Berlin Travelers Recommend

As the capital of Germany, the setting of the hard-fought Battle of Berlin, and the home of the Führerbunker underground shelter where Hitler committed suicide, Berlin was the site of many key events in world history. Here are just a few of the places in and around the city that are closely associated with the Third Reich and World War II. 

Reichstag

An emblem of the city, Berlin’s Reichstag parliament building dates back to 1894. Though it was severely damaged by a fire in 1933 and remained unused during the Nazi era, it nevertheless remained a big target during World War II. The famous image of the raised Soviet flag on its roof serves as a symbol of the Red Army’s victory at the Battle of Berlin.

Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp

Situated in Oranienburg, just north of Berlin, Sachsenhausen was one of the first concentration camps built by the Nazis. Opened in 1936, it served as a model for later camps. By the time it was liberated in 1945, around 200,000 people had been imprisoned here. 

Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe (Holocaust Memorial)

Opened in 2005, this somber memorial, designed by American architect Peter Eisenman, consists of thousands of different-size concrete slabs spread across a 4.7-acre (1.9-hectare) site. The memorial is just a few hundred feet away from the site of the Führerbunker—now an nondescript parking lot—where Hitler spent his last days. 

Topography of Terror

Set on the site of the former headquarters of the Third Reich and SS Central Command, this museum traces the history of Nazi institutions. A series of indoor and outdoor exhibits collectively recount the plans, atrocities, and crimes hatched by party members at this very location. 

Rich history, hip neighborhoods, and inviting cuisines fill the German capital of Berlin. Over the course of three days in the city, there’s plenty of time to go sightseeing, wander through museums, and even discover nearby towns and attractions. Here are a few ways to spend 72 hours in Berlin. 

Day 1: Welcome to Berlin

Catch a glimpse of Berlin’s fascinating history with a full day of sightseeing. If a Champagne breakfast is your style, a skip-the-line ticket to the Berlin TV Tower includes a glass of bubbly with your meal. Move quickly (though at your own pace) throughout the city with a hop-on hop-off bus tour, or sign up for a bike tour to explore on two wheels. If you’re looking to visit many sights while in town, check out the Berlin Pass, which offers free entry to more than 50 attractions including the Checkpoint Charlie Museum. History buffs will learn new details about Berlin’s complicated past during guided tours such as a Cold War Walking Tour. Finish the day with a scenic cruise down the River Spree.

Day 2: City Culture, Street Food, and Vibrant Neighborhoods

Go deeper into contemporary Berlin to learn about how people are living in Germany’s capital today. Walking tours focused on neighborhoods such as Kreuzberg and Friedrichshain open doors into the latest in art, fashion, food, and nightlife. If you’re interested in Berlin’s street art scene, sign up for a small-group street art tour complete with a graffiti workshop. After dark, set out on a food tour by bike to discover Berlin’s culinary scene, or head to the Charlottenburg Palace for a concert by the Berlin Residence Orchestra. 

Day 3: Beyond Berlin’s Borders

Maximize your time in Germany with a day trip outside of Berlin. A serious and deeply moving option is a tour of the Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp, which exposes the story of this camp during and after World War II. A lighter, more festive outing could lead you to Dresden, where grand palaces, baroque architecture, and beer gardens await, or to Potsdam, home to museums, more palaces, and extensive gardens. Return to Berlin in the evening to take in the city’s renowned electric nightlife. 

With its parks, museums, and the palace of Sanssouci, the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Potsdam is a perfect day trip from Berlin—it's just 15 miles (24 kilometers) from the German capital, on the Havel River. Here are a few ways to experience the area.

Guided Group Tours

Whether it's on foot, by bike, or via coach, a guided group tour of Potsdam is an excellent way to maximize your time in Brandenburg's capital city. Here in the "Versailles of Germany," you can explore fairy-tale landscapes; wander through the rococo palace of Sanssouci (meaning "carefree" in French) where the Prussian kings came to relax; and enjoy lunch at an authentic beer garden on a half- or full-day guided day trip from Berlin.

Private Tours

A private tour gives you the benefit of a flexible itinerary, with time to visit the sites you'd most like to see. Your tour guide can offer tips tips on the best places to eat, drink, and shop in Potsdam's old city, and you'll have their undivided attention throughout the day. Whether you opt for a full day away from Berlin or a half-day tour, a customizable private tour is a great option for groups or families with kids.

Things to Know

• Potsdam is set just 15 miles (24 kilometers) west of Berlin, a journey of 25 minutes by train or 40 minutes by road.

• Be sure to bring your camera, comfortable walking shoes, and water and snacks for the journey.

• Most tours include round-trip transportation.

