Germany’s most-visited city, Berlin is a global capital that escapes easy categorisation. Without the clear town centre, port, or old town that defines other German cities, Berlin is a collection of districts united by a recent history of destruction, reconstruction, division and reunification. In recent years, it has risen in popularity as a tourist destination, renowned for its museums, abundance of 20th-century historical sites and all-hours nightlife. With so many things to see and do in Berlin, it can be hard to plan an itinerary.
Below, we break down thirty-three of the best places to visit, including expert advice on where to go, how to get there and what to eat and drink. Learn about Berlin’s must-see attractions and hidden gems, as well as advice on using a Berlin eSIM to get around and keep you connected during your stay.
5 Must-See Places in Berlin
1. The Brandenburg Gate
The Brandenburg Gate is the iconic symbol of the city. The monument has served as the backdrop to countless historic events, from the Prussian military parades to Nazi rallies and the fall of the Berlin Wall.
2. Museumsinsel
For such a large city with no clearly defined centre, Berlin’s most-visited attractions are conveniently compacted into a relatively small area within the districts of Tiergarten and Mitte. One of these sites is the Museumsinsel. This island in the Spree is home to Berlin’s five most prestigious museums and galleries, covering thousands of years of human history and handiwork. From the Pergamon’s ancient artifacts to the classical artworks of the Alte Nationalgalerie, a Berlin Museum pass grants access to all 5 museums – allow more than a day if you wish to visit each one. It’s also worth noting that the first Sunday of every month is Museums Sunday, when hundreds of museums around the city allow free entry.
3. The Reichstag
Destroyed in a fire in the 1930s, then again during the Battle of Berlin in 1945, the Reichstag symbolizes Berlin, and by extension Germany’s, reinvention and reconstruction after the devastation of World War II. The German Parliament building is topped by a Norman Foster-designed glass dome, purposely at odds with the imposing sandstone columns underneath. The rooftop is open to the public and provides panoramic views across Tiergarten Park and central Berlin.
4. The Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe
Also known as the Holocaust Memorial, this array of over 2,500 concrete blocks is an immersive, claustrophobic and deeply affecting monument to one of the greatest crimes in history. Two further memorials across the road commemorate the Roma, Sinti and homosexual populations also persecuted and killed in the Holocaust. The nearby Topographie des Terror Museum is built on the former site of the Gestapo headquarters and provides informative context to the memorials.
5. Schloss Charlottenburg
Due to the magnitude of events that centered on the city over the last 100 years, it can be easy to forget about Berlin’s prior history as the seat of the Prussian Empire. Discover the decadence of 18th-century royal life at the Schloss Charlottenburg. Originally commissioned by the Prussian Queen Sophie Charlotte, the palace is now open for self-guided tours. Visitors can also enter the grounds for free. For more 18th-century architecture, take a train to the Brandenburg capital Potsdam and visit the palace and gardens of Schloss Sanssouci.
The Best Museums and Galleries in Berlin
1. The Bode Museum
The smallest of the five Museumsinsel buildings, the Bode collection narrows its focus to sculpture and Byzantine art. This eclectic mix, displayed in ornate 18th-century surroundings, makes the Bode one of Berlin's most interesting museums. Head to the nearby James-Simon Park to relax and enjoy some of the finest views of the Museumsinsel and Berliner Dom.
2. The Neue Nationalgalerie
Re-opened in 2020 after lenghty renovations, Berlin’s Neue Nationalgalerie is equally famous for the Van der Rohe-designed building as for the collection of 20th-century art inside. A contemporary counterpoint to the classical Alte Nationalgalerie, the Neue Nationalgalerie is a must-visit site for modern art fans. Art lovers should also check out the Brohan Museum, dedicated to 20th-century Art Nouveau and Art Deco, and the Hamburger Bahnhof, a former train station turned display space for large-scale modern art installations.
3. The Brücke Museum
The Brücke Museum is a small but expertly curated gallery dedicated to the highly influential Brücke school of expressionist painters. The museum, in the Dahlem suburb of Berlin, is a tonic to the vast halls and crowds of the Museumsinsel. It hosts many temporary exhibitions in addition to the permanent collection of Brücke artists – plan your visit accordingly.
4. The Jewish Museum
In Berlin’s Jewish Museum, the building itself is an integral part of the exhibition. A masterpiece of immersive design from Polish-American architect Daniel Libeskind, the slanting walls and twisting layout accentuate the exhibitions and installations detailing the history of Jewish life in Germany.
5. The Stasi Museum and Hohenschönhausen Prison
Seemingly a nondescript office block in the eastern district of Lichtenberg, 20 Normannenstrasse is the former headquarters of the East German secret police, or Stasi. Today, the complex houses the Stasi Museum, including the office of Erich Mielke, the former Stasi chief. Further north, the former Stasi Prison of Hohenschönhausen is a sobering exploration of policing in the GDR, where former prisoners lead guided tours through cells they were once held in.
The Best Historical Sites in Berlin
1. The Berlin Wall Memorial and East Side Gallery
Remnants of the Berlin Wall still exist throughout the city – the longest stretch is the East Side Gallery, now a public art project where street artists from around the world have covered a 1300-metre-long section of wall with messages of peace and unity. For a more in-depth exploration of life under the wall, the Berlin Wall memorial in Bernauer Strasse is a free outdoor museum housing a section of the wall and watchtower, along with a reconstructed exclusion zone on either side of it. The neighbouring visitor centre helps to build a clearer image of the scale of the structure and life alongside it.
2. Die Kulturbrauerei
Berlin is a flat city with a great cycling infrastructure. Book a guided bicycle tour at this former brewery in the Prenzlauer Berg neighbourhood and uncover the history that lurks behind every street corner. With a range of tours to choose from, including food and drink, Berlin Wall history and even Euro 2024 tours, this is a family-friendly and educational way to explore the city.
3. Karl-Marx Allee
Conceived as the Soviet answer to the Champs-Elysees, Karl-Marx Allee was the former main thoroughfare of East Berlin. The street is a stunning display of Mid-century soviet architecture, built to a dizzying scale. Must-see highlights along the route include the still-functioning Kino International cinema, the Cafe Moscow, and the white marble colonnades of Frankfurter Tor.
4. The Soviet War Memorial, Treptower Park
Another example of the sheer scale of Soviet public monuments, the Treptower Park Soviet War Memorial is a monument and mass grave of 5,000 Red Army soldiers killed during the battle of Berlin. The heart of the complex is an avenue flanked by granite seized from Hitler’s chancellery, and culminating in a towering statue of a soviet soldier crushing a swastika underfoot.
The Best Parks in Berlin
1. Treptower Park
In contrast to the sparse field of Mauerpark or the vast open plain of Tempelhof, Treptower Park is an ornate, landscaped area in the tradition of Victorian parks like Copenhagen’s Tivoli Gardens or London’s Regent's Park. As well as the previously mentioned War Memorial, Treptower parks contains a boat hire, rose gardens, cafes, and one of Berlin's prettiest beer Gardens, Zenner.
2. Tiergarten
Tiergarten is Berlin’s central park, bordering the Brandenburg Gate. One of the oldest and largest in the city, Tiergarten was formerly a private hunting forest for Prussian Emperors. This royal legacy can be explored Schloss Bellevue, an 18th-century Palace in the middle of the park. Tiergarten is a prime location to decompress after a day of sightseeing in Mitte, and visitors can easily spend a day wandering the tidy lawns and visiting the cafes and pavilions scattered throughout. Stop at the Cafe am Neuen See, a waterfront beer garden, or the HKW, a contemporary arts centre with a focus on fostering cross-cultural connections.
3. Tempelhofer Feld
A functioning airport until 2008, Tempelhofer Feld is a public park that still very much feels like an airstrip. The vast open space is one of the best places in the city to view the sunset, while the 1930s terminal building, designed by the Nazi chief architect Albert Speer, was once one of the largest buildings in the world. Today, the park is an unorthodox but beloved public space, housing BBQ areas, sports facilities and even its own beehives and honey.
4. Mauerpark
Next to the Berlin Wall Memorial, Mauerpark is a tract of land that was reclaimed from the fall of the wall and encapsulates Berlin’s affinity for resurrection. Today, Mauerpark is a bustling city park in the trendy Prenzlauer Berg district that hosts one of the city's biggest flea markets every Sunday.
