Choose from 113 Fun Things to Do in Berlin
ShowingFilter 41-60 of 113 listings.
Old Jewish Cemetery (Alter Juedischer Friedhof)
The Old Jewish Cemetery is one of the oldest Jewish cemeteries in Berlin. It was built in 1672 and contains the grave of Moses Mendelssohn, a philosopher and the forefather of Jewish Enlightenment in the 1700s. It is estimated that around 12,000 Jewish people are buried here from the years 1672 to 1827. Unfortunately the cemetery was destroyed during World War II, and the site was used as a holding place for Jews before they were deported to concentration camps. The cemetery was reopened in 2008.
Since the cemetery suffered so much destruction during the war, not much remains of the original graves. Memorial plaques have been put up to honor Mendelssohn and other notable people who were buried at the Old Jewish Cemetery. Several thousand World War II soldiers ended up being buried here as well. Other memorial plaques and monuments here honor the Jewish community that once lived in this area and were deported during the war.
Practical Info
The Old Jewish Cemetery is located at Große Hamburger Straße 26-27.
Address: Große Hamburger Str. 26-27, Berlin, Germany
From $ 16
New Synagogue
The New Synagogue in Berlin is a Moorish-style building that was built from 1859 to 1866. It was designed by Eduard Knoblauch, though he did not live to see it finished. The synagogue was built with a highly visible, large dome and had refined steel construction of the galleries and roof. It could seat 3,200 people, and it was the largest Jewish place of worship in Germany. By 1933 it was the center of the Jewish community for the 160,000 Jewish citizens of Berlin. Unfortunately it suffered great damage during the bombings of World War II.
After extensive repairs and renovations, the New Synagogue reopened in May 1995. Today the Centrum Judaicum foundation is housed here. It is an institution for the preservation of Jewish memory and tradition and includes a museum. Exhibits trace the history of the synagogue, and guided tours show visitors the open space behind the restored facade, which was once the main synagogue room. Visitors can also see Torahs and scrolls which were excavated as late as 1989 as well as other documents relating to the synagogue.
Practical Info
The New Synagogue is located at Oranienburger Straße 28/30.
Address: Oranienburger Strasse 28-30, Berlin 10117, Germany
From $ 16
Pariser Platz
Pariser Platz is a square in Berlin to the east of the Brandenburg Gate. It was named after the city of Paris in 1814 to commemorate the overthrowing of Napoleon in Paris. During the Cold War, this square was just east of the border, and once the Berlin Wall went up, it became part of the border strip and was inaccessible to the public. Today Pariser Platz is a popular spot for tourists to gather to admire Brandenburg Gate. Visitors will often see horse drawn carriages in the square waiting to take tourists on a romantic ride.
The perimeter of the square is lined with several embassies, including the French Embassy and the US Embassy. You will also find several hotels, restaurants, cafes, and several other countries' embassies in this area. It is also occasionally a site for temporary art installations as well as public demonstrations. Nearby Pariser Platz you will find the Reichstag Building which is the seat of the German Parliament, Tiergarten Park and one of three Soviet War Memorials in Berlin.
Practical Info
Pariser Platz is located at the end of Unter den Linden. To get there take the U55, S1, S2, or S25 to Brandenburger Tor.
Address: Pariser Platz, west end of Unter den Linden, Berlin 10117, Germany
From $ 16
Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe (Holocaust Memorial)
A somber yet striking memorial stretching over a 4.7-acre (1.9-hectare) plot in the center of Berlin, the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe (Denkmal für die Ermordeten Juden Europas) was opened in 2005 to remember and honor the some 6 million Jewish victims of the Holocaust.
The Basics
Taking the time to walk through the memorial is essential, and visiting on a private or small-group Berlin walking tour means your guide will be able to offer insight into its significance. You should explore the underground Information Centre, where the moving exhibitions include the Room of Names, the Room of Dimensions, and the Room of Families. For a deeper understanding of Berlin’s World War II and Cold War history, combine a visit with a stop at the Berlin Wall, the Brandenburg Gate, or the Jewish Museum.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Entrance to the memorial and information center is free.
