What to see in Berlin for tourists. Excursions around Berlin - what to see, where to go for an inexperienced tourist

Berlin is a multimillion-dollar metropolis. As in any ancient city, super-modern architecture and historical sights coexist here. The best place to start choosing what to see in Berlin is from the most popular attractions. They will lead even an inexperienced tourist to the most interesting places. We offer a three-day itinerary around Berlin.

So, let's start making a list of what to see in Berlin. On the morning of your first day in Berlin, you should get up early, otherwise the day won’t be enough! Let's start our tour with a bird's eye view. We arrive at about 8 am Reichstag.
This is the city center. The transparent dome of the Reichstag will allow you to view the panorama of Berlin and decide on your route. Recently you can sign up for a visit to the government residence on the Internet, on the Reichstag page. The live queue has not yet been cancelled. If it is about five meters away from the steps, then you will have to wait for half an hour. The tour inside the mirror-glass dome lasts about one and a half hours, accompanied by an audio guide.

There is an alternative, according to many, even better - exploring Berlin from TV towers. Its advantage is that it is several times higher than the Reichstag (368 versus 47 meters), in addition, tickets can be bought from a machine for a certain time, and while waiting you can walk around Alexanderplatz. The restaurant in the TV tower is quite modest, so it is better to eat in advance in one of the cafes below. You can order tickets online.

After exploring Berlin from above, we go to the promenade along the famous Kurfürstendamm, which the Germans jokingly call “ku-dam”. In the summer, you can take a ride by bicycle taxi, the driver of which has good command of the situation. In this case, there is no risk of getting into objects for restoration.

It is very interesting to take an introductory cruise on a river boat along the Spree. River route starts behind the cathedral building and runs right along the sights in the very center of the city. On board there is a cafeteria, blankets and multilingual guides.

Don’t forget that you can get good discounts (and in some places free entry) by ordering online.

Day three - a leisurely, relaxed route around Berlin

You can sleep in and by noon go for a walk in the Tiergarten, the Berlin Zoo, which was once the hunting ground of the Kaiser. It will not be possible to go around it all, but the most interesting places - the aquarium, monkey bar, terrarium - can be seen in about three hours. The zoo also has rare, truly rare animals.

As an option for those who are not enthusiastic about animals in captivity, a walk through the eastern part of Berlin with the obligatory Berlin Wall . Or maybe you should get to know Jewish Museum? However, you won’t be able to relax there - it’s a bit gloomy.

And in the evening of the last third day in Berlin, it’s best to go have fun! Nightclubs, like 2Be Club, near Alexanderplatz or El Bario on Kurfüstenstrasse - the most fashionable hangouts. An international crowd gathers here, fashion shows are held, people dance until they drop.

Gambling is legal in Germany. Luxury casinos are extremely popular in Potsdamerplatz. In any case, in the evening or at night it is highly recommended to walk along the brightly lit Potsdamerplatz with neon lights.

At the Potsdamer Arcaden shopping center, be sure to visit the restaurant. There are many of them here, from Chinese to Italian. Or at least try delicious Italian ice cream! Here on Potsdamerplatz, in Sony Center, the most futuristic building in the city, life is in full swing day and night: restaurants, shops, cinemas and again a museum, this time the Museum of Cinematography.

Well, we’ll tell you about a wonderful method in two days in the next article!

The heart of Germany is, of course, Berlin. This culturally rich city cherishes its history and delights with contemporary art. Berlin is rightfully considered one of the most favorite cities among tourists, because there are many attractions, most of which are associated with the history of Germany. Tourists can visit numerous museums, exhibitions, galleries, monuments and buildings where important historical events took place. The most important thing is to feel the atmosphere and spirit of the city.

