60 Things to Do in Berlin

This is our guide to the 60 best things to do in Berlin.

You have been to Berlin before and want to visit the city again? You have already seen the 25 best attractions in Berlin and are looking for more?

Then you have come to the right place! We've tailored this article to your needs and put together 60 more things to do in Berlin in alphabetical order for you to choose your favorites from.

We wish you a lot of fun...

1. Archenhold Observatory

Built for the Berlin Trade Exhibition of 1896, the Archenhold Observatory (Archenhold-Sternwarte) in Treptower Park is the largest and oldest public observatory still in existence in Germany. Its showpiece, however, is the "Great Refractor", the world's longest movable refracting telescope with a focal length of 21 meters, also known as a “sky cannon”.

Other observing instruments include an astrograph for photographing the sky, a 500-millimeter reflecting telescope for viewing the planets, double stars and the moon, and the "Jensch Coelostat" for observing the spectral colors of sunlight and the active zones of the sun. In the Zeiss Small Planetarium (Zeiss-Kleinplanetarium), you sit in comfortable armchairs under an eight-meter dome onto which the starry sky is projected.

• For current opening hours and admission prices, please visit the planetarium's website.

2. AquaDom & SEA LIFE Berlin

You can discover more than 5,000 animals of the underwater world in 35 true-to-life pools in the AquaDom & SEA LIFE Berlin. True to the motto "From the sources of the Spree to the depths of the Atlantic" you will experience an exciting journey through the different waters of our world and admire a fascinating variety of species from sharks, rays and octopuses to coral fish, seahorses and jellyfish.

The AquaDom is the largest freestanding cylindrical aquarium in the world. The acrylic tank is 16 meters high, 11.5 meters in diameter and filled with one million liters of water. It is home to around 1500 fish from nearly 100 different species. In the middle of the cylinder, visitors can take a very unusual ride through the interior of the aquarium in an elevator. The interactive animal feedings are particularly popular with children.

3. Auguststraße

The 950 meter long street Auguststraße is located in the historic district Spandauer Vorstadt in Berlin's Mitte district. Beginning in the mid-19th century, many Jewish families lived here and left their mark on the entire residential district. Nine “Stolpersteine” ("stumbling blocks") commemorate the time of deportations during the Nazi regime.

During the Second World War, some houses in Auguststraße were destroyed. Only a few were renovated during the GDR period. After the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, many houses became the target of squatters. At the same time, art institutions and galleries established themselves in abandoned commercial properties. The areas on the first floors quickly developed into an art mile with around 60 galleries. Auguststraße is the main attraction of the Berlin Biennale for Contemporary Art, which takes place every two years in spring.

4. Bergmannstraße

The 1300 meter long street Bergmannstraße is the center of the Bergmann-Kiez between Südstern and Mehringdamm. According to residents and business owners, it is the "most colorful street in Berlin" in an "intact neighborhood with good infrastructure and a high quality of life." The multicultural promenade is popular with Berliners and tourists because of its many small stores, cafés, restaurants and bars. A real magnet for the public is the historic Markthalle XI (Marheinekehalle) from 1892, in front of which a flea market is held on weekends.

Every year in June, the street festival "Kreuzberg jazzt!" ("Kreuzberg jazzes!") takes place in the western Bergmannstraße with over 300,000 visitors and three stages with over 50 bands. Running parallel to this is the "Kreuzberg kocht!" ("Kreuzberg cooks!") event at Chamissoplatz, where top local chefs serve up culinary delights.

5. Berlin Dungeon

Experience eerily dark Berlin stories from the Middle Ages to the 19th century, performed by professional actors. Be welcomed by the court jester and take a journey through time through Berlin's past with historical settings and amazing special effects.

Enter the depths of the dungeon in a medieval elevator and meet the infamous serial killer Carl Großmann, wander through the labyrinth of the Hohenzollern, witness the great fire of Berlin and relive the terrible tortures in the torture chamber. Eerie fun and pleasant goose bumps are guaranteed!

6. Berlin Radio Tower

The Berlin Radio Tower (Berliner Funkturm) in the grounds of the Messe Berlin trade fair had its heyday in the days when the Berlin Wall still stood and the TV Tower at Alexanderplatz belonged to East Berlin.

Today, the 150 meter high steel lattice construction stands in the shadow of the TV Tower, but nevertheless offers a fantastic panoramic view of Berlin. After 647 steps at a height of 126 meters, you reach the observation deck of the little brother of the Eiffel Tower in Paris. Halfway up, you can recharge your batteries in the tower's restaurant.

• For current opening hours and admission prices, please visit the website of the radio tower.

7. Bebelplatz

From the Enlightenment to the burning of books, Bebelplatz experienced highs and lows in German history. It was laid out in 1740 as part of the Forum Fridericianum planned by Frederick II.

