Berlin – top 15 things to do for a long weekend

Berlin is one of the most vibrant, lively capital cities in Europe. Full of history and culture, you’ll never get bored in Berlin.

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Want to extend your European cities trip? Prague is an enchanting city only a short train ride away, and the grand imperial Vienna is also within easy distance. Or if you’d rather stay within Germany, enjoy a day trip to Dresden. Make sure you check out this great travel guide to help plan your trip to Berlin (affiliate).

1. Brandenburg Gate

One of the most iconic images of Berlin, the instantly recognisable Brandenburg Gate is a must for any visit to Berlin and a great place to take lots of iconic photos.

2. Reichstag

Originally dating back to the 19th century, the Reichstag building began as the place to house the Imperial Diet of the German Empire. After WW2 the damaged building fell into disuse, but since German reunification it’s now the German parliament. It’s a stunning building and another of the top things to do in Berlin.

3. Berlin Wall museum

No visit to Berlin is complete without exploring some of the 20th century history that has shaped this city. The Berlin Wall museum is educational and super interesting, but also emotional as you explore the fate of the victims. Visit the museum website for opening times and prices.

4. Checkpoint Charlie

Another of the most famous things to do in Berlin, Checkpoint Charlie was one of the most well-known crossing points on the Berlin Wall between East Berlin and West Berlin during the Cold War. It’s now a popular place for photos and to appreciate the history of the area.

5. Berliner Dom – Cathedral

Like so many European cities, the Cathedral in Berlin is definitely worth a visit. Built in the late 1800s, it’s a grand structure with an impressive interior as well. Visit the website for the most up to date opening times.

6. Holocaust memorial

The Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe is a poignant reminder of another important but hugely tragic part of history. It’s a sombre and moving place, but an unmissable part of any trip to Berlin.

7. Berlin Wall – East Side Gallery

Just a short train ride from the centre of Berlin, the East Side Gallery is a stretch of the Berlin Wall, over 1km long, with a range of painted murals. It’s a great place to walk along, remember the history, and admire the art work.

8. Ampelmann

I definitely wasn’t expecting a traffic light signal to be such an important tourist attraction in the centre of Berlin, but encountering the unexpected is one of the great joys of travel! The image originated as the pedestrian crossing sign in East Berlin, and now the green and red man image is available on all sorts of merchandise in Ampelmann tourist shops.

9. Berlin TV tower – Fernsehturm

The TV tower is another iconic image of Berlin, visible from lots of vantage points around the city. You can also go to the top to the observation deck for views across the city, or to the revolving restaurant. Visit the website for the latest opening times and prices.

10. Museum Island

As the name suggests, Museum Island is an island near Berlin Dom which is home to 6 different museums. The most famous and most visited museum is the Pergamon Museum, which focuses on the history and artifacts from the Ancient East. Check out the Pergamon Museum website for opening times and prices.

11. World Clock – Alexanderplatz

In the middle of this big square is the World Clock, where you can read the time of 148 major cities from around the world on one of the 24 sides, representing the 24 time zones. It’s a bit confusing to work out, but it’s a hugely impressive clock and definitely worth a visit.

12. Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church

The Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church was heavily bombed during WW2, and in 1961 it was partially rebuilt and integrated into the new memorial Church building. Part of the old tower still stands, as a haunting reminder of the destruction of war. Check out the website for opening times.

13. Berlin Trabi tour

For an alternative way to see the top sights in Berlin, you can book a self-guided Trabi tour. The Trabant was one of the most popular cars in East Germany, and after the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 it became a symbol of people from East Germany crossing the border into West Germany. On a trabi tour, you get to drive one of these iconic cars yourself, as you follow the tour leader and learn more about the sights and history of the city. Check out the website for more details about the tour.

14. Schloss Charlottenburg Palace

Schloss Charlottenberg, or Charlottenburg Palace, is only about 30 minutes outside of the centre of Berlin. Dating back to the 17th century, it was originally the summer palace of Sophie Charlotte, the first Queen consort in Prussia. It’s definitely worth a visit, with stunning state rooms and beautiful gardens as well. Visit the website for opening times.

15. Day trip to Dresden

If you’ve got an extra day to spare, Dresden is a great option for a day trip. The old city centre was almost completely rebuilt after heavy bombing in WW2 but still retains the old city charm. Check out my blog on Dresden as a day trip from Berlin for more details.

Enjoy your trip to Berlin with these top 15 things to do for a long weekend! Remember to check out this great guide to Berlin as well to help plan your trip (affiliate). If you’re thinking of heading to Berlin at Christmas, check out my guide to the Christmas markets in Berlin. Or if you fancy a trip to another European city, how about Dresden, Vienna or Prague?