Cruise Berlin By Boat
Winding through the centre of Berlin, the River Spree offers a different perspective on this once-divided city. Theres no shortage of tour operators offering trips along the river, the Landwehrkanal or across the lakes, and some services are included on the city travelcard. There are also multiple kayak rental services for the DIY sightseeing types. A range of city-centre tours are offered by Stern und Kreis, Reederei Winkler and Reederei Riedel.
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Have A Huuuuuge Beer Eine Ma Bier Bitte
Go big or go home, amirite? Not everywhere in Berlin offers the big ones, but youre sure to findit at the Hofbräuhaus, a sizable beer hall modeled after the eponymousone in Munich. If youre looking to experience Oktoberfest but find yourself inBerlin instead of Bavaria, heres a sure bet for seeing a ton of people inLederhosen singing traditional German songs. If you care more about craft, tryHopfenreich.
The Berlin Cathedral A Beautiful And Scenic Place To Check Out In Berlin
- The largest and most famous church in the city
- Architecturally striking and opulent
Why its so awesome: This building is the largest church in the city and its also one of the hotspots in Berlin for tourists. It has a striking green dome that looks amazing in photos and is surrounded by lush green areas that are great for a picnic and contrast nicely with the church. Its taken decades to renovate the church, but now its returned back to its former glory and impresses with amazing architecture and a great play of colour.
What to do there: The best thing to do around the cathedral is to take a blanket and some snacks with you and have a picnic while admiring the beauty of the building. In fact, many locals spend the sunny afternoons around the monument. Make sure to take lots of pictures and tour the inside of the cathedral as well.
The Berlin cathedral is located just opposite the famous Museum Island, so you could even spend all day here just exploring what this part of the city centre has to offer.
Insider tip: For a small fee, you can climb the 270 steps up to the top of the dome and take in the great views over Museum Island, which is another cool attraction Im gonna get to shortly.
Weve tested countless day packs over the years, and now weve found our absolute favourite: the traveller-approved Osprey Daylite Plus.
Want more deetz on why we love it so damn much? Then read our comprehensive review for the inside scoop!
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Take An Underground Berlin Tour
Whilst many of Berlins main points of interest are above-ground, you will also find some must-see Berlin places underground.
An underground Berlin tour will take you through WWII air raid shelters and tunnels to smuggle people out of East Germany.
The Berlin underground tour is run by Berlin Unterwelten, who preserve these underground structures for public viewing.
These original Berlin tours are based in a former air-raid bunker which is also the Unterwelten Berlin Museum. Objects on display include ammunition, grenades, gas masks, and Hitlers vision for rebuilding Berlin.
The underground tour Berlin Unterwelten offers is one of the top things to do in Berlin you will no doubt find the underground in Berlin intriguing.
The museum is located at the southern entrance to the Gesundbrunnen underground station .
Find Vintage Pacman At The Computerspiele Museum
Berlin is full of crazy sights and activities, and one of my favorites is the Computerspiele Museum on Karl Marx Allee, which also happens to be one of my favorite streets in Berlin.
This museum is dedicated to video games. It includes the very first games developed in the fifties, with nothing but blinking lights, to the most modern VR affairs with special goggles. There are exhibits and information panels detailing the history and development of gaming, plus plenty of games you can just play at willwhether you want to have a go at the original Super Mario in a replica 1980s bedroom, or prefer to play some new football or racing game.
Nostalgia lovers should make a beeline to enter the replica arcade, with true vintage games like Frogger and PacMan. Spending a day at the Computerspiele Museum is definitely one of the coolest things to do in Berlin in winter!
Tips for Visiting: Avoid the weekend when its full of families and plan to spend at least a half a day there playing the games.
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Enter A Former Spy Station
Teufelsberg , literally Devils Mountain, is a former spy station that theNazis originally constructed as a military college, and was repurposed by the American NSA tolisten to Russian communications.
Today its covered in graffiti, but you canstill go up and explore this abandoned building. Climb all the way to the topto enter the echo room and listen to your voice while you admire the impressiveart.
Not only is the spy station neat, but you also get an impressive view overthe forest surrounding Berlin from the top of the station.
Reaching the spy station involves a short hike through the Gruenewald forestand a small sense of adventure. You can also take a guided tour of Teufelsberg.
Get Off The Beaten Track With A Street Art Tour
A stark juxtaposition to its historic side, Berlin also boasts a wacky and wonderful side, and its street art is a perfect example of that.
In super hipster areas like Kreuzberg and Friedrichshain, youll find some of the most famous street murals in the country, depicting everything from pop culture icons to political statements.
Not to be missed is the iconic slice of Berlin Wall art that is the kiss between Leonid Brezhnev and Erich Honecker.
