Top 10 Things to Do in Berlin

Using this list

Ten of Berlin's defining sights as a checklist. Berlin is spread out and far less centralised than most European capitals, so plan by district and expect to use the U-Bahn and S-Bahn properly.

Much of the list is history you walk through

The Brandenburg Gate, the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe, Checkpoint Charlie, the East Side Gallery, and the Topography of Terror are largely free and open-air. They're also better with context — a walking tour early in the trip makes everything afterwards land differently.

The Reichstag dome is free but requires registration in advance with passport details, and slots go days ahead. It's the one on this list most often missed for want of booking.

Museum Island rewards choosing

Five major museums on one island is more than anyone absorbs in a day. Pick one or two — the Pergamon has been undergoing extensive long-term renovation, so check what's currently open before planning around it.

The city is bigger than it looks

Kreuzberg, Prenzlauer Berg, and Mitte have distinct characters and are not close together. Two districts a day is a sensible pace.

Practicalities

Carry cash — Berlin remains notably card-averse for a Western European capital, and plenty of bars and smaller restaurants are cash-only. Sunday closing is near-universal for shops, though restaurants and museums stay open.

Timing

Run it plain, or add due dates from your arrival date to spread the list across the trip.