The square consists of a smaller green area to the east and a larger open area with cobblestones to the west of the Berlin State Opera Unter den Linden, which forms the center. Around the square are important buildings of the city such as the Prinzessinnenpalais, St. Hedwig's Cathedral, the Alte Palais, the Alte Bibliothek and the noble accommodation Hotel de Rome, the former business headquarters of the Dresdner Bank.

In the center of the square, set into the ground, the Memorial to the Book Burning on May 10, 1933, 1933, commemorates one of the city's darkest chapters.

• Read more details about this sight in our guide to the Bebelplatz.

8. Deutsches Technikmuseum

The German Museum of Technology (Deutsches Technikmuseum), founded in 1983, is committed to presenting technical developments in their interaction with social, economic and political history. The thematic focus is placed on the three major areas of transportation: rail, air and sea. The permanent exhibition awaits visitors with 19 technological themes and several special exhibitions that change annually.

In the adjacent Science Center Spectrum, children and teenagers can explore phenomena in a playful and independent way. The motto is "Play and marvel," "Look and try," and "Laugh and learn." The world of experiments consists of eight thematic areas.

9. The Wall - Asisi Panorama Berlin

If you are wondering what divided Berlin looked like in the 1980s, you will find the answer here, while experiencing a little journey through time. The Asisi Panorama is a monumental 360-degree circular image by artist Yadegar Asisi. On 900 square meters, it shows the Berlin Wall looking from West to East Berlin on a fictitious autumn day in the 1980s, on a scale of 1:1.

You climb onto a four-meter-high platform located in the center of the huge rotunda and view the 60-meter-long and 15-meter-high circular image. In the process, you will gain an insight into the everyday life of Berliners. The artwork is accompanied by an exhibition of 80 private photos of Berliners from the time of the divided city and the fall of the Berlin Wall.

10. Tempelhof Airport/ Tempelhofer Feld

In 1933, Adolf Hitler initiated the expansion of Tempelhof into a civilian and military airport, which as a "world airport" was to meet the latest standards of the time, but at the same time also serve the propagandistic self-promotion of the National Socialists. During the Battle of Berlin in April 1945, the building was occupied by the Soviet Army. In July, American troops took over the airport and used it as an air base until 1993.

At the "Check-In" visitor center, you can visit the exhibition "A Wide Field" free of charge and learn more about the significance of Tempelhof Airport and field during the Nazi era. Guided tours through the airport building, which the Americans left their mark on for decades, will take you to many a hidden place.

At 355 hectares, Tempelhofer Feld is the largest inner-city open space in the world and also Berlin's largest city park. Where once planes took off all over the world, there has been a green open space for a wide variety of activities since 2010.

• Read more details about this attraction in our main article Tempelhof Airport/Tempelhofer Feld.

11. Friedrichstraße

Created in the 17th century and named after the Elector Frederick III of Brandenburg, Friedrichstraße is one of the most famous and historic streets in Berlin. The 3300 meter long street runs on a north-south axis through Berlin Mitte. Amusement palaces, theaters and varietés turned the street into a notorious amusement mile.

After the division of the city, Friedrichstraße had two border crossings. The train station Friedrichstraße to the north, in the immediate vicinity of which is the Tränenpalast (“Palace of Tears”), and the legendary Checkpoint Charlie to the south of the street. Today, Friedrichstraße is a popular strolling and shopping street. The main attractions for shoppers are the Friedrichstadt-Passagen with the French department store Galerie Lafayette and the Quartiers 205 and 206 with many upscale boutiques.

• Check out our guide to shopping in Berlin.

12. Futurium

The Futurium is a project initiative of scientific institutions and networks of business enterprises and foundations in cooperation with the German government. It defines itself as a "place for presentation and dialogue on science, research and development".

"How do we want to live?" This is the question posed by the Haus der Zukünfte (House of the Future) with its exhibition on the upper floor, and it attempts to provide answers with various thinking spaces on the topics of mankind, nature and technology. You can touch, participate and try things out in the Future Lab in the basement. Workshops and various events complete the program of the house.

• For current opening hours and ticket prices, please visit the official website.

13. Berlin Hohenschönhausen Memorial Site

Opposition members, escapees and political prisoners served time in the former Hohenschönhausen Stasi prison during the GDR era. Today, the memorial site recalls the history of the buildings, most of which have been well preserved and give an authentic impression of the prison conditions between 1946 and 1990.

The permanent exhibition features around 300 photos and nearly 500 objects, providing numerous testimonies of political persecution. A separate part of the exhibition examines the world of the perpetrators. Changing special exhibitions shed light on details of the GDR, the Stasi and political persecution. Admission to the memorial, which has more than 400,000 visitors annually, is free.

• For current opening hours, as well as prices and times of paid tours, please visit the memorial's website.
• Read our article Ostalgie-Tour: 20 typical GDR relics to explore in Berlin.

14. Gethsemane Church

The neo-Gothic Gethsemane Church, inaugurated in 1893, became famous in the year of German reunification, 1989. On November 5 of that year, the church's interior echoed "The Wall must go!" Afterwards, a spontaneous demonstration march formed through Schönhauser Allee. More and more people joined the protests and took part in the evening services. Thousands of candles covering the forecourt of the Gethsemane Church became a symbol of the peaceful protests.