A day in Berlin could easily be spent in one of the city’s wonderful museums. But if you’re looking to maximize time in the German capital, it’s possible to pack loads of history, food, and sightseeing into a single day. Here’s what you need to know about biking, strolling, and eating your way through Berlin in 24 hours.

Morning: Urban Orientation

Begin a day in Berlin with a tour to orient yourself in the city. Follow a guide to explore on two wheels with a Berlin Bike Tour, or save your energy and cover ground more quickly with a Segway tour. Maximize time in the city and explore at your own pace with a ticket for the hop-on hop-off bus that includes top sights such as Brandenburg Gate, Checkpoint Charlie, Charlottenburg Palace, Potsdamer Platz, and more. Consider a hop-on hop-off tour ticket that includes extras, from a cruise on the River Spree to skip-the-line entry at the TV Tower.

Afternoon: History and Grub

Learn about Berlin’s complicated history during one of several history-themed guided tours, including a Third Reich Sites walking tour or an intimate private walking tour focused on World War II and Cold War sites. Hear stories about different eras of Berlin’s history during the Discover Berlin Half-Day walking tour, including major landmarks such as the Reichstag, the Holocaust Memorial, and the Berlin Wall. If you would rather go off the beaten path, you can explore the hip neighborhood of Kreuzberg with a food, culture, and street art tour complete with street food snacks.

Night: Neighborhoods and Night Views

Berlin is known for its electric after-dark atmosphere. Experience the vibrant neighborhood of Prenzlauer Berg with a local leading the way during an evening Berlin food tour by bike. This tour visits three restaurants representing different sides of Berlin’s culinary scene, including Turkish and Middle Eastern cuisines. Berlin’s landmarks take on a different feel after dark. Catch a glimpse of nighttime views over the city’s rooftops with skip-the-line tickets for the TV Tower.  

The sprawling German capital is full of historic landmarks, hip neighborhoods, and a diverse food scene. While the city’s size can be intimidating, with a bit of planning it’s possible to get a taste of everything in 48 hours. Here are a few ways to spend two days in Berlin.

Day 1: Sights, Tastes, and Sounds

**Morning:**Move through Berlin’s must-see areas with a hop-on hop-off bus tour, which stops at major landmarks including Brandenburg Gate, Checkpoint Charlie, and the Berlin Wall Memorial. Get an introduction to the city’s history and main attractions with on-board commentary while exploring the city at your own pace. 

**Afternoon:**Eat lunch with a view atop the Berlin TV tower—and with skip-the-line tickets, there’s no need to worry about crowds. For a more off-the-beaten-path option, sign up for a tour of the vibrant Kreuzberg, Mitte and Friedrichshain neighborhoods, including their food and street art. 

**Night:**Complete a day of sightseeing with a concert at the Charlottenburg Palace, including a palace tour. Listen to a performance by the Berlin Residence Orchestra and relax during a 3-course dinner. Alternatively, check out a craft beer and brewery tour to see local microbreweries and sample German craft beers. 

Day 2: All About History

**Morning:**Learn about Berlin’s complex past during a highlights and hidden sights walking tour that includes seeing where Hitler’s bunker was located. If you’re interested in zeroing in on the history of the 1940s, you may want to opt for a World War II–themed tour.

**Afternoon:**Join a private guide for a moving tour designed by a military historian of the Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp. Learn about the camp’s history and see the grounds with a private guide to answer all your questions. 

**Night:**Cruise down the River Spree to experience the beauty of Berlin after dark with an evening cruise, including dinner and drinks. To see a more contemporary side of Berlin, check out the Friedrichstadt-Palast Show, a high-fashion revue show with over 500 costumes plus live music, dancers, and acrobats. 

The Berlin Wall fell in 1989, but it wasn’t until 1990 that Germany was officially reunified. Every October 3, Berliners celebrate the forward-thinking spirit of their city. Here’s how to join in on the fun.  

• Celebrate local culture with a concert at the Charlottenburg Palace.
• Discover the details of the Cold War period in Berlin with a Cold War-themed walking tour.
• Experience the vibrant neighborhoods Berliners call home during a stroll through Kreuzberg, Mitte, and Friedrichshain.
• Join a bike tour focused on surviving sections of the Berlin Wall and Cold War history.
• Learn about Berlin’s history with a Highlights and Hidden Sites historical walking tour.

Berlin’s once-thriving Jewish community was largely destroyed during WWII, but many important remnants remain. From memorials and museums to reconstructed synagogues, the city is full of opportunities to learn and explore the turbulent history of Berlin’s Jewish residents. Here’s what to see. 