The Brandenburg Gate is the main attraction of Berlin. They are located on the oldest street in the city of Unter den Linden. This is the only work of Berlin classicism that has survived from the 13th century, reminiscent of the times when it was possible to enter Berlin through them. The gate is located in the very center of the city next to Alexanderplatz, where the television tower, the symbol of the former GDR, is located. There is a huge clock on the square showing the time of all time zones. The German parliament building, the Reichstag, was built in the New Renaissance style with Baroque elements. Climbing to the top of the building under the large glass-mirror dome, visitors can enjoy a wonderful 360-degree panorama. A visit to the Reichstag is absolutely free, but there is one catch - you must first make a request on the website and receive an invitation. Then, with this invitation and passport, you can freely visit parliament. Tourists who appreciate art will be interested in visiting the island of famous Berlin museums. The island is included in the UNESCO list; its museums display archaeological finds and art of the 20th century. There are 5 museums on the island: Old Museum, New Museum, Pergamon Museum, Bode Museum and Old National Gallery. You can buy tickets to each museum separately or purchase an entrance ticket to all of them at once. On the museum island there is a Cathedral built in the Baroque style. In the cathedral you can see beautiful stained glass windows, a large organ and a tomb. There are many specialized museums in Berlin: the Communication Museum, the GDR Motorcycle Museum, the Letter Museum, and the Berlin Electric Train Museum. A large model can be seen at the Miniature World Museum in Berlin railway, as well as get acquainted with miniature sights on a scale of 1:87. Every 20 minutes, day gives way to night, and small figures of men live their measured lives in little Berlin. It will also be interesting to see the Sugar Museum, the Computer Games Museum, and the Berlin Wall Museum.

Located in Berlin a large number of castles, the main one being Charlottenburg Castle. This is a huge structure with a 48-meter dome, on top of which there is a statue of Fortune. A unique landmark of Berlin is a red granite fountain called Earth. There are many small fountains and cascades on it. The fountain operates 5 months a year thanks to sponsorship.

You can take a break from the bustle of the city and wander around non-tourist Berlin in an abandoned amusement park, once a favorite vacation spot for citizens and the pride of the GDR. The Marzahn district or “Russian district” is very reminiscent of some areas of Moscow. You can look at the abandoned locomotive bureau; this building is more than 100 years old. Fans of antiques should definitely check out one of the flea markets (flohmarkts), where you can buy something interesting.

The main German city with Slavic roots appeared on the world map in the 13th century. Having gone through many ups and downs, today the metropolis of 3.6 million is a place full of charm, positive energy and world-famous attractions. It will take at least a month to get to know him closely. But it doesn’t matter if you only have 72 hours allotted for your first date with the capital of Germany. Read our guide before your trip and find out how to plan your stay and what to see in Berlin in 3 days on your own.

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The capital of Germany has two international air ports. Russian tourists Those flying from Moscow on flights of Pobeda, UTair, S7 Airlines and RusLine are met at the northern Tegel airport. It is located within the city, so the journey from the terminal to the center by public transport will take no more than 25–30 minutes. You can use the buses:

TXL route. From Tegel the bus leaves every 10 minutes and goes to the main train station (Hauptbanhof) (16–17 minutes) and then to Alexanderplatz (about 30 minutes);
routes X9 and 109. In 20 minutes they will take you to the Zoologischer Garten West Station.

If you are flying with Aeroflot or Mongolian Airlines from Moscow Sheremetyevo or Rossiya Airlines from St. Petersburg Pulkovo, then your destination is south airport Schönefeld, located outside the metropolitan area. The railway station is located 75 m from the terminal.

From here depart to the center of Berlin:

Regional trains lines RE7 and RB14. Travel time - 25 minutes (to Alexanderplatz station). Movement interval - 30 min.
City train S9. It will take you to Alexanderplatz in 37 minutes.

The X7 bus leaves from Schönefeld every 10–15 minutes, but it only goes to the Rudow metro station (U7) located on the outskirts of the capital.

1 day

The first impression is the most important. Start your journey with the most famous sights, and then your acquaintance with the capital of Germany will develop into true friendship. Many of iconic places are within walking distance of each other, some need to be reached by public transport. We advise you to take bus number 100. Its route starts next to Alexanderplatz and passes by the Cathedral, Brandenburg Gate, Reichstag, Bellevue and the Kaiser Wilhelm Church.

Reichstag

The place where the history of Germany is made is the main point of many walking routes around Berlin. The mighty building, located between the Spree River embankment and the Tiergarten park, was erected in 1894 for the new parliament of a united Germany. Construction lasted 10 years and depleted the state treasury by 30 million marks. The brainchild of the architect Paul Walott had a difficult fate.

Wanting to denigrate their communist rivals in the eyes of voters, in 1933 supporters of the NSDAP party, which was striving for power under the leadership of Hitler, started an arson that destroyed part of the dome and the interior. An even more terrible tragedy occurred in 1945. In the eyes of the soldiers of the Soviet army, the parliament building was a symbol of Nazi Germany. The Reichstag met the end of the war in ruins. Restoration work started in 1958. Only 19 years later the Reichstag was restored to its former beauty.