After the old GDR leadership resigned in March 1990, the GDR's first and only freely elected People's Chamber met for a service in this church.

• For more on this topic, see our article Ostalgie-Tour: 20 typical GDR relics to explore in Berlin.

15. Tiergarten

Berliners love their Tiergarten as much as New Yorkers love Central Park, Londoners Hyde Park and Munichers the English Garden! Located directly in the city center, the 210-hectare park is the green lung of the metropolis and an oasis of calm in the midst of the hectic city bustle.

There are some interesting sights to discover in and around the Tiergarten.

• Read more details about this attraction in our Tiergarten guide.

16. Holy Cross Church

The Holy Cross Church is a large Wilhelmine church in Kreuzberg. The mighty building was erected in the 1880s and destroyed by Allied air raids during World War II.

The house of worship was rebuilt in a simplified form in the 1950s and was repaired in 1987. In 1995, a comprehensive renovation with reconstruction for both ecclesiastical and secular use took place. Thus, the functions of the parish hall were moved to the church itself. Assistance for the homeless, the poor and refugees also find their place here. Offices are located on the top floor. The large interior is used for concerts, exhibitions, conferences and festivities.

17. Jungfern Bridge

Spanning the Spree Canal in Berlin Mitte, the Jungfern Bridge (“Maidens Bridge”) is the oldest surviving bridge in the city. At the same time, it is the only one of the formerly nine identical bascule bridges. Various legends are entwined around the origin of the name. The most likely explanation refers to two young ladies from outside the city who offered their handicrafts next to the bridge. The Berliners called the foreign women "maidens".

 In 1798, the bridge was replaced by a 28 meter long construction made of wood and iron. This bascule bridge has remained unchanged in appearance ever since.

18. KaDeWe

The Kaufhaus des Westens (Department Store of the West), or KaDeWe for short, is Germany's best-known department store and, with 60,000 square meters of retail space, one of the largest department stores in Europe. It was opened on March 27, 1907.

At the time, the term West referred to the large urban extensions after 1871, called Neuer Westen (“New West”). The department store quickly developed into a fashionable shopping destination thanks to its modern and exquisite range of products. Since the end of the 1920s, the delicatessen department has been a key attraction of the store. Following its expansion at the end of the 1970s, it is the world's second largest food department integrated into a department store.

19. Kaiserliches Postfuhramt

Dating from 1881, the former Kaiserliches Postfuhramt (“Imperial Mail Delivery Office”) is one of Berlin's most splendid historic structures and was one of the largest public authority buildings in Berlin at the time. It has been listed as a historical monument since 1975.

The corner section, framed by double-axis risalites, beveled and opening on three floors to a monumental round-arched niche, is the dominant element of the three-story brick building. An octagonal tambour with a flat dome is enthroned above. This is framed by two smaller tambour domes.

20. Karl-Marx-Allee

In GDR times, when it was still called Stalinallee, Karl-Marx-Allee with its monumental buildings was the showcase street of East Berlin. The section between Strausberger Platz and Frankfurter Tor became the scene of the most imposing street development of the 20th century in all of Germany. The two towers at Frankfurter Tor turned into the landmark of the avenue.

Every year in August, the Berlin Beer Festival takes place on Karl-Marx-Allee. More than 300 breweries from around 80 countries present around 2,300 beer specialties on the beer mile between Strausberger Platz and Frankfurter Tor. The world's longest beer garden hosts a music and entertainment program on 18 stages.

• Read our article Ostalgie-Tour: 20 typical GDR relics to explore in Berlin.

21. Kastanienallee

Kastanienallee, laid out in 1826, stretches 950 meters between Prenzlauer Berg and Mitte. After the fall of the Berlin Wall, the street developed into a trendy mile with design stores, galleries, fashion boutiques and second-hand stores. Artists and trendsetters present new design objects and recycled clothing in small, often temporary store projects and concept stores. Berliners jokingly call the street "Casting Avenue" due to some exclusive designer boutiques and the crowd that frequents it.

The restaurants in Kastanienallee and its side streets serve culinary delights from all over the world, from home-style German cuisine to Mediterranean to Mexican and Asian specialties. The cafés and bars are frequented by many artists, creative people and media professionals.

22. Church at Südstern

The Church at Südstern was built at the end of the 19th century as a Protestant garrison church in neo-Gothic style. It was consecrated on May 8, 1897 in the presence of Emperor Wilhelm II and his wife Auguste Viktoria.

The church with its monumental dimensions has a length of 62 meters and a width of 38 meters. The main tower measures 90 meters and is the third highest church tower in Berlin after the tower of the Berlin Cathedral and the one of St. Mary's Church. The sandstone-clad church survived the Second World War largely unscathed, leaving its old paintings intact.