- Be mindful that the memorial is a place of remembrance, so avoid loud or disrespectful behavior and don’t allow children to play around the pillars.
- The memorial is wheelchair accessible.
How to Get There
The Holocaust Memorial is located on Cora-Berliner-Strasse 1 in central Berlin, just south of the Brandenburg Gate and on the eastern edge of the Tiergarten Park. You can walk there from the Reichstag building and Potsdamer Platz, or take the U-Bahn to the Franzosische Strasse or Mohrenstrasse stations.
When to Get There
The memorial is open 24/7, although you’ll need to visit during the day to see the information center. To avoid the crowds and experience the memorial at its quietest, opt for an early morning or nighttime visit.
The Meaning Behind the Memorial
The memorial features 2,711 concrete pillars of varying heights forming a grid-like structure that can be approached and viewed from all angles. The unsettling combination of the undulating ground and ever-changing horizon line create an intentionally uneasy and confusing atmosphere. Architect Peter Eisenman designed it to be a place of contemplation, remembrance, and warning.
Address: Cora-Berliner-Strasses 1, Berlin 10117, Germany
Hours: Memorial site open 24 hours, Info Center Apr-Sep: Tue-Sun 10am-8pm; Oct-Mar: Tue-Sun 10am-7pm
Admission: Free entry, Audio tours €3
From $ 16
Neues Museum (New Museum)
The Neues Museum was built in the mid-1800s and was heavily damaged during World War II. Restoration work beginning in 2005 carefully preserved the facade and interior, while incorporating damage from war into the design, rather than covering it up. The museum opened its doors to the public again in 2009.
The Egyptian collection includes displays covering more than 4,000 years of ancient Egyptian and Nubian cultures. There are exhibits on the history of the collection and Egyptology itself, portraits of kings and the Berlin Green Head, which illustrates how sculpture progressed as an art form. Three chambers contain offerings dating from the Old Kingdom, as well as displays of tomb architecture and relief art. There is also an Egyptian library of antiquity and a section depicting ancient everyday life, the afterlife and the cult of the gods.
The prehistory and early history collection has 6,000 exhibits of archaeological finds from Europe and parts of Asia, illustrating the life and cultural history of these regions from the Stone Age up to the Middle Ages. Other sections of the museum cover 19th-century paintings of Nordic mythology, artifacts from Troy and Cyprus, archaeology of Rome and many other artifacts from various eras throughout history.
Practical Info
The Neues Museum is located at Bodestraße 1-3. Opening hours are from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday through Tuesday. On Wednesday, it is open until 8 p.m. Tickets cost 12 euros.
Address: Bodestraße 1-3, Berlin, Germany
Hours: Fri-Tues 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Wed. til 8 p.m.
Admission: 12 euros
From $ 23
Otto Weidt Museum (Museum Blindenwerkstatt Otto Weidt)
A unique and moving tribute to one of the everyday heroes of World War II, the Otto Weidt Museum tells the story of the site's history as Weidt's Workshop for the Blind. Visually impaired himself, Weidt owned and ran a factory in this space, producing brooms and brushes during the war and employing about 30 blind and deaf Jews between the years of 1941 and 1943.
Weidt went to great lengths to keep his employees safe from persecution, even finding places for some to hide, falsifying documents, helping them escape from assembly camps by bribing the Gestapo to have his workers released.
Today, the museum is devoted to telling compelling Weidt's story with letters, poems and photographs displayed alongside the personal stories of his former employees. The workshop is mostly in the same state it was in during the war, allowing travelers to get an authentic look at the conditions where employees worked and where one family hid behind a backless cupboard in the space.
