🏛️ What to see in Berlin: 40 places with opening hours and admission

Forty places in one city sounds like a plan for a month. In practice, Berlin splits neatly into a few clusters: the center along the Spree, Tiergarten, the west around Kurfürstendamm and the green outskirts. The biggest change of recent years concerns the museums: the Pergamon Museum is closed for renovation and will not reopen until June 4, 2027 (as of 09/2026, Berlin State Museums). So we rechecked every item on the list and noted what is open, where you need a ticket in advance and where you can get in for free.

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How to use the list of 40 places

💡 In short:

Day one: the Brandenburg Gate, the Reichstag, the Holocaust Memorial and Unter den Linden are all within walking distance of each other.
Day two: Museum Island, Berlin Cathedral, Alexanderplatz and the TV Tower.
20th-century history: the Berlin Wall Memorial on Bernauer Straße, the Topography of Terror and Checkpoint Charlie.
The Reichstag dome is free, but you will not be let in without registering in advance.
For a break: Tiergarten, Treptower Park, the Botanical Garden and Grunewald.
Prices and opening hours: 09/2026, checked on the Bundestag website and the Holocaust Memorial Foundation website.

For each entry we kept only what will be useful on your trip. Where there is a verified figure, the source and date sit next to it. Where the official website gives no figure, we leave the number out and suggest checking the hours before you go. That way you will not turn up at a closed door because of an outdated timetable.

If you care about	Start with	Admission
The history of the divided city	Berlin Wall Memorial, Checkpoint Charlie	The memorial is free
Architecture and views	Reichstag dome, TV Tower, Victory Column	The dome is free with registration
World-class museums	Museum Island, Hamburger Bahnhof	Paid, passes available
Remembering the Nazi past	Topography of Terror, Holocaust Memorial	Free
Palaces and gardens	Charlottenburg, Köpenick Palace, Schloss Biesdorf	Paid
Time out with kids	Zoo, Tropical Islands, Treptower Park	The zoo and water park are paid

1. Berlin Wall

Mural of the kiss between Brezhnev and Honecker on the Berlin Wall

The Wall divided Berlin from 1961 to 1989. It cut the western part of the city off from the surrounding territory and tore apart families, neighbors and entire streets. The ring of fortifications around West Berlin ran for about 155 km. Besides the concrete slabs, the system included watchtowers, signal fences, a control strip and thousands of border guards. Willy Brandt, then mayor of West Berlin, called it the "wall of shame".

The best place to grasp the scale is Bernauer Straße. Here the border ran right along the fronts of the houses. In the first weeks people jumped from the windows onto the pavement, which already belonged to the West. Later the houses were demolished, and in 1985 the Church of Reconciliation, which stood on the control strip, was blown up as well. Today the Chapel of Reconciliation (Kapelle der Versöhnung) stands in its place.

The Gedenkstätte Berliner Mauer memorial complex brings together original sections of the wall, a viewing tower, the "Window of Remembrance" with portraits of those who died and a documentation center. The open-air exhibition covers about 350 meters, and the whole memorial trail along the street runs for roughly 1.3 km. The grounds are open daily from 8:00 to 22:00, and admission is free (as of 09/2026, Berlin Wall Foundation).

Getting there: S-Bahn to Nordbahnhof, the visitor center is next to the station.
Who it's for: anyone who wants to understand the history of the divided city without museum crowds.
Tip: climb the viewing tower at the documentation center. From the top you can see the whole border strip with its patrol road.

2. Zoo

giraffe at Berlin Zoo beside a historic building

Zoologischer Garten Berlin sits on the edge of Tiergarten, right by the railway station of the same name. It is the oldest zoo in Germany: it opened in 1844 on the initiative of the naturalist Martin Lichtenstein, with the support of the Prussian king. Today the zoo describes itself as the place with the greatest variety of species of any zoo in the world (as of 09/2026, official website). The animal houses here are historic, and many were built in an exotic style.

Do not miss the Elephant Gate (Elefantentor) on Budapester Straße. The arch is held up by two stone figures of seated elephants, and the oriental-style roof is covered in green tiles. It is one of the most recognizable entrances in the city. Inside you will find the antelope house, the bird house, monkeys and a children's petting zoo with farm animals.

The grounds are well kept and the paths are wide, so getting around with a stroller is easy. In September the zoo is open from 9:00 to 18:30, with last admission at 17:00 (as of 09/2026, hours on the zoo's website). Hours are shorter in winter. Next door is a separate aquarium with a terrarium, and a combined ticket covers it.

Getting there: S-Bahn, U-Bahn and trains to Zoologischer Garten.
Who it's for: families with children and anyone who needs a relaxed day between museums.
The catch: there are queues at the ticket desks at weekends and during school holidays, so buy your ticket online.

3. Brandenburg Gate

Brandenburg Gate with the quadriga on an overcast morning

The Brandenburg Gate was built in 1788-1791 to a design by Carl Gotthard Langhans. The architect modeled it on the Propylaea of the Acropolis in Athens. It is the only surviving city gate in Berlin. Twelve columns form five passageways, and on top stands Johann Gottfried Schadow's quadriga: a chariot drawn by four horses and driven by the goddess of victory.

The quadriga has a long story of its own. In 1806 Napoleon carried it off to Paris. In 1814 the sculpture was returned, and Schinkel placed a staff with the Iron Cross and the Prussian eagle in the goddess's hands. The gate was badly damaged during the war, and almost nothing was left of the quadriga. It was recreated from surviving plaster casts.

From 1961 the gate stood on the border strip, and it was impossible to walk through it. After the fall of the Wall the quadriga was restored once more and returned to its place in 1991. Today the gate stands as a symbol of reunified Germany. Come early in the morning or late in the evening: the lighting is beautiful and Pariser Platz is almost empty. Unter den Linden begins right here, and it is a handy place to start a hop-on hop-off bus tour for 24 or 48 hours.

Getting there: S-Bahn and U5 to Brandenburger Tor.
Cost: the square and the gate are open around the clock, and admission is free.

4. Pergamon Museum

The Mshatta Facade in the Pergamon Museum

The Pergamon Museum (Pergamonmuseum) came about because of a single find. In the second half of the 19th century German archaeologists excavated a huge altar in Pergamon, an ancient city in what is now Turkey. Its frieze, more than a hundred meters long, depicts the battle between the gods and the giants. Architectural monuments on that scale needed a building of their own. The present museum on Museum Island opened in 1930.

The main thing you need to know in 2026: the building is closed. The museum closed to visitors completely on October 23, 2023. The north wing and the central section with the Pergamon Altar and the Hellenistic hall will open on June 4, 2027 (as of 09/2026, Berlin State Museums announcement on the reopening). The Museum of Islamic Art will be shown in full there as well.

The south wing with the main collection of the Museum of the Ancient Near East will, according to the same source, not open until 2037. That means it will be a long time before you see the Ishtar Gate and the Processional Way from Babylon. The gate once served as the main entrance to Babylon's inner city, and its blue glazed bricks with figures of lions and dragons are considered one of the high points of ancient Near Eastern art.