23. Kulturforum

Situated between Potsdamer Platz and the Landwehr Canal, the Kulturforum is a multifaceted art and cultural ensemble that has been growing steadily since the 1960s, and not just in architectural terms. The Philharmonie was the first building to be erected here in 1963. Architecturally, the modern buildings form an overwhelming contrast to the classicist and neo-baroque buildings on Museum Island. The St. Matthew's Church, which has been in place since the 19th century, is especially eye-catching.

Museum goers get their money's worth, as there are no less than six museums here, including the Neue Nationalgalerie (New National Gallery), the Musikinstrumenten-Museum (Museum of Musical Instruments), the Kunstgewerbemuseum (Museum of Decorative Arts), the Kupferstichkabinett (Museum of Prints and Drawings), the Kunstbibliothek (Art Library) and the Gemäldegalerie (Picture Gallery). The Museum der Moderne is under construction. Other facilities of the Kulturforum include the Philharmonic Hall, the Kammermusiksaal, the second building of the Berlin State Library.

24. Kurfürstendamm

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Kurfürstendamm is affectionately known as Ku'damm and begins at the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church. Created in the mid-16th century as a bridle path, it was expanded 300 years later at the request of Reich Chancellor Otto von Bismarck, following the French model. A 53-meter-wide boulevard with theaters, cafés and stores was created; Kurfürstendamm was born. The synonym for the "Golden Twenties" lost its significance during the Nazi era. It was only after the division of Berlin that Kurfürstendamm was developed into the "shop window of the West" and symbol of the "economic miracle".

With the beginning of the 21st century, Ku'damm awoke for the third time and developed from a place for going out and having fun into a popular shopping street. Today, large department stores and fashion stores, including many stores of exclusive noble brands, line up here.

• Read more details about this sight in our main article Kurfürstendamm.

25. Little BIG City

In the Little BIG City in Berlin-Mitte, the history of the last 750 years of Berlin has been brought to life in miniature with over 100 historic buildings and more than 6,000 inhabitants. 30 beamers, 15 holograms, countless projections, mechanical movements, and modern light and sound effects bring the historic sites back to life.

Engage in seven eras of Berlin's history interactively in the miniature city located in the base building of the TV Tower at Alexanderplatz. Experience the city's beginnings in the 12th century, the later Industrial Revolution and the Weimar Republic. Witness the roaring times of the Golden Twenties and the Reichstag fire. View tanks rolling through the city after the end of World War II. Listen to J.F. Kennedy's famous speech in front of the City Hall, and follow the "leap to freedom" of an NVA soldier. Finally, bring down the Berlin Wall yourself at the push of a button.

26. Berlin Airlift Monument

On June 24, 1948, the "Berlin Blockade" by the Soviet Union began due to disputes over currency reform. The Western Allies could no longer supply West Berlin by land and water, since the three sectors were an enclave in the Soviet occupation zone.

In response to the blockade, the Western Allies set up the "Berlin Airlift", which provided air supplies to some 2.2 million residents and about 9,000 American, 7,600 British and 6,100 French soldiers and their dependents. It began on June 26, 1948 and lasted for 322 days. The Airlift Monument ("Luftbrückendenkmal") in front of the main building of the former Tempelhof Airport commemorates this difficult time.

27. Lustgarten

The Lustgarten ("pleasure garden") was laid out in 1573 by Elector Johann Georg as a fruit, vegetable and herb garden for the Berlin Palace. The two-hectare green space on Museum Island was transformed into a pleasure garden in the 17th century under the Great Elector.

The Lustgarten mainly serves as a resting area for visitors to the museums on Museum Island and the Berlin Cathedral. Still the main attraction of the garden is the 70-ton granite bowl, which was inaugurated in 1834. At that time, it was considered a world wonder of the Biedermeier period. Berliners very quickly found an affectionate nickname: "Berlin Soup Bowl".

28. American Church (Lutherkirche)

The American Church (Lutherkirche) on Dennewitzplatz in the Schöneberg district was built in the Gothic style from 1891 to 1894. During World War II, the brick building was hit by incendiary bombs during Allied air raids and was severely damaged. After the war, the church was restored in a modern but simple style. Since 2007, the listed church has been the property of the American Church Berlin e.V.

29. Madame Tussauds

Interested in a selfie with pop icon Michael Jackson? Or would you prefer one with soccer idol Messi? At Madame Tussauds Berlin, you can pose with national and international stars from film and sports, big names from politics, science and art, as well as Berlin personalities from 100 years of city history.

In addition to the classic wax figures, interactive areas await you with fun activities. How about an IQ test against Albert Einstein, for example? Or why not take a scavenger hunt into the world of wax art and learn how wax figures are made?

30. Wall Museum - House at Checkpoint Charlie

Rainer Hildebrandt, a former resistance fighter against National Socialism, opened the Wall Museum at Checkpoint Charlie in 1963, with the aim of both documenting and supporting escape plans. This was just two years after the Berlin Wall was built.

