uncommon places to visit in berlin

27 Hidden Gems in Berlin: Off the Beaten Path and Unusual Things to Do

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Ali Garland, Berlin expert & long term resident What to Do

It’s easy to find information about the major attractions in Berlin – places like Brandenburg Gate, Checkpoint Charlie, Museum Island, to name a few. But what about the hidden gems in Berlin ? Places that are really interesting but aren’t as widely known by visitors can make for an enjoyable experience. I’ve been living in Berlin since 2015, so to help you out, I’ve put together this list of Berlin off the beaten path sights and even some unusual things to do in Berlin .

My Berlin local tips includes some quirky Berlin attractions that are simply fun to see or do. It also includes some places that aren’t as popular or visited as much as the big sights in Berlin , but they’re ones that I think are really worth seeing anyway. And then I’ve also listed some sights and experiences that aren’t normally on Berlin top 10 lists.

What you'll find here

Unusual places to stay in Berlin

If you’re looking for hotels that are less than ordinary, you definitely have some choices in Berlin. Here are some hotel recommendations for unique places to stay in Berlin.

25Hours Hotel Bikini Berlin

Upscale hotel with “jungle” rooms that overlook the Berlin Zoo and TIergarten Park

Hüttenpalast

Quirky hotel where you can sleep in retro-style caravans and cabins located within an indoor camping site

nHow Berlin Friedrichshain

Midrange hotel along the Spree River where you can rent a guitar for free

Eastern & Western Berlin Boat

Unique budget hotel & hostel in a moored boat in the Spree River near the East Side Gallery

For a more detailed look at the different neighborhoods and our hotel recommendations, check out our guide to where to stay in Berlin .

Unique Berlin Tours

Berlin has lots of great tours to help you see more of the city. But if you’re looking for a Berlin off the beaten path walking tour instead of the standard options, these are a few we recommend.

• Berlin Street Art Tour : Learn about Berlin’s street art scene, legal and illegal street art, and see some off the beaten path art as well as a few famous ones.
• Berlin Neighborhoods Off the Beaten Path Walking Tour : Explore different areas of Kreuzberg, Mitte and Friedrichshain that most tourists don’t get to see.
• 3-Hour Alternative Berlin Bike Tour Vibes of Berlin : See Berlin on a 3 hour bike tour through alternative areas of Kreuzberg, Friedrichshain, Neukölln, and Treptow neighborhoods.
• Berliner Unterwelten Tours : The Berlin Underground tours are tours of an alternative side of Berlin, including old bunkers, subways, escape tunnels under the Berlin Wall, and more.

Berlin hidden gems

Berlin off the beaten path map.

I’ve created this map of the places mentioned in this post to help you see where they all are. Towards the end of the post, I have some quirky and off the beaten path day trips, and they are not on the map. Check out the map, and keep reading to learn more about these quirky sights and hidden gems.

9th of November 1989 Platz

The Berlin Wall is a big part of the city’s history, but there are so many different sights around Berlin that have to do with the Cold War , the Wall, and the division of Berlin. One of my favorites that often gets overlooked is the 9th of November 1989 Platz (Platz des 9th November 1989 in German) near the Bornholmer Strasse Sbahn station.

Here you’ll see a remaining piece of the Berlin Wall , plus an interesting display about the fall of the Wall. The former border crossing here was the first place the border opened up on November 9, 1989, so it holds a lot of history.

November 9th was an infamous date in German history before the fall of the Wall, and you can also learn about other dark events that took place on that day in history. This is also an especially nice place to visit in spring to see cherry blossoms .

Location: Bornholmer Str. 61, 10439 Berlin Opening Hours: 24/7 Entrance: free

Gedenkstätte Berlin-Hohenschönhausen

The Gedenkstätte Berlin-Hohenschönhausen , or the Berlin Hohenschönhausen Memorial, is a museum in a former Stasi prison. It was the main prison of the East German secret police. At this memorial, you can learn the history of the Stasi and the communist dictatorship, and stories of the many people who ended up here as prisoners. Some, but not all, guides were former prisoners themselves.

Location: Genslerstraße 66, 13055 Berlin Opening Hours: daily 9am – 6pm Entrance: The permanent exhibition is free; tours are 8 euros

Parliament of Trees

The Parliament of Trees a unique Berlin sight and a creative memorial honoring people who were victims of the Berlin Wall. It uses 58 authentic parts of the Berlin Wall, and for each year the Wall stood, there is a number indicating how many people died. It’s only open on Sundays in Berlin and not in the winter, so plan ahead.

This memorial includes 16 trees, one planted in 1990 by the state president from each of the 16 German federal states. Photos, flowers, memorial stones, and more round out this interesting Cold War site in Berlin .

Location: Schiffbauerdamm, 10117 Berlin, east bank of the Spree River, opposite the Reichstag Building Opening Hours: April to October, Sundays only, 12 noon – 5pm Entrance: free

Medieval city wall remains

While the Berlin Wall is the wall Berlin is most known for, you can still see a remaining section of the old medieval walls that once protected the city.

It might not be the most exciting thing to see in Berlin, but it’s certainly interesting that, despite everything, even this little bit of the old city walls still exists. And not far from here, check out the Franziskaner-Klosterkirche church ruins.

Location: Waisenstraße 2, 10179 Berlin Opening Hours: 24/7 Entrance: Free

Urban Nation

Urban Nation, the museum for urban contemporary art, is a free museum dedicated to street art, graffiti, and urban art. It’s the world’s first urban art museum, which is fitting since street art is such a huge part of Berlin’s landscape.

The exhibits change, as does the art covering the outside of the building. You can see fun, quirky art here, but also more serious pieces that have a message to send about current events. Check out my full guide to visiting the Urban Nation Museum and more free Berlin museums .

Location: Bülowstraße 7, 10783 Berlin Opening Hours: Tuesday & Wednesday 10am – 6pm, Thursday – Sunday 12 noon – 8pm, closed Monday Entrance: Free

>>Finding lots of things closed on Mondays? Check out my ideas for what to do on Mondays in Berlin .

North Side Gallery

You’ve heard of the East Side Gallery, the most famous remaining section of the Berlin Wall . But what if you could see street art on another section of the Wall, but one that is very much under the radar?

Just a few steps away from the Bernauer Strasse Wall Memorial is the Park am Nordbahnhof where you can see a few sections of the Berlin Wall that are still standing. And they have been turned into another legal place for street art. It’s privately run, so you have to get permission to paint on these walls.

For an alternative Berlin outdoor art display, I highly recommend taking a stroll through this park and enjoying the different sections of the North Side Gallery.

Location: Doesn’t really have an address, but look here and here Opening Hours: The park is open daily 6am – 10pm Entrance: Free

Teufelsberg

Tucked into the Grunewald, Teufelsberg is a former Cold War NSA spy station that’s been turned into one of the largest street art galleries in the world.

You can take a tour to learn about the site’s Cold War history as well as see what it’s been transformed into today. Keep in mind that you have to hike there, and they don’t have running water, so the only toilets are port-a-potties.

Location: Teufelsseechaussee 10, 14193 Berlin, 30 minute walk from the Heerstr or Grunewald Sbahn stations Opening hours: Monday – Friday 12:00 pm to sunset; Saturday, Sunday, public holidays: 11:00 am to sunset Entrance: 8 euros online, 10 euros at the door (cash only)

Bierpinsel translates to “beer brush”, which is sort of what this quirky 47 meter building looks like. It’s located right next to the Schloßstrasse U-Bahn in the Steglitz district, and it’s definitely a unique Berlin attraction.

Opened in 1976, this building used to be a restaurant. Unfortunately after the last tenant moved out of the building in 2010, it has remained empty for quite some time. A new owner is supposedly doing repairs and renovations with the hope of reopening it in a few years.

Location: Schloßstraße 17, 12163 Berlin Opening Hours: n/a Entrance: n/a

Computerspielemuseum

Do you love video games? Then the Computerspielemuseum is for you. This museum is dedicated to video games, and you’ll find games from decades ago all the way up to modern day games. And the best part is you can play some of them.

This is a particularly kid friendly place in Berlin , so if you’re not traveling with kids, you might want to avoid weekends and school holidays. That way you can experience the museum with smaller crowds.

Location: Karl-Marx-Allee 93A, 10243 Berlin Opening Hours: Daily 10am – 8pm Entrance: 11 euros

David Hasselhof Museum

I feel like “museum” is a bit of a stretch, but inside the Circus Hostel in their bar area, there’s a tiny, and a bit cheesy, David Hasselhof Museum. You’ll find photos and memorabilia honoring the singer/actor. Who is American, not German, in case you didn’t know.

Location: Weinbergsweg 1A, 10119 Berlin Opening Hours: Open when the bar/microbrewery is open, daily starting at 7pm Entrance: Free, but I recommend staying to buy a tasty beer

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More unusual museums in Berlin

Looking for more quirky museums? Berlin has plenty. Here are a few others to check out if you’re looking for something out of the ordinary.

Disgusting Food Museum : Learn about weird foods that people eat in other parts of the world, and at the end you can even try a few, like insects. Located at Schützenstraße 70, entry 16 euros. Closed Wednesdays and Thursdays.

Hemp Museum : The Hemp Museum (Hanf in German) is located at Mühlendamm 5 in Nikolaiviertel and covers everything hemp related, from history to its different uses. Closed on Mondays, entry 6 euros.

Buchstabenmuseum : For something a little off the beaten path in Berlin, check out the Buchstabenmuseum, or Letter Museum. This privately run museum is dedicated to old neon signs and other types of interesting letters and signs. If you’re a fan of design, typography, and signage, this one is for you. Located at Stadtbahnbogen 424, entry 12 euros. Closed Monday to Wednesday.

I think a lot of tourists don’t know about Tempelhof, a huge park that was once an airport. It’s definitely a unique Berlin attraction where you can walk on the runway (or run or ride a bike or many other things) and the airport building is still there. This airport also holds a lot of history as the base of the Berlin Airlift during the Cold War.

Even for those who do know about Tempelhof, did you know you can take a tour ? The tour shows you around the airport building, tells you about the history, and takes you to places not open to the general public.

And just recently they opened a viewing platform at Tempelhof. Both the Tempelhof Airport tour and the viewing platform are paid attractions, but they’re great ways to enjoy this hidden gem in Berlin.

Location: Tempelhofer Damm, 12101 Berlin; Airport building: Platz d. Luftbrücke 5, 12101 Berlin Opening Hours: Daily dawn to dusk (changes with the seasons) Entrance: Park entrance is free, tour is 17.50 euros, viewing platform is 6 euros

Markthalle Neun for Street Food Thursday

Well known by locals, this is one tourists might not be aware of. Markthalle Neun is an indoor market in Kreuzberg that focuses on local and organic (Bio in German) produce, meats, cheeses, and other products.

The main market runs on Saturdays and there are some stalls open every day except Sunday. But come by on Thursday night for Street Food Thursday. This is a popular event with locals where you can try lots of different and interesting food. It gets crowded though, so bring some patience.

Location: Eisenbahnstraße 42/43, 10997 Berlin Opening Hours: Thursdays 5pm – 10pm (hours are only for Street Food Thursday) Entrance: Free

Do you enjoy indoor markets? Also consider checking out Arminiusmarkthalle in Moabit and Marheineke Markthalle in Kreuzberg.

Kulturbrauerei for Street Food Sunday

Another street food event I quite like is in the courtyard of Kulturbrauerei in Prenzlauer Berg on Sunday afternoons.

On Street Food Sunday, you can find a bunch of food trucks set up selling everything from Korean fried chicken and Thai food to Uzbeki cuisine. Anything goes, and it’s a great atmosphere.

Location: Schönhauser Allee 36, 10435 Berlin Opening Hours: Sundays 12 noon – 6pm Entrance: Free

Klunkerkranich

Berlin has many rooftop bars , but one of the most hidden ones is Klunkerkranich. Yes, it’s well known, but the challenge is finding it once you arrive.

You have to work your way through a parking garage to find the entrance, and it can feel like you must be in the wrong place. Come for the view and enjoy some drinks and a little food.

Location: Karl-Marx-Straße 66, 12043 Berlin Opening Hours: Monday – Wednesday 5pm – midnight; Thursday – Sunday from 4pm Entrance: 2 to 8 euros depending on what’s going on that night

This eclectic market along the Spree River is a collection of bars and food stalls in a creative space. It’s pretty well known by locals but off the beaten path for Berlin visitors.

They also hold one of the less touristy Christmas markets in Berlin , so check it out if you’re in Berlin in December .

Location: Holzmarktstraße 25, 10243 Berlin Opening Hours: evenings on weekdays, afternoons and evenings on weekends Entrance: Free

Free lunchtime concert at the Philharmonie

Every Wednesday between September and June, the Philharmonie puts on a free show at lunchtime. The music is wide ranging but always sure to entertain.

The show lasts about 40-50 minutes. The number of guests is limited, so you may want to arrive early. Not only is this a fun free thing to do , but it’s a Berlin hidden gem not many people know about.

Grab a beer at a Späti

Spätis are unique Berlin convenience stores that are usually open 24 hours a day, though sometimes a few hours less. They mostly sell beer, but you can find other alcoholic beverages, potato chips, chocolate bars, sodas, and other snacks. Some will also sell bakery items or quick sandwiches or even items approaching groceries.

Certain Spätis have picnic tables outside where you can sit with your newly purchased beer, making it almost, but not quite, like a bar. Give it a try, it’s definitely one of the non touristy things to do in Berlin.

Location: Within a few blocks from wherever you are

Spandau Citadel

Charlottenburg Palace is the most well known castle in Berlin for good reasons. But if you’re looking for a castle that’s a little off the beaten path in Berlin, I highly recommend Spandau Citadel. It’s a fortress, so it’s more defensive than Schloss Charlottenburg, so you’ll also get to see a different kind of castle here.

The Citadel dates back to the 12th century, and it was strategically built where the Havel and Spree Rivers meet. Spandau is a district in the far northwest corner of Berlin, so it’s outside the center, but it’s still easy to reach by Ubahn or Sbahn.

Location: Am Juliusturm 64, 13599 Berlin Opening Hours: Thursday 1pm – 8pm, all other days 10am – 5pm Entrance: Adult 4.50 euro, Child 2.50 euro

If you’re visiting Berlin in summer and you want to cool off, go for a swim at the Badeschiff. This is a barge that’s been converted into a pool, and it’s located in the Spree River.

Not only is it a unique thing to do in Berlin, but you’ll have some great views of the Oberbaum Bridge and nearby areas from the pool.

Location: Eichenstraße 4, 12435 Berlin Opening Hours: Varies and can change, check website Entrance: 8 euros, book online only, max 4 days ahead

David Bowie’s apartment

From 1976 to 1978, David Bowie lived in Berlin, and during that time, he created three albums: Low, Heroes, and Lodger. Today his former apartment building is marked with a plaque, and often people leave flowers or other mementos.

Location: Hauptstraße 155, 10827 Berlin Opening Hours: n/a Entrance: n/a

Spas are very popular in Germany, and Berlin has quite a few good ones. But the Liquidrom is a unique Berlin place to go because it’s not your typical spa. Here you can listen to techno music underwater, because Berlin loves its techno, and a few nights a week there’s even a DJ. Definitely a interesting thing to do at night in Berlin .

Location: Möckernstrasse 10, 10963 Berlin Opening Hours: Sunday – Thursday 9am – midnight; Friday and Saturday 9am – 1am Entrance: starts at 22.50 euros, depends on services

Mauerpark karaoke

Sunday flea markets are a big thing in Berlin, and the one at Mauerpark is one of the most popular. But the most alternative things to do in Berlin also takes place here, and it’s karaoke.

It’s free, anyone can perform, and there’s a fun, relaxed vibe. If you want Berlin local tips, this is definitely one of them.

Location: Mauerpark, right about here Opening hours: Sunday afternoons Entrance: free

Looking for other flea markets? I recommend the RAW flea market and the Boxhagener Platz flea market, both in Friedrichshain.

Park Inn viewing platform

I love views of places from high vantage points. It’s one of my favorite things to do when I travel, so I have tons of favorite places for views of Berlin from above .

While I certainly think the views FROM the TV Tower are amazing, there’s one place that has the best view OF the TV Tower. And somehow it remains one of the Berlin secret places that’s hidden in plain sight.

This viewing platform is in the Park Inn hotel at Alexanderplatz. Because it’s so close to the TV Tower, it is THE place to go if you want fantastic photos of the tower.

It’s on the 39th floor of the hotel, where you’ll be 153 meters (about 502 feet) high. Unfortunately it’s not wheelchair friendly though, because even though you take the elevator most of the way, you have to climb 80 stairs from the 35th floor up to the 39th floor.

Location: Alexanderpl. 7, 10178 Berlin Opening Hours: April to September 12 noon to 10pm, October to March 12 noon to 6pm; can close in bad weather Entrance: 6 euros, cash only

Looking for other viewpoints that aren’t the TV Tower? Try Victory Column , the French Cathedral at Gendarmenmarkt , or Panoramapunkt .

Berlin is known all over the world for being a party city, and for some people, clubbing is the main reason to come here. But one of the more unusual things to do in Berlin is to go to what is probably the smallest dance club in the world.

It’s called Teledisko, and it’s basically a cross between a phone booth and a photo booth that plays music. You pay a few euros, pick a song, and dance your heart out. You can even pay a little extra for pictures or videos. It’s super cheesy, but definitely a quirky Berlin activity.

There are three that I know of, although Google Maps only seems to know of two. I’ll link to all three locations.

Location: RAW , Holzmarkt , Mercedes Platz Opening Hours: 24/7 Entrance: 2 to 6 euros, cash only

Quirky bars in Berlin

Berlin has plenty of bars, but for something truly weird, here are a few suggestions.

Train Cocktail Bar : For cool places to go in Berlin for a drink, why not try the Train Cocktail Bar? This bar is in an original Berlin Sbahn train car from the 1920s, so it’s a pretty cool setting. Located at Hauptstraße 162.

Berlin Ice Bar : This bar is very close to several tourist attractions, but I still think it’s quite an unusual thing to do in Berlin. The Berlin Ice Bar is a place where everything is made of ice and the temperature is 14F (-10C). But don’t worry, coats and gloves are provided. Located at Spandauer Str. 2.

Klo : Klo means toilet in German, and this is a toilet themed bar. The bar is decorated with toilet brushes, bedpans, actual toilets, and just about anything else related. Berlin quirky things to do? Yes, definitely. Located at Leibnizstraße 57.

MacLaren’s Pub : This is a How I Met Your Mother themed bar, completely decked out in just about every detail you could imagine from the show. Lily’s nude paintings of Marshall and Barney. Barney’s motivational posters from his office. The blue French horn. Just to name a few. Even better, this bar was started by two Berliners, one who was studying architecture, and one was studying law. Located at Boxhagener Str. 16.

Off the beaten path day trips from Berlin

The most popular day trips from Berlin are Potsdam and Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp , and for good reasons. But if you’re looking for something a little different, here are a few suggestions.

Cottbus : For a charming small city near Berlin, consider a day trip to Cottbus . It has the look and feel of a typical German old town but it’s a bit under the radar, so it’s not too crowded. Plus there’s a palace with a park that has two odd grass pyramids.

Peacock Island : Just on the edge of Berlin there’s an island with a fairy tale castle and peacocks that roam freely. It’s called Pfaueninsel in German. This is a good choice for a little nature that’s still within the city but feels like a world away. Note: The castle is under construction, so if this is your main reason for visiting, you should wait until it’s no longer covered up.

Tropical Islands : Maybe not so off the beaten path since it is definitely well known, but this is a bit quirky. Great if you’re traveling with kids, Tropical Islands is a water park in an old zeppelin hangar. The temperature is kept warm all year round, so it’s actually a great place to go in the winter if you want to pretend you’re in the south Pacific.

Berlin Travel Resources

I want you to have the best trip to Berlin, and hopefully this guide to hidden gems in Berlin and Berlin off the beaten path is helpful. But there are lots more tips on the site!

• 101 Best Things to do in Berlin
• 23 Impressive Castles in Berlin (And Nearby)
• 27 Best World War II & Cold War Sights in Berlin
• 29 Fun Day Trips From Berlin
• 75 Things to Know Before Visiting Berlin: Essential Berlin Travel Tips
• What to Wear & What to Pack for Berlin, Germany: Your Ultimate Berlin Packing List
• How to Get Around in Berlin: An Easy Guide to Berlin Public Transportation

Check out my favorite travel planning sites and resources

These are the sites I like for travel planning, plus items I like to travel with.

Planning Booking.com : Find a Berlin hotel here.

Rick Steves and Lonely Planet : My favorite guidebook resources.

Tours, Activities, Tickets Viator : Great site for finding tours and other activities.

GetYourGuide : Another good option for tours and activities.

Transport Welcome Pickups : No stress option for airport pickups.

Discover Cars : Find a rental car for Germany road trips.

Deutsche Bahn and FlixBus : Best options for getting around Germany.

Packing Orange SIM & eSIM : Great option for SIM & eSIM cards for German & EU.

Collapsible water bottle , plug adapter , and stuff bag : Small things that will make your trip a little easier.

Packing Orange SIM & eSIM : Great option for SIM & eSIM cards for Germany & EU.

Book a local photographer Flytographer : Hire an amazing local photographer anywhere in the world. Use code BERLINTRAVEL to get $25 off your first photo shoot.

Related Posts

What to do in Berlin on Monday: 25+ Museums & More

What to do in Berlin on Sunday: 15+ Ideas

Best Berlin Hop On Hop Off Bus Tours

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Berlin Hidden Gems: 25 Unusual Things To Do In Berlin

Table of Contents

This post may contain affiliate links to things like tours, hotels, Amazon associates and products. These help me earn a small commission at no additional charge to you.

Berlin is a city with many popular tourist attractions, but there are also plenty of hidden gems in Berlin and lesser-known attractions.

BERLIN QUICK LINKS Accommodation: Booking.com / Hostelworld Tours: GetYourGuide / FreeToursByFoot Food experiences: EatWith Copy of Lonely Planet Berlin Getting there: flight ( Skyscanner ), train ( RailEurope ), bus ( FlixBus )

As my plane landed on the Berlin runway, my feelings were mixed. On the one hand, my arrival meant I’d officially left my beloved Asia behind after 13 months living there. On the other, it meant my Europe backpacking adventures were about to begin. With the promise of hearty German food and unusual things to do in Berlin, I couldn’t feel too down in the dumps. It was my second time in Berlin, the capital of Germany . Since I’d seen all the tourist highlights before, I decided to focus on the more alternative things to do in Berlin which I’d missed last time. Follow along with me for hidden gems in Berlin that often get overlooked!

Map of unusual things to do in Berlin

Alternative things to do in Berlin

Once I was checked in to my accommodation, it was time to explore . Even though it was still early, I was still on Asia time meaning it was already my late afternoon. So, not knowing when I was going to wilt, I headed out to find alternative things to do in Berlin. These are the coolest places to enrich your Berlin bucket list ! Explore quirky Berlin with a guide:

Explore Kreuzberg & Orienstrasse

My accommodation was located in Kreuzberg. Since I was on the hunt for quirky places in Berlin, this couldn’t have been better. Known for its artists, students and Turkish population, this part of Berlin is quirky, colourful and full of tasty hummus, falafel and shawarma. You’ll find street art galore and hipster bicycles lent against retro shop fronts. There’s an abundance of cafes, restaurants and bars all with outdoor seating, as well as boutiques, bookshops and record stores.

Suggested activity: Take an alternative bike tour of Kreuzberg

Oranienstraße is a particularly cool part of Kreuzberg. This long street technically stretches all the way from Checkpoint Charlie to Kreuzberg so you can walk the whole way if you want, though the first half would be less interesting. 

Oranienstraße becomes lively with lots of bars spilling out onto the streets. Arrive into Moritzplatz station and you’ll be in the thick of alternative Berlin.

Indulge in the vegan food scene

While vegan food is hardly unusual these days, the vegan scene in Berlin started with quirky pop-up cafes that have now become popular with people of all ages, but particularly the younger generation. While exploring the quirky places in Berlin, you’ll stumble across plenty of vegan cuisine. I visited Brammibal’s Donuts , a hidden Berlin gem in Kreuzberg beside the river, where I tucked into the most divine cherry cream glazed doughnut. Other vegan doughnut flavours include blackberry and matcha, raspberry pistachio and salted caramel hazelnut.

Suggested tour: Berlin vegan food tour

Markthalle Neun

If you’re looking for unusual things to do in Berlin, it doesn’t get better than a 120-year-old historic market full of hipster street food. Head down on Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays for a weekly market, and all other days (apart from Sundays) for general food stalls.

At Markthalle Neun there are German and Italian delicacies, craft beer, deli goods, pulled pork, vegan food and more. Seriously, come hungry! I wasn’t quite there after my Brammibals doughnut and that, my friends, was a crying shame. Don’t forget to snap some photos in the photoautomat booth.

Looking for foodspiration? Check out EatWith ‘s immersive food experiences by locals. From supper clubs to food crawls and cooking classes, there are some fantastic options.

Wander The East Side Gallery

It’s not exactly alternative Berlin: in fact, the East Side Gallery is one of the most popular places to visit. Still, there’s street art which makes it a cool, quirky place in my book. This open-air gallery on a 1,316m remaining section of the Berlin wall displays the work of artists from all around the world. Street art is renowned for telling stories, few of which are as important as the tale of the Berlin Wall.

Set your Google Maps to the East Side Gallery and spend an hour or so strolling while taking in the artwork.

HolzMarkt 25

Once you’ve had your fill of urban art at East Side Gallery, you’re really close to Holzmarkt 25 . This awesome outdoor market, meeting spot and bar is slightly off the beaten track in Berlin since it’s mainly locals who know about it. By the venue’s own admission, they’re fighting to save alternative venues in Berlin during an era of inflated rents and chain establishments invading the city.

So, to support the hidden places of Berlin and have a refreshing beer on the banks of the Spree, come down to Holzmarkt 25 from 2pm on weekdays and 1pm on Fridays and Saturdays.

Klunkerkranich rooftop bar

To finish your day at one of the coolest hidden places in Berlin, you could consider visiting a rooftop bar for views over the city. If that sounds good to you, I’d suggest Klunkerkranich on the rooftop of Neukölln Arcaden shopping centre .

Rather than a fancy sky bar, this hidden gem in Berlin is hipster-friendly. It’s tricky to locate but once you’ve taken the lift to the top floor and walked through the parking lot, you’ll find the entrance to the bar. The views out over the city are unrivalled, especially on a clear summers day. There’s a cover charge of $5 to enter Klunkerkranich. It’s right beside Rathaus Neukölln station so jump on a Metro from wherever you’ve been previously.

Stay in a refurbished caravan

For a quirky place to stay in Berlin, you can’t do better than the cosy caravans at Huttenpalast. Not only did I have a comfy double bed, but there were quirky furnishings and hot showers. Not the caravan life I’m used to but no complaints here. Check availability here . These next quirky places in Berlin were contributed by some of my favourite fellow travel bloggers…

The Stand By Me Tree

With its beautiful open spaces, tree-lined paths and boating lake, Berlin’s Tiergarten Park is the perfect escape from the busy city streets. One of the most unique things to see in Berlin is the Stand By Me Tree, located in the heart of the park with the opening lyrics of Ben E King’s iconic Stand By Me etched in its bark.  The tree grew in popularity after the death of Ben E King in 2015 and the chorus ‘Darling, darling, stand by me’ was etched on a second tree nearby. It can be quite difficult to locate the Stand By Me Tree in the 520-acre tree-filled park. Luckily the pathways are named and it is close to the intersection of Großer Weg and Großer Sternallee. The tree is about a 10-minute wall from the park entrance just off the roundabout at Victory Column. The pathways are named on Google Maps and the tree is located just off the side of the path. Entry submitted by David from Your Ireland Vacation .

Explore Teufelsberg

Another of the most unusual things to do in Berlin is find Teufelsberg , a site layered with history and modern quirkiness on a massive hill in the outskirts of the city.

Teufelsberg was the construction site of a planned Nazi military and technology college. The occupying forces attempted to demolish the building but were unable. Instead, they filled the building with rubble from war-torn Berlin and formed a man-made hill. It was covered with fill and trees were planted on the site that became one of the highest points in the American sector of West Berlin.

In 1961, the hill’s strategic importance stood out to American and British military figures. They built a secret spy tower and listening station on the site. It was constructed under the guise of a weather station and the East Germans and Russians were spied on until the end of the Cold War in 1989.

Once the Berlin Wall fell, the site was abandoned and changed hands several times. Today it is privately owned, but you can visit this Berlin off the beaten path attraction and check out the grounds and tower. It features several floors of street art as you ascend the spy tower. Entry submitted by Derek and Mike from Robe Trotting.

Take a small group tour to Teufelsberg .

Take a Cold War bunker tour

Dive into the dark past of Berlin and descend into its labyrinth of underground tunnels with Berliner Unterwelten. During a Berlin bunker tour , you’ll see how West Berlin prepared itself for the Cold War. With Russia threatening to use nuclear weapons, special bunkers were built throughout the continent. Often using vast empty spaces in the Berlin subway system, these bunkers were fitted with the most basic amenities. Only able to hold a limited number of people, the locations of these shelters weren’t even always disclosed to civilians. While the guide leads you through inconspicuous-looking doors of the fully operating metro stations, you’ll discover there’s a whole different world hiding behind them. Covered in cobwebs, the Cold War bunkers are intriguing relics of a slightly mythical event in European history. Situated underground, the Cold War bunker tour is quite literally a hidden gem in Berlin! Entry submitted by Zarina from Miss Travel Clogs .

Browse Cold War Berlin tours .

Visit the Waterfall at Viktoriapark

This lesser-known waterfall with a 79-feet drop is located at Viktoriapark in the borough of Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg. Viktoriapark is free to visit and includes the highest hill of the inner core of Berlin, offering great views of the city. The park is a quiet oasis within the bustling city of Berlin and invites for a little break to relax. By walking 5 minutes, you can visit to the former airport Berlin-Tempelhof, the Bergmannkiez (a famous area for cafés, restaurants and clubs) and Schwerbelastungskörper (the location the Nazis were planning to erect a gigantic triumphal arch in this area). Entry submitted by Chris from Punta Cana Travel Blog .

Berlin Street Art Tour & Workshop

Another option for visitors looking for alternative things to do in Berlin is a street art tour. There are a wide variety of tours to help you experience the hidden gems of Berlin. Many of the guides are street artists themselves (although they won’t disclose who they are).

After exploring the East Side, a fun option is to take a tour which includes the chance to create your own mural. You’ll be able to pick a stencil, trace it and then spray paint your design. Your guide will show you all of the various techniques. The street art workshop provides a wonderful way to not only visit unusual places in Berlin, but learn a new skill, too. Entry submitted by Kim from My Global Ways .

Book a Berlin street art walking tour .

The Parliament Of Trees

Located on the shore of Spree river in Berlin, across the Reichstag building, the Parliament of Trees is easily included in your Berlin itinerary . It’s often mistaken as a garden, but this Berlin hidden gem is actually a work of art created by Ben Wagin as a memorial for the victims of the Berlin Wall. Sixteen trees (for each federal state) were planted inside symbolising the unification of Germany.

The garden is bordered by a granite wall formed of authentic parts of the Berlin Wall. The blocks are painted with scenes from the Wall’s history and with the number of victims who died before the wall was demolished. Visitors can sit down on the bench and discover the different elements of the garden. 

The Parliament Of Trees may be off the beaten path in Berlin, but it’s an important landmark for those who want to know more about Berlin’s history and especially for those who are interested in Berlin Wall.

Entry submitted by Corina from Another Milestone.

Relax at Badeschiff

As if quirky Berlin wasn’t cool enough already, there’s a swimming pool in the river and a city beach! Badeschiff means ‘bathing ship’ and refers to the mechanism of the floating swimming pool in the river. The Spree is not clean enough to swim in so the inventive Berliners found a way to get around that: swimming in a beautiful and clean pool with views of the river.

The whole area around the pool works as a beach bar. There’s sand on the ground, a bar with plenty of drink options and sunbeds to relax anytime. The actual swimming pool is 2.1m deep and only for swimmers.

Since the capacity of the Badeschiff is limited, it’s best to buy a ticket online. As of 2021, time-slots of two hours are available for purchase for €6.50. The Badeschiff can be found on the river Spree in the East of Berlin, in front of Arena Berlin. The closest S-Bahn stop is Treptower Park.

Entry submitted by Veronika from Travel Geekery .

Wander Hackesche Höfe

Since much of Berlin was rebuilt after WWII, you’ll see a lot of 1960s and 70’s ‘modern’ architecture with a sprinkling of some older styles. What you don’t expect is an Art Nouveau complex but that’s exactly what you get with Hackesche Höfe. This hidden gem in Berlin is located next to the Hackescher Market in Mitte district, featuring eight central interconnected courtyards. This style of architecture dates back to the 18th century when it marked significant expansion in Berlin. Although the structure itself was fairly traditional for the area, it was designed with a modern art deco facade that’s rare in Berlin. Luckily, the damage during the war was minor and was it was restored in the late 1990. Hackesche Höfe is now a vibrant community home to an eclectic mix of cafes, shops, apartments, businesses, cultural institutions and a cinema. You’re free to wander the area at no cost. Entry submitted by Sam from My Flying Leap .

Hidden courtyards

In addition to Hackesche Höfe, there are several hidden backyards in Berlin sprinkled with quirky street art, unusual architecture and niche museums. Discovering them is a fantastic way to get off the beaten track in Berlin, soaking up the atmosphere of the city and leaving other tourists far behind. Since they’re hidden by nature, it’s a good idea to take a small group backyards tour with a Berlin guide .