While the renovation is under way, visit the "Pergamonmuseum. Das Panorama" pavilion opposite the island. It shows a 360-degree panorama of ancient Pergamon by the artist Yadegar Asisi, along with some of the sculptures from the collection. For a first encounter with the collection, that is enough.

Who it's for: lovers of antiquity who are happy to swap the closed hall for a panorama.
The catch: until summer 2027 the altar in its original hall is off limits.

5. Großer Tiergarten park

Avenue in Tiergarten park with a view of the Brandenburg Gate

Tiergarten began in the 16th century as the hunting grounds of the electors. It was later turned into a landscaped park, and it has been the main green space of the city center ever since. There are ponds, shady avenues, a boat rental and waterside cafés such as Café am Neuen See. You can walk right through the park from the Brandenburg Gate to the zoo and hardly see a car. The Reichstag, the Victory Column and Bellevue Palace stand along the edges of the park.

On the north bank of the Spree stands the House of World Cultures (Haus der Kulturen der Welt). It was built in 1957 for the International Building Exhibition, and Berliners nicknamed the building the "Pregnant Oyster" because of its curved roof. In the pond in front of the entrance stands Henry Moore's bronze sculpture "Butterfly". The house hosts concerts, festivals and exhibitions. Next to it rises a carillon tower 42 meters high with 68 bells. In the warm season open-air concerts are sometimes played on it, so check the schedule in advance.

Getting there: S-Bahn to Bellevue or Tiergarten, and bus 100 runs through the park.
Who it's for: anyone after a walk between the Reichstag and the western part of the city.

6. Victory Column

Golden statue of Victoria on top of the Victory Column

© This image is a work by Wikipedia and Wikimedia Commons user C.Suthorn. When reusing, credit me as described in the Lice · CC BY-SAPhoto: This image is a work by Wikipedia and Wikimedia Commons user C.Suthorn. When reusing, credit me as described in the Lice, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia Commons

The Victory Column (Siegessäule) stands in the middle of Tiergarten on the circular Großer Stern square. It was unveiled in 1873 to commemorate Prussia's three wars: against Denmark, Austria and France. At the top stands the gilded goddess of victory, Victoria, by Friedrich Drake. Berliners call the statue "Golden Else" (Goldelse). The column originally stood in front of the Reichstag on Königsplatz.

In 1938-1939 it was moved to its present site and extended with one more drum. Since then its height, statue included, has been about 67 meters. At the foot of the column is a gallery with a mosaic, and inside there is a small exhibition about Berlin's monuments. Five streets radiate from the square, and from above the pattern is easy to make out.

The viewing platform is just below the statue. There is no lift, and the way up is a narrow spiral staircase of 285 steps. You will need comfortable shoes and a bit of stamina. In return, the platform gives you views of Tiergarten, Potsdamer Platz, the Brandenburg Gate and the Reichstag dome. The platform is open all year, with longer hours in summer and shorter ones in winter. The ticket is inexpensive and is sold at the desk by the entrance, so bring a little cash.

Getting there: bus 100 to Großer Stern, then pedestrian underpasses lead to the column.
The catch: the platform is not suitable for people who find climbing stairs difficult.

7. Reichstag

The Reichstag with its glass dome and flags

The Reichstag took ten years to build, from 1884 to 1894, to a design by Paul Wallot. The building was meant to show the strength of the young German Empire. In 1933 it burned, and in 1945 it was badly damaged in the fighting. After reunification the British architect Norman Foster rebuilt it and added a glass dome. The Bundestag has been sitting here again since 1999.

For visitors, the main draws are the dome and the roof terrace. A ramp spirals up inside the dome, and in the middle a mirrored funnel reflects light down into the debating chamber. Admission is free, but registering in advance is mandatory. Groups are let in every 15 minutes, and last admission is at 21:45 (as of 09/2026, Bundestag). You need to bring a passport or ID card.

Check the dates before your trip. The dome is closed for cleaning from September 28 to October 2 and from October 19 to 30, 2026, while the terrace stays open on those days (as of 09/2026, closure schedule on the Bundestag website). If there are no free slots, the café is an option: a coffee break at the Käfer restaurant on the roof of the Reichstag.

Getting there: S-Bahn and U5 to Brandenburger Tor, or U5 to Bundestag.

8. Spandau Citadel

Fair in the courtyard of Spandau Citadel

Spandau Citadel (Zitadelle Spandau) stands in the north-west of Berlin, where the Spree flows into the Havel. The fortress was built in the second half of the 16th century on the Italian model: four bastions, a water-filled moat and an inner courtyard. It is considered one of the best-preserved Renaissance fortresses in Europe. The oldest part, the Julius Tower (Juliusturm), is still medieval. From its top level you can see Spandau's old town and the river.

The citadel is often confused with Spandau Prison. They are different places. The prison stood in another part of the district. After the Nuremberg trials the Allies held seven convicted Nazi leaders there. In 1987, after the death of the last prisoner, Rudolf Hess, the building was demolished so that it would not become a place of pilgrimage.

The citadel, on the other hand, is open to visitors. Inside are a museum of Spandau's history, an exhibition of old city monuments and artists' studios. In summer the courtyard hosts open-air concerts. Admission is paid and inexpensive, and you should check the opening hours on the fortress website before your visit.

Getting there: U7 to Zitadelle, then a five-minute walk.

9. Alexanderplatz

Berlin TV Tower and its reflection in a glass facade

Berliners call Alexanderplatz simply "Alex". The square got its name in 1805. Today it is one of the city's main transport hubs: regional trains, the S-Bahn, three underground lines and trams all meet here. The underground station opened back in 1913. In the 1920s the square was the heart of noisy city life. Alfred Döblin described it in his novel "Berlin Alexanderplatz", and Rainer Werner Fassbinder later turned the book into a television series.

After the war the area was rebuilt from scratch. A high-rise hotel, wide pedestrian spaces and the TV Tower appeared. On the square stands the "World Clock" (Weltzeituhr) from 1969, a popular meeting point. Nearby, by the Red Town Hall, is the Neptune Fountain by Reinhold Begas. It was presented to Kaiser Wilhelm II on behalf of the city at the end of the 19th century. Come to the fountain in the evening: the lighting makes the sculptures especially striking.

Getting there: S-Bahn, U2, U5, U8 to Alexanderplatz.
The catch: the square is noisy and crowded in the evening, so keep an eye on your belongings.

10. State Opera

Facade of the Berlin State Opera under a blue sky

The State Opera on Unter den Linden (Staatsoper Unter den Linden) opened in 1742 at the wish of Frederick the Great. It is the oldest opera house in Berlin. The city has just three major opera houses, and the Staatsoper is the most historic of them. The neoclassical building was designed by Georg Wenzeslaus von Knobelsdorff. It was rebuilt after wartime destruction, and in 2010-2017 the stage and auditorium underwent a major renovation.

The house works with the Staatskapelle Berlin, one of the oldest orchestras in the world. Over the years Richard Strauss and other leading European musicians conducted here. Since September 1, 2024, the house's general music director has been Christian Thielemann, who succeeded Daniel Barenboim (as of 09/2026, Berlin Senate).

