About Berlin – Things to Do

About Berlin

Berlin, Germany’s capital and largest city, is a hip, trendsetting world metropolis – a city characterized by tradition, fascinating and turbulent history, and progress. More and more artists are flocking to Berlin from all around the world to draw inspiration from the endless creative vibes, making it one of the most exciting destinations in the whole of Europe. It has a vibrant cultural scene and way of life that’s somehow all go yet relaxed.

The city is well known for its striking contrasts. Historical buildings stand alongside modern architecture as the past and present intermingle. Reminders of the city’s turbulent 20th-century history include its Holocaust Memorial and the Berlin Wall’s graffitied remains. During the Cold War, Berlin was divided by the Wall that was erected in 1961 by the East German government to separate East and West Berlin, preventing the loss of population to the free West. The East and West were brought back together in 1989 when the Wall fell. The fall of the Wall created an opportunity for Berlin to reimagine itself.

Being almost nine times larger than Paris, the city is full of surprises. With more than 420,000 trees, Berlin is the greenest capital in Europe. And when it comes to water, Berlin has more waterways than Venice or Amsterdam.

Mitte, which translates to “middle,” is generally considered the central district of Berlin. With its majestic buildings and cobblestone streets, it is the oldest district, where Prussian kings once ruled. It was heavily damaged during WWII and between 1961 and 1990 Mitte was part of East Berlin, closed to the West. As a part of the former GDR, the district has largely shaken off its Socialist past and is again the cultural and artistic hub. This vibrant district buzzes with activity and events, featuring many of the best dining spots, art centers, concert halls and more. Situated along the Spree River, Mitte encompasses many key attractions like Museum Island, Unter den Linden (one of Europe’s most elegant boulevards dating from Berlin’s golden age in the late 1800s) Brandenburg Gate, the Reichstag, and Alexanderplatz, a major square with the Fernsehturm (the Berlin TV tower).

In contrast to Mitte, City West in the western part of central Berlin is one of the city’s main commercial areas. It was the commercial center of former West Berlin when the city was divided by the Berlin Wall. Here you will find Kurfürstendammm, the most important shopping area in Berlin. A vast number of shops are strung along the wide boulevard, most of which are international brands.

To sum it up, this city of diversity and tolerance is known for cutting edge architecture, techno clubs and an intense party scene, cultural events, cinema, history, fashion, international cuisine, music, good beer with sausages (don’t miss the curry wurst!), world class museums, the Spree River and very tangible history. Berlin’s combination of glamor and grit is bound to mesmerize all those keen to explore it.

There are so many things to see and do in Berlin!

A great way to get an overview of Berlin is by taking a Hop On, Hop Off bus tour. Check out these companies:

  • City Sightseeing Berlin
    • (The stop located approximately one block from the InterContinental Hotel is called Berlin Zoo, #17 on the red route.)
  • Big Bus Berlin
    • (Their stops are not as close to the InterContinental Berlin as the company above, City Sightseeing Berlin. The Big Bus Berlin closest stops in order of proximity to the hotel are red routes #12 Lützowplatz, #11 KaDeWe Department Store, and #13 Potsdamer Platz.)

