Are you planning a trip to Berlin this year? You’re probably on the look-out for hidden gems, day out ideas and secret spots in the city. With this Berlin travel guide you’ll be able to learn about the best attractions to visit – including museums – as well as local parks & day trips in the local area.
Berlin was famously once divided into East and West; is however now one of the most integrated and multi-cultural cities worldwide. Berlin has various districts to discover as well as historical sites, political buildings and interactive museums. Don’t worry- you won’t be bored during your visit.
Whether you’re planning a weekend getaway in Berlin or a longer stay in the local region, this Berlin travel guide will help to inspire your next trip.
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How long should I spend in Berlin?
Berlin is a diverse city with a multitude of attractions and food spots. Unsure how long to plan for your visit? Use my outline guide to help plan your visit:
- City centre & local districts including Alexanderplatz, Charlottenburg & Lichtenberg : Recommended stay : 2-3 days
- Berlin city centre visit & day trips to surrounding areas e.g. Spreewald, Dresden & local attractions: Recommended stay : 5-7 days
Looking to stay for a longer visit ? Why not check out a Blueground apartment- the perfect way to stay in Berlin over a longer period of time. I stayed recently in this beautiful apartment in district Charlottenburg- with a balcony for watching the sunsets over the local area. The apartment is located just a short walk away from Schloss Charlottenburg and is around the corner from Charlottenburg high street – with supermarkets, bakeries & clothing stores.
Use my discount code JAMbg245 to get $150 off your less than 6 month bookings and $250 off your 6 month or longer bookings with Blueground.
Day out ideas in central Berlin
Interactive exhibitions in the city centre
Ikono Museum
The Ikono Museum is located at Alexanderplatz- with the entrance around the corner from the famous television tower. The exhibition is made up of a series of rooms, incorporating multimedia visuals – light and sound. The museum doesn’t only have great photo-spots for adults, but also plenty of interactive elements for families such as a giant ball pit and light paintings.
The Ikono Museum features rooms such as an interactive digital display, an illuminated mirror maze, Japanese arcade games, a light garden with a swing and a mirrored room with metallic balloons. You are free to explore the museum at your own pace.
Ticket price for IKONO: 21 euros, to be booked online
Want a 10% discount off tickets for the IKONO museum in Berlin? Download the Getyourguide app using my link HERE and use code ‘travellerjames10’ for 10% off YOUR first booking on all experiences!
Recommended length of stay: 1-2 hours
Dark Matter exhibition
The Dark Matter exhibition is one of the most mesmerising interactive exhibitions in the whole of the city of Berlin. Explore a series of 7 rooms, which have been designed to simulate the motion of dark matter particles. The exhibitions have been curated out of a mixture of light, sound and smoke effects, to leave you utterly mesmerised.
The interactive rooms include a mirrored room with a multitude of light effects, a polygon playground and the cage- created out of various light beams with strobes, sound and smoke effects. The exhibition operates with a one way system, however you can spend as long as you like in each of the rooms. Every room is equipped with benches or bean bags, which you are able to relax on.
Ticket price: from 18 euros, when booked online via the Dark Matter website.
Recommended length of stay: 45-75 mins
Futurium- FREE entry interactive museum
Whilst museum Sunday is no longer available for visitors of Berlin, there are a number of free entry museums. These museums include the Jewish Museum and also the Futurium- an interactive exhibition showcasing the future of the modern world. There are various exhibitions encompassing light and sound. The museum also adresses important topics such as climate change. Let yourself be guided by the museums robots, which have interactive display screens.
Recommended length of stay: 30 -45 minutes
Historic locations in and surrounding central Berlin
Schloss Charlottenburg
Schloss Charlottenburg is the LARGEST palace in the whole of Berlin and is divided into two sections – the old and the new wing. Explore famous rooms in the new wing, such as the Golden Gallery or the Library. You can purchase a ticket for an individual wing or a combination ticket for both wings. Take your time to move around the rooms and discover the beautiful detailing of the rooms of the palace, including paintings on the ceilings of each room.