Trabi Safari

Another unusual way to experience Berlin is by going on a Trabi safari. The Trabant, affectionately known as the Trabi, was the car of the former DDR (East Germany). These vehicles were highly coveted with a waiting period of up to 15 years, and while they weren’t known for their reliability, there is a sense of nostalgia about them. 

Today, tour operators allow you to relive the magic of these one-of-a-kind vehicles. The excursions are typically safari-style where you have a lead guide and driver, and everyone follows behind in their own Trabant. You get a quick driving lesson at the start of the tour as this is a rather unusual car. Over the course of the Trabi safari, you get to see some of Berlin’s top tourist attractions . At the end of the excursion, you receive a Trabant driver’s license as a souvenir. Entry submitted by Audrey from That Backpacker.

Zauberkönig Magic Store

One of the best places to shop for Berlin souvenirs is Zauberkönig on Hermanstrasse in Neukölln. Opened in 1884, this magic shop has been in business for over 130 years. If you’re looking for unusual things to do in Berlin, prepare to spend some time here perusing their trinkets, tricks and costumes to rent. This shop belongs on Diagon Alley as much as it does in Neukölln! Entry submitted by Stephanie from History Fangirl.

Berlin hidden gems – nightlife

Discos inside phone booths.

Berlin is famous for its glitzy mega clubs but did you know there are some tiny discos hidden away in converted phone booths? They’re decked out with strobe lights, fog machines, disco mirror balls and your choice of music. They also have cameras in case you want to record your three-minute dance party. Visit Club Katerblau (open at night) and Raw Gelande (open day and night). These hidden gems in Berlin are easy to operate: insert €2 and pick a song. The doors will open and the party starts. You can pay an extra €2 for a photo strip or a video recording of the whole thing. Entry submitted by Henry from This Life of Travel .

Golden Gate nightclub

If you get rejected from Berlin’s most famous club, the Berghain, take a trip to this nightclub tucked away under Jannowitzbrücke station bridge. Follow Google Maps to find the entrance. Be prepared for a true underground Berlin experience in this tiny, dark club. The lineup changes every night with up-and-coming Berlin artists playing from Friday night to Monday morning. Don’t come overdressed or arrive before 3am! The club is separated into a dancing and chill area. You’re guaranteed to strike a conversation which makes this club a good place if  you are travelling solo and to get out of your comfort zone . Entry submitted by Lucile HR.

Quirky museums in Berlin

The david hasselhoff museum.

Perhaps the most unusual Berlin hidden gem is the David Hasselhoff Museum in a tiny 2×1 metre corner of The Circus Hostel. It’s jam-packed with memorabilia about this actor/singer popular in Berlin.  On 31 December 1989, Hasselhoff performed a concert at the site of the Berlin wall, singing his iconic Looking For Freedom to Berliners celebrating German reunification. You can learn more about this story through the memorabilia at the museum and read about the movement to create a David Hasselhoff Straße (Street). David Hasselhoff often returns to Berlin; sometimes he visits the museum. He also performs a few concerts in the city. In 2019, he held a ‘30 years of freedom’ concert to mark the anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall. When you’ve finished at the museum, the bar upstairs serves steins and pretzels! Entry submitted by Claire from Claire’s Footsteps .

Ramones Museum

Fans of the American punk rock band, The Ramones, will be thrilled to know that the first and only museum dedicated entirely to the band is located in Berlin. The bassist, Dee Dee Ramone, grew up in Berlin and, if you listen closely, you’ll hear references to Berlin in a number of their songs. Inside the museum, you’ll find more than 1,000 examples of Ramones memorabilia. Concerts are occasionally held here, and C.J. Ramone even performed once. The museum’s plant-based cafe will please vegan travellers visiting Berlin. Come for breakfast and choose from dishes named after Ramones songs. The ‘I Wanna Live’ includes vegan cheese, bacon, marmalade, fruits and hand-baked bread from Kreuzberg. Yum! Entry submitted by Wendy from The Nomadic Vegan.

Urban Nation – quirky Berlin street art museum

If you want to see some of the best street art in the world, make sure you check out Urban Nation . This street art and graffiti museum in the most bombed city in Europe is free to visit. Browse impressive installations from renowned artists like Banksy and Shepard Fairy. It’s no surprise to find such a quirky museum in Berlin. Graffiti and street art played an important role in shaping the identity of the city, which was named a UNESCO City of Design in 2006. The facade often changes at Urban Nation and the pieces are updated regularly. The street art museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday, 10am to 6pm. The easiest way to get there is by taking the subway to the station Nollendorfplatz. Entry submitted by Carine and Derek from We Did It Our Way.

Visit LGBT+ Schwules Museum

Another unusual thing to do in Berlin is explore the chronicles of LGBT+ history, culture, oppression and rights, both in Germany and internationally. Since the mid-60s, the LGBT+ rights movement has gained traction thanks to large efforts originating in major cities throughout Europe and North America. Germany has made many contributions to the effort and it is known for being a tolerant country offering LGBT+ people many rights and protections.  However, this hasn’t always been the case. The Holocaust carries a variety of horror stories specific to the treatment of LGBT+ people. These stories are told in the various displays at The Schwules Museum , open in the afternoons (closed Tuesdays). Admission costs €9. Entry submitted by Austin from Two Bad Tourists.

Take a LGBT+ tour in Berlin .

Stay in a quirky Berlin hotel

For such a quirky city, there are of course plenty of unique and unusual places to stay in Berlin. These include: Huttenpalast: This caravan hotel in Kreuzberg is a berlin hidden gem in its own right. The double bed in the caravan was super comfortable, plus I had an ‘outside’ seating area to relax in. Since there are only a handful of caravans in the large complex, each seating area is tucked away for privacy. Check availability for €77pn .

Michelberger: This hip hotel inside a refurbished warehouse is totally ‘Berlin’. With high ceilings, flea market-style decor and stacks of books as high as the ceiling, it’s the perfect mix of quirky and light & bright. There’s also a vegan cafe onsite and its perfectly located in busy Friedrichshain. Check availability for €107pn . Boat hotels in Berlin: Bored of staying on land? Opt for a quirky houseboat located inside a refurbished cabin floating on the Spree. Many have double rooms, living rooms, kitchens and bathrooms. Book Eastern & Western Comfort Boathotel or Spreeapartment MARA .

I hope you enjoyed these alternative things to do in Berlin

Check out my other Europe posts:

• The 30 best German dishes to try
• A complete guide to Munich
• Nuremberg travel guide
• Guide to visiting Nuremberg Castle
• 3 day Vienna itinerary
• 3 day Copenhagen itinerary
• How to spend 3 days in Budapest
• What to eat & drink in Prague

See you next time for more adventures,

Ps. Liked these hidden gems in Berlin? Pin it for later!

TRUSTED RESOURCES FOR VISITING GERMANY Getting around by air – I use Skyscanner to find the best-value flights, using the ‘search by month’ tool to find the cheapest dates. You can also use the ‘to anywhere’ feature if you’re flexible on where you’re going. Driving in Europe – use Rentalcars.com to compare car rentals in European countries (and all around the world). For trains , I use RailEurope . The search feature allows you to compare prices, and they show live departure times on the website. For buses , I use FlixBus . Find journeys between European countries from €1. Use Omio to compare trains and buses in one search. It’s so handy! For hotels and self-catering apartments, I use Booking.com . You can filter by review score and price to find the best-rated budget places. For hostels, I use Hostelworld.com . To save money on accommodation, I use Trusted Housesitters , a website that connects homeowners going away and travellers who can sit their homes & pets. Browse tours and activities on GetYourGuide . Need travel insurance ? I use True Traveller (for UK & Europe residents) since it’s some of the most affordable insurance out there but still covers everything you’d need including various activities, valuables and pre-existing conditions. Unlike some companies, they insure you if you’re already travelling / don’t yet have your flight home booked. Get a quote . For travel insurance for other nationalities, I recommend Hey Mundo and for long-term digital nomad travellers, I suggest Safety Wing . Check out my resources page for more travel discounts and budget tips from my 10+ years on the road!

Rose is a solo traveller from the UK who has been on the road since 2015. She wants to show other women that solo travel isn't scary and doesn't have to be expensive! Rose has lived in Mexico, Canada and all over Asia, seeking out food, bubble tea and street art wherever she goes!

4 thoughts on “ Berlin Hidden Gems: 25 Unusual Things To Do In Berlin ”

Great post and collection of quirky places to see in Berlin! Thanks Rose! Even for me as a German who have visited Berlin more than a dozen times there a some new things. I’ll definitely check out the Stand by me tree, the Badeschiff and the Teufelsberg next time – I haven’t heard of them before!

Thanks for reading, Chris. Yes, let me know how you get on! I’m craving another trip too now 🙂

I like summer better but all your pictures and the descriptions you wrote made me want to go for a winter vacation.

I liked summer best too!

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Cool Things to Do in Berlin: 48 Quirky & Alternative Spots

Get out of the tourist traps and into authentic, offbeat Berlin. This list of 48 cool things to do in Berlin includes kitschy museums, secret tours, crazy monsters, cold war relics and graffiti all washed down with plenty of beer.

Why Explore Offbeat Berlin?

Why explore these unusual and fun things to do on Berlin? Because the offbeat, out of the ordinary, edgy and alternative are what makes Berlin so unique. The Weimar era of the 1920’s fostered a culture that embraced design, literature, film, an LGBT community and a decadent nightlife. Fortunately, many aspects of that culture survived both WWII and the Cold War.

They say that Austin is weird, but I think Berlin gives Austin some credible competition. I went to Berlin because it’s a major city for street art and seeing their graffiti for myself was very high on my bucket list. But while there, I was delighted to find a city that still has plenty of edge for the discerning traveler, who likes to inject her itineraries with a large dollop of quirk.

So, read on to discover alternative Berlin with recommendations from me and some of my well-traveled blogger buddies.

(This article contains affiliate links. This means that if you choose to purchase, I’ll make a small commission.)

Three Quirky Places to Stay in Berlin

For such a large city, you can still score a pretty great deal on lodging in Berlin. Furthermore, because of it’s quirky, artsy culture, there are tons of properties that have cool design features and staffing with an edge. Here are three such places that will house you in style while you explore all of the following fun things to do in Berlin.

Urban Glamping : Huttenpalast is a fun and funky budget lodging provider. In addition to normal hotel rooms, they have a bunch of adorable little indoor campers (with shared baths). See some pics and check reviews or book on Booking.com .

Spacious Rooms and a BFF Front Desk Guy : The Dude Berlin-Mitte is a great mid-range hotel perfectly located in the sweet spot between Kreuzberg and Mitte. It’s on a quiet street and the rooms are light filled and spacious. The front desk guy is beyond friendly. He has a lot of opinions about what to do in Berlin and he’s not shy about telling you about it. Check reviews or book on Booking.com .

Cool creative space in middle of Kreuzberg : On my most recent visit, we used an Airbnb in Kreuzberg as our base of operations. It’s a really cool neighborhood with good transportation connections and lots of restaurants.

Please be mindful when booking an AirBnB in Berlin. Gentrification has been raising housing prices in what has historically been an inexpensive, artist-friendly city. Read the listings carefully and try to book with a host who is renting his or her own home, rather than with a commercial property manager.

Eight Unusual Places for Exploring Berlin’s Foodie Scene

Eat some currywurst.

Currywurst is a surprisingly delicious concoction of grilled bratwurst loaded with curried ketchup and served with the side of fries. It’s the most prolific street food in Berlin and you can find it anywhere, but check out this article for a list of some of the best stalls.

Get a Million Choices at Street Food Thursday

The Markthalleneun in Kreuzberg offers up a weekly Street Food Thursday, which is quite a scene. During the event, there are more vendors than usual and the market stays open later in order to accommodate the after work crowd. It’s quite a happening with food ranging from the aforementioned currywurst to grilled cheese sandwiches, Thai food, crepes and Italian. I ate the currywurst (above), the Turkish dumplings and the spaetzle. I also stocked our AirBnB with fresh bread, hummus, cheese, veggies and olives.

Tips for visiting : The normal farmer’s market is open Fri/Sat 10a-6p and the Thursday event is open from 5-10pm.

Mauer Park Flea Market

On Sundays, Mauer Park hosts their weekly flea market. It has the usual assortment of used clothes and craftspeople. But what’s even better, is the long row of street food stalls. You can choose from every manner of food, from Mexican to falafal, washed down with beer, coffee or ice cream. You can also have a seat and a pint at the Mauersegler Berlin beer garden.

Tips for visiting : Open 10a-6p on Sundays only

Slow Down for Brunch at Distrikt Coffee

Distrikt Coffee is located in the Prenzlauer Berg neighborhood. They brew a perfect cup of strong coffee and their breakfast food is to die for. The french toast with fruit compote will spoil you forever and the avocado toast as truly surprising flavors on fresh chewy bread.

Tips for visiting : Distrikt Coffee isn’t far from the Hamberger Baunhauf and ME Collection (both noted below) so you can breakfast there before exploring the neighborhood. Open 8a-4p weekdays and from 9:30a on weekends.

Mediterranean Brunch at Cafe Mugrabi

This small cafe is located in Kreuzberg. They offer southeastern Mediterranean breakfast specialties like Shakshuka and Hummus Sabich. The food is so good there that I dug right in and forgot to take a picture (both times!). Trust me, it’s awesome. On nice days, they have sidewalk patio seating that overlooks Gorlitzer park.

Tips for visiting : Open daily 10a-6p. Not great for large groups.

Be a Chocoholic at Fassbender & Rausch

(Recommended by Laura of Travelers Universe)

If you love chocolate, there’s no sweeter place in Berlin than Fassbender & Rausch. This is the largest chocolate shop in the world and their popular upstairs café upstairs is an amazing place to relax after a day of sightseeing. The café serves some of the best hot chocolate money can buy and if you visit Berlin during winter, this is the perfect place to warm yourself up.

Pop downstairs to buy a traditional marzipan chocolate heart and marvel at all the chocolate sculptures on display before hitting the  Christmas markets . In summer, well, you’ll have to make do with the 200+ varieties of filled chocolates, truffles, and delicious cakes.

Tips for visiting : Open Mon-Sat 10a-8p, Sun 11a-8p.

Take a Local Food Tour

Rather than taking my word for it, let a local be your guide to Berlin’s foodie scene. Do one of these tours early in your visit, then go back later and revisit your favorite place. Kreuzberg Food Tour : This is an AirBnB experience tour offered by Gökçen, who has been doing food tours for ten years. This tour explores Berlin’s immigrant history with 3-4 stops that are off the tourist trail. Book it here .

Craft Beer Tour : This is not a pub crawl, but rather an education in Berlin’s centuries old brewing tradition. The tour wanders Prenzlauer Berg and visits three brew pubs and beer bars with the opportunity to check out five beers. Book it here .

Four Cool Things to Do in Berlin that Explore the Cold War

Tour the stasi prison.

The Berlin-Hohenschönhausen Memorial is located on the site of the former Stasi Prison. It was used as a camp during WWII and was later converted into a secret prison. The Stasi was fueled by paranoia and they used the prison to interrogate and torture political prisoners prior to executing or transferring them elsewhere.

Their tours offer an informative, and very sobering account of the fragility of human rights and public discourse in East Berlin during the cold war.

Tips for visiting : They offer tours in English only at specific times of the day, check their website for the latest info . Give yourself at least :45 minutes to get out there on the tram.

Take a Cold War Berlin Architecture Tour

(Recommended by Abigail King of Inside the Travel Lab)

The Cold War in Berlin wasn’t just about the wall: architecture across east and west became ensnared in the ideological battle. On this Context Travel architectural tour (run by qualified academics), not only will you see a side of Berlin that most others miss but it’s also a quick and fascinating way to see Berlin in one day.

At the end of the World War Two, one of Berlin’s many problems included the 1.5 million people left homeless and in desperate need of accommodation. A housing space race began, with butch ceramics of the Soviet drive for conformity competing with individualistic design in the West.

The “East” side begins in Karl-Marx Allee, a broad, stern street with a small café that contains part of Stalin’s statue moustache. The west takes in the Hansa Quarter, an ambitious social housing project involving Alvar Aalto and Oscar Niemeyer.

Pro Tip : Wear comfortable walking shoes as you cover a lot of ground. Also, ask them about the underground station tour. Book the tour here .

Channel Your Inner Bond at the German Spy Museum

The Spy Museum is pretty touristy, and I can’t see a local going there…but it’s worth a visit anyway. I expected a lot of kitsch, which it certainly delivers, but the museum is also stuffed full of hands-on exhibits demonstrating spycraft. They have stories about famous (and infamous) spies and the ingenious devices that they used to: listen in on, take pictures of and transport secret information. They even have a brassiere spy camera!

Tips for visiting : It’s easy to find on Potsdamer Platz and is open daily 10am-8pm.

Learn About Life in the DDR

Like the Spy Museum, the DDR museum is pretty kitschy. But it provides an interesting insight into what it was like living in East Berlin during the Cold War. You can take a virtual drive on Berlin’s streets by sitting in an ancient Trabant car (which my husband could barely wedge himself into). There are exhibits on daily life, education (and indoctrination), the media and even a full sized sample apartment.

Tips for visiting : The museum is very near to the . It’s open 9a-9p everyday.

What to Do in Berlin if You Like Edgy Art: 10 Crazy Spots

Take a goofy shot in a photoautomat.

These old school photo booths are littered across Berlin, just keep your eyes open and pop into the first available booth. It ain’t an Annie Liebowitz portrait, but it only costs €2 and it’s a fun souvenir.

See Wacky Creatures at the Monsterkabinett

The Monsterkabinett feels like the animatronic designers from Disneyworld took a maker class, did some peyote and then went to Burning Man. And…that’s all I’m going to tell you about it other than to demand that you go and see it.

Tips for visiting : They run a loose operation with an erratic schedule, usually from 4pm (or sometimes 6pm) to 9:30pm. Check their schedule here . Go early to the courtyard to buy tickets and then have a drink at the nearby bar while you wait.

Check out the Neurotitan Gallery

While you’re waiting to get into the Monsterkabinett, check out the Neurotitan Gallery. They specialize in edgy urban art and site-specific installations that blend sculpture, painting and street art. The stairwell leading up to the gallery is chock full of graffiti and there is also a cool boutique on the same floor.

Tips for visiting : Open Mon-Sat 12-8p.

Find Contemporary Art, Collections and a Cafe at the ME Collection

The ME Collection houses the private Olbricht collection, which includes works from the 16th century to today. The collection also features an offbeat cabinet of curiosities housing 300 objects (including an alleged unicorn) from the Renaissance and Baroque periods. They also have a museum store with cute gifts and kids books as well as a cozy cafe. After a couple of hours spent walking around, we gladly hung out in their easy chairs, perusing their pile of art books.

The collection is on Auguststraße (northeast of Hackescher Markt) and the whole street is full of other galleries, so you can make a slow afternoon of window shopping for art.

Tips for visiting : Open Wednesday-Monday 12-6p.

Wander Through the Parliament of Trees

(Recommended by Corina of Another Milestone )

Located on the shore of Spree river in Berlin, across from the Reichstag building, the Parliament of Trees can easily be taken for a garden and overlooked by passers by. But it’s is actually a work of art created by Ben Wagin as a memorial for the victims of the Berlin Wall. 16 trees (for 16 federal states) were planted, symbolizing the unification of Germany.

The garden is bordered by a granite wall formed of authentic pieces from the Berlin Wall. The blocks are painted with scenes from the Wall’s history and it features the number of victims who died before the wall was finally demolished. Visitors can sit down on the bench and discover the different elements of the garden. It’s not popular, but it’s one of the more interesting places to visit in Berlin for those who want to know more about Berlin’s history.

Tips for visiting : This is an easy add-on if you are also visiting the nearby Brandenberg Gate. Open Friday-Sunday 11a-5p.

See Contemporary Art at the Hamburger Bahnhauf

There are 200 art museums in Berlin. You could spend your whole itinerary hopping from one to the next. I’m calling out the Hamburger Bahnhauf as one of the more interesting places in Berlin, not only for its thought provoking contemporary exhibits but also its lovely architecture. The Neoclassical building used to be a train station, and was re-purposed into the museum in the 1980’s. They feature audacious contemporary works created since 1960 and have a large collection of sculptures, photography and paintings.

Tips for visiting : The basic exhibitions ticket is €14 but they upsell for special exhibitions at €8 each.

See Contemporary Art in an Old WWII Bunker

Contemporary art is often created with surprise in mind, and indeed it was certainly surprising to explore the Sammlung Boros collection. They have chosen to exhibit the works in a stark concrete building that was built as a WWII bunker. During the Cold War, it was repurposed by the Red Army into a prisoner of war camp. During the ’50’s it served as cold storage for bananas and in the 90’s it became a techno club.

Christian Boros purchased the building in 2003 and re-modeled it for his private family collection. This art is as edgy as the sharp concrete corners of the building itself. I didn’t love it all, but it was certainly worth seeing. And I did love learning about the history of the building.

Tips for visiting : They strictly meter the visitors and you must get a reservation , which I recommend that you do way in advance.

Enter a Parallel Universe in the Kcymaerxtheare

Are you willing to go way off the beaten path in search of an alternative universe? Good. Then take the U-Bahn and then a bus and then walk yourself to the Malzfabrik complex. This old beer factory has been re-purposed into a creative urban industrial zone.

But Malzfabrik has a crack in the space/time continuum with a parallel universe called the Kcymaerxthaere shimmering just under the surface. This work of extreme imagination was designed by Eames Demetrios. It’s a story telling art project featuring the lives, loves and wars of the Kcymaerxthaere.

The placque at Malzfabrik commemorates the Bravenleavanne. They believed in good deeds for their own sake—not just for reward or fear of punishment. When they became too materialistic, they fled in horror from what we call Britain to start afresh here.

This project has kooky written all over it and you can get on the bandwagon not only in Berlin, but also in Joshua Tree, California , where I found the Krablin Kabin, the abandoned hut of a religious prisoner-of-war. There are also 141 other locations around the world .

Tips for Visiting : Best to go during the workday and they also runs tours twice a month .

Find Edgy Art in the Bathanien

The Bathanien is a contemporary and performing arts venue in the gentrified Kreuzberg district. Their mission is to provide work space for professional artists, project workshops and exhibition space. This 19th century monster of a building was originally a welfare hospital.

When the hospital closed in the 70’s, the building was slated for demolition, but a neighborhood effort saved it. It’s worth wandering the halls to feel Kreuzberg’s history, but be sure to go into the East Wing exhibition spaces to see what’s on.

Tips for visiting : The exhibition rooms are open Tuesday-Sunday 2-7pm.

Find some Whimsy at the Zozoville Gallery

Artists Johan Potma and Mateo Dineed call Zozoville a “…platform for freaks, misfits, and the occasional well balanced individual”. True that.

This gallery is stuffed full of friendly monsters in a modern incarnation of Maurice Sendak’s “Where the Wild Things Are” (which is the best children’s book ever). The gallery sells prints, children’s books, postcards and furry pillows.

Tips for Visiting : They are located in the Friedrichshain neighborhood, not far from Urban Spree (pictured below). Open Monday-Saturday 12-7p.

Eight Cool Places in Berlin for Exploring Urbex, Graffiti & Street Culture

Spotting street art and graffiti.

Checking out the graffiti and street art is the coolest of cool things to do in Berlin. The modern graffiti movement may have been birthed in New York City , but they have perfected it in Berlin. The city’s post-cold war economic dis-affectation, abandoned buildings and a bohemian culture provided the perfect fertilizer for Berlin’s street art.

There is no one district for street art because it’s spread all over the city, particularly on and east of where the wall had been. Look for it in Kreutzberg, on the East Side Gallery, near Urban Spree in Friedrichshain, Mauer Park, the alleys near the Monsterkabinett and on the streets in Schöneberg around the Street Art Museum (noted below).

Get motivated to see Berlin street art with my guide. Then do a deep dive into Berlin’s graffiti scene by taking a tour with Alternative Berlin. They have two tours (I took both) and each covers a different aspect of street art.

Tour #1 : This one focuses on Urban Spree and Friedrichshain, which also includes a workshop where you can make your own stencil. Book it here .

Tour #2 : This one covers a little of Friedrichshain but focuses more on Kreuzberg and Schöneberg (near the Urban Nation street art museum). Book it here .

Visit the Urban Nation Street Art Museum

Urban Nation has a long history of curating murals and street art festivals not only in Berlin, but also in places like Reykjavik Iceland . They have upped the ante in Berlin with the opening of the Street Art Museum on Bülowstraße street in Schöneberg. The museum celebrates both local and global artists, including pieces by artists like Shepard Fairey and FinDac, They also have a stunningly complicated mural by Dima Rebus on the exterior.

Tips for Visiting : The museum is free and open Tues-Sun 10a-6p. Be sure to leave time for wandering along the street between the Bülowstraße and U Nollendorfplatz metro stations because you’ll find a TON of murals there.

Crawl Around the Abandoned Teufelsberg Listening Station

If you like both graffiti and URBEX, then you should absolutely visit the abandoned Teufelsberg Listening Station- I found it to be one of the most cool things to do in Berlin. Teufelsberg is an old listening and broadcasting post used by the US during the cold war. They used the station to listen in on Eastern European signals and also broadcast US propaganda into the east. It was abandoned by the Americans when the cold war ended.

It’s been unofficially taken over by a collective of street artists, URBEX fanatics and entrepreneurs. You pay a small fee to enter and can then wander freely around the site. They even have a little barbecue joint where you can get food and drink. It reminded me of Slab City, California , with it’s squatters vibe and freewheeling ethic.

Tips for visiting : It’s a 35 minute train ride into the suburbs and then a 30 minute walk through the woods to the site. Give yourself at least two hours once there.

Take a Tour and Learn About Secret Berlin

Berlin Underworlds Association Tours : These tours are recommended by Becki Enright from Borders of Adventure. Given Berlin’s huge alternative scene, it’s no surprise that underground’ tours are a thing – specifically relating to the Metro system. These tours are run by the Underworlds Association, whose aim it is to reveal the rich history beneath the surface of the city. Think war bunkers and air raid shelters, alongside escape routes for those trying to get to the other side of the wall – which is the tour I highly recommend for a different perspective of the city’s history. Learn more about the Berlin Underground Tours .

Hidden Spots in Tempelhof Airport : Get access to the bunkers and tunnels lurking in the former airport buildings at Tempelhof and learn about its role during WWII. Book the tour here .

Street Photography in Fredrichshain : This tour is hosted by Médine, who will give you a primer on street style photography and take you around their home neighborhood. Book the tour here .

Six Alternative Nightlife Options

Go to a beer garden that isn’t the prater.

The Prater is one of the oldest beer gardens in Berlin and it’s very popular with tourists. Why not explore a few of Berlin’s many neighborhood beer gardens that cater more to locals?

The Republic Berlin is located just down the street from the Dude Hotel (above) and the Tresor club (below). They have tables as well as Adirondack chairs for lounging. They offer a rotating menu of food and plenty of craft beers on tap.

Birgit and Beer is in southern Kreuzberg. They have a guy making great pizza with have tons of tables and soft seating spread around a rather large area.

Restaurant Brachvogel Betrieb is right on the Landwehr canal. They have indoor and outdoor seating and an attached mini-golf course.

Drink for Cheap by Treating a Convenience Store Like a Bar

Like everywhere else in the world, Berlin convenience stores sell the usual deadly selection of cigarettes, snacks and beer. Unlike everywhere else however, at night they convert into sidewalk bars. Most of the stores have a picnic table or chairs set up on the sidewalk. You can simply purchase a beer from the cooler and hang out on the sidewalk drinking it. Much cheaper than a bar and great for people watching.

Go Techno at Tresor Nightclub

(Recommended by Dave Anderson of Jones Around the World)

Berlin is arguably the weirdest and wildest city in the world, especially when it comes to their nightlife industry. It’s a crazy scene out there, and I truly believe that if you haven’t been out to one of the dozens of techno clubs, than you haven’t fully experienced the essence of Berlin! I’ll never forget my first time going out in the city, and being truly amazed at this popular techno club called Tresor. 

At Tresor, the “headliners” of the evening don’t start until 5A.M, and there was nothing but heavy Germany industrial techno blasting from the speakers. Then when I tried to leave, I accidentally stumbled upon their basement stage that felt so surreal like it was a movie set with the DJ playing behind prison bars, dancers in cages, and so much smoke you could barely see. 

Tips for Clubbing : Tresor is one of the main  Berlin  clubs which is a bit easier to get into for tourists. However, the hardcore techno fans looking for a weekend filled with debauchery try to get into the infamous Berghain club (where it’s common for people to arrive on Friday night, and leave on Monday morning). If you enjoy Gay nightclubs, check out this guide for Gay Berlin , it has a ton of suggestions for bars and nightclubs.

Learn About Berlin’s Sexual Identity

Prior to WWII, Berlin had a rich history as a sexually permissive town. That sexual freedom ended with the Nazis. But Berlin rebounded and this tour explores it’s sexual identity, the “Institute of Sexual Science”, how the AIDS epidemic affected Berlin, and the LGBTQ community. The tour is run by Jeff, a sociologist and student of gender, queer studies and sexuality. Book the tour here .

Three of the Kitschiest Museums Ever

Hang out with the hoff at the david hasselhoff museum.

(Recommended by Jonathan Sacks of Everybody Hates a Tourist)

In 1989, the Berlin Wall fell. That summer, David Hasselhoff’s “Looking for Freedom” topped the German charts. The Circus Hostel has commemorated this shared history by opening the free  David Hasselhoff Museum . The museum features Hoff memorabilia from throughout his career, including Knight Rider, Baywatch, his musical career, and the fall of the Berlin Wall. It only takes 5 minutes to see, and worth it if you are near Rosenthaler Platz.

Tips for Visiting : The museum is in the basement of the hostel and it’s open 24/7, so you can visit after a late night out.

Find Vintage PacMan at the Computerspiele Museum

(Recommended by Margherita Ragg of The Crowded Planet)

Berlin is full of crazy sights and activities, and one of my favorites is the Computerspiele Museum on Karl Marx Allee, which also happens to be one of my favorite streets in Berlin.

This museum is dedicated to video games. It includes the very first games developed in the fifties, with nothing but blinking lights, to the most modern VR affairs with special goggles. There are exhibits and information panels detailing the history and development of gaming, plus plenty of games you can just play at will…whether you want to have a go at the original Super Mario in a replica 1980s bedroom, or prefer to play some new football or racing game.

Nostalgia lovers should make a beeline to enter the replica arcade, with true vintage games like Frogger and PacMan. Spending a day at the Computerspiele Museum is definitely one of the  coolest things to do in Berlin in winter!

Tips for Visiting : Avoid the weekend when it’s full of families and plan to spend at least a half a day there playing the games.

Read More : If you like kitschy museums and offbeat adventures, check out this list of weird things to do in San Francisco and this one for Reykjavik .

Two Secret Places for Taking a Chill Pill

Hang out on the landwehr canal.

The Landwehr Canal bisects Kreauzberg and Schöneberg like a green chill machine. All along the canal are walking paths, trees and green spaces which are perfecting for hanging out. There is a particularly nice stretch in Statthaus Böckler Park. You can have a drink in the Brachvogel Betrieb beer garden or on one the restaurant barges which are parked along the canal.

Tips for Visiting : Perfect for a warm summer evening and bring something to sit on.

Take in the Baths at the Liquidrom

(Recommended by Inma Gregorio of A World to Travel)

Liquidrom is a wellness complex that includes several saunas, spa, and an impressive flotation room with underwater music.

Like many German baths, you must enter the saunas naked but you’ll find a fairly respectful audience and very clean and well-maintained facilities. I also recommend that you leave quite some time to enjoy the large flotation pool (with a bathing suit). It has a relaxing, spacey vibe and is perfect for for  Berlin in the winter .

Tips for Visiting : It costs €20 for a two hour visit in the spa and sauna.

Two Ways Get Great Berlin Views

Views from the Reichstag

The Reichstag is the German parliament building and they offer free tours and fantastic 360′ views of Berlin. This building was gutted during the second world war. It sat forlorn through much of the Cold War. But with reunification, came a renewed effort to move Germany’s capital back to Berlin.

They kept the older building facade but the interior is all new. They have also built a stunning reflective dome on the roof. A gentle ramp winds you in circles so that you can see the full scope of Berlin. I recommend timing your tour so that you can be in the dome for sunset. It takes advance planning to get a reservation slot, but it’s worth it.

Tips for visiting : Book your reservations here . Open daily 8am-midnight.

Views from Berliner Dom

If you can’t get a reservation for the Reichstag, go to the Berliner Dom instead. Berlin’s Catholic cathedral has a beautiful interior, but even better, you can climb up one of the domes for a 360′ view of Berlin.

Tips for Visiting : The ticket is €7 and their opening hours vary, so check their website for current info .

Getting Around Berlin

Berlin’s public transportation system is excellent and inexpensive. While they do have Uber there, using a combination of trams, buses and trains will be the best way to get around this sprawling city.

They run on an honor system. This means that you need to have a valid ticket, but you don’t need to tag on/off when you use the public transportation. However, they do spot check and they will fine you if you aren’t carrying a valid ticket. They have zone pricing and everything on this list of cool things to do in Berlin are within the “AB zone” ticket.

A single ticket is ~€3, however it will be much more convenient if you purchase an all-day or multi-day ticket. You can purchase a single day ticket for €7. On my recent trip, I was there for six days and purchased the 7-day €30 ticket. I used public transport ~4 times per day, which means that the pass paid for itself on the third day of my visit.

Enjoy all of the weird that Berlin has to offer and habe Spaß (have fun).