Otto Weidt Museum

This former broom and brush factory has been preserved almost as it was during WWII, when factory owner Otto Weidt used his business to employ blind and deaf Jews in order to prevent them from being deported to concentration camps. Today the site features exhibits such as photographs and letters from former workers. 

Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe

Set near Brandenburg Gate in the former location of the Berlin Wall, the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe covers 4.7 acres (1.9 hectares) and contains 2,711 concrete slabs arranged in a grid pattern. The site is thought to resemble a graveyard of headstones or sarcophagi, and serves as a reminder of lives lost during the Holocaust. 

Old Cemetery

What looks like a small park in Berlin’s Mitte district was once the city’s first Jewish cemetery, destroyed by the Nazis in 1943. Some 2,700 people were buried in the Old Cemetery (Friedhof Grosse Hamburger Strasse), including German Jewish philosopher Moses Mendelssohn. Today the site contains a sarcophagus filled with sand from destroyed gravestones, which commemorates all those buried there.

New Synagogue

Once Berlin’s main synagogue, this structure was destroyed by Allied bombing during WWII and rebuilt during the late 20th century as a memorial to the Jewish faith. Today the Moorish-style New Synagogue houses the Jewish Center (Centrum Juaicum), which depicts the story of the building and the people who worshipped there.

Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp Memorial

Located just north of Berlin, Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp was once one of the Nazi regime’s harshest prison camps. Today Sachsenhausen is a museum and memorial to the thousands of people who lost their lives there, with a library, archive, and open-air exhibits.

Germany’s Dresden is noted for the reconstructed classic architecture of its old town, as the home of royal Saxon kings was destroyed during World War II and rebuilt afterwards. Here are a few ways to see modern Dresden on a day trip from Berlin.

Group Tours

Group tours make for a fun, cost-effective way to explore Dresden. With included transportation, you’ll travel travel to see the most important sights in the city center, such as the Zwinger Palace, Semper Opera House, and the famous Church of our Lady, and enjoy free time to explore the city at your own pace.

Private Tours

Private day trips to Dresden ensure a personal experience with the freedom to customize your itinerary. Head out from your Berlin hotel with a private driver and tour guide, then spend the day on a walking tour of what was once called the German Florence—and is still considered one of the most beautiful cities in Germany.

Things to Know

• Dresden is about a two-hour drive south of Berlin.

• Most day trips from Berlin last at least 8 hours, so be prepared for a full day.

• Some day trips combine a visit to Dresden with a visit to nearby Messen.

Berlin is a hotbed of creativity and artistic talent, and you only have to look at the variety and quality of this German city's street art for your proof. From workshops to walking tours, here's how to find the best of the Berlin street art scene.

Street Art Tours

Follow a guide on a walking tour through the streets and alleys of Berlin to discover an ever-changing world of creative, expressive paintings and paste-ups from artists such as Blu, Osgemeos, and ROA—considered by many in the scene to be among the most skilled street artists in Germany. You'll learn the history of the city's underground art scene, which began in the late 1970s. To cover more ground and see even more art, switch to two wheels on a street art bike tour and spin through some of Berlin's most colorful districts.

Graffiti Workshops

Berlin's urban art and graffiti workshops allow keen amateurs and experienced artists alike to experiment with new street art styles and hone their skills. Explore parts of alternative Berlin where the city's artists are most prevalent, such as eastern Kreuzberg (the traditional home of Berlin's punk rock movement) and head to an abandoned Berlin factory, where local artists paint, to create your own canvas piece to take home.

Berlin is one of the world’s best cities for nightlife. From sunset until dawn, the German capital positively pulses with life. Among the highlights of Berlin’s many after-dark activities are its dazzling light festivals. See below to find out more about two of the brightest and best.

Berlin Festival of Lights

Brightening up Berlin for about 10 days every October, this popular festival sees the city’s most famous landmarks set aglow. Iconic sights such as the Berlin Television Tower (Berliner Fernsehturm) and Potsdamer Platz are illuminated with colorful displays, with light artists from Germany and beyond creating spectacular light projections using video mapping and eye-popping light art installations. If you want to experience the magic without having to navigate in the dark, opt for a light art evening city tour that takes you to all the most striking illuminations.

Berlin Illuminated

Beginning in late September and running in tandem with October’s Berlin Festival of Lights, Berlin Illuminated (known to locals as Berlin Leuchtet) is the perfect complement to the Festival of Lights. Together they are known as Berlin Lights Week. As in its sister festival, artists use the city’s infrastructure—including squares, bridges, and monuments like the Berlin Cathedral (Berliner Dom), the Victory Column, and the Brandenburg Gate—as canvases for projections, laser shows, and other glimmering extravaganzas. Like the Berlin Festival of Lights, all Berlin Illuminated installations are free to view.