Things to do in Berlin

Activities, attractions and tours

Visit Berlin

Types of activities

Where to stay

Berlin travel guide

Brandenburg Gate which includes a city, a monument and night scenes

Berlin showing street scenes and a river or creek as well as a large group of people

Berlin Cathedral featuring heritage architecture, a fountain and chateau or palace

Kurfuerstendamm which includes street scenes

Mitte featuring a small town or village, a river or creek and a ferry

Explore thousands of activities with free cancellation and no added fees.

Design your experience with airport transfers, excursions, day tours & more.

Get an insider's look in what to book before you travel.

Top places to visit

1. Alexanderplatz

The Alexanderplatz can be viewed very much as a transport hub for the city of Berlin as well, although it has plenty to offer visitors with its world-class shopping and panoramic views over the entire city.

Learn more

Alexanderplatz which includes a square or plaza, a city and modern architecture

2. Zoo Berlin

Berlin Zoo is one of the most highly rated in the world, and gives visitors an excellent opportunity to experience some of the world’s most exotic animals in very attractive and pleasing settings. Known in German as the Zoologischer Garten, the Berlin Zoo is a vast expanse of 34 hectares within the picturesque Tiergarten Park within the city centre. This is home to thousands of animals from every corner of the earth that will thrill visitors of all ages.

Learn more

Berlin Zoo which includes zoo animals and land animals

3. Potsdamer Platz

Potsdamer Platz is a cast-iron example of the success of urban renewal in Berlin. This was a no man’s land during the Cold War, when Berlin was divided along political lines. In its pre-war heyday, the Potsdamer Platz had been one of Europe’s most bustling areas and the busiest traffic intersection in Europe.

Learn more

Potsdamer Platz featuring shopping, a city and modern architecture

4. Brandenburg Gate

This enormous monument in the form of a neoclassical arch constructed from sandstone, is intrinsically linked with the history of Berlin and Germany. Built over two centuries ago, in 1791, the Brandenburg Gate was originally constructed to mark the entrance to Unter den Linden, Berlin's grandest boulevard. The arch was also intended to be a symbol of peace. There is a clear Greek influence in this monument, with the design of the Brandenburg Gate closely corresponding to the Acropolis in Athens.

Learn more

5. Kurfürstendamm

Head to Charlottenburg’s famous boulevard to experience the glamour of old Berlin coupled with the style of contemporary cosmopolitan Europe. The historic Kurfuerstendamm is one of the city’s oldest streets and was built as a route to a prominent hunting lodge now on the outskirts of the city. Today, exclusive boutiques, major department stores and luxury hotels line Kurfuerstendamm, or Kudamm as locals sometimes call the street. At its eastern end find a somber reminder of the bombings of Berlin during World War II.

Learn more

6. Friedrichstrasse

Lined by some of Germany’s most exclusive department stores and surrounded by major historical attractions, the Friedrichstrasse cultural and shopping precinct in Berlin’s Mitte district has undergone extreme change since the fall of the Berlin Wall. However, at its center find one of the city’s most unusual tourist attractions, throwing you back into the Cold War era. Friedrichstrasse is today one of Berlin’s most visited streets. It is home to Checkpoint Charlie, one of the very few Cold War border crossings between East and West Berlin.

Learn more

What to do in Berlin

Popular places to visit

Alexanderplatz

4/5(1,068 reviews)

Alexanderplatz is a marvellous example of 1960s architecture and a centralised meeting place within Berlin that’s particularly popular with local residents.

Zoo Berlin

4.5/5(292 reviews)

Say “Guten Tag” to some of the world’s most exotic creatures in one of the most comprehensive and elegant zoos in Europe.

Potsdamer Platz

4/5(889 reviews)

Berliners come to celebrate their city in this public square, which was completely destroyed during the Second World War and isolated during the Cold War.

Brandenburg Gate

4.5/5(1,133 reviews)

This symbol of German unification ranks alongside Paris' Arc de Triomphe as one of Europe’s most iconic and emotive monuments.

Kurfürstendamm

4.5/5(310 reviews)

Often described as “Berlin’s Champs-Élysées,” this elegant promenade is the city’s premier shopping strip and is punctuated with a moving war memorial.

Checkpoint Charlie

4/5(657 reviews)

You can learn about the history of Berlin with a visit to Checkpoint Charlie. Discover the entertainment choices and notable monuments in this vibrant area.

Olympiastadion

4.5/5(177 reviews)

Catch an event at Olympiastadion during your trip to Berlin. Experience the fascinating museums and acclaimed theatre scene in this vibrant area.

Messe Berlin

4/5(91 reviews)

Learn about the events happening in Messe Berlin during your trip to Berlin. Discover the acclaimed art galleries and notable monuments in this vibrant area.

Friedrichstrasse

4/5(278 reviews)

Cutting through Berlin’s Mitte district is a street known equally for its Cold War history and its upmarket department stores.

Areas of Berlin

Mitte

4.5/5(1,916 area reviews)

Known for its fascinating museums and popular shops, there's plenty to explore in Mitte. Check out top attractions like Alexanderplatz and Brandenburg Gate, and jump on the metro at Unter den Linden Station or S+U Friedrichstraße Tram Stop to see more of the city.

Kreuzberg

4/5(182 area reviews)

Known for its ample dining options and fascinating museums, there's plenty to explore in Kreuzberg. You can visit top attractions like Jewish Museum Berlin and Checkpoint Charlie Museum, and jump on the metro at Prinzenstrasse U-Bahn or Kottbusser Gate U-Bahn to see more of the city.

Friedrichshain

4/5(172 area reviews)

Known for its lively bars and interesting museums, there's plenty to explore in Friedrichshain. Top attractions like Simon-Dach-Strasse and Boxhagener Platz are major draws, and you can catch the metro at Frankfurter Gate U-Bahn or Bersarinplatz Tram Stop to see more of the city.

Prenzlauer Berg

Travellers choose Prenzlauer Berg for its lively bars. Hop aboard the metro at Thomas-Mann-Straße Tram Stop or Greifswalder Straße-Ostseestraße Tram Stop and check out top sights like Velodrom.

Charlottenburg

Enjoy the fantastic nightlife in Charlottenburg. Kurfürstendamm is a worthwhile stop, and you can jump on the metro at Richard Wagner Place U-Bahn or Bismarckstrasse U-Bahn to see more of Berlin.

Tiergarten

4/5(3 area reviews)

Gourmet restaurants a must-see zoo and top sights from Zoo Berlin to Potsdamer Platz – discover Tiergarten, a destination also famous for its shopping.