If you want to see a performance, check the program a few weeks ahead. Tickets for popular productions sell out quickly. Even without a ticket, it is worth stepping into the foyer on one of the daytime tours of the building.

Getting there: U5 to Unter den Linden or Museumsinsel.

11. TV Tower

Berlin TV Tower with its sphere against a blue sky

The Berlin TV Tower (Berliner Fernsehturm) stands by Alexanderplatz and can be seen from almost anywhere in the center. It is the tallest structure in Germany. The tower was built between 1965 and 1969. The architects Fritz Dieter, Günter Franke and Hermann Henselmann worked on the design. The concrete shaft was raised using slip forming, and the steel sphere was assembled piece by piece at height.

The tower has a well-known quirk. When the sun hits the steel sphere, a reflection in the shape of a cross appears on it. Inside the sphere are the viewing deck and the revolving bar and restaurant Sphere. The room turns slowly, so you see the whole city without leaving your table.

The deck is open from 9:00 to 23:00, and the Sphere bar from 11:00 to 23:00. A standard ticket costs from 20 €, and a package with a drink from 31 € (as of 09/2026, official website). Queues for the lifts can be long, especially at weekends and at sunset. Pick your slot ahead of time: a fast-track ticket for the TV Tower.

The catch: on an overcast day the view disappears, so check the forecast before you buy.

12. Cathedral

Berlin Cathedral (Berliner Dom) stands on Museum Island, facing the Lustgarten. It is the largest Protestant church in Germany. The present building, in Neo-Renaissance and Neo-Baroque style, was built in 1894-1905 to a design by Julius Raschdorff. Green domes, sculptures on the facade and lavish decoration make it nothing like the austere Protestant churches you might expect.

Inside, look out for the organ from Wilhelm Sauer's workshop, the altar and the stained glass. Beneath the cathedral is the Hohenzollern crypt, where members of the ruling dynasty are buried. The cathedral was badly damaged during the war. Restoration took decades, and after the rebuilding the dome was made lower than the pre-war one.

You can climb the stairs to the gallery around the dome. From there you get a good view of the Lustgarten, the Spree and the TV Tower. Admission to the cathedral is paid, but attending services is free. Hours and prices change because of concerts, so check them on the cathedral's website on the day of your visit.

Getting there: U5 to Museumsinsel, trams M4, M5, M6 to Spandauer Straße.
The catch: there are a lot of steps up to the gallery and no lift to it.

13. Biesdorf Palace

Biesdorf Palace with its tower and colonnade in winter

Biesdorf is first mentioned in medieval documents as a village east of Berlin. In 1920 it became part of Greater Berlin. Today it belongs to the Marzahn-Hellersdorf borough. The area is quiet, with detached houses, an old village church and a park. Its main sight stands right by the underground station: Schloss Biesdorf.

The building went up in the second half of the 19th century as a country villa in the Italian Renaissance style. The estate was later bought by Werner von Siemens, and the Siemens family owned it for several decades. In 1927 the city bought the property. After the war the tower and the upper floor stood in ruins for a long time.

The palace was restored in the 2010s. It now houses a contemporary art gallery with a focus on East German art. The facade is decorated with square columns, a light parapet and a round corner tower. The building does not look luxurious, but it shows the taste of wealthy Berlin families of the time very well.

A landscaped park on several levels surrounds the palace. There are lawns, old trees and quiet avenues. You come here not for the crowds but for the calm and for exhibitions you will not find in the center. The underground ride from Alexanderplatz takes about half an hour.

Getting there: U5 to Elsterwerdaer Platz, then a few minutes on foot.
Who it's for: those who have already seen the center and are looking for a quiet Berlin neighborhood.

14. Hamburger Bahnhof museum

Hamburger Bahnhof was built in the mid-19th century as the terminus of the railway line to Hamburg. It did not stay a station for long: as early as the 1880s the trains were moved to another station. Later the building housed a transport museum. Today it is home to the National Gallery of Contemporary Art (Nationalgalerie der Gegenwart), one of the leading contemporary art museums in Germany.

Main facade of the Hamburger Bahnhof museum in Berlin

The core of the collection was assembled by the private collector Erich Marx. The museum opened in 1996 after the old halls had been converted. The holdings include works by Joseph Beuys, Anselm Kiefer, Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein, Cy Twombly and Richard Long. The long warehouse buildings behind the station are given over to large installations and temporary exhibitions. In the vast hall of the former platform you will see works that would be cramped in an ordinary museum.

The museum has a bookshop and a restaurant, and in the evenings there are often talks, screenings and performances. The building is a ten-minute walk from the Main Station. If you have a half-day layover in Berlin, this is a convenient option. Admission is paid, and you will find hours and prices on the Berlin State Museums website.

Getting there: S-Bahn and trains to Hauptbahnhof, then on foot along Invalidenstraße.
Who it's for: those who prefer contemporary art to antiquity.

15. Bellevue Palace

Bellevue Palace in Berlin with flags and a lawn

Bellevue Palace was built in 1786 for Prince August Ferdinand of Prussia, the younger brother of Frederick the Great. In summer it welcomed famous guests, among them Schiller and Alexander von Humboldt. In the 19th century a picture gallery was set up in the palace, and the park was opened to the public.

After the First World War the palace passed to the state and served as a museum. During the Second World War only the walls of the building were left standing. It was rebuilt in the 1950s, and several more major restorations followed. Today Bellevue Palace is the official residence of the Federal President of Germany. The President's Office works next door, in a separate oval building of dark stone.

You can only get inside on open days, which do not happen often. If the presidential flag is flying over the palace, the President is in Berlin. The palace itself is easy to see from the paths of Tiergarten and from the bank of the Spree. It makes a handy stop on the way from the Victory Column to the House of World Cultures.

Getting there: S-Bahn to Bellevue, then a five-minute walk.
The catch: there are no tours of the interior on ordinary days.

16. Charlottenburg Palace

Charlottenburg Palace with its dome and a fountain in front of the facade

Charlottenburg Palace (Schloss Charlottenburg) became the largest palace in Berlin. Building began at the end of the 17th century as a summer residence for Sophie Charlotte, wife of Elector Frederick III, the future first King of Prussia. At first the palace was called Lietzenburg. After the queen's early death in 1705 it was renamed in her honor. Other Prussian kings lived here later, and the New Wing was added to the building.

The palace was badly damaged during the war. Restoration went on for several decades, and today you see restored state rooms and collections of paintings, silver and porcelain. The Porcelain Cabinet is especially famous: Chinese and Japanese porcelain covers its walls from floor to ceiling. Behind the palace lies a large park with a Baroque parterre, a pond, the mausoleum of Queen Louise and the Belvedere pavilion.

The Old Palace keeps seasonal hours. From April to October it is open Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 to 17:30, in November and December until 16:30, and it is closed on Mondays. A ticket costs 12 €, reduced 8 € (as of 09/2026, Prussian Palaces and Gardens Foundation). Last admission is 30 minutes before closing.

Getting there: bus M45 to Luisenplatz/Schloss Charlottenburg or U7 to Richard-Wagner-Platz.
The catch: the palace is closed on December 24 and 25.

