Attractions and what to see and do in Berlin
Lots of attractions, landmarks, museums and historical monuments in Berlin.
Here are a few tips on some of them.
Brandenburg Gate
A triumphal arch on the Pariser Platz and is now the symbol of the united Germany and the most famous and popular attraction in Berlin.
One of Berlin and throughout Germany’s biggest symbol and landmark. The gate was built 1788 – 1791.
When the Nazis came to power 1933, they used the port as a symbol of their power.
It was the only building that remained standing among the ruins of Pariser Platz 1945.
Closed down in 1961 when the Berlin Wall was built, but when the Wall fell in1989, Brandenburg Gate became a symbol of peace and unification of the city.
Beautifully illuminated at night.
Checkpoint Charlie
Berlin’s most famous pass point on through the wall and border that divided East and West Berlin 1945-1990.
Major tourist attraction and is located on the border of Mitte and Kreuzberg.
The most famous passage between East and West Berlin during the communist era 1945 – 1990
It was mostly a passage for embassy people.
Checkpoint Charlie has repeatedly attempted used as escape from East Germany:
Some fared over while many were shot to death in the so-called “death strip” (Todesstreifen).
After German reunification the checkpoint was demolished in June 1990.
There is now a “Mauer Museum”, one of Berlin’s and Germany’s most famous sights.
Kaiser Wilhelm Gedächtnis Kirche
The ruins of the old Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church in Charlottenburg at Breitscheidplatz next to the Europe Center.
It is one of the few visible memories in Berlin after the second world war.
The church was built between 1891-1895 in memory of Emperor Wilhelm I.
He is among other things known to have been in the battle against Napoleon in 1814 – 1815.
He was proclaimed the first emperor of the German Empire 1871.
His granddaughter, Victoria of Baden, was Queen in Sweden 1907 married with the King Gustav V.
After the war the ruin was scheduled to be demolished to make way for a new modern design.
But after protests it became preserved.
Instead a new church, drawn by Egon Eiermann, was built between 1959 and 1961 right beside the ruin.
The church comprises bi-cube-like concrete elements with glass bricks.
Inside the octagonal nave of the church the colored glass blocks gives an intense blue light and meditative calm.
In the Memorial Hall, in the old tower, the visitor are reminded of the horrors of war and destruction.
Official website: gedaechtniskirche-berlin.de
The Parliament building
Parliament is just a few hundred yards north of the Brandenburg Gate.
Here you can go up the glass dome and get a nice view, but expect long queue.
Berlin Cathedral – Berliner Dom
An amazing building that is a must to visit.
Free entry if you just want to look at the beautiful details of the church.
For a fee, you can also visit the museum in Berlin Cathedral.
Monday-Saturday at 09.00-19.30, Sunday 11.30-19.30. At Lustgarten (Mitte).
Homepage: www.berlinerdom.de
Die Siegessäule
The Victory Column, is a monument in the “Grosser Stern” in Tiergarten in Berlin, located in the middle of the roundabout on Strasse des 17 June.
You can go up the monument and at the bottom is a museum which discloses Siegessäule’s history.
Sightseeings and Tours in Berlin
More from Berlin and Festivals in Germany
Stuttgart Wine Festival Weindorf, 28 August – 8 September 2024
Stuttgart Wine Festival Weindorf is attracting people from all over the world to experience wine and food from this district of Germany.
Gourmet Festival in Düsseldorf, 23 – 25 August 2024
Gourmet Festival Düsseldorf in August every year at the famous "Königs Alle". Good food, soft drinks, cocktails, beer, wine, and more.
Mainz Wine Festival, Germany. 29 August – 8 September 2024
Mainz Wine Festival lets you discover the infinite lightness of the wine for two weekends in the beautiful Mainz City Park.
Culture Festival Frankfurt, 23 – 25 August 2024
The Museum Embankment Festival in Frankfurt is one of the largest Culture Festivals globally and attracts over 3 million visitors every year
Winzerfest Wine Festival Hamburg, Germany, 22 – 25 August 2024
The St. Pauli Wine festival in Hamburg. You can enjoy wine, music, food, and the great Hamburg atmosphere every year in August.
Duckstein Beer Festival Hamburg – Unfortunately Cancelled!
Duckstein Beer Festival in Hamburg with Music, design, international street theatre, fine dining and, of course, the Duckstein beer.
Maschsee Lake Festival Hannover, Germany 31 July-18 Aug. 2024
Maschsee Lake Festival 3 weeks in July-August. Lovely atmosphere by the Lake Maschsee in Hannover, with drinks, food and international artists
Blue Wave Festival with Blues on Rugen Island, 6 – 9 June 2024
The Blue Wave Festival for blues, jazz and funk on Rugen takes place four days in June every year. It's the largest music festival in Rugen.
Tollwood Summer Festival in Munich. 21 June – 21 July 2024
Tollwood Summer Festival - Theatre performances, art exhibitions, live music from all over the world, and the colourful “Market of Ideas”.
Oktoberfest in Munich, 21 September – 6 October 2024
It all started with a royal wedding and ended with the most famous beer festival in Europe and probably worldwide. Oktoberfest in Munich.
KeNaKo Africa Festival in Berlin, 23 August – 1 September 2024
A pleasant festival every summer at Alexanderplatz in Berlin. Learn more about this big continent at the KeNaKo Africa festival.
Munich Strong Beer Festival Starkbierzeit, 1 – 24 March 2024
In Munich, the strong beer festival Starkbierzeit has crowds half as large and beer twice as strong as the Oktoberfest.
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