Iconic and Unique Berlin

  • Berlin Television Tower: This tower is an important landmark in Berlin. Built during the GDR era, it now symbolizes the entire city. Enjoy the view from its viewing platform.
  • Beer Gardens: When in Germany, you can’t miss out on the Beer Gardens (weather permitting!).  Near the InterContinental Berlin, our meeting hotel, you will find Café am Neuen See.
  • Night Clubs! For decades, Berlin’s techno clubs have made the city a magnet for night owls from all over the world. Its techno club history is closely linked to the major political changes in the city – techno and club culture reflects the trends of the times. Techno became the soundtrack for the spirit of freedom after the fall of the Berlin Wall. Berlin’s clubs offer protected spaces for exchange and new ideas. Berghain has made a name for itself as the club with the toughest door in the world. Sisyphos with its unique carnival atmosphere, along with its open design and large outdoor area also has a challenging door. But, Tresor and Sameheads are known for allowing more people entrance. 
  • But step aside, techno! Berlin is also home to a vibrant jazz scene. Check out the many jazz clubs where you can find live jazz music on most nights.
  • Cabaret? Of course! The famous musical Cabaret took place in 1930 Berlin, and cabaret clubs can still be found. But when looking for a show, keep in mind that “Kabarett” in German refers in general to a night club specializing in political humor and the performances are usually all in German. To find burlesque cabaret shows, check out  Showbühne Berlin, Zirkus Mond, Kleine Nachtrevue, and Prinzipal Kreuzberg.
  • Telediskos are coin-operated mini discos fitted into upcycled phone booths, operated by Teledisko DAO based in Berlin. It is considered the smallest disco in the world, measuring just one square metre. Try one out as you wander Berlin!
  • East Side Gallery: This 1.3 km stretch is the longest continuous section of the Berlin Well still in existence. Located on the banks of the Spree River, it is an open-air art gallery featuring over 100 paintings which are the artists commentary on the political changes in 1989/90.
  • Hackesche Höfe: A beautiful, historical and unique Art Nouveau complex of eight courtyards offering a mix of unique shops, restaurants, bars and entertainment. 
  • Underworld Berlin: Hidden beneath the streets in Berlin’s underworld lie abandoned bunkers, tunnel passages and pneumatic mail systems just waiting to be discovered. This city is steeped in history above and below ground.
  • Trabant: The iconic and very compact Trabant (“Trabi”) was the Volkswagen of the GDR between 1958 and 1991. Citizens of East Germany had to wait years for the car they ordered. Visit the Trabi Museum and drive one yourself on a Trabi Safari tour!
  • Spree River Cruise: Day and night, there are various cruises available on the Spree River, offering a different perspective of the city.

MAIN MONUMENTS AND HISTORICAL POINTS OF INTEREST

  • Brandenburg Gate: This is Berlin’s most famous landmark and a must-see for all visitors. With over 200 years of history, it was a symbol of German division during the Cold War and is now a national symbol of peace and unity.
  • Reichstag: This is the seat of German National Parliament (Bundestag) and the building that experienced the turbulent history of Berlin before and during World War II. The building’s huge glass dome, once its most recognizable feature, was destroyed but has been rebuilt in a futuristic style. An interior walking ramp spirals to the top of the dome, offering excellent views of the surrounding city. There is also a restaurant at the top. Visit this link to schedule your visit to the dome.
  • Monument to the Murdered Jews of Europe: This impressive field of stelae in the middle of the city is an imposing place of remembrance and warning.
  • Victory Column: In the heart of Tiergarten Park, the Siegessäule (Victory Column) with its golden statue is one of the city’s must-see sights. You can climb the 285 steps to experience complete with panoramic views. This icon of Berlin commemorates Germany’s victories against Denmark, Austria and France between 1864 and 1871.
berlin to visit columns

Museums

Berlin has more than 170 Museums!  Here are just a few…

  • Museum Island: Discover this unique collection of museums on Spreeinsel (Spree Island) in the heart of Berlin. It encompasses five large art and archeology museums built under the Prussian rulers. Its Neues Museum is home to the world-famous bust of Nefertiti, which is over 3,000 years old.
  • Gemäldegalerie: This art museum ranks among the world’s finest and most comprehensive collections of European art.
  • New National Gallery: Berlin’s modern art museum focusing on the 20th century.