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Friday 30th of August 2019

Cheers for this Article! I love learning about new places and I don't know a lot about Berlin.

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19 Fun & Unusual Things to Do in Berlin

Home » Blog » Europe » Germany » 19 Fun & Unusual Things to Do in Berlin

Co-Authored by Guest Author: Grant Simon

Berlin is one of the best cities to visit in Europe for many reasons. Some people come for the party scene, some for the history, and some come just to soak in the culture of this famously open-minded city.

There are plenty of fun things to do in Berlin, but if you want to get off the tourist trail you’ll have to plan a bit more.

You can easily spend months exploring Berlin, but even if you’re on a short holiday and only have a couple days, you’ll still get a good feel for the city. And if you’re anything like me, you’ll want to come back for more!

I originally came to Berlin on a 6-month study abroad program in 2015. I loved living in the city so much, I came back and stayed another 3 months over the summer in 2016.

After having lived in this city for a total of 9 months, I’ve rounded up some of the best unusual things to do in Berlin.

1. Watch the sunset at Klunkerkranich

Like most European cities, Berlin comes to life during the summer months, but it has entirely different feel.

The city’s energy is so contagious it tempts visitors to stay an extra week or two. This is quite apparent enjoying a cocktail and the sunset at Klunkerkranich Bar in Neukolln. The open air rooftop bar is popular with locals and for good reason.

The drinks are reasonably priced and the sun setting behind the TV Tower engulfs the city in a beautiful fire orange hue. On a warm, summer evening it is difficult to find any place that is better.

2. Take The Berliner Unterwelten Tour

Berlin is a city that is constantly reminded of its not so distant past. While there are tons of tours on World War II/Cold War history in Berlin, the Berliner Unterwelten Tour ( Berlin Underground Tour ) is the one tour that blew my mind.

It is an underground museum that uncovers the secrets of Berlin, including former escape tunnels and WWII bunkers. The tour is well researched by experts who lead groups several times a day in various languages.

Be sure to book ahead to reserve a spot on these popular tours. As an added bonus, head across the street to the park and walk around the “Flak Towers” that were built by Hitler to defend the city from enemy aircraft.

3. Swim at Badeschiff

Image by @badeschiff_berlin on Instagram

Badeschiff is one of those places that you wish you could freeze time at. Open from May to September, the recreational area complete with a bar, restaurant, and a pool in the Spree River is the place to be in summer.

You can easily spend entire days, lounging in the poolside chairs, basking in Berlin’s hot summer sun. It is a popular local spot that deserves at least one full day when traveling in Germany . After a long winter, Berliners practically live outside in summer andyou’ll find the majority living it up at Badeschiff.

4. Stroll in Schoneberg

I have a fond place in my heart for this neighborhood. It was where I first lived when I arrived in Berlin and I quickly fell in love with the area’s laid back vibe.

It feels as if you are in a different city, but yet close enough to the hustle and bustle of Kreuzberg and Friedrichshain if you want that. There are many historical sites in Schoneberg . Home to Berlin’s LGBTQ community, Schoneberg has its own charm and appeal.

Buy local produce at the farmer’s market in Winterfeldtplatz

Take in the beautiful early 20th century architecture of Heinrich-von-Kleist Park

Finish a long day of adventure, enjoying hand-crafted cocktails at Berlin’s top-rated cocktail bar, Green Door

I always stumble upon something new whenever I return to visit Schoneberg and I am sure you will too!

5. Eat at Thai Park

20 years ago, Thai Park started off as a get together of Berlin’s Thai community in the Wilmersdorf neighborhood to celebrate their food and culture. The gathering slowly grew from yearly to monthly to weekly, and now daily.

The park where it happens is now known as “Thai Park” and it unofficially kicks off summer. Recently, there have been calls to close down the technically illegal gathering, but with over 19,000 likes on its Facebook page, I would say that’d be pretty difficult to do.

It is a chance to enjoy the sunshine and some amazing Asian food. There are even cultural events that take place now such as movies or dancing. This cannot be missed if you are in Berlin during the summer!

6. Day Trip to the Forbidden City

Calling all history buffs, abandoned building lovers, and adventurers. Located an hour south of the city limits, the “Forbidden City” is loaded with history stretching back to the 19th Century, and it makes a great day trip from Berlin .

It all started as a military area for the Prussian Army, then home to the Nazis’ command center during World War II, and finally, the area became the headquarters for the Soviet forces in Eastern Germany until September 1994. It has been abandoned since then, left rotting and battered by the elements.

Today, you can pay 15 Euros to visit the “Haus Der Offiziere” and see a Lenin statue, old Soviet maps, a theatre hall, and a swimming pool used by the 1936 German Olympic Team, the year Berlin played host to the Olympic Games. This is only a small section of the thousands of acres that were abandoned, but the place is teeming with history and incredible photo opportunities.

Be sure to wear sturdy walking shoes and use caution when walking around the site. This is an extremely unique side to Berlin that most travelers don’t get the chance to see first hand. It is well worth the day trip.

7. Chill out at HolzMarkt

Image by @poludok on Instagram

HolzMarkt is not one of those places you seek out. The only way you find a place like HolzMarkt is stumbling upon it. Luckily for you, I’ve already done that.

HolzMarkt is a community run area that includes a bar, restaurant, and coffee shop. It holds cultural events such as movie screenings.

The main attraction at HolzMarkt is its riverside seating that is fantastic for hanging out and watching the world sail by. It’s a great place to unwind after a long day of exploring Berlin.

8. Hip-Hop Night at Badehaus     

It’s no secret that Berlin has endless options when it comes to nightlife (Yes, I have gotten into Berghain…) Many people that come to Berlin overlook some of the smaller events that happen in the city, and that is a shame because I think those are the best for really understanding what Berlin is all about.

My favorite nightlife activity takes place on Tuesday nights at Badehaus Szimpla, located in the R.A.W area in Friedrichshain. The hip-hop night, put on by a group called SWAG Jam , is a lot of fun. It’s a great place to go and listen to some awesome music.

They’ve been at it for 6 years and they bring a great energy to the stage and they bring special guests out from all over the world. Sit back and let these talented artists blow your mind.

9. Enjoy a Spa Day

One thing you should know about Germans is that they love their spas. Almost every weekend I lived in Berlin, almost without fail, one of my German friends would invite me to go to a spa with them.

At first it may seem a bit strange, but who doesn’t love to hang out all day in comfy robes and slippers? There are tons of different spas in Berlin, but my favorite is Vabali. Located in Mitte, Vabali is centrally placed within the city. They have indoor and outdoor areas complete with saunas, baths, hot tubs, a restaurant, and bar. You will not be disappointed.

10. Have Dinner with Refugees

While touring and exploring the city, you may wonder about the refugee crisis that Germany was deeply affected by. While the crisis is still ongoing, the issue is hard to connect with without a name and face to think of. This is your chance to change all of that.

An extremely popular in thing to do in Berlin called Weekend Refugee Dinner is run by a Hungarian woman named Anna through the website Withlocals (here is Anna’s profile ). The dinner is made by local Syrian refugees who then break bread with paying guests.

The unique opportunity allows you to get to know some of stories behind the crisis and is a great experience for anyone that wants to open their mind to how these refugees live day in and day out. The dinners are often booked months in advance (and sometimes Anna is busy, like everyone else) so be sure to contact Anna as soon as possible.

If you can’t book the dinner, there are plenty of other Withlocal experiences to try our around Berlin.

11. A Walk in Grunewald

Image by @studiosupply on Instagram

If you ever go outside of Berlin, you’ll notice how green the scenery is. That’s because Berlin used to be a swamp. The swamp is long gone and filled in, but you can still get a healthy dose of nature on the edge of Charlottenburg in Grunewald (Green Forest).

While walking in the forest, you may stumble upon Teufelsberg (Devil’s Mountain), a former British and American spy tower that is now a museum.

12. Stammtisch at Prater

Germany loves their stammtisch. Stammtisch , German for an informal gathering of a group usually after work, is a time honored tradition. Nowhere does it better than Prater Beer Garden in Berlin’s Prenzlauer Berg neighborhood.

On warm days, they have benches outside to have a cold beer and enjoy the great weather. You can grab your own bench, but later in the night as more beers are served, people get up and mingle. It’s hard not to walk away with new friends at the end of Stammtisch.

13. Visit the DDR Museum

Berlin has TONS of museums from everything from history to sausage to cars. It even has its own Museum Island that is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The most unique museum, however, is right next to Museum Island. It’s called the DDR (GDR) Museum and it details life in the former German Democratic Republic or East Germany as it’s more commonly known.

Inside the museum, they have a old typewriters, a typical car, and model of a 120 square meter apartment. The wallpaper looks terrible! It’s fascinating to imagine what life would have been like in the former communist country.

14. Eat a vegan meal

Though the first German food most people think of is bratwurst, Berlin actually has a huge variety of vegan restaurants. And with stiff competition, the quality is high.

Simply type “vegan” into Google Maps and you’ll see a plethora of options to choose from.

Here are a few of Berlin’s top-rated vegan restaurants and cafes:

1990 Vegan Living

Lia’s Kitchen

SORA Vietnamese Vegan

15. Spot the street art

Berlin has mural after mural, and if you’re a fan of street art, you’ll feel like you’re on a scavenger hunt! From the beautiful, thought-provoking murals to the downright strange pieces of art, Berlin truly has it all!

Simply wander the city and you’ll find lots, or if you don’t want to miss any big pieces, follow this Berlin street art map to help guide your way.

16. Visit Prinzessinnengärten

This urban garden project in the heart of Kreuzberg is supported by the neighborhood volunteers. Part community garden, part art space, part cafe, a wander through Prinzessinnengärten is relaxing and uplifting.

Grab a coffee or a bite to eat in order to support the projects happening here.

17. Pick an unusual Airbnb Experience

We love the idea of Airbnb Experiences because it gives you the opportunity to meet and support a local and do something interesting or quirky in their hometown.

Berlin has a ton of unique Airbnb Experiences to choose from, like cheese-making, absinthe cocktail tasting, and an underground dance party tour! It could be the most unusual thing to do in Berlin that you try!

18. Grab food at Markthalle Neun

This indoor market and food hall is fun to visit year round, and you can find everything from butcher stalls selling fresh cuts of meat to artisan chocolate stands. It’s a great place to wander, people-watch, buy some local products or grab a bite to eat.

Insider Tip: If it works out with your travel schedule, check out “Street Food Thursday” which is each Thursday from 5 – 10 p.m.

19. See a Comedy Show

Laughter is universal, and one of the best ways to get your giggle on is to find a comedy show. Luckily, there are many comedy clubs where performers speak in English, making it easier for all us non-German speakers to get the joke.

Check out this schedule to see if there is a comedy show during your travel dates in Berlin.

Where to stay in Berlin

The Circus Hotel Berlin (where Katie stayed!)

Berlin has no shortage of options when it comes to hotels. From seriously luxurious digs to private Airbnb apartments to funky and social Berlin hostels , there’s something for every type of traveler. 

Splurge Hotel in Berlin

Art Otel Berlin

With stunning rooms and some extra comforts, this Berlin hotel is perfect for couples wanting a special and memorable stay. Check availability on Booking.com .

Mid-Range Hotel in Berlin

The Circus Hotel

Located in the heart fo the city, this hotel has quirky decor, a cozy restaurant, bicycle rentals and affordable rates. Check availability on Booking.com .

Budget Hostel in Berlin

The Circus Hostel

With dorms and private rooms available, this hostel has a social atmosphere and vibrant designs. Check availability on Booking.com .

Private Apartment

Airbnb Loft

This Airbnb is well-located, beautifully decorated and affordable. Check availability on Airbnb.com .

We have loads of info on how to book Airbnbs, red flags to watch out for when booking, and our favorite Airbnbs in our Airbnb article

About the Author

Grant Simon is an entrepreneur, writer, personal trainer, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioner and an endorphins chaser. He has climbed a volcano in Chile, swam with sharks in the Galapagos Islands, and survived a motorcycle crash in Thailand. Besides raising his heart rate in over 35 countries, the Chicago native enjoys birdwatching, reading the newspaper, and eating too many pancakes in one sitting. He is currently based in Montréal, plotting his next bold move.

Check out his blog at Carryon Travel Fitness .

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Comments (3) on “ 19 Fun & Unusual Things to Do in Berlin ”

I also think that Schöneberg has beautiful sites. At Winterfeldtplatz, Goltzstraße and Eisenacher Straße you can find great restaurants and designer stores. But still we don’t want to give up our currywurst. We always eat our currywurst at a typical snack bar, preferably at Curry Wolf on Ku’Damm or directly at the Brandenburg Gate. Perfect to briefly interrupt sightseeing and fortify yourself.

OMG amazing recommendations xxx

Thank you so much for taking the time to write this. We did so much from your awesome list during our weekend in Berlin and want to thank you for your recommendations.

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Unusual Things To Do in Berlin

There’s no shortage of unusual, quirky things to do in Berlin. Widely regarded as one of the world’s most creative and vibrant cities, nowhere else does offbeat quite like the German capital.

Did you know – Culture Trip now does bookable, small-group trips? Pick from authentic, immersive Epic Trips , compact and action-packed Mini Trips and sparkling, expansive Sailing Trips .

Once the Brandenburg Gate and Checkpoint Charlie are ticked off your list, Berlin offers up a host of unexpected (and, at times, downright bizarre) activities: swimming to a techno soundtrack, cinema-inspired sports and an insect-based cooking course.

Get below Berlin’s surface with a subterranean tour

When you think about Berlin’s underground scene, chances are that World War II air raid shelters and Cold War nuclear bunkers aren’t the first things that come to mind. Berliner Unterwelten (Subterranean Berlin) is a museum that offers a unique perspective on Berlin’s history from its base in a former air raid bunker at the Gesundbrunnen train station. Guided tours led by researchers take visitors through the vast network of secret tunnels built by the Nazis, with a number of different themed tours available. These include the Dark Worlds Tour, which centres on life during wartime for the average citizen of Berlin; and the Under the Berlin Wall Tour, focusing on attempted escapes via tunnels underneath the Berlin Wall .

Spend a Sunday at Berlin’s Thai Park

Every other day of the week, it’s Preußen Park (Prussian Park), but on summer Sundays this verdant stretch in the off-the-hipster-radar suburb of Wilmersdorf is transformed into Thai Park – a little taste of Bangkok right in Berlin’s backyard. From under a flurry of colourful umbrellas, the mostly Thai vendors (though you’ll find Vietnamese, Chinese, Filipino and Laotian, too) serve up mouthwatering Asian street food cooked on the spot, from spicy noodle soups to fluffy banana fritters – all at prices more affordable than packing your own picnic.

Get your techno fix while drifting in a thermal pool

Berlin’s music scene is legendary, even if its dance-till-dawn attitude isn’t for everyone. Rather more relaxing than queuing for hours to get turned away from the notorious Berghain , futuristic Liquidrom combines techno music with a luxurious spa experience: float off on a pool noodle with the strains of live electronic music infusing the very waters enveloping you. With sauna, massage treatments and a bar also on offer, an immersive evening at Liquidrom is designed to leave you blissed out.

Check out a game of Jugger at a disused airport

While Tempelhofer Feld – a former airport turned public park in 2010 – is one of Berlin’s most popular, if peculiar, drawcards, what few of its visitors may realise is that it’s one of the world’s first official Jugger training areas, too. The sport, inspired by the 1989 cult post-apocalypse movie The Salute of the Jugger , looks a little like rugby-meets-fencing, and its adherents claim it’s a blast. If you’re feeling brave, the Jugger eV league offers free weekly training sessions – or simply gawk from the sidelines.

Take an insect cooking course

Already considered one of the most vegan-friendly cities globally , Berlin is now embracing a new culinary wave – or at least tentatively sampling it… Insects have been staples on the menus of numerous non-Western cultures and now, as we search for more sustainable ways of living, organisations like Berlin-based MikroKosmos are helping people remove the ‘creepy’ from their creepy crawly food experiences. Find their stall at Markthalle Neun every second Thursday or, better yet, take part in one of their cooking courses – you can email them for more information.

Play black-light mini golf in Görlitzer Park

Görlitzer Park ( known as ‘Görli’ to the locals ) is another of Berlin’s best-loved parks and it has a dark secret – well, a glow-in-the-dark one, to be exact. Spread across five rooms in the basement of the park café is an 18-hole, trippy black-light miniature golf course, complete with neon renderings of Berlin’s most famous landmarks. Go for birdie with the Berlin bear looming over you, or hit a hole-in-one at the suddenly psychedelic Brandenburger Tor. You can also try your hand – or backhand – at black-light table tennis.

Visit the most awe-inspiring Soviet War memorial outside of Russia

Treptower Park is more than a lush location for a bike ride, it’s home to an imposing Soviet War memorial . Designed by Soviet architect Yakov Belopolsky, it honours the Soviet soldiers who fell in the Battle of Berlin in 1945. Look out for sculptor Yevgeny Vuchetich’s 12-metre (39ft) statue of a soldier holding a rescued child in one hand and a sword in the other. Some say it commemorates the deeds of a Soviet soldier who braved heavy gunfire to save a German child; others say the child represents Germany itself, liberated from Hitler by the USSR.

Take your tea Russian-style at the Tajikistan Tearoom

In a city as youthful and dynamic as Berlin, there’s a lot to be said for places where tradition is still revered. The Tajikistan Tearoom, a gift to Germany from the Soviets in 1974, serves it up by the steaming cupful. The tearoom was originally built as the Tajikistan pavilion for a trade fair in Leipzig during the 1970s, after which the pavilion was donated by the Soviet Republic of Tajikistan to their East German hosts. From its ornate sandalwood pillars and the epic murals playing out over vibrant walls to its Russian teatime delicacies, Central Asian and Russian cultures mix to create something magical in this space. As such, a hidden gem though it might be, advance reservations are still encouraged.

Enjoy a free Tuesday lunch concert at the Berliner Philharmonie

There’s no such thing as a free lunch, but there is such a thing as a free lunchtime concert. Just across the road from Tiergarten , the Berliner Philharmonie concert hall puts on world-class performances to anyone who has a lunch break to spare, every Tuesday afternoon in the main foyer of the Kammermusiksaal. Whether you’re taking a breather during a business trip or relaxing on vacation, swap out going for another döner for some culture instead.

This article is an updated version of a story created by Alice Dundon .

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25+ Truly Unique Things to Do in Berlin, Germany

Created On: July 11, 2021   |   Updated: August 28, 2022   |   2 Comments

There’s so much more to Berlin than the Brandenburg Gate and the East Side Gallery! Here are 26 truly unique things to do in Germany’s capital city. 

This post was originally published July 2021 and was updated August 2022.

Many visitors to Berlin come to experience the city’s techno scene or visit famous sites from WWII and the Cold War. While both are great reasons to come to Germany’s capital city, there’s so much more to do and see in Berlin than that.

Indeed, beyond the popular tourist attractions and hipster hotspots, a whole world of unique places to visit in Berlin beckons! In this post, you’ll find some truly unique things to do in Berlin. We’re going to go way off the beaten path to discover some quirky, fun, and sometimes downright weird experiences in Berlin.

This list of unusual things to do in Berlin have been vetted by me personally — I never recommend anything I haven’t experienced for myself. Whether you’re a tourist who’s in town for a few days or a local who’s looking for something new and exciting to do, you’re sure to discover something new with this list of non-touristy things to do in Berlin!

1. See the Brandenburg Gate Without Tourists

During the pandemic, I really got to know Berlin. And I think this is when I truly fell in love with the city. It was a (perhaps painful) reminder that I lived in a place that people flock to from all around the world.

On Christmas Day, I took the S-Bahn at 7am and went to see monuments like the Brandenburg Gate. It was awe-inspiring to see this Berlin icon without people! As a lover of photography, I was also able to get some great shots.

Now that things are — fortunately — opening up again, you can recreate this experience by waking up early and making your way to Pariser Platz. If you get there early enough, you can even catch the sunrise piercing through the gates. While the Brandenburg Gate itself isn’t a unique place in Berlin, seeing it at sunrise certainly is a unique experience!

2. Step Inside Berlin’s Courtyards

Berlin has many beautiful courtyards tucked away off major avenues. If you don’t know where to look, chances are you’ll miss them as you pass by. That’s what makes them so special!

  In fact, a number of these Berlin courtyards have been silent witnesses to major historical events. For example, Sophienstr 18 (shown above) is where communist leader Karl Liebknecht called for a peaceful revolution in 1918. And Rosenthaler Str. 51 was used as a Soviet film set. The stories go on, waiting for passersby to discover them.

If you’re looking to go off the beaten path in Berlin, definitely take the time to research and find these hidden courtyards.

3. Uncover Berlin’s Forgotten History

While everyone knows when and where the Berlin Wall came down, some other major historical events seem to have fallen off the radar. Even the guidebooks don’t tend to mention that Berlin’s oldest airport now stands entirely abandoned . Or that the former KGB headquarters is located inside a Catholic university a few S-Bahn stops from Warschauer Str.

If you’re a history buff, you should definitely take the S3 to Karlshorst, just 20 minutes from Mitte. You’ll be able to discover the above-mentioned sights, as well as the spot where World War II came to an end in Europe.

Tip : The somber-looking villa where the Allies partied all night after Germany’s unconditional surrender is now a museum. (Admission is free.)

4. Visit Schloss Charlottenburg’s Sheep 

Every summer, a herd of sheep take over the lawn-mowing in the sizable gardens around Charlottenburg’s castle . This is the same breed of sheep that grazed these pastures back in 1695, when the wife of Friedrich I, Sophie Charlotte, called the palace home.

Make an adventure out of trying to find where the sheep are located. They’re moved around every few days during the warmer months so that all of the meadows are mowed equally, in the most sustainable fashion that exists.

Tip: You have to pay to enter Schloss Charlottenburg, but the gardens and park behind the castle are free.

5. Meet the Horses and Ponies

Berlin may be a major metropolis, but you’ll find plenty of spots to reconnect with rural living. You might even think you’ve accidentally stumbled into the countryside.

If you wander to the back of the modern Carlsgarten development in Karlshorst, you’ll find yourself facing a dozen stables. The resident horses usually spend their days outside, so you aren’t likely to miss them. Locals sometimes bring a picnic and sit down for a while to observe their four-legged neighbors.

Tip : For an added dose of cuteness, head over to the other side of the stables where the ponies are kept.

6. Pay Homage to the First Berlin Wall

People in Germany — and indeed around the world — are familiar with the Berlin wall. However, even longtime locals sometimes don’t know that Berlin has a much older wall.  Berlin’s original city wall, dating back to the 13th century, has now been mostly removed, but you’ll still be able to see a section of it just steps from Alexanderplatz. 

If you’re interested in Berlin’s distant past, you’ll enjoy a stroll alongside the city’s original fortifications, which happen to be set next to Berlin’s oldest pub, Zur Letzten Instanz (operational since 1621).

7. Visit Berlin’s Old Towns: Spandau and Köpenick

Berlin is not Germany, people always say. And this is true for the most part. However, you will find half-timbered houses and picturesque village scenery if you know where to look.

In the westernmost borough of Spandau, you’ll find a network of cobblestone streets and fairytale homes that will plunge you back three centuries in time . Spandau’s Altstadt is quite compact but definitely still has its village flair.

In East Berlin, Köpenick awaits, with its beautiful old town lining the waterfront (see photo above). As you amble along those charming streets, it won’t be hard to imagine what life was like in the 18th century. Köpenick also has a palace turned art museum if you’d like to add some culture to your excursion. 

Exploring the city’s Old Towns is one of my personal favorite unique Berlin experiences!

8. Take the Regional Train to the Edge of Town

Perhaps one of the most underrated things to do in Berlin is to hop on a regional train and see where it takes you, making sure to get off at the last stop in the greater Berlin region (known as Zone C).

One day, I had time to kill and was feeling restless, so I jumped on a train at Zoologischer Garten and got off in Erkner. This is how I discovered the canals of Neu Venedig (or New Venice) , had excellent Vietnamese food, and went for a nice long walk through a forest.

The double decker regional trains (called Regio Bahn) are much more comfortable than the S-Bahn, with bigger seats, some even supporting laptop trays and plugs. Once you hop aboard, you’ll get that vacation feeling in no time!

Tip : Please note that you need to purchase a Berlin ABC ticket before boarding, which costs roughly 40 cents more than the normal Berlin AB transit ticket.

9. Discover Kleingarten Culture

Kleingartenanlage are everywhere, some more extensive than others. Every Berlin district has them — colonies of small gardens where German families come to relax on weekends (or work hard to take care of their plants!). 

I love getting lost in the intricate paths of Kleingartenanlage , some of which have trails no wider than a meter between tall hedges. In the summer, makeshift bars pop up at times, where you can drink wine and enjoy the sun with the locals. 

There are no specific addresses to these hidden bars. You’ll just have to wander through your local Kleingartenanlage and see what’s going on for yourself!

10. Take Bus Line 100

If you’d like a non-touristy recap of Berlin’s top sights, you can simply go for a ride on Bus 100. The public bus line begins at the Zoologischer Garten station and ends at Alexanderplatz. 

Along the way, you’ll see Berlin icons such as the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church, the Victory Column in the Tiergarten (shown above), Bellevue Palace, the Brandenburg Gate, Unter den Linden, the Berlin Cathedral and the TV Tower.

Do not expect guided commentary as you ride through the city, but aside from that you can sit on the upper level of a double decker bus and take in Berlin’s most famous sights for a fraction of a tour bus fee.

11. Visit Berlin’s Pink Palace

Berlin’s Schloss Biesdorf is an Italian Renaissance-style palace that is indeed very pink. This is the perfect location for photoshoots away from the crowds, set in lovely gardens.

Built in 1868, the small palace was soon sold by its aristocratic owners to the Siemens family to pay off gambling debts. It was heavily bombed during World War II, but has since been fully restored and now serves as a museum.

12. Kayak in “Little Venice”

Explore Venice … without leaving Berlin! Tucked away in the sleepy Spandau neighborhood you’ll find Klein-Venedig, or Little Venice. Klein-Venedig is a collection of winding canals that snake their way past garden plots and family homes.

Because the homes and gardens are all privately owned, you can only appreciate the full beauty of the area via the canal system. My suggestion? Rent a kayak and get paddling!

There are a few different boat and kayak rental companies in the area, all with fair prices of around 30 Euros per two-person kayak per day. It takes about 30 minutes to paddle around Klein-Venedig, and from there you can take to the open water and paddle in the direction of Wannsee.

There are lots of little beaches scattered along the river banks, so keep an eye out for a prime picnic and swimming spot. This is Berlin off the beaten path at its finest!

13. Stock Up at the Largest Turkish Market in Berlin

The weekly Turkish market along the Maybachufer is the largest in the entire city. Open only on Tuesdays and Fridays, the market sells everything from fresh fruit and veggies to prepared foods to Turkish-style coffee to fresh pressed juices.

There are also a number of stalls selling handmade goods as well as bolts of cloth.

If you actually want to load up on groceries, get to the market as close to opening time (11am) as possible to avoid the worst of the crowds. If you’ll just be casually browsing or maybe want to get a hot lunch to-go, your timing won’t really matter.

Tip: The closest U-Bahn station to the market is U-Schönleinstraße. You can also get to the market via U-Kottbusser Tor.

14. Get Lost in the Stacks of “Another Country”

There are many wonderful English language bookstores in Berlin, but a hidden gem is Another Country in Kreuzberg. This second hand bookstore is overflowing with books — literally. The last time I visited I knocked over not one, but two stacks of books (oops!).

If you prefer bookstores with neatly ordered shelves with clear labels on them … don’t come here. This bookstore is hectic, but that’s what makes it so fun to visit!

The books are very broadly grouped into genres, but otherwise it’s nigh impossible to find just what you’re looking for. The staff is incredibly friendly though and whoever’s manning the front desk is always down to chat all things books with you.

What sets Another Country apart from other second-hand bookstores in Berlin (besides its beautifully chaotic setup) is that it operates as a bookstore and library. Now, there’s no checkout system that regulates your book “loans,” but it’s recommended that you return books at some point in the future so they can find a loving home with someone new. You’ll get a few Euros back whenever you return Another Country’s books.

15. Swap Books at a Phone Booth Library

Can you tell I’m an avid reader? If you keep an eye out during the summer and fall, you’re likely to find more than a few phone-booths-turned-little-libraries scattered around the city.

There’s no official map of these phone booth libraries, so I can’t tell you where exactly to find them. I know for sure there’s one at Mierendorffplatz in Charlottenburg, as well as one at Leon-Jessel-Platz in Wilmersdorf. Beyond those two, you’re on your own!

I did, however, find this article with 12 little libraries listed. If you find any more near where you live, PLEASE leave me a comment on this post so I can track it down myself! I love quirky things like this.

Tip: Phone booth libraries are totally free, but it’d be mighty kind of you to put one or more of your own books into the library if you plan on taking one out.

16. Attend a Free Philharmonic Concert

One of my favorite free things to do in Berlin (as well as a non-touristy activity!) is attending the lunchtime concerts at the Philharmonic. Every Wednesday at 1pm between September and June, the Berlin Philharmonic performs a free lunchtime concert .

The concerts last a little less than an hour and feature performers from the Philharmonic, the Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester and the Staatskapelle Berlin. As the name suggests, you’re welcome to bring your lunch with you to the concert!

17. Travel to the Future at the Futurium

How best to describe this unusual Berlin activity? The Futurium is marketed as a “House of Futures.”

Upon checking into the exhibit, you’re given a wristband. This wristband assigns you a person in the future, and you then learn more about who “you” are and how future developments will affect you.

Basically, the Futurium is one big thought experiment that’s intended to make you question your actions today so you can help create the future you want. This is an especially fun place to visit with friends since the various exhibits really get you thinking!

Tip: Be sure to go to the very top of the Futurium’s building. The view from the rooftop is incredible!

18. Eat Your Way Through Arminiusmarkthalle

Many Berliners are familiar with the food hall Markthalle Neun in Kreuzberg, but did you know there’s a nearly identical food hall in Moabit? Arminiusmarkthalle was first opened in December 1891 and was the city’s tenth ever food hall.

Like Berlin’s other food halls, Arminiusmarkthalle boasts an array of eateries, cafes, fresh produce stands, and other specialty food stalls. There’s a gorgeous bar area on one end of the food hall, plus a nice American-style bbq place that really hits the spot whenever I’m missing home.

19. Get Inspired to Declutter at the “Museum of Things”

The Museum der Dinge is as off the beaten path as it comes in Berlin. In this small museum, everyday objects from the past and present are cross examined to better illustrate Germany’s product culture.

What I just wrote sounded very scientific and impressive, but in reality the museum feels more like a hoarder’s backroom. There’s so much stuff to look at! Nothing is labeled in detail, but there are years on most objects and it’s really interesting to see how normal things like tea cups and phones have evolved over the last century(ish).

There’s even a fully rebuilt Frankfurt kitchen from the 1920’s! (Consider it the ‘20s version of today’s DIY Ikea kitchens.)

20. Have a Pink Floyd Night at the Planetarium

There are three planetariums in Berlin and they each offer an array of events and activities. One particularly trippy event they often host is a Pink Floyd “Dark Side of the Moon” evening .

While leaning flat on your back in the stargazing chairs, soothing projections are cast onto the domed ceiling while the entire Pink Floyd album plays on surround sound. Yes, it’s as odd as it sounds but it’s also incredibly relaxing. And the music is great!

21. Enjoy the Epic View From Atop the Humboldt Forum

The Humboldt Forum is part museum, part cultural center, part exhibition space and it also has a restaurant and viewing terrace on the very top of the building.

From the rooftop of the Humboldt Forum, you can see the Berlin Cathedral, the TV tower, and so much more! I visited the roof terrace near sunset and was treated to a very romantic view of the city.

If you have time after visiting the rooftop, poke your nose around the rest of the Humboldt Forum! It opened summer 2021 and as such is still one of the underrated things to do in Berlin.

22. Travel to France at Neukölln’s Körnerpark

A short walk from S + U Neukölln is a stunning Parisian-esque park called Körnerpark. The park was completed in 1916 and was built on the site of a former gravel pit of all things, so you have to walk down some steps and past a bubbling tiered fountain to reach the lawn.

There’s an orangery on site that has been turned into a free art gallery as well as plenty of lawn space to stretch out and read a good book!

23. Visit the Ruins of Anhalter Bahnhof

Anhalter Bahnhof used to be one of Germany’s most important railway stations. Building on the station began in 1839. It wasn’t large at first, but as train travel became more popular the station had to be renovated to accommodate the increasing demand.

By 1872, Anhalter Bahnhof was not only the largest railway station in Germany, but also the largest in continental Europe! It soon became known as Germany’s “Gateway to the South,” owing to the fact that it had lines stretching to Prague, Vienna, Rome, and Athens.

Years later, the station was the site of mass deportations during WWII, and it’s thought that one-third of Berlin’s Jewish population was deported via Anhalter Bahnhof.

So…what happened to the largest railway station in Germany? It was bombed during WWII and was eventually shut down entirely when the Soviets took control of Berlin.

What you see today is merely the center portion of the station’s facade. It was saved solely because Berliners wanted to retain some part of this historic building when it was demolished in 1960.

Tip : There’s a modern day subway station of the same name. If you pop up aboveground, you’ll find the ruins of the old station next to a sporting arena. Definitely one of the more unusual places to visit in Berlin!

24 – 26. Unique Day Trips From Berlin

Two of the best-known and most popular day trips from Berlin are Leipzig and Hamburg. But this is a list of unique things to do in Berlin, so might I suggest some unusual day trip options from the city?

Here are some underrated day trips from Berlin that are a little more off the beaten path!

Day Trip to Potsdam … for Hot Chocolate!

