The most beautiful places to visit in Berlin
Discover the top attractions in Berlin – from the Brandenburg Gate to Museum Island, explore the city’s rich history, culture, and vibrant lifestyle.
Berlin, one of Germany's most visited cities and most important cultural centers, is also the capital of the country. Throughout the year, Berlin attracts millions of people from all over the world; with its vast parks, streets filled with architectural masterpieces, famous squares adorned with monuments, and dozens of museums, it promises a magnificent travel experience.
In Berlin, you will have the chance to see iconic buildings such as the Brandenburg Gate, Victory Column, and Reichstag (Parliament Building), as well as some of the most beautiful palaces in Europe like Sanssouci Palace and Charlottenburg Palace. You can also admire magnificent statues. Additionally, you can take photos in large squares like Alexanderplatz and Potsdamer Platz. In Berlin, which fascinates nature lovers with the Spree River, Grunewald Forest, Krumme Lake, and Havel River, you can visit many tourist attractions from Europe’s largest zoo to its aquarium, and enjoy pleasant times in splendid city parks like Tiergarten.
In Berlin, you can relax in the unique atmosphere of Museum Island, which is on UNESCO’s World Heritage List, or visit 5 museums that showcase priceless artifacts from various periods of history. You can also discover dozens of renowned museums, from technology museums to classical and modern art museums. While writing about the 100 must-see places in Berlin, we used Instagram tags, preparing a special article where the most tagged place is at the top. For history, culture, and art enthusiasts alike, Berlin is a true paradise. You can book a flight ticket to Berlin and use the place links we’ve added during your trip to explore the city.
1- Kreuzberg
Known as Little Istanbul due to its predominantly Turkish population, the Kreuzberg district is one of Berlin's most touristic areas; with restaurants serving the best dishes of Turkish cuisine, souvenir shops, markets, fairs, entertainment venues, and street cafés.
Kreuzberg captures the rhythm of Berlin's nightlife with its bars and nightclubs where you can listen to many different music styles live, while also attracting tourists with its cafés serving Turkish coffee and kebab houses. By visiting the city’s largest flea market, where you can buy interesting antiques, Kreuzberg offers both a pleasant stroll and an ideal spot for holiday shopping.
| Author's note: After a park walk, you can head to nearby Oranienstrasse. This street reflects Kreuzberg's lively and bohemian atmosphere. It is full of various cafés, restaurants, and shops. Here, you can taste flavors from different cuisines, shop in vintage stores, or visit small galleries. |
2- Brandenburg Gate (Brandenburger Tor)
The Brandenburg Gate, a magnificent and iconic landmark symbolizing a united and free Berlin, stands out with its captivating Neo-Classical design and striking architecture. Supported by 12 columns and featuring 6 entrances and 6 exits, the monumental structure was built during the Prussian era between 1788 and 1791.
After much of it was destroyed by bombings during World War II, the Brandenburg Gate was rebuilt. Its symbols also draw attention for presenting both the modern and historical face of Germany together. One of Berlin's main symbols and most visited attractions, the giant gate stands next to the magnificent architectural monument Reichstag (Parliament Building). In 1973, a statue of the Goddess of Victory, Victoria, riding a chariot drawn by four horses was placed atop the gate. Especially because of this famous statue, the site is visited by thousands of local and foreign tourists every year.
| Author's note: If you love museums and art galleries, you can visit cultural institutions near the Brandenburg Gate on Unter den Linden Street. For example, the Berlin State Museum, Berlin History Museum, and the German Opera House are located in this area. |
3- Alexanderplatz
One of the best starting points to explore Berlin, Alexanderplatz is also notable as the city’s largest square and attracts tourists all year round. Considered the historical center of Berlin, the wide square was initially used as a cattle market but later became a famous landmark after being named in honor of Russian Emperor Alexander I, who visited here in 1805.