The building, 137 m long and 47 m high, combines the styles of classicism, renaissance and baroque. The facade is decorated with massive columns, and the roof is decorated with 4 towers, symbolizing the lands that became part of Germany in 1874. Inside there is a room for plenary sessions of the German Bundestag. The grandiose structure is crowned by a dome made of glass and steel. You can climb it as part of a guided tour (pre-registration is required).

Brandenburg Gate

A striking example of a classic architectural style- the triumphal arch that closes the Unter den Linden boulevard is a symbol of peace and reunification of the country. In 1949, the Brandenburg Gate found itself in forbidden territory, marking the era of the split between Germany and Berlin. Public access to historical monument was opened only in 1989. Today they celebrate here public holidays and carry out important activities.

On the night of January 1, thousands of local residents and guests of the metropolis gather at the Brandenburg Gate to greet the New Year. The historical building owes its appearance to Kaiser Wilhelm Friedrich II. By his decree in 1791, the road to Brandenburg was decorated with a ceremonial arch with two rows of impressive Doric columns.

Two years later, the sandstone structure, 26 m high and 65.5 m wide, was crowned with a 6-meter quadriga. For those of you who have been to Athens, the Brandenburg Gate will remind you of the Propylaea of the Acropolis, which served as a role model for the Prussian architect Karl Gotthard Langhans.

Gendarmenmarkt Square

Next, the path passes along the Unter den Linden boulevard, framed by buildings from the 18th and 19th centuries. Walk to the intersection with Charlottenstraße, turn right and in 4 minutes you will find yourself on one of the most beautiful squares in Europe. Today they enjoy tranquility, grace architectural monuments, melodies of street musicians and Open Air concerts.

And 300 years ago, on this site, located at that time in the suburbs of Berlin, there were stables and barracks in which cavalrymen of the elite gendarmerie regiment were quartered. The Gendarmenmarkt comprises an architectural trio of stately buildings centered around a white marble monument to Friedrich Schiller. The French and German twin cathedrals, built at the beginning of the 18th century, look at each other like a mirror.

Between them is the neoclassical building of the Concert Hall, recreated according to the model of one destroyed by the bombing of the Second World War. National Theater. Today, symphonic and chamber music concerts take place within its walls.

Checkpoint Charlie

Turning from the Gendarmenmarkt onto Friedrichstrasse and walking along it for 750 m (towards the U Kochstrasse metro station), you will see a cult place reminiscent of the time when the German capital was dissected by a concrete wall. Checkpoint Charlie is one of three American checkpoints that emerged in the divided city during the Cold War. The task of the checkpoint was to control the movement of representatives of the allied countries between parts of divided Berlin.

In 1961, it became the arena in which a tank confrontation between the USSR and the USA took place, which miraculously did not end in the Third World War. Today, on the site of Checkpoint Charlie, which was demolished in 1990, there is a wooden booth imitating the original, manned by two “border guards” dressed in American uniforms. Across the street is the Berlin Wall Museum.

His tragedy-filled collection reveals numerous escape attempts across the guarded border. Among the exhibits - balloon, a miniature submarine, chair lifts and other contraptions created with one purpose - to escape from the tight embrace of the GDR.

For the next attraction, return to Unter den Linden and walk 800m towards Alexanderplatz. On the left, between the Spree embankment and the green lawn of the Lustgarten, rises a grandiose structure, whose dome soars to the heavens to a height of 98 m. The magnificent Baroque building, built in 1894–1905, is the Berlin Cathedral- the main Protestant temple of the country, the court church and the family crypt of members of the Hohenzollern dynasty.

Everyone entering the temple is greeted by the figure of Jesus Christ, frozen over the arched portal in a blessing gesture. The building, made of Silesian granite, is richly decorated with sculptures, bas-reliefs, columns and sandriks. This splendor is crowned by a dome with a diameter of 33 m, adjacent to small chapels. Those who are strong in spirit and body can climb it up 270 steps.

The interior decoration of the temple matches the majestic architecture. The main objects of the luxurious interior are the marble altar and the brilliant organ by Wilhelm Sauer. In the crypt of the cathedral, in the family tomb, representatives of the ruling Hohenzollern family are buried.

