Facts
Name of the city: Berlin
Location: Berlin, North-East of Germany
Population: 3,645,000
Next international Airport: Berlin Airport (BER)
Next Airport flying to Asia: Berlin Airport (BER)
The capital city of Germany is a vibrant city with a diverse mix of attractions. Berlin can offer all kinds of sights, no matter if you are interested in history, culture, nightlife or alternative interests. Most visitors cannot manage to experience an overall picture of the city. My cousin is living in Berlin. I visit her frequently. With her as my personal guide, I was introduced to several spectacular places in the bustling city. In this post, I will introduce you some of the best things to do during your stay in Berlin – reflecting both the major attractions and some hidden places off the beaten path.
aioutravel tip:
Have a look to the Berlin WelcomeCard website. With this card you have free access to public transportation as well as discounts up to 50% off on over 200 attractions. The option with the transportation zones AB should be sufficient for taking the regular routes within the city.
Berlin accommodations
Not only the accommodation but also its neighborhood has a big influence on your stay and enjoyment. Berlin is a big and varied city. The neighborhood Mitte is the most central and hasthe most attractions within easy reach by foot or by a short ride with public transportation. The neighborhoods Prenzlauer Berg and Friedrichshain are considered as creative, while Kreuzberg is known for its nightlife. I have listed some great hotels in Berlin.
During my visits in Berlin, I usually stay with my cousin. At my last visit in July 2022, she was on holiday, so I stayed in the hotel Motel One Berlin-Potsdamer Platz. It is a modern and simple accommodation in the city center. I liked the hotel specially for its great location and the delicious organic breakfast.
Hotel Adlon Kempinski Berlin | 9.3 | €€€€
Regent Berlin | 9.1 | €€€€
Myer’s Hotel Berlin | 8.9 | €€€
Michelberger Hotel | 8.6 | €€
Motel One Berlin-Potsdamer Platz| 8.5 | €€
IntercityHotel Berlin Hauptbahnhof| 8.2 | €€
Berlin Tour Summary
Tour tip: Visit the glass dome of Reichstag and enjoy spectacular views
Food option: Try the most popular food in Berlin – Currywurst
Too much walking: Take a break after walking through the capital city. Enjoy the landmarks from the cruise ship on river Spree. Are you after the cruise still not in the mood to continue walking? Take bus no. 100 and see most of Berlin’s attraction from a public bus.
When to visit?
The best time to visit Berlin is the early summer in the months of May to June and the autumn period in September to October. Even though the winter can be cold and windy, the Christmas markets are worth a visit. In the month of December, the city is nicely decorated and you can enjoy many different Christmas markets all around the city. During the hot and humid summer months in July and August the city is crowded with tourists, as the school holidays take place during this time of the year.
Attractions in Berlin
Strolling through Brandenburg Gate
The Brandenburg Gate is one of the best-known attractions within Berlin. It symbolizes the city’s Cold War division into East and West. The Gate was Berlin’s first Greek revival building and constructed starting from 1788 onwards. The size of the Gate is impressive, it is 26 meters high, 65.5 meters long and 11 meters deep.
On top of the gate, you will see the Quadriga, the victory goddess. The statue was for over 10 years on top of the Brandenburg Gate. Then Napoleon and his Grand Army took the statue to Paris as a war booty. In 1814, the Quadriga was returned to Berlin.
Despite the popular tourist attraction, the gate is seen as a European symbol of peace and unity. The landmark is a must-see for me, during all my visits in Berlin. I enjoy buying a cup of tea and sitting on a bench with the view to Brandenburg Gate.
How to get to Brandenburg Gate?
As the parking area is limited, I recommend going by public transportation or walking. The public transportation lines S1, S2, S25 and U5 stop at the Brandenburger Tor station.
Just next to the Brandenburg Gate you will find the famous Hotel Adlon Kempinski Berlin. Close by are the famous government district and the Potsdamer Platz square. Both will be discussed within this report.
Reichstag – a place of history and modern architecture
Just a short walk from the Brandenburg Gate you will find yourself in the government district. The Reichstag is home to the German Government. Standing in front of the parliament you will see not only the historical building, but also an impressive glass dome on top.