17. Köpenick Palace

Köpenick Palace above the water in Berlin

Köpenick Palace (Schloss Köpenick) stands on an island where the River Dahme flows into the Spree. In the Middle Ages there was a Slavic fortress here, and later a hunting lodge of the Brandenburg electors. During the Thirty Years' War the Swedish king Gustavus II Adolphus stayed at the castle. The present Baroque palace was built in the last quarter of the 17th century for the electoral prince Frederick, the future King of Prussia. The palace church and the north pavilion date from the same period.

Today the palace houses the Museum of Decorative Arts, a branch of the Berlin State Museums. On show are Renaissance and Baroque furniture, carved panels, silver, porcelain and glass. The main hall with its rich stucco work, the Wappensaal, is well preserved. In summer a café operates on the waterside terrace, and concerts are held in the park.

Köpenick itself is worth a trip in its own right. It is an old small town in the south-east of Berlin with a town hall where, in 1906, the story of the "Captain of Köpenick" played out. An impostor in military uniform arrested the mayor and made off with the town treasury. A statue of him stands by the town hall today. Check the palace's opening hours on the Berlin State Museums website, as the museum is usually closed on Mondays.

Getting there: S-Bahn to Köpenick, then a tram to Schlossplatz Köpenick.
Who it's for: those who want to combine a museum with a walk by the water.

18. Red Town Hall

The Red Town Hall with its tower and clock, seen from the street

By the middle of the 19th century Berlin's old town hall had become too small for the city administration. The new red-brick building went up in 1861-1869 to a design by Hermann Friedrich Waesemann. The town hall got a tower 74 meters high and the nickname "Red" for the color of its facade. A terracotta frieze called the "Stone Chronicle", with scenes from the city's history, runs around the building.

During the war the town hall was almost completely destroyed. After it was rebuilt, the East Berlin city council sat here. After the city was reunified, the Governing Mayor and the Berlin Senate moved in. Inside you can see the grand staircase, the pillared hall and a hall with portraits of honorary citizens.

Visiting is free. The town hall is open to visitors Monday to Friday from 9:00 to 18:00, except on public holidays (as of 09/2026, Berlin.de). Because of official events the building is sometimes closed without notice, so call ahead if you are making a special trip.

Getting there: U5 to Rotes Rathaus or S-Bahn to Alexanderplatz.

19. KaDeWe department store

KaDeWe, or Kaufhaus des Westens, translates as "Department Store of the West". It was opened in 1907 by the merchant Adolf Jandorf. He already had shops for working-class customers, but after visiting the big department stores of other capitals he decided to build something similar in Berlin. Good architects and decorators were brought in for the project. In the western part of the city, which was only just growing at the time, a true palace of retail appeared.

From its earliest years the building held more than just sales floors. Shoppers could use a tea room, a hairdresser, a photo studio, a bank branch and a post office. The store later passed to the Tietz family. In 1943 a shot-down aircraft crashed into the building, and KaDeWe burned down. After the war it was rebuilt and became the showcase of West Berlin.

Today it is one of the largest department stores in Europe. On the lower floors you will find leading fashion brands, cosmetics and accessories. Higher up come menswear and womenswear, homeware, the children's department, electronics and souvenirs. Prices here are high, but the displays are worth a look even if you buy nothing.

The store's pride and joy is the food hall under the roof. It stocks hundreds of kinds of cheese, sausage, bread, tea, wine and sweets. Right between the counters are bars where they will prepare oysters, sushi, fish dishes or German snacks for you. On the top floor there is a restaurant with a glass roof.

Getting there: U1, U2, U3 to Wittenbergplatz, with the entrance right by the station.
The catch: like most shops in Germany, KaDeWe is closed on Sundays.

20. Potsdamer Platz

Potsdamer Platz emerged in the 18th century by the city gate where the road to Potsdam began. A railway station was built here later, and in the early 20th century the square became one of the busiest in Europe. It had cafés, theaters, hotels and the huge entertainment complex Haus Vaterland. In 1924 one of Europe's first traffic lights was installed on the square. Today a replica stands on the original spot.

The area was destroyed during the war, and then the Berlin Wall ran across the wasteland. The square stayed empty for decades. After reunification one of the biggest construction projects in Europe got under way here. Office towers, a shopping center, cinemas and a complex with a glass roof, known as the Sony Center, went up. Every February the Berlin International Film Festival takes place around Marlene-Dietrich-Platz.

A few segments of the Wall have survived on the square. The Kollhoff Tower has the Panoramapunkt viewing platform, reached by one of the fastest lifts in Europe. From the top you can see Tiergarten, the Reichstag and the TV Tower. A skip-the-line ticket for the Panoramapunkt viewing platform is worth getting in advance for a sunset slot.

Getting there: S-Bahn, U2 and regional trains to Potsdamer Platz.

21. Gendarmenmarkt

The German Cathedral on Gendarmenmarkt in Berlin at night

Gendarmenmarkt is considered one of the most beautiful squares in Berlin. It was laid out at the end of the 17th century in the new Friedrichstadt district. Huguenots who had fled France settled here. For a long time the square served as a market. Its modern name comes from the regiment of gendarmes whose stables and guardhouses stood here in the 18th century.

Three buildings frame the square. On either side stand the French and German Cathedrals with their matching domed towers. Between them is the Concert Hall (Konzerthaus Berlin), built by Karl Friedrich Schinkel as a playhouse. In 1821 Carl Maria von Weber's opera "Der Freischütz" premiered here. A monument to Friedrich Schiller stands in front of the entrance.

The square was badly damaged during the war. In East Germany it was named Academy Square, and its historic name was restored in 1991. The square has recently undergone a major overhaul. There are plenty of cafés and restaurants around it, and in winter it usually hosts one of the city's most beautiful Christmas markets. Come to a concert in the evening: the acoustics of Schinkel's hall are considered among the best in Berlin.

Getting there: U2 to Hausvogteiplatz, or U2 and U6 to Stadtmitte.

22. French Cathedral

The French Cathedral (Französischer Dom) stands on the northern side of Gendarmenmarkt. The name usually refers to the whole complex: the modest Huguenot church and the tall domed tower attached to it. The church was built in the early 18th century for the French Reformed congregation of Friedrichstadt. At the time Friedrichstadt was still a separate town, and it was later incorporated into Berlin.

In the 1780s, on the orders of Frederick the Great, a domed tower was added to the church. The German Cathedral on the other side of the square received an identical tower. The word "cathedral" here comes from the French dôme, meaning "dome". Both towers serve as ornaments for the square, while the churches behind them are much plainer. In the 19th century the church acquired an organ and its interior became richer.

The complex burned down during the war. Rebuilding was completed in the 1980s, and the facade was restored once more in the 2000s. The church is still active and hosts services and organ concerts. The tower houses the small Huguenot Museum, which tells the story of the refugees from France and their role in the life of Berlin. Beneath the dome there is a viewing gallery overlooking the square.