Alexanderplatz

Back in 1272, on the site of present-day Alexanderplatz, and at that time an area hidden from city residents by a fortress wall, an execution site and a hospital for lepers appeared. The Thirty Years' War made its own adjustments, destroying many buildings and half the population. To improve defense, a new fortification was erected, and the former excluded zone became part of the city. to his modern name Alexanderplatz is indebted to Russian Emperor Alexander I, who visited Berlin in 1805 to sign an agreement to create an anti-Napoleonic coalition.

Today at the most old square The capital is filled with noise and chaos. Street musicians and dancers perform, yellow trams run along the rails, office workers scurry about and numerous tourists flash their camera lenses. You can love or hate Alexanderplatz, but you cannot pass by it indifferently. Here are ancient buildings, faceless structures from the GDR era, large shopping centers and famous attractions: the Peace Clock, the Red Town Hall, the Church of St. Mary, the Neptune and Friendship of Peoples fountains.

The most recognizable landmark of Alexanderplatz is the tallest building in the Federal Republic of Germany - a reinforced concrete structure 358 m high. The idea of the building, eclipsing all historical buildings with its gigantic size, was born in 1965 by Walter Ulbricht, the leader of the Communist Party of the GDR. Four years later, a television tower topped with a steel ball and a 118-meter antenna rose above Berlin.

If you don't suffer from dizziness, go up to observation deck or visit the Sphere restaurant. Its slowly rotating hall with panoramic windows will give you the opportunity to admire the beautiful views of the metropolis from a 207-meter height. The Celestial menu will delight you with classic dishes of European cuisine: Berliner cutlets, tomato puree soup, trout fillet with citrus sauce and lamb medallion. Lunch will cost 15–25 euros, and dinner will cost 35–60 euros.

Nikolaifirtel

850 meters from the TV tower you will find the historical district, whose ancient lanterns and cozy "toy" houses are reflected in the waters of the Spree. This is Nikolaiviertel (Nicholas' quarter). Walk along the narrow cobbled streets, drink beer on the open veranda of a traditional German restaurant, visit one of the tiny shops of local merchants and you will understand what Berlin looked like during the Middle Ages.

Modern Nikolaiviertel is a recreated imitation of a quarter that was completely destroyed during the Second World War and returned to life in 1987. It got its name thanks to the Church of St. Nicholas - the first oldest city church, according to archival documents created in 1230–1250. Currently, the brick neo-Gothic basilica, decorated with two green spiers, is used as a museum. His permanent exhibition informs about the history and architectural features of Nikolaikirche.

Kaiser Wilhelm Church

A younger, but no less famous temple - the Kaiser Wilhelm Church - adorns West Berlin. From Alexanderplatz you can get here by city train (lines S 3, 5, 7, 9 to S+U Zoologischer Garten station) or buses No. 100 and 200 (Breitscheidplatz stop). Protestant church built in 1891–1895. as a sign of respect to the German Emperor Wilhelm I, better known as the Church of Remembrance (Gedechtniskirche).

In 1943, an Allied air force attack almost completely destroyed the structure. The decision to restore the ruins came only 14 years later, and after another 4 years, the Gedächtniskirche again appeared before the eyes of Berliners. West Tower The renovated shrine remained dilapidated, reminding descendants of the horrors of war.

Cars roar around, and hundreds of passersby rush about their business. But just go inside the crippled building and you will find yourself in a world full of rich blue light and ringing silence. The ceiling and walls are a multi-colored mosaic; above the altar, with outstretched arms, the figure of the Savior hovers. Evangelical services are held here on Sundays, and prayers for peace are offered on weekdays. There is also a memorial complex open on the premises.

Kurfürstendamm

The shopping Mecca of the metropolis originates from Gedächtniskirche - the Kurfürstendamm boulevard or Kudamm, as it is called local residents. The history of the street takes us back to 1542, when a horse trail appeared in the western part of the city, connecting Royal Palace with a hunting castle in the Grunewald grounds. Time passed. In 1871, the German Empire was born as a result of the reunification of the German lands. Its Reich Chancellor, Otto von Bismarck, decided to give the narrow path a metropolitan shine.

In 1886, the first tram thundered along the rails along the pompous 3.5-kilometer boulevard. Since then, life here has been in full swing. