Berlin is one of the top cities to visit in Europe. It’s well-known for its rich history, world-famous beer, remarkable sites, great nightlife, and notable museums. If you’re looking for a city that has it all, Berlin checks off every box.
While you can make Berlin a weekend trip, this is a location that benefits from as much time as you can give it. These 5 must-see places just scratch the surface of what Berlin has to offer (we didn’t even mention Museum Island!). Be sure to hit these spots and do additional research about what the city has to offer.
1. Brandenburg Gate
As a symbol of Berlin, you’ll rarely see someone go to Berlin without stopping to snap a picture at the Brandenburg Gate. The gate was built in the 1700s, which makes it a striking example of German classicism. During the separation of the city, it was used as one of the crossing points as well as a site of protest. In 2009, world leaders, dignitaries, and German citizens gathered at the gate to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the wall falling.
Throughout history, Brandenburg Gate has always served as a central point of the city, and it’s absolutely worth your time and attention if you’re passing through.
2. East Side Gallery
The East Side Gallery, covering a 1.3 kilometer stretch of the original Berlin Wall, is the largest open-air gallery in the world. After the wall fell in 1989, 118 artists from 21 different countries joined together to paint different sections of the wall. This community of artists now offer a political commentary on various events as well as messages of peace, love, and hope.
3. Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe
This Holocaust memorial is close to the Brandenburg Gate and spans approximately 19,000 square meters. The memorial itself consists of 2,711 (originally intended to be 4,000) concrete slabs in a wave-like pattern, and the terrain is unevenly inclined with the pillars at varying heights. The design allows you to get lost in the eerie alleys and claustrophobia sets in as you see the impact of this horrific event.
4. Reichstag
The Reichstag is the seat of German parliament, and it’s absolutely on the list of must-see places when you visit Berlin. Its history truly begins when it was damaged in the Reichstag fire of 1933 and then it continued to be damaged repeatedly during much of WWII. After the fall of the Berlin Wall, it was fully restored, and it’s worth a visit when you head to Germany’s capital.
5. TV Tower
The TV Tower is also known as the “Eiffel Tower of Berlin.” To this day, it remains the only city TV tower in Europe. It was built because a separate TV broadcasting system was necessary for East Berlin during the years of division in the city. As one of Berlin’s most iconic landmarks with over 1.2 million visitors per year, this is the perfect spot to get a view of the city. It’s a steel sphere that contains a visitor platform and a revolving restaurant.
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