5. Körnerpark
Körnerpark is one of Berlin’s most charming and under-the-radar parks. Located in the residential area of Neukölln, Körnerpark is a small but perfectly formed sunken garden complete with fountains, palm trees and a terrace cafe overlooking the lawns. This gem of a park borders Richardplatz, one of Berlin’s few surviving sections of medieval architecture.
Where to Eat in Berlin
1. Max und Moritz
A Wirtshaus is a traditional German bistro, comparable to a British pub, where comfort food is served in friendly surroundings. The Berlin institution Max und Moritz is a fine example of the form. Traditional German classics like Semmelknödel and Schweinshaxe have been served here since 1902.
2. Peter Schlemihl
For a more contemporary take on German cooking, Peter Schlemihl offers a rotating menu of inventive interpretations of Berliner cuisine, though their Käsespätzle, or noodles drenched in cheese sauce and fried onions, is particularly acclaimed.
3. Rausch Schokoladenhaus
The largest chocolate shop in the world, Rausch Schokoladenhaus is a 3-story monument to the food, complete with a museum, in-house kitchen and scale models of Berlin landmarks made out of chocolate. Rausch is a great option for family holidays to Berlin, and is conveniently located near to major sites like Gendarmemarkt and the Brandenburg Gate. Visit their cafe to sample a range of chocolate cakes and desserts, as well as some of the most decadent hot chocolate you'll ever try.
4. Jemenitische Restaurant
Much of the strength of the Berlin food scene is that it isn’t restricted to German cooking. As a world city, Berlin offers countless global cuisines. A highlight is the Jemenitische Restaurant on Karl-Marx Straße - visit this neighborhood staple to try a wide range of Yemeni dishes, best shared among a group. In summer, these can be enjoyed while people-watching in the extensive outdoor terrace.
5. Curry-Baude
Berlin has two famous culinary exports: döner kebabs and currywurst. While the debate on Berlin’s best döner is so extensive we’ve given it its own section below, the best currywurst also divides the population. Curry 36 in Kreuzberg may draw the largest crowds, but in our humble opinion, Curry-Baude outside Berlin’s Gesundbrunnen underground station is the best place to go for this iconic snack. The kiosk has been run by local legend Reina Lehmann since the fall of the wall and serves authentic currywurst and 'pommes rot-weiss' to crowds of hungry commuters.
The Best Döner in Berlin
The döner kebab originates from Shawarma sandwiches of Türkiye and the Middle East, reinvented in Berlin by Turkish immigrants in the 1970s. Since then, they've become one of Germany’s most successful exports.
If you want to immediately start a passionate argument in a Berlin bar, ask someone where to find the best döner. It’s an ongoing debate, fraught with personal preferences – chicken or lamb? Which sauces are used? What shape is the bread? While there may never be an outright winner, some of the city's most notable and beloved döner restaurants are listed here.
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Rüyam
With two locations and a steady queue outside at all hours, Rüyam Gemüse Kebab is a true Berlin institution. Their maroon frontage shines like a beacon to hungry workers and late-night diners. The gemüse kebabs use chicken, rather than the traditional lamb or veal, and are served with an array of sauces. Mustafa’s Gemüse Kebab in Kreuzberg may be more famous, but Rüyam is considered by many Berliners to be the pinnacle of kebab cuisine.
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Hasır Ocakbaşı
One of the oldest döner restaurants in Berlin, Hasır Ocakbaşı is a family business renowned for the quality of the bread used in their döner sandwiches. For a more formal experience, the next-door Hasır restaurant serves a wider range of traditional Turkish cuisine.
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Pamfilya
Pamfilya is a traditional Turkish restaurant and grill in Berlin’s Wedding district with an extensive menu covering the many aspects of Turkish cooking. Similar to Hasir, Pamfilya also has a walk-up window facing the street, where passers-by can order one of the best döner kebabs in Berlin.
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7 Days
Schöneberg is a charming district that houses some notable cultural sites, including David Bowie and Iggy Pop’s old apartment and the Schwules Museum of LGBT+ History. It’s also home to 7 Days and Rüyam, two neighbouring kebab restaurants that divide the locals' loyalty. Ideally, try one of each while you explore the museums, bookshops and galleries of Schöneberg.
