“The beauty of Germany is its cities. Among them, Berlin is neither the oldest nor the most beautiful. But its liveliness is unmatched.”
Former Berlin mayor and German president Richard von Weizsäcker spoke these words. So, we decided to take a closer look at the liveliest as well as the most historically important city in Germany: Berlin. Here are 33 musts in the German capital.
Berlin Style
Yes, it’s true, Berlin is indeed quite hipstery, which is reason enough to have a closer look at at least a few corners/cafés.
1) Breakfast at Haferkater: Where better to start our list than a great breakfast spot? Fuel up for your day at Haferkater, a breakfast chain famous for its porridge.
2) Wahrhaft Nahrhaft: Between 9am and 6pm, you’ll find the hippest Berliners at this colorful Vintage-Café in Friedrichshain. And not just for the ambiance…the vegan bagels are also a draw!
3) Ahoy Berlin: The Café and coworking spot in the Brunnenviertel district showcases contemporary Berlin lifestyle: industrial design, international flair, startuppers from all over the world and all kinds of events. Travelers should definitely drop in for a coffee.
But “Berlin Style” isn’t just hipster. There are some iconic establishments worth a visit as well.
Old-school haunts
4) Friedrichstadt Palast: The theatre, one of Europe’s top venues for revue shows, has remained a true classic since opening in 1919. If you like colorful shows and want to experience a genuine piece of Berlin history, then spend an evening here.
5) Shake your tailfeather at Clärchen’s Ballhaus: Berliners have been coming to this restaurant and dancehall since 1913. In addition to the excellent local cuisine, you can cut up a rug on the dance floor or just watch the other get down. The Hall of Mirrors is quite particular, but don’t forget to check out the Winter Garden.
The classics
6) The Berlin TV Tower: The view from the top, especially in the evening, is simply breathtaking and the perfect place to snap a shot of Alexanderplatz. Alternatively, the view from Park Inn’s terrace also provides some spectacular eye candy.
7) Brandenburg Gate: Arguably Berlin’s most iconic landmark, Brandenburg Gate is a must…if only for your Instagram feed. To discover its 300-year history, check out the multimedia exhibition.
8) Visit the Reichstag: The view from its famous glass dome is a highlight of any trip. Definitely book your tickets in advance!
9) Pergamon Museum: Even though the Pergamon Altar is still under restoration, this Museum Island highlight is worth a visit.
10) Currywurst: A gastronomic classic! We recommend either Curry 36 or Konnopke’s Snack.
11) Hamburger Bahnhof: The Museum für Gegenwart displays contemporary art in the old railway station for the Hamburg-Berlin route.
12) New synagogue: The building became famous for its distinct architecture and importance to the city’s Jewish population.
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The International side
Berlin, a world hub, is worth a visit simply because of its multitude of international restaurants. Here are our most unusual highlights.
13) Tajik tea room: The ideal place to take a sightseeing break in the Oranienstraße.
14) Nannuoshan: Linger in this inviting Chinese tea house in Heckmanns Höfe.
Out in the open
15) Sundays at Mauerpark: Whether for a flea market, a picnic between the street artists or a short walk, a Sunday in Mauerpark is practically required for every weekend trip.
16) Princess Gardens: Relax in the bar and restaurant within this Urban Gardening Project.
17) Wannsee: “Pack your swimming trunks, take your little sister by the hand. And let’s all go out to Wannsee,” goes the famous German song Pack die Badehose. The country’s most popular lake offers a refreshing reprieve from the city. Go take a swim!
18) Tiergarten: Berlin’s green soul with its Café am Neuen See is perfect for a short break.
19) Tempelhofer Feld: Since its 2010 opening, the Tempelhofer Feld with all its gardens and parks is one of the world’s largest open spaces.
20) Spreerundfahrt: See Berlin from the water for a new perspective!
21) Modernist housing estates: This term is used to describe housing estates built between 1913 and 1934, including the Horseshoe Settlement and the White City. In 2008, they became a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Memorials
22) Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe: The monument, not far from Brandenburg Gate, opened in 2005.
23) Sachsenhausen: A visit to this concentration camp north of Berlin is quite emotional as its a testament to the atrocities of Nazi rule.
Around the Wall
24) Asisi Panorama: The 360-degree installation at Checkpoint Charlie takes you through an autumn day in Kreuzberg.
25) East Side Gallery: The most famous and colorful piece of Berlin Wall history displaying works from several street artists.
26) Stasi Museum: Located on the former grounds of the Ministry of State Security, the museum’s permanent exhibition vividly depicts what state security was like under the SED dictatorship.
27) GDR Museum: In a particularly interactive way, the museum tries to take visitors back to everyday life in the German Democratic Republic. The blog regularly features recipes from this era.
The Royals
28) Schloss Sanssouci: The dream castle less than one hour away is a perfect excursion for anyone looking to get out of the city for a day.
29) Bellevue Castle: This Tiergarten castle is the seat of the Federal President. Visit it while taking a walk in the park.
30) Schloss Charlottenburg: Like many other castles in Berlin and Brandenburg, the castle belongs to the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site. It’s the largest palace complex of the German emperors in Berlin and, with its beautifully furnished interior, a visit here is like journeying through time.
The unusual museums
31) Ritter Sport Schokowelt: This chocolate lovers paradise is waiting for you on Französische Straße. Create your very own version – “Square. Practical. Good.”!
32) Körperwelten Berlin Alexanderplatz: At the Dr. Gunther von Hagens Museum, you’ll find human sculptures that showcase the different contexts of human bodies.
33) Subterranean Berlin: In numerous thematically different guided tours, you’ll explore sewer tunnels, old or unfinished underground stations and former bunkers.