I realize that Potsdam is probably the best known day trip from Berlin owing to the fact that you can travel there via Berlin’s public transportation. But most people who visit Potsdam go to see Sanssouci Palace and the surrounding park.

But I’m going to let you in on a secret — Potsdam is home to the best hot chocolate in the world! La Maison du Chocolat in Potsdam’s Dutch Quarter serves up the richest, thickest, creamiest hot chocolate known to man.  

The entire experience feels so luxurious, and their quaint cafe feels like the set of a black and white film. Enjoy your hot chocolate plain, with whipped cream, or stir your favorite liqueur into it.

Tip:  You can order the regular hot chocolate year-round, but they also offer an Eisschokolade in the summer! 

Day Trip to Brandenburg an der Havel

Known for its Gothic, red brick buildings and its idyllic location along the banks of the river Havel, Brandenburg an der Havel is a charming town just one hour away from Berlin.

There’s not much to see and do here in the way of tourist attractions — because this isn’t really a tourist destination! — but the town center is nice to walk around and there are plenty of cute side streets to explore. Check out my full guide to Brandenburg an der Havel for a complete list of things to do and see! 

Day Trip to Ludwigslust

Ludwigslust is a hidden gem just one hour outside of Berlin via the ICE train. The main draw of a day trip to Ludwigslust is Schloss Ludwigslust (Ludwigslust Castle). Known as the “Versailles of the North,” the castle was originally built as a hunting lodge by the same family who lived in Schwerin Castle . 

The castle’s grounds and the Stadtkirche (church) are the two other attractions in Ludwigslust. The church is actually very impressive because instead of the usual painted altarpiece, it has a massive altar made out of papier-mâché!

Ludwigslust is teeny tiny, so one day is perfect for visiting.

Has Your Curiosity Been Piqued?

Berlin is a city of endless secrets, and what is off the beaten path to one person may be the ultimate attraction to another. Still, I hope that these underrated things to do in Berlin will help you discover new and different facets of the German capital.

I have no doubt that there are MANY more unique things to do in Berlin, so please leave me a comment below letting me know what activities you think I should add to this list. I’m always looking for recommendations from readers!

Don’t forget to follow me on Instagram to keep up with my daily adventures in Berlin and beyond!

Even More Fun Things to Do in Berlin:

• 20+ Free Things to Do in Berlin, Germany
• The Top 10 Things to Do in Berlin
• My Favorite Summer Activities in Berlin
• …all of my Germany posts! 

This was originally a guest post written by Marguerite of  Berlin & Around . It has since been updated with new information and photos by me. 

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Comments & Reviews

July 13, 2021

That pink castle is so cool! I’d love to see that if I visited. And the horses and ponies! I can’t wait to visit Berlin one day!

July 14, 2021

Agreed, Berlin is full of surprises! Glad you found a couple things to add to your Berlin bucket list 🙂

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15 Unique and Cool Things to Do in Berlin

As the capital of Germany, Berlin served an important role throughout the 20th century, a momentum that it continued to ride into the 21st century. You can just feel the vibes in Berlin. It is vibrant, gritty, cutting-edge and culturally rich–certainly a must-visit destination within Germany! From its street art-filled neighborhoods and gastronomy delights to its architectural gems and WWII history, there are endless possibilities to learn and discover in Berlin. 

The sheer diversity of things to do makes Berlin a ‘something for everyone’ sort of place. It holds three UNESCO World Heritage sites, around 175 museums , over 300 galleries, and countless delicious restaurants . If you want to try it, trust me you can find it in Berlin. The sheet amount of things to do will likely overwhelm a casual traveler, and you’ll want to come to the city with a plan. This modern metropolis fills every inch of its surprisingly large territory with interesting things, so organizing your itinerary thoughtfully is essential. 

With so many amazing things to do and see, it can be difficult to know where to start when planning a trip to Berlin. That’s why I have put together this list of the 15 best things to do in Berlin. Since moving to Germany, I visited Berlin on several occasions , always trying to discover new things and explore deep into the city’s neighborhoods. I’m sharing all my insider tips and favorite spots with you in this blog post. So, if you’re planning a trip to Germany’s capital city, then, keep reading to discover 15 best things to do in  Berlin.

What You'll Find in this Article

15 Best Things to Do in Berlin

Best Outdoor Activities to Do in Berlin

Wander through tiergarten.

A walk through the peaceful and beautiful Tiergarten park is one of the most beloved local activities to do in Berlin. Located in the heart of the city, Tiergarten is one of the city’s most popular green spaces. With over 200 acres of gardens, lakes, and forests, it is a bucolic recreational area for locals and tourists alike. You can explore Tiergarten on foot or by bike, and there are maps located throughout so you don’t get lost. The park has a long and fascinating history, dating back to the 16th century when it was used as a hunting ground for the Prussian royal family. You might even catch some wildlife viewing, including birds, squirrels, and rabbits. 

Rent a Bicycle

Cycling through Berlin with the wind in your hair is an experience not to be missed. Personally, it is my favorite way to get around in Berlin! Similar to other cities in Germany like Cologne and Munich, it is incredibly easy and fast to explore Berlin by bicycle. The bicycle lanes and paths are flat and clearly marked, running through parks and along canals, in addition to all of the streets. Even novice riders can feel confident! 

Bicycle rentals start at 5 EUR per day with the bike-sharing programs like Nextbike . There are stations throughout the city, making it super simple to pick up and drop off the bikes. You can use the app to pick up the bikes, and the system will charge you a surcharge for rides over 30 minutes. Very few locals wear helmets and they are not provided with the bicycle-sharing program.

Tempelhof Park is a perfect (and safe) place to go for a bike ride. Tempelhof Park was once the site of Tempelhof Airport, which played a significant role in Berlin’s history. Long since closed, the former Tempelhof airport grounds were converted into a public park. Characterized by wide open spaces and beautiful green areas, Tempelhof Park is an incredibly popular recreational area for locals looking to relax with a picnic, frisbee or jogging. 

East Side Gallery 

One of the most recognizable historic places to visit in Berlin is the East Side Gallery. The East Side Gallery is a 1.3 km long open-air street art gallery painted on a surviving remnant of the Berlin Wall. You have most likely seen imagery of the murals on Instagram before. Located just off Warschauer Strasse on the border of Friedrichshain and Kreuzberg, the gallery features over 100 paintings and murals created by artists from all around. In fact, it is considered to be the largest open-air gallery in the world. 

The gallery offers a visual representation of the political and social changes that have taken place in Germany and the world over the past few decades. Because it is painted on the ruins of the Berlin wall, it is a salient juxtaposition that is quintessentially Berlin. Street artists and muralists painted powerful political messages and artwork on the ruins of the wall, making it a unique and colorful showcase of three decades of political and social commentary.  

The most iconic murals include: “the kiss between Brezhnev and Honecker” which shows the leaders of Germany and the USSR kissing; “It Happened in November” a painting by Kani Alvai which depicts Checkpoint Charlie on the day the Berlin Wall fell; and “The Wall Jumper” which shows a man jumping over the Berlin Wall to leave East Berlin to join the free world. Expect to wait in line with other tourists to get a picture of yourself in front of the most famous murals. 

Worthwhile Museums in Berlin

Jewish museum.

The world famous Jewish Museum is simultaneously one of the best museums in Berlin as well as one of the most distinctive pieces of modern architecture in the city. The exhibition chronicles stories of Jewish culture, migration, diversity, and persecution. Extensively researched and thoughtfully presented, the collection is very impressive. While the experience is heavy, I found it to be important and impactful. 

Built by acclaimed architect Daniel Libeskind, the Jewish Museum is an architectural masterpiece . Spread across three structures, the building plays with light and scale to elicit emotional reactions for the visitor, mirroring the emotions they will already be feeling as they dive deep into the history of Jewish people in Germany. The thought-provoking room of darkness, the slits of light in the stairwell, and the disorienting subterranean hallways are intentional choices that force the visitor to engage with the space and the content of the museum. 

Topography of Terror

I really believe that a visit to the Topography of Terror museum is essential for any first-time visitor to Berlin. The museum sits on the remains of the Nazi’s central operations office, where a majority of the Third Reich’s most heinous crimes were planned and managed. From 1933 to 1945, this building housed the primary offices of Nazi terror institutions, including the Gestapo Secret State Police Office, Reich SS Leadership offices, and the Reich Security Main Office. 

Today, the museum chronicles how the Nazis rose to power and spread the message of their ideology. It is full of photos, journals, and artifacts that engage with Germany’s darkest chapters in honest and meaningful ways. Visitors can engage with never-before-seen artifacts, photographs, and documents from the period, and some things can be shocking. I found this museum to be the most educational that we visited in Berlin, and I think it does a really good job of covering an intense topic with direct and straightforward messaging. You’ll need a few hours to go through the museum, as well as some time to decompress after.

Charlottenburg Palace

I just love visiting them! Located just 8km from the city center, Charlottenburg Palace is an easy half day trip in Berlin. Originally built by (and for) Prussian born Sophie Charlotte, the 17th century palace is a stunning example of baroque architecture. Complete with gilded statues, ornate chandeliers, and wallpaper-clad ballrooms, this palace is pure opulence. On a sunny day, the classical French gardens behind the palace are positively divine.  And that is saying something coming from me – I have seen my fair share of castles and palaces in Germany.  

A combined ticket and an audio guide are available for purchase at the main entrance. Fair warning, it was a little more expensive than I expected at 22 euros. The interior of Charlottenburg is filled with exhibits explaining the pivotal role Prussian played in German history. You will learn lots about the reign of the Hohenzollerns, one of the most influential family lines in Germany. There are also a few surprising things inside the palace, including the famous Jacques-Louis David painting of Napoleon crossing the Alps. 

Best Things to Eat & Drink in Berlin 

Eat street food.

One of my goals on my first trip to Berlin was to try as many street food spots as I could. Street food is one of those unique Berlin activities that makes you feel like a local. The city offers a diverse array of street food options, from traditional German specialties to international cuisines. When it comes to what to eat, the options are endless. 

Some popular street food dishes in Berlin include Currywurst, a sausage served with a spicy tomato sauce. Konnopke’s Imbiss is one of the best known currywurst stands in the city, and for good reason! The curry sauce at Konnopke’s is memorable because it has the right balance of sweet and spicy while also offering a nice peppery finish. 

Another staple you have to try while traveling in Berlin is Döner Kebab, a Turkish dish made with marinated meat, vegetables, and sauces wrapped in a pita bread. This is a great thing to eat after a long night out partying in Berlin’s epic club scene. Imren Grill takes each component of the kebab seriously, from the fresh baked flatbreads to the house-made sauces. What I found particularly interesting about the döner kebab here is the spice seasoning. It is a unique flavor full of clove, cinnamon and cumin.

Markthalle Neun 

Located in the Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg neighborhood not far from the East Side Gallery, Markthalle Neun is a historic indoor market hall that has been serving the city since 1891. The building has undergone several transformations over the years, and local residents saved the market from closure in 2009 when it went through a revitalization campaign. The beautiful interior of this revitalized building will strike you immediately.

Today Markthalle Neun is a buzzy hub for local food vendors, chefs and farmers. Visitors can expect to find a lively and vibrant atmosphere, filled with the sounds and scents of sizzling street food. The hugely popular Street Food Thursdays will bring big crowds, but it is worth it. Wander around and see which of the stalls appeal to you. I loved the grilled cheese sandwich stuffed with kimchi from AltMilche, while my husband liked the U.S.-style barbecue at Big Stuff. Wash down your food with a craft beer from Heidenpeters or a mate-influenced gin & tonic from Soul & Spice.

Bar Hopping in Neukölln 

Known for its vibrant nightlife and diverse culinary scene, Neukölln is a popular destination for foodies and bar-hoppers alike. Perfect for a night out, the area is home to a lively bar scene with a number of trendy and unique watering holes to choose from. Being a cocktail aficionado myself, I recommend sampling drinks at some of Neukölln’s legendary cocktail bars. Geist im Glas , Tier , and Velvet are all great options. If you prefer to discover on your own, stroll down Weserstraße between Wildenbruchstraße and Kottbusser Damm. You’re bound to find lots of wine caves, dive bars and cocktail joints on your way.

Interesting Attractions to Visit in Berlin

Of all the historic places that I’ve visited in Berlin, I was most surprising by how much I loved the Reichstag. It is the seat of the German federal government, so I expected this to be fairly boring and bureaucratic. But lots of people recommended it, so I decided it might be worth it. 

You need to book a visit to the Reichstag ahead of time (usually at least one week before) and you will also need to go through a security check before entering. 

Once inside, you will see why the Reichstag is one of the most recognizable buildings on Berlin’s skyline – the massive glass dome that sits on top. It is held up by a mirrored funnel shaped structure, and the entire thing is super impressive. This stunning structure offers 360-degree views of Germany’s capital city and the opportunities for photography are endless here. 

Berlin Wall Memorial

To see what Berlin actually looked like during the Cold War under Soviet and American occupation, head to Berlin Wall Memorial park. The Memorial consists of the last original preserved section of the Berlin Wall, running approximately one-mile along Bernauer Strasse. Just across the street, there is a visitor center that provides a comprehensive understanding of the history of the Wall and its significance.

This open air exhibit features photographs, signs, and audio histories of people’s experience living in divided Berlin. It is really dedicated to remembering and commemorating how the division of the city impacted real people, and the toll it took on generations of Berlin residents. You will see the thick and towering walls of concrete, rebar, a watchtower, as well as “no-man’s land” in between. There is also a memorial wall, which commemorates the heroic and heartbreaking attempts that people made to escape the DDR and reunite with loved ones.

Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe

Steps away from the Reichstag and the Bradenburg gate, another essential place to visit in Berlin is the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe . You’ll also hear it called the Holocaust Memorial, but that isn’t the official name. Designed by architects Peter Eisenman and Buro Happold in 2005, there are 2,711 concrete columns across 19,000 square meters forming a vast mazelike complex. 

The columns are all different heights (between 8 inches to 15 feet), and the ground undulates with small hills and slight angles. Walking through the columns creates an uncomfortable, disorienting experience for the visitor. I interpret this uneasy, confusing atmosphere to symbolize the feeling of dehumanization. I think it also kind of evokes a nameless, soulless graveyard, almost like an unconsecrated space memorializing those who were unburied, burned or thrown into unmarked pits. 

Beneath the memorial is an information center and museum that I would strongly recommend visiting. The center takes a micro-level approach, following individual people and families who were killed in the Holocaust. The personal histories from different European countries are tragic and heart-breaking. I found the storytelling to be incredibly powerful here, really connecting the overwhelming atrocity to individual stories. There are lots of photos and audio clips, as well as the names of approximately 3 million Jewish Holocaust victims. 

Off-Beat Activities to Try in Berlin

Klunkerkranich.

If you happen to be in Berlin during nice weather, you should definitely check out Klunkerkranich. This makeshift bar is on the top floor of a parking garage, making it a quintessentially Berlin experience. It is built out of reclaimed materials, recycled pallets, community gardens and artist installations. It is quirky, but it offers one of the best rooftop views in the city. This is a great place to come around sunset, although there are legendary parties and live music events here late into the night. 

Secondhand Shopping

Berlin has by far the best assortment of thrift stores and vintage stores in Germany. A great second hand store lies around basically every street corner in Berlin – it’s staggering how many you’ll come across. It is no secret that I love thrift shopping, so it should not come as a surprise that it is one of my recommendations for the best things to do in Berlin. The vintage selection is abundant, offering everything from luxury boutiques with designer duds to unique thrift stores specializing in capsule styles and collections.

Explore Neighborhoods

One of the coolest parts of Berlin is the dynamic neighborhoods. Each corner of the city has a slightly different vibe, and it feels like a patchwork of fascinating places. Dive into the neighborhoods to discover some of the quirky characteristics that locals love about Berlin. A few neighborhoods that I think would be worthwhile as a first time visitor are highlighted below.

Reuterkiez has a charming yet gritty vibe in the heart of the city. Reuterkiez has a lot of great options that will satisfy any AM cravings, whether you’re looking for a quick coffee or a leisurely brunch. I especially like a morning walk along the canal with a coffee from Kaffeebar in hand. You might also want to explore this area at night, because Reuterkiez has so many nice restaurants.

Friedrichshain has an alternative feel to it with lots of street art, hidden gems, and unique shops. There are a number of nice coffee shops around Friedrichshain, which I summarize in my Berlin coffee shop guide . 

Prenzlauer Berg is a vibrant neighborhood known for its bohemian atmosphere and lively arts scene. This neighborhood is a popular destination for tourists and locals alike. With its tree-lined streets, charming cafes, and independent boutiques, there is a unique blend of history and modernity in this neighborhood. Prenzlauer Berg is also home to a number of excellent restaurants, bars, and cafes, offering a wide variety of cuisines and flavors.

Do you have any questions about the best things to do in Berlin? Comment below!

Further reading....

4 Days in Berlin: The Perfect Long Weekend Itinerary

Where to Find the Best Asian Restaurants in Berlin

Where to Find the Best Restaurants for Foodies in Berlin

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• City Guide , Featured , Germany , Travel

15 Unusual Things to Do in Berlin

• October 13, 2020

Berlin is a city that is popular on most “euro trip” itineraries, which is why it might be a bit surprising to hear that I just visited the German capital for the first time this past August. A city full of grit and history, it has been on my radar forever. I’m not sure why it took me so long to get there, but I am glad I did because as a more immature traveller I am not sure I would have really appreciated it. I always knew I would like Berlin, but I didn’t expect to love it as much as I did. Berlin is incredibly unique – like no other city in the world – which means that there are so so many unusual things to do in Berlin. And while we only scratched the surface of things to do during our three days in Berlin, it just means I have a really good excuse to go back.

If you only have three days in Berlin like us and are looking to eat and see the city beyond touristy spots like Checkpoint Charlie, this list of unusual things to do in Berlin will help you dive a bit deeper in this quirky city.

a few quick facts about berlin: ━ language | german currency | euro population | 3.76 million diversity | over 190 nationalities are represented in berlin size | 891.8 km² (that's 9 times the size of paris!)

15 unusual things to do in berlin, pay your respects at the memorial to the murdered jews of europe.

Pay your respects to the murdered Jews of Europe at this important monument.

Constructed from 2003-2004, the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe is a massive  19,000 square metre memorial. It is located on a piece of land where part of the Berlin wall used to stand right in the centre of Mitte, Berlin. When choosing the location and size, it was important for the city that the memorial be noticeable – this is not a part of history the German’s wanted to hide. So, it sits in the city centre as a constant reminder of the past.

The artist never revealed the meaning behind the monument, as he wanted to leave it up to interpretation of visitors. We heard a few different interpretations while we were in Berlin, however I’ll let you to visit and reflect on the meaning behind the design of the memorial.

Visit the world's Longest open air gallery: East Side Gallery

While most of the former Berlin wall was torn down, a portion of the wall still remains to be visited. Alongside this portion of the wall you’ll find an urban art project filled with paintings and murals. What used to be a divisive barrier between East and West Berlin is now the longest open-air art gallery in the world. 1.3 kilometres to be exact along the east side of the wall.

It is also one of the most popular tourists spots in the city. But still, it can’t be missed.

Take a historical Berlin bike tour

Think you know a lot about Berlin? Think again…

If you want to check off a few of the “must sees” in Berlin and hear stories about Berlin’s past of war and communism, the best way to do this is on a Berlin bike tour.

Berlin is a huge city and it would be almost impossible to see everything you would want to on a walking tour. That’s why a bike tour is the way to go! Stop by tourist favourites like Brandenburger Tor, Museum island, and the parking lot where Hilter’s bunker used to be. Hear about the untold stories of Berlin’s past, including lots of communism tales. 

We did this tour with Berlin on Bike and I could not recommend it enough. The 3.5 hours “Highlights Bike Tour – Berlin’s Best” was the highlight of our time in Berlin. We left the tour in awe of the legacy of Berlin, and with a better understanding of why the city is the way it is – and what makes quirky Berlin unlike any other city in the world.

Bar-Hop at the best bars in Kreuzberg

It’s no secret that Berlin is known for its nightlife. I am not much of a nightlife-seeker personally (I’m more of a “in bed by 10pm” kinda person). Even still, given the global disruptions in August 2020, all night clubs were closed.

However, the Berlin nightlife scene is more than its famous nightclubs. I really appreciated the cosy hole-in-the-wall bars and speakeasy cocktail scene in Kreuzberg, Berlin. Here’s a few of my favourite spots!

Café Luzia : In the heart of Kreuzberg, this minimalist hipster Berlin bar was a great spot for a beer or cocktail. They often have live music, too.

Das Hote l Bar: Around the corner from the popular Paul-Lincke-Ufer Street, this was perhaps my favourite Kreuzberg bar. In fact, we loved it so much we went back two nights in a row to sit at one of the tiny sidewalk-side tables. Inside, you’ll find a small living room style bar area with a great drink menu.

Schwarze Traube : Looking for a cocktail bar in Kreuzberg? This low key speakeasy is known around the city for its outstanding cocktails. The menu changes every day, and the bartender will explain in details the daily options – which come served in the most perfectly paired antique glasses to round out the whole experience.

Admire the best berlin street art at RAW Berlin and Urban Spree Berlin

RAW Berlin and Urban Spree Berlin are located right next to each other in what was formerly East Berlin. This is where you’ll find some of the best Berlin street art.

RAW Berlin is a formal industrial site, used throughout the late 1800s and through the 1900s. Many of the historical industrial buildings remain, and you can see the old train tracks running through the property.

Today, RAW Berlin is a cultural hub full of street art, music venues, galleries, restaurants, clubs, and bars. While it is known to be a pretty wild party scene in the evenings, it is a really fun place to roam and admire the pure grittiness of Berlin.

Next door to RAW, you’ll find Urban Spree. Urban spree is a similar open space hosting concerts, restaurants, art exhibits, and a biergarten. Similar to RAW, it is known to be a popular nightlife attraction in the evening, but during the day you can find lots of fun exhibits or visit the Urban Spree Galerie to admire some urban art.

Visit the best photoautomat Berlin locations to snap a photo

These vintage photobooths, called Photoautomats, are scattered all over the city. They are a fun little throwback and the perfect spot to get a photo souvenir from Berlin.

If you’re looking for the best Photoautomat Berlin locations, you’ll find several of them scattered around Kruzberg. Here’s the Photoautomat Berlin locations of a few of my favourite ones:

Kulturbrauerei Photoautomat : This one is bright pink and is located in the Frannz Biergarten.

RAW Berlin Photoautomat : You’ll actually find two photobooths in RAW Berlin. One outside “Pizza Dealer” at the entrance of RAW Berlin. And the other one is inside RAW Berlin, out front of Cassiopeia.

Urban Spree Photoautomat : This double photobooth is close to the entrance of Urban Spree along Waschaurer Street.

Kottbusser Tor Photoautomat : This one is located next to Supermarket Kaisers at the popular Kottbusser Tor station (which you will likely get off it when visiting Kreuzberg).

Visit the iconic Reischtag Dome

The Reischtag Dome offers an incredible 360-degree-view of surrounding Berlin. It sits atop the Resichtag and you can see the parliament hall below.

I was so eager to visit the Reischtag Dome, but was so sad to find out that the tickets were sold out. I guess it just gives me a great excuse to get back to Berlin soon (not that I needed one).

So, my biggest tip for this hotspot: Make sure you get your Resichtag Dome tickets way ahead of time.

Learn about berlin's history at the Berlin Wall memorial

The Berlin Wall Memorial shows a section of the Berlin wall in its original construction. You aren’t totally able to grasp the concept of this wall, and how it was constructed, until you visit this memorial. Here, you can see the inner and outer wall, as well the construction of mounts, spikes, and electrical fences between them that made it nearly impossible for people to escape East Berlin.

If you take a tour, like the Berlin on Bike one I recommended, they will likely take you hear and explain this in depth. Either way, it’s worth a visit.

Visit Berlin’s most beautiful book store: Umbras Kuriositatenkabinett

Direct translation: Umbras Cabinet of Curiosities.

And I truly don’t think I have ever come across a shop more perfectly named.

This spot was a complete stumble upon in the Graefekiez neighbourhood and I’m so excited to share this secret spot with you! If you’re a fan of books, or book stores, Umbras Kuriositatenkabinett has books stacked floor to ceiling. The books were almost exclusively in German, but that doesn’t take away from just how cool this space was.

Visit Berlin’s Quirkiest Neighbourhoods: Kreuzberg and Graefekiez (the ultimate Berlin Photography Spots!)

If you’re looking for the best neighbourhoods in Berlin to roam, Kreuzberg and Graefekiez are located right next to each other and are a great spot to do this.

Kreuzberg is Berlin’s hipster haven, full of vintage clothing shops, antique stores, cafes, bars, restaurants – and so much more. It’s gritty and artsy and weird and so quintessentially Berlin in every way. Roam around long enough and you’re bound to come home with a cheap and unnecessary trinkets that you just “had to have.”

Technically part of the Kreuzberg neighbourhood, you’ll find Graefekiez on the south side of the Landwehr canal. A bit more polished and posh, but really cool in a totally different way. This was my favourite neighbourhood in Berlin and the one I would want to live in (anyone else do this when they are travelling, or just me??). It’s filled with unique sustainability-minded shops, florists, cafes, and restaurants.

Grab a bite to eat at Markthalle Neun Erste (Market Hall Nine)

You’ll find tons of food vendors in this historical 120-year-old Kreuzberg Markthalle Neun . This is a great spot to grab a quick lunch or snack, or an afternoon coffee. Keep in mind when planning your visit that the market is closed on Sundays.

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• BERLIN , CITY BREAK

Alternative Berlin – 14 Unusual Things to Do in Berlin

• November 5, 2023
• One Comment

If you’re looking to explore an alternative side to Berlin, you’ve come to the right. This guide covers all the weird, wonderful, and unusual things to do in Berlin, which I believe are the city’s highlights.

There’s no doubt that Berlin is a fascinating city. From its rich history and vibrant culture to its nocturnal underbelly of sex, drugs and rock and roll, it’s up there with the likes of London as one of the most exciting cities in Europe.

There are a realm of famous landmarks to visit in Berlin, which I cover in this Berlin itinerary . However, it’s the cool and quirky side of the city that gives Berlin its character.

Perhaps you’ve visited Berlin before and are looking for something a little bit different this time around. Or maybe you’re not one to follow the typical tourist trail and want to get off the beaten path.

Either way, this guide to alternative Berlin is just what you’re looking for. We are going all out urban exploring, from abandoned theme parks to street art and possibly the smallest disco in the world!

So let’s get to it. Here are some of the more unusual things to do in alternative Berlin.

Disclosure:  Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. If you purchase a product through these links, we will earn a small commission  at no extra cost to you.  And we can continue bringing you free tips and advice. If you found the content helpful and are kind enough to use our affiliates –  you are awesome, and we thank you! 

14 Alternative Things to Do in Berlin

We loved exploring the alternative side of the city. That’s not to say we didn’t enjoy the touristic side too, but it’s the off-the-beaten-path stuff that really gets our blood pumping.

Here’s what we suggest you check out when adventuring in alternative Berlin. 

1. Alternative Berlin Tour

What better way to explore Berlin like a local, than to take a guided tour with a local. Alternative Berlin Tours offers a choice of tours, all of which start later in the day after lunch.

Of course, this isn’t your average guided tour where you visit all the usual tourist spots in Berlin. Alternative Berlin Tours allow you to see the city from an alternative perspective.

You’ll get to explore gritty underground locations that even only a few locals know about. And you’ll get a full-blown history lesson from somebody who knows Berlin like the back of their hand.

I should point out that the Street Art tour will likely include a visit to Raw Gelande. So if you’ve visited there already, perhaps opt for another tour such as the Real Berlin Experience or Alternative Nightlife Tour .

2. Raw Gelände

You can take the bus or train to Warschauer Strasse Station and make the short walk to Raw Gelände.

Set in a former train repair yard, this area is an art and cultural centre. The old warehouses and buildings have been taken over and used as an outlet of creative expression for graffiti and street art artists.

There isn’t much going on in the mornings. Whereas by late afternoon, the realm of pubs, clubs, street food stalls, and flea markets burst into life.

Nonetheless, I do recommend checking this place out before it opens. It’s impossible to appreciate the artistic side of the space when everything is open and swarmed with people.  

My suggestion is to visit in the morning, and if you have the time, return one evening to enjoy the bustling nightlife.

It’s especially atmospheric come the long Summer nights, and many of the nightclubs roll on until the early hours of the morning. 

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3. Teledisko

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This leads me onto our next stop – The Teledisko . Possibly the smallest disco in the world, and certainly one of the most unique.

We stumbled upon this creation when exploring Raw Gelände. What appeared to be a telephone box on the outside was blaring music and vibrating off the floor.

The next thing we knew, two giggling girls rolled out of the door, trailed by a pool of smoke. We figured it must have been a speakeasy bar, and of course, we had to check it out.

As it turns out, it is exactly what it says on the tin. A disco in a telephone box.  So we slot a few euros into the machine and danced around like crazy women for the duration of our song.

Certainly one of the more unusual things to in Berlin, and we agreed it was money well spent for the 5-minutes of laughs it provided.

Entry: 600 HUF (Free to view outside)/Allow: 1hr

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Are you going to be visiting all of the cities top attractions and taking full advantage of the public transport network? If yes, you should consider purchasing a  Berlin Card in advance. 

4. TreeHouse on the Wall

Next on the alternative Berlin agenda, and just a 30-minute walk from Raw Gelände we have a spot that I suspect even very few Berliners know of.

The Treehouse on the Wall was erected in the 1980s by a Turkish migrant worker.

At the time, the Berlin wall was still standing; however, Osman Kalin found a loophole whereby a small area of land had been left exposed.

Naturally, this didn’t sit well with the authorities. Many believed Osman was using the house to assist Berliners in crossing over the divide.

However, despite intimidating demands to tear it down, the structure, built using only recycled scrap materials, still stands today.  

For the moment, you can’t ‘legally’ get into the house. Although, there are rumours of turning it into an official monument or a museum in the future.

For now, you can admire it only from the outside. In any case, it’s worth checking out while you’re in the area.

5. Kreuzberg

Kreuzberg is known as the hipster district of Berlin. As you can imagine, there’s plenty of cool stuff to check out here.

You won’t find any major attractions as such; however, the blend of trendy cafes, new age restaurants, and urban underground edge, makes for some pretty fun exploration opportunities.

First up, grab some lunch. Kreuzberg is home to some cool and quirky places to eat! Like Burgermeister, that’s set in a former railway public bathroom.

After that, stroll down the banks of the picturesque Landwehrkanal. Especially around the vibrant Maybachufer stretch where the banks are swarming with bars, cafes, and restaurants.

Every Tuesday and Friday is the Turkish market where you can shop for souvenirs or sample some Turkish street food. It’s also worth checking out Brammibals bakery for delectable vegan doughnuts. 

6. Hackescher Markt Hidden Alley

Berlin is a metropolis of self-expression, reflected through the endless street art that adorns the city.

Some artistic spaces, like the East Side Gallery, are loud and proud and easy to find. Others, like this hidden alley near Hackescher Markt, are a bit more tucked away.

If you didn’t know it was there, you could easily walk past this alternative hidden gem in Berlin. Which would be a pity as it’s one of the quirkiest spots in the city.

To find it, head to the Cinema Cafe on Rosenthaler Strasse where the unassuming alleyway runs alongside it. Once you get past the dark entrance to the alley, it opens up into a vibrant courtyard.

Huge murals of street art cover the walls, and there are hipster cafes with outdoor seating where you can sit and take it all in. It’s easily one of the best photo spots in all of Berlin .

That’s not all. You’ll also find the  Monster Kabinett  here – a wild museum of robotic creatures and insect-like beasts. Not for the faint-hearted!

7. Underground Berlin Tour

This was up there as one of our favourite experiences in Berlin. If you’re remotely interested in Berlin history, it’s an essential addition to your Berlin Itinerary .

The organisation is Berliner Unterwelten – A subterranean museum exploring the city’s underground history, including WWII bunkers and escape tunnels.  

I’ll be honest, it takes something unique to grip me when it comes to educational experiences and that’s what we loved about Berlin.

There are such creative and immersive ways to learn about the past that you’re instantaneously hooked.

These underground tours are a great example. You can sit in WWII bunkers, follow escape routes under the old Berlin Wall, and come face to face with the dark realities of the past.  

Several underground tours run throughout the day in a variety of languages. I’ve included a short description of each below.

We can personally recommend Tour 1. However, depending on the time of year, there may be a limited choice of tours running on the day.

We recommend you check the website for more information, although you can’t book in advance. You must book on the day of your tour at the ticket office.

Tour 1  – Dark Worlds : Experience WW2 b0mbing raids through the eyes of civilians. Travel through the twisted passages and learn about life as a Berlin civilian in WWII.

Tour 2  – From Flaktowers to Mountains of Debris : Discover the devastated ruins of a WW2 fortress. On this fascinating tour, visitors will be shown three of the seven floors of one of the biggest bunkers in the city. 

Tour 3  – Bunkers, Subways, and the Cold War : This tour follows the traces of the Cold War in the underground. Discover the modern defence shelters that were built in preparation for a possible nuclear war.

Tour M  – Under the Berlin Wall: On this tour, you’ll hear the stories of the people who tunnelled to freedom beneath the Berlin wall.  

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For a more local experience, we recommend checking out the guided tours on  Get Your Guide :

8. Mauerpark

One of the things we loved most about Alternative Berlin was its neverending realm of artistic and cultural spaces.

One of those spaces is the atmospheric Mauerpark – a green open space built on what was once known as the ‘de@th strip’ of the Berlin Wall.