Practical Info
The Otto Weidt Museum is located in central Berlin at Rosenthaler Strasse 39, about a 10-minute walk from Alexanderplatz. Take the S5, S7 or S75 to Hackescher Markt, then take An der Spandauer Brücke to Rosenthaler Strasse. The museum is open daily from 10am to 8pm. Admission is free.
Address: Rosenthaler Strasse 39, Berlin 10178, Germany
Hours: Daily 10am–8pm
From $ 16
Mitte
Mitte is the central neighborhood in Berlin, where visitors will find the bulk of the city's attractions, as well as many restaurants, bars and clubs. It’s the best base to explore Berlin’s historical and cultural center.
Brandenburg Gate, the only surviving city gate in Berlin, is one of the most recognizable sights in the city. It was the symbol of the border between East and West Berlin for decades and was isolated from both sides until the wall came down. Also in Mitte is the Berlin TV Tower (Fernsehturm), one of the tallest structures in Europe and therefore a great place for views of the city. It's located near Alexanderplatz, a big square in the center of the city where you'll find lots of shopping and the hub of Berlin’s public transportation system.
The Reichstag Building is the seat of the German government, located just a short walk from Brandenburg Gate. Free audio tours are available (with reservation) in the glass dome, where you can learn about the government and see the city from a new vantage point. Museum Island is also located in Mitte, near the impressive Berlin Cathedral. On Museum Island, you'll find five of Berlin's most popular museums: Pergamon Museum, Bode Museum, Neues Museum, Altes Museum, and Alte Nationalgalerie.
Practical Info
Mitte is a 15-square-mile neighborhood located in the heart of Berlin.
Address: Berlin, Germany
From $ 13
Old National Gallery (Alte Nationalgalerie)
The Old National Gallery (Alte Nationalgalerie) is the third-oldest museum on Berlin’s UNESCO World Heritage–listed Museum Island (Museumsinsel). Its collection showcases 19th-century artists such as Monet, Renoir, and Rodin. The interior of the neoclassicist building are influenced by Prussian classicism thanks to King Frederick William IV.
The Basics
The Old National Gallery, one of five museums on Museum Island, houses one of Europe’s largest collections of 19th-century art—with more than 1,800 paintings and 1,500 sculptures. Though much of the museum was destroyed during World War II, it was later repaired by both the communist and democratic regimes in the following decades.
Many tours in Berlin explore Museum Island with options to go inside the gallery. If visiting independently, combine the Old National Gallery and other UNESCO-listed Museumsinsel sights with a 3-day Museum Pass. Alternatively, a 2- or 3-day Berlin Pass includes admission to the gallery and more than 50 other city attractions.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Art lovers must not miss the Alte Nationalgalerie.
- There is a free cloakroom for storing personal items as well as those not permitted in the museum, including large bags and backpacks, tripods, and umbrellas.
- Visitors under the age of 18 receive free admission.
- The museum is accessible to wheelchair users.
How to Get There
The Old National Gallery is located in Berlin Mitte on Museum Island. There is no parking available so take the S-Bahn to Hackescher Markt, or tram M1 or 12 to Georgenstr./Am Kupfergraben.
When to Get There
The Alte Nationalgalerie is open from 10am to 6pm on Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, and until 8pm on Thursday (when there are fewer visitors); check the website for holiday hours. It is advised to visit the museum outside of the summer months when Berlin is less crowded.
Famous Artworks in the Alte Nationalgalerie
The Old National Gallery vast collection of 19th-century artworks features numerous masterpieces. Significant paintings on display include The Balcony Room and Iron Rolling Mill by Adolph Menzel, In Summer by Pierre-Auguste Renoir, and Monk by the Sea by German artist Caspar David Friedrich. Don’t-miss sculptures include those of Princesses Luise and Friederike of Prussia as well as Friedrich Wilhelm IV.