Opening hours for the tower and the museum vary by season, so check them on the congregation's website before you climb. The German Cathedral opposite, however, you can visit for free: it houses a Bundestag exhibition on the history of parliamentary democracy in Germany.

Getting there: U2 and U6 to Stadtmitte.

23. Madame Tussauds

Building with graffiti on a street in Kreuzberg, Berlin

The Berlin branch of the Madame Tussauds wax museum opened in 2008 on Unter den Linden, a stone's throw from the Brandenburg Gate. It features historical figures such as Otto von Bismarck, along with actors, musicians, athletes and politicians. There are especially many stars of German film and popular music, from Marlene Dietrich to present-day television presenters.

The figure of Hitler stands in a room of its own. He is shown not as a hero but as a broken man in the bunker in the last days of the war. On the museum's opening day a visitor tore the figure's head off. The figure was restored, and the incident was discussed across the whole country at the time. There is also a room explaining how wax likenesses are made, from taking measurements to coloring the hair.

The museum works well for a rainy day and for a trip with teenagers. A timed ticket bought online is usually cheaper than one from the desk at the entrance. If you are lining up several paid attractions, compare tickets for Berlin tours and museums on GetYourGuide.

Getting there: S-Bahn and U5 to Brandenburger Tor.
The catch: the rooms get crowded at weekends, so come at opening time.

24. Museum Island

The Bode Museum at night on Museum Island, Berlin

Museum Island (Museumsinsel) occupies the northern part of an island in the Spree. Its five museums were built over more than a hundred years, and the ensemble has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1999. The collections span about six thousand years of art history, from Ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia to the 19th century. The name "Museum Island" had already stuck to the place by the end of the 19th century.

The first to open, in 1830, was Karl Friedrich Schinkel's Old Museum (Altes Museum) with its collection of antiquities. In the mid-19th century came the New Museum (Neues Museum), where the bust of Nefertiti stands today. In 1876 the Old National Gallery opened with 19th-century painting, including works by Caspar David Friedrich and the French Impressionists. In 1904 the Bode Museum followed, with Byzantine art, sculpture and coins. The last to open, in 1930, was the Pergamon Museum.

The Pergamon Museum is closed until June 4, 2027, as we described above. The other four museums are open. The main entrance and ticket desks for several of the museums are in the James-Simon-Galerie, a new building by David Chipperfield. Do not try to see everything in a day: the New Museum with its Egyptian collection and the Old National Gallery will take a full day on their own.

If you are planning three or more museums, a pass is better value. Take a look at the 3-day Museum Pass Berlin with entry to dozens of museums, which also covers the museums on the island.

Getting there: U5 to Museumsinsel, S-Bahn to Hackescher Markt, trams M1, M4, M5.

25. Topography of Terror

The Berlin Wall at the Topography of Terror

The Topography of Terror documentation center (Topographie des Terrors) stands where, in 1933-1945, the headquarters of the Gestapo, the SS leadership and the Reich Security Main Office were located. From here the persecution of political opponents, deportations and mass murder across Europe were planned. After the war the ruined buildings were demolished, and the site lay as wasteland beside the Berlin Wall for a long time.

In the 1980s historians and activists succeeded in getting excavations carried out. Underground they found the remains of cellars where those arrested had been held. The center's present building opened in 2010. The permanent exhibition explains how the Nazis came to power, how the Gestapo and the SS operated and what happened to their victims. The documents, photographs and biographies are chosen with great precision, and they are hard to look at.

Outside, along Niederkirchnerstraße, one of the longest surviving stretches of the Berlin Wall in the center still stands, about 200 meters of it. Below it an open trench shows the remains of the cellar walls and an outdoor exhibition. The center is open daily from 10:00 to 20:00, and admission is free (as of 09/2026, official website). Allow at least two hours for the permanent exhibition.

Getting there: S-Bahn and U2 to Potsdamer Platz, or U6 to Kochstraße.
Who it's for: not for small children, as the photographs in the exhibition are harrowing.

26. Holocaust Memorial

Concrete slabs of the Holocaust Memorial in Berlin

The Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe opened in 2005 not far from the Brandenburg Gate. Its designer, the American architect Peter Eisenman, rejected the usual forms of a monument. Instead of a sculpture you see a field of 2,710 concrete slabs of varying heights (as of 09/2026, Memorial Foundation). The ground between them is uneven, and the paths are narrow and straight.

At the edges of the field the slabs are low, like benches. The further in you go, the taller the blocks become. The street noise fades, the sky narrows to a strip, and a sense of being lost sets in. There is no single "correct" route. The slabs are coated with a protective layer that makes graffiti easy to wash off. Do not sit on the slabs or jump across them, as the guards will tell you off.

Beneath the field is the Information Center. Its rooms hold letters, diaries and family biographies, and in one of them the names of those who died are read aloud. The field of slabs is accessible around the clock. The center is open Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 to 18:00, with last admission 45 minutes before closing, and it is closed on Mondays. Admission is free throughout (as of 09/2026, memorial website).

Getting there: S-Bahn and U5 to Brandenburger Tor, then a five-minute walk.
The catch: in summer there can be a queue at the entrance to the Information Center because of bag checks.

27. Neue Wache memorial

Käthe Kollwitz's Pietà sculpture in the Neue Wache memorial

The Neue Wache stands on Unter den Linden, next to Humboldt University. The small neoclassical building was designed by Karl Friedrich Schinkel and built in 1816-1818. Originally it was a guardhouse for the royal guard and a monument to the victory over Napoleon. The portico with its Doric columns is crowned by a pediment with a relief of a battle, above which the goddess of victory hovers.

After the First World War the building was turned into a memorial to the fallen. Since 1993 it has been the Central Memorial of the Federal Republic of Germany for the Victims of War and Tyranny. Inside it is almost empty. In the middle of the room stands an enlarged version of Käthe Kollwitz's sculpture "Mother with Her Dead Son". Above it is a circular opening in the roof, so rain and snow fall on the sculpture.

Beneath the floor are buried the remains of an unknown soldier and an unknown concentration camp victim. Admission is free, and it is customary to speak quietly inside. Ten minutes is enough, but the place stays with you for a long time.

Getting there: U5 to Unter den Linden or Museumsinsel.

28. Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church

The Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church (Kaiser-Wilhelm-Gedächtniskirche) stands on Breitscheidplatz in the western city center. It was built in the 1890s in memory of the first German Kaiser, Wilhelm I. The main tower rose to 113 meters, making it the tallest church in Berlin. In 1943 the church burned down during an air raid.

After the war there were plans to demolish the ruins, but Berliners objected. The broken tower was kept as a reminder of the war, and the city nicknamed it the "hollow tooth". In 1959-1963 the architect Egon Eiermann built a new ensemble beside it: an octagonal church and a hexagonal bell tower. The walls of concrete honeycomb are filled with thousands of blue glass inserts. By day the interior is bathed in deep blue light, and a golden figure of Christ floats above the altar.

At the base of the old tower is a memorial hall with fragments of mosaics, reliefs and the history of the church. The exhibition in this hall has been closed for renovation since August 29, 2026, while tours of the ensemble continue. The new church is open daily from 10:00 to 18:00, except during services and concerts (as of 09/2026, official website).