If you visit on a weekday, you might struggle to recognise what the fuss is all about. Other than a few pieces of street art, there’s not much going on at all.

However, the park really springs into life on the weekend, particularly through the summer months.

Alongside the famous flea market, you’ll find open mic nights, giant BBQs, live performers, street food stalls, and more. It’s a wonderful vibe!  

9. Spree Park

Once an amusement park, now abandoned and left to the forces of nature, Spreepark is a must-visit for any alternative seeking traveller.

Like most things in Berlin, the park conceals a fascinating past but I won’t go too much into that here. Long story short, the park closed down in 2002, and until recently went untouched.

There are now plans in place to revamp the whole thing into an art and cultural centre. But for now, the dilapidated rides and structures of the old park remain, allowing for quite the eerie adventure.

Unfortunately, the park is off-limits unless you go as part of a tour; however, that’s not to say that people don’t illicitly do it.

It’s a similar set-up as the abandoned water park in Vietnam, but I’m not sure the Germans bribe so easily.

If you don’t fancy being chased by guards and dogs, take the tour. You can book a guided tour of Spree Park here . 

10. Teufelsburg

Next up we have Teufelsburg – An abandoned spy station that sits atop an 80-meter hill in the Grunewald forest.

This one is quite a way out of the city centre, but if you’re down for a real offbeat urban adventure, it doesn’t get much better.  

Unsurprisingly, the derelict military structure has a remarkable history. First of all, the mound on which it’s built consists of post-WWII debris of dilapidated Berlin.

And the structure itself, once a N@zi military college, was later taken over by the U.S. National Security Agency and used as a spy station. Pretty cool, huh?  

Abandoned following the fall of the Berlin Wall, the structure is now a decaying shell adorned in some of the cities most impressive street art.

Naturally, opportunistic locals have clocked on, so now you have to pay to get inside. However, I know of plenty of visitors who simply find a gap in the fence and discover it that way.  

If you’d prefer to play it on the safe side, tours of Teufelsburg run daily. You can make a booking through the website here . 

11. Schöneberg

The thriving LGBTQ+ culture in Berlin earns the city its position as one of the most gay-friendly destinations in Europe. If not the entire world!

There aren’t many places, other than London , of course, where we’ve felt so entirely comfortable being ourselves. You come as you are in Berlin, and nobody blinks an eye.

Regardless of whether you identify as LGBTQ or not, I encourage you to check out the vibrant gay village in Schöneberg.

Not only home to an endless realm of queer bars, clubs, restaurants, and stores, but a trendy neighbourhood with a fascinating history.

Some other cool things worth checking out in Schöneberg include Urban Nation – A cool museum featuring street art. And Nature Park Schöneberger Südgelände, which I will talk about next. 

I also recommend the rainbow cake at Romeo & Rome cafe! 

12. Nature Park Schöneberger Südgelände

If you don’t fancy the long trip out of town, perhaps this deserted railway yard will tickle your fancy instead.

Fifty years ago, the park was nothing but an industrial junkyard; however, over the past five decades, it has flourished into a rich jungle forest.

Set in the vibrant Schöneberg district, this Nature Park is our favourite in Berlin.

Despite being reconstructed to include walking trails for the public, derelict remains of buildings, trains, and tracks lay buried beneath the forest.

It’s offbeat Berlin, but without doing anything too risky or illegal. And the best part, it’s only €1 to enter! 

13. KlunkerKranich Rooftop Bar

Weather permitting, I recommend checking out Klunkerkranich Rooftop Bar during your time in Berlin.

The venue is a former car park turned cultural rooftop garden. The bar provides a lush outdoor space overlooking panoramic views of Berlin.

During the Summer, this ‘happening’ venue hosts concerts, DJ programs, readings, cinema, and much more on the vast upper deck.

I do believe they have an indoor section as well, but you might want to check out the website for what’s going on throughout the year.

14. SpeakEasy Bars

Nothing screams Alternative Berlin like secret bars hidden in unsuspecting spaces.

The term ‘Speakeasy’ was derived from the prohibition days when drinking holes were illegal, so pub landlords would disguise their bars to evade the authorities.  

Nowadays, bars in cities with even a slightly retro vibe loosely throw around the term. However, in Berlin, there is still several of the authentic kind.

Bars with passwords to get in. Bars disguised in warehouses and at the back of shops. There are many Speakeasy bars in Berlin .

And they are a great way to end the day or start your night – whichever way you look at it.

15. Unique Accommodation in Berlin

In such a cool and quirky city as Berlin, it’s no surprise that there are many unique accommodations to match.

Here’s a few of the most unusual we could find – places that reflect the edgy character of the city. So if you’re yet to sort out your digs, you might want to check these out.

Hüttenpalast : This quirky hotel is located in Berlin’s trendy Kreuzkölln district. Hüttenpalast offers a unique range of accommodation including Retro-style caravans and cabins. They are all located within an indoor garden area to really give the feel of a real campsite. In love with this concept!

25 Hours Hotel Bikini : Hotel Bikini is referred to as a chic urban jungle. Animal themes, long leafy plants, and quirky features resonate throughout the property. It’s literally a wonderland for adults, and we are loving it.  

Provocateur Berlin : A small and intimate boutique hotel in Berlin boasting lavish rooms designed to set the mood. Perfect for a romantic getaway with your partner or for those looking to enjoy Berlin’s thriving sex scene.

Alternatively, you may look at staying nearby, in which case you can compare hotels in Berlin here . Or use the Map below to see all your options​:

Have Fun Exploring Alternative Berlin!

There you have it – 14 of the weird, wonderful, and unusual things to do in Berlin. I hope this list has you excited about your trip! 

Which spot are you most excited about visiting? Let us know, we love hearing from you. You can reach out to us in the comment section below.

Stay adventurous and Happy travels.

Planning a trip around Berlin? Check out our Germany series  for more travel tips and advice. 

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We’re Charlotte & Natalie, a British lesbian couple with a passion for travel and adventure.

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95 Fun & Unusual Things to Do in Berlin

Berlin is a bustling international city filled with history, art and culture from iconic museums to casual Biergartens and world-famous underground clubs.

There’s no shortage of eye-opening historical monuments that document both World War II and the Cold War split between East Germany and West Germany. The now-bohemian and alternative capital has something for everybody.

And whether you want to drift through the skies in a massive hot-air balloon, wander through the mysterious tunnels beneath the city, or pedal and sip at a mobile pub, the methods of sightseeing here are almost as cool as the attractions themselves!

Whether you’re in town for a day or a week, if you’re looking for ways to experience the best of what the eclectic capital has to offer, here are a host of fun, interactive and fascinating things to do in Berlin (some of which are still little-known among tourist circles).

So, what are you waiting for? Get started planning your trip now and you’ll have a döner in your hand before you know it!

1 – Let your hair down on a pub crawl or beer tour!

The perfect way to start any trip to Berlin and meet a few friendly faces is with a beer tour — with both low-key tastings, pub crawls and wild club-hopping parties, making up either end of the spectrum.

Ranging from authentic German pubs and Biergartens that are hundreds of years old to newer craft breweries, no two tours will be alike — but they’ll all cover an impressive number of establishments throughout this lively metropolis.

Don’t feel like walking? Then hop on a beer bike!

• beer tastings in Berlin

2 – Gaze over the city at the TV Tower

For the perfect introduction to the hip German capital, if you want a magnificent landscape view of the city, make a beeline for the iconic TV tower — known locally as Berliner Fernsehturm.

Standing tall at a whopping 368 meters (with the observation deck at about 200 meters), this German landmark wields the title of the tallest building in Germany. It allows you to scope out the city from the sky, spotting landmarks like Alexanderplatz and Museum Island from above.

For a romantic VIP experience, book a table and enjoy the 360 degrees panoramic views of the sparkling city below on an amazing dinner experience !

• TV Tower tickets

Read more about Berlin TV Tower tickets price .

3 – Go inside the dome of the Reichstag

The German Parliament Building, known to the locals simply as Reichstag, is the owner of Berlin’s postcard-favorite glass dome.

The original building was burned down in a fire in 1933, however, the rebuilt building is just as elegant, offering exciting and history-centric tours for both German and English-speaking guests.

Inside, you can climb to the top of the dome to view the city.

Hot tip: Tours are free, but they sell out fast, so book your tickets in advance!

• Reichstag tours

Read more about Reichstag Dome tickets & tours .

4 – Learn about the history of the Berlin Wall

There is little remaining of the Berlin Wall, but its impact is still felt throughout the city and beyond.

As a popular activity for history buffs, a walking tour to check the Berlin Wall includes visiting former border patrol stations at Bornholmer Straße and Checkpoint Charlie. You will also learn all about where the first East German citizens crossed the border.

Throw in stops at the original watchtower and the death strip, and you get a few hours of fascinating stories.

• Berlin Wall tours

5 – Explore the bustling Hackescher Markt

A historic square in the city center of Berlin made up of an intricate labyrinth of eight courtyards, Hackescher Markt is a must-visit for visitors looking to get their fill on some great food and drink.

Check out the street art in the Courtyard of Haus Schwarzenberg. Take a culinary journey through Viet Village and pick from the handful of restaurants, cafés and wine bars in the area.

6 – Take a pre-arranged tour of Berlin!

Don’t want to waste any time on your trip? Can’t be bothered doing any of the planning? Then take a tour of the city led by locals, to learn about the best things Berlin has to offer!

Whether you opt to scour the city by foot, bike, boat or Segway, expect to explore some of Berlins’ most historic and iconic monuments, museums and architecture.

Every tour is different, so just plan accordingly to your needs and you’re guaranteed a great time!

• city tours in Berlin

7 – Zip inside Europe’s fastest lift — Panoramapunkt

Looking for a thrill? Try zooming up inside Panoramapunkt located in the Kollhoff Tower.

By the time you realize you’re moving, you’ll already be 100 meters up above the streets below, overlooking Berlin and the pint-sized pedestrians. All that in only 20 seconds — blink and you’ll miss it.

For a lifetime memory you won’t soon forget, visit the terrace before sunset for a picture-perfect view.

• Panoramapunkt tickets

8 – Learn about the city’s dark past at the Berlin Dungeon

People who enjoy more macabre thrills will love the Berlin Dungeon, which takes visitors on a guided tour of Berlin’s dark past.

Led by knowledgeable locals, visitors will have the chance to explore over 800 years of history in the walk-through attraction that features immersive performances, sets, costumes, special effects, and plenty of impressive illusions.

With stories spanning the Black Plague to World War II and the fall of the Berlin Wall, this is one history lesson you don’t want to miss.

• Berlin Dungeon tickets

9 – Walk around Central Berlin with a Brandenburg Gate tour

For a mix of sightseeing and mild cardio, try a walking tour of central Berlin, an easy way to check off some of the hipster city’s main haunts!

As you stroll around the popular areas, you’ll walk past all the major sights, like Brandenburg Gate and Museum Island, and hear rich stories about Berlin’s topsy-turvy history.

If walking isn’t your speed, you can always zip through the city at your own pace on a scooter tour !

• walking tours in Berlin

10 – Shop ’til you drop at Alexanderplatz

Named after Tsar Alexander I, who visited the Prussian capital in 1805, Alexanderplatz has evolved over the centuries into the largest public square in Germany and a haven for shopaholics

With plenty of shops, restaurants and cafés, you can always find something to do! While cliche, you’ve got to take your photo in front of the iconic TV Tower to truly complete your trip.

Keep in mind that most locals just call it Alex.

11 – Try out some Wine Tours and Tastings

Beer often gets the top billing in this town, but the wine tours are well worth a try!

Whether you’re sipping mulled wine while sailing along a lake, strolling through some picturesque vineyards, or living it up with a limo ride and some sparkling varieties, you’ll be able to see a whole new side of the city – and get a little buzzed along the way!

If you’re visiting during the holiday season, be sure to book a combo tour that includes Christmas light viewings – it makes for a truly festive experience!

• wine tours and tastings

12 – Spend some time in Kreuzberg

Eastern Berlin holds a diverse, eccentric, multicultural neighborhood waiting to be explored. Kreuzberg is a well-known community of immigrants, minorities and progressive-minded people.

The neighborhood is filled with hole-in-the-wall cafés, art galleries, second-hand stores and snazzy bars and nightclubs.

A budget-friendly area too, Kreuzberg is the perfect place to eat, drink and dance the night away without breaking the bank.

• Kreuzberg tours

13 – Listen to some candlelight concerts

If you need a somewhat quieter alternative to the famous techno scene in town, you can always head to one of the Candlelight Concerts!

These lovely performances feature the sounds of the orchestra, and a backdrop of candles that make you feel more like you’re in your living room listening to records than out on the town.

But the music isn’t just classical compositions (though there are plenty of those); you can also hear symphonic reinterpretations of everything from Coldplay to AC/DC.

• candlelight concerts in Berlin

14 – Get to know the Alternative Berlin

On the surface, Berlin is all about history — dive a little deeper and you’ll uncover that the German capital is far more than what it seems.

Get to know Alternative Berlin on a walking tour of the city’s multicultural quarters, such as Friedrichshain, Kreuzberg and Neukölln. Visit trendy shopping areas and cafés, underground art galleries and urban farms.

Walking tours are inexpensive, with some even free (but you can also leave a tip).

• Alternative Berlin tours

Check out the best free walking tours in Berlin .

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15 – Eat your way through Markthalle Neun

When you’re craving a bite (or five), Markthalle Neun is the place to go!

This lively local market is the perfect spot to pick up fresh produce, delicious dairy, and a wide array of mouth-watering cured meats and cheeses.

If you’re not trying to round out your grocery list, you can always grab a coffee or a pastry, and wander around to people-watch.

You can also stop by Canteen Nine to try the perpetually rotating menu.

16 – Float over Berlin in the World Balloon

So long as dizzying heights don’t give you jelly legs, for a unique view of the city at 150 meters, visit the Berlin World Balloon!

High above Berlin in a gondola secured to a steel cable, you can enjoy panoramic views of the sprawling city, learning a thing or two along the way.

Don’t have time to see everything on the ground? The World Balloon floats above Brandenburg Gate, Checkpoint Charlie and the Sony Center.

• World Balloon tickets

17 – Travel back in time at the DDR Museum

One for the history buffs, don’t miss the chance to step back into authentic homes of East German DDR — Deutsche Demokratische Republik.

In these reconstructed DDR apartments, you will learn about what life was like under the communist regime.

These apartments are meant to be explored, almost acting as an interactive museum. Visitors can rummage through Karat-wall cupboards, watch the TV and even smell the spices on the spice rack.

• DDR Museum tickets

18 – Get your adrenaline pumping on a hotrod tour of Berlin

Buckle up, it’s time for a wild ride through the streets of Berlin! Experience Germany capital like never before with the Hotrod Tour.

Hop in a convertible mini hotrod and zoom past the city’s hottest spots, including the East Side Gallery, the Reichstag, the Brandenburg Gate and Alexanderplatz.

With a top speed of 50 km/h, you’ll feel the rush of go-karting through the city streets.

Ready take a break from everyday life and rev up your engine for an unforgettable adventure? So, let’s Hotrod!

• see price and reviews

19 – Head underground at the Berlin Story Bunker

Initially built as a civilian air raid shelter during the peak of WWII, today the bunker has been transformed into a multimedia exhibition space, telling the story of Berlin.

Showcasing information-packed displays about the ride of Socialism, the Nazi party, and the lead-up and aftermath of the war, it’s a museum experience not to be missed.

20 – Take a guided tour of Mitte: The beating heart of Berlin

Mitte is the city’s cultural center, home to a number of unique museums and galleries, as well as more traditional attractions like the Brandenburg Gate and Tiergarten park.

With so much to see in the area — from busy boulevards like Unter den Linden to the Hackescher Markt square — a walking tour led by a friendly local is the best option to cram as much of the area in within a few hours.

For something a little different, consider a comedy tour, food-themed tour, or haunted ghost tour under the moonlight!

• Mitte tours

Play with the bounds of reality at the Studio of Wonders

Studio of Wonders is an art gallery like no other, with more than 30 different photosets filled with optical illusions and setups that range from the epic to the hilarious. Wander through a hall of mirrors, take a quick trip to the jungle, or cuddle up to a giant marshmallow… the choice is yours!

21 – Feel like royalty for a day at Potsdam

Once home to Prussian Kings and the German Kaiser, Potsdam is a city full to the brim of history.

Whether you join a guided tour (which includes pick up and drop off from Berlin) or explore solo, don’t miss the palaces. These include the Cecilienhof Palace, King Frederick William II’s Marble Palace, the Dutch quarter and the UNESCO-listed Sanssouci Palace and Gardens.

Potsdam is filled with exquisite architecture, so keep your camera out when you can.

• Potsdam tours

22 – See more of Berlin’s iconic places by bus

Berlin has a lot to see, and if you don’t have a lot of time, a bus tour might just be your best option!

Bus tours travel by the most iconic  tourist attractions in Berlin , such as Kurfürstendamm, KaDeWe, Lützowplatz and Checkpoint Charlie. Keep your eyes peeled and camera at the ready as you sit back, relax and cruise through the city’s best offerings.

• bus tours in Berlin

23 – Remember those who were lost at the Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp

While confronting, it’s important that we don’t forget about the tragic events of Europe in WWII.

On eye-opening tours to Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp, visitors travel by train to the site and will learn about some 200,000 people imprisoned within its fences between 1936 and 1945.

During the experience, you’ll be introduced to the barracks, cells, infirmary and laboratory while learning about the brave prisoners’ stories and their harrowing fates.

An important stop, the memorial honors those who needlessly lost their lives.

• Sachsenhausen tours

24 – Take a day trip to Sanssouci Palace

For a popular change of scenery from the German capital, travelers regularly rave about the Sanssouci palace in Potsdam.

This grandiose and enormous palace is the old summer home of the former King of Prussia, Frederick the Great, and sits just 40 minutes from Berlin by car.

The magnificent architecture and interior are spellbinding, but don’t dismiss the serenity of the luscious gardens outside either.

• Sanssouci Palace day trips

25 – Get contemporary at Urban Nation

Urban Nation is a contemporary museum for exhibitions of street art, sculptures, murals and photography.

Art-loving guests can explore over 500 square meters of the museum, filled with eccentric and unique art — yes, it’s compact, but it’s still worth a visit!

The museum also incorporates its art into neighborhoods, with plenty of outdoor murals to see after your visit to the museum.

26 – Wander around the main buildings on Museum Island

A museum lover’s paradise, Museum Island is a UNESCO World Heritage site located in the middle of the Spree River.

The tourist-favorite zone is packed with plenty of historic and cultural museums to choose from. The Alte National Galerie features art from all over the globe, including Romantic and Impressionist-era art. If you’re a history buff, make a beeline for the historical artifacts at the Pergamon Museum.

• Museum Island tours

Sip and paint in the dark at this unique workshop!

This retro-futuristic experience combines the thrill of painting with a fluorescent twist, offering a brush in one hand and a choice of drink in the other. The musical backdrop adds to the atmosphere, making it a perfect outing for friends. By the end of the night, not only will you have had an unforgettable experience, but you’ll also leave with a personal masterpiece to proudly display at home.

• See price and reviews

27 – Marvel at the jewels at Charlottenburg Palace

Visiting the Charlottenburg Palace is one of the more underrated things to do in Berlin. It’s located just 25 minutes outside of the hustle and bustle of the city.

The palace is home to Prussian crown jewels and other royal treasures. Guests can walk through the giant ballroom and feel like they’ve just been invited to a royal ball!

If you’re on a budget, access to the gardens is free, so soak up the sun all you want.

If you want to linger a little longer in this enchanted world, you can stay for dinner… with a classic concert thrown in!

Enjoy a marvelous three-course meal, with a world-class performance by the Berlin Residence Orchestra as your soundtrack.

With Bach and Mozart filling the room, and delicious food filling your belly, you’ll feel a bit like royalty yourself!

28 – Cruise down the River Spree

We already mentioned dinner cruises, however, Berlin’s River Spree also plays host to an array of private and public sightseeing tours as well as luxury catamaran adventures that often explore the nearby Müggelsee or Wannsee lakes!

Regardless of your boat tour of choice, expect a friendly, informative guide to dish out plenty of fascinating tidbits along the way.

• boat tours in Berlin

29 – Admire the art at the East Side Gallery

The East Side Gallery on the Berlin Wall is well-preserved and has over 100 paintings from artists around the world. Each painting has different colors, styles and messages that will keep you inspired for hours.

Hot tip: Be sure to check out the most famous painting on the wall by Russian painter Dmitri Vrubel.

• East Side Gallery tours

30 – Stroll around the Botanical Garden and Botanical Museum

Sitting in the heart of Berlin, this is one of Europe’s largest and most famous botanical gardens , spread over a whopping 106 acres (43 hectares) and constructed at the turn of the 20th century.

With shimmering lakes and calm ponds on site, as well as plenty of exotic plants and trees from all around the world — making up 22,000 different species in total — it’s no wonder that locals and tourists flock through its doors.

31 – Solve riddles on a scavenger hunt

Do you love mysteries and puzzles? Then an engaging, totally interactive scavenger hunt may be the perfect way for you to explore Berlin!

With numbered envelopes or via the convenience of an app, you’ll have to solve tasks and crack codes to make your way through Berlin.

In Amazing Race-style, once you solve a riddle, you’ll move on to the next location. The tour takes you through iconic locations, such as Alexanderplatz, Museum Island and Checkpoint Charlie.

• scavenger games in Berlin

A Celestial Journey Through Light and Creation

Discover the Genesis story like never before with Eonarium’s immersive light show in Berlin’s historic Passion Church. This captivating journey through the creation of the sun, moon, stars, animals, and humans combines art, technology, and spirituality in a unique audiovisual spectacle. Don’t miss this breathtaking experience that transforms ancient narrative into a modern marvel.

32 – Take a moment to reflect at the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church

The Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church was built in 1891 and, like much of the city, was largely destroyed in air-raids in 1945 during WWII.

The church started rebuilding in May 1959 and completed the foyer and chapel in December 1963 — and to this day has been popular with history-savvy tourists.

The scored spire on the church serves as a reminder of both Berlin’s dark past and a beacon of hope for the future.

33 – Go under the sea at Aquadom & SEA LIFE

You may not think of the ocean when pondering your Berlin adventure, but SEA LIFE is about to change that.

Offering visitors a chance to explore the big blue world, this family-friendly attraction houses over 35 basins and 5,000 creatures … so there’s plenty to sea .

Learn about creatures who live locally, in the Spree River, and far away across the globe. Let the kids enjoy the touch tanks!

• Aquadom & Sea Life tickets

34 – Set sail on a dinner cruise

If you’re looking for a more intimate way to explore Berlin by night, then why not take in the sights from aboard an evening dinner cruise?

The showstopping boat ride will transport you around the canals of historic Berlin, as your eyes feast on all this iconic city has to offer — including views of Alexanderplatz, the Reichstag Building.

After sailing by the Bundeskanzleramt, Berlin’s answer to the White House, you’ll have the chance to grab a glass of wine from the bar — before being whisked off to your table and served an exquisite three-course (or sometimes four-course!) dinner.

• dinner cruises in Berlin

35 – Learn about Germany’s past at the Deutsches Historisches Museum

Visiting Germany’s national history museum, the Deutsches Historisches Museum , is a quintessential activity for self-proclaimed history experts.

Located in the Mitte district, the intriguing museum aims to be a place of active

communication and discussion of history. Since the exhibits in the museum are always changing, you’ll have something different to talk about every time you pop in.

36 – Get artsy at the Dali Museum

A true surrealist, Salvador Dali infused his work with elements of the macabre and grotesque in order to convey a sense of beautiful disorder.

This museum is dedicated to showcasing this renowned artist’s life’s work, with more than 450 exhibits on display, including several small-scale sculptures.

While you’re welcome to stroll around at your own pace, you can also join a guided tour to go more in-depth into this must-see landmark of the Berlin art scene.

• Dali Museum tickets

37 – Roll around town on a bike tour

For when those weary legs just don’t want to walk anymore, and you want to explore the city from a different perspective (away from the hoards of tourists), book yourself on one of Berlin’s popular bicycle tours.

These fun and easy-going bike trips, led by locals, will take you through some offbeat locations in the German capital — like Friedrichshain or Kreuzberg — before finishing up back at the starting point.

With themed experiences like the Cold War, “Vibes of Berlin,” street art, and “top secret” spots, there’s a two-wheeled adventure for everyone.

• bike tours in Berlin

38 – Step back in time at the Pergamon Museum

Housed in the former Prussian Cultural Heritage Foundation palace on Museum Island, the Pergamon Museum is an international landmark and undisputed visitor magnet — arguably the most popular of the city’s museums.

Found here are monumental exhibits diving into ancient Babylonian, Greek and Roman culture — the world-famous Pergamon Altar from the Roman Period and plenty more.

Hot tip: During those busier tourist months (summer), grabbing a skip-the-line ticket online is a great option.

• Pergamon Museum

39 – Admire the flowers at the Gärten der Welt

For an unforgettable Berlin day out in nature, head to the 100-hectare Gärten der Welt in the eastern district of Marzahn.

This locally adored attraction will take you on a journey through the diverse flora of eight different countries from near and far. Whether you’re craving some tulips or are more in the mood for bamboo trees, this is one outdoor spot not to be missed.

40 – Explore the outdoorsy delights of Tempelhofer Feld

In a brilliant bit of repurposing, the city has transformed a former airfield into a splendid green space for everyone to enjoy.

Head to Tempelhofer Feld to search the trees for birds, admire some beautiful gardens, or catch the breeze and fly some kites in the wide-open spaces.

You can see plenty of fascinating civic projects in action, from public art pieces to flocks of endangered sheep grazing in the meadows.

It’s a wonderful way to relax in pure Berliner fashion!

41 – Learn about Berlin’s Jewish Heritage on a guided walking tour

If you’re interested in exploring Berlin’s rich Jewish history, then the Jewish Heritage Walk, which dives into the chapters from the 17th century to today, is an excellent opportunity to do so.

This tour takes up to four hours, taking visitors around and across key sites of interest from both pre and post-war times. These include the New Synagogue, Old Jewish Cemetery, the Rosenstrasse Memorial and the powerful “Block of Women” memorial that commemorates the 1943 women’s uprising.

The stories told are moving and the sites visited are eye-opening — a must for anyone interested in history.

• Jewish Heritage tours

42 – Hit terminal velocity with a skydive!

If you’re looking for a thrilling experience to take your travel diary up a notch, then book yourself into one of Berlin’s most exhilarating (and adrenaline-pumping) activities!

Jump from 13,000 feet over the beautiful forests, lakes and farmland of Brandenburg county, about 30 minutes outside of Berlin. Go solo or with friends and family — either way, skydiving is sure to make that list of “must do’s” before you go home.

• skydiving in Berlin

43 – Celebrate the summer at Freiluftkino Friedrichshain

The only thing better than catching a movie is getting to enjoy a little bit of sunshine, and Freiluftkino Friedrichshain offers both in spades!

This beloved open-air cinema runs all summer long, and screens a wide variety of movies for filmgoers of all ages.

Note that the screenings are generally dubbed in German – a perfect way to start learning the language!

Post up on one of the comfortable benches, or bring a blanket and relax in the grass; then you can just sit back and enjoy the show!

44 – Snap a selfie with Brad Pitt at Madame Tussauds

Forget about Hollywood — Berlin offers celeb-obsessed visitors the chance to meet all their favorite A-listers at Madame Tussauds. It’s just down the road from the Brandenburg Gate.

Get up close with life-size replicas of international stars like Barack Obama, Justin Bieber, Leonardo DiCaprio, Marilyn Monroe and Queen Elizabeth II — just a sliver of the dozens of names on offer.

It’s a sweet way to attract some social media attention, that’s for sure.

• Madame Tussauds tickets

45 – Check out the Natural History Museum (Museum für Naturkunde)

This sprawling 19th-century building houses a plethora of well-curated exhibits for all ages — including fossils and preserved animals.

One of the essential things to do in Berlin for fans of zoology and evolution, the museum’s collections include everything — from ancient Egyptian artifacts to dinosaur skeletons that have been reconstructed into lifelike poses.

The undisputed highlight? The world’s largest dinosaur skeleton, a Brachiosaurus standing a colossal 13.27 meters tall!

46 – Soar over the city with a helicopter tour

If you’re looking for a unique way to see the capital — and are up for an adrenaline-fuelled adventure at the same time — then getting out into Berlin’s blue skies is just what the doctor ordered!

With an expert pilot manning the controls (who’ll be delighted to teach you about both the vehicle and the city), simply sit back. Enjoy the overhead views of the Victory Column, Brandenburg Gate, TV tower and so much more.

• helicopter tours in Berlin

47 – Catch a football (soccer) match at Olympiastadion Berlin

The Olympiastadion Berlin is situated in the northern part of the city, originally constructed as a venue for the 1936 Olympics, and today it still hosts major sporting events including football matches (it’s home turf to Hertha BSC Berlin).

Besides being one of Germany’s most important venues for athletics, the stadium has a fascinating history — and it’s worth a visit for the eye-catching architecture alone.

• Olympiastadion tickets

48 – Scoot around town on a Segway tour

Zip by a handful of the city’s historic sites in a fun-for-all-ages battery-powered Segway!

Whether you’re new to two wheels or a seasoned expert, all levels are catered for with this unforgettable experience!

Guided tours cover a variety of areas from Mitte to Potsdamer Platz, passing by iconic spots like the Berlin Wall, Berlin Cathedral and Museum Island along the way.

If a tour isn’t your jam, standalone rentals are also available.

• segway tours in Berlin

49 – Explore the Berlin Underworld

This is a perfect example of the “dark tourism” trend sweeping the globe. The Berlin Underworld is viewable through a collection of walking tours that take guests through some of the city’s most infamously dark and twisted locations.

Delve into Berlin’s turbulent past and explore its WWII-era history. Step inside former war bunkers, the abandoned Gesundbrunnen underground railway station and much more.

The tours are led by an expert guide, who’ll offer you a comprehensive account of Berlin’s history — and the lesser-known stories behind some of its famous sites.

50 – See a movie in style at the Astor Film Lounge

For a totally different kind of cinematic experience, head over to Astor Film Lounge !

This gorgeous space is a great place to see the newest releases, with its massive screens and elegant interior designs.

But it also screens plenty of special programs, including performances by the Metropolitan Opera and the Royal Opera House.

Whether you’re looking for a unique screening or hoping to catch the next blockbuster, this is the place to go – check all the events and activities here .

51 – Try indoor skydiving!

For all the blood-pumping thrills of a skydive without the need to actually jump out of a plane, Berlin’s indoor skydiving center is the perfect alternative.

With a specially designed wind tunnel, you’ll experience all the excitement of flight with none of the fear — simply put on your gear and step inside for an exhilarating time in complete safety!

The experience lasts just a couple of minutes, but promises to be one that’s truly memorable!

• indoor skydiving in Berlin

52 – Admire ancient art at the Altes Museum

Located on Museum Island, the Neoclassical Altes Museum building is one of Berlin’s most popular attractions for ancient art lovers.

The museum is home to a large and varied collection that includes everything from Egyptian artifacts to Greek, Etruscan and Roman antiquities. It offers visitors an immersive glimpse into cultures long past, while also providing food for thought about how they’ve shaped our world today.

Hot tip: Grab a ticket online to skip the line during the busier months.

• Altes Museum tickets

53 – Stuff your face on a food tour!

Who’s hungry?

There’s no better way to get a taste (literally) of Berlin than by exploring its diverse culinary offerings on one of the city’s many food tours that stroll through Mitte and/or Kreuzberg.

Whether you’re in search of traditional German fare such as meatballs or sausages (not to mention cakes!) or looking to dive into the city’s diverse international foodie scene (don’t miss the doner kebabs!) — these tours will satisfy your appetite for adventure.

• food tours in Berlin

54 – Enjoy the art at the Alte Nationalgalerie

One of the five main attractions on Museum Island, this grand art gallery is home to over 2,000 pieces of intricate paintings, sculptures and drawings.

Exhibits include masterpieces of French Impressionism, early Modernism (including works by Adolph von Menzel and Max Liebermann), and a truckload of pieces depicting the Neoclassical and Romantic movements.

• Alte Nationalgalerie tickets

55 – Class up your dinner at some Michelin-star restaurants

From the food to the decor, Berlin doesn’t skimp on its culinary scene; and while it can be hard to pick the ideal restaurants, there are some standouts that are well worth a visit!

Nibble on the tasting menu at Julius , or the simple but elegant dishes (paired with wine) at ernst.

Try some creative approaches to Israeli and European cuisine at prism, or some delicious French meals at Brasserie Lamazere .

Or go all out and enjoy a multi-course meal at Kochu Karu , where the palates range from Korean to Spanish to cheese-based.

It’s all part of the joy of eating!

56 – Visit the museum in the old train station: Hamburger Bahnhof

Dive into the country’s fascinating past at this contemporary art institution (the Museum für Gegenwart) that was once the main train station that connected Hamburg and Berlin!

This mid-19th century building is now an internationally renowned site. It houses an extensive permanent collection of modern paintings, sculptures and drawings, including well-known works by the likes of Andy Warhol and Marcel Duchamp.

• Hamburger Bahnhof tickets

57 – Meet your favorite animal at Berlin Zoo

The Berlin Zoo is an animal lover’s dream come true!

This sprawling 86-acre site houses more than 20,000 animals from nearly 1,400 species — including giant pandas, polar bears, gorillas, adorable penguins and the snowy owl (a Hedwig lookalike, for all you HP fans).

Visitors can explore the grounds at their own pace or take a guided tour to find out all about the zoo’s history (including its current conservation efforts). Get up close and personal with some of its friendly and furry inhabitants.

