17 Interesting Landmarks in Berlin You Can’t Miss
Berlin has tons of amazing tourist attractions and landmarks. Explore the city’s history from old to not-so-old and take lots of pictures! These landmarks help shape the landscape of Germany’s capital and add to its personality, and each one has a story behind it. If you want to see Berlin’s most recognizable and famous landmarks, we’ve got you covered.
Where to stay in Berlin
Berlin has lots of great neighborhoods for you to stay in and explore. If you’re visiting Berlin for the first time, it might be best for you stay somewhere central. Many of the attractions are in Mitte or easily connected to Mitte by transport, so you should stay somewhere in that region. Here are a few hotels we recommend.
For a more detailed look at the different neighborhoods and our recommendations, check out our guide to where to stay in Berlin.
Must See Landmarks in Berlin
Check out these Berlin landmarks that should definitely be included in your itinerary.
Brandenburg Gate
This is probably the most recognizable landmark in Berlin and the whole of Germany. It’s the last remaining city gate in Berlin and was built between 1788 and 1791. During the Cold War, the gate sat on the line between East and West Germany and was inaccessible. Once the Wall came down, Brandenburg Gate came to symbolize the reunification of Germany.
TV Tower
The TV Tower, or Fernsehturm, could easily challenge Brandenburg Gate for the award of most famous landmark in Berlin. The tower was built during the Cold War by the Soviets and was purposely constructed to be high enough to see from almost everywhere in the city.
Today there aren’t a lot of really tall buildings in Berlin, so you can still see the TV Tower from all over. Sometimes you’ll turn a corner and there it is. Don’t miss this one on your trip to Berlin.
Reichstag Building
The seat of the German government is here in the impressive Reichstag Building, located just a few steps away from Brandenburg Gate. It’s topped by a unique glass dome, which is accessible to the public.
You can actually take a free tour with audio guide, and you’ll learn about Germany’s government, the building, the surrounding areas, and more interesting facts. The views from here are really nice, and if you’re lucky, you might even get to see the Parliament below. You must book your tour in advance.
Victory Column
Sitting in a roundabout in the middle of Tiergarten, the Victory Column is another monument you shouldn’t miss while you’re in Berlin. If you look through the columns of Brandenburg Gate towards the west, you’ll see the golden tower down the street.
It was originally built to honor Prussia’s victory in the Franco-German war, and today it’s a popular tourist attraction in Berlin. Climb the stairs for great views of the city.
Charlottenburg Palace
Completed in 1699, this was the summer palace for Sophie Charlotte as it was still outside the Berlin city limits at that time. When she died at the young age of 36, the palace was renamed to honor her. Today this popular attraction is well worth a visit.
Inside is a museum where you can see tableware, porcelain, Prussian crown jewels, and more as well as learn more about the history of Charlottenburg Palace. Even if you don’t go inside, the gardens of the palace are quite impressive, and free of charge.
Airlift Memorial
During the Cold War, access to West Berlin was limited because it was surrounded by East Germany. At one point, the Soviets blocked land, rail, and waterway access to West Berlin, which meant people living there couldn’t get supplies.
This resulted in the Berlin Airlift, which started in June 1948. Allied partners supplied West Berlin residents from cargo planes, and one plane took off or landed every 30 seconds for over a year. The Airlift Memorial honors this effort.
Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church
This church was built in the 1890s but was heavily damaged from air raids in 1943 during World War II. Rather than rebuild the church when the war was over, Berlin decided to leave it how it was.
It’s located not far from the Zoo and now stands as a reminder of how horrible and destructive war is. I recommend adding this landmark to your Berlin itinerary.
Oberbaumbrücke
The Oberbaumbrücke spans the Spree River connecting Friedrichshain and Kreuzberg. Since the river formed part of the border between East and West Berlin, this bridge served as one of the pedestrian crossings between the two sides. After the Wall came down, the bridge was fully repaired, allowing cars to cross as well.
The Ubahn line that once crossed here was once again connected to the Warschauer station on the east side of the river. The bridge’s old appearance coupled with modern vehicles makes it an interesting landmark to see.
Molecule Men
This is one of the more quirky landmarks in Berlin. Standing 30 meters (about 98 feet) tall in the middle of the Spree River, the Molecule Men statue is quite a sight to see. The holes in the men are supposed to represent molecules.
The statue was created in the 1990s and can be seen from the shores of the river in parts of Kreuzberg and Friedrichshain, from the Sbahn while traveling between Ostkreuz and Treptower Park, or from certain boat sightseeing tours.
