Berlin Travel Guide: The Best Things to Do, See & Eat
Berlin, Germany's capital, is a dynamic blend of history and modernity. Explore the Berlin Wall, Brandenburg Gate, and vibrant neighborhoods. Experience its rich art scene, eclectic nightlife, and diverse cuisine.
With 311+ hand-picked places to explore, Berlin rewards travellers who look beyond the obvious. Here's our complete guide to the best of the city — organised by what you're in the mood for.
Must-See Attractions in Berlin
The icons and landmarks no first visit is complete without.
Start with Reichstag Building — a striking glass dome provides panoramic views of Berlin's skyline from the historic Reichstag Building. Just as worthwhile is Soviet War Memorial: located in Treptower Park, this monument commemorates the Soviet soldiers lost in the Battle of Berlin. Bebelplatz completes the picture: a significant square for reflection on Berlin's history, showcasing a memorial to the Nazi book burnings.
Reichstag Building
Berlin • Historic Architecture
A striking glass dome provides panoramic views of Berlin's skyline from the historic Reichstag Building.
Soviet War Memorial
Berlin • Monuments & Statues
Located in Treptower Park, this monument commemorates the Soviet soldiers lost in the Battle of Berlin.
Bebelplatz
Berlin • Historic Squares & Plazas
A significant square for reflection on Berlin's history, showcasing a memorial to the Nazi book burnings.
Berlin Cathedral (Berliner Dom)
Berlin • Monuments & Statues
Am Lustgarten is home to Berlin Cathedral, a striking example of High Renaissance architecture.
Museums & Culture in Berlin
Galleries, museums and cultural landmarks for a deeper look at the city.
Top of most lists is Berlin Philharmonie: a concert hall celebrated for its tent-like architecture and exceptional acoustics, home to the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra. Locals will also point you to Friedrichstadt-Palast — incorporate a visit to this iconic theater into a cultural day in Berlin, especially during winter holiday shows. And for something different, there's Gendarmenmarkt: a historical square in Berlin showcasing stunning architecture and cultural events year-round.
Berlin Philharmonie
Berlin • Historical Sites
A concert hall celebrated for its tent-like architecture and exceptional acoustics, home to the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra.
Friedrichstadt-Palast
Berlin • Theaters
Incorporate a visit to this iconic theater into a cultural day in Berlin, especially during winter holiday shows.
Gendarmenmarkt
Berlin • Historical Sites
A historical square in Berlin showcasing stunning architecture and cultural events year-round.
Komische Oper Berlin
Berlin • Theaters
Located on Behrenstraße, this theater is celebrated for its innovative opera productions that challenge convention.
Best Things to Do in Berlin
Activities and experiences to fill your days.
If you only make time for one stop, make it Berlin Escape Room — an engaging way to wind down your day in Berlin with friends or family, combining teamwork and creativity. BeachMitte earns its reputation too — ideal for sports enthusiasts seeking an active urban beach experience in Berlin. Round out the shortlist with Berlin Kletterwald — located in Wuhlheide, this indoor climbing facility offers diverse challenges for climbers of all levels.
Berlin Escape Room
Berlin • Indoor
An engaging way to wind down your day in Berlin with friends or family, combining teamwork and creativity.
BeachMitte
Berlin • Sports
Ideal for sports enthusiasts seeking an active urban beach experience in Berlin.
Berlin Kletterwald
Berlin • Indoor
Located in Wuhlheide, this indoor climbing facility offers diverse challenges for climbers of all levels.
Boulderklub Kreuzberg
Berlin • Indoor
Ideal for climbing enthusiasts seeking a challenging indoor experience in Berlin.
Where to Eat in Berlin
From local classics to standout modern kitchens.
Start with Facil — ideal for couples seeking a tranquil dining experience with seasonal European cuisine in a garden setting. Just as worthwhile is Hackescher Hof: a historic building houses this restaurant, showcasing traditional Berlin recipes and local ingredients. Burgermeister completes the picture: located under the U-Bahn tracks, this burger spot offers a distinctive dining experience in Berlin.
Facil
Berlin • Fine Dining
Ideal for couples seeking a tranquil dining experience with seasonal European cuisine in a garden setting.
Hackescher Hof
Berlin • Local Cuisine
A historic building houses this restaurant, showcasing traditional Berlin recipes and local ingredients.
Burgermeister
Berlin • Casual Dining
Located under the U-Bahn tracks, this burger spot offers a distinctive dining experience in Berlin.
Daluma
Berlin • Vegetarian & Vegan Restaurants
This plant-based restaurant showcases a commitment to sustainability with a menu focused on health-conscious dishes.
Berlin After Dark: Bars & Nightlife
Where to go once the sun sets.