The glass dome is open to public and you can enjoy incredible views from the top. After arriving at the dome, ask for the audio guide in multiple languages. Walking up a spiral ramp allows you to get to the uppermost part of the dome. While walking in the glass dome, you will hear interesting information, both cultural and technical, through the audio guide. Further, you can even enjoy a bird’s eye view down to the seats of power into the Reichstag. The admission is free, but you need to book your tickets in advance with a pre-registration.
Are all the tickets sold out? Another option to enjoy the glass dome and the spectacular view is to book a table at the roof garden restaurant. Coupled with excellent food and drinks from the restaurant Käfer, it allows you to tour around the glass dome.
After your visit of the Reichstag and the spectacular glass dome, I suggest strolling around the government district. After short walks you will pass by the German Chancellery, which houses the offices of the German Chancellor and the Marie-Elisabeth-Lüders House, being the scientific service center of the German Parliament directly on the river Spree.
Berlin Cathedral
The Berlin Cathedral is one of the impressive attractions within Berlin’s cityscape. Its history dates back to the 15th century. During the years, the Cathedral was demolished and damaged several times. The full restauration of the Cathedral you can see today was completed in 1993.
The colorful interior of the Cathedral impressed me. Also, the 360-degree panoramic view is a must see during your stay.
The admission is EUR 9.00 for a normal ticket (as of July 2022). With the Berlin WelcomeCard you can enter the Cathedral with a reduced ticket price. As cash payment on site for purchasing the ticket is not possible, I recommend buying the ticket in advance online.
Opening hours::
Monday – Friday: 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Saturday: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Sunday: 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Last admission in each case 60 minutes before
East Side Gallery – discover an open-air gallery
Are you ready for a 1.3-kilometer walk discovering history and art? On the longest continuous section of the Berlin Wall 118 artists from 21 countries painted the East Side Gallery. Some works are famous such as the Fraternal Kiss or the Trabant breaking through the wall. The Trabant with the nickname Trabi, was the most popular car in East Germany.
Every Saturday and Sunday from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm guides and live speakers are on site. You can ask them questions about East Side Gallery’s history and art.
How to get to the East Side Gallery?
The public transportation lines U1, U3 and U12 stop at the Schlesisches Tor station. You will get to the open-air Gallery after a short walk. The bus no. 300 brings you close to the Gallery (stop at East Side Gallery).
Enjoy spectacular views from the Berlin Television Tower (Fernsehturm)
The TV tower is my personal orientation strolling through the streets of Berlin. You can see it almost every time on the horizon and it helps me to find my way. The TV tower is the highest landmark in Berlin with a height of 368 meters.
The viewing platform, from over 200 meters up, is an incredible place to enjoy the bird’s eye views of the modern city. The elevator brings you up to the observation platform in just 40 seconds. With the fast track online ticket, you can bypass the waiting lines.
Click here to read more increadible viewing points.
aioutravel tip:
The revolving restaurant Sphere offers a culinary delight coupled with a 360-degree panoramic view. I was sitting on an inner circle table, as all window tables were sold. The restaurant rotates once an hour on its own axis. While sitting and enjoying the delicacies, your view is changing automatically.
Just next to the TV tower you can find another attraction of Berlin. The world clock shows the current time in 148 major cities around the world.
Spree cruise
After strolling through Berlin and visiting famous landmarks my feet needed a rest. A great way to experience Berlin’s attractions from the water is a Spree cruise trip. The ride takes about 2.5 hours and is absolutely refreshing. You will see not only the Museum Islands, the Nikolai District with old residential buildings, the Governmental District and the Bellevue Palace, but many more sights as well.
I recommend buying the ticket for the Spree cruise online. The attraction is popular and crowded, especially on sunny days. With the online ticket option you can select an audio-guide available in Chinese language.
AquaDom & SEA LIFE Berlin – fascinating underwater world
Visiting the aquarium, you will follow the path from water of the Spree River to the Atlantic followed by tropical areas. More than 5,000 aquatic animals are waiting for you.
I have enjoyed the AquaDom the most. The largest, cylindrical, freestanding aquarium in the world offers a unique glass elevator. You will feel like you are swimming through swarms of tropical fish.
aioutravel tip:
Do you want to see the AquaDom for free from the outside? Go to City Quartier Dom Aquarée (the opposite of the SEA LIFE Berlin shop exit). You can enter the area of the AquaDom without any ticket and enjoy the unique view to hundreds of aquatic animals from the outside.
Is the entrance to the AquaDom closed? Just enter the area through the restaurant “Shi-Mai – Vietnam & Sushi”, go in the restaurant and head to the right side. You will see the AquaDom from the outside.