German History Specific

  • Topography of Terror: This is a place where terror is tangible, a place of remembrance and a warning from history. This exhibition is located on the site where between 1933 and 1945 the principal instruments of Nazi persecution and terror were located: the headquarters of the Gestapo, the high command and security service of the SS, and from 1939 the Reich Security Main Office. You can also view a section of the Berlin Wall here.
  • The Wall Museum:  Here you can experience the history of the division of Berlin and the wonderful event of the fall of the Berlin Wall – directly at the Berlin Wall in the former death strip. This multimedia presentation follows the story from the construction of the Wall to its fall in 1989.
  • Mauermuseum at Checkpoint Charlie: Checkpoint Charlie, the famous border crossing between East and West Germany, is an iconic symbol of the division of Germany. In the early years of the Wall, resistance fighter Rainer Hildebrandt started to build what would become Mauermuseum. Its mission was to catalogue escape plans as well as support escape attempts. Now the Mauermuseum is known for its extensive collection of items from 30 years of history, such as cars and hot air balloons that tell the stories of how successful escapees did it.
  • Jewish Museum: Explore the history of the Jews in Germany from the Middle Ages to the present day in a multimedia and interactive way and gain insights into the diversity of Jewish culture. 
  • German Spy Museum: This museum offers a unique insight into the shadowy realm of espionage. It features hundreds of rare objects that allow you to breathe history: Hitler’s Enigma encryption machine, spy equipment such as bra cameras, bugs in leather shoes, pistols in gloves, umbrellas with poison darts, as well as original props from the James Bond films.
  • DDR Museum: This museum offers an interactive journey into the past everyday life in the DDR/GDR (commonly known as East Germany – Deutsche Demokratische Republik/German Democratic Republic), the Wall, and the Stasi, which was the secret police and intelligence service of the DDR.

UNIQUE SHOPPING

  • Kurfürstendamm & Tauentzienstrasse: Kurfürstendamm, colloquially known by the Berliners as Ku’damm, is the most important shopping area in Berlin, along with Tauentzienstrasse. A vast number of shops are strung along the wide boulevard, most of which are international brands. Here you can visit the oldest department store in continental Europe, Kaufhaus des Westens, known as “KaDeWe,” founded in 1907 on Kurfürstendamn.
  • Friedrichstrasse: Known for its elegant boutiques and designer stores, Friedrichstrasse is a great option for luxury shopping. 
  • Neukölln: This vibrant neighborhood is known for its quirky shops, vintage stores, and cool cafes. 
  • Potsdamer Platz: This modern shopping district includes the Potsdamer Platz Arkaden and the Mall of Berlin, offering a variety of stores and restaurants. 
  • Schönhauser Allee:  Here you will find many original, specialized shops as well as fashionable restaurants and cafés.
  • Hackesche Höfe: A beautiful, historical and unique Art Nouveau complex of eight courtyards offering a mix of unique shops, restaurants, bars and entertainment. 
  • Bikini Berlin: This concept mall is located a short walk from the InterContinental Berlin. Here you will find numerous individual shops concentrating on modern design, not chain stores, and some nice restaurants. The adjacent 25 hours/Hotel Bikini Berlin had a roof top bar with views of West City called Monkey Bar Berlin, named for its overlook of the monkey habitat in the Berlin Zoo.
  • Arkonaplatz Flea Market: A great place to find vintage and antique items, especially on Sundays. 
  • Markthalle Neun: A vibrant market with a focus on food and local producers. 

PARKS TO STROLL

  • Tiergarten: This former royal hunting ground is the expansive “green lung” of Berlin, like New York’s Central Park or London’s Hyde Park. Tiergarten is home to the Berlin Zoo (see their pandas!) and Aquarium Berlin.
  • Mauerpark: This translates to “Wall Park”, referring to its status as a former part of the Berlin Wall and its Death Strip. On Sundays this park is the scene for music, art, and a flea market is very popular with hip Berliners and tourists alike.
  • Tempelhofer Feld: This is a huge inner-city park with an interesting history. It is the former historic Tempelhof Airport that was opened as a public park in 2008. Now you can stroll down the runways where Second World War Stuka dive-bombers took off and where, during the Berlin Airlift of 1948, after the Soviets blockaded West Berlin, the Western Powers dropped supplies for the city’s 2.5 million residents. This is where the American aviation pioneer Orville Wright demonstrated his skills in 1909, and spectators marveled at the new Zeppelin airships.
schloss charlottenburg scholvien
Schlossgarten Charlottenburg © visitBerlin, Photo: Wolfgang Scholvien

Palaces

For more information on things to do in and around Berlin, click here to visit the robust website of Visit Berlin, the city’s official tourism organization. 

  • Click here for walking tour information.
  • Click here to check out Visit Berlin’s Berlin Welcome Card, the official tourist card that offers 170+ discounts or free admissions at sights, attractions, restaurants and shows as well as free travel on public transportation. There are multiple levels of this card available.
  • Click here to download Visit Berlin’s Going Local Berlin tourist app.