Discover history and Culture on a Berlin Sightseeing Trip

Museum Island

Visitors to Berlin should check out Museum Island beside theRiver Spree. The heritage site, which consists of five renowned museums, is both an architectural and cultural draw.
The Altes Museum displays an impressive range of artefacts from classical antiquity, including statues, vases and other fascinating objects. Full price admission to the museum is €10.
The Neues Museum is another highlight, housing an expansive collection of European archeological artefacts. Additionally, you can find classical works of art. Entrance here is €12.
The most famous of all the museums on Museum Island is the Pergamon Museum. What sets this museum apart is its incredible reconstructed archeological structures, however it also displays antiquities, Islamic art and other archeological artefacts. Entrance is €12.
If you want to make a day of it, €18 will buy you entry to all five museums - the Bode Museum and the Alte Nationalgalerie, in addition to the museums mentioned above. Or for €24, you can get the Berlin Museum Pass, which will grant you access to these museums and more around Berlin over a three day period.
Museum Island is easily accessible from S-Bahn Hackescher Markt or by the Bus 100. For a great dining option in the area, try TASTE! Bar and Restaurant on nearby Friedrichstraße.

Landmarks of Berlin, Germany

Situated on Pariser Platz is the iconic Brandenburg Gate, inaugurated in 1791 and designed to be a symbol of piece. After having endured considerable damage during WW2, the triumphal arch has been lovingly restored and today cuts an impressive figure.
Not far from Brandenburg Gate, just along Straße des 17. Juni is the Victory Column, a striking monument built to commemorate Prussian success in the so called 'unification wars' of 19th Century. For €2.50, you can climb its 285 steps to reach the viewing platform, which offers excellent views of the surrounding area.
Berlin Cathedral is another must-visit sight. It is the largest of Berlin's cathedrals and for €7, visitors can climb up to the dome and take a closer look at the beautiful cupola. The Cathedral is close to both S-Bahn Hackescher Markt and U-Bahn Klosterstraße stations.

The Berliner Fernsehturm, located in what was formerly East Berlin, is the highest structure in the city, rising to 368 metres. As might be expected, the views are rather breathtaking. Admission is €12.50 and the nearest station is Alexanderplatz, served by both S-Bahn and U-Bahn.

Parks and Gardens in Berlin

At around 520 acres, Tiergarten is Berlin's biggest park. Aside from a huge variety of beautiful plants and flowers, the park has a number of notable statues and monuments dotted throughout.
Berlin's main zoo is located in the south western tip of the park and houses thousands of species of animal, including polar bears, penguins, seals, wolves, elephants and gorillas, amongst many more. Full price entry is €13, whilst combined entrance to the zoo and aquarium is €20.

Theatres and Concert Halls

Berlin boasts a world-class selection of theatres and concert halls. The Berlin Philharmonie is regarded as one of the best venues in the world when it comes to classical music. Performances here regularly sell out, and with good reason. The acoustics are said to be amongst the very best in the world. For pre- or post-performance dining, try nearby Bar Grissini at 106-111 Leipzigerstraße, which serves oysters alongside other gourmet fare.

When it comes to theatre, consider The Deutsches Theater, which is noted for its classical productions. For productions that put a modern twist on classic works, and new writing, the Schaubühne in Charlottenburg and the Volksbühne in Mitte are both great options. Additionally, the English Theatre produces its plays exclusively in English, although most major theatres provide English surtitles anyway.

Getting there

Berlin has two airports. Tegel International Airport in the north west does not have a train station but is served by several buses and shuttle services. Schönefeld Airport, in the south east, is connected to town by S-Bahn. An express train departs regularly from most major stations in the city, including Hauptbahnhof and Ostbahnhof.

Planning your trip to Berlin? Check out our favorite downtown hotels in Berlin.

Author: David Rickerson-Seidel

Guest Relations Manager at NH Collection Berlin Mitte Friedrichstrasse

My name is David Rickerson-Seidel and I have been part of the NH Hotel Group since September 2015 when the first NH Collection Hotel opened in Germany. After 16 years of hotel experience, I was offered a great chance to meet people from all over the world and each time I was able to learn from them – this is one of the reason why I love my position as a Guest Relation Manager. My daily task is to fulfil our guest’s needs before they actually asking for it. With my passion for my job it is always a great pleasure to see our guests happy and smiling before they leave the hotel and I know that we have done the job right. I always say that the only thing that a guest can’t buy and book in advance is our smiling receptionist with a warm welcoming, the friendly breakfast host who would like to know if you slept well, and our elusive room maid, who is preparing the room so that it feels like home – our employees make the difference – this is why you are not checking into your room at a terminal. Whatever you need – we are always there for you.