Reborn from its ashes after its total destruction during World War II, Berlin has many places to see, and endless leisure and cultural activities that will fill your days in the German capital. You will not get bored in Berlin, you have endless activities to do, places of interest to visit and lots of leisure.
In this post I tell you 15 essential places to see in Berlin, where to stay in the city and some travel tips. Let's start!
15 ESSENTIAL PLACES WHAT TO SEE IN BERLIN, GERMANY
1. Free tour of Berlin
In Berlin, as in other cities in Germany, you have the option of taking a free tour. This free tour will take you to know with a Spanish-speaking guide, the most emblematic places of the city: The Brandenburg Gate, Hitler's bunker, the Holocaust Memorial... And it's free! You can see more information and book the free tour of Berlin from this link. Remember to give something of your own to the guide at the end, he surely deserves it.
2. Brandenburg Gate
If you are going to start your visit to the city on your own, the best option is to go to the Brandenburg Gate and start here.
This gate is one of the old gateways to Berlin as well as one of the most important symbols of the city.
It was inaugurated in 1791 next to Pariser Platz, and is a symbol of the triumph of peace over arms.
It is a huge construction of 26 meters high, neoclassical style.
The statue that can be seen today is a copy made in West Berlin in 1969, since the original was destroyed during World War II.
Although the gate has five entrances, from its construction until the year 1918, the central passage of the gate could only be used by members of royalty.
3. Berlin Wall
The Berlin Wall divided the city into two parts for 28 long years.
At the end of World War II, after the division of Germany, Berlin was also divided into four sectors of occupation: Soviet, American, French and English. Bad relations between the communists and the allies grew to the point where two currencies, two political ideals, and finally two independent Germanys emerged.
In 1949, the three western sectors (American, French and British) were renamed the Federal German Republic and the eastern (Soviet) sector became the German Democratic Republic.
Berlin was divided and 81 crossing points were created between the two areas of the city.
Because of the Soviet economic situation and how well West Berlin was doing, they caused almost 3 million people to leave East Germany behind, emigrating to West Germany.
The German Democratic Republic, realizing the loss of the population by forced passage, on the night of August 12, 1961, decided to build a provisional wall and close 69 checkpoints, leaving only 12 open.
By the next morning, a 155-kilometre temporary wire fence had been put up, separating the two parts of Berlin.
Over the next few days, construction of a brick wall began, and people whose houses were on the construction line were evicted.
Over the years, many people tried to cross the wall and escape. Some successfully, and due to this fact they were reinforcing security to avoid it.
The Berlin Wall ended up becoming a concrete wall between 3.5 and 4 meters high, with an interior made up of steel cables to increase its resistance. At the top they placed a hemispherical surface so that no one could hold on to it.
Accompanying the wall, the so-called "death strip" was created. It consisted of a ditch, a barbed wire fence, a road along which military vehicles, alarm systems, automatic weapons, watchtowers and patrols accompanied by dogs circulated constantly. 24 hours a day.
Between 1961 and 1989, more than 5,000 people tried to cross the wall, tired of the situation, and more than 3,000 were arrested. And about 100 people died in the attempt, the last of them on February 5, 1989.
The fall of the wall was motivated by the opening of the borders between Austria and Hungary in May 1989. Since more frequently the Germans travel to Austria to request asylum. This fact motivated massive demonstrations in Alexanderplatz. And on November 9, 1989, the German Democratic Republic affirmed that the passage to the west was allowed. That same day, thousands of people crowded through the checkpoints to cross to the other side, and no one could stop them, so a mass exodus ensued. The next day start the first damage to the wall.
The most important part of the wall that remains standing is the East Side Gallery area. There is little more than 1 kilometer there, decorated with paintings that reflect events related to the Berlin Wall.
All the history that surrounds this wall is very interesting, and to get to know it in a pleasant way there is a very cool guided tour.
4. The Berlin Cathedral
The Berlin Cathedral was built between 1894 and 1905 on the foundations of the small Baroque cathedral.
In 1944, like most of the buildings in the city, it was destroyed by the bomb that fell on the dome.
The reconstruction tasks began in 1975 and ended in 2002.
In the basement of the cathedral is the Hohenzollern Crypt, known for housing the sarcophagi of members of the Hohenzollern dynasty.
In the crypt you can see more than 90 tombs of the members of the imperial family who died from the end of the 16th century to the beginning of the 20th century.
Inside the cathedral, the altar area, made of white marble and an imposing organ with pneumatic transmission, is striking.
5. Checkpoint Charlie
After the construction of the wall, there were few borders across which citizens could move between the two Germanys. The mayor of West Berlin made it possible for his citizens to visit the eastern part with some restrictions and Checkpoint Charlie was the access point.
Since 2001, Checkpoint Charlie has installed a replica of the sign that years ago warned citizens: "You are leaving the American sector."
