What to see, what to do in Berlin: the unmissable activities

Capital of Germany, Berlin is a cosmopolitan destination steeped in history, a perfect balance between heritage and urban planning.

Its past can be discovered in the open air on its walls, and its effervescence is felt in each of its districts with marked identities.

We walk on its mythical Alexanderplatz, we admire its graffiti that color the streets, we vibrate to the techno rhythms of underground clubs.

Unlike its European “sisters”, Berlin is the haven of alternative culture, which it preserves and cherishes as much as the memory of its past.

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Berlin Mitte, the heart of the city in three stages

Placed on the Spree, the island of museums is classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

JFL Photography

The historic center of Berlin

Central district, Mitte perfectly reflects the spirit of the city.

There are many emblematic monuments, mainly on its western plot: the Reichstag, the main building of Parliament now open to the public, Checkpoint Charlie, the most famous crossing point between East and West during the Cold War, the Holocaust memorial, recognizable by its sober concrete blocks and the Brandenburg Gate, the old entrance to the city.

10 minutes away, we stop at Potsdamer Platz, a lively and modern square surrounded by the Sony Center, a futuristic-style shopping complex, as well as the Kollhoff Tower, which offers a panoramic view of the whole of Berlin.

VISIT THE REICHSTAG

From Unter den Linden to Museum Island

Unter den Linden, literally “under the lime trees”, is one of the capital's main thoroughfares.

We walk there, on foot or by bike, passing in front of the statue of Frederick the Great, the National Library, the State Opera or the Humboldt University.

We discover these attractions until arriving at

, the Island of Museums, La Spree and classified as World Heritage by Unesco.

There are five museums, architectural jewels, containing historical and artistic treasures, from the beginnings of the Egyptian era and the ancient civilizations of the East to European art of the 19th century.

This is also where you can admire the Berlin Cathedral, Berliner Dom.

DISCOVER BERLIN BY BOAT

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Alexanderplatz, the other Mitte

Located at the eastern end of Mitte, Alexanderplatz immerses travelers in a completely different atmosphere.

Lively and urban, it is one of the city's main places of life and is home to many "Soviet-style" buildings, built in the 1960s. Around it stand the Television Tower, Fernsehturn and the 'Universal Clock.

Nearby, you can also visit the Marienkirche, the second church built in Berlin in the 13th century, recognizable by its immaculate interiors, bathed in light.

TOUR THE CITY BY BUS

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Charlottenburg, chic Berlin

In Berlin, take the time to visit Charlottenburg Palace and its formal garden.

Sergey Kelin

Art, history & royalty

Once the showcase of West Berlin, Charlottenburg is today a peaceful place, more bourgeois than the rest of the capital.

It is famous for its Baroque-style Schloss Charlottenburg (closed on Mondays), surrounded by a splendid French garden.

The district is also home to many museums such as the Bröhan Museum (closed on Mondays), dedicated to Art Nouveau, Art Deco and design.

You can also visit the Memorial Church, a former symbol of West Berlin that has become a memorial of peace and reconciliation.

DINNER AT CHARLOTTENBURG CASTLE

Shopping stopover in Berlin

Charlottenburg is also the ideal district for shopping.

Kurfurstendamm is certainly the most commercial avenue in the capital, with its galleries and department stores, including the famous KaDeWe.

Known to Berliners as "Ku'damm", visitors will find a German-style Champs-Elysées here.

GET THE BERLIN WELCOME CARD

Kreuzberg, multicultural Berlin

The Kreuzberg district is full of thrift stores, trendy cafes, street food stalls and street art frescoes.

pixel shop

Head for Kreuzberg, the cosmopolitan.

This singular district welcomes many students, artists and expatriates.

A symbol of social diversity, it represents what the Germans call "Multi-Kulti", multicultural diversity.

Many artists find themselves at the Künstlerhaus Bethanien, a hospital that has become a cultural center which organizes workshops and exhibitions of contemporary art.

At the turn of the streets dotted with tags, there are thrift stores, trendy cafes and street food stands, mainly Turkish.

And for good reason, Kreuzberg was shaped by significant Turkish immigration in the 1960s, which has persisted.

Engelbecken Park and Viktoriapark are ideal green spots to enjoy an authentic doner kebab.

GASTRONOMIC GUIDED TOUR

Friedrichshain, the alternative Berlin

While strolling in the district of Friedrichshain, take a break in this large park of almost 50 hectares in the heart of the city.

Robert Herhold

Friedrichshain is just as lively and trendy as Kreuzberg, but more famous for its nightlife, notably the emblematic Berghain club.

We discover rehabilitated places, such as the Haubentaucher, a train garage that has become a cultural complex with a concert hall and swimming pool.

A must-see, East Side Gallery is an open-air gallery with frescoes by artists from around the world that celebrate the fall of the wall.

Second-hand lovers will find their happiness at Humana, a gigantic thrift store, and at the Boxhagener Platz flea market on Sundays.

After long walks, you can reach Friedrichshain, an oasis of greenery in the heart of the city.

EXPLORE THE NEIGHBORHOOD

Prenzlauer Berg, creative & bohemian Berlin

In the heart of Prenzlauer Berg, the Mauerpark follows the route of the Berlin Wall.

ArTo

A former poor district of East Berlin, Prenzlauer Berg has become the bohemian symbol of the capital.

We stroll in the tree-lined streets, we stroll between the cafes, thrift stores and small original shops.

Very popular, the Mauerpark follows the route of the Berlin Wall and hosts the largest flea market in the city.

Another place to live, the KulturBrauerei is a brasserie transformed into a cultural center where you can dance, watch a film or a play, have a drink and relax before your next Berlin adventure.

GUIDED TOUR ALONG THE BERLIN WALL