The best to do and see in Berlin

Berlin is the metropolis of joie de vivre; here people sing, dance and celebrate. The Berliner is grounded while strolling through the lively streets – the districts in Berlin show themselves differently everywhere. Because every neighborhood has its own face: whether in posh Charlottenburg or Wilmersdorfer Witwen, in chic Prenzlauer Berg or hip Kreuzkölln, in multicultural Wedding, gay Schöneberg, wild Friedrichshain or cosmopolitan Mitte – in Berlin, everyone really gets their money’s worth. Whether you want to make the German capital unsafe on a weekend or prefer to stay for a whole week – here are the best things to do in Berlin for you.

Keeping an eye on politics

Of course, Berlin as the capital is the epicenter of German politics. And you can also experience them up close and personal. Visit the Reichstag and literally watch the politicians in the plenary hall. From the observation deck of the dome you can see the hall from above. At the same time you climb the dome and enjoy the wonderful 360-degree panoramic view over the Spree metropolis. And best of all, the visit to the Reichstag and the dome is free of charge; all you need is advance registration and a valid identification document. The dome is open daily from 8 am to midnight, but the last admission is already at 10 pm.

A day at the museum

Those interested in culture will of course get their money’s worth in the city’s more than 170 museums. Discover dinos in the Natural History Museum, Nefertiti in the New Museum, the Pergamon Altar in the Pergamon Museum, the Numismatic Collection in the Bode Museum, classical works in the New National Gallery or contemporary art in the Martin-Gropius-Bau. More unusual places include the Spy Museum, the Currywurst Museum, the Berlin Underworlds and the Body Worlds. On the pages of the tourist information “Visit Berlin” you can find special savings offers for the various museums.

GDR to touch

Something very special is certainly the DDR Museum. Here you can experience first-hand what life was like in the GDR. Stromer through the original WBS-70 panel apartment, sit down at the MuFuTi, look in cupboards and drawers and discover the everyday life of GDR citizens. The interactive experience museum is one of the top rated attractions in Berlin. Open daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., tickets cost €12.50. A visit to the Trabi Museum and the former border crossing Checkpoint Charlie is also a must for fans of Ostalgie. The Hohenschönhausen Memorial on the grounds of the former Stasi prison commemorates the persecution of political activists.

Small refreshment above the clouds

After so much culture you need a refreshment? How about a piece of cake 200 meters above the ground? You can enjoy this in the café of the TV tower at Alexanderplatz – breathtaking views included. Because the sphere in which the café is located, rotates. The café is open daily from 9 am to 11 pm. Attention: Do not forget to pre-register. You want to get a taste of even more high-altitude air? Then move through the rooftop bars. The Weekend at Alexanderplatz, which is more of a club than a bar at late hours, the Klunkerkranich on the roof of the Neukölln-Arcaden parking garage, and Deck 5 on the roof of the Schönhauser-Allee-Arcaden are all hot spots.

Party all night

In general, there is a lot of dancing in Berlin. The capital boasts the best clubs in Europe. Even though the original Tresor, the birthplace of techno, has long been history, the basses still roar through Berlin’s club nights. A visit to the most famous techno club in the world, the Berghain with its spectacular sound system, is a must on any trip to Berlin. You like it more extreme? Then off to KitKat or Insomnia. But beware: lacquer, leather and a lot of naked skin are mandatory here! The Lido and the Astra are rocking, the Schwuz is queer, and the Cumbia Salvaje and the ATR party are playing Latin American rhythms.

Lots of live music

Are you more into live music? Then visit one of the numerous large and small concerts on the stages of the city. One of the best places to visit in Berlin is the Waldbühne in the west of Berlin with its unique scenery and excellent sound. The Philharmonie am Potsdamer Platz, where more than 2,000 visitors can listen to the sounds of the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, will be a classical venue. Tickets cost between 10 and 45 €. If you’d like to check it out first, stop by on Tuesdays at 1 p.m. during the concert season. Then the orchestra members play a small lunch concert -lunch buffet included.

Theater, theater, theater

There are many boards that mean the world in Berlin. A must for all theater fans is a visit to a performance at the Deutsches Theater in Mitte. The performances are classically staged and cost between €10 and €50, depending on the seat and performance. The Berliner Ensemble, founded by Bertolt Brecht, is also more classical, while the productions at the Schaubühne, the Gorki and the Komödie am Kurfürstendamm are more modern. There will be music at the Theater des Westens, the Friedrichstadtpalast and the Staatsoper, and artists at the Wintergarten-Varieté. However, you also can’t miss an evening at the Poetry Slam.

Shopping with a difference

Shopping in Berlin is also exquisite – and alternative. The time-honored KaDeWe department store on Tauentzien and the shopping mile on Ku’Damm promise pure luxury. On the other hand, things are more down-to-earth on Wilmersdorfer Strasse. If you are looking for the unusual, then go far to the east. The Dong-Xuan-Center in Lichtenberg’s Herzbergstraße is the marketplace for Asian food, textiles, decorative items and souvenirs – original Asian cuisine included. Shopping in Berlin is mainly done at the city’s numerous flea markets – whether at Mauerpark, Boxhagener Platz, Marheinekeplatz, in front of the Bode Museum, on the RAW grounds or on Straße des 17.

Culinary highlights

Berlin is less known for its culinary arts – and wrongly so, because the capital city spoils you with a total of 18 one-star, five two-star and one three-star restaurant. At Rutz in Mitte, star chef Marco Müller prepares delicacies that are best enjoyed on the vine-covered terrace. In addition, chefs from all over the world have settled in Berlin. Not to be missed on a visit to Berlin is the traditional doner kebab, established in its current form – in pita bread on your fist – by a Turkish immigrant in West Berlin in the 1970s. The kebab is particularly popular at Mustafa’s Gemüsekebap in Kreuzberg, where waiting times of more than an hour are part of the event.

Pack your swimsuit

On hot summer days, Berliners are drawn out to one of the many lakes. The most famous is certainly Wannsee with its lido and 1 km long sandy beach. The lido is open from May to September from 10 a.m. until the evening hours. The entrance fee is 5,50 €. All around, however, other hidden lakes such as the Krumme Lanke or the Schlachtensee attract visitors. The East Berlin counterpart is Müggelsee, which stretches across Treptow-Köpenick. In addition, the Plötzensee or the Weiße See invite to a bathing excursion. You have not packed the swimsuit? No problem, almost all lakes have zones for nudists.

Cool drinks and cool people

At the end of your Berlin tour, enjoy a few cool drinks in a relaxed atmosphere. Whether classics or newcomers, the bartenders are always shaking and mixing up new drinks. Let yourself be enchanted by Alice in Wonderland in the fairytale world of Fairytale in Friedrichshain with delicious cocktails. Sip a cool cocktail in a relaxed atmosphere at the Schwarze Traube in Kreuzberg or the chic Hildegard in Charlottenburg. And of course, a beer at one of the countless Spätis is a must. In recent years, the kiosks have developed into social meeting places. Here you are sure to meet one or the other Berlin veteran, who has even more insider tips for you.

Do not despair if you do not manage to do everything you have planned for your Berlin trip. You will be back – for sure.