finder.com.au

Things to do in Berlin 2021

All the must-see sights and experiences in the German capital city of Berlin, plus your event guide for the year.

Courtney Edwards
Courtney Edwards

Updated

Fact checked

We’re reader-supported and may be paid when you visit links to partner sites. We don’t compare all products in the market, but we’re working on it!

As Germany's biggest city, Berlin is filled with a wide range of sightseeing opportunities and activities.

The city has World Heritage sites, powerhouse museums and a buzzing nightlife, and in one day you can come into contact with everything from ancient Egyptian artefacts to 21st-century techno music.

Top things to do in Berlin

Top picks
Fun things to do
Cool activities
Seasonal events

Bode Museum, Berlin

1. Explore a variety of museums

Get to know Berlin by doing a museum tour. Museum Island in Berlin has five museums: The Pergamon Museum, The Body Museum, The New Museum, The Old Museum and The Old National Gallery. Visiting all five spots will give you great insight into ancient Greek and Roman culture, as well as art throughout the years.

Berlin Bike Tour, Germany

2. See Berlin on bike

Discover Berlin with a bike tour around the city. Cycle to the Berlin Wall sites and hear stories about people's escape attempts, then follow the tracks of history, stopping at the Berlin Wall Memorial and the Stasi Records Agency. Alternatively, take a food tour by bike through the city and try out food at Berlin's best restaurants and cafes, while learning about the city's history and past along the way.

Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp Memorial

3. Learn about the history of Berlin

Board a coach and travel to the Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp Memorial for a touching and unforgettable day. See where prisoners worked, explore barracks and visit the pathology lab that was used for medical experiments, autopsies and executions. Hear stories about the first concentration camp that was built from the ground up and grasp confronting knowledge about the happenings of the prisoners during their daily lives.

Fun things to do in Berlin

Berlin-thingstodo-5

4. Roam around the East Side Gallery

The East Side Gallery is a 1.3-kilometre portion of the Berlin Wall that has been turned into one of the longest open-air galleries in the world. 118 artists from 21 counties contributed to the artwork on the wall. You can take a tour past the gallery to learn more about the works of art. A guide will offer insight and perspective on each of the paintings, from the iconic Fraternal Kiss to Birgit Kinder's Trabant car that's pictured bursting through the wall.

Berlin Food Tour, Germany

5. Eat your way through Berlin

We hope you like German food, because you're in for a treat with a food tour in Berlin. Sample locally sourced and produced mustard, honey, sauces and alcohol with a Berlin Food Crawl. A three-hour food tour will take you around to seven different culinary hubs including the best kebab shop in Berlin. Plus you can sample traditional German meat and cheese in a pub and try authentic German sweets at a boutique bakery.

6. Party through Berlin's nightlife

Berlin isn't a city of early nights. There are no official closing times in the German capital, so bars and clubs stay open as long as you can stay awake. Berlin's club scene is diverse and you'll find a variety of classy cocktail bars, live music venues and techno clubs – the music that the city is most famous for. If you don't know where to start, join an organised bar crawl around the city. You'll be taken to the best venues around the city and meet new friends along the way.

Cool activities in Berlin

TV Tower, Berlin

7. Discover Berlin from new heights

See striking panoramic views of the city from 200 metres in the air at Berlin's TV Tower. From the tallest tower in Germany, you'll be able to spot iconic locations including Berlin's Central Station, the Reichstag, the Brandenburg Gate and more.

Berlin River, Germany

8. Set sail on a Berlin river cruise

The rivers Havel and Spree wind their way through Berlin. Get a different perspective of the city by taking a cruise along one or both of them. Sail along the Havel to Potsdam and tick off some UNESCO World Heritage sites as you view parks and palaces along the way. If you have a lot of places to tick off your to-do list but very little time to do it, take a river cruise past the German Parliament Building, the Government Quarter, Berlin Cathedral and Museum Island.

Berlin Road, Germany

9. Laugh your way through the streets of Berlin with a comedy show

Enjoy a one-of-a-kind experience with a comedy bus tour. Hear a combination of historical anecdotes, stories and gags while you make your way around the city and spot attractions like the Brandenburg Gate, Museum Island and Unter del Linden. You'll be able to amp up your knowledge of Berlin during this unique tour that mixes humour and history.

Seasonal events in Berlin

Things to do in Berlin in summer

  • Pyronale fireworks competition
  • Citadel Music Festival
  • International Berlin Beer Festival

Things to do in Berlin in winter

  • Berlinale (Berlin International Film Festival)
  • Transmediale festival

Things to do in Berlin in autumn

  • Berlin Marathon
  • Berlin Art Week
  • Jazz Fest Berlin

Things to do in Berlin in spring

  • German Open
  • Berlin Graphic Days
  • International Museum Day

Feeling inspired? Book your flights to Berlin below:

Travel to Berlin for cheap with one of these top deals

InterrailInterrail

Up to 20% off Europe walking tours

Available on select travel dates for Interrail Pass holders. Destinations include Germany, Spain, Netherlands, Paris, London and more. T&Cs apply.

Last verified

Show code
ViatorViator

Berlin Christmas Market tours from $33

Available on select 2020 dates. Sample price is for a walking tour. T&Cs apply.

Last verified

Get deal
TourRadarTourRadar

Up to 50% off tours

Sign up your email to subscribe and get member exclusive deals by email. T&Cs apply.

Last verified

Get deal

More guides on Finder

Ask an Expert

You are about to post a question on finder.com.au:

  • Do not enter personal information (eg. surname, phone number, bank details) as your question will be made public
  • finder.com.au is a financial comparison and information service, not a bank or product provider
  • We cannot provide you with personal advice or recommendations
  • Your answer might already be waiting – check previous questions below to see if yours has already been asked

Finder only provides general advice and factual information, so consider your own circumstances, or seek advice before you decide to act on our content. By submitting a question, you're accepting our Terms of Use, Disclaimer & Privacy Policy and Privacy & Cookies Policy.
Go to site