My Favorite Things to Do and See in Berlin
Having lived in Berlin for a year and a half, I’m often asked for recommendations on what to do, see, and eat whilst in Germany’s capital. While I’m certainly not an expert on the city, and can give you zero insight into Berlin’s infamous club scene, I can definitely share some of my favorite things to do here.
Berlin is a pretty massive city. I’d recommend doing a little research beforehand to figure out where the majority of the sights you’d like to see are and either stay in that area or find somewhere with a pretty direct connection to that area via public transportation. The U-Bahn, S-Bahn, trams, and buses are very popular here and usually pretty reliable.
Favorite Restaurants/Bars
Quick bites: The restaurant that I find myself continuing to return to is Momos in Mitte. As you can probably guess, Momos serves homemade momos/dumplings with various vegan and vegetarian fillings. I also finally tried Dolores, also in Mitte, and their burritos are the closest thing I’ve found to burritos back in San Diego! If you’re in the mood for burgers, Burgermeister offers an iconic burger.
Brunch: Father Carpenter. Plus, they have a lovely courtyard!
Dinner: Lokal is a Berlin institution, offering a modern, seasonal menu with a beautiful interior.
Bars: My number one bar recommendation if you’re looking for somewhere with good wine and a unique ambience is Ora in Kreuzberg, which is in a former pharmacy. The wine bar still features the detailed woodwork and ceiling cornices from 1860 and the 1920s.
Favorite Cafes
I love coffee and people watching. The third-wave coffee scene in Berlin is incredible so here are a few of the top places to add to your list:
- The Barn (multiple locations)
- Bonanza Coffee Roasters (multiple locations)
- Distrikt Coffee
- Five Elephant
- Ben Rahim
- Father Carpenter (again)
- WestBerlin
- House of Small Wonder (you’ve probably seen their spiral staircase on Instagram, pictured below),
It’s also worth noting that ‘Kaffee und Kuchen’ (Coffee and Cake) is a “thing” in Berlin so around 3-4pm, indulge in your choice of cake along with a cappuccino or flat white.
Favorite Park
I will preface this by saying that most parks in Berlin are not the cleanest or most well-kept. Quite the contrary, really. You’ll find trash and lots of broken beer bottles and, depending on which park you go to, you may be offered drugs in broad daylight. (For example, Görlitzer Park.)
That said, I quickly fell in love with the Charlottenburg Palace Gardens. It’s a safe, quiet, stunning place to go for a walk, read a book, or enjoy a picnic. And, unlike many other palace gardens, it’s completely free to enjoy! (Though, there is a fee to go inside to tour the interior.)
If you’re looking for a more ‘local’ hang out, head over to Holzmarkt for a drink or a quick bite to eat. You’ll get the typical Berlin vibe here with makeshift furniture and hammocks right next to the river. The perfect place for sunset or a sunny day.
Lastly, my favorite hangout in the city center is Museum Island. Lustgarden, the grassy area in front of the Berliner Dom is perfect for people watching and soaking up some sunshine. Who cares if it’s touristy? I love the relaxing setting!
Recommended Reading: 5 Picturesque Walks in Berlin
Favorite Museums
I’m going to split this into two categories. Art/culture museums and history museums. Though most people would probably say the Pergamon (which closed for major restoration in October 2023) my absolute favorite museum of all in Berlin is the Neues Museum. You can read more about it in my post here but basically, this museum was badly bombed during the Second World War and sat in ruins for decades.
In the reconstruction, they decided to incorporate the old with the new which you will see in the design today. The museum itself is utterly beautiful with some of the most fascinating collections I’ve ever seen, covering a wide range of genres from Ancient Egypt to the Stone Age.
In terms of history, I’d recommend either the Topography of Terror which is set where the former headquarters of the SS and Gestapo once stood or the Berlin Wall Memorial on Bernauer Str. There are quite a few places to see the Berlin Wall but this particular memorial also has a two-story visitor’s center where I learned things I had never known before.
Recommended Reading: 10 Reasons Culture Lovers Should Visit Berlin
Favorite Landmarks
There’s more to take photos of than the Brandenburg Gate and the TV tower!
Take a tour of Berlin’s parliament district and go inside the historic Reichstag building.
If you’re looking for a monumental socialist boulevard built by the GDR, head over to Karl-Marx-Allee in Friedrichshain. You won’t find another street like this in Berlin. The influence of Soviet-style architecture in former East Berlin is evident in the former residence palaces on either side of the street. The first flat I lived in when I moved to Berlin was in one of these buildings so it will always have a special place in my heart. Be sure to walk up to the Frankfurter Tor! (pictured below)
On the complete opposite end of the spectrum, if you’re looking for one of Berlin’s most beautiful squares, head to Gendarmenmarkt in Mitte. Here, you’ll find the Französischer Dom, Deutscher Dom, and the Konzerthaus. You’re sure to get some of your best photos here.
If you have more time in Berlin, I highly recommend booking tickets for a day trip to Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp. You can read all about my experience visiting the memorial here.
Must-try Berlin Food/Drink
Would I be a Berliner if I didn’t recommend currywurst? You either love currywurst or hate it but I don’t think you can leave Berlin without at least trying one. You can also find vegan currywurst! My favorite way to have it is with fries (and mayo!) Currywurst is kind of like the German version of fish & chips. Order it on the street, and enjoy it on the go!
Also, if you’re in Berlin, you have to try a bottle of Club Mate. It’s a caffeinated mate-based drink that you’ll see everyone in Berlin carrying around with them. Another thing that you either love or hate. If you’re a fan of ginger, I prefer the ginger flavored Mio Mio Mate which you can also find in any nearby “späti” (convenience store). This one reminds me more of kombucha.
Because of Berlin’s tumultuous past and historic roots, you’ll find an endless array of things to do in Berlin. This is just scraping the surface.
I hope you have an incredible time in Berlin and if you try out any of my recommendations and take photos, please tag me in them on Instagram @ChelseaDinen so I can see!
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