The best attractions in Berlin for 2025

The Brandenburger Tor (or The Brandenburg Gate if you’re not so great with German) is an absolute must-see attraction if you’re visiting Berlin. Fun fact: From 1814 until 1919, only the royal family and members of the aristocratic Pfuel Family were allowed to travel through the centre archway. Which wouldn't have been so fun for us normal folk. Now, it no longer causes divisions. It’s said to represent peace and unity and is one of Germany's best known landmarks. 

🤫 Insider tip: for the best pics, take ’em from the east side so that you can see Tiergarten between the pillars. 

Address: Pariser Platz, 10117 Berlin

Editor’s note: the dome will be closed at various points throughout the summer of 2025 to allow for maintenance (the roof terrace will stay open). 

The Reichstag, built in 1894 and famously gutted by fire in 1933, now symbolises political transparency with its striking glass dome designed by Norman Foster. Reopened in 1999, the dome offers panoramic views and an insight into German democracy. Entry is free, but advance online booking is pretty much essential to get a look in. 

🤫 Insider tip: if you miss out online, try your luck at the Visitor’s Service near the Berlin Pavilion.

Address: Platz der Republik 1, 11011 Berlin

Named as the largest Jewish museum in Europe (38,000 square feet of floor space to be exact), Daniel Libeskind’s beautiful, yet deliberately oppressive building houses a masterful museum devoted to the turbulent history of Judaism in Germany. It was opened in 2001, with a permanent exhbition that tells the stories of prominent Jewish figures and their impact, as well as the famous Shalekhet – Fallen Leaves installation of over 10,000 steel faces. You’ll also learn about Jewish holiday traditions, the difficult road to emancipation and more.

🤫 Insider tip: you’re best off visiting on weekdays in the early hours to avoid queues and crowds. 

Running along the River Spree for 1.3km (0.8 miles) from Oberbaum Bridge to Ostbahnhof is one of Berlin’s most photographed tourist sights. This is the largest remaining section of the Wall still standing, decorated with 101 paintings by international artists from 1990. Dmitri Vrubel’s striking portrait depicting Brezhnev and Hönecker’s kiss – a Soviet sign of great respect – is easily its most iconic image. There aren’t many places in Berlin where you’re encouraged to engage in shameless, unironic photo-taking, so this is definitely the place to whip out the selfie stick.

🤫 Insider tip: Take in riverfront views at the bar in Locke at Eastside Gallery, with an excellent balcony. It’s pricey, sure, but what did you expect?

Address: Mühlenstraße 3–100, 10243 Berlin

Architect Peter Eisenman’s Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe is intentionally disorienting: it’s a striking sculptural statement that invites visitors in, only to create a feeling of unease. There’s no vantage point or overview; to fully engage with the structure you need to walk into it. It’s haunting in places, especially on overcast days and near the middle of the monument, where it’s easy to feel a sense of confinement. Early criticism often focused on the monument’s lack of specificity – there are no stars of David here, no obvious symbolism or recognition of German culpability – but it has since won grudging recognition from many former critics.

🤫 Insider tip: be sure to get there when the visitor centre is open (Tue-Sun, 10am-6pm). Its exhibitions are exceptionally informative.

Address: Cora-Berliner-Straße 1, 10117 Berlin

To the average tourist, especially those on a short trip, the sheer abudance of noteworthy buildings and monuments in Berlin can feel overwhelming. If you want to tick a whole collection off your list while also getting a nice chance to orientate yourself within the city, consider this neat little one-hour boat ride. It travels through the city centre and financial district, taking in sites you may well want to return to on foot, such as the Reichstag and Museum Island. You also get a well-deserved break from walking and a nice hot drink to enjoy while drifting down river.

🤫 Insider tip: less good for photos but perfect for real-life romance, an evening boat tour is the best way to see Berlin in its sparkly, lively night-time glory. 

Address: Various stops along the River Spree

After a long period of restoration, from suffering severe damage during World War III, the Neues Museum got back up and running back in 2009. It’s now arguably one of the best museums to visit from Berlin’s UNESCO-listed Museumsinsel (Museum Island). It's an unforgettable home for a whole host of different artefacts from ancient history to the present day. From Egyptian art to unique prehistoric objects. This museum will feed your curiosity and is a great way to expand your world knowledge.

🤫 Insider tip: be sure to properly take in the building itself: all those rennovations have turned the Neues into a fully-fledged architectural gem. 

Address: Bodestraße 1–3, 10178 Berlin

One of Berlin’s most impressive public monuments, this memorial to Soviet soldiers killed in the Second World War (one of three in Berlin) and military cemetery is located in a peaceful park in the east of the city. It’s as bombastic and intimidating as you would expect.

🤫 Insider tip: Treptower Park covers a huge area and is visit-worthy in itself, so combine your stop with a bike ride along the Spree or a stroll to the nearby Karpfenteich (carp pond). In summer, you can enjoy a riverside coffee at one of the park’s restaurants and cafés.

Berlin’s Natural History Museum will be a sure-fire hit with any under-10s. The biggest (literally) draw is the skeleton of a Brachiosaurus dinosaur, which weighed 50 tonnes at death and stands proud at four storeys high. But don’t miss the creepy ‘research collections’, which show off some of the museum’s store of over a million pickled animals suspended in jars of alcohol.

🤫 Insider tip: Berlin’s most famous polar bear, Knut, who died in 2011, is also stuffed and on display.

Address: Invalidenstraße 43, 10115 Berlin