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Imren Grill
In Berlin Neukölln, Imren Grill is a traditional döner grill that provides an authentic Turkish interpretation of döner, alongside sides, soups and stews. A Neukölln institution, Imren Grill enjoys a citywide reputation. Expect a small queue here at peak times.
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Honourable Mentions: Zagros, Vöner Vegan Döner, Döner Dach, Superhahn
The Best Places to Experience Berlin's Nightlife
1. Your Local Späti
Many idiosyncrasies of Berlin nightlife set it apart from other German cities. One of these is the role of the Späti, or late-night convenience shop. Often open 24 hours, many Spätis in Berlin function as pseudo-bars, complete with toilets, tables and televisions. Sitting outside a späti for hours over a few drinks or snacks is a fundamental Berlin experience.
2. Berlin Kneipes
A kneipe is a traditional Berlin pub, usually identified by a glowing Schultheiss Beer sign out front and beer mats, dartboards and a jukebox inside. The focus is on a cosy atmosphere and straightforward drinks, and many also have a small kitchen serving traditional German snacks. Some historic family-owned Kneipes include Krüger Eck, Zum Magendoktor and Metzer Eck.
3. Weserstrasse Bars
‘Living room bars’ are a Berlin specialty. The areas of Kreuzberg, Friedrichshain and Neukölln are filled with candlelit bars that feature mismatched vintage furniture, jumbled arrangements of tables and booths and kitschy decor, enhanced by the low lighting. Weserstrasse in Neukölln is lined with such venues, ranging from the laid-back Ä Bar to the high-end cocktail spot Weserkrug and the arthouse cinema/cafe Wolf Kino.
4. Berlin Clubs
Berlin’s nightlife, and techno scene in particular, is deeply tied to the city’s identity. During the 1990s, young Berliners helped to establish the progressive, DIY ethos that still defines the city clubbing scene and has since gained a worldwide reputation. This was formally validated in 2024, when UNESCO declared Berlin’s clubs as cultural institutions, affording them similar legal protections to museums and art galleries. Whichever club you choose to visit, it’s important to be respectful of crowd. Many of Berlin’s largest techno clubs including Berghain, Tresor and KitKat and were founded as, and continue to be, queer spaces first and foremost – enjoy the music, let people express themselves, and don’t take photos.
Berlin eSIM data plans
Travel Tips for Berlin
Getting around
The Berlin Metro (U-Bahn) network is an efficient and convenient way to get around town. The majority of the most famous sights, including the Brandenburg Gate, Tiergarten and Museumsinsel are located along the U5 and U2 lines. A ticket for the metro will also grant you access to all public transport options, including buses, the S-Bahn (overground train service) and even the public ferry services across the Spree.
Berlin also has a healthy cycling infrastructure and is mostly flat. This makes hiring a bike a convenient and fun way to get around, especially in summer. Whichever route you take, using a Berlin eSIM means you’ll be able to use navigation apps like Citymapper or Google Maps without paying international roaming fees.
During your stay
Berlin is an international city, and English is often spoken and understood in the more tourist-heavy areas of Mitte, Friedrichshain and Kreuzberg. Nevertheless, it's always a good idea to learn some basic phrases before you go. A translation app like DeepL can be an indispensable help - using one with a German eSIM ensures you'll always be able to make yourself understood during your trip.
Another aspect that surprises many first-time visitors is how many places in Berlin will not accept card payments. Try and keep some Euros on you during your stay.
Use a Berlin eSIM to Stay Connected
From calling an Uber to translating menus, a reliable mobile internet connection will make your trip to Berlin infinitely easier. Using your domestic data abroad can incur high roaming charges, and using a local German SIM card means losing access to your old contacts, messages and more.
The easiest way to get online on your phone in Germany is with a travel eSIM. These combine the best of both worlds - they allow you to access low-cost German mobile data and use your phone as you normally would. If you're travelling with a tablet, you can also purchase iPad eSIM plans for Berlin. Best of all, these prepaid eSIM plans for Berlin are valid throughout the whole of Germany, so you can continue your trip without worrying about roaming charges or hidden costs.