Address: Bodestraße 1-3, Berlin 10178, Germany
Admission: Varies
From $ 23
Philharmonic Hall
The Berlin Philharmonic is the city's concert hall and home to the city's Philharmonic Orchestra. The facility actually has two venues, one with 2,440 seats for orchestra concerts and a chamber music hall with 1,180 seats. The hall was constructed in the early 1960s, and it replaced one that was destroyed during World War II. The chamber music hall was added in the 1980s.
The building is know for its acoustics, its bright yellow color, and its asymmetrical, tent-like shape. The innovative design of the concert hall and the unusual architecture initially caused some controversy, but today the design serves as a model for concert halls all over the world.
Though the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra existed in some form since the late 1800s, the orchestra and its chief conductor Sir Simon Rattle celebrated its 50th anniversary in October 2013. This marked 50 years since the orchestra debuted in its new home. The Berlin Philharmonic Foundation offers guided tours of the orchestra hall and chamber music hall. The tours cover topics such as the architecture and acoustics of the building and the history of the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra. Tours are offered in German and English, though other languages are offered for group bookings made ahead of time.
Practical Info
The Berlin Philharmonic Hall is located at Herbert-von-Karajan-Str. 1. Check their website for concert schedules and tour availability.
Address: Herbert-von-Karajan-Str. 1, Berlin, Germany
Hours: Varies
From $ 45
Panoramapunkt
Zoom to the top of Berlin’s Kollhoff Tower in Europe’s fastest elevator to reach the Panoramapunkt observation deck. At 328 feet (100 meters), Panorama Point offers some of the best views of the city and its landmarks. The 24th floor features an open-air exhibition with pictures and audio presenting the history of the famous Potsdamer Platz.
The Basics
Panoramapunkt is at the center of Berlin and straddles the old dividing Berlin Wall. From the 25th floor, you get stellar views of iconic landmarks including the Berlin TV Tower at Alexanderplatz, the Berlin Cathedral, Brandenburg Gate, and the Reichstag. From this lofty spot you can also see the old Berlin Wall’s division marks winding through the streets of the city. The Berliner Blicke exhibition shows what life was like before, during, and after the Berlin Wall era.
For a comprehensive overview of Berlin, book a combination tour of Panoramapunkt, the Currywurst Museum, and the Story of Berlin Museum. Alternatively, the Berlin Pass is great for seeing as much of the city as possible: it includes free entry to more than 50 attractions as well as a public transport ticket.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Panorama Point is a must-do for those who want to get one of the best views of Berlin.
- Purchase a VIP ticket to skip the lines and avoid long wait times.
- Visitors typically spend about an hour taking in the views and enjoying a coffee at the 1930s-style café.
- The elevator, viewing platform, and café are all accessible by those with limited mobility.
How to Get There
Panoramapunkt is located at Potsdamer Platz 1 on the 24th and 25th floors of the Kollhoff Tower, just a 10-minute walk from the Brandenburg Gate. Take the U2 underground line to U-Potsdamer Platz, or the S1, S2, S25, or S26 overground line to the same stop.
When to Get There
Panorama Point’s opening hours vary seasonally; check the website for details. The observation deck is an ideal place to catch the sunset over the urban jungle of Berlin. For the most contemplative experience—and to avoid the sunset crowds—visit early in the day before heading to more popular sights nearby.
The Story of Potsdamer Platz
After World War II, Potsdamer Platz was completely rebuilt and soon became the city center of West Berlin during the Cold War. After the Berlin Wall came down in 1990, Berlin underwent massive reconstruction, and Potsdamer Platz blossomed into a major hub. Buildings like the Sony Center and the Kollhoff Tower—completed just nine years after the fall of the Wall—became icons of the area and now showcase the tumultuous history of the area.
