Berlin is the largest city and the capital of Germany. It is a hugely popular destination for a European city break. But as also the second largest city in the EU it is justified to wonder how to narrow down a list of the top things to do in Berlin!
If you are planning just 1 – 2 days of exploring while in the German capital. Here are the top 10 things to do in Berlin that can be seen – within walking distance – with one day in the city.
- About Berlin
- Best time to visit?
- How long do you need?
- Getting there
- Getting around
- Things to do in Berlin
- Food to try in Berlin
- Where to eat
- Where to stay
- Motorhome parking
- More about travel in Europe
About Berlin
Visiting Berlin is like stepping into a living history book. The city is inevitably famous for its tumultuous past. But it is also known for its energy and edgy modern culture.
Berlin’s history is deeply etched into its landscape. From the remnants of the Berlin Wall to museums showcasing the city’s dark history there are many echoes of the past that meet a vibrant, modern present.
In that sense it is a city of contrast. There are world-class museums, iconic landmarks like the Brandenburg Gate and the Berlin Wall, and a thriving cultural scene with diverse neighbourhoods and a legendary nightlife of hipster, punk and all else in between.
What is the best time of year to visit Berlin?
The best time to visit Berlin is generally considered to be May to September for pleasant weather and long days. This period offers ideal conditions for outdoor activities and exploring the city.
However, the shoulder seasons are always a great time to visit the busy and most popular European cities, like Berlin.
March-May and September-October are either side of the busy summer a great for smaller crowds and generally good weather too.
How long do you need?
To experience Berlin’s main attractions, we reckon you need 2 days.
Of course, it is a big city – a huge city – and there are loads more sights we haven’t even touched on.
But one day is enough time to explore the city’s historic centre, visit key sights like Brandenburg Gate, Checkpoint Charlie and the Berlin Wall Memorial – and you must allow time to taste some typically German foods.
We spent one day exploring the historic city centre and one day we took the train to the hipster Kreuzberg and modern neighbourhoods of the city.
With one full day of exploring, you can see all the things to do in Berlin listed below.
Getting to Berlin
Berlin is both the capital and the largest city in Germany. It is located in the northeast of the country.
It is well-connected by air, road and rail making it easy to get to from within Europe and from different parts of the world.
By Air
There are two international airports in the city: Tegel Airport (TXL) and Schönefeld Airport (SXF). Both airports are located outside of the city centre, but they are well-connected to the city by public transportation.
By Train
The city has two main train stations: Hauptbahnhof and Ostbahnhof. Hauptbahnhof is located in the city centre and is the main hub for long-distance trains. Ostbahnhof Station is located in the eastern part of the city and is mainly used for regional trains.
By Road
Berlin is easily accessible by road, as it is connected to the German motorway network. If you are coming from other parts of Europe, you can take the E30, E55, or E51 motorways to get to Berlin.
The Germany capital is also well-connected internationally within Europe and regionally in Germany by bus. There are numerous bus companies offering service to and from the city.
We travelled to Berlin by motorhome coming from Warsaw, Poland. From there we continued west in Germany towards the Netherlands by road.
Getting around in Berlin
Berlin is a walkable city, but also has an extensive and easy-to-use public transportation system.
Our best tip for exploring the things to do in Berlin would be to group your activities by location to minimize travel time, as the city is large and sprawling.
All of the things to do in Berlin listed below are within walking distance once you get into the city centre.
Things to do in Berlin, Germany
In no particular order (more so in the order we visited), here are 12 top things to do in Berlin, Germany.
1. Brandenburg Gate
Debatably along with the Berlin Wall, the Brandenburg Gate is Berlin’s most famous landmark and a must-see for all visitors. It is a symbol of German division during the Cold War. That today is a national symbol of peace and unity.
The Brandenburg Gate is an 18th-century neoclassical monument. It was erected on the site of a former city gate.
Today the Brandenburg Gate is often a backdrop for large concerts, political events and public gatherings.
You likely won’t be the only one with a photo of the gate in mind. It is one of the most iconic things to do in Berlin.
- Location: Near Patsdamer Platz
- Cost: Free
2. Holocaust Memorial – Things to do in Berlin
Referred to as ‘The Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe’ this is Germany’s central Holocaust memorial in the middle of the city. It is a place of remembrance and commemoration for the up to six million Jewish victims of the Holocaust.
The memorial was officially opened on 10 May 2005.