Top of most lists is The Muted Horn: located on Flughafenstraße in Berlin's Neukölln district, this craft beer bar features an extensive range of brews. Locals will also point you to The Zig Zag Jazz Club — experience live jazz in a cozy setting that complements a night out in Berlin's Schöneberg district. And for something different, there's Protokoll: boxhagener Str. is home to this craft beer bar with a dynamic selection of brews from around the globe.
The Muted Horn
Berlin • Craft Beer Bars
Located on Flughafenstraße in Berlin's Neukölln district, this craft beer bar features an extensive range of brews.
The Zig Zag Jazz Club
Berlin • Live Jazz Venues
Experience live jazz in a cozy setting that complements a night out in Berlin's Schöneberg district.
Protokoll
Berlin • Craft Beer Bars
Boxhagener Str. is home to this craft beer bar with a dynamic selection of brews from around the globe.
A-Trane
Berlin • Live Jazz Venues
Experience Berlin's nightlife with an evening at one of the city's oldest jazz clubs, A-Trane.
Where to Stay in Berlin
Hand-picked hotels, hostels and B&Bs across every budget.
If you only make time for one stop, make it EastSeven Berlin Hostel — ideal for budget travelers and groups seeking a relaxed atmosphere in Berlin. Hotel Palace Berlin earns its reputation too — begin your Berlin adventure at this spa hotel, a blend of relaxation and convenience near iconic sights. Round out the shortlist with Linnen — ideal for couples and small groups seeking a blend of modern and vintage charm in Berlin.
EastSeven Berlin Hostel
Berlin • Hostels
Ideal for budget travelers and groups seeking a relaxed atmosphere in Berlin.
Hotel Palace Berlin
Berlin • Spa Hotels
Begin your Berlin adventure at this spa hotel, a blend of relaxation and convenience near iconic sights.
Linnen
Berlin • Bed & Breakfast
Ideal for couples and small groups seeking a blend of modern and vintage charm in Berlin.
The Mandala Hotel
Berlin • Spa Hotels
Ideal for couples and wellness seekers looking for a tranquil retreat in Berlin.
Shopping in Berlin
Markets, boutiques and everything in between.
Start with Berlin Story Museum & Shop — a shop within a museum, offering historical souvenirs that capture Berlin's rich past. Just as worthwhile is Let Them Eat Cake Vintage: eberswalder Straße is home to a vintage boutique that captures the essence of retro fashion. Winterfeldt Market completes the picture: a bustling market in the Schöneberg district featuring local produce and culinary specialties.
Berlin Story Museum & Shop
Berlin • Souvenir Shops
A shop within a museum, offering historical souvenirs that capture Berlin's rich past.
Let Them Eat Cake Vintage
Berlin • Vintage & Thrift Shops
Eberswalder Straße is home to a vintage boutique that captures the essence of retro fashion.
Winterfeldt Market
Berlin • Markets
A bustling market in the Schöneberg district featuring local produce and culinary specialties.
Made in Berlin
Berlin • Vintage & Thrift Shops
Fashion enthusiasts and vintage lovers will appreciate this curated shop in Berlin's Mitte district.
Parks & Green Spaces in Berlin
Room to breathe when you need a break from the streets.
Top of most lists is Britzer Garten: this expansive park provides a refreshing break in Berlin, especially during spring bloom season. Locals will also point you to Grunewald Forest — a vast green expanse with trails and a mix of history and nature, perfect for outdoor activities. And for something different, there's Botanischer Volkspark Blankenfelde-Pankow: one of Berlin's largest collections of medicinal plants can be found here, set in a historic botanical garden.
Britzer Garten
Berlin • Parks
This expansive park provides a refreshing break in Berlin, especially during spring bloom season.
Grunewald Forest
Berlin • Parks
A vast green expanse with trails and a mix of history and nature, perfect for outdoor activities.
Botanischer Volkspark Blankenfelde-Pankow
Berlin • Botanical Gardens
One of Berlin's largest collections of medicinal plants can be found here, set in a historic botanical garden.
Jungfernheide Park
Berlin • Playgrounds
A spacious urban park ideal for family outings and leisurely activities in Berlin's Charlottenburg district.
77 Explorer Picks We Held Back
Every list above is our free tier. On top of it, our editors mark the roughly one-in-ten places in Berlin that are genuinely special — standout stays, tables worth planning a day around, and rooms most visitors never find — as Explorer picks, with full write-ups reserved for members. A few currently on the Berlin list:
- Berlin Wall Walking Tour· Walking
- Berlin Mitte Historical Walk· Self-Guided
- Gallery Weekend Berlin· Cultural Events
- Philharmonie Berlin· Concerts
- Frau Luna· Secret Foodie Spots
Planning where to stay in Berlin?
Our neighbourhood-by-neighbourhood guide covers the best areas and hotels for every budget.
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