Berlin's history is on the street, from the line of the Wall to the memorials and museums. A good guide ties it together, and a few well-chosen visits tell the story of the 20th century better than any textbook.
The Wall: where to see it
The Berlin Wall Memorial on Bernauer Strasse preserves a section with the death strip, a documentation centre and a viewing tower. The East Side Gallery is a long stretch of the wall painted by artists. For the story of the border crossings, visit Checkpoint Charlie, but be prepared for crowds and tacky stalls, and the better museum is the one on Bernauer Strasse.
- Wall Memorial
- Free
- East Side Gallery
- Free, outdoors
- Reichstag dome
- Free, register ahead
- Brandenburg Gate
- Free
- Time needed
- 2–3 days
- Best for history
- A guided tour
The Reichstag dome
The glass dome on top of the Reichstag is free to visit, but you must register in advance online, with your name and ID. You walk up a spiral ramp with views of the city and the parliamentary chamber below. Book as early as you can, since slots fill up days ahead.
Insider tip: Choose a late-afternoon slot for the best light, or an evening one when the city is lit.
Guided history tours
A walking tour with an informed guide gives you the sweep of Berlin's story: Prussian splendour, the Nazi years, the divided city and the fall of the Wall. Pick one that covers the Brandenburg Gate, the Holocaust Memorial, Checkpoint Charlie and the Wall in a half-day.
Sachsenhausen
It can be visited independently by train, or on a tour with transport and a guide. See our Berlin guide for details.
Watch out: Sachsenhausen Memorial, a former concentration camp north of Berlin, is a deeply sobering visit. Go with a guide if you want context, and allow a half day.
A suggested one-day history route
The route covers many of the key sights, and public transport makes it easy to hop between them. Allow time for reflection, since several sites are emotionally heavy.
- 1Morning: Reichstag dome (with a booked slot), then the Brandenburg Gate.
- 2Late morning: Holocaust Memorial and the Topography of Terror.
- 3Lunch: a currywurst or a Turkish döner near Checkpoint Charlie.
- 4Afternoon: Berlin Wall Memorial on Bernauer Strasse.
- 5Evening: East Side Gallery, then a walk along the Spree.
Museum Island and beyond
Museum Island is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with five museums, including the Pergamon Museum, which houses the Ishtar Gate, and the Neues Museum, home to the bust of Nefertiti. A combined ticket saves money. The DDR Museum gives a hands-on look at life in East Germany, a good option for families.
Outside the centre, Potsdam has Sanssouci Palace and the Cecilienhof, where the Allies met in 1945, a pleasant half-day trip. The Stasi Museum in Lichtenberg shows the workings of the East German secret police. Each site tells a different part of the story.
Berlin beyond the history
Berlin is also a creative, edgy city, with a famous nightlife, street art, flea markets and a thriving food scene. Explore Kreuzberg and Neukölln for international food and cafés, Prenzlauer Berg for elegant streets, and Tempelhof Field, a former airport turned into a huge public park.
Public transport is efficient, and a day ticket covers U-Bahn, S-Bahn, trams and buses. Many places are cash-only, so carry euros. See our Vienna guide, the Prague guide and the Berlin guide.
Beyond history
Berlin has world-class museums on Museum Island, a legendary food scene and nightlife. Read the Berlin guide or compare with Vienna and Prague.
Ready to go?
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Berlin: your questions answered
Is the Reichstag dome free?
Yes, but you must register in advance.
How much of the Wall is left?
Several sections, including Bernauer Strasse and the East Side Gallery.
How many days do I need in Berlin?
Two to three days.
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