussian kings and German emperors in Berlin. With its green dome, lavish baroque and rococo rooms and a sprawling palace garden, it is…
120–240 min
Old towns & squares
Gendarmenmarkt
Berlin
Gendarmenmarkt in Berlin is widely considered the most beautiful square in the German capital. Framed by Karl Friedrich Schinkel's Konzerthaus and two near-identical domed churches, the French and the German Cathedral, it feels more like a…
30–180 min Free entry
Landmarks
Potsdamer Platz
Berlin
Potsdamer Platz in Berlin tells the story of the 20th century in a single square. In the 1920s it was one of the busiest traffic hubs in Europe; after World War II it became a no-man's-land cut in two by the Berlin Wall; and since the 1990…
60–150 min Free entry
Museums
Humboldt Forum
Berlin
The Humboldt Forum in Berlin is a vast museum and cultural center housed in the rebuilt Berlin Palace, right across from Museum Island in the historic heart of the city. Behind its reconstructed baroque facades you'll find world cultures c…
120–360 min
Museums
Jewish Museum Berlin
Berlin
The Jewish Museum Berlin in the Kreuzberg district is one of the most visited museums in the German capital and among the largest Jewish museums in Europe. It traces Jewish life in Germany from medieval communities to the present day, insi…
150–300 min Free entry
Churches & monasteries
Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church
Berlin
The Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church (Kaiser-Wilhelm-Gedächtniskirche) on Breitscheidplatz in western Berlin is one of the city's most powerful landmarks: the bomb-damaged tower of a 19th-century church, flanked by a modern church whose wall…
20–60 min Free entry
Historic sites & memorials
Topography of Terror
Berlin
The Topography of Terror in Berlin is a free documentation center on the exact site where Nazi Germany ran its machinery of persecution. From 1933 to 1945 this block housed the headquarters of the Gestapo, the SS leadership, and the Reich…
90–180 min Free entry
Old towns & squares
Nikolaiviertel (Nikolai Quarter)
Berlin
The Nikolaiviertel (Nikolai Quarter) in Berlin is where the city was born. Around the Nikolaikirche, Berlin's oldest church, a medieval trading settlement grew in the 13th century into what would become the German capital. Today's quarter…
60–180 min
Viewpoints
Berlin Victory Column
Berlin
The Berlin Victory Column (Siegessäule) is one of the German capital's great landmarks: a 67-meter column rising from the Grosser Stern roundabout in the middle of the Tiergarten park, topped by a gilded statue of the goddess Victoria that…
45–75 min
Gardens & parks
Tempelhofer Feld (Tempelhof Field)
Berlin
Tempelhofer Feld in Berlin is the former airfield of Tempelhof Airport, now one of the largest inner-city open spaces in the world. Locals come here to skate and cycle down old runways, fly kites, barbecue, and watch the sunset over more t…
60–240 min Free entry
Museums
DDR Museum
Berlin
The DDR Museum in Berlin brings everyday life in communist East Germany (the GDR, or DDR in German) to life through hands-on exhibits. Sit behind the wheel of a Trabant, open the drawers of a fully furnished prefab apartment, and step into…
60–120 min
Old towns & squares
Alexanderplatz
Berlin
Alexanderplatz in Berlin's Mitte district, known to locals simply as "Alex," is one of the most famous squares in the German capital and a major transport hub. It is where the TV Tower, the World Clock, and the fountain of the former East…
30–60 min
Museums
Altes Museum
Berlin
The Altes Museum (Old Museum) on Berlin's Museum Island is Karl Friedrich Schinkel's neoclassical masterpiece, facing the Lustgarten, and the oldest building on the island. Behind an 87-meter colonnade you will find the Antikensammlung, th…
60–120 min
Viewpoints
Berlin Radio Tower (Funkturm)
Berlin
Berliners affectionately call it the "Langer Lulatsch", the "beanpole". The Funkturm on the trade fair grounds in Westend is 43 years older than the TV tower on Alexanderplatz and when it opened it was the tallest broadcasting and observat…
45–120 min