- Location: Near Brandenburg Gate
- Cost: Free
3. The Berlin Wall
The Berlin Wall – Berliner Mauer in German – is a huge, concrete wall that was erected in 1961 to divide East from West Berlin.
The wall became a symbol of the Cold War. Which for almost 30 years divided the city, family and friends on each side.
Most of the wall is now gone. However, there are sections that have been preserved with memorials to this important piece of history.
It is a surreal thought to reflect it was only just over 30 years ago that this border stood through the middle of what is today the German capital city.
- Tip: There is a permanent line drawn across Berlin where the wall once stood with the inscription of ‘Berliner Mauer 1961 – 1989’.
4. Berlin Wall Memorial
To really see what the famous wall looked like, the Berlin Wall Memorial is the most poignant of the wall remnants today.
Historically, the wall itself was more than just a concrete division of East and West Germany. There was a portion of the East German wall that was known as the ‘Death Strip’. This was a wide area filled with watchtowers, trip-wire machine guns, floodlights, and guard dogs.
It is documented that over 100 people died trying to cross this portion of the wall.
At the Berlin Wall Memorial – Gedenkstatte Berliner Mauer in German – there is a portion of the Death Strip that has been preserved to showcase how it was.
- Location: M10 Tram, Gedenkstatte Berliner Mauer stop
- Cost: Free
5. Topography of Terror – Things to do in Berlin
This is another memorial of the Berlin Wall that has been opened to the public. It is another popular albeit sobering of the things to do in Berlin.
Here there are permanent exhibitions documenting what went on in Germany during WWII.
- Location: Near Potsdamer Platz
- Cost: Free
6. East Side Gallery – Things to do in Berlin
The famously iconic East Side Gallery is a part of the Berlin Wall that has been preserved and covered in street art and graffiti.
This is one of the most iconic things to do in Berlin with artworks such as the very recognisable ‘Fraternal Kiss’.
- Location: East Berlin on the Spree River
- Cost: Free
7. Checkpoint Charlie
Checkpoint Charlie was the best-known border crossing point between East and West Berlin during the Cold War. Now, it is one of the most touristic things to do in Berlin.
However, it was an important part of the city’s history during the war. At the height of the Berlin Crisis in 1961, American and Soviet tanks faced each other here.
In 1989, the collapse of the Berlin Wall following the fall of the East German regime left Checkpoint Charlie redundant, and it was formally closed in 1990.
- Location: U6 Kochstrasse Station
- Cost: Free
8. Berlin Cathedral
Not only is the Berlin Cathedral absolutely stunning. But the building is listed as the largest Protestant church in Germany, the second largest worldwide and one of the most important dynastic tombs in Europe.
It is beautiful from the outside. In front of the cathedral there is a huge park which on the day we visited was busy with people sprawled on picnic blankets enjoying the sunshine and green space in the city.
This is one of the great free things to do in Berlin. Though for a small fee you can also climb to the top of the dome which provides panoramic views of the city.
- Location: Am Lustgarten, Museum Island
- Cost: Free
9. Alexanderplatz – Things to do in Berlin
This is a busy and popular square in the centre of the city filled with restaurants and pop-up food and beer stalls.
In December, the square is home to one of the many main Christmas Markets.
If you haven’t yet tried Currywurst this is a great place to do it!
10. Bebelplatz
The Bebelplatz (formerly and colloquially the Opernplatz) is a large public square in the central Mitte district.
It is surrounded by notable buildings like the State Opera building, Humboldt University, and St. Hedwig’s Cathedral.
Though Bebelplatz is most famous as the central public space where the Nazi book burning took place in 1933. Published written works by Brecht, Mann, Marx and others deemed ‘subversive’ went up in flames on 10 May 1933.
Today, it serves as a memorial to that event with a glass window looking down into an empty underground library.
- Location: South side of the Unter den Linden Boulevard
- Cost: Free
11. Gendarmenmarkt
Gendarmenmarkt is another historic square in the city centre; not far from Bebelplatz.
It is often labelled as the most beautiful square in the city, Gendarmenmarkt is home to a concert hall – the Konzerthaus – and the French Cathedral – Französischer Dom – as well.
- Location: Central U2 Stadmitte, U6 Franzosische Strasse
- Cost: Free
12. Take a Selfie in a Photoautomat
Albeit this isn’t quite up there with the Berlin Wall and Brandenburg Gate. But we reckon getting a selfie in one of the squillions of Fotoautomat around the city is inarguably one of the top things to do in Berlin…
These photo booths are everywhere!