The melody played by the bells was written by Prince Louis Ferdinand of Prussia, grandson of the last Kaiser. In December the square around the church hosts one of Berlin's most popular Christmas markets. Come to the church in the evening for an organ concert, when the blue walls glow especially brightly.

Getting there: S-Bahn, U2, U9 to Zoologischer Garten, or U1, U9 to Kurfürstendamm.

29. St. Nicholas' Church

Aerial photo of St. Nicholas' Church with its green spire

St. Nicholas' Church (Nikolaikirche) is considered the oldest church in Berlin. Building began in the first half of the 13th century, when the town was only just taking shape on the bank of the Spree. Over eight centuries the church was rebuilt many times. Today its appearance blends Gothic with 19th-century Neo-Gothic: the two pointed towers were added at that time. Around the church lies the Nikolaiviertel quarter, with narrow lanes, taverns and small museums.

The last service here was held in 1938. During the war the church was almost completely destroyed. It was rebuilt for Berlin's 750th anniversary in 1987, together with the whole quarter, which was reconstructed in historic style at the time. Since then the church has operated as a museum and belongs to the Berlin City Museum (Stadtmuseum Berlin).

Inside, the exhibition tells the story of the city center's past and of the people connected with the church. Tombstones and epitaphs of Berlin families have survived here, and there is a sound installation and fragments of the medieval foundations. Concerts are sometimes held in the church. Check opening times and prices on the City Museum's website: Berlin's museums have free days, and it is worth checking whether your visit falls on one.

After the museum, stroll through the quarter to the bank of the Spree. From here it is a five-minute walk to the Red Town Hall and ten to Museum Island.

Getting there: U5 to Rotes Rathaus or U2 to Klosterstraße.

30. St. Mary's Church

The New Synagogue with its golden dome on Oranienburger Straße

St. Mary's Church (Marienkirche) stands at the foot of the TV Tower, between Alexanderplatz and the Red Town Hall. Of the active churches in the center it is one of the oldest: the first mention dates from 1292. The tower burned several times and was rebuilt. The upper section in Neo-Gothic style was added at the end of the 18th century by Carl Gotthard Langhans, the architect of the Brandenburg Gate.

The church came through the war better than many of its neighbors, and services continued in it. The old quarter around it, however, vanished. In place of the dense buildings came a wide open space, the TV Tower and a small park with the Neptune Fountain. That is why the medieval brick church now looks unexpectedly lonely amid the concrete and glass.

Inside, look for the "Dance of Death" (Totentanz) fresco in the vestibule by the entrance. It was painted at the end of the 15th century, probably after a plague epidemic. On a long band, Death leads people of every rank away in a dance, from the emperor to the jester. The colors have faded badly, so a diagram explaining the scenes hangs alongside. The church also has a Baroque alabaster pulpit by Andreas Schlüter and a historic 18th-century organ.

The church is still active and hosts services and organ concerts. Visiting hours for tourists depend on the services, so check them on the congregation's website. Admission is usually free.

Getting there: S-Bahn, U2, U5, U8 to Alexanderplatz.

31. New Synagogue

The New Synagogue on Oranienburger Straße opened in September 1866. In the second half of the 19th century Berlin's Jewish community was growing fast and needed a large house of worship. The architects Eduard Knoblauch and Friedrich August Stüler chose the Moorish style: colored brick, ornaments and a gilded dome. It was the largest synagogue in Germany. People came here not only to pray but also for lectures and concerts. In 1930 Albert Einstein performed on the violin in the synagogue.

During the pogrom night of November 1938 the synagogue was set on fire. The police officer Wilhelm Krützfeld drove off the arsonists and called the fire brigade, and the building survived. In 1943 it was badly damaged by bombs. After the war the main hall was demolished, leaving only the front section with the facade and the dome.

That section was restored after German reunification. Since 1995 it has housed the "Centrum Judaicum" with a permanent exhibition on the history of the synagogue and Jewish life in Berlin. In summer the center is open Monday to Friday from 10:00 to 18:00, on Sunday until 19:00, and it is closed on Saturday. The dome is currently closed to visitors (as of 09/2026, official website).

Getting there: S-Bahn to Oranienburger Straße or tram M1 to Oranienburger Straße.
The catch: there is a strict security check at the entrance, so large bags are best left at your hotel.

32. Checkpoint Charlie

US Army Checkpoint sign at Checkpoint Charlie

Checkpoint Charlie was the best-known border crossing between East and West Berlin. It stood on Friedrichstraße at the junction with Zimmerstraße. It was used not by ordinary Berliners but by foreigners, diplomats and Allied military personnel. The name comes from the radio alphabet: checkpoints A and B were outside the city, and this one got the letter C, "Charlie".

Today a replica of the American military guard hut stands on the site of the crossing, with sandbags and a sign reading "You are leaving the American sector". Nearby, two large photographs of young soldiers hang above the street, one on each side of the former border. A line set into the paving shows where the Wall ran.

There are plenty of souvenir stalls around, and the place often feels like a tourist attraction. To understand the history, visit the private Wall Museum (Mauermuseum Haus am Checkpoint Charlie). It tells the stories of escapes across the border: in suitcases, by hot-air balloon, through tunnels. The exhibition is dense, so allow an hour and a half to two hours for it.

Getting there: U6 to Kochstraße.
The catch: by day there is a crowd at the hut and lots of souvenir stalls, so come early in the morning for photos.

33. Welt Ballon balloon

The tethered Welt Ballon rises above the block next to Checkpoint Charlie, on the corner of Zimmerstraße and Wilhelmstraße. The balloon takes its name from the newspaper Die Welt, whose logo was on the envelope for a long time. On a clear day it can be seen from many parts of the center. This is not a free flight: the gondola is attached to the ground by a steel cable and goes straight up.

The large circular gondola holds several dozen people. The balloon rises to about 150 meters and hangs there for a few minutes. From the top there is a view of Potsdamer Platz, Gendarmenmarkt, the Reichstag and the TV Tower. Below, you can clearly see the former strip of the Wall, which ran along the neighboring street.

Flights depend on the weather. In strong wind the balloon does not go up even in summer, so check the status on the operator's website on the day of your visit before setting off. Opening hours and ticket prices change with the season. The balloon is easy to combine with Checkpoint Charlie and the Topography of Terror: everything is close by.

Getting there: U6 to Kochstraße.
The catch: on a windy day you may make the trip for nothing.

34. Treptower Park

Memorial slab and statue in Treptower Park

Treptower Park was laid out in the 1870s and 1880s on the bank of the Spree as a large public park for the people of a rapidly growing city. It has broad meadows, old trees, a rose garden and a riverside promenade from which sightseeing boats depart. In summer Berliners come here for picnics, go running along the river and take boats out. Nearby lies the small island Insel der Jugend, with a café and a bridge.

In the middle of the park is a large war memorial dating from 1949. Thousands of soldiers who died in the battle for Berlin in the spring of 1945 are buried here. The complex takes up an entire avenue: a sculpture of a grieving mother, granite banners, sarcophagi with reliefs and a statue of a soldier on a mound. The place is quiet and solemn, so behave here as you would in a cemetery.