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See The Olympic Stadium
The Olympic Stadium in Berlin is another unique location to visit. Built by renowned architect Werner March, this geometric masterpiece can hold up to 100,000 people. During the Nazi regime, the Olympic Stadium was used to host propaganda events.
This massive structure features the Waldbuhne, which is designed like an amphitheater. Originally the Olympic gymnastics competitions site, the Waldbuhne is an open-air venue currently used for concerts and other large events.
Another fun thing to do in Berlin is visiting the bell tower at the Olympic Stadium and enjoying amazing views of the entire stadium and its surroundings. If you visit the stadium on an event-free day, you can enjoy a tour of the stadium and learn about its role during the Second World War.
Roll Around Town On A Bike Tour
For when those weary legs just dont want to walk anymore, and you want to explore the city from a different perspective , book yourself on one of Berlins popular bicycle tours.
These fun and easy-going bike trips, led by locals, will take you through some offbeat locations in the German capital like Friedrichshain or Kreuzberg before finishing up back at the starting point.
With themed experiences like the Cold War, Vibes of Berlin, street art, and top secret spots, theres a two-wheeled adventure for everyone.
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Know Before You Go Our Top Berlin Travel Tips
Travelling to Berlin can be such an enriching experience for the whole family. There are so many things to do in Berlin and having the best place to stay in Berlin with teenagers and wander is extremely important. Here weve got some information to get you planning your family vacation to Berlin to make it completely hassle-free.
Wander Around Hackesche Hfe
A network of eight courtyards in the Mitte district, Hackesche Höfe has become a cosmopolitan mixture of old and new, and east and west. Its coming alive during the sunny days with local Berliners going about their daily business.
The historic buildings are home to a range of cafes and restaurants, as well as boutiques selling everything from jewelry to souvenirs. Plus theres a cinema in one courtyard if youre looking for a day of entertainment and a handful of nightclubs for you party animals too.
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Best Airbnb In Berlin: Design Loft With Rooftop & Pool
Chic and stylish with access to a shared pool and cool rooftop garden, this apartment is located in the heart of Berlin, in the neighborhood of Mitte.
The compact apartment has a modern kitchen and the large windows provide plenty of natural lighting. Theres a separate desk and dining table and the apartment has free Wi-Fi. The monochrome pad is ideal for a couple.
Watch A Football Match In Berlin
Berlin is one of the places to holiday with teenagers who love sports. Berlin is home to football clubs, Hertha BSC and FC Union Berlin. These two Berlin football teams play their games at Berlins Olympiastadion while FC Union Berlin plays at The Stadion An der Alten Förstere. The football season in Germany runs from September through April year-on-year.
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Check Out The Sony Store
Found at Potsdamer Platz, the ultra-modern Sony Center is home to a Sony Store Berlin where you can browse the latest in digital technology. The PlayStation® Game Zone, in particular, is a hit for gadget-loving gamers.
Besides all the latest whiz-bang tech at the Sony Store itself, the Center also houses a cinema, restaurants, and plenty of shops.
Check Out The Natural History Museum
This sprawling 19th-century building houses a plethora of well-curated exhibits for all ages including fossils and preserved animals.
One of the essential things to do in Berlin for fans of zoology and evolution, the museums collections include everything from ancient Egyptian artifacts to dinosaur skeletons that have been reconstructed into lifelike poses.
The undisputed highlight? The worlds largest dinosaur skeleton, a Brachiosaurus standing a colossal 13.27 meters tall!
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Bike And Eat Your Way Around Berlin
Berlin is leading the way when it comes to cycling, with bike paths running to every corner of the city.
Riding a bike can actually work out to be cheaper and faster than taking public transport. This is why youll see so many locals pedaling around.
Being such a melting pot of cultures, Berlin has also developed a sprawling restaurant scene. So what could be better than combining riding around on a bike and sampling some of the best international cuisine in the city?
We tried out the Bike and Bite Tour by Berlin On Bike and loved every moment of it.
Our knowledgeable and entertaining guide, Florentine, took us around to a bunch of unique spots that is best accessed by bike, including community gardens and street markets.
This is a new tour and will be tweaked over time. During our trip we stopped by a raw vegan restaurant, ate world-class hummus, tasted some Asian tapas and finished with traditional German baked deserts. All washed down with hearty German beer.
A great way to spend an afternoon when you are looking for awesome things to do in Berlin.
Is there a better way to do Berlin sightseeing than on two wheels? Check out this awesome bike tour with Get Your Guide!
Stop By Checkpoint Charlie
Though the sight today is pretty cheesy, Checkpoint Charlie has historical significance. This was once an important border crossing point between East and West Berlin.
Fake guards stood here for photo ops until recently, but they arent allowed to be there anymore.