Having witnessed many important events and major social protests in Germany’s long history, Alexanderplatz is now one of the city’s most touristic spots. Here you can see iconic landmarks such as the Berlin TV Tower, the World Clock, and the Fountain of Friendship. Don’t forget to visit the historic train station that makes the area so popular and capture beautiful photos. With high-quality restaurants offering world cuisines, shops and cafes featuring branded products, and pleasant evening walks, Alexanderplatz is a favorite among tourists. It also attracts attention with its entertainment venues and beer gardens.
| Author’s Note: From Alexanderplatz, you can walk to the Spree River and enjoy a pleasant stroll along the riverbank. By walking or joining a boat tour along the Spree, you can admire beautiful city views. |
4- Spree River
The Spree River, Berlin’s most famous natural beauty and a tributary of the Havel River, stretches for 400 kilometers and offers enchanting scenery as it flows through the city. With 46 kilometers running through Berlin, the river is always lively thanks to its well-organized walking paths, cycling routes, lush green parks, cafes, restaurants, and various tourist facilities.
During spring and summer, you can explore the Spree by canoe, boat, or small vessels, and capture stunning photos of its magnificent historic bridges, including the iconic Oberbaum Bridge. The riverbanks, dotted with centuries-old castles, palaces, and classic German houses, make the Spree one of the permanent highlights of Berlin city tours. After experiencing the beauty of the Spree, you can enjoy a romantic dinner in riverside restaurants in the evenings.
5- East Side Gallery
One of the largest surviving sections of the Berlin Wall, which once divided the city, has now become one of Berlin’s most famous tourist attractions, visited by thousands of people every year. First designed as the Berlin Peace Museum in 1990, the East Side Gallery consists of a 1.3 km stretch of the Berlin Wall built by the Soviet Union in 1961, transformed by world-renowned graffiti artists into a spectacular open-air gallery.
With symbols of peace and freedom covering every corner, the East Side Gallery is one of the best places in Berlin for stunning photos. During your visit, you’ll have the chance to see the remaining sections of the famous Berlin Wall. You can also explore nearby art galleries and relax in cafes and restaurants, enjoying the unique atmosphere.
| Author’s Note: There is a metro station very close to the wall’s location. This makes it easy to reach the central station and visit other tourist areas along the metro line. |
6- Prenzlauer Berg
One of the most vibrant neighborhoods in Berlin, Prenzlauer Berg was once home to wealthy families before World War II. Today, it is a highly popular travel destination filled with high-quality restaurants, numerous shops, and large playgrounds for children.
Here, you can stroll through streets lined with centuries-old buildings and take stunning photographs. With its street performers, roadside cafes, entertainment venues, and boutiques, Prenzlauer Berg is an ideal spot for both fun and shopping. Known for its lively bars where you can enjoy live music from various bands, the district also stands out with its classic houses, some of which now serve as museums and art galleries, making it an essential stop for history and culture tours.
| Author’s Note: Located in the heart of Prenzlauer Berg, Kulturbrauerei is a former brewery transformed into a cultural center. It now houses theaters, concert venues, bars, restaurants, and galleries. You can enjoy live music, visit exhibitions, or taste local beers here. |
7) Reichstag (Parliament Building)
Located right next to the magnificent Brandenburg Gate, the Reichstag (Parliament Building) was built between 1884-1894 on the banks of the Spree River and has witnessed many historic events. Designed in Renaissance architectural style, the building is famous for the Reichstag fire that marked Hitler’s rise and was later damaged during the 1945 Berlin bombings before being reconstructed to its original form.
After reconstruction, the Reichstag served during the Third Reich as both an opera house and parliament. With its monumental gate adorned with statues, unique stained-glass windows, impressive stonework, and the panoramic views of Berlin from its glass dome, the Reichstag is a must-visit attraction during your city trip.
| Author’s Note: You can visit the building with a reservation in advance. If you take Turkish audio guides at the entrance, you will easily receive information and guidance. The building is open between 08:00-22:00. |
8) Berlin Cathedral (Berliner Dom)
Germany is filled with magnificent cathedrals, and one of the most impressive is Berlin Cathedral, a landmark you must see while exploring the city. Initially built in the 1700s in Baroque style and expanded with additions during the 1800s and 1900s, its construction began in the 15th century but was only completed in the 20th century.
Considered not only one of Germany’s most beautiful cathedrals but also one of Europe’s finest, the cathedral originally served as a Roman Catholic church before being converted into a Lutheran church. Combining Baroque, Neo-Baroque, and Neo-Classical architectural styles, the Berlin Cathedral attracts millions of art and architecture enthusiasts each year. Inside, you can admire magnificent stonework, giant domes, religious motifs, and period decorations during an unforgettable tour.
