Brandenburg GateAttraction
Brandenburg Gate
The eighteenth-century city gate that became the symbol of a divided and reunited Germany.
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Things to do in Berlin
Compare tickets, tours, transfers, hotels and flights for Berlin in one place, and see who provides each one before you book.
Photo: Thomas Wolf, www.foto-tw.de, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
AirportsBerlin Brandenburg (BER)
Getting aroundU-Bahn, S-Bahn, trams, buses and bicycles
CurrencyEuro (EUR)
Best monthsMay to September
Berlin in brief
Berlin is large and spread out, and its twentieth-century history is in plain view. The central district of Mitte holds the Brandenburg Gate, the Reichstag and Museum Island.
Many of the most important places are free: the Reichstag dome, the Wall memorials and the Holocaust Memorial. The dome needs advance registration with your name and date of birth.
Beyond the centre, each district has its own character, from the cafés of Prenzlauer Berg to the street life of Kreuzberg. Public transport links them all.
Top attractions in Berlin
Tickets and guided visits for the city’s best-known sights.
Brandenburg Gate
Reichstag DomeAttraction
Reichstag Dome
The glass dome above the German parliament, with a spiral ramp and city views. Free, with advance registration.
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Museum IslandAttraction
Museum Island
Five museums on an island in the Spree, a World Heritage site. The Pergamon Museum is closed for renovation.
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Berlin Wall MemorialAttraction
Berlin Wall Memorial
A preserved strip of the Wall on Bernauer Strasse, with a watchtower and an open-air exhibition. Free.
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East Side GalleryAttraction
East Side Gallery
The longest surviving stretch of the Wall, covered with murals painted in 1990.
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Memorial to the Murdered Jews of EuropeAttraction
Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe
A field of concrete blocks near the Brandenburg Gate, with an information centre below ground.
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Photo: Brandenburg Gate — Dietmar Rabich (CC BY-SA 4.0); Reichstag Dome — Ank Kumar (CC BY-SA 4.0); Museum Island — Yolo (CC BY-SA 3.0); Berlin Wall Memorial — Ansgar Koreng (CC BY-SA 4.0); East Side Gallery — HerrAdams (CC BY-SA 4.0); Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe — Dietmar Rabich (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Wikimedia Commons
Tours and day trips
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Getting there and around
Airport transfer from Berlin Brandenburg (BER)A pre-booked car from arrivals to your hotel. Alternatives are the airport express train or the S-Bahn.
Trains from BerlinTrains reach Potsdam in about half an hour, Hamburg in under two hours and Dresden in about two hours.
Car rentalNot needed in the city. Useful for the lakes of Brandenburg and the Baltic coast.
Flights
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Where to stay
Pick a neighbourhood first, then compare hotels.
1
Mitte
The historic centre, close to the main sights and museums.
2
Prenzlauer Berg
Leafy streets with cafés, small shops and a weekend market. Calm and popular with families.
3
Kreuzberg
Street food, bars and nightlife, with a strong local character.
4
Charlottenburg
The elegant west, around the Kurfürstendamm and the palace.
Hotels in Berlin with live prices
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Berlin day by day
- Day 1: MitteThe Brandenburg Gate, the Reichstag dome at your booked time, the Holocaust Memorial, then Unter den Linden to Museum Island.
- Day 2: The WallThe Berlin Wall Memorial on Bernauer Strasse, Checkpoint Charlie, then the East Side Gallery and an evening in Kreuzberg.
- Day 3: The westCharlottenburg Palace in the morning, the Kurfürstendamm, then a walk through the Tiergarten.
- With a fourth dayTake a day trip to Potsdam.
Local tips
- Register for the Reichstag dome online in advance, and bring your passport or ID card.
- Stamp paper tickets before boarding. Inspectors wear plain clothes and fine on the spot.
- Carry some cash. Some cafés, bars and small shops still do not take cards.
- Most shops are closed on Sundays. Museums, cafés and restaurants stay open.
- Keep out of the cycle lanes on the pavement. Cyclists ride fast.
Before you go
Travel insuranceCover for medical costs and cancellations.
Luggage storageLeave bags near the station or the sights.
Flight delay compensationCheck whether a delayed or cancelled flight qualifies.
Everything for Berlin
Ten services for the trip, all in one place.
Travel guide
Berlin is most comfortable from May to September, and 3 days covers the main sights. BER Airport has fast trains to the centre in about 25 minutes.
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Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit Berlin?
May to September is warm, with long evenings outdoors. December brings Christmas markets, and winter is cold and grey.
How many days do I need in Berlin?
Three full days cover the main sights. Add a day for Potsdam.
Should I book the Reichstag dome ahead?
Yes. The visit is free, but you must register online, and slots fill up days or weeks ahead.
How do I get from the airport to the centre?
From the airport, express and regional trains run to the main station in about half an hour, and the S-Bahn also runs to the city. Taxis and pre-booked transfers are available too. Choose by luggage, arrival time and budget.
Is the Pergamon Museum open?
No. It is closed for a renovation that will last several years. The other museums on Museum Island remain open.