After a quick look, go to the Checkpoint Charlie Museum to learn more about the history.
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Try To Get Into The Worlds Most Famous Nightclub
Berghain is famous for rejecting people at the door for no reason, but if youget through, youre greeted with the hottest club in the world. Just make sureyoure wearing enough black to pass the cool test. If you dont like the ideaof rejection, the Berghain Kantine next door hosts concerts and you can stilldance as much as you want.
Picnic In The Liegeweise
The picnic area is one of places on the island where youd expect to findthe most people, but its still relatively sparse. Theres a smallbiergarten in this area, plus ample space to spread out your own blanketand eat the snacks you brought with you. This open paddock is surrounded bytrees as well, in case you need shelter from the hot summer sun.
TIP In case youre wondering, you can buy a picnic blanket like thiswith a water-proof bottom layer from just about any big department store inBerlin during the Summer.
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Things To Do In Berlin 202: Top Picks + Tips From Locals
Have you been thinking of visiting the German capital but are completely overwhelmed by all there is to do? Here are the best things to do in Berlin. These recommendations are top picks from locals, so you know it’s gonna be good.
Disclosure: Pilot is supported by our users. We may earn a small commission fee when you click on affiliate links on our website, and all recommendations are independently reviewed.
Former Berlin mayor once notoriously declared Berlin to be “poor but sexy.” Berlin has changed drastically since then, transitioning the city into a central hub for tourists and digital nomads alike. While the city has changed a lot since his statement 15 years ago, it still exudes the same vibes that make it a haven for creatives, artists, and entrepreneurs.
It’s also a pretty affordable destination compared to other European capitals, making it a good home base for digital nomads. The city is also known for its strong sense of inclusivity and progressive values, exemplified by the fact that it’s known as “Europe’s Vegan Capital.”
All in all, it’s a city that truly offers something for everyone.
From the history buffs that find Berlin museums to be the best in the world to EDM lovers that cite the capital’s nightlife as some of the best. There are so many unique and fun things to do in the city, the real challenge lies in finding the perfect place to stay in Berlin that’ll minimize the commute and maximize the fun!
Take A Cold War Berlin Architecture Tour
The Cold War in Berlin wasnt just about the wall: architecture across east and west became ensnared in the ideological battle. On this Context Travel architectural tour , not only will you see a side of Berlin that most others miss but its also a quick and fascinating way to see Berlin in one day.
At the end of the World War Two, one of Berlins many problems included the 1.5 million people left homeless and in desperate need of accommodation. A housing space race began, with butch ceramics of the Soviet drive for conformity competing with individualistic design in the West.
The East side begins in Karl-Marx Allee, a broad, stern street with a small café that contains part of Stalins statue moustache. The west takes in the Hansa Quarter, an ambitious social housing project involving Alvar Aalto and Oscar Niemeyer.
Pro Tip: Wear comfortable walking shoes as you cover a lot of ground. Also, ask them about the underground station tour. Book the tour here.
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Sing And Shop At Mauerpark
Over in Berlins Prenzlauer Berg neighborhood, youll find Mauerpark. The name means Wall Park because a part of the Berlin Wall and death strip once stood here.
Many attempted crossings were made here. In fact, 300 meters of the wall, now daubed in colorful art, still remains in the east part of the park.
In the summer months, this green space comes alive, with a festival-like atmosphere as families and friends gather to enjoy picnics and strolls. Theres even a karaoke stage, live music and a huge flea market on Sundays.
Meet Your Favorite Animal At Berlin Zoo
The Berlin Zoo is an animal lovers dream come true!
This sprawling 86-acre site houses more than 20,000 animals from nearly 1,400 species including giant pandas, polar bears, gorillas, adorable penguins and the snowy owl .
Visitors can explore the grounds at their own pace or take a guided tour to find out all about the zoos history . Get up close and personal with some of its friendly and furry inhabitants.
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Top Pick : Gendarmenmarkt
The Gendarmenmarkt is one of the most stunning squares in the city, located close to Friedrichstraße, Berlin’s exclusive shopping street in the central Mitte district. Three of the most impressive examples of architecture in the capital city are to be found here: the Concert House designed by Schinkel and the German and French Cathedrals .
Combine your visit to Gendarmenmarkt with a city tour and discover other top sights:
Get Some Coffee And Fresh Air In Kreuzberg
Coffee lovers, unite! Kreuzberg, Berlin is one of the main cultural centres of the city. It has tons of cafes, restaurants, art galleries, and parks. No matter where you stop by here, you will definitely enjoy how the residents and businesses of the area have decided to express themselves in their unique artistic ways.
If you are looking for a little nightlife after a stressful day at work, Kreuzberg also has some great bars and clubs you can go to.
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