Covering more than 1,733 square meters of exhibition space spread over three different buildings, the museum houses many props from 30 years of Wall and escape history, as well as highly inventive escape objects such as an old Volkswagen with a trunk hiding place, a mini-submarine, a hot air balloon and a suitcase that can be pushed together.

• For current opening hours and ticket prices, please visit the museum's website.

31. Mauerpark

The Mauerpark ("Wall Park") was created on the site of the former death strip and is located not far from the Berlin Wall Memorial on Bernauer Strasse. In this oasis of calm in densely populated Prenzlauer Berg, you can discover remaining remnants of the Hinterland security wall, which are regularly sprayed over with new works by graffiti artists. In the meantime, the park has developed into a multicultural meeting place that attracts masses of locals as well as tourists from all over the world, not least because of its unique atmosphere.

You can experience the Berlin lifestyle here, especially on Sundays.  There are snack stands and drink stands. In the afternoon, anyone interested can meet for informal open-air karaoke. In addition, you can look for treasures and bargains at the flea market.

32. Moltke Bridge

Moltke Bridge, richly decorated with ornaments and sculptures and faced with red sandstone, connects the government and parliament quarter with the Moabit district.

Built between 1886 and 1891, it is named after Helmuth von Moltke, the Prussian Chief of General Staff from 1857 to 1888. The bridge was damaged during World War II, but was able to be put back into service by 1947. The Moltke Bridge was extensively restored from 1983 to 1986 and is a listed building.

33. Monbijou Park

"My gem" was the name of the palace that once stood on the site of today's Monbijoupark. The palace complex was considered the most beautiful place in Berlin at the time. This is where the Prussian queens lived from 1712 to 1757 and again from 1786 to 1805. From 1877, the palace served as the Hohenzollern Museum. During World War II, the charming palace was almost completely destroyed by Allied air raids. The ruins were demolished in 1959, against fierce protest from museum experts, by the then magistrate of East Berlin.

Today, only the name remains; and a beautiful park with a promenade along the Spree River. The almost five-hectare area opposite the Bode Museum on Museum Island is now a popular place to relax and sunbathe.

34. Museum of Natural History

The Museum of Natural History (Museum für Naturkunde) is one of the largest museums in Germany dedicated to natural history. Visitors can marvel at some 30 million objects here.

Highlights include one of the best-preserved skeletons of a Tyrannosaurus Rex, the superstar among dinosaurs, the dinosaur Diplocodus, the Archaeopteryx Lithographica, a three-meter-high multimedia globe showing animations and film sequences on the topics of plate tectonics, volcanism, the impact of asteroids and meteorites, mountain building and the atmosphere, and a mobile projection sky that tells the story of the universe.

35. Neptune Fountain

When the GDR leadership demolished the Berlin City Palace, which had been badly damaged by the bombings of World War II, the Neptune Fountain, built in 1891 in the neo-baroque style, was removed in 1951 and re-installed between the Red City Hall and St. Mary's Church as part of the redevelopment of East Berlin's center in 1969.

The Neptune Fountain is one of the largest pictorial fountains in the world and the most significant in the city. It consists of a granite basin and is decorated by five bronze figures. In the center of the complex sits the Roman water god Neptune, measuring ten meters with his trident, surrounded by sea creatures, some of which spew water. On the edges of the four-pass fountain bowl sit four female figures. They are the personifications of the four great rivers of Prussia, Rhine, Vistula, Oder and Elbe.

36. New Synagogue Berlin

Built between 1859 and 1866 in Moorish-Byzantine style, the New Synagogue in Berlin was the largest house of prayer in Germany at the time. On the night of November 9-10, 1938, the Reich Pogrom Night, synagogues burned all over Germany. The New Synagogue Berlin was fortunate in its misfortune.

Unfortunately, the magnificent building fell victim to bombing by the Allied air forces only a few years later. In 1958, the burned-out main room was blown up because of the danger of collapse. The parts of the building facing the street were preserved as a memorial against war and fascism.

As of 1988, the Jewish house of worship was partially rebuilt, but not rededicated as a synagogue. Today, the synagogue's golden dome shines far and wide over Berlin's rooftops and is one of the city's most beautiful structures. The Centrum Judaicum, a Jewish cultural, documentation and event center, can be visited with prior registration.

37. Oberbaum Bridge

The most beautiful bridge in the city is undoubtedly the Oberbaum Bridge. Originally it was built in 1724 as a wooden construction. It was only after two construction measures in 1894 and 1992 that it received its current appearance as a stone structure with the two striking towers in the neo-Gothic style.

During the Battle of Berlin, German troops destroyed significant parts of the Oberbaum Bridge by blowing it up. With the construction of the Berlin Wall, the Oberbaum Bridge was closed and became a silent witness to the first fatal border incident after the division of the city into East and West Berlin. It was not until after reunification that the destroyed central section of the bridge was renovated and reopened to traffic in 1995. Since 1998, the Oberbaum Bridge has been the site of the annual "vegetable battle" between Friedrichshainers and Kreuzbergers, in which people argue, festival-like, about who has the upper hand between the two merged districts.