Opening hours:
The opening hours may vary, therefore please check the opening hours page before your visit.
How to get to AquaDom & SEA LIFE Berlin?
Use the Berlin WelcomeCard for free public transportation. The public transportation lines U2, U5 and U8 stop at Alexanderplatz station. The bus no. 100 stops also close to the aquarium (bus stop station Alexanderplatz).
Gendarmenmarkt
It is said that Gendarmenmarkt square is the most beautiful public square in Berlin – and I totally agree. The concert house and two towers are located in perfect harmony. During summertime, the classic open air market takes place and in the winter, the square transforms into a winter wonderland with a Christmas market.
Museum Island – fascinating ensemble of art and architecture
Visiting the Museum Island you can see five world-famous museum buildings, that have been awarded a UNESCO World Heritage status in 1999. The landmark of Museum Island is not only significant in terms of architecture and location of an island. They also house impressive collections.
The Altes Museum was the first museum built and offers a journey through antique collections such as Ancient Greek works.
The Neues Museum houses prehistory and early civilization works. Most popular part is the Ancient Egyptian section. The famous bust of Nefertiti is housed in the Neues Museum, you will find it in the North Dome Hall. To avoid the lineups, I recommend purchasing the entry ticket online.
The Alte Nationalgalerie (Old National Gallery) houses a collection of painting and sculptures mostly from the 19th century. The architecture of the museum is outstanding. It incorporates elements of a temple, a theatre and a church. Online tickets are available here.
The Bode Museum displays sculpture collections, European paintings, one of the largest coin and medallion collections as well as Late Antique and Byzantine art works. Tickets can be purchased online.
My favorite Museum on the Island is also the most visited museum in Berlin. The Pergamon Museum has an impressive way of displaying the works. The most popular collections in the museum are the Roman Pergamon Altar and the Babylonian Ishtar Gate with the Processional Way. To avoid the lineups, I recommend purchasing the entry ticket online.
Are you interested in visiting both, the Pergamon and the Neues Museum? I have chosen this option as I did not want to miss Nefertiti bust. If you have enough time to visit both museums, I recommend visiting the Pergamon and the Neues Museum. With this ticket option, you can explore art from Egypt, Babylon, Greece and Rome.
Potsdamer Platz
The Potsdamer Platz square was named after the Potsdamer Tor, the gate on the main road from the city Berlin to Potsdam. During World War II at the square, the Soviet, British and American sectors met. After the reunification, the opportunity to build a new district just in the center of the city arose.
Do not miss the spectacular modern architecture of the Sony Center. Look up and see the world-famous roof.
Visiting Berlin during the winter? Do not miss the winter wonderland at Potsdamer Platz. You will see ice rinks, curling and apres-ski party cabins.
How to get to Potsdamer Platz?
I recommend walking from Brandenburg Gate to Potsdamer Platz. During your 10-minute walk, you discover Berlin and pass by memorial places. Alternatively, the public transportation lines U2, S1, S25 stop at the Potsdamer Platz station.
KaDeWe – best-known department store
The best-known department store in Germany is probably the KaDeWe (abbreviation of Department Store of the West). It first opened in 1907. The 60,000 square meter sales floors offer upmarket and luxury goods. I love visiting the KaDeWe and in particular the fascinating decoration at the entrance hall. Depending on the season, the decoration varies. In addition, the sixth floor with an outstanding delicatessen department is worth a visit.
Opening hours:
Monday to Saturday: 10:00 am – 8:00 pm
How to get to KaDeWe?
The public transportation lines U1, U2 and U3 stop at the Wittenbergplatz station.
Checkpoint Charlie – former border crossing
Berlin landmarks are full of history. Checkpoint Charlie is located on the corner of Friedrichstraße and Zimmerstraße. The name of Checkpoint Charlie origins from the NATO phonetic alphabet. As other border crossings already were called Alpha and Bravo the third checkpoint, that opened named as Checkpoint Charlie.
Close to Checkpoint Charlie, you can find an informative museum “Mauer Museum”. While exploring the museum, you will be told about stories of people fleeing from East to West Berlin.
How to get to Checkpoint Charlie?
The public transportation lines U2 stops at Stadtmitte station and U6 stops at Kochstrasse station. You can take also the bus line M29 to Checkpoint Charlie stop.