In the southern part of the park stands the Archenhold-Sternwarte observatory. Its pride, the "Sky Cannon" (Himmelskanone), 21 meters long, is considered the longest movable refracting telescope in the world (as of 09/2026, Berlin Planetarium Foundation). On clear evenings the domes are opened for observation, and shows run in the planetarium. Check the schedule on the foundation's website.

Getting there: S-Bahn to Treptower Park.
Cost: entry to the park is free around the clock, and the observatory is paid.

35. Botanical Garden

The large glass greenhouse of the Botanical Garden in Berlin

The Berlin Botanical Garden (Botanischer Garten Berlin) is in the Dahlem district in the south-west of the city. Its history began in the 17th century with the elector's kitchen garden and apothecary beds. The garden was established on its present site in the early 20th century. Today it has almost 20,000 plant species, 43 hectares of open grounds and 15 greenhouses (as of 09/2026, Berlin Botanical Garden). It is the largest botanical garden in Germany.

The main greenhouse, the Great Tropical House, is built of glass and steel and looks like a giant crystal. Giant bamboo, palms and tropical trees grow inside. The neighboring halls hold cacti, orchids, carnivorous plants and ferns. Outside, the paths lead you through the plants of different regions of the world: the Alps, the Caucasus, North America and Asia. There are ponds, an arboretum and quiet benches in the shade.

From April 1 to September 30 the ticket desks and greenhouses are open from 10:00 to 19:00, and the garden until 20:00. From October 1 to March 31 the ticket desks and greenhouses are open from 9:00 to 18:00, and the garden until 19:00 (as of 09/2026, Botanical Garden opening hours). Admission is paid. The Botanical Museum is next door.

Getting there: S-Bahn to Botanischer Garten or U3 to Dahlem-Dorf.
Who it's for: anyone after a quiet day, and children who are curious about unusual plants.

36. Unter den Linden boulevard

Unter den Linden, which means "Under the Lime Trees", is the most famous boulevard in Berlin. It runs from the Palace Bridge by Museum Island to the Brandenburg Gate, about a kilometer and a half. The first lime trees were planted in 1647 on the orders of Elector Frederick William. Back then this was the road from the city palace to the hunting grounds in Tiergarten.

Over time palaces, aristocratic mansions, theaters and government buildings grew up along the road. Today the boulevard is lined with the State Opera, Humboldt University, the Neue Wache, the Crown Prince's Palace and the Zeughaus, the old arsenal that houses the German Historical Museum. Some of the museum's halls are currently being renovated, so check its website to see which exhibitions are open. At the eastern end stands the Humboldt Forum in the reconstructed city palace.

The boulevard is an easy 20-30 minute walk, with stops at cafés and shops along the way. The U5 line runs beneath it, with stations at Brandenburger Tor, Unter den Linden and Museumsinsel. If you want to see the main landmarks of the center in a single day, start at the Brandenburg Gate and head east. You will finish your walk right at Berlin Cathedral.

The catch: the boulevard has a lot of traffic and construction sites, so for a quiet stroll Tiergarten is better.

37. Tropical Islands water park

Tropical Islands is not in Berlin but in Brandenburg, near the village of Krausnick, about an hour's drive south of the city. The water park was set up in a gigantic hangar originally built for airships. Under its roof are a tropical forest, an artificial beach with a lagoon, pools and a sauna complex. It is the largest indoor tropical resort in Europe, and it is warm under the dome all year round.

The dome of the Tropical Islands water park from a bird's-eye view

Inside, you wander through zones with tropical plants, birds and Asian-style pavilions. There is a lagoon with a sandy beach, a pool with slides and a separate sauna and spa area for adults. The main attraction for speed lovers is the water slide tower, 27 meters high (as of 09/2026, official website). For little ones there are shallow pools and a children's area.

Restaurants and cafés serving a range of cuisines operate inside. The resort has rooms, lodges and tents right under the dome, so many families come for two days. Tickets are cheaper online, and the price depends on the date and on which zones are included, such as the sauna. Check the rates on the resort's website before you go.

Getting there: regional train to Brand (Niederlausitz) station, then the resort's free shuttle.
The catch: at weekends and during holidays there is a queue for the loungers by the lagoon from first thing in the morning.

38. AquaDom aquarium

AquaDom no longer exists, and that is worth knowing before your trip. The huge cylindrical aquarium stood in the atrium of the Radisson hotel in the DomAquarée quarter by Berlin Cathedral. It was about 25 meters tall, around one and a half thousand fish lived inside, and a transparent lift ran through the middle of the cylinder.

Close-up of a jellyfish in illuminated aquarium water

Early in the morning of December 16, 2022, the acrylic wall burst. About a million liters of water poured into the hotel lobby and out onto the street, and almost all the fish died. Fortunately, no one was seriously hurt. Material fatigue was named as the cause. The hotel decided not to rebuild the aquarium: according to press reports, a vertical garden with thousands of plants is planned for the atrium.

If you want to see sea creatures in the center, the Sea Life Berlin aquarium is in the same quarter. Before you visit, check on its website whether it is open and how much a ticket costs.

Getting there: S-Bahn to Hackescher Markt or U5 to Museumsinsel.

39. Olympic Stadium

The Olympic Stadium in Berlin with its two towers

The first stadium on this site was built by the architect Otto March for the 1916 Olympic Games. The Games were cancelled because of the First World War. When Berlin was awarded the 1936 Olympics, the Nazi leadership decided to turn them into propaganda for the regime. Otto March's son, Werner March, built a new stadium in a monumental neoclassical style, in pale stone, with the vast Maifeld parade ground next to it.

The American track and field athlete Jesse Owens competed here during the 1936 Games. He won four gold medals, and one of the streets by the stadium bears his name today. After the war the stadium became the home ground of the football club Hertha BSC.

For the 2006 FIFA World Cup the stadium was completely renovated and covered with a translucent roof. It hosted the final of that tournament and the final of Euro 2024. The stadium holds up to 74,475 spectators (as of 09/2026, Olympiastadion Berlin). The German Cup final is played here every year, and big concerts take place in summer.

On non-match days you can walk around the stadium on your own or with a guided tour. Look out for the blue running track, the color of Hertha. The bell tower on the Maifeld is open for climbing in the warm season.

Getting there: U2 to Olympia-Stadion or S-Bahn to Olympiastadion.

40. Grunewald forest

Grunewald in the south-west of Berlin combines two places: a quiet district of villas and a huge city forest. At the end of the 19th century a colony of mansions for wealthy Berlin families sprang up here. Many of the houses have survived, and the streets are pleasant to stroll along. But most Berliners come here for the forest, which stretches all the way to the River Havel.

The forest is crisscrossed with trails for walking and cycling, and there are lakes where people swim in summer. On the small Grunewaldsee lake stands the 16th-century hunting lodge Jagdschloss Grunewald, the oldest surviving palace in Berlin. On Teufelsberg, a hill piled up from wartime rubble, stands a former listening station with white domes. From the top you can see the whole of the city's west.