Address: Potsdamer Platz 1, Berlin 10785, Germany
Admission: Varies
From $ 9
Neue Wache
The Neue Wache memorial in Berlin was built between 1816 and 1818. It was designed by Karl Friedrich Schinkel as a memorial to those who had lost their lives in the Napoleonic wars. The Royal Guard was stationed at the memorial from 1818 to 1918. Later it became a memorial to the victims of World War I, but during World War II it was severely damaged by bombings. It was rebuilt in 1960 as a memorial to the victims of Fascism and Militarism and housed an eternal flame. In the center of the memorial site is a large sculpture called “Mother with her Dead Son” by Käthe Kollwitz.
In 1969 a new element was incorporated into the memorial. The remains of an unknown soldier and an unknown concentration camp prisoner were buried there with earth taken from the battlefields of World War II and from concentration camps. Neue Wache became the Central Memorial of the Federal Republic of Germany for the Victims of War and Tyranny after Germany reunification.
Practical Info
Neue Wache is located at Unter den Linden 4.
Address: Unter den Linden 4, Berlin 10117, Germany
From $ 16
Palace of Tears
Palace of Tears, or Tränenpalast in German, is a building at Berlin's Friedrichstrasse station that was a border crossing point during the time when the city was split between East and West. It was used by people crossing into West Berlin, so those transiting through here were mostly people who lived in West Berlin who were returning home after visiting family in East Berlin. Due to the painful good-byes that took place here, it was dubbed the Palace of Tears. It was built in 1962 and operated until the Berlin Wall came down in 1989.
Today it serves as a museum with a permanent exhibition detailing the border experience and every day life in the divided Germany. Visitors can view original materials, photographs, films, documents, and interviews with witnesses, all of which document the effects and consequences of the border on the lives of Germans during this time. The exhibition also displays information on the key turning points of the reunification process.
Practical Info
Palace of Tears is located at Reichstagufer 17. Take the U6, S1, S2, S5, S7, S25, or S75 to the Friedrichstrasse station. The museum is on the north side of the station. Opening hours are Tuesday to Friday 9am to 7pm, Saturday to Sunday 10am to 6pm, and closed on Mondays. Entrance is free.
Address: Reichstagufer 17, Berlin 10117, Germany
Hours: Monday closed
Tuesday-Friday 9am-7pm
Saturday-Sunday 10am-6pm
From $ 16
Nikolaiviertel (Nicholas Quarter)
The Lilliputian Nicholas Quarter is an area that was developed around Berlin’s oldest parish church, the Nikolaikirche (St. Nicholas’s Church), dating from 1230. The area now tries to maintain its medieval character; its cobblestoned lanes worth a quick stroll if you are in the surrounding borders of Rathausstrasse, Spandauer Strasse, Mühlendamm and the Spree River. Though there are many gift stores, cafes and restaurants in the quarter, you will find locals elsewhere.
The main attractions, in addition to the St. Nicholas church, include the Ephraim Palace, a masterpiece of palace architecture of the 18th century Berlin. Equally beautiful is the Baroque style Knoblauch house built in 1760, which offers insight into world of the upper middle class world through its rooms and valuable furniture.
For those who love historical architecture, you'll find two of Berlin's oldest buildings at Breite Strasse : No. 35 is the Ribbeckhaus, the city's only surviving Renaissance structure, dating from 1624, and No. 36 is the early baroque Marstall, built by Michael Matthais between 1666 and 1669.
The main attractions, in addition to the St. Nicholas church, include the Ephraim Palace, a masterpiece of palace architecture of the 18th century Berlin. Equally beautiful is the Baroque style Knoblauch house built in 1760, which offers insight into world of the upper middle class world through its rooms and valuable furniture.
For those who love historical architecture, you'll find two of Berlin's oldest buildings at Breite Strasse : No. 35 is the Ribbeckhaus, the city's only surviving Renaissance structure, dating from 1624, and No. 36 is the early baroque Marstall, built by Michael Matthais between 1666 and 1669.