38. Oranienburger Street

Many restaurants and bars attract Berliners as well as tourists to Oranienburger Straße, especially in the evenings. But also during the day the one kilometer long promenade between Hackescher Markt and the northern end of Friedrichstraße has a lot to offer.

The street was particularly shaped by Berlin's Jews, so it was no wonder that the New Synagogue was built right here between 1859 and 1866. Another place of interest is the former Kaiserliches Postfuhramt not far from the synagogue.

39. Passion Church

Built at the beginning of the 20th century, the Passion Church is characterized by its massive main tower and four lower corner towers. They give the building its castle-like character. The interior, vaulted by a massive dome, presents itself in an alternation of exposed brickwork with Romanesque-Byzantine style elements and plastered wall panels. Although the church was damaged in 1944 during World War II, almost all of the original furnishings have been preserved.

The Passion Church is not only a place for church services, but for more than 15 years has also been a venue for world music, pop and jazz concerts, known beyond the borders of Berlin.

40. Paul-Lincke-Ufer

Paul-Lincke-Ufer ("Paul Lincke Bank") in Kreuzberg runs north parallel to the Landwehr Canal. The green space is not only a popular residential area, there are also numerous garden pubs, cafés and restaurants. Part of the 1260-meter-long street is a pedestrian and bicycle path that is heavily frequented in the summer. People sit right on the shore, dangling their legs down and enjoying the warm sun.

In addition to several other listed buildings, the former Kottbusser Ufer substation, which was commissioned in 1926 and shut down in 1989, is also located here. Because of the tower on the side, the building is popularly called the "Cathedral of Electricity".

41. Planetarium at the Insulaner/Wilhelm Foerster Observatory

In its self-image, the Planetarium am Insulaner with Wilhelm Foerster Observatory describes itself as an astronomical public education center. The combination of planetarium and observatory is unique in Europe.

With the 12" Bamberg refractor from 1889 and the computer-controlled 75 cm Zeiss reflecting telescope, both classical astronomy and modern astrophysics are taught here. In clear weather, you can view the celestial bodies.

• For current opening hours and admission prices, please visit the planetarium's website.

42. Schöneberg City Hall

"Ich bin ein Berliner!" ("I'm a Berliner!"). This legendary phrase was uttered by Kennedy on June 26, 1963, during his speech in front of the square in front of Schöneberg City Hall. From 1949 it was the seat of West Berlin's government, the official residence of the governing mayor and the Allied liaison officers. The House of Representatives met here, and the legendary mayors Ernst Reuter and Willy Brandt ruled from here.

During the German division, Schöneberg City Hall was considered a symbol of the will for freedom. Characteristic of this is the so-called Liberty Bell, which was installed in the 70-meter-high tower on October 21, 1950, modeled on the "Liberty Bell" in Philadelphia. An oath of freedom signed by some 16 million Americans and donated for the casting of the bell is still deposited in the City Hall tower today.

43. Red City Hall

The building owes its name neither to the political sentiments of the ruling mayor, nor to those of the Berlin Senate, who direct the city's fortunes from here. No, it is simply the bricks with which the Red City Hall was built in the 1860s.

The town hall, with its 247 rooms and three courtyards, can be visited free of charge when not in session. The Coat of Arms Hall, the Great Banqueting Hall and the Hall of Columns are worth seeing. The permanent exhibition "Berlin in Plaster 1790 - 1850" presents an exceptional selection of plaster works by Berlin sculptors from these years in the Säulensaal. The carillon of the tower, which is almost 74 meters high, rings every quarter of an hour from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. in tone C and on the hour in tone D.

44. Schlossbrücke

The Schlossbrücke (Palace Bridge) over the Spree Canal was built from 1821 to 1824 in the style of classicism in place of its predecessor made of wood. In a prominent position, today's monument marks the beginning of the boulevard Unter den Linden at the Museum Island and is one of the most beautiful bridges in Berlin.

The monumental marble statues on the three-arched and 56-meter-long bridge depict figures from Greek mythology and were created from 1842 to 1857 in commemoration of the wars of liberation. During World War II, the marble figures were removed to protect them from damage. The bridge itself was hardly affected. After the division of the city, the bridge was located in the eastern sector and the statues in the western, American sector. Even before the fall of the Berlin Wall, in the mid-1980s, the figures were returned to their original places.

45. St. Mary's Church

According to architectural experts, St. Mary's Church ("St. Marienkirche") was built around 1270. However, it was first mentioned in a document in 1292. This makes it one of the original six medieval church buildings in the historic center of Berlin. It is the oldest parish church still in sacred use in the city and the only visible and tangible reminder that the historic center of Berlin was once located here, along with the Nikolaiviertel.

