Explore Essentials: The Definitive Guide to Berlin’s Top Attractions
“Berlin is packed with things to see – the real challenge for visitors is how to fit everything into one trip. But with a bit of planning you can catch all the main sights and our guide to Berlin’s top attractions is here to get you started.
The only surviving gate from the city walls that once surrounded Berlin, the Brandenburg Gate is a symbol of the city and the backdrop to many famous events, from New Year’s Eve celebrations to the Berlin Marathon. For your own iconic Berlin photograph, the Brandenburg Gate is in the city centre (U- and S-Bahn: Brandenburger Tor) and access is completely free. The classic photo opportunity is on the Pariser Platz side of the gate, and get there early in the morning if you want to have the scene all (or mostly) to yourself.
Di Pedelecs by Wikivoyage and Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=22764903
At 368m high, Berlin’s TV Tower is the tallest building in the German capital, and from the observation deck you’ll have unrivalled views across the city skyline. A visit to the top of the tower is extremely popular, so if you want to avoid the queues stick to weekdays, arrive early in the morning (from 9am in summer or 10am in winter), or skip the queue entirely by booking online in advance.
The closest transport is S- and U-Bahn Alexanderplatz and advance fast-track tickets cost €16.50 for adults and €9.50 for children.
Germany’s parliament building and symbol of the reunified city, the Reichstag roof terrace and dome is open to visitors every day from 8am until midnight and is completely free, although for security reasons you need to register your visit in advance. Don’t forget to bring official photo ID (passport, driver’s licence or ID card) and be aware there are airport-style security checks in place. The closest U-Bahn station is Bundestag, and it is also a short walk from Berlin’s main train station Hauptbahnhof. Register your visit online here.
By Berthold Werner – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=14892278Berlin Wall
——————-
There are two main places to see remnants of the Berlin Wall – the East Side Gallery with its colourful murals, close to Ostbahnhof station, and the Berlin Wall Memorial and Documentation Center on Bernauer Straße, close to Nordbahnhof station. Visiting both stretches of the Wall is free, and at Bernauer Straße there is also a free exhibition alongside the open-air exhibits of the memorial itself.
The Documentation Center is open Tuesday-Sunday 10am-6pm.
Book it: Berlin Wall Half-Day Walking Tour
A UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to five world-class museums, Museum Island should be near the top of any visitor’s itinerary. The closest S-Bahn station is Hackescher Markt and there are a variety of options when it comes to buying tickets. Single museum entry tickets cost €10 or you can get an all-museum pass for Museum Island for €18.
The Pergamon and New Museum are open seven days a week, 10am-6pm, while the Old National Gallery, the Old Museum and the Bode Museum have the same opening times but are closed on Mondays.
The Jewish Museum explores 2,000 years of German-Jewish history, is the largest of its kind in Europe and is located in the south of the city centre, close to Hallesches Tor and Kochstraße U-Bahn stations. The museum is open daily 10am-8pm, and to beat the crowds it is good to arrive either for opening or during the last couple of hours of the day. Tickets for adults cost €8 and there are reduced and family tickets available. Children up to 6 years old are free.
Berlin grew up on the banks of the River Spree and a cruise through the city centre will take you past many of the city’s landmark sights, including the Reichstag, Museum Island and the TV Tower. Different companies offer river cruises all year round, with the main starting points at Friedrichstraße pier (next to Friedrichstraße station) and also close to Museum Island (S-Bahn: Hackescher Markt). Tours can be taken in different languages, with a standard city centre cruise lasting about 3.5 hours.
Charlottenburg Palace
—————————-
The Baroque Charlottenburg Palace is one of the best-preserved of Berlin’s former royal residences with wonderful gardens to explore. Entry to the gardens is free, while tickets to visit the palace itself start at €10.
The palace is open Tuesday-Sunday from 10am and closes at 5:30pm in summer and 4:30pm in winter. Charlottenburg Palace is in the west of the city and easily reached with public transport. Take the S-Bahn to Westend or the U-Bahn to Richard-Wagner-Platz.
For a place to stay in the city, check out our hotels in Berlin.
_
_
By Carmelo Bayarcal – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=21248763“
More Articles With City break
Finding wheelchair-accessible things to do in London can often be a tricky task, but a new app makes it a lot easier.
Ready for your next great holiday? To help you prepare, we’ve created a simple travel checklist to make sure you’ve covered the essentials.
We rounded up 18 locals-only secrets in some of the world’s most beloved cities to help you feel like an insider, no matter where your travels take you.
Top travel tips from Jake Graf: a couples guide to London
The ultimate whatever-the-weather London staycation guide