Address: Am Nussbaum 3, Berlin 10178, Germany
From $ 52
Olympic Stadium (Olympiastadion)
Berlin’s Olympic Stadium was built for the 1936 Summer Olympics, and still serves as one of the city’s main arenas for football games and events. The stadium, where Hitler presented his Nazi propaganda to the world, is best known for hosting the 2006 FIFA World Cup Championship. It is now home to the Hertha BSC football club from Berlin.
The Basics
The Olympiastadion can seat more than 74,000 spectators and is part of the massive Olympiapark complex, which includes the 25,000-seat open-air Waldbuhne amphitheater, the large track field known as Maifeld, an Olympic-size swimming pool, and the 255-foot (78-meter) Glockenturm Bell Tower. Many hop-on hop-off tours in Berlin include a stop at the Olympiastadion, which you can visit on days when there are no scheduled events.
Guided and self-guided tours are available to explore the facilities. The topics for the guided tours can be architecture, sports, or history, and generally include visits to off-limits areas such as VIP lounges, the locker rooms, and the field. Self-guided tours include audio guides in a variety of languages.
Things to Know Before You Go
- The stadium is a must-visit for sports lovers and those interested in Olympic history.
- The on-site restaurant, Ostkurve, is open on non-event and event days.
- Wheelchair seating is available throughout the stadium, as are accessible restrooms and parking areas.
How to Get There
Berlin’s Olympic Stadium is located past Charlottenburg, in West Berlin. Take the U2 underground line or the S5 commuter train to the Olympiastadion stop. If driving, there is generous parking available on non-event days, though it’s quite limited during events.
When to Get There
The best time to visit the Olympiastadion is on non-event days, generally from 9am to 7pm, when the grounds are open to the public. Visitors generally spend about two hours exploring Olympiastadion and Olympiapark. Since it is quite far west, you can combine a visit to the Olympic Stadium with nearby sights such as Charlottenburg Palace and Zoologischer Garten.
The History of Olympiastadion
The Olympic Stadium was built for the 11th Olympic Games, which took place in August 1936. The National Socialist Germany party commissioned architect Werner March to build a stadium suitable for the games as well as any future rallies for the German people. A history trail is available at the stadium, with 45 signs about the building’s past and notable artworks.
Address: Olympischer Platz 3, Berlin 14053, Germany
Admission: Varies
From $ 9
Mauerpark
Mauerpark is a park in Berlin located in what was once the death strip zone of a section of the Berlin Wall in the Prenzlauer Berg neighborhood. The name translates literally as “Wall Park.” After the wall came down and East and West were reunited, this park became a popular recreation spot. People gather here to play sports with their friends, to enjoy performances by jugglers and musicians, or simply to hang out with friends. On Sundays, Mauerpark is home to one of Berlin's most popular flea markets. Both locals and tourists come to the flea market to browse through the clothing, shoes, bicycles, vinyl records, and various trinkets.
Another big draw are the Sunday afternoon karaoke sessions that take place at the amphitheater from spring until fall and start at 3 p.m. Remaining sections of the Berlin Wall at the Jahn Stadium now serve as a canvas for graffiti artists. Near the park, visitors will find the Bernauer Straße Memorial, an outdoor museum that details the history of the Berlin Wall and how it affected this neighborhood. There are also several restaurants and cafes in the area near Mauerpark, as well as a few food stalls throughout the Sunday flea market.
Practical Info
Mauerpark is located where Bernauer Straße turns into Eberswalder Straße. To get there, take either the U2 to the Eberswalder Straße Ubahn station or the U8 to the Bernauer Straße station.
Address: Gleimstrasse 55, Berlin 10437, Germany
From $ 25
Museum Island (Museumsinsel)
Located on the northern tip of Spree Island, Berlin’s Museumsinsel (Museum Island) is an ensemble of five world-renowned museums. In 1830, King Friedrich Wilhelm III commissioned the construction of the Royal Museum - now the Altes Museum - to allow the general public to view the royal art treasures of Germany. The idea for the island was devised in 1841, when Friedrich August Stuler wanted to create a cultural center, which later became Museum Island.
