What are the must sees and dos when visiting Berlin
Brandenburg Gate
The best time to visit Berlin is in the spring. The air is crisp and cool from the winter. The full weight of summer has yet to fall on it. Berlin is one of the most iconic spots to visit in Germany. The entire country is full of history, and there are plenty of things to do and see. Whether you are taking a biking tour or walking the city from end to end, there are some things you must see when you visit.
The Brandenburg Gate
Built for King Frederick Wilhelm II in 1788, the Brandenburg gate has been a piece of the city's history for centuries. Inspired by the entrance to the Acropolis, the Brandenburg Gate has been the site of historic entrances and exits to the city. The notable events include Nazi parades and the invasion of Napoleon in October of 1806.
Berlin Wall Memorial
No visit to Berlin is complete without a visit to the Berlin Wall Memorial. The memorial is located right where the wall stood dividing this once-divided city and a must-see attraction. The memorial stretches for almost a mile with small exhibits detailing the wall that once stood there.
There is a visitor's center to visit with more detailed exhibits and videos about the wall. You can wander the length of the memorial and see a portion of the original wall rebuilt in tribute. There are preserved pieces along the strip that remains. You can visit the Chapel of Reconciliation, dedicated to those whose lives were lost to the wall.
Photo by Anthony Reungère
Museumsinsel
Mueseumsinsel is a collection of five different must-see museums. These museums are clustered on "Museum Island" a small island on the River Spree. They include the Berliner Dom Cathedral and several large gardens. The museums represent German history and art in each building built from 1830 through 1930.
Reichstag
The Reichstag is the German Parliament Building. It is worth a visit to see the history of the politics of Berlin stamped throughout its rooms. The building itself is worth the visit as it covers several different ages in architecture from the 20th century through today.
Originally built from 1884 through 1894, a bomb destroyed it in 1933. Its destruction coincided with the rise of the Nazi party in Germany and the start of the Third Reich. During subsequent bombings during World War II, more of it was destroyed. The last decades have seen its rebuilding and restoration so it could once again be a house of Parliament in 1999.
Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe
The Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe is Berlin's Holocaust Memorial. It has 2,711 concrete blocks representing the 6 million Jewish victims of the Holocaust. The blocks vary in size, with some reaching 15 feet tall.
There is a visitor's center for this monument located underground. The visit to the monument is free, and travelers can wander down its length, which is a half a square mile.
Tiergarten
If you need a quiet place to retreat to, the Tiergarten gardens are 519 acres in the middle of Berlin. The garden is peaceful despite being in the middle of the city; the "Animal Garden" was once the hunting grounds for the city's elite in the 17th century.
Today, the large garden holds the Zoologischer Garten (Berlin Zoo). The park is perfect for a quiet afternoon stroll or to get your daily jog in. The zoo is a must-do for any traveling family. You can also enjoy their biergartens. If you are feeling very ambitious, you can climb the Victory Column, which commemorates the victory of 1873 of Prussia during the Franco-German war. The top of the column offers an amazing 360 view of Berlin.
Pergamonmuseum
Pergamonmuseum is one of the museums located on Museum Island. It is a must-see museum for ancient art and architecture. Completed in 1930, the museum houses an extensive collection of art that covers the world, including, east Asian, Greek, Roman, and Islamic art. The pieces include a Greek Temple, which dates to 180 B.C., and a reconstruction of the Pergamon Altar and Ishtar Gate.
The museum has daily tours, and a special museum pass can gain entrance into all the museums on Museum Island. The museum is not free but is worth the price of admittance.
East Side Gallery
The East Side Gallery is a portion of the original Berlin Wall. When the Wall fell in 1989, international artists painted the wall with the joys of the world. The paintings are a celebration of the present and the future of a United World free from hate and an optimistic post-cold war future. The remaining wall is the largest open-air exhibit in the world, with over 100 murals to view.
Sony Center at Potsdamer Platz
Potsdamer Platz
The Potsdamer Platz is the main plaza in Berlin, or at least it was until World War II. Bombings left the plaza a wreck, and the Berlin Wall went up and divided it. With the ending of the Cold War, top named companies like Daimler and Sony moved in and made the plaza their headquarters.
Other companies and tourist attractions moved in with the rise of larger companies such as the Deutsche Kinemathek, a German film and TV museum, and the German walk of fame. The German walk of fame is like the Hollywood walk of fame, and notable celebrities of the German screens have their own stars you can see along the boulevard.
Zoologischer Garten Berlin
The Berlin Zoo offers the chance to see over 20,000 animals, including outdoor animals and aquatic animals in the Berlin Aquarium. The zoo offers a joint entrance pass for both zoos and is a cost-saving way to enjoy both of these treasures.
Checkpoint Charlie
Checkpoint Charlie is one of the more notable border checkpoints in Germany history. It also has its own museum. Checkpoint Charlie was the main crossing point between East and West Germany through the Berlin Wall.
The museum has many documented stories of harrowing crossings and failures, which document this painful point in the history of Berlin. The checkpoint is a must-do activity for any visitor to Berlin.
Photo by Pieter van de Sande
Charlottenburg Palace
Charlottenburg Palace was the summer home of the German royal family in the 17th Century. Frederick the Great made it a lavish place to reside with multiple upgrades in the 18th Century. The Palace today is open for tours from one end to the other.
The most notable portions of the Charlottenburg Palace include the living quarters of Frederick the I and Sophie Charlotte. You can also view their chapel and the "New Wing" constructed by Frederick the Great for his personal use. The royal gardens are also worth a visit.
Final Thoughts
A visit to Berlin can give the visitor the best place to enjoy a holiday and learn about the city they are traveling through. There are sites throughout the city that document the history of the city. It is a city worth visiting for any history lover.
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