On the southern edge of the forest lies Strandbad Wannsee on Lake Wannsee, one of the largest lakeside beaches in Europe. It has sand, deckchairs and cafés. Come on a weekday: on hot weekends the beach fills up fast. If you love art, the Brücke-Museum with its Expressionists is right by the forest.

Getting there: S-Bahn to Grunewald or Nikolassee.

How to get around between the 40 places

Most of the places on the list are in the center and are linked by the U5 underground line and the S-Bahn city railway. A pass for zones AB covers the whole city. If you have two or three days and a lot planned, look at the Berlin WelcomeCard with public transport and museum discounts. BER Airport is in zone C, and you need a regional ticket to reach Tropical Islands.

Regional trains and the S-Bahn run from BER Airport to the center. With luggage and children it is easier to book a private transfer from BER Airport to your hotel in advance. The driver will meet you in the arrivals hall, and you will not have to hunt for the right platform.

Guided tours help save time if this is your first visit to Berlin. Below is a selection of tours and tickets around the city.

Tours and tickets in Berlin

Guided tours, skip-the-line tickets and activities — most offers can be cancelled free of charge.

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Berlin sights on the map

We have marked all 40 places from this selection on the map. Save it to your phone before you head out: that way you will see which spots are close together and can plan a route for each day without unnecessary travel.

Sights of Berlin

Places on the map

1Berlin Wall Memorial Memory trail on Bernauer Strasse, open daily 8am-10pm, free entry
2Berlin Zoo Germany's oldest zoo since 1844, Elephant Gate and the largest variety of species
3Brandenburg Gate 1788-1791, twelve columns and Schadow's quadriga, square open around the clock
4Pergamon Museum Closed since October 23, 2023, north wing with the altar to reopen on June 4, 2027
5Großer Tiergarten Park Main green area of the center, ponds, boat rental and the House of World Cultures
6Victory Column Column from 1873, about 67 meters tall, 285 steps to the top, no lift
7Reichstag Norman Foster's dome, free entry, but registration and ID are required
8Spandau Citadel 16th-century fortress with four bastions and the medieval Julius Tower
9Alexanderplatz Main transport hub, World Clock from 1969, Neptune Fountain nearby
10State Opera City's oldest opera house since 1742, home to the Staatskapelle Berlin orchestra
11Berlin TV Tower Germany's tallest structure, viewing deck 9am-11pm, ticket from €20
12Berlin Cathedral Germany's largest Protestant church, 1894-1905, Hohenzollern burial vault
13Biesdorf Palace 19th-century villa in Italian Renaissance style, now a contemporary art gallery
14Hamburger Bahnhof Former railway station, now the National Gallery of Contemporary Art, with Beuys, Warhol and Kiefer
15Bellevue Palace Federal President's residence since 1786, interior open only on open-house days
16Charlottenburg Palace City's largest palace, porcelain cabinet and park, ticket €12, reduced €8
17Köpenick Palace 17th-century Baroque on an island, home to the Museum of Decorative Arts
18Red Town Hall Brick building from 1861-1869 with a 74-meter tower, free entry on weekdays
19KaDeWe Department Store One of Europe's largest department stores since 1907, food hall under the roof
20Potsdamer Platz Sony Center, sections of the wall and the Panoramapunkt viewing point in the Kollhoff Tower
21Gendarmenmarkt French and German Cathedrals with Schinkel's Concert Hall, Christmas market in winter
22French Cathedral Huguenot church with a domed tower, home to the Huguenot Museum and a viewing gallery
23Madame Tussauds Branch on Unter den Linden since 2008, online ticket with timeslot cheaper than the box office
24Museum Island Five museums on the UNESCO list, tickets at the James-Simon-Galerie, Pergamon closed until 2027
25Topography of Terror Documentation center on the site of the Gestapo and SS headquarters, daily 10am-8pm, free
26Holocaust Memorial Field of 2,710 concrete slabs by Peter Eisenman, accessible around the clock and free
27Neue Wache Memorial Schinkel's Classicism from 1816-1818, with Kollwitz's sculpture Mother with Her Dead Son inside
28Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church Broken tower as a memory of the war and a new church of blue glass honeycomb
29St. Nicholas' Church City's oldest church, now the Stadtmuseum in the Nikolaiviertel quarter
30St. Mary's Church Church at the foot of the TV tower

The easiest approach is to group the spots by district. The center and Tiergarten will take two to three days, the western palaces and the Olympic Stadium one more, and Grunewald and Tropical Islands are best left for separate days.

⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions

Is the Pergamon Museum open in 2026?

No. The museum has been closed since October 23, 2023. The north wing and the central section with the Pergamon Altar will open on June 4, 2027, and the south wing with the Ishtar Gate is due to open in 2037. In the meantime you can visit the "Pergamonmuseum. Das Panorama" opposite Museum Island and the other four museums on the island.

Do you need to register in advance for the Reichstag dome?

Yes. Visiting the dome and the terrace is free, but you will not be let in without registering in advance on the Bundestag website. Groups enter every 15 minutes, and last admission is at 21:45. Bring a passport or ID card. In autumn 2026 the dome closes several times for maintenance, while the terrace stays open.

Which places in Berlin can you visit for free?

The Berlin Wall Memorial on Bernauer Straße, the Holocaust Memorial with its Information Center, the Topography of Terror, the Red Town Hall, the Neue Wache and the Reichstag dome (with registration) are all free. You can wander freely through Tiergarten, Treptower Park, Unter den Linden and Gendarmenmarkt. Add to that the square at the Brandenburg Gate and Checkpoint Charlie.

Can you still see the AquaDom aquarium?

No. The aquarium in the atrium of the Radisson hotel was destroyed on December 16, 2022, and it will not be rebuilt. If you are traveling to Berlin with children for the sea creatures, choose the aquarium at Berlin Zoo or check whether Sea Life Berlin in the same quarter is open.

How many days do you need to see the main places on the list?

Three full days are enough for the center: Tiergarten and the government quarter, Museum Island with Alexanderplatz, and 20th-century history from the Wall to the Topography of Terror. The west, with Charlottenburg Palace and KaDeWe, takes another day. Grunewald, Köpenick and Tropical Islands each need a day of their own.

In brief: what's worth booking

Berlin does not require you to book everything in advance. Half the places on the list are free, and the parks and squares are open around the clock. Only a few things are worth sorting out ahead of time: registration for the Reichstag dome, a slot for the TV Tower and a hotel in an area well connected by the U5 or S-Bahn.

If this is your first visit and you have 2-3 days: stay near Alexanderplatz or Unter den Linden and register for the Reichstag dome.
If you love museums: get the 3-day Museum Pass and start with the New Museum.
If you are traveling with children: plan the zoo, the Botanical Garden and a day at Tropical Islands.
If 20th-century history matters to you: follow the route Bernauer Straße, Checkpoint Charlie, Topography of Terror.
If you want views: choose the TV Tower at sunset or the Victory Column by day.

Once your travel dates are set, pick accommodation close to the underground: compare hotels in Berlin on Trip.com.

Berlin in 40 stops: what's open in 2026 and where you need to book tickets in advance