From the cathedral’s famous observation area, you can enjoy panoramic views of Berlin and capture stunning photos. The cathedral also hosts important seminars, conferences, and cultural events throughout the year. You can visit it on your own or join guided Berlin tours. For your city trip, consider staying in one of the central Berlin hotels, allowing you to reach many attractions within walking distance.
9- Tiergarten
Tiergarten, Berlin's largest park, covers more than 210 hectares of green space and has become one of the city's landmarks, similar to Central Park or Hyde Park. Located just a short distance from the Brandenburg Gate and the lively Potsdamer Platz, this lush park is one of the best places to escape the city's crowds and noise while relaxing in the enchanting natural scenery.
Designed in the 1800s as a royal hunting ground, today Tiergarten attracts families with children thanks to its 200-hectare zoo. With its unique plant diversity, artificial lakes, pavilions, and English and French gardens decorated with colorful flowers, it offers wonderful opportunities for photography.
Tiergarten can be explored along well-organized walking paths accompanied by magical views of the River Spree. The park features the Berlin Zoo, an open-air museum, impressive monuments, and statues, offering plenty of sections where you can spend the whole day. As Berlin's largest park and Germany's third-largest, its vast lawns are perfect for sunbathing in the summer, children can enjoy playgrounds, and you can relax with short breaks at its cafes and restaurants.
10- Potsdamer Platz
Located a short distance from the Brandenburg Gate, the German Parliament Building, and Berlin's largest park, Tiergarten, Potsdamer Platz is one of the city's largest squares, bustling and lively at all hours of the day. With its skyscrapers and modern buildings decorating every corner, the square represents Berlin's modern face. At the same time, history enthusiasts frequently visit for the remains of the Berlin Wall, one of the symbols of German reunification.
Since the 18th century, Potsdamer Platz has been one of Berlin's liveliest public spaces. After being abandoned following the fall of the Berlin Wall, it was transformed through planned modernization projects into one of the city's most fascinating squares. Today, it is home to modern buildings, dozens of shops, giant cinemas, fine restaurants offering world cuisines, cafés for every taste, as well as famous tourist attractions such as Legoland and Sony Center. Potsdamer Platz is among the must-see landmarks and top shopping destinations of any Berlin trip.
11- Sanssouci Palace
Considered one of Berlin's most beautiful palaces and located a short distance from Potsdamer Platz, Sanssouci Palace is among the symbolic landmarks that every history, culture, and architecture enthusiast must see up close. Built by King Frederick II of Prussia and often compared to the Palace of Versailles for its enchanting beauty, the impressive Sanssouci Palace offers you a magical blend of Rococo and Baroque architectural styles.
Constructed in 1847 and expanded with various additions over different periods, the magnificent Sanssouci Palace invites you to explore its fascinating rooms filled with priceless porcelain, antiques, and artworks, taking you on a remarkable journey through history. Designed as a palace complex with vast landscaped gardens, stunning statues, and a grand fountain, Sanssouci is considered not only one of Germany’s but also one of the world’s most magnificent landmarks. Both its indoor and outdoor areas, along with its centuries-old windmills, offer breathtaking views worth experiencing.
| Author's note: By purchasing an online combo ticket, you can visit both Sanssouci Palace and the nearby Neues Palace. |
12 - Checkpoint Charlie
A relic from the Cold War era, Checkpoint Charlie was the most famous border crossing and control point between East and West Germany. Surrounded today by modern buildings, skyscrapers, shopping centers, restaurants, banks, and business hubs, Checkpoint Charlie still stands as a living memory of that period.
With American and Soviet soldiers once guarding it face-to-face, its sandbag barriers and striking barricades create a unique scene right in the heart of the city. Checkpoint Charlie is an ideal travel destination for those who want to feel the atmosphere of divided Berlin. Attracting thousands of tourists every year who come to take photos, it has become one of the permanent stops of Berlin trips.
| Author's note: When you arrive at Checkpoint Charlie, you will see the famous sign that symbolizes the border crossing, reading “You are leaving the American Sector.” You can photograph this iconic landmark and keep a memory of a symbolic piece of the Berlin Wall era. |