58 – Marvel at the works of the Bode Museum

Sitting on the northern tip of Museum Island (dishing up great views), the popular Bode Museum is home to two enormous collections, the Sculpture Collection and the Museum of Byzantine Art — complemented by smaller displays of coins and medals.

Like most of the city’s wonderful museums, skip-the-line tickets are available online and recommended.

• Bode Museum tickets

59 – Enjoy a show at the Friedrichstadt-Palast theater

Experience Berlin’s history through a kaleidoscope of colors, shapes and light at this popular show space!

The theater in Mitte is famous for its stunningly opulent interior and the countless performances that have taken place on its stage over the years, including opera and dance presentations.

The theater’s program is as versatile as it gets, with over 100 local and international artists gracing its stage every year — check the calendar to see who’s performing during your trip.

• Friedrichstadt-Palast tickets

60 – Party the night away at the best nightclubs in town

As you head out for the evening, be sure to check out some of the top clubs in the city – never an easy task to choose!

Matrix Club offers a consistent lineup of themed events and vibrant dance floors all week long, creating a perpetual party atmosphere.

Berghain is a must for techno fans and adventurers; housed in an old heating plant, it offers top-notch music, great parties, and a famously anything-goes atmosphere.

Meanwhile, Maxxim boasts everything from disco and burlesque to nostalgic dance parties and wild holiday events.

In this town, you may well be out until sunrise!

61 – Admire over 200 artworks at the Berggruen Museum

This contemporary art museum houses an extensive collection of modern and post-war paintings, sculptures and drawings. It displays an array of thought-provoking pieces by infamous artists such as Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse, Georges Braque, Paul Klee and more!

Unlike most of the city’s museums, this one isn’t on Museum Island. Berggruen sits in the Charlottenburg district, a convenient short walk from the stunning Charlottenburg Palace.

• Berggruen Museum tickets

62 – Learn about the history of our ancestors at the Neues Museum

In Berlin’s UNESCO World Heritage Museum Island district, the Neues Museum is home to an impressive and extensive collection of antiquities from ancient Egyptian, Greek, Roman, and Etruscan civilizations.

Inside this beautifully designed building on Schlossplatz, you’ll find 9,000 fascinating and unique objects, none more appreciated than the 700,000-year-old ax head that dates back to the earliest Stone Age.

• Neues Museum tickets

63 – Grab a coffee (or beer) and people-watch at Gendarmenmarkt

Nestled in the Friedrichstadt District, this grand square is the site of many a Berlin Christmas market but is also home to some of the city’s most iconic buildings: the French and German Cathedrals and the Konzerthaus.

The famous square boasts no shortage of restaurants and cafes either, making it a wonderful spot to recharge the batteries and people watch.

64 – Learn about design at Kunstgewerbemuseum

Known in English as the Museum of Decorative Arts, the high underrated Kunstgewerbemuseum is the perfect place to explore the world of European fashion and design, with exhibits spanning centuries of history until today.

As the oldest decorative arts house in the country, it’s a worthy visit for the artistically inclined.

After checking out the two floors of exhibits, spend an hour or two exploring the nearby Tiergarten park.

• Kunstgewerbemuseum tickets

65 – Pay tribute at the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe

A powerful, postmodern symbol of one of humanity’s greatest tragedies, the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe is best approached with compassion and an open mind.

Carved into a field in central Berlin near the Brandenburg Gate, visitors are invited to wander through a contemplative maze made up of 2711 concrete slabs of different heights.

Deliberately abstract and complex, the monument has no goal for its visitors, no end, and no clear entry or exit — it’s deliberately lacking understanding, portraying the messaging that understanding the horrors of the Holocaust is truly impossible.

66 – Step inside the Berlin Cathedral (Berliner Dom)

An icon of Berlin’s cityscape, this grandiose cathedral has a history book full of interesting stories and anecdotes, including being severely damaged during WWII.

Be sure to check out the 7,000-pipe organ, and take some time to admire the cathedral’s impressive stained glass windows.

Hot tip: Despite the old stairs, it’s certainly worth climbing all the way up to the Dom for the excellent city views.

67 – Learn about the Cold War at Checkpoint Charlie

A Berlin landmark and one of the most iconic symbols of the Cold War, the Haus am Checkpoint Charlie Museum recounts a different side to history.

Centered on Checkpoint Charlie — once part of the escape route between West and East Germany during the Cold War — a visit will give you an insight into life behind what was then known as ‘the Iron Curtain’, diving into one of the tightest and complex border security systems of the era.

• Mauermuseum Checkpoint Charlie tickets

68 – Have a picnic in Tiergarten Park

After ticking off all the museums and filling your brain with history lessons, a breath of fresh air is well-deserved, and Berlin’s Tiergarten is the perfect place to soak up some sunshine and explore Berlin’s love affair with parks!

Sprawling across more than 200 hectares, it features a large lake, pedal-taxi rentals, plenty of green space for picnics, the Berlin Zoo, and the Soviet War Memorial.

A range of guided tours walks through the park for anyone keen to learn a little more about the area.

• Tiergarten tours

69 – Learn about the country’s former secret police at the Stasi Museum

This eye-opening museum is located just minutes from the Berlin Central Station and tells the story of what life was like in East Germany, diving into the stories of the Stasi, the frightening former East German secret police force.

The building, near the Magdalenenstraße train station, has been left largely untouched to show how it looked during its time as a Stasi headquarters – this includes artifacts and photos on the walls documenting their work over three decades.

70 – Spend the day in Treptower Park

Berlin’s Treptower Park is a vast, beautiful and well-maintained green space, covering more than 207 acres (84 hectares) of land.

For nature lovers, consider renting a pedal boat, rowboat or barbecue boat on Insel der Jugend; history buffs, don’t miss the enormous Soviet War Memorial in the park’s center.

Finally, for all of you astronomy nerds, check out the Archenhold Sternwarte Observatory, home of the world’s longest refracting telescope (perfect for nighttime stargazing).

71 – Get off the beaten track with a street art tour

A stark juxtaposition to its historic side, Berlin also boasts a wacky and wonderful side, and its street art is a perfect example of that.

In super hipster areas like Kreuzberg and Friedrichshain, you’ll find some of the most famous street murals in the country, depicting everything from pop culture icons to political statements.

Not to be missed is the iconic slice of Berlin Wall art that is the kiss between Leonid Brezhnev and Erich Honecker.

• street art tours in Berlin

72 – Climb the steps of the Victory Column (Siegessaule)

A Berlin landmark, this impressive monument is one of the few things that survived WWII intact. Located in Tiergarten park, it was built to commemorate Prussia’s victory over France and Napoleon III in 1871.

The column itself is an impressive 67 meters high, and visitors can climb the 285 steps to get a breathtaking view of Berlin from its 360-degree viewing platform.

73 – Experience a dazzling journey with the ARISE Grand Show

Immerse yourself in the vibrant spectacle of the ARISE Grand Show at the legendary Friedrichstadt-Palast. Be mesmerized as hundreds of performers take to the world’s largest stage to tell stories of love and loss through the lens of photographer and artist Cameron.

Filled with hope and happiness, each scene paints an enthralling picture. ARISE is more than just a show, it’s an experience that will leave you inspired and uplifted.

• ARISE Grand Show tickets

74 – Walk through Tränenpalast, the ‘Palace of Tears’

Offering an emotional peek into daily life during the Cold War era, Tränenpalast used to be a border crossing point between East and West Berlin. It is now a museum that documents the stories of those who once crossed.

The building is located at the Friedrichstraße train station and, while small, is a powerful reminder of the division and reunification of the city.

It’s free to visit, so why not add it to the list of things to do in Berlin?

75 – Play detective at the Spy Museum!

The Spy Museum is located near Potsdamer Platz and, as Germany’s only museum dedicated to espionage history, it offers visitors an interactive experience of the ever-intriguing world of spies.

Exhibits range from a lie detector simulation to a laser-beam obstacle course (exactly like in the movies) and interactive displays about the history of spying during the wartime (and beyond).

• Spy Museum tickets

76 – See vintage cars at Classic Remise Berlin

Heaven on earth of car lovers, this sprawling museum-meets-garage Classic Remise houses in a historic tram depot is a true gem — and free for everyone to visit.

Besides the dozens of impressive cars on display, the most noteworthy attraction is arguably the fascinating workshop area, where these vintage beauties are lovingly restored and maintained.

77 – Race against the clock in an escape room!

With both escape rooms of different themes and city-wide scavenger hunts on offer, there’s plenty to choose from for any budding detective visiting Berlin.

EXIT Berlin in Mitte offers spooky escape room themes like a prison, an old sanatorium or an underground city. Smartroom Berlin features family-friendly rooms like Alice in Wonderland or adventures in space. Escape Game Notlandung Berlin in Langwitz showcases what a real-life emergency plane landing would be like.

• escape rooms in Berlin

78 – Take the kids to Legoland Discovery Center!

A stone’s throw from  Potsdamer Platz, Legoland Discovery Center offers plenty of fun for youngsters and LEGO-loving adults alike. The giant lego-built giraffe at the entrance is a regular hit, likewise the exhibition of miniature buildings.

Hot tip: For the most affordable tourist package, combine your LEGOLAND Discovery Centre ticket with a visit to SEA LIFE, Madame Tussauds to save up to 30% (cha-ching!).

• Legoland tickets

79 – Browse the Rembrandt collection at the Gemäldegalerie

Housing an exquisite array of paintings by Rembrandt, plus those of Johannes Vermeer, Antonio Viviani, and Raphael — to name but a few — the Gemäldegalerie is a must-see for any art lover visiting Berlin.

The museum is situated a couple of minutes from Tiergarten, and while it can’t compete with blockbuster collections like those in London or Paris, for many visitors this only adds to its charm.

Be sure to opt for the audio guide and don’t forget to visit the gift shop!

80 – Explore the oddities of Illuseum Berlin

We all try new things while on vacation, but if you find yourself shrinking in size or walking on the ceiling, you just might be at Illuseum Berlin !

This fascinating space celebrates the world of illusions and human perception, with each room bursting with puzzles, optical illusions, and fun games.

Whether you’re spiraling through the Vortex Tunnel or gazing at the world through a kaleidoscope, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to explore the stranger side of life.

Get started on the fun even quicker with a skip the line pass!

81 – Peer into prison cells at the Berlin-Hohenschönhausen Memorial

A former Stasi prison, this confronting memorial is a must-see for anyone interested in learning more about the country’s complicated history.

The exhibitions are fascinating, and offer an eye-opening insight into what life was like during this dark period of German history. Meanwhile, the prison cells, interrogation rooms and exercise yards are all explorable.

82 – Explore the hip district of Prenzlauer Berg

A thoroughly gentrified area that’s become a hotspot for families and youth, the Prenzlauer Berg district is a great place to explore.

From the Berlin Wall remnants to decorated streets lined with boutiques, cafes, and bars – not forgetting plenty of green spaces for recreation – this neighborhood has something for everyone.

Insider tip: On Sundays, the biggest summer flea market in the city is found here, at Mauerpark.

• Prenzlauer Berg tours

83 – Learn about anatomy at Body Worlds

It’s like playing doctor … but in a museum!

This unique exhibition reveals the secrets of what’s happening inside your body. It’s the only place in Berlin where visitors can gain such a detailed understanding of what happens both when you’re alive … and when you’re not.

Showcasing anatomical models and actual human bodies — including brains, hearts, muscles and bones — alongside interactive displays and multimedia presentations about common diseases. It’s a learning experience unlike any other.

Warning: In case you missed it, there are real human bodies here, so don’t visit if you’re squeamish.

84 – Check out the Sony Store

Found at Potsdamer Platz, the ultra-modern Sony Center is home to a Sony Store Berlin where you can browse the latest in digital technology. The PlayStation® Game Zone, in particular, is a hit for gadget-loving gamers.

Besides all the latest whiz-bang tech at the Sony Store itself, the Center also houses a cinema, restaurants, and plenty of shops.

85 – Shop till you drop on the Kurfürstendamm Street

Germany’s answer to the Champs-Élysées or New York’s Fifth Avenue, Kurfürstendamm is known as one of the most famous streets in Berlin, home to some of the city’s finest fashion boutiques and international brands.

Stretching from Uhlandstraße all the way down to Breitscheidplatz — passing through Charlottenburg and Wilmersdorf on its way — it’s a shopping mecca for those not afraid of high-end labels.

• Kurfürstendamm tours

86 – Pay respects at the Platform 17 Memorial

Located at the Grunewald station, this memorial serves to commemorate the Jews who were deported on trains to concentration camps during the Holocaust.

A subtle yet powerful memorial, the large floor tiles are chronologically laid and display the date, the number of Jews deported and the final destination.

87 – Watch street artists perform at Mauerpark

While a former part of the Berlin Wall, Mauerpark is now a vibrant always-happening focal point for markets, concerts, and casual lazy days on the grass.

Kids flock to the swings at the Rainbow Playground, couples love to throw down a picnic rug in the Birch Grove, and tourists are often drawn to the musicians and performers in the amphitheater.

If visiting in the summer, be sure to stop at the Sunday flea market!

88 – Find the hidden gems around Potsdamer Platz

After being destroyed during the allied bombings, Potsdamer Platz has been rebuilt and revitalized. Now one of the busiest sections of Berlin, it’s home to several international flagship stores and an eclectic array of shops and restaurants.

You can see and do so much in the area with a pre-arranged tour, led by a charismatic local who’ll help you get off the beaten track and uncover all the hidden gems.

• Postdamer Platz tours

89 – Listen to the symphony at Berliner Philharmonie

Since 1882, the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra has been one of the most revered orchestras in the world. It’s best known for its compelling and elegant sound within its magnificent home, the Berliner Philharmonie theater.

Guests from all over the world flock to hear classical German music, making it difficult to snag a ticket — so, if this is on your bucket list (especially for music aficionados), be sure to plan in advance.

90 – Max out the credit card at the Mall of Berlin!

Berlin’s most trafficked shopping center, the Mall of Berlin is home to over 300 stores — with a vibrant blend of international high-end brands alongside fast-fashion retailers like Mango and H&M.

After all that shopping works up an appetite, the Mall also boasts one of the largest food courts in Germany!

91 – Get lost in the KaDeWe department store

Officially named Kaufhaus des Westens, this department store in the heart of Berlin has been a city icon for over 100 years, with the claim to fame of being Europe’s largest department store behind Harrods in London.

The flagship KaDeWe is home to several floors with designer fashion, gourmet delights and cutting-edge electronics — and even if you’re not a big spender, it’s worth a visit for its sheer size alone.

• shopping tours in Berlin

92 – Visit the Topography of Terror museum

Of all the WWII-related things to do in Berlin, a lot of visitors will suggest that this powerful, confronting museum is one of the most moving and fascinating.

Sitting indoors and outdoors on the former site of the Gestapo and SS headquarters, the museum offers a chilling account of the infamous WWII government regime and their excesses.

It takes visitors through individual moments in history, from Hitler’s rise to power to his eventual death, and includes artifacts, documents, photographs, and films that bring this period in Germany’s past to the forefront of mind for anyone who visits.

93 – Kayak down the Spree

A popular way to see Berlin from a new angle is kayaking in the city’s famous river. The Spree or down the parallel Landwehr Canal is an exhilarating experience for those looking for something slow-paced in the fresh air.

There are plenty of informative and enjoyable tours available where you can get out on the water. You can also simply rent your own kayak and paddle around at your own pace.

• kayaking in Berlin

94 – Cycle on the runways at Tempelhofer Park

On the site of the now-closed Berlin Tempelhof Airport (of which you can still walk or cycle along the runways), the 877-acre Tempelhofer Park is the largest-inner city open space not just citywide but worldwide.

This former airfield turned park might sound like an unusual day out, but it offers a myriad of exciting activities like easy mountain biking tracks, picnic spots, historic cemeteries, a calendar of music festivals, and bicycle hire stations — a great spot to simply chill out.

95 – Wander around Hackesche Höfe

A network of eight courtyards in the Mitte district, Hackesche Höfe has become a cosmopolitan mixture of old and new, and east and west. It’s coming alive during the sunny days with local Berliners going about their daily business.

The historic buildings are home to a range of cafes and restaurants, as well as boutiques selling everything from jewelry to souvenirs. Plus there’s a cinema in one courtyard if you’re looking for a day of entertainment and a handful of nightclubs for you party animals too.

How to get to Berlin?

While there are tons of ways to get to Berlin (train, bus, etc.), it’s also a great place to fly into and out of.

Whether you’re using Tegel Airport, Brandenburg Airport, or Schoenefeld Airport, you can arrange a shuttle transfer to get to the city quickly and happily.

For added convenience, you can also book the service to get back at the end of your trip.

Where to stay in Berlin?

There are plenty of world-class hotels to choose from in Berlin, like  The Ritz-Carlton , and Regent Berlin . On the flip side, there’s no shortage of quirky and typical Berlinesque hostels and AirBNBs too.

Whether you’re enjoying the hip, artsy Schulz Hotel Berlin Wall or the elegant amenities and nearby shopping at Hotel Adlon Kempinski , your stay will be almost as good as the trip itself.

No matter your budget or appetite for luxury, the best prices are almost always found on Booking.com, a meta-search engine that compares all of the internet’s hotel deals. Even if you don’t book through that site, it’s a wonderful way to explore the possibilities on offer and learn about the most popular suburbs and districts to stay in.

• best hotels in Berlin

Visiting Berlin on a budget?

Embark on some free walking tours to explore the city with local guides, seeing great sites and unusual haunts in equal measure. Not sure where to start? Check out our list of the best free walking tours in Berlin !

You can also purchase a Berlin WelcomeCard to see the best of the city on a budget; save money on major attractions, public transit, and more!

Where to go next?

With its lively cities and gorgeous countryside, Germany has something for everyone!

Head to Hamburg for unique neighborhoods, jaw-dropping architecture, and a lively culture ranging from street art to nightclubs. From its remarkable canals to its soaring concert halls, the city is a feast for the senses!

Or pop over to Frankfurt for historic homes, Ancient Roman forts, and fun, funky diversions ranging from hot rod tours to live music. Plus, it offers plenty of great activities for kids, from mini-golf and zoos to action-packed amusement parks.

Consider Dresden with its stunning baroque architecture and the iconic Frauenkirche, and Leipzig , once home to Johann Sebastian Bach, now boasts a lively arts scene and rich history.

And don’t miss out on Munich , where you can roam through museums, sample remarkable food and drink, and even go surfing… right in the middle of a rushing river!

Whether you want to dive into traditional German culture or explore its most contemporary forms, this dynamic Bavarian city has plenty to offer!

Lastly, just a short trip away is Wroclaw , Poland, known as the “City of a Hundred Bridges.” Its vibrant market square and whimsical gnome statues are sure to charm.

Final thoughts

Plenty of things to do in Berlin are already world-famous: the partying, the sightseeing, the eating.

But you’d be remiss if you didn’t check out its other unique features: the restaurants, the quirky neighborhoods, the public parks, and the powerful museums.

So don’t miss another moment… this fun-filled city is ready to greet you!

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Berlin's Top 10 Attractions

Are you on a whistle-stop tour of the capital or just looking for the Berlin Top 10 ? Well look no further, because we've picked the top ten things to see and do in Berlin so you don't have to. The choice of the top 10 Berlin attractions was by no means easy - this city has so much to offer! But here are the top 10 attractions and places you do have to visit in Berlin.

Top pick 1: Reichstag & glass dome 

When the decision was made to move the Federal Government to Berlin, it was time to reawaken the Reichstag building from its long years of slumber on the Mauerstreifen, the military zone between the two sides of the Wall. The building has since been completely modernised, and today's visitors to the Reichstag can look out from the building's glass dome to get a bird's eye view of the hustle and bustle in the city. There are also a number of government buildings in the vicinity of the Reichstag, for example the Bundeskanzleramt ( Federal Chancellery ) and the Brandenburg Gate .

Experience the government district and many other highlights from the water with a boat tour:

Tickets for boat tours

Top pick 2: Brandenburg Gate - Berlin's signature attraction

Without a doubt, the Brandenburg Gate is Berlin's signature attraction. Built in 1791, it was just one of many old city gates around the city of Berlin which, at that time, was still a manageable size. The decorative Pariser Platz was laid at the foot of the gate and is now home to many of the city's important buildings, for example, the Hotel Adlon with its wealth of history and the Akademie der Künste (Academy of the Arts).

Jurassic World: The Exhibition in the Expohalle Urban Banks

Jurassic World: The Exhibition is an interactive experience for the whole family on around 2,500 square meters, based on one of the biggest blockbusters in film history. Visitors walk through the famous gates of "Jurassic World" and come face to face with life-size dinosaurs.

Mehr erfahren

Top pick 3: Berlin Television Tower (Fernsehturm) - Berlin's highest attraction

The Berlin Television Tower , which is known to locals as the Fernsehturm , and is instantly recognisable from the distance, stand outs of the skyline at 368m, making it the tallest building and by far highest tourist attraction in Berlin. Built in the 1960s, visitors to the tower can enjoy a unique 360° panorama of the city. Tip: Visit the TV Tower with the Berlin Welcome Card and save up to 25 per cent. The Berlin WelcomeCard enables free travelling with all public transport services to the Berlin visitors. With over 200 partners and outstanding discounts the Berlin WelcomeCard offers you a complete „carefree“ package. 

Tickets for TV-Tower & Restaurant Sphere

Berlin Welcome Card

Dali Surreal - The immersive exhibition experience.

This exhibition is a newly conceived multimedia spectacle that presents the world-famous artworks of Salvador Dalí (1904 - 1989) in a way never seen before.

Top pick 4: Humboldt Forum - always a great place to visit

Directly opposite Berlin's Museum Island , a new cosmopolitan forum for culture, art and science has opened in the heart of the capital: the Humboldt Forum . Visible from afar, it covers an area of around 30,000 square metres. The reconstructed baroque palace facades shine in bright quince yellow. State-of-the-art interactive exhibitions await you under one roof and spread over five floors. Since September 2021, the world-famous collections of the Ethnological Museum and the Museum of Asian Art are also on display here.

Also take a look around the corner from the Humboldt Forum: The Friedrichswerder Church , built by Schinkel, is now a very special museum, displaying sculptures of classicism in the high neo-Gothic church hall.

Top pick 5: Gendarmenmarkt - Berlin's most beautiful attraction

The Gendarmenmarkt is one of the most stunning squares in the city, located close to Friedrichstraße , Berlin's exclusive shopping street in the central Mitte district. Three of the most impressive examples of architecture in the capital city are to be found here: the Concert House designed by Schinkel and the German and French Cathedrals (the Deutscher Dom and the Französischer Dom ).

Combine your visit to Gendarmenmarkt with a city tour and discover other top sights:

Tickets for Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tours

Deutschlandmuseum

The immersive history experience! Travel through 2000 years of German history: sneak round a castle, operate Gutenberg’s printing press, dance in the roaring 20s and see the ruins of Berlin after WW2. Finish in the 1990s on a Berlin S-Bahn.

Top pick 6: Kurfürstendamm - Berlin's most famous shopping street

Extending all the way from the ruins of the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church on Breitscheidplatz to Berlin's elegant Halensee neighbourhood, the affectionately termed Kurfürstendamm is the most expensive address in the capital city and home to the most exclusive brands. Europe's biggest department store KaDeWe is also situated on the extension of the Ku'damm, on the street known to locals as the Tauentzien (short for Tauentzienstrasse). You will find many sights and top attractions along this famous shopping street. The little ones will just love the Zoo Berlin , Germany's oldest zoo.

Day-Tickets for Zoo Berlin

Top pick 7: Charlottenburg Palace

The magnificent Charlottenburg Palace is located just out of the centre of the city. The beautiful palace hosts fine collections of china and paintings and is situated in the middle of a picturesque palace garden right next to the river Spree. If you don't fancy a walk in the park, you can feed your mind instead in the Charlottenburg museums located directly opposite. Make sure to go on a stroll through the extensive park after visiting this very royal Berlin attraction.

Top pick 8: Museum Island 

Berlin's Museum Island is one of the UNESCO world heritage sites and home to the city's most important exhibition centres: the Altes Museum ( Old Museum ), the Neues Museum ( New Museum ) the Bode Museum , the Pergamon Museum and the Alte Nationalgalerie ( Old National Gallery ). The collections in these buildings encompass over 6,000 years of art and cultural history. Unfortunately, the Pergamon Museum is closed for extensive renovation work.

Just opposite Berlin's Museum Island, the magnificent monumental Berlin Cathedral, an important landmark of Berlin whose history dates back to the 15th century, is also located on the Museum Island.

Tip: Visit Berlin's museums with the 3-day Berlin Museum Pass . For €29 (reduced €14.50), the museum pass guarantees free admission for all Berlin visitors on three consecutive days to many museums. Order now in the visitBerlin-Shop

Tickets for the Museum Pass

Top pick 9: The Berlin Wall Memorial and Documentation Centre

The Gedenkstätte Berliner Mauer ( Berlin Wall Memorial ) is located between the districts of Wedding and Mitte on Bernauer Straße, consisting of the Memorial to the Victims of the Wall, a Documentation Centre and the Chapel of Reconciliation. The surviving section of the wall and watchtower enable visitors to get a real feel for the reality of the border facilities. A must see Berlin attraction, not only for visitors interested in Beriln's history.

Get to know more about the Berlin wall at the East Side Gallery .

Top pick 10: Victory Column - magnificent view on Berlin

The Berlin Victory Column is one of the most famous landmarks of the German capital. The 67-metre-high column, crowned by the golden Berlin Peace Angel, the "Goldelse", visible from afar, stands in the middle of the Tiergarten. From the platform you have a magnificent view over the parklands of the Tiergarten and over the whole of Berlin. The Victory Column was erected in the 19th century and originally commemorated Germany's wars of unity. Today it has become a symbol of peace.

From the Victory Column you can walk in the Tiergarten but also walk to the nearby Brandenburg Gate , Potsdamer Platz or the Berlin Reichstag .

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Do you know what is planned in the historic centre of Berlin and which new openings are coming up? Find out on our infographic:

Berlin's new cultural centre

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14 of the best things to do in Berlin

Jul 8, 2023 • 7 min read

Experience the best of Berlin with this guide to the top things to do © Westend61 / Getty Images

For a scene-stealing combo of glamor and grit, poised to mesmerize anyone keen to connect with vibrant culture, bold architecture, global food, intense parties and an easy-going vibe, head to Berlin .

Whether your tastes run to posh or punk, you can sate them in the German capital. Here are the best experiences Berlin has to offer.

1. See the treasures of Museum Island

Berlin’s "Louvre on the Spree", this imposing cluster of five treasure-houses is an undisputed highlight of the city’s impressive landscape. Declared a Unesco World Heritage Site in 1999, Museumsinsel showcases art and cultural history from the Stone Age to the 19th century.

Feast your eyes on antiquities at at the Pergamonmuseum  and  Altes Museum , take in 19th-century art at the Alte Nationalgalerie and lean in for close-ups of medieval and Renaissance sculptures at the Bode-Museum . The  Neues Museum  is famous as the residence of the exquisite but controversial bust of Nefertiti which has been the subject of repatriation requests from Egypt for almost a century.

Planning tip:  As part of the ambitious  Museum Island Master Plan , the Pergamonmuseum will be completely closed to visitors starting October 23, 2023. The institution is not scheduled to partially reopen until spring 2027 – with some sections of the museum, including the famous  Ishtar Gate , scheduled to stay closed until 2037.

2. Follow the legacy of the Berlin Wall

Few events in history have the power to move the entire world. If you were alive and old enough for the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, you will probably remember the crowds of euphoric revelers cheering and dancing at the Brandenburg Gate . Although little is left of the physical barrier, its legacy lives on in the imagination and in such places as Checkpoint Charlie , the Gedenkstätte Berliner Mauer (Berlin Wall Memorial) and the East Side Gallery  with its colorful murals.

3. Party at Berlin's world-famous clubs

Berlin’s reputation for intense and unbridled nightlife is rooted in the libertine 1920s when everyone from Marlene Dietrich to Christopher Isherwood partied like it was 1999. Since the fall of the Wall, Berlin’s club culture has put the city firmly back on the map of music-lovers everywhere .

The edgiest clubs can be found in locations like power plants, abandoned apartment buildings and other repurposed locations, especially in Kreuzberg & Neukölln and Friedrichshain . Electronic music dominates at cult favourites like ://about blank , Kater Blau and Griessmühle , while Prince Charles has made a name for itself as a hip hop mecca, fetish-focused KitKatClub is a must, and the local punks mosh away at SO36 .

Planning tip: Some of Berlin's best parties are its daytime raves: here's how to hit the clubs in the afternoon .

4. Enjoy drinks outdoors

Whether its beer gardens, rooftop bars or some casual drinks in parks and by the Landwehrkanal, Berliners take a relaxed approach to drinking and socializing outdoors. While Berlin has something to offer all year round, the city in the warm weather has a special buzz around it.

5. Be dazzled by the grandeur of Schloss Charlottenburg

An exquisite baroque palace,  Schloss Charlottenburg evokes the onetime grandeur of the Prussian royals. It is particularly special to visit in the summer when you can fold a stroll, sunbathing session or picnic in the lush palace park into a day of peeking at royal treasures.

6. Book ahead to visit the Reichstag

It’s been burned, bombed, rebuilt, buttressed by the Berlin Wall, wrapped in fabric and finally turned into the modern home of the German parliament, the Reichstag  is one of Berlin’s most iconic buildings. Designed by Paul Wallot in 1894, this is where the German parliament, the Bundestag, has been hammering out its policies since 1999.

Planning tip:  Reserve online in advance  to visit the striking glass dome  for free . This is a government building and you will need to provide identification to gain access.

7. Shop and eat at Markthalle Neun

This delightful 1891 market hall was saved by dedicated locals in 2009. Not only do local and regional producers present their wares but also, on Street-Food Thursday, they're joined by aspiring or semipro chefs, who set up their stalls to serve delicious snacks from around the world. There’s even an on-site craft brewery, Heidenpeters .

8. Tour Berlin's art scene

Art aficionados will be truly spoilt for choice in Berlin. Home to hundreds of galleries, scores of world-class collections and thousands of international artists, the city has assumed a pole position on the global artistic circuit. Its main contemporary art showcase is the Hamburger Bahnhof , a vast museum housed in a former railway station whose loft and grandeur are the perfect foil for this top-notch collection of paintings, installations, sculptures and video.

Local tip:  If you’d prefer something even more Berlin-centric, try Urban Nation in Schöneberg . A relative newcomer to Berlin’s array of galleries, this street art celebration turns the concept of a museum on its head and celebrates art in a unique way.

9. Get to know Jewish history and culture at Jüdisches Museum

Berlin’s Jüdisches Museum  presents an eye-opening and emotional journey through 2000 years of Jewish history in Germany, not just the 12 years of Nazi horror that such exhibits often focus on. Find out about Jewish cultural contributions, holiday traditions, the difficult road to emancipation, outstanding individuals like the philosopher Moses Mendelssohn and jeans inventor Levi Strauss, and the fates of ordinary people and families.

10. Wander or cycle the paths of Tiergarten

Berlin’s rulers used the grounds to hunt boar and pheasants in the rambling Tiergarten until master landscape architect Peter Lenné landscaped the grounds in the 18th century. With its sweeping lawns, shaded paths, woodsy groves, romantic corners, ponds and creeks, the Tiergarten is one of the world’s largest city parks and a wonderful retreat from the city bustle.

Planning tip:  In summer, several charming beer gardens beckon, including Café am Neuen See and the Teehaus im Englischen Garten.

11. See urban renewal at Potsdamer Platz

Despite the name, Potsdamer Platz is not actually a square but an entire city quarter, forged in the 1990s from terrain once bisected by the Berlin Wall. A collaborative effort by the world's finest architects, it is considered a showcase of urban renewal.

Planning tip:  The area itself is rather compact and quickly explored – unless you stick around to see Berlin from above from the Panoramapunkt or dive into German film history at the Museum für Film und Fernsehen .

12. Pose for a photo at the historic Brandenburg Gate

Prussian emperors, Napoleon and Hitler have marched through this neoclassical royal city gate that was once trapped east of the Berlin Wall. Since 1989 Brandenburg Gate  has gone from a symbol of division and oppression to the symbol of a united Germany. The elegantly proportioned landmark is at its most atmospheric – and photogenic – at night, when light bathes its stately columns and proud Goddess of Victory sculpture in a golden glow.

13. Go shopping along Kurfürstendamm

No trip to Berlin would be complete without a saunter along Kurfürstendamm (Ku’damm for short) in Charlottenburg . Along with its continuation, the Tauentzienstrasse, it is the city’s longest and busiest shopping strip, lined with high-street chains and designer boutiques. Don’t miss the KaDeWe , continental Europe’s biggest department store with a mind-boggling food hall, or the cutting-edge concept and flagships stores at Bikini Berlin , a revamped 1950s landmark near Zoo Station.

Local tip:  Take a moment to look up. Amid all this, the majestically ruined Gedächtniskirche (Memorial Church) stands quietly as a poignant reminder of the absurdity of war.

14. Explore the exhibits of the Topographie des Terrors

In the spot where the most feared institutions of Nazi Germany (the Gestapo headquarters, the SS central command and the Reich Security Main Office) once stood, this compelling exhibit documents the stages of terror and persecution, puts a face on the perpetrators, and details the impact these brutal institutions had on all of Europe. A second exhibit outside zeroes in on how life changed for Berlin and its people after the Nazis made it their capital.