Recommended length of stay: 60 minutes for one wing, 120 minutes for both wings.
Ticket price: 12 euros for one wing, 19 euros for both wings. Want a 10% discount? See below for details. There are also discounts available for students visiting the palace. Don’t forget to explore the gardens of Schloss Charlottenburg and the surrounding lake – completely free of charge to explore.
Want a 10% discount off tickets for Schloss Charlottenburg in Berlin? Download the Getyourguide app using my link HERE and use code ‘travellerjames10’ for 10% off YOUR first booking on all experiences!
Holocaust memorial
The Holocaust memorial was built to remember Jews, who lost their lives during the second world war. It’s one of the largest memorials in Berlin and is – of course- completely free of charge to visit. Explore through the 2711 concrete pillars and read names of those who lost their lives. What’s special about this memorial is that, although you can visit it from above, you can also walk down between the pillars, to really feel a sense of the acts which have been committed in the past.
Did you know? You can also visit the Jewish museum in Berlin – this is completely free of charge to enter and learn more about the Holocaust and the history of Judaism in Germany.
Soviet war memorial Treptow
The Soviet war memorial is located in Treptower Park and is completely free of charge to visit. Just around the corner from the memorial is the Karpfenteich- a perfect place for taking a walk.
Did you know? The Soviet war memorial in Treptow is the largest memorial in the whole of Germany, dedicated to those who lost their lives during the second world war. It’s possible to walk up the staircase of the structure and look inside the statue itself.
Walking & nature spots in the city
Treptower Park & River Spree
Treptower park is one of the most expansive parks in the whole of Berlin, located in the Lichtenberg district. It’s a great place to visit at different times of year to watch how the seasons change- from autumn into spring and summer. If you’re looking for a walk with great views back onto the city, head down to the Spree. If you walk along the Spree you will be able to see back onto the TV-tower at Alexanderplatz. Furthermore, why not visit the molecule man? This is a statue located in the middle of the Spree in the Lichtenberg district.
Arrival: S9 from Berlin central station to Treptower Park
Drachenberg- views onto Teufelsberg
Did you know that you can find a former US spy-station in Berlin? In the district Charlottenburg , you will find Drachenberg, which is located directly across from Teufelsberg. Enjoy hiking? Then make sure to take a hike up to Drachenberg, where you will have amazing views onto the former spy station – this looks especially impressive during the autumn with the orange and yellow coloured leaves.
Want to explore further? Make sure to walk to Teufelsberg- this is a former US spy station, which is now open today for tours as an art project.
Entry price to Teufelsberg : 12 euros, with tours from 5 euros
Opening times: daily from 11:00-19:00
Day trips in the surrounding regions – Brandenburg & Saxony
Trabant Safari in Dresden
Familiar with the Trabant? The Trabant is a classic car from the DDR in Germany, which was commonly used across the whole of former East Germany. Nowadays, the classic car has become a tourist attraction for both locals and international tourists alike.
With a Trabant Safari, you are able to explore the historic city of Dresden in around 75 minutes. Hop into one of the classic cars, learn about the gears and steering system and then try it out yourself! This is your opportunity to drive around the whole of Dresden in one of Germany’s most classic cars.
Interested in a Trabant Safari?
DOWNLOAD the getyourguide app HERE and use my code ‘travellerjames10’ to save 10% off your booking for a Guided sightseeing tour in Dresden.
Karls Erlebnisdorf – Elstal
Karls is a series of experience markets and theme parks in Germany connected to strawberry fields. At the parks you are able to taste the famous strawberry jam, pick your own fresh strawberries or try out a multitude of rides and attractions. Entry to Karls is completely free.
What’s more – there is a Karls park located only 20 minutes from Berlin in the region Elstal. It’s only a short journey from the district Berlin Spandau.
Want to know more about the park Karls Erlebnisdorf including Germany’s largest ice world and arrival instructions – then don’t hesitate to check out my full post about Karls Erlebnisdorf HERE.
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