East Side Gallery
I think we can all agree that the East Side Gallery is one of the most popular attractions in Berlin. It’s very photogenic, and it represents a lot of history.
This is one of the longest remaining sections of the Berlin Wall, and it’s covered in art. Some sections have been there for decades while others change from time to time, so there’s a wide spread of messages from each work of art.
Berlin Wall Memorial at Bernauer Strasse
Another section of the Berlin Wall that you should definitely check out is the Bernauer Strasse Wall Memorial. This memorial describes the history of a street divided down the middle by the Wall and how it affected those who lived there.
The visitor center shows two excellent short films (English available) about the Wall, and the memorial itself stretches for nearly a mile. I highly recommend watching these videos as they are very moving and insightful.
Berliner Dom
The Berlin Cathedral, or Berliner Dom in German, sits alongside the impressive museums on Museum Island and is a Protestant cathedral, not a Catholic one. It has a long history and has been repaired and rebuilt over the years.
Church services still take place here, but you can tour the building when services are not going on. You can even climb to the top for views.
Gendarmenmarkt
Berlin doesn’t have a main square like many European cities, but instead it has ended up with several squares in Mitte (which means middle or center) that could be considered central city squares. Gendarmenmarkt is undoubtedly the most beautiful of them. In the square you’ll see three gorgeous buildings: German and French cathedrals (Deutscher und Französischer Dom) and Schinkel’s Konzerthaus (concert hall). The cathedrals are now museums.
It’s worth visiting this Berlin landmark any time of the year, but if you’re visiting in December, Gendarmenmarkt hosts one of the prettiest Christmas markets in Berlin.
Weltzeituhr
Located in Alexanderplatz, the Weltzeituhr is another quirky attraction in Berlin. Weltzeituhr means world time clock, and it shows what time it is currently in Berlin but also in dozens of cities around the world. The cities are placed around the globe so you can see where they are in relation to the rest, plus they’re placed in the proper hemisphere.
It’s an easy meeting spot in a busy square and a fun way to see what time it is in another part of the world.
Checkpoint Charlie
Checkpoint Charlie is the most famous border crossing between East and West Berlin. Once the Wall fell and Berlin became a popular city for tourism, Checkpoint Charlie became a must see attraction in Berlin. Men dressed as American soldiers used to be there for photo ops, but they have been banned.
If you happen to be nearby for something else, go take a look. But I promise you, it’s the most overrated sight in the city, and it’s totally fine to skip it.
Olympic Stadium
The Olympic Stadium located in western Berlin is an impressive place to see. It was used for many Nazi propaganda events but today holds concerts and other less controversial events.
You can take a tour of the building on non-event days, and the bell tower is great to climb for impressive views of the city. If you have time for this Berlin landmark, it’s worth the effort.
Museum Island
For museum lovers, Museum Island is a must. This group of five museums sits on an island in the Spree River in the Mitte district in the middle of so many tourist attractions.
The museums here are the Pergamon Museum, the Bode Museum, the Altes Museum (Old Museum), the Neues Museum (New Museum), and the Alte Nationalgalerie (Old National Gallery). Their striking appearance matches the wealth of exhibits found inside these Berlin museums.
Consider a museum pass if you plan on visiting multiple museums. The Museum Island Welcome Card gives you a 72 hour transport pass, free entry to all museums and collections on Berlin’s Museum Island (Pergamon Museum, Bode Museum, Altes Museum, Alte Nationalgalerie, and Neues Museum), and discounts at many other museums and attractions.
Another option is the normal Welcome Card that does not include free entrance to the museums on Museum Island. It gives you a transport pass that you can choose either 48 hours, 72 hours, 4 day, 5 day, or 6 day, plus discounts at many museums and other attractions.
Book a tour for your trip to Berlin
Berlin Travel Resources
I want you to have the best trip to Berlin, and hopefully this list of Berlin landmarks helps. But there are lots more tips on the site!
Here’s an extensive list of the best things to do in Berlin. It’s full of activities, attractions, and more. Also, go see some castles, and if you’re planning a longer trip, here are some fantastic day trips from Berlin.
Check out what you should know before coming to Berlin. From practical tips to quirky facts about the city, it’s all in there.
Using public transport is the easiest way to get around Berlin. Read this handy guide to Berlin’s public transport system and how to get around Berlin.
Visiting Berlin? Don’t forget travel insurance!
It’s always a good idea to travel to Berlin with a valid travel insurance policy. Travel here is reasonably safe, but you never know when something could happen. You need to be covered in case you have an accident or become a victim to theft.
We recommend World Nomads insurance for travel. Travel insurance helps you recover your expenses and continue to enjoy your trip.