This article was first published January 2015 and updated July 2023

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Albom Adventures

Capturing the essence of travel through photography

Inspiring travel through photography

Unusual Things to Do in Berlin Germany for Your Berlin Itinerary

Vibrant and alive, Berlin is one of the few cities we have visited multiple times. Each time we add new and often unusual things to do in Berlin. Of course, our Berlin itinerary is much more than just the off-the-beaten-path sites.

The capital of Germany is a city steeped in history, a once-divided city with a sordid past and a bright future. As a result, Berlin is a phoenix rising and a fascinating place to visit.

Unified in 1990, the Berlin we know today is a single city providing an eclectic blend of modern and historical sites intermixed with quirky fun.

Therefore, while we enjoy plenty of unusual things to do in Berlin, we also include the classic sites on our visits.

Below you will find historic monuments, quirky museums, impressive street art, government buildings, and a host of unusual things to do in Berlin.

Build your Berlin itinerary with these classic and unusual things to do in Berlin

Contemplate the berlin wall, appreciate berlin’s architecture from the river.

• Be uplifted by the vibrant street art

Never forget at the Holocaust Memorial

Be in awe of the views from the tv tower, photograph iconic sights, have a day of family fun at the berlin zoo , indulge at a food market.

• Go museum hopping
• … and more

A highly condensed version of history tells us that on August 13, 1961, the Berlin Wall was quickly erected, instantly dividing the city and leaving only those in the west with their freedom.

It took nearly 30 years, but the wall finally came down on November 9, 1989, and the East and West unified in 1990. Only a section of the wall remains, standing as a memorial and a stark reminder.

The first time I visited Berlin (1978) the wall still stood, and the process of crossing the border into the East was both cumbersome and a bit frightening. The visual contrast between the two sides was quite dramatic.

In West Berlin, our city guide told us her story. While visiting a friend on August 13, 1961, the new wall separated her from her family. Instantly, as a wee girl, she was free, her family was not. A tear formed as she told us that she hadn’t seen her own family for 17 years.

In her honour, almost 40 years later, our girls stood at the end of the remaining piece of the Berlin Wall, one girl on each side. They thought about what life would have been like if they had been standing in the same spots on August 13, 1961. They would have been separated for nearly 30 years.

Cruising down the River Spree is possibly the best way to see Berlin, it’s certainly the most popular. And, as a bonus, we got a glimpse into both the classic and unusual things to do in Berlin. The added value from the english commentary helped us to better understand and enjoy what we were sailing past.

While there are plenty of boats out there, we looked at reviews before making our choice. In the end, it came down to the 1-hour or 2.5-hour option.

• 1-hour river cruise Note that the 1-hour cruise option sails from either Friedrichstraße or Nikolaiviertel in only one direction. The highlights included sailing past the Reichstag, Bellevue Palace, Victory Column, Central Station, Berlin Cathedral, Museum Island, and a few unique locations like the building above that was once used to house horses. Reserve your one hour cruise here.
• 2.5-hour river cruise The longer cruise returns to its starting point, sailing past the same sights as in the 1-hour cruise plus Charlottenburg Palace, Westhafen Canal, the Berlin-Spandau Ship Canal, the Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs, and Hamburger Bahnhof. Reserve your 2.5-hour river cruise here .

Be uplifted by vibrant street art

Now that the Berlin wall is down, it seems that every available wall in the city is covered in street art.

Be sure to check out the free-to-visit East Side Gallery, an impressive and quirky collection of street art on a remaining section of the Berlin Wall.

If you are like me, you will want to find the best, so check out this free Berlin street art map .

Entitled the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe, the Holocaust Memorial in Berlin is a powerful reminder of a history that never should have taken place.

The memorial covers 4.7 acres with 2,711 concrete stelae, arranged in a grid pattern on a sloping field.

The stelae are 2.38m by 0.95m and vary in height from 0.2m to 4.8m. They quite effectively produce an uneasy, confusing atmosphere, as was their aim. The whole sculpture strives to represent a supposedly ordered system that has lost touch with human reason.

Even more powerful was the underground museum , which focused on individuals who perished in the Holocaust, making the Holocaust Memorial a much more personal experience. In retrospect, I would agree with the recommended minimum age of 14 and wish I had listened in the first place.

Germany’s tallest tower offers unobstructed 360° views from the top. It’s a super popular attraction, often with long queues that can be avoided with advance tickets. Reserve your fast track entrance tickets here .

When creating our Berlin itinerary, our goal was to intermix the unusual things to do in Berlin with the traditional. While there is plenty to pick from, the four must-see classic sites are:

• Check Point Charlie Taking a photo at the entering or leaving the American sector sign is on nearly everyone’s Berlin itinerary, and we are no exception (I just didn’t put it here). While the area is now quite touristy, we found the Check Point Charlie museum to be very informative and interesting.
• Brandenburg Gate (image at the top of page) Now a symbol of unity, the Brandenburg Gate was once part of the division between the East and West. A must-see, the Brandenburg Gate is one of the city’s most recognizable icons.
• Berliner Dom We saw this intricate protestant cathedral on our river tour (photo above).
• Reichstag The current key German parliament building, the Reichstag is also a place to uncover more of Berlin and of Germany’s history.

As sometimes happens on long term travel, half of our family had some sort of flu on the day we planned to go to the zoo. Therefore I missed it, but one of our girls took a few shots reporting back that she was disappointed to find so many of the animals still in smaller enclosures, rather than the large open spaces simulating their natural environment that we are used to seeing at large zoos.

As we haven’t returned after this experience, and the zoo’s webpage doesn’t make it clear, we are unsure what it’s like today. However, it is the oldest and most frequently visited zoo in Germany. More importantly, the Berlin Zoo houses the largest variety of species of any zoo in the world.

While markets are found all over the world, both the HotlzMarket 25 and Markthalle Neun are among the unusual things to do in Berlin.

• HolzMarkt 25 Spawned on the location of a 300-year-old timber market, it is a cooperative endeavour bringing food, music, art, and more to the banks of the Spree river.
• Markthalle Neun This 120-year-old historic street food market in Kreuzberg borough features local producers and specialty products from all over the world.

Go museum hopping in Berlin

With over 30 museums in Berlin, there is something for everyone.

Museum Island

A must-see destination on most Berlin itineraries, Museum Island is a Unesco World Heritage Site.

There is a Berlin Welcome Card that includes entrance to all five of the galleries on Museum Island along with city transport and other discounts. It’s one of several Berlin pass options listed below. Or get a pa

The five galleries on Museum Island:

• Pergamon Museum This is the city’s most visited museum (and one of my two favourites). Amongst other artwork, it is home to three massive and important examples of ancient architecture: the Hellenistic Pergamon Altar, the Babylonian Gate of Ishtar, and the Roman Market Gate of Miletus. Note that the museum is closed until 2027 for renovations, but there is a temporary exhibit opposite Museum Island entitled Pergamon Museum: The Panorama Reserve Pergamon Museum: The Panorama entry tickets here
• Neues Museum My other favourite Berlin Museum, Neues, is the home to the famous bust of Nefertiti, with no photos of it allowed. Also there we found many more Egyptian sculptures and papyrus, pre and early history artwork, and classical antiquities.
• Bode Museum Another stunning museum, this one focused on unique sculptures mostly from the middle ages to the 19th century, along with both a Byzantine Art and a Numismatic collection. Reserve Bode Museum entry tickets here .
• Alte Nationalgalerie (Old National Gallery) Standing tall like a Greek temple, the museum houses sculptures and paintings from several periods: Classicism, Romanticism, Biedermeier, Impressionism, and the early Modern Age. The art collection is often referred to as one of the most comprehensive from the time period separating the French Revolution and WWI.
• The Altes Museum This collection of classical antiquities includes sculptures, jewellery, coins, and more, all housed in the oldest building on the island, built in the 1830s. Reserve Altes Museum entry tickets here .

Art museums

• Gemäldegalerie Art Museum A classic art museum considered by some to house the world’s most important European painting collections. Artworks are predominantly German and Italian paintings (13 – 16 centuries), and Dutch paintings (15 – 17 century). Reserve Art Museum entry tickets here
• Hamburger Bahnhof Museum A contemporary art gallery housed in the historic buildings of the former Hamburger Bahnhof. Includes works by Andy Warhol. Reserve Hamburger Bahnhof Museum entry tickets here
• Neue Nationalgalerie The new national gallery features Classical Modernism from the 20th century. Reserve your Neue Nationalgalerie entry ticket here

Museums that are among the unusual things to do in Berlin

• Disgusting Food Museum Not only will you discover 90 disgusting foods from around the world, but if you head to the museum’s Tasting Bar, you can try out some of them. It’s certainly one of the more unusual things to do in Berlin. Reserve Disgusting Food Museum entry tickets here.
• Jewish Museum The largest Jewish museum in Europe, it outlines Jewish history in Germany from the Middle Ages to the present day. Entry is free. It is one of the most visited museums in Germany, so popular in fact, it often gives out all of its daily timed-entry tickets, therefore reserve in advance. Reserve your FREE timed-entry ticket to the Jewish Museum here
• German Spy Museum Discover a bit of spy history and test your spy skill at some of the interactive activities like the laser maze. Reserve Germany Spy Museum entry tickets here
• The Wall Museum An emotional journey through the history of the Berlin Wall is displayed through film, documents, and interviews. Reserve your skip the line Wall Museum entry tickets here
• DDR Museum A hands-on opportunity to see what life was like in East Germany – the former German Democratic Republic (GDR in English or DDR in German). Reserve DDR Museum entry tickets here

More unusual things to do in Berlin

If some of the above didn’t satisfy your need to discover some unusual thing to do in Berlin, check out these:

Swim in a pool in the river Badeschiff translates to bathing ship, which is a great way to describe this public swimming pool in the Spree River. It seems the perfect solution to a non-swimmable river, although it’s only open from May to September. The surrounding area is all recreation.

TimeRide See the contrast of life in both East and West Berlin in the 1980s as you sit on a bus and take a virtual reality tour back to life in 1980. I didn’t do this VR adventure, as I saw the dramatic contrast first-hand in the 80s. Reserve your virtual TimeRide here

Watch a jugger match Oddly, Berlin is not the first place we have encountered the medieval-looking sport of jugger (we watched jugger in La Coruña, Spain ). However, it is much more popular in Berlin, even supporting a Jugger Berlin webpage . It seems that the old Tempelhofer Feld airport is one of the best places to observe the seemingly organized madness.

Selfie Museum An Instagrammer’s paradise, this is definitely one of the more unusual things to do in Berlin. With 30 interactive installations, you can create your perfect shot. It’s more of an entertainment than a museum. Reserve Selfie Museum entry ticket in advance .

City passes and combinations to save you money in Berlin

We opted for a city pass that no longer exists. If I were to choose today, I would either take the Easy City Pass , or the Welcome pass discussed above, which gets me into all of the galleries on museum island and includes transportation.

Save on your trip with these resources

These are our go-to companies when we travel. We believe this list to be the best in each category. You can’t go wrong using them on your trip too.

• Flights : we use Expedia for the best and cheapest flight options.
• Accommodations: we use Booking.com (hotels), VRBO (self-contained), or Hostelworld (budget).
• Cars (gas or electric): we use RentalCars to search for deals and dealer ratings.
• Motorcycles : we have heard good things about BikesBooking .
• Campervans or Motorhomes : we use Campstar where Albom Adventures readers get a 3% discount.
• Private guides : we love the private guides at Tours by Locals .
• Travel Insurance: while not required, we always opt for travel insurance and start at InsureMyTrip to compare coverage plans.

Check out our travel resources page for more companies that we use when you travel.

Save for later

If you enjoyed this article, please share it on social media and save it for later on Pinterest.

Do you prefer to add classic or the unusual things to do in Berlin to your Berlin itinerary?

Discover other areas in western Europe:

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10 Tips to Avoid Crowds in Paris France

Photo Credits

Photos on this page are either shot by our team and watermarked as such, in the public domain, or some stock photos were supplied by  DepositPhotos .

About Rhonda Albom

Capturing the essence of travel through photography, Rhonda Albom is the primary author and photographer at Albom Adventures. She is an American expat based in New Zealand. She travels the world with her husband.

Reader Interactions

June 14, 2022 at 9:33 pm

Fantastic pictures, Berlin is on my ‘Bucket list’,

June 9, 2022 at 2:40 pm

Fantastic guide! I’ve always wanted to go to Berlin, and love visiting unique places, so this is perfect for me.

June 8, 2022 at 9:59 am

There’s always something fascinating to learn at your blog!

Bea Pinnegar

June 7, 2022 at 6:03 pm

Thanks for this wonderful guide – hoping to make it to this part of the world pretty soon. Definitely saving your post for future 🙂

Lydia C. Lee

June 7, 2022 at 9:13 am

Great tips. I loved Berlin so much!

June 7, 2022 at 7:16 am

Very informative post. I have been wanting to visit Berlin. I would love to see all 5 galleries on Museum Island. WOW! That would be incredible.

June 7, 2022 at 1:35 am

This is such a great post! I went to Berlin a few months ago but unfortunately it rained non-stop the whole time I was there! Definitely need to book another visit and ill be saving this for then!

June 6, 2022 at 11:03 am

I live in the US/Mexico borderlands and have worked for many years in the border town of Douglas/Agua Prieta. It would be fascinating to contemplate the Berlin Wall! Great post. Thanks for sharing

June 6, 2022 at 4:23 am

Germany is filled with so much history to learn about. Berlin is a place I’ve always wanted to visit, so I really enjoyed reading this post! I would love to see the Holocaust Memorial and the Berlin Wall.

June 5, 2022 at 11:46 pm

I’d love to travel to Berlin. I too like to include unusual and the typical touristy things to do while traveling. Learning about some of Berlins history was truly a somber experience. Great suggestions on where to go and what to experience while visiting.

June 5, 2022 at 11:39 pm

This is such a great post. We were not able to make it to Berlin during our trip to Germany, but I hope to visit on our next trip. I would love to see the architecture from the river like you mentioned and to see the Berlin Wall in person. Thanks for a great post!

June 5, 2022 at 7:50 pm

I love Germany and this post has made me want to explore so much more, as I’ve not been to Berlin yet. Thanks for sharing so much detail!

June 5, 2022 at 1:01 pm

Due to a train strike, I travelled straight through Berlin & never got to see the Berlin Wall. It’s been on my list ever since. I hope I’ll be able to visit one day! Thanks for sharing your tips & experiences!

The Jetset Boyz

July 21, 2021 at 3:20 pm

A must-do when in Berlin is treat yourself to some currywurst! It was invented in 1949 as an affordable but filling meal for the people of Berlin at a time when food was in short supply.

And you’ll find the best at the Fritz & Co currywurst stall on Wittenberg Platz in the Schöneberg area of Berlin. It’s one of our foodie must-dos whenever we’re in Berlin.

And when you’ve finished your oh-so-tasty currywurst, why not pop along to the Currywurst Museum?

Currywurst is much more than just a huge economic factor in Germany: Favoured by politicians, athletes, and celebrities, thematised in literature and film, and sung about by songwriters, it’s a part of German cultural and social history.

July 23, 2021 at 7:52 am

Yes, I do remember trying a currywurst when in Berlin. I vaguely remember being told it was a cold war recipe as you only needed ketchup, curry powder, and sausage to make it.

April 9, 2014 at 9:41 am

It’s kind of scary thinking about how Melissa and I would’ve been standing in different countries not too long ago in that first photo.

April 4, 2014 at 1:05 pm

My parents were actually living in Germany when the wall came down! I have a small piece of it as a souvenier. I was in Germany that Christmas and we went across the border in the “East” … and it was almost like time had stood still. I still think of that time period in black-and-white because it was so bleak over there.

lynneinpborough

April 3, 2014 at 8:59 pm

I remember when it came down, never been. Those graffiti walls could be in a number of cities but somehow fitting to be there. Thanks for the reminder of how life has been and now is in other places of the world.

Carrie-Anne Foster (thatdizzychick)

April 3, 2014 at 6:37 pm

Great photos. I especially love the one with your two girls on each side of the line. Crazy how things used to be.

Carrie~Anne at That Dizzy Chick

April 3, 2014 at 8:52 am

I was there last month and going back next month. We didn’t go to the wall monument this time, but to the outdoor wall museum where there’s a replica of what the inner walls looked like (The actual wall and the no-man’s zone.) It’s chilling that people would do this to other people. I became obsessed after our walking tour and bought a book about it. It’s all so unbelievable.

April 3, 2014 at 8:13 am

Great B! Would love to visit Berlin someday!

Deborah Dera

April 3, 2014 at 8:00 am

Such an important piece of history. Thanks for the reminder.

A to Z: writingforpeanuts.com and deborahdera.com

Susan Gourley

April 3, 2014 at 7:56 am

I wish I had seen it. I remember its end vividly.

Cathy Olliffe-Webster

April 3, 2014 at 7:42 am

The photo of the two girls (yours?) is very profound. It was such a part of the culture for so long – in a terrible way – that it’s almost hard to imagine life without it. So glad a part of it remains, for history’s sake. And lucky you, seeing amazing places in the world like it.

April 3, 2014 at 7:14 am

If that wall could speak…..

April 3, 2014 at 6:58 am

The Berlin Wall is a great choice for “B”! I would love to see it for myself one day. 🙂

T. A. Miles

April 3, 2014 at 6:27 am

Wonderful images. So much history to be seen and shared the world over.

April 3, 2014 at 5:53 am

It’s amazing how much sadness is contained in the history of Berlin; definitely a surreal experience the first time I visited. I love the amount of street art, though, and the amazingly decorated pieces of the wall on display.

April 3, 2014 at 5:38 am

I am surprised to see how thin the wall actually was. I never knew that.

S. Katherine Anthony

April 3, 2014 at 5:03 am

Wow, it really hit me reading the picture with your girls standing on either side. What a fascinating city, maybe someday I’ll go with the hubby. Great pictures as usual 🙂

April 3, 2014 at 3:52 am

Oh yes, Berlin is a very fascinating city – with east and west, new and old… Really loved it every time we have visited:-) And what a great moment when that wall came down! Awesome. Enjoy traveling around with you- great pictures and interesting to read – I will come back for more:-)

Stacy Uncorked

April 3, 2014 at 2:03 am

I’d love to visit there someday! Love all the shots! 🙂

April 3, 2014 at 1:38 am

I was three when the wall came down, so I don’t remember any of that part of history, but my family has a lot of stories pre- and post-wall…

LuAnn Braley

April 2, 2014 at 11:50 pm

I’ve never been to Berlin. I remember watching news reports of the Wall being torn down. The closest I came to Berlin (other than airports) has been Switzerland, where my mother was born.

April 2, 2014 at 11:14 pm

Berlin is one of my favorites cities in Germany. I’ve been there a couple of times and every time you can discover something new. Something not everyone knows is that the West part of the country (the “rich” one) has the so called solidarity tax (deducted from your salary) that is aimed for the East (the “poor” people).

Merlinda (@pixiedusk)

April 2, 2014 at 10:54 pm

Love the graffiti! Nice trip!

Vicki @ Knocked Up & Abroad

April 2, 2014 at 10:43 pm

Would love to visit it one day. What a great historic marker.

April 2, 2014 at 8:58 pm

I also remember the day the wall came down. A very historical place for many different reasons.

April 2, 2014 at 8:55 pm

Hi Rhonda .. I’ve never been to Berlin, but would hope to see the monument sometime .. I was in Prague and Brno in the 1970s and experienced East Europeans at work there and in London …

Have you seen the film Goodbye Lenin! … it’s a good tragi-comedy … https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goodbye_Lenin Our film society highly recommended ..

Cheers Hilary

April 2, 2014 at 7:55 pm

Rhonda, My entire family loves Berlin as well. Sobering thought, separated by inches…Great B!

April 2, 2014 at 4:41 pm

I was only six when the wall came down but I kind of vaguely remember hearing about it. It didn’t mean anything to me at the time but now I can see how important it was.

April 2, 2014 at 4:36 pm

Hey how nice is that, you reminded me of my Berlin times!! Tina from The Sunny Side of Life

Christy@SweetandSavoring

April 2, 2014 at 4:18 pm

I love this! Berlin was certainly one of my favorite cities when I visited way back in 2005- and it’s where I fell in love with graffiti and street art! The wall especially really gave me a sense of history- it’s such a unique aspect to the city that’s incomparable to anywhere else.

L.G. Keltner

April 2, 2014 at 11:24 am

I got to see a small piece of the wall on display once. These pictures are great, and I’m so glad you shared them with us. I was young when the Berlin wall came down. I remember it happening, but I was too little to understand the significance of it at that time.

April 2, 2014 at 10:58 am

Fantastic pictures! Berlin is on my ‘Bucket list’, the wall coming down was one of the first historical events I saw in real-time. Such a tragedy that so many families were torn apart for so long.

I just went back and read your post about the Aqueduct. Didn’t realize you’re so far ahead of us here in the USA! Can’t wait to see more pictures and read all about your world travels 🙂

April 2, 2014 at 10:23 am

We have literally just come back from Berlin. It was strange to think that I could simply walk around unconscious of whether I was in the east or the west but years ago this would have been impossible. The way that they divided the city seemed so strange and places unfathomable. When the GDR put the wall up I can’t understand why they would not extend it to there own war memorial just metres down the road!

I loved looking at how they have added artwork to the wall that remains today – making it part of their culture – but in a different way (old meets new). It was a great city to walk around, potentially one of the best city breaks in Europe that we have done.

Robyn Engel

April 2, 2014 at 9:41 am

That picture’s very powerful, a historic shot. Interesting that their graffiti is accepted as art. It does look much more respectable than graffiti in the states.

Be well, Rhonda. xoRobyn

Comedy Plus

April 2, 2014 at 9:03 am

Hubby was in Germany during the Vietnam war. He saw the wall. I’ve never been to Europe. I want to see America first. That’s what’s on my bucket list.

Have a fabulous A to Z Challenge. You’re off to a great start. 🙂

Alex J. Cavanaugh

April 2, 2014 at 8:51 am

I remember when the wall came down. That was a very big deal!

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5 Unusual Places In Berlin (Tips From A Longtime Local)

by Cheryl Howard | Apr 23, 2023 | Berlin , Destinations , Europe , Germany , Unusual Places & Things | 2 comments

I’ve been living in Berlin for over a decade and whenever I write these kinds of city guides, I often only focus on the most popular and well-known places, like this list of 10 cool things to do in Berlin or this one about the most photographed landmarks in Berlin . This guide is entirely different, as I’m going to take you well outside Berlin’s city center to yes – outside of the Ring where there aren’t so many tourists if any at all. 

This post also serves as a love letter to Berlin’s Eastern district of Lichtenberg (and neighboring Marzahn), my home for the past 5 years or so. During my first years living here, I often found myself always leaving the district for “cooler” parts of the city. The pandemic changed that and since then, I’ve made a concerted effort to get to know my area way more intimately. 

5 Unusual Places In Berlin (Where There Aren’t So Many Tourists)

So with that in mind, here are 5 unusual places in Berlin that I recommend checking out:

1) Schlosspark Biesdorf

With 14 hectares of quiet green space, Schlosspark Biesdorf is one of my all-time favorite places in Berlin. With a 19th-century pink-colored palace, English-styled gardens, a pond, a cute café perfect for brunching, and an art museum, it’s well worth the visit. Easily reachable on the S5, the park is less than five minutes from the Biesdorf S-Bahn station. As you walk through the park toward the palace, you’re treated to a pleasant walk through a road flanked by tall coniferous trees on both sides. What’s more, the park is quiet and without tourists. You’ll see locals out walking their dogs, families having a picnic, and others sprawled out on a blanket reading a book. 

Address: 12683 Berlin

2) Central Cemetery Friedrichsfelde – “The Socialist Cemetery “

This massive cemetery in Berlin’s Lichtenberg is home to well-known socialists, anti-fascists, and communists, including Rosa Luxemburg, Käthe Kollwitz, as well as the co-founder of the Social Democratic Party (SPD), Wilhelm Liebknecht. A visit to Central Cemetery Friedsrichfelde provides a fascinating glimpse into the city’s history. Signs direct you on self-guided tours of the park, where you can take in a number of memorials like the Monument to the Revolution , as well as the burial places of prominent figures from the worker’s movement. Head to the other end of the cemetery where you can view beautifully aging ornate headstones, tombs, and even a shrine ( Kolumbarium ) hidden on a small hill surrounded by trees. 

My bonus tip! Head to the community/allotment garden ( Kleingarten ) located next to the cemetery and visit their restaurant (that they affectionately call the “clubhouse”). Open year-round, they serve up a very delicious and hearty Schnitzel dish. They also offer yummy asparagus dishes during Spargel season.

Address: Gudrunstr. 20, 10365 Berlin

3) Restaurant Yerevan

If you want to feast on authentic and delicious Armenian food, Restaurant Yeravan is the place. This newly opened Armenian restaurant hasn’t been discovered by any of Berlin’s major foodies … yet. Favorable online reviews are showing that this restaurant is only getting more popular, so get there before the hype arrives. The family-owned establishment’s most popular dishes include the xashlama and chinkali, which you can pair with a glass of Armenian wine. This local’s atmosphere is friendly, down-to-earth, and boisterous. They often play host to big parties, so be ready to smile and have a good time.

Address: Seddiner Str. 8, 10315 Berlin

4) Dong Xuan Center

The Dong Xuan Center is truly a unique place in Berlin. Here you can find all of the Asian food ingredients that you ever need, especially more unique ones that you can’t find at a regular supermarket like Edeka or Rewe. If you’re not interested in food shopping, there are some decent and fairly priced Vietnamese restaurants offering takeaway. It’s also pretty entertaining to wander through the halls and peruse the various stores offering everything from knock-off handbags, to cheap electronics, and more. I once purchased a lovely sushi dish set from one of the shops. You can even get your haircut or nails done there!

Address: Herzbergstr. 128-139, 10365 Berlin

5) The Rainbow Buildings

Last but not least, is every local photographer’s favorite set of Plattenbaus. These concrete prefabricated buildings became especially popular in former East Germany after WWII. While known for lacking a distinct design, a large number of Plattenbaus in Berlin have seen life breathed into them with brightly colored tiled facades, murals, and other works of art. These two darling white buildings in Berlin’s Fennpfuhl area are connected by a giant rainbow. Head there and take photos that will surely blow up on your Instagram feed.

Address: Roederplatz, 10367

What do you think about these unusual places in Berlin? Have we missed any good ones? Tell us about it in the comments below.

Use this customized Google Map to get an overview of all of the locations mentioned here and how to reach them.

All of these places are fairly close to one another. For example, you can combine a visit to the cemetery with a meal at Restaurant Yerevan. You can also visit the Asian market and walk to the nearby rainbow-themed Plattenbaus to sneak in some photos.

Berlin’s Transportation Options

The lowdown on your transportation options in Berlin, Germany: 

1) To reach Berlin’s city center, you can go by train, taxi, or bus:

• From the airport  – Berlin has a new airport, Berlin Brandenburg Willy Brandt Airport (BER), which is 18 kilometers outside of the city center. You can take an express train, either the FEX, RE7, or RB14, to the city’s main train station, Berlin Hauptbahnhof. Trains run frequently between 4:00 – 23:00 and the journey takes about 30 minutes. A one-way ticket is €3.30. You can also take public transit, using the S-Bahn lines, S9 or S45. The journey to Berlin Hauptbahnhof will take the same amount of time and an ABC ticket will fetch you €3.60. Buses are also an option, the airport shuttle BER1, X71, N60, and X7. Your journey to Hauptbahnhof will take about an hour and cost the same as taking the train. Note, the airport shuttle BER1 is pricey at around €11, so skip taking it if possible. You can take a taxi from the airport, with the journey into the city center being around 30 minutes, longer if during rush hour. A fare should run anywhere between €40 – €50.
• From the main train station  – Berlin Hauptbahnhof is located in the city center. Take public transit, a taxi, bicycle, or use your own two feet to get wherever you need to go.
• From the main bus station  – The city’s main bus station (ZOB) isn’t in the city center but in the city’s West End. You can make your way to the city center via public transit (there are S-Bahn trains and buses available) and the journey will take anywhere from 15-30 minutes. A single fare will run you €3. You can also take a taxi or use Uber or Bolt. A car journey to Hauptbahnhof will take you 15 – 30 minutes, depending on traffic and a taxi fare will cost €15 – €20.

2) How to get around in Berlin:

• Taxis  – As with some other European countries, taxi scams aren’t that prevalent in Germany. You can safely and easily hail a taxi at any stand around the city or use the  FREE NOW  app to get a traditional taxi.
• Ridesharing  – Uber and Bolt are both options.
• Bikes  – You can rent bikes (even scooters) from Bolt and Uber. Other bike-sharing companies include  nextbike  and  Call A Bike .
• Public Transit  – Berlin has an extensive network of above and underground trains, trams, buses, and even ferries. The most convenient way to purchase tickets is through the  BVG app . You can also buy tickets onboard trams and buses, as well as from machines on station platforms (you can select English when you start the purchase process). If you plan to use public transit a lot when visiting Berlin, skip out on buying single-fare tickets and purchase a pass for 24 hours, one week, and more. You’ll save a lot of money this way.
• Driving  – If you want to drive in Berlin, consider renting a car from companies like  Europca r,  Sixt , or  Hertz .

Where To Stay In Berlin

1) Check out your options on booking.com.

Paying For Things In Berlin

Our pro tips help you manage your finances when you’re traveling in Germany:

1) Germany uses the Euro:

• Visit  xe.com  to find out how your currency compares to the Euro.
• Unfortunately, many places in Berlin only accept cash and not bank or credit cards. If they do accept bank cards, they will only take  EC cards  and when it comes to credit cards, American Express is often not accepted. There are plenty of bank machines throughout the city where you can get cash.
• When paying by card, you may be asked which currency you want to pay in – choose to pay in Euros to save money on the exchange rate.

2) Germany is about average on the cost scale compared to other  European destinations . Berlin is budget-friendly, so you’ll find  accommodation ,  dining out , etc. very easy on the wallet.

3) If you can avoid doing xo, exchange your money in the city center, as exchange rates at the airport tend to be on the high side.

Good To Know About Berlin

1) If you plan on staying in Berlin for a longer vacation, I’d also recommend our guide to day trips from Berlin . If you need help in knowing how to get to some of these German cities, I highly recommend using Rome2Rio , a site that recommends the best way to get from points A – B.  

2) One way to really experience Berlin is to go on a guided tour. See what things you can do with Get Your Guide.

3) For more German travel inspiration , read through some of our most popular posts:

• A Day Trip from Berlin To Görlitz In Photos – Take a day trip from Berlin to Görlitz, one of Germany’s prettiest towns. With a stunning old town & proximity to Poland, it’s worth a visit.
• Come To Germany And Stay At The Circus Hotel Berlin – The centrally located Circus Hotel Berlin has a rooftop terrace, a cool restaurant & bar area, and spacious rooms with super comfortable beds
• Who’s Bad? The Michael Jackson Memorial In Munich, Germany – The Michael Jackson Memorial Munich has been long maintained by adoring fans. Some locals would love to see it go away.

Thanks for hints. Also the post reads like tell me you’ve just moved to Lichtenberg without telling me that. Cheers, Cheryl.

Hi there! Glad you enjoyed the tips. 🙂

Um, I’m confused by your comment. The blog post clearly states that I’ve been in Lichtenberg for quite some time. ¯_(ツ)_/¯

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Founded in 2010, cherylhoward.com is a travel blog profiling some of the world’s most unusual places and things.

I’m a Canadian from Toronto who’s been living in Berlin for the better part of a decade. I like travelling Europe and writing about unusual places and things, as well as creating unique itineraries for various destinations. Read more.

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8 must-see places and unique things to do in Berlin, from free concerts to reimagined historic sites

• Berlin is a city rich in history and culture, with countless memorials and around 170 museums.
• The city is also home to great shopping, fabulous parks, and other unique attractions.
• Visit Insider's hub for travel guides, tips, and recommendations .

Home to some  170 museums  and countless memorials commemorating its complex history, Berlin can easily keep sightseers occupied for weeks on end. Though I used to live in the capital for two years, and return often, I feel as though I haven't even scratched the surface of everything there is to experience here — especially since there's always a new museum or attraction to add to my list. 

But while living here, I learned there's so much more to Berlin than just museum- and monument-hopping. There are wonderful parks for strolling, lots of great shopping, and legendary venues where you can hear the finest classical music. 

With 12 distinct kiez (neighborhoods) across the city, there's an array of interesting attractions to see and things to do, like visiting a deserted airfield turned urban park or spotting colorful street art in the funky Schöneberg district.

Keep reading to discover some of the best things to do on your trip to Berlin.

See where the Berlin Wall rose and fell.

Unlike the East Side Gallery with its lively, colorful murals decorating a stretch of the Berlin Wall, a visit to the Berlin Wall Memorial on Bernauer Strasse is a more sobering experience. The outdoor portion of the memorial is located on the border strip where some of the first concrete pilings dividing East and West Berlin were erected in August 1961. It's also where segments of the Wall were first knocked down in November 1989 , before being dismantled in June 1990. 

A watchtower and fragments of the original wall still remain — both the outer border wall, the inner wall, and the "death strip" in between — with symbolic metal poles delineating where the rest of it once stood. Scattered around the site are panels with photos and explanatory text detailing the harrowing stories of those trapped behind the Wall and those who tried to escape. 

The indoor visitor center displays historical relics, video footage, and documents from the era, and hosts rotating exhibitions about the division of Berlin. The observation tower lets you look out over the site and see the former border strip along Bernauer Strasse.

Picnic at Tempelhofer Feld and go inside an abandoned airport.

Tempelhof Airport has a history that spans from its Nazi-era construction, to the 1948-1949 Allied airlift during the Soviet blockade, to its last commercial flight in 2008. The only way to go inside the remaining airport buildings now is with a guided tour , which highlights some of the most fascinating architectural and historical aspects of this massive landmark.