Almost 70% of the buildings were destroyed during World War II, where the collections were divided between East and West Berlin. Since 1999, the museum has been the only architectural and cultural ensemble that was honored world heritage status by UNESCO.
If you can only visit one museum, The Pergamon, completed in 1930, is your best bet. This collection of museums house the Collection of Classical antiques occupying the architectural halls and sculpture wing, the Middle Eastern Museum and Museum of Islamic Art. You will also find classical sculpture and monumental architecture from Greece, Rome and Babylon.
The Bode Museum, formerly the Kaiser-Friedrich Museum added in 1904, houses an extensive collection of sculptures from the Museum of Byzantine Art as well as a coin collection.
The Altes Museum is one of the most important works of Neoclassical architecture. Its Pantheon-inspired rotunda is the focal point of the prized Antiquities Collection of Greek, Roman and Etruscan art and sculpture.
The New Museum (Neues Museum), completed in 1859, is a showcase for prehistoric and Egyptian treasures. It was reopened in 2009 after being in ruins for ten years. Its most valued piece is the bust of Nefertiti.
The Old National Gallery (Alte Nationalgalerie), completed in 1876, features works of Classicism, Romanticism, the Biedermeier era, Impressionism and early Modernism.
Renovation continues across all museums.
Almost 70% of the buildings were destroyed during World War II, where the collections were divided between East and West Berlin. Since 1999, the museum has been the only architectural and cultural ensemble that was honored world heritage status by UNESCO.
If you can only visit one museum, The Pergamon, completed in 1930, is your best bet. This collection of museums house the Collection of Classical antiques occupying the architectural halls and sculpture wing, the Middle Eastern Museum and Museum of Islamic Art. You will also find classical sculpture and monumental architecture from Greece, Rome and Babylon.
The Bode Museum, formerly the Kaiser-Friedrich Museum added in 1904, houses an extensive collection of sculptures from the Museum of Byzantine Art as well as a coin collection.
The Altes Museum is one of the most important works of Neoclassical architecture. Its Pantheon-inspired rotunda is the focal point of the prized Antiquities Collection of Greek, Roman and Etruscan art and sculpture.
The New Museum (Neues Museum), completed in 1859, is a showcase for prehistoric and Egyptian treasures. It was reopened in 2009 after being in ruins for ten years. Its most valued piece is the bust of Nefertiti.
The Old National Gallery (Alte Nationalgalerie), completed in 1876, features works of Classicism, Romanticism, the Biedermeier era, Impressionism and early Modernism.
Renovation continues across all museums.
Practical Info
Within walking distance of the U2 Subway and the S5, S7, S75 Trains.
Address: Am Lustgarten 1, Berlin, Germany
Hours: Altes Museum, New Museum, Old National Gallery, Bode Museum: Open Tue-Wed, Fri- Sun 10am - 6pm, Thu 10am - 8pm Closed Mon. Pergamon Museum - Mon-Sun 10am - 6pm.
Admission: Varies
From $ 16
Missing House
A haunting tribute to all that was lost in WWII, the aptly named ‘Missing House’ is powerful in simplicity – a visual metaphor that pushes visitors to consider the lasting effects of war. Destroyed by bombing in February 1945, the ‘house’ is now nothing more than an empty space between 2 buildings, but it was once part of a thriving mixed community, with both Jewish and non-Jewish former residents.
Transformed into ‘a memorial space dedicated to absence’ by French artist Christian Boltanski in 1990, the neighboring houses are now adorned with brass plaques listing the house’s former residents. It’s a moving sight, with the stark space offering a poignant reminder of what is left behind after war, and the surprising variety of former residents (both in religion and class status) showcasing a diversity all but wiped out by the arrival of the Nazi regime.
Practical Info
The Missing House is located on Grosshamburger Strasse in central Berlin and open to the public at all times. There is no admission fee.