Berlin Bus 100 – secret tip to enjoy most landmarks during one bus ride
A secret tip to make your own sightseeing without paying a lot of money for a hop on / hop off bus tour, is the public bus no. 100. The route of the bus 100 was created after the reunification of Germany, connecting East and West Berlin. Therefore, many of Berlin’s landmarks are linked to the route. During the tour you pass by the TV Tower, Museum Island, Brandenburg Gate, Reichstag, Bellevue Palace, KaDeWe and many more.
The best, with the Berlin WelcomeCard you can hop on and hop off the bus no. 100 anytime you like without additional cost.
Festival of Lights – must see in October
Are you visiting Berlin in the month of October? Do not miss the fantastic light art festival. Landmarks, buildings, streets and squares are projected with a light art. I loved strolling through the city while it is transformed into a glowing stage.
The schedule varies from year to year – check it out here.
Eat & Drink
Food specialities
Berlin is known for its diverse food options. You can find every kind of food you are looking for.
Currywurst
The Currywurst, a grilled sausage with a special flavour sauce and french fries, is a must try during your visit. The sauce recipes are a secret at every restaurant or fast-food place. Usually, it is a combination of ketchup, Worcestershire sauce and curry powder. The Curry Wolf restaurant offers the sausage with a discounted price for members of the Berlin WelcomeCard.
Of course, you can try other German dishes such as Schnitzel and Bratwurst, but their origin is from other places within Germany. Therefore, I recommend testing the delicacies at the place of their origin.
Is Berlin your only stop in Germany and you have never been to a Biergarten before? Then check out the Prater Garten in Prenzlauer Berg. The cosy Biergarten has been attracting people since the 1850’s. You will find the Biergarten by public transport with the lines U2, M1, M10 and 12 stopping at Eberswalder Straße.
Döner Kebab – the unofficial food choice
Thanks to the high Turkish population in Germany, the Döner Kebab is popular to eat in Berlin. You cannot go a block without passing by a Kebab shop. It is a traditional dish in the city and residents enjoy eating it. A wrap is stuffed with meat and salad. I prefer the vegetarian option – the wrap is stuffed with different kinds of salad and feta cheese.
Asian Food
As Berlin offers food options from all over the world, it is difficult to select the best spots for you. The Asian food scene is dominated by Vietnamese restaurants. I love eating traditional Chinese 地三鲜, Japanese noodle bowls, Thai curry or Vietnamese Phở.
Da Jia Le offers delicious food in a not so pretty corner of Schöneberg district. Remember to order from the front part of the menu, that shows Chinese food and not westernized options. The restaurant was awarded as part of the Top 40 Asian restaurants in Germany. Read the menu here.
Lao Xiang is one of the best Chinese restaurants in Eastern Berlin. Read the massive menu here.
The Japanese restaurant Smart Deli offers delicious rice bowls, Udon or Soba noodle soups and sushi since 2002.
The Sammaki Talad Thai – the thai kantine in Charlottenburg offers authentic Thai food. You order from different stations that are all operated by different chefs. The concept fits the interior of the restaurant and the preparation of the dishes – it is a cafeteria style. However, do not judge the food, it is simply delicious.
The Thai restaurant Kin Dee offers Thai cuisine on a high level. The restaurant was awarded with a Michelin star in 2021. “Kin Dee” means eat well in Thai, and the food is carefully selected accordingly.
As one of the largest Vietnamese communities living outside Vietnam is based in Berlin, you can find multiple delicious Vietnamese restaurants in the city. Just like the Döner Kebab, the Vietnamese rice noodle soup became part of everyday life. I can recommend the Pho soups of the restaurant Madame Ngo.
Bubble Tea
Besides the delicious food options, Bubble Tea can be found in various locations. Below are listed my top three choices.
- The Alley Berlin – big chain from Japan that has several shops within the city – address: Neue Schönhauser Straße 1, 10178 Berlin
- Pao Pao – stylish interior in pink and black colours – address: Rosenthaler Str. 66, 10119 Berlin
- Comebuy – chain with several shops within the city – do not miss the flagship store: address: Oranienburger Str. 83,10178 Berlin
Have you been to the German capital city Berlin before?
Which places did you enjoy the most? Do you have any insider tips or maybe a question about the journey or the accommodations? Just leave a comment. I am looking forward to it.
If you decided to stay at one of the places described, I would love to hear your feedback after your stay.