When I took the tour, everything I saw felt frozen in time, from the check-in hall with vintage neon signage to the empty baggage carousels. But there's much more to see than just the public areas, including an underground air-raid shelter and an airmen's lounge used by the US Air Force, which established a base here after World War II.

You don't need a tour to visit the adjacent airfield, Tempelhofer Feld, which has been transformed into a nearly 1,000-acre urban park that's popular with locals. Former runways are now used by cyclists, in-line skaters, and joggers, and the vast open fields are regularly filled with picnickers and kite-flyers. Whenever I visit the park and it's warm out, I stop by the Luftgarten beer garden for brews and brats.

Shop and dine in Germany's largest courtyard complex.

Dating back to 1906, Hackesche Höfe is Germany's biggest historic courtyard complex, set right in the heart of the Mitte district. I love wandering through this maze of eight interlinked courtyards framed by gorgeous Art Nouveau buildings and packed with cute boutiques, restaurants, and bars. There's a performing arts theatre, a cinema with screenings in German as well as in the original language with German subtitles, and a cool upstairs bar-lounge for playing pool, Billiardsalon Köh . 

Be sure to check out the murals along Hackesche Höfe's famous graffiti alley, Haus Schwarzenberg. Here you'll also find all sorts of oddities like the Monsterkabinett, an underground gallery filled with creepy mechanical creatures, and the cult bar Eschschloraque , an alternative, artsy space where little has changed since its founding more than 25 years ago. And don't miss the little-known museum Otto Weidt's Workshop for the Blind , a broom and brush factory where Jewish workers were hidden from the Nazis. 

See how royals once lived at Berlin's biggest palace.

The magnificent baroque Charlottenburg Palace — Berlin's largest — was built in the 17th century for the Prussian queen Sophie Charlotte and expanded in the 18th century. What's left today is actually a meticulous reconstruction (most of the building was destroyed in World War II), but nevertheless it makes for an impressive visit, with gilded and muraled rooms stuffed with period furniture, antique porcelain, and silver and gold tableware. 

You can get a taste of how royalty were entertained by attending one of the palace's baroque music concerts, featuring musicians from the Berliner Residenz Orchestra dressed in period costume. Tickets start at around 34 euros, and you can add a three-course candlelit dinner served prior to the concert — my mother called it the highlight of her Berlin trip when she went. 

If you want to make your visit more economical, I recommend checking out the palace's ornate gardens, which are free to wander, before heading to the palace's garden café, Kleine Orangerie, which has my favorite cheesecake in all of Berlin.

Discover emerging artists and muralists at the Urban Nation Museum.

I'm a big fan of street art and make a regular pilgrimage to the Urban Nation Museum to check out its rotating themed exhibitions and facade, which is repainted by celebrated muralists to reflect what's currently on display inside. I've seen big names like Banksy and Damien Hirst here, but I've also discovered many lesser-known talents working in all kinds of different mediums, including painting, sculpture, and video. 

I appreciate the museum's emphasis on showcasing work from global artists, especially from countries with a less-widely known street-art scene, including Iran, Iceland, and Malaysia. The wall panels go into extensive detail about the artists and their works, so it's easy to follow along without needing a tour or audio guide. Another bonus: Admission is free (though donations are welcome).

Check the museum website to sign up for a tour of the surrounding street art in the eclectic Schöneberg neighborhood, where you'll find everything from large-scale murals by Shepard Fairey to tiny stencils by the British artist known as JPS.

Stroll and stop for a lakeside beer in Tiergarten Park.

Berlin's answer to Central Park, Tiergarten Park , sprawls across 520 acres in the center of the city. Bordered by major tourist sites like the Brandenburg Gate and the Reichstag, the park features miles of trails interspersed with sculpture-filled gardens, meadows, ponds, and fountains. There's even a lake, where I recommend stopping by the lovely waterfront beer garden, Café am Neuen See . 

The park itself is home to many major attractions including the Soviet War Memorial, the Berlin Zoo , and the Victory Column, topped with a huge bronze sculpture of the goddess of victory. If you're feeling adventurous, you can climb 285 steps up a spiral staircase for fantastic panoramic views from the top of the column. 

There's also some quirkier things to spot in the park, like the blocky Carillon , a 140-foot-high tower with 68 bells that's actually an instrument . There are free open-air concerts performed at the Carillon on various holidays and regularly from May to October.

See contemporary art inside World War II-era bunkers.

Only in Germany can you see art in a World War II-era bunker, and Berlin is home to not one, but two museums that offer this unique experience. 

My personal favorite is the Boros Collection , which features top-notch contemporary art — sculptures, paintings, photographs, and video installations — across five floors and 80-odd rooms in a hulking, concrete bunker in Mitte. The privately owned collection is so large that the entire display rotates every four years, and even when I went on the 90-minute guided tour — which is required to visit the museum and books up months in advance — I wasn't able to see everything.

Guides will also detail the bunker's fascinating history: Originally built by Nazis as an air-raid shelter, it later served as a Soviet prison and a fruit-storage facility. An underground techno and fetish club took over the space in the 1990s, and it became a museum in 2008.

Also set inside a WWII bunker, this one used for telecommunications, the Feuerle Collection offers an intriguing mix of ancient and contemporary Asian artworks. Haunting music played while I wandered through the vast concrete space, where centuries-old pieces — imperial Chinese lacquer furniture, early Khmer sculptures, Ming dynasty bookcases — stand on beautifully lit pedestals. Juxtaposed with these works are edgy sculptures and (often erotic) black-and-white photographs by contemporary Asian artists. The museum has limited opening days and times, and you'll need to reserve a timed ticket in advance.

Catch a free classical concert at the Berliner Philharmonie.

The Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra is considered one of the world's best and its resident venue is the Berliner Philharmonie , a striking asymmetrical 1950s-era building located on the edge of Tiergarten Park. It houses two concert halls: the larger Grosser Saal and the smaller Kammermusiksaal, which is dedicated to chamber music. 

Tickets for the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra often sell out quickly, but you can catch a free lunchtime concert, featuring members of the orchestra and other area orchestras, on Wednesdays at 1 p.m. in the building's foyer, between September and June. The program lasts around 45 minutes, and while it's not the same as seeing a proper concert, it's nice for a bite-sized taste of classical music. I recommend getting there early to find a good place to sit on the stairs or floor, as there is no dedicated seating. 

View Insider's comprehensive guide to visiting Berlin.

• Main content

Top 10 Unusual Things to Do and See in Berlin. Exploring the city like a local

You won’t discover the real spirit of the city if you visit just those typical tourist attractions .

To help you discover the German capital like a local, I’ve created a list of top 10 unusual things to do and see in Berlin.

Continue on reading to explore the behind-the-scenes of Berlin!

10 Typical Attractions of Berlin

If you decided to visit the capital of Germany, it is also worth to visit the most well-known attractions of the city. It is easy to cover the whole ‘typical’ Berlin within a walk through the touristy city center. The list of most popular attractions that most of the tourists tend to visit is the following (you can make a 3-5 hour walking route following this order):

• Alexanderplatz – former main square of the Eastern Berlin that you can often see in spy movies. It is always crowded, full of homeless people, and may be interesting only with its Christmas market in December. Still, you should spend at least a couple of minutes in such a mainstream place.
• Fernsehturm Berlin – TV tower built in the GDR to represent the communist power. It is still one of the symbols of Berlin being the second tallest structure in Europe, just 0,5 meters lower than the TV and Radio Tower in Riga, Latvia. From the top of it, you can view the whole city for 14-20 euros (there are cheaper places for that in Berlin).

Get your tour around Berlin here

• Rotes Rathaus, Nikolaikirche, and the surrounding quarter – the only old part of Berlin that is left from the time before the Second World War. Surprisingly, less popular than most of the other typical attractions.

• Museums Island with the Berlin Cathedral – an island full of interesting museums with a beautiful and huge Berlin cathedral. I visited most of the museums before I was 18 when it was free for me (just some insider tip).
• Humboldt University – one of the most famous and oldest universities in Berlin also having an impressive look.
• Unter den Linden – is probably, the most famous street in Berlin. Here, you can find several embassies, shops of world-renowned brands, souvenir stores, and much more.
• The street leads to the Brandenburg Gates – another famous symbol of Berlin with a Quadriga on top of it.

• Reichstag is located surprisingly close to the famous Gates. Its glass cupola is accessible for visitors if you reserve your visit about 2-3 weeks in advance. You will also get a free audio guide, which automatically changes its tracks as you walk through the cupola.
• Next stop can be the Holocaust museum with the memorial of almost 3000 concrete slabs representing the Jews killed during the Nazi regime (millions were killed, not 3000).
• Potsdamer Platz – a modern business center of Berlin. All the buildings are new here, as they were built on the place of the Berlin wall that was destroyed in 1989. There are tall office buildings, two shopping centers, and the Sony Entertainment Center.

It was a list of the most typical places to visit in Berlin. Despite a large number of attractions, the whole route will be just about 5-6 km long. To discover the less touristy parts of the city, I will tell you about the top unusual places to visit in Berlin with insider tips and useful information in the end.

Top 10 Unusual Things to Do and See in Berlin

I didn’t create my travel blog to repeat what the Wikipedia and hundreds of other travel websites are saying, but to help you discover something different with my knowledge of the particular city or place and its lesser-known attractions.

Discover Charlottenburg

Charlottenburg is a very nice district away from the city hustle. It used to be the heart of Western Berlin, but now is a great place for a quiet existence, while a bit too expensive for young people. It is full of bars and international shops. One famous attraction here is the Charlottenburg Palace built in the 17 th century and its gardens.

Check the best photo spots in Berlin

Find the Pieces of the Berlin Wall

The famous Berlin Wall that separated the West and East Berlin fell in 1989, and the Cold War was over.  Still, you can view some parts of this historically important wall in several places of the city. Here is where:

• East Side Gallery . A long part of wall covered by beautiful graffiti including the famous painting of Leonid Brezhnev and Erich Honecker kissing. Here, you will also find the Berlin Wall Museum and a beautiful Oberbaum bridge
• Checkpoint Charlie and surroundings . This checkpoint was the main one on the Western and Eastern Berlin border. If the Third World War started, it would be the first battlefield. Fortunately, it didn’t, and now thousands of tourists take funny selfies with the men dressed like soldiers (that may have never served in the army) without realizing, how dangerous this place was less than 30 years ago. Some small pieces of the wall can be found along the route, where it was standing. This place is extremely touristy, but also worth visiting.
• Bernauer Street . The only place in Berlin, where you can see how the wall originally looked without all the fancy paintings. There are several memorials on the street with a visitors center (free to visit), from where you can see the ‘dead zone’ between the two walls. If somebody managed to climb to the wall, they would have no chance to cross the zone with mines, fighting dogs, sharp spikes, and numerous watchtowers with snipers not to mention various deadly machines.

Play Frisbee in the Treptower Park

Time to step away from the history and relax a bit. Berlin has a lot of places for that. I will start with several parks in the capital.

Berlin has a very extensive area, although its population is not that big. There are lakes big enough for sailing and parks of a forest size on the territory of the city. Here are the three that are (in my opinion) most interesting to visit:

• Mauer Park. This one is relatively small, but thanks to its location close to the city center, it is one of the favorite places among young people to spend time on a weekend. Nearby, there is a flea market working every day. On the weekend, you can see some performances and play basketball in here.

• Tiergarten. Second largest park in Berlin right in the heart of the city behind the Brandenburg Gates. Even if you have just one day in Berlin, you can visit it on the way between the city’s attractions.
• Treptower Park. Another great place to relax in the city is Treptower park. It has some nice views of the Spree river and is less crowded then the two previous parks. When I travel, I often use Couchsurfing app to meet locals and other travelers. So, during my last visit to Berlin, I met some great people that I played Frisbee with at a weekly Couchsurfing event. You will also find a huge Soviet War monument on its territory .

Visit Berlin’s Flea Markets

I don’t know any city that would be as famous for its flea markets as Berlin. Here, you can find a wide variety of them, in every district. I will only state the ones I visited and can recommend, here are some more flea markets to check.

• Book Market at Bode Museum . Great place to get some antiques and books in German right under the bridge on the Spree River with a view on the Museums Island.
• A very wide choice of goods can be found at the Boxhagener Platz flea market. If you are looking for something special or just want to visit an interesting flea market, visit this one.
• SO36 Flea Market is actually a nightclub that becomes a flea market once a month. It is a place, where you can buy some weird clothes and CDs (just for collection, who uses CDs nowadays?).

Check Veronika’s 3-day guide to Berlin .

Discover the Unusual Berlin Neighborhoods

Berlin is a very free and young city; it is very different from the rest of Germany. Nowhere else in Germany, and maybe in the whole world you will find so many unusual people in one place. If you use S-Bahn in Berlin, you will have a good picture of the Berlin crowd. Still, I strongly recommend you visit some of the hipster neighborhoods with their special bars and restaurants.

Here are 2 good areas in Berlin to explore the hip and young Berliner lifestyle :

• One of them is the area around the Schlesisches Tor train station . It has lots of colorful cafes and bars, some electronic clubs and stages with lesser-known bands playing, as well as an interesting indoor market called Markthalle Neun.
• Not far from it is the other area that I recommend visiting. It is located near Revaler street and the Urban Spree Art Center. Also, lots of hipster places, unusual bars and techno clubs.

Visit Some Crazy Berlin Nightclubs

Well, I already mentioned some areas with nightclubs. It is time to tell about the most interesting ones to visit. If you like techno, Berlin is the city for you. Even if you don’t like techno and nightclubs in general, visiting one in Berlin is a must for all travelers.

Most of the city’s clubs were opened after the reunification of the two parts of Berlin. The young people suddenly gained freedom that they started to express in very unusual nightclubs in the abandoned factories and houses mostly in East Berlin (also the rent is much cheaper there). So, here we go, the top Berlin nightclubs.

• Berghain . One of the most popular nightclubs in Berlin. It is the heart of the capital’s techno scene in the same building as another club called Panorama bar with some house music. Lots of local clubbers and foreigners are try to get in, which made it more difficult for an individual to get in.
• Sisyphos . This club is has a huge outdoor area and is open only in summer. Sisyphos is easier to get in, but standing in the line make takes a while. It works through all the weekend, you can buy some food, and even toothbrushes here, so you can even stay here instead of a hotel.
• Neighboring several other clubs, Watergate located in/under a bridge is one of the best ones to visit. No wonder it is also a techno club.

Chill in a Späti

Germany is one of the few countries, where drinking on the streets is allowed. It really changed the lifestyle of young people. There is no need to go to somebody’s house or spend all your pocket money for 2 beers in a bar. That is why, in most of the German cities there are streets, where young people sit drinking beer with empty bars nearby.

As most of the supermarkets close around 9 pm if not earlier, there have appeared lots of night shops, in German called Spätkauf, or simply Spätis. They are open until late. For the convenience of their guests, most of the Spätis have benches and tables. So, it is another kind of bar, where many Germans tend to spend their time on the weekend evenings.

Ride a bike to Potsdam

Many Berliners have their own bikes, as a convenient and inexpensive means of transportation, compared to slightly expensive public transport (regular tickets for A+B zones cost about 2,5 Euros). Renting a bike is also a great way to visit some unusual attractions in Berlin, because, as I already mentioned, the city is very extensive.

Potsdam is a city located at a distance of about 30 km from the center of Berlin. Getting there by bike may be difficult, but possible. Another option would be to go there by train and rent a bike in Potsdam. Berlin’s neighbor is very interesting for its beautiful parks and gardens, as well as several castles and palaces. Highly recommended!

Rent the Famous GDR Car

If you need some more comfort, you can rent the famous GDR (Eastern Germany) car called Trabant, which also became one of the symbols of Berlin. At some companies, you can rent a Trabant or buy a ticket to a ‘Trabi’ city tour. Here is a list of companies’ websites that allow you to do that:

• https://www.trabantberlin.de/
• http://www.trabi-safari.de/
• https://www.getyourguide.com/
• http://www.berlinandbike.de/
• http://www.trabi-xxl.de/

If you like shopping, the last point of the unusual things to do in Berlin list will be interesting for you!

Visit the Largest Department Store in Europe

Kaufhaus des Westens (Department Store of the West), or KaDeWe, has an area of 60,000 square meters of selling space. Here, you can find almost anything. Hundreds of clothing brands, and unusual goods that you won’t find in any supermarket in Germany. Around 50000 people visit this largest department store on European continent every day.

Most of the items in the KaDeWe are from well-known luxury brands, so for most people, it is more of a museum than a department store.

Other Unusual Things to Do in Berlin

It was very difficult to find the top 10 unusual things to do in Berlin. I could easily name 20 or 30, but I didn’t want this article to be too long. I will simply mention several other great lesser-known attractions in Berlin that are worth visiting.

• Karl-Marx-Allee – a long and broad boulevard with monumental Stalinist buildings that used to be one of the main streets in Eastern Berlin. Especially when the weather is gloomy (which happens often in Berlin), the avenue looks like from the old pictures.
• Grunewald – The largest park in Berlin. It is so big so that you can even see some wild animals there.
• Wannsee lake – a nice lake not far from the border with Potsdam in a beautiful and quiet residential area with some old timers driving around.
• Tempelhof – area that used to be an airport. There is nothing much to see here, but the locals love it.
• Hauptbahnhof – the main train station. Even if you don’t come to Berlin by train , you should definitely visit this huge multi-story train station.

Well, now you have a total of 25 typical and unusual things to do in Berlin. There is still something more that you need to know – general information before your visit.

General Information before Visiting Berlin

• They almost never accept cards . Supermarket chains do, but most of the cafes, bars, and restaurants don’t or charge a high fee for paying with a card.
• They do speak English. It seems that only a small part of people living in Berlin are Germans. There are lots of Polish, Turkish, Russians, Americans and other people living here. Moreover, it is one of the most visited cities in Europe, so people do speak English pretty well.
• Public transport is relatively expensive and not very intuitive. Regular price for A+B zones (unless you visit Potsdam, you won’t need more) is 2,8 euros. But, you better pay that, as the fine is 60 for traveling without a ticket. There is U-Bahn, S-Bahn, Trams, Regional trains, and Buses, so it may be difficult to understand the whole transportation system in Berlin.
• Riding a bike is convenient. Average daily bike rental price is 12 euros. It may be the most convenient way to get anywhere in Berlin.
• You can get to the Schoenefeld and Tegel airports by public transport. You can also get a transfer to the aiport for the convenience

 Find the best hostel for your stay in Berlin

Book a bus to Berlin , or rent a car

It was an overview of the top 10 (and some more) unusual things to do and see in Berlin. The city has a lot to offer, but by making this list you will really explore Berlin like a local. Read also about the way to spend a weekend in Amsterdam . Travel more!

Going to Visit Berlin next week as I don’t know much about it so I was looking for a blog to know the best things there thanks for this information. As Know I know What to do there.

Great it was useful. Let me know if you’d add more places to the list.

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10 Things To Do In Berlin: Complete Guide To Germany's Vibrant Capital City

B erlin is the capital of Germany and the country’s largest metropolis. Over the years, Berlin has evolved from a divided city to a truly cosmopolitan destination offering a variety of art, delicious cuisine, captivating history and lively nightlife.

Simply put—there are so many things to do when visiting Berlin . Tourists will relish museums, galleries, parks, and partying into the wee hours of the morning. And they'll also enjoy Berlin's many historic landmarks. Brandenburg Gate, possibly the most famous landmark in Berlin, is an 18th-century neo-classical monument with a storied past. The East Gallery is the longest open-air gallery in the world on the largest section of the still-standing Berlin Wall. And the Reichstag Building is a historic symbol of Germany's past, present, and future and has impressive views from its dome.

Planning a trip to Berlin? Here is our ultimate guide and list of things to do in Berlin, Germany.

Top Things to Do in Berlin

There are so many things to see when visiting Berlin —some are modern, and some are reminders of Berlin’s tumultuous past. To make the most of any trip to Berlin, combine the two.

Charlottenburg Palace

This Baroque palace was the summer home for the royal family during the 17th century. Tourists can spend the afternoon touring the lavish abode from top to bottom. Inside, expect to find the living quarters of Frederick I and Sophie Charlotte, the New Wing where Frederik the Great lived, the chapel, the royal gardens, an ornate tea house, and even the family mausoleum.

Feel free to roam the walls independently or take advantage of the audio guide to learn all about this gorgeous palace and its captivating history.

• Address: Spandauer Damm 10-22. 14059 Berlin
• Hours: Tuesday through Sunday, 10 AM to 5:30 PM

Visit The Brandenburg Gate

Perhaps the most famous landmark in Berlin, it’s a good idea to learn about the history and symbolism of the Brandenburg Gate before visiting. The neoclassical monument sits in the popular Pariser Platzone and is one of the most photographed landmarks in Berlin.

Built for King Wilhelm II in 1788, the Brandenburg Gate was the backdrop to many of the city's historical events, including Napoleonic invasions and Nazi parades. While it symbolizes a tumultuous past, it’s also now a symbol of European peace and unity.

• Address: Pariser Platz, 10117 Berlin

Topography Of Terror

The Topography of Terror is the site of the Gestapo and the SS Police's former headquarters during World War II. Tourists can walk the grounds, visit the documentation center, and learn more about the cruelties performed by German officers at this very location.

Visiting the Topography of Terror is an eye-opener. For an even more in-depth experience, join the free English-speaking tours on Sundays at 3:30 PM.

• Address: Niederkirchnerstraße 8, 10963 Berlin
• Hours: 10 AM to 8 PM

Related: 10 Things You Can Do In Berlin On A Sunday

East Side Gallery

The former Berlin Wall is now the longest open-air gallery in the world. At 1.3 kilometers long, the gallery sits on the banks of the Spree River and is the most extended section of the Berlin Wall still standing. A great place to start exploring is the Wall Museum.

It’s located next to the Oberbaumbrücke in an old warehouse building. Over 100 artists from around the world have contributed to this Berlin landmark. The East Side Gallery is a must-see attraction for any tourist visiting Berlin.

• Address: Mühlenstraße 3-100, 10243 Berlin

Tiergarten Park

Walk, run, or cycle through Berlin’s most popular park. With 519 acres, the park hosts many fun things to do, including biergartens, the Victory Column (constructed in 1873), which tourists can climb for amazing city views, and there's even a zoo, which is home to almost 20,000 animals, including polar bears, hippos, and pandas.

Go To Potsdamer Platz

This bustling plaza is where tourists will find Deutsche Kinemathek (a German movie and TV museum), the Boulevard de Stars, the largest stage in Berlin (the Theater am Potsdamer Platz), a LEGOLAND Discovery Center, shops, a casino, and a movie theater. Needless to say, there are so many things to do in Potsdamer Platz!

• Address: Potsdamer Platz, 10785 Berlin

Berlin Cathedral

A significant attraction in Berlin, this cathedral is also the burial place of the Hohenzollerns. Also known as the Berliner Dom, the cathedral, with its magnificent dome, is elaborate and ornamental and definitely worth seeing.

The history of the Berlin Cathedral started in the 15th century, but the building has changed significantly over the years. Today, it’s an excellent place to explore Berlin’s history and appreciate the intricate details of the beautiful building. Explore independently or opt for a guided tour.

• Address: Am Lustgarten, 10178 Berlin
• Hours: 10 AM to 5 PM
• Cost: $11 per person

The Reichstag Building

A symbol of Germany’s past, present, and future, the Reichstag Building was originally constructed between 1884 and 1894 and currently symbolizes Germany's path from dark to light. Visitors can climb the stairs to the top of the glass dome (or use an elevator). The top offers stunning views across the city.

• Address: Platz der Republik 1, 11011 Berlin

Explore The Remnants Of The Berlin Wall

In the center of the city, the memorial stretches a little over a mile. What once separated the city in two, this space offers a visitor center where visitors can learn more about the history of the Berlin Wall.

Alongside remnants of the wall, visitors will see the Chapel of Reconciliations, which serves as a symbol of the lives that were lost. Admission to the memorial is free, but visitors can join a guided tour for an added cost.

Visit Museum Island

Museum Island is the name given to a group of five museums, the Baroque-style Berliner Dom cathedral and beautiful gardens all grouped together on a small island in the River Spree. The five museums are the Alte Nationalgalerie (Old National Gallery), the Altes Museum (Old Museum), the Neues Museum (New Museum), the Bode-Museum, and the very popular Pergamonmuseum.

All present a different aspect of art and history in Germany—and all are worth visiting. But even tourists who don’t pay to go inside will still enjoy the architecture and the landscape.

Best Time to Visit Berlin

• Best time to visit Berlin: May through September. The great weather makes exploring the city more enjoyable.
• Cheapest months to visit Berlin: January, February, March, and November.

Temperatures in spring are pleasant, ranging from the high 50s to the high-70s. The city’s parks and gardens grow colorfully with cherry blossoms, tulips, daffodils, and other beautiful flowers.

• Spring Festivals in Berlin : Fashion Week, MaerzMusik, and ITB, which is the world’s largest travel convention, occur in spring.

There is so much to do in Berlin during the summer months. Tourists can swim in the lakes in and near Berlin, lounge on the rooftops, and explore the city streets. Summers in Berlin offer lots of sunshine (temperatures average in the 70s), and fun street festivals.

Fall is another colorful season in Berlin. While the trees change colors, the temperatures drop. But because the fall weather in Berlin is usually quite dry, this is still a great time to explore the city.

• Fall Festivals in Dubrovnik: Berlin Art Week and the Festival of Lights occur in the fall.

There are so many festive things to do in Germany during the winter months. And despite its cold weather (often -15 degrees), winter is a wonderful time to visit Berlin. With holiday lights, Christmas markets, concerts, and the traditional Nutcracker ballet, there are so many fun wintry things to do!

Best Ways To Get Around Berlin

Berlin is a very walkable city, and public transportation in Berlin is easy and efficient. With so many options, exploring the city is a piece of cake!

Berlin is one of Germany’s most walkable cities. And exploring on foot is a great way to explore Germany’s capital city.

The U-Bahn is a convenient subway system with ten lines and 173 stations, and trains usually depart every 5 minutes. Purchase tickets from machines on subway platforms or from counters in the larger stations. Trams and Metrotrams extend the U-Bahn network in the eastern section of Berlin.

The S-Bahn is a suburban train system mostly running above the ground in the city center. It’s comprised of 15 lines and almost 170 stations.

The MetroBuses serve the city’s main attractions in the urban center. Tourists can recognize these MetroBuses by the letter ‘M.’ M11 to M85 run 24 hours a day and seven days a week in ten-minute intervals. N Buses operate at night and are marked with the letter ‘N.’

Tourists don’t need a car in Berlin unless they plan on leaving Berlin to explore other parts of Germany. That being said, taxis are widely available, as is Uber.

Where To Eat In Berlin

What food is Berlin famous for? Currywurst, Spätzle, Schnitzel, and Bratwurst.

Father Carpenter

Father Carpenter in the city center is tucked away in a cute courtyard and is a great place to eat outdoors in the warm weather months!

• Address: Münzstr. 21, 10178 Berlin
• Hours: Monday through Friday, 9 AM to 4 PM; Saturday, 10 AM to 5 PM; Sunday, 12 PM to 5 PM
• Recommended: French toast and a filter coffee

Related: Don't Skip These 10 Restaurants When Visiting Berlin

This family business cooks its own curry sauce several times a day. The fries are freshly cut, and the sausages come from the Brandenburg butcher. Curry 61 is a must-visit spot in Berlin.

• Address: Oranienburger Str. 6, 10178 Berlin
• Hours: Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday, 11 AM to 11 PM; Friday & Saturday, 11 AM to Midnight; Sunday, 11 AM to 10 PM
• Recommended: The Currywurst!

Hackethalls

Serving traditional German food, Hackethalls also brews its own beer and is a great place to go for the classics!

• Address: Pflugstrasse 11, 10115 Berlin
• Hours: 6:30 PM to Midnight; Closed on Saturday & Sunday
• Recommended: Schnitzel, Potato dumplings, and of course—the beer

Nightlife in Berlin is pretty amazing, and it doesn’t get much better than Berghain . This after-dark venue is one of the most popular clubs in the world.

• Address: Am Wriezener Bahnhof, 10243 Berlin

Related: The 10 Best Clubs To Visit In Berlin For An Epic Party

Where To Stay In Berlin

Germany’s capital city offers so many fantastic accommodations. From luxurious hotels to budget-friendly abodes, Berlin has the perfect spot for every traveler. And Berlin also has many unique hostels .

Hotel Adlon Kempinski Berlin

The elegant 5-star Hotel Adlon Kempinski Berlin is in an excellent location, just steps from Brandenburg Gate. The home of timeless luxury, this hotel in the heart of Berlin is truly a treat!

• Address: Unter Den Linden 77, 10117 Berlin
• Amenities: Indoor pool, fitness center, bar/lounge, free Wi-Fi, coffee shop, spa and wellness center, restaurant, and room service

Scandic Berlin Potsdamer Platz

The Scandic Berlin Potsdamer Platz is right on Potsdamer Platz, within walking distance of the Brandbenburg Gate. This is a modern hotel offering great value for money.

• Address: Gabriele Tergit Promenade 19, 10963 Berlin
• Amenities: fitness center, free Wi-Fi, coffee shop, flat-screen TV, bar/lounge, tea/coffee maker

The Circus Hotel

The 3-star trendy hotel in the heart of the city is a great budget-friendly option for travelers looking to save money while still maintaining a prime location. The Circus Hotel has a rooftop terrace, a relaxed atmosphere, and bicycle rentals on-site.

• Address: Rosenthaler Straße 1, 10119 Berlin
• Amenities: Bar/lounge, free Wi-Fi, coffee machine, room service, tea/coffee maker, flat-screen TV

Related: Berlin Was Once Home To A Maze Of Over 1,000 Bunkers, And Many Are Open To The Public Today

How To Spend The Perfect Day In Berlin

There is so much to do and so many things to see in Berlin. A big hearty breakfast is necessary to fuel up for a busy day. Try Father Carpenter in the city center and order French toast and a large coffee. Such a sweet way to kick off the day!

With so many attractions, it’s impossible to see them all. Start with the most famous landmark in Berlin, the Brandenburg Gate. Next, prioritize based on interest. For art lovers, head to Museum Island for an afternoon of museum hopping; five museums are here. Or check out the East Side Gallery for something really unique. For history buffs, explore the remnants of the Berlin Wall, Charlottenburg Palace, the Berlin Cathedral, or the Reichstag Building.

Before dinner, stroll through Tiergarten Park. Enjoy a traditional German dinner at Hackethalls. And for partygoers, stretch this perfect day in Berlin into the next morning at Berghain, the most popular nightclub in the world.

Q: What is Berlin famous for?

The largest city it Germany, Berlin is famous for its music venues, techno clubs, and art scene . And Berlin's also famous for its exceptional landmarks, its very storied history, and its mix of historic and modern architecture.

It's a top tourist destination for a reason—Berlin is beautiful and offers so many things to do and see.

Q: Is Berlin a cheap city?

Berlin is one of the more affordable cities in Western Europe. There are so many things to see in Berlin , and many of them, tourists can visit for free.

Like any city, there are luxury options and budget-friendly options. Tourists can create their own itineraries to match their desired budgets.

Q: What should first-time visitors to Berlin do?

The Brandenburg Gate and the East Side Gallery are two must-see attractions for first-time visitors to Berlin. Try the delicious cuisine and the local beer, and check out all the historic landmarks, like the Berlin Cathedral, the Reichstag Building, and Museum Island.

Berlin is a great destination for first-time visitors!

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Map: 4.8-Magnitude Earthquake Strikes New Jersey

By William B. Davis ,  Madison Dong ,  Judson Jones ,  John Keefe ,  Bea Malsky and Lazaro Gamio

Shake intensity

A light, 4.8-magnitude earthquake struck in New Jersey on Friday, according to the United States Geological Survey. The quake was felt across the New York City metropolitan area, and from Philadelphia to Boston.

The temblor happened at 10:23 a.m. Eastern about 4 miles north of Whitehouse Station, N.J., data from the agency shows.

As seismologists review available data, they may revise the earthquake's reported magnitude. Additional information collected about the earthquake may also prompt U.S.G.S. scientists to update the shake-severity map.

Aftershocks in the region

At 5:59 p.m. Eastern on Friday, a light aftershock with a magnitude of 3.8 struck near Gladstone, New Jersey, according to U.S.G.S. (The agency initially gave the quake a preliminary magnitude of 4.0.)

An aftershock is usually a smaller earthquake that follows a larger one in the same general area. Aftershocks are typically minor adjustments along the portion of a fault that slipped at the time of the initial earthquake.

Quakes and aftershocks within 100 miles

Aftershocks can occur days, weeks or even years after the first earthquake. These events can be of equal or larger magnitude to the initial earthquake, and they can continue to affect already damaged locations.

How this quake compares

The U.S.G.S. has logged 188 earthquakes with a magnitude of 2.5 or greater within a 250-mile radius of New York City since 1957. In that timeframe, only seven have had a magnitude at or above 4.5. Today’s quake had the third-highest magnitude in the available data.

Today’s earthquake

Magnitude 4.8

250-mile radius

from New York City

Source: U. S.G.S.

By Lazaro Gamio

Source: United States Geological Survey | Notes: Shaking categories are based on the Modified Mercalli Intensity scale. When aftershock data is available, the corresponding maps and charts include earthquakes within 100 miles and seven days of the initial quake. All times above are Eastern. Shake data is as of Friday, April 5 at 10:44 a.m. Eastern. Aftershocks data is as of Sunday, April 7 at 6:23 a.m. Eastern.

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