Away With The Steiners

12 Unique Free Things To Do In Berlin, Germany. 

Sarah Steiner

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 

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. 

German Flag.
Welcome to Berlin, Germany by the way.

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. 

We had a beautiful visiting in early August.

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. 

You need 1 – 2 days to see all the main sights in the city centre area.

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. 

Albeit you can also get there by boat.

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.  

Trams, trains and otherwise make it easy to get around the city.

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. 

The iconic – and very grand – Brandenburg Gate.
It is one of the most popular things to do in Berlin.

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.

Exploring the Holocaust Memorial.

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. 

Monuments and memorials to the Berlin Wall are dotted around the city.

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. 

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.

Exhibitions displayed along another section of the preserved Berlin Wall.
It is another popular albeit sobering of the things to do in Berlin. 

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’.

The East Side Gallery.
The iconic ‘Fraternal Kiss’.

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.

Queues for a photo at Checkpoint Charlie.
Checkpoint Charlie.

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. 

The huge Berlin Cathedral.

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! 

Trying Currywurst (again) at Alexanderplatz.

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. 

Bebelplatz is most famous as the central public space where the Nazi book burning took place in 1933. 
Looking down to the ominous empty library beneath the clear glass.

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.

St. Hedwig’s Cathedral is the Catholic cathedral of the Archdiocese of Berlin on Bebelplatz.

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.

Taking a photo in a Photoautomat.

Other things to do in Berlin

If you have more time in the city, there are plenty more things to do in Berlin. 

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! 

It is a fascinating city with everything from historic grandeur to modern punk culture and all else in between.

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:

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! 

Be rude not too, right?

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. 

Thanks 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.

For more options, compare hotel prices in Berlin on Booking.Com.

There is a range of accommodation in the city centre and to the outskirts accessible by public transport.

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

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. 

The close Currywurst restaurant just near the train station and in walking distance to the campsite.

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