The photoautomat has become a symbol of Germany’s capital and using them is another way to experience the city’s unique culture.
Other things to do in Berlin
If you have more time in the city, there are plenty more things to do in Berlin.
- Jewish Museum
- Flaghafen Tempelhof Airport
- Teufelsberg
- Platform 17 Memorial
- Olympiastadion
- TV Tower
- Museum Island
- Postdamer Platz
- Charlottenburg Palace
- Kaufhaus des Westens
- Kaiser Wilhelm Church
- Tranenpalast (Palace of Tears)
- Mauerpark
- Prenzlauer Berg
We enjoyed walking down Unter den Linden from Brandenburg Gate past many more iconic landmarks of the city.
Plus trying Currywurst is absolutely one of the most iconic things to do in Berlin!
German food to try in Berlin
Currywurst is fried pork sausage cut into slices and served with a curry sauce like a ketchup. This – plus a German beer – is inarguably the top of food things to do in Berlin.
But there are plenty of other foods to try too:
- Bratkartoffeln – pan-fried potatoes
- Kartoffelpuffer – fried potato pancake
- Sauerkraut – finely cut raw cabbage
- Doner Kebab – rotisserie meat sandwich
- Buletten – fried meatballs
- Linseneintopf – lentil stew
- Berliner Kasekuchen – Berlin cheesecake
- Berliner Napfkuchen – Berlin yeast cake
In terms of drinks, Germans like to drink coffee, coke and some alcoholic beverages just like the rest of us. But as the stereotype goes, Germans really do love beer.
You can look out for the checkered table cloths and iconic handles of beer all around the city!
The verdict on visiting and things to do in Berlin?
We had a great day out exploring!
Obviously, there are plenty more German festivals and city sights that make Berlin famous. But we enjoyed the unique city vibes and atmosphere of the German capital.
It felt like all the main things to do in Berlin are in the centre of the city. So, it made for a neat walkabout tour that we could do independently.
We recommend at least 1-2 days to see all the cool, historic and unique things to do in Berlin.
Where to stay in Berlin
While slightly contradictory to imagine coming from green and rather rural New Zealand, a weekend escape to Berlin is a popular European city-break.
There is a great range of accommodation from hostel to luxury within walking distance of the centre.
- Mid-Budget
Myer’s Hotel, Meininger Hotel, Generator Berlin
For more options, compare hotel prices in Berlin on Booking.Com.
Where to stay with a motorhome in Berlin
We stayed in our motorhome at a camper park on the city outskirts and took the train into the centre to see all the things to do in Berlin.
WOHNMOBIL OASE BERLIN MITTE
- Location: Hochstraße 4, 13357
- Type: Paying Motorhome Area
- Park4Night: #49913
- Price: 40 EUR 24hr 2-Pax
- Facilities: Parking, water, motorhome services, toilets, showers (hot).
About: This was a safe place to park for a couple of nights in the city. It is in walking distance to the train station to get into the city. Plus very close to a Currywurst shop!
Clean toilets and showers – albeit memorably gruff service on arrival.
Read more about travel in Europe
- 14 Things To Do In Sofia, Bulgaria.
- 18 Things To Do In Bucharest, Romania.
- Border Crossing: Romania to Moldova.
- Border Crossing: Kosovo to North Macedonia.
- Things To Do In Podgorica, Montenegro.
- Things To Do In Belgrade, Serbia.
- Border Crossing: Serbia to Bosnia and Herzegovina.
- Border Crossing: Bosnia to Montenegro.
More useful links for your travels in Europe and beyond
These are the companies we use and can recommend for planning and booking travel.
- Booking.com – The best all-around accommodation booking site that constantly provides the cheapest and lowest rates. They have the widest selection of budget accommodation. It is easy to filter and sort into price and availability with all the extras you are looking for personally.
- 12GoAsia – Book trains anywhere online.
- Skyscanner– This is by far our favourite flight search engine. They can search small websites and budget airlines that larger search sites often miss. We book all our flights through Skyscanner.
- GetYourGuide– Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace for tours and excursions offered all around the world. Everything from walking tours to street-food tours, cooking classes, desert safari’s and more!
- SafetyWing – A global travel insurance that covers people from all over the world while outside their home country. You can buy it short or longterm; and even if you are out of the country.
- World Nomads – Make sure you have insurance before embarking on travel to Germany and all the things to do in Berlin!