The foundation walls of the church are made of field stones. Above them, faithful to the brick Gothic style of the Mark Brandenburg, a three-aisled hall church made of red bricks was erected. The 48 meter high steeple is supported by a substructure made of Rüdersdorf shell limestone. The fresco "Totentanz" (Dance of Death), 22.6 meters long and two meters high, is one of the most important preserved medieval works of art in Berlin. According to some sources, the mural was created in 1484, the ominous year when the plague took countless people.

46. St. Michael Church

St. Michael Church was built between 1851 and 1856 and is considered a successful synthesis of classicist and medieval architecture. The listed church is located in the historic Luisenstadt, which was almost completely destroyed by an Allied air raid with nearly 1000 aircraft in the last months of World War II. The church suffered heavy damage from incendiary and demolition bombs. After the war it was not completely rebuilt, even today the nave does not have a roof.

With the construction of the Berlin Wall in 1961, the parish church was torn into an eastern and a now homeless western part, which did not reunite even after the fall of the Wall.

47. St. Thomas Church

The Lutheran St. Thomas Church was built from 1864 to 1869. With 3000 seats, it was the largest sacred building in Berlin at that time and remains one of the largest places of worship in the city today. Architecturally, the double tower portal, the round central room and the brick dome stand out in particular.

In those days, the St. Thomas congregation was one of the largest Protestant congregations in the world, with about 150,000 members. In 1961, the Berlin Wall divided not only Berlin, but also the congregation. Today, it no longer has 2,000 members.

48. The Wall Museum

Opened on the 25th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall, The Wall Museum is located directly on the East Side Gallery art mile, in the former Mühlenspeicher watchtower. The museum in the former death strip spans an audiovisual journey from the division of Germany after World War II and the construction of the Berlin Wall to the memorable events that brought it down.

Visitors can vividly relive the decisive events of the summer and fall of 1989 in particular and get an accurate picture of how the Berlin Wall, which had separated East and West for almost an entire generation, was overcome.

49. Tierpark Berlin

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With an area of 160 hectares and over 10,000 animals from more than 650 different species, Tierpark Berlin in Berlin's Lichtenberg district is the largest zoo in Europe. Since after the division of Berlin, the famous Berlin Zoo was in the western part of the city, the GDR government created this zoo in 1955 in what was then East Berlin. A real highlight, especially for the little ones, are the animal feedings.

On the grounds of the zoo, on the western edge, is Friedrichsfelde Palace, construction of which began in 1695. Reconstructions took place during the 18th and 19th centuries, including the addition of Baroque elements to the early Classicist pleasure palace in the Dutch country house style. A permanent exhibition provides exciting insights into the 400-year history of the palace as well as into the history of Berlin. Admission to the palace is included in the ticket for the zoo.

• For current opening hours and ticket prices, please visit the zoo's website.

50. Palace of Tears

The check-in hall at Friedrichstraße station, built in 1962, was used for departures from East to West Berlin. This meant saying goodbye to friends and family, and so many tears flowed. The place of painful separations was soon christened the Tränenpalast (Palace of Tears) in the vernacular.

The glass and steel building, which reflects the architecture of the time, was only accessible to passengers traveling to West Berlin by S-Bahn, U-Bahn or long-distance train. The permanent exhibition "Place of German Division" documents the history and fates at the Palace of Tears from 1962 to 1990 through interviews, biographies and 570 original objects. Admission is free.

51. Treptower Park

The banks of the Spree, large meadows, hustle and bustle and lively eateries; this is the 84-hectare Treptower Park, which is a very popular destination for Berliners, especially in the summer months. Highlights include the offshore Insel der Jugend (Island of Youth), pedal boats, rowboats and even barbecue boats on the Spree River, a sailboat restaurant and a seaplane for a bird's eye view of Berlin.

At the Soviet Memorial in the park, which commemorates Red Army soldiers who died in World War II, over 7000 of the Soviet soldiers who died in the Battle of Berlin are buried. Particularly striking is the statue on the hill, which is 30 meters high with pedestal.

52. Viktoriapark

A waterfall in a park in the middle of Berlin? Yes, that exists! A 24 meter high waterfall awaits you in the almost 13 hectare Viktoriapark.

At the highest point of the park, the famous architect Schinkel built the neo-Gothic National Monument to the Wars of Liberation, which was inaugurated in 1821. Emperor Frederick III wanted to give the monument a worthy environment and in 1888 he had the park created, to which he gave the name of his wife Victoria, the daughter of the legendary Queen Victoria of England.

Today, on hot summer days, the picnickers' tables and chairs are sometimes placed in the pond into which the waterfall pours, just like in the Mediterranean. Or you can treat yourself to a cool beer in the large beer garden at the foot of the park. And the "Wolfsschlucht" in the eastern part of the park transports visitors for a moment to the Black Forest.

53. Volkspark Friedrichshain

Walk, jog, bike, skate, boulder, play Frisbee, soccer or beach volleyball, try out the trim trail, picnic, barbecue or just hang out and watch a movie at the open-air cinema in the evening. You can do all of this at the 49-hectare Volkspark Friedrichshain, Berlin's first municipal green space, dating back to 1846.

