Best things to do in Berlin

Editor's Choice

This curated selection showcases Berlin's complex history and modern culture. It spans centuries of heritage, from the 18th-century Brandenburg Gate and the neoclassical Neues Museum on Museum Island to the Cold War legacy preserved at the Stasi and DDR Museums. Visitors can explore unique urban transformations at Tempelhofer Feld’s former airfield and the Teufelsberg rubble hill. The list also features the world-class Berlin Zoo, the Museum für Naturkunde’s dinosaur exhibits, and contemporary local favorites like the street art of Haus Schwarzenberg and the gourmet stalls at Market Hall Nine.

Thomas Wolf / CC BY-SA 3.0

Brandenburg Gate

Neoclassical sandstone triumphal arch and national symbol built in the late 18th century. It serves as a monument of peace and unity, having survived as the city's only remaining historical gate.

Gryffindor / CC BY-SA 3.0

Neues Museum

UNESCO World Heritage site housing the Egyptian Museum, the Papyrus Collection, and the Museum of Prehistory and Early History. The building is recognized for its neoclassical architecture and significant archaeological displays.

S.Müller / CC BY 2.5

Berlin Zoo

Oldest and most species-rich zoo in the country, established in 1844. It houses over 20,200 animals from approximately 1,380 species and includes the nation's largest aquarium.

Beek100 / CC BY-SA 3.0

Bebelplatz

Historic public square known for its rococo architecture and memorial commemorating the 1933 Nazi book burning.

Taxiarchos228 / FAL

DDR Museum

Interactive history museum focused on the daily life and culture of the former German Democratic Republic. It features hands-on exhibits including a replica prefabricated apartment and a driving simulation of a Trabant vehicle.

Lukáš Nevosád / CC-BY-SA

Aquadom & Sealife

An aquarium where you can see marine animals living in various environments.

Fridolin freudenfett / CC BY-SA 4.0

Stasi Museum

Dedicated to East Germany's secret police and housed in its former headquarters, this fascinating museum will inform you about state…

Beek100 / CC BY-SA 3.0

Museum für Naturkunde Berlin

Leading natural history museum and research institute housing over 30 million zoological, paleontological, and mineralogical specimens. Notable exhibits include the world's largest mounted dinosaur skeleton and a well-preserved Archaeopteryx specimen.