Planning a free trip to Berlin, Germany? This article integrates 10 must-visit attractions in Berlin for you, from the iconic Brandenburg Gate to the historic Museum Island, and even to the remnants of the Berlin Wall, taking you to explore this city full of historical charm. Detailed transportation routes are also provided at the end, allowing you to travel around Berlin with ease!
Berlin's 10 Must-Visit Attractions
Brandenburg Gate
As a landmark of Berlin, the Brandenburg Gate is a must-visit for every tourist. This Neoclassical style gate, built in the 18th century, once served as the boundary between East and West Berlin, symbolizing the city's division. Today, the Brandenburg Gate stands as a witness to Berlin's reunification, becoming a symbol of freedom and peace.
Address: Pariser Platz, 10117 Berlin
Getting there: Take the subway to Brandenburger Tor station (S1, S2, S25, U55) or Bundestag station (U55)
Museum Island
Museum Island is a small island on the Spree River that houses five world-renowned museums, including the Pergamon Museum, the Old National Gallery, and the New Museum. It's a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The museums on the island boast rich collections, ranging from ancient Egyptian artifacts to Greek and Roman sculptures, and artworks from the Middle Ages and Renaissance periods. You can explore the treasures of human civilization all in one place.
Address: Bodestraße 1-3, 10178 Berlin
Transportation: Take the subway to Friedrichstraße station (S1, S2, S25, S5, S7, S75, U6) or Hackescher Markt station (S5, S7, S75).
East Side Gallery
The Berlin Wall divided East and West Berlin for 28 years until its official collapse on November 9, 1989, marking the end of the Cold War. The remaining wall now stands as a testament to history. Walking along the East Side Gallery, observing the colorful graffiti and politically charged murals, is like traveling through a time tunnel, returning to that turbulent era.
Address: Mühlenstraße 3-100, 10243 Berlin
Transportation: Take the subway to Warschauer Straße station (S5, S7, S75, U1), or Schlesisches Tor station (U1).
Berlin Cathedral
Berlin Cathedral is the most magnificent and important church in the capital of Germany, and one of Berlin's landmarks. This neo-Baroque style church was built in the 19th century. Its exterior is majestic and grand, and its interior decoration is even more dazzling and breathtaking. Climbing to the top of the church's dome, you can enjoy a magnificent view of the center of Berlin.
Address: Am Lustgarten, 10178 Berlin
Transportation: Take the subway to Hackescher Markt station (S5, S7, S75) or Alexanderplatz station (S5, S7, S75, U2, U5, U8).
Berlin Television Tower
Standing tall in Alexanderplatz Square, the Berlin TV Tower is Europe's second-highest building and a landmark of East Berlin. A 25-second elevator ride takes you to the 207-meter-high observation deck, where panoramic views of Berlin can be enjoyed through 360-degree glass windows. The observation deck also features a bar where you can sip cocktails while admiring the city's sights day and night.
Address: Panoramastraße 1A, 10178 Berlin
Transportation: Take the subway to Alexanderplatz station (S5, S7, S75, U2, U5, U8)
Kurfürstendamm (also known as Ku'damm)
Kurfürstendamm is Berlin's most famous shopping boulevard and the heart of West Berlin. The 3.5-kilometer long street is lined with major department stores, luxury boutiques, and fashion brands, making it a paradise for fashionistas. There are also many cafes, bars, and theaters here, showcasing Berlin's diverse and vibrant urban atmosphere.
Address: Kurfürstendamm, 10719 Berlin
Transportation: Take the subway to Kurfürstendamm station (U1, U9) or Uhlandstraße station (U1).
Jewish Museum Berlin
The Berlin Jewish Museum is Europe's largest Jewish museum, renowned for its unique architecture and rich exhibitions. Designed by American architect Daniel Libeskind, the museum's zinc-plated facade with irregular lines and windows symbolizes the complex history and memories. The exhibitions inside provide a detailed account of Jewish culture over two millennia, also addressing the tragic history of the Nazi Holocaust.
Address: Lindenstraße 9-14, 10969 Berlin
Transportation: Take the subway to Hallesches Tor station (U1, U6) or Kochstraße/Checkpoint Charlie station (U6).
Checkpoint Charlie
Located on Friedrichstraße, Checkpoint Charlie was once a station for American and Soviet troops during the Berlin Wall era and one of the checkpoints through which East and West Berliners could travel. Today, it recreates the scene of the past with guardhouses, sandbags, and warning signs, becoming a witness to the history of the Berlin Wall. Next to it, the Berlin Wall Museum also presents a detailed account of the wall's history through numerous documents, photographs, and footage.
Address: Friedrichstraße 43-45, 10969 Berlin
Transportation: Take the subway to Kochstraße/Checkpoint Charlie station (U6)
Potsdamer Platz
Potsdamer Platz was once one of the most bustling areas in Berlin, but after World War II it became a wasteland. Today's redesigned Potsdamer Platz features skyscrapers, trendy shopping malls and entertainment facilities, creating a modern and vibrant new image. It has landmarks such as the glass dome square of Sony Center and Broadway musical theatre, and is also the venue for major events like the film festival, showcasing Berlin's innovative vitality.
Address: Potsdamer Platz, 10785 Berlin
Transportation: Take the subway to Potsdamer Platz station (S1, S2, S25, U2)
Tiergarten Park
Tiergarten Park is Berlin's largest inner-city park, covering about 210 hectares, like Berlin's Central Park. The park is shaded with trees, winding paths crisscrossing the woods, lakes, forests and meadows intertwined, a backyard for leisure and recreation for Berliners. The park also houses many attractions, such as the luxurious Bellevue Palace, Goethe Memorial and the Berlin Victory Column, worth exploring on foot.
Address: Str. des 17. Juni, 10785 Berlin
Transportation: Take the subway to Potsdamer Platz station (S1, S2, S25, U2), Bellevue station (S5, S7, S75) or Tiergarten station (S5, S7, S75).