Berlin 101

Why visit Berlin?

Berlin is often part of a tourist's travel plan simply because it is Germany's capital. Once there, people are often overwhelmed by the variety of things you can do in this city, which at the same time is also a state of Germany (a so-called city state). Berlin is mainly of interest to people who are interested in history, arts, science, culture, and the rich night-life of the city.

If you would like a break from the city, you could take a short holiday in Brandenburg, which is the state that surrounds the city-state of Berlin.

Best time for a visit

Berlin is at its best all year round. As it's not a very nature nature based place, you can enjoy the city-state's attractions in all seasons. If you would like to enjoy parks, the zoo, and the botanical gardens at their best, then you should, however, choose one of the warmer and drier months of the year (spring is especially good for the botanical gardens).

Places and activities you shouldn't miss

Take a wall through the center

By walking through the center, you can walk from the past to the present – if you start in the area with the oldest buildings, you will slowly make your way through different times, and influences, to the most modern buildings. There are also fantastic guided walks which will teach you a lot about how history and different cultures have shaped this city.

The Museum Island

Lovers of museums should bring plenty of time (and money, as each museum charges entry fees for adults) for a visit to the famous museum islands. This is a collection of many museums, but most people usually go straight to the Pergamon-Museum which holds a huge collection of ancient Greek, other Ancient European, and Islamic art and architecture. If you have an interest in these cultures, then you can easily spend a whole day in that museum alone (and it's worth it). Other museums can take up just as much of your time – so museum lovers often just plan a full museum holiday, as the museums won't leave much time for anything else.

Kulturforum (culture forum)

If the museums weren't enough for you, or if you are more interested in arts, then the Kulturforum is another place for you to go. And another place that can take days for you to get through. There are art galleries with thousands of paintings from various periods, and also a museum that is dedicated to musical instruments. In addition to the museums, there are also various cultural buildings that would like to be discovered by you. Once more: bring time, and money.

Other museums and galleries

Those two collections of museums and galleries are very interesting and offer a lot – but they are not the only places where you can find museums and galleries in Berlin. If you have a special interest in Jewish history, trains, science, the Berlin Wall or modern art, you will be able to find the right place for your interest. There are quite a few specialized museums and art galleries spread throughout Berlin.

Churches

As Berlin is such a multicultural melting pot, having a look at the churches will also show you a wide variety. You can find the usual Christian churches from various Christian creeds, and also “churches” from other religions, like Judaism, Buddhism, Islam etc. Just be aware of the fact that most of those are active churches, and be respectful when visiting the churches. Some may not be open to the public during certain events.

Berliner Fernsehturm (Berlin TV Tower)

The Berlin TV Tower has an observation deck for visitors. If you would like to get a great view of Berlin, then you should head there. To get to the top, you need to buy a ticket, and often stand in a very long queue. There is also a restaurant on the top.

Bundestag (German parliament)

If you would like to visit the glass dome and terrace in the German parliament, you need to book this well in advance and register for the visit (a safety precaution because of terrorist threats). There are also free tours through the buildings, but you also need to book those well in advance as only a certain number of visitors is allowed in the German Parliament building each day (for security reasons, and as not to disturb the everyday work in the building).

How to plan your trip to Berlin

Berlin is incredibly easy to travel in. You can get there by plane, train, bus, and car. Traveling within the city is also not a problem as there is a variety of public transport – and of course, there are also heaps of interesting walking tours that take in various points of interest.

There also is a great variety of different accommodation options for all budgets. Planning your trip to Berlin should be very easy – and while holiday seasons can be busy, you will usually be able to find some sort of accommodation last minute.