The park is also an authentic place of Berlin history, which manifests itself in the many monuments and sculptures. For example, on the park grounds there is a memorial to the 3000 interbrigadists of the Spanish Civil War and a monument to the joint struggle of Polish soldiers and German anti-fascists. The World Peace Bell, the bronze bust of Frederick the Great and the Märchenbrunnen (Fairy Tale Fountain) with popular Grimm fairy tale characters, such as Hansel and Gretel, Puss in Boots and Snow White, are other gems of the green area.

54. Volkspark Hasenheide

The first part of the park called Volkspark Hasenheide was opened in 1939, practically at the beginning of the Second World War. After the war, the Rixdorfer Höhe was created in the western part from about 700,000 cubic meters of rubble. The monument inaugurated at the foot of the rubble mountain commemorates the Berlin "Trümmerfrauen".

With its current appearance, the 47-hectare green space has only been in use since 1954. Visitors can enjoy an outdoor cinema, a mini-golf course, a rose garden, an animal enclosure, several playgrounds, a skater course, a roller field hockey pitch, practice baskets for basketball and large open spaces for outdoor soccer. Hasenheide has also been the venue for the Neuköllner Maientage folk festival since 1966.

55. Volkspark Humboldthain

In 1869, work began on building what is now the 29-hectare Volkspark Humboldthain, but it was not completed until seven years later. During World War II, an anti-aircraft tower, which also served as a bunker, was built in the park. 

After the war, the public park was badly damaged. 200,000 young trees were planted and a rose garden with a fountain and bronze sculpture was created, modeled on Italian Renaissance gardens. The bunkers were filled in with about one million cubic meters of rubble. Today it is the Humboldthöhe viewing platform with a sledge run. Its north face is available for climbers of upper difficulty. Children play on the adventure playground and those who feel like swimming go to the summer pool adjacent to the park.

56. Welt Balloon

Ascend to a height of 150 meters in complete silence in the gondola of the "Berlin World Balloon", secured by a steel cable with a winch attached to the ground. Float over Berlin for 15 minutes in one of the world's largest tethered balloons and enjoy 360-degree views of the German capital.

For your safety, the ascent is weather dependent, so you are asked to visit the company's weather website before your scheduled ascent.

• For current opening hours and ticket prices, please refer to the provider's website.

57. Zeiss Grand Planetarium

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The Zeiss-Großplanetarium (Zeiss Grand Planetarium) was built in 1987 as a prestige object of the former GDR on the occasion of Berlin's 750th anniversary. Its dome with a diameter of 30 meters dominates the cityscape.

After modernization in 2014 to 2016, it is now a "science theater" with a 307-seat auditorium and a 160-seat movie theater where you can participate in interesting forays into the world of astronomy and science.

• For the current opening hours and ticket prices, please refer to the planetarium's website.

58. Zion Church

The Zion Church was inaugurated in 1873 on one of the highest natural elevations in Berlin. The neo-Romanesque style building combines Romanesque and Gothic elements. The tower of the Zion Church is 67 meters high and can be seen from afar. Visitors who climb it have an excellent view over the roofs of Berlin.

The church was partially destroyed during World War II and underwent makeshift repairs in the 1950s and 60s. The church is still in need of renovation and relies on donations.

59. Spandau Citadel

Spandau Citadel is one of the best preserved Renaissance fortresses in Germany and all of Europe. The oldest buildings of the castle complex date back to the Middle Ages. As early as 1197, there was mention of a Spandau Castle, built by the Margrave of Brandenburg on the site of a Slavic settlement. Between 1559 and 1594 the electors had a fortress built, which was heavily destroyed during the wars of liberation against Napoleon in 1813. The Imperial War Treasure was stored in the Julius Tower from 1874 to 1919. The Nazis housed poison gas laboratories in the citadel.

Today, the citadel is the landmark of the Spandau district and the scene of regular events such as knight fights or concerts. In addition, the armory of the citadel houses the Stadtgeschichtliches Museum ("Museum of Spandau City History"). A walk through the old town of Spandau with the St. Nikolai Church, the Gotisches Haus, the Wendenschloss and the city wall is also worthwhile.

60. Berlin Zoological Garden and Aquarium

Opened in 1844 next to the eponymous train station and the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church, the Zoological Garden is Germany's oldest zoo. Some 20,000 animals from over 1,000 species greet you on the 33-hectare grounds. The main attraction and favorite of all children is the panda couple Meng Meng and Jiao Qing. Of course, the various animal feedings and individual guided tours, where visitors can get closer to the animals, are very popular.

Aquarium Berlin is the largest show aquarium in Europe and is considered one of the most species-rich facilities of its kind in the world. In addition to swimming creatures, which are of course the undisputed stars, you can also discover reptiles, insects and amphibians here.

• For current opening hours and ticket prices, please visit the website of Berlin Zoo and of the aquarium.

Map & Locations

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