Right next door is the Checkpoint Charlie Wall Museum.
6. Topography of Terror
Behind a piece of the wall there is still practically intact, a lot where the Topography of Terror is located.
In 1933 the neo-baroque building that occupied that place became the headquarters of the feared GESTAPO, the Secret State Police. Those who opposed the Hitler regime ended up there, where they were subjected to interrogations and continuous torture in the basement of the building.
Here are texts, photographs that tell the history of this place and the Hitler dictatorship.
The entrance to this place is free, and if you are interested in visiting it, keep in mind that it will take you at least two or three hours (if you want to read the texts and pay attention to the details). It is a place full of history that makes your hair stand on end.
7. Berlin Holocaust Memorial
In this place there are 2,711 concrete blocks of different heights that form this architectural jewel in memory of the Jews murdered in Europe. This place was built between 2003 and 2005.
The visit to the information center begins with a review of the National Socialist extermination policy carried out between 1933 and 1945.
In the next part of the exhibition, you can read the testimonies of some people as well as the history of different families before, during and after the persecution.
One of the most important rooms and at the same time hard to see, is the one that shows its walls covered with the names and years of birth and death of the victims of the Holocaust. Admission to the venue is free, and it is undoubtedly an essential stop to make in Berlin.
8. Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church
This church was bombed during the second world war. Instead of rebuilding it years later like many of the buildings in the city, it was decided to create a memorial.
9. Charlottenburg Palace
This Palace was built between 1695 and 1699 in a baroque style, as a summer residence for Sofía Carlota, the second wife of Federico III.
During the visit, the different rooms of the palace are covered, and you can make the visit with an audio guide in Spanish.
The second floor was not lucky during the bombardments and the frescoes on the ceilings and the decoration on the walls could not be saved.
Both the Palace and its gardens are beautiful and are an essential stop on your trip to Berlin. Although you can visit the old Palace and the new wing with two separate entrance tickets, I recommend that you buy the ticket that includes everything, since if you are going to visit the entire site it will be more costly.
10. Berlin TV Tower
The Berlin Television Tower was built in 1969. It has a height of 368 meters, being the tallest structure in Germany. It is located in the center of Alexanderplatz.
11. German Parliament
The former Reichstag building is the seat of the German Parliament in Berlin. It is a historical building, classical in appearance, with a large modern dome. You can visit the Parliament, but you need to book in advance.
12. Stroll through Mauerpark
Mauer Park is the perfect place to stroll and spend the day. Especially on Sunday, when the park is filled with artists, live music, a huge market where you can hunt for bargains, food stalls...
13. Visit the Nikolaiviertel neighborhood
It is one of the most beautiful neighborhoods in Berlin, it looks like a small town with low, colorful buildings, with shops facing the street, small cafes... Also, if you still don't know where to stay in Berlin, this neighborhood is a very good place. option.
EXCURSIONS WHAT TO DO FROM BERLIN
On the outskirts of the city there are very interesting places to visit and that you should not miss.
14. Sachsenhausen concentration camp
The Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp was built in 1936 by prisoners from other concentration camps. It was one of the most important in Nazi Germany.
Between 1936 and 1945, more than 200,000 prisoners "lived" in this concentration camp. The first prisoners were political prisoners of the National Socialist regime, but, not long after, they also began to imprison some groups that the Nazis considered both racially and biologically inferior.
Within the enclosure there are many places to visit; Barrack 38, the infirmary, the building with the punishment cells...
The best option to get to know this place is with an excursion that includes a guided tour. We did this guided tour for less than 20 euros, and it is very interesting.
15. Potsdam
Potsdam was founded in the 7th century as a Slavic town under the name of Poztupimi.
Later, the city was the place of residence of the Prussian royal family, for which the construction of a large number of splendid palaces that are still preserved in the city was carried out.
In the year 1990, Potsdam was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. And it is not for less, because its palaces and gardens are spectacular.
In Potsdam there are many places to visit; Sanssouci Palace, Babelsberg Palace, New Palace, Dutch Quarter, Glienicke Bridge, Brandenburg Bridge, Cecilienhof Palace and Charlottenhof Palace.
To visit this place you must take into account that you will spend the whole day here.
You can get there by renting a car; See car rental offers in Berlin.
You can get there by commuter train or you can book a guided tour of Potsdam.
WHERE TO STAY IN BERLIN
One of the best areas to stay is near Unter den Linden street. It is one of the main areas of the city, from where you can reach the vast majority of the most emblematic areas of the city on foot.
In addition, here there are many shops, restaurants, bars... a very lively area ideal for dining out or having a drink.
Recommended hosting options that are great:
PLAN YOUR TRIP STEP BY STEP
I hope you enjoy your trip to Berlin a lot and that this article has been useful to you. You can continue reading many more related articles on the blog.
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A hug and see you soon!