Address: Grosse Hamburgerstrasse 16, Berlin, Germany
From $ 16
Oberbaum Bridge
The Oberbaum Bridge, or Oberbaumbrücke in German, was built in the late 1800s and crosses the River Spree to connect the neighborhoods of Kreuzberg and Friedrichshain in Berlin. The bridge has mock medieval turrets and seven arches. It's a two level bridge with the lower level for cars and the upper level for the U1 U-bahn trains.
During the Cold War, this bridge was a landmark dividing East Berlin from West Berlin. Armed guards patrolled the banks of the river, and the bridge was one of the crossing points from west to east only. The U-bahn line that crossed the bridge had to terminate at an earlier stop, but a few years after reunification, the train was reconnected and once again went across the bridge.
Today the bridge is decorated with street art and graffiti. There is a nearby beach on the banks of the river, which used to be no man's land blocked by barbed wire. Also near the bridge is the famous East Side Gallery. The Oberbaum Bridge has been featured in several films, including “Run Lola Run” and “The Bourne Supremacy.”
In 2001, Kreuzberg and Friedrichshain were joined in as one jurisdiction, so the bridge no longer crosses a boundary. However, the Oberbaum Bridge still stands as a symbol of reunification in Berlin.
Practical Info
To get to the Oberbaum Bridge, take the U1, S5, S7, S75 or M10 to Warschauer Strasse.
Address: Berlin, Germany
From $ 16
Madame Tussauds Berlin
Madame Tussauds is the ultimate wax museum with locations the world over. Madame Tussauds Berlin has a wide variety of life-like wax figures made to look like celebrities, including actors such as Johnny Depp and Julia Roberts, and musicians such as Rihanna and the Beatles. Wax exhibits also include politicians such as Angela Merkel and Barack Obama, sports stars such as Muhammad Ali and Mesut Özil, and historical figures such as Albert Einstein and Ludwig van Beethoven. There's even a section of superheros like Spiderman and Shrek.
There's also a behind-the-scenes area where visitors can get a closer look at how the figures are made. It's a complex process starting with measuring and photographing the person who will be sculpted. Great care is taken to ensure the eye color, hair color and style, skin color and even the teeth are as accurate as possible.
Madame Tussauds is a fun place where visitors can walk among the celebrities and have their photo taken with the stars. On average, visits take about an hour and a half.
Practical Info
Madame Tussauds Berlin is open daily from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., except in August when they are open until 8 p.m. Last admission is one hour before closing time. They are located at Unter den Linden 74 near Brandenburg Gate.
Address: Unter den Linden 74, Berlin 10117, Germany
Hours: Daily 10am-7pm (August 10am-8pm)
Admission: Adults €22.50, Children €18
From $ 14
Otto Weidt Museum
A unique and moving tribute to one of the everyday heroes of WWII, the Otto Weidt Museum tells the story of its former owner, Otto Weidt, and his Workshop for the Blind. Recognised as one of the Righteous Men of the World’s Nations, Otto Weidt, himself visually impaired, owned and ran a factory producing brooms and brushes during the war years, employing around 30 blind and deaf Jews between the years of 1941 and 1943.
With a business classed as ‘vital to the war effort’ thanks to providing for the Wehrmacht, Weidt went to great lengths to keep his employees safe, even falsifying documents, helping them escape and bribing the Gestapo to have his workers released from assembly camps.
Today, the museum is devoted to telling his story and it’s a compelling account, including letters, poems and photographs, alongside the personal stories of his former employees. Visitors can even see the hideout at the back of the workshop, where Weidt hid those threatened by deportation.
Practical Info
The Otto Weidt Museum is located in central Berlin, approximately a 10-minute walk from Alexanderplatz and is open daily from 10am-8pm. There is no admission fee.
Address: Rosenthaler Str. 39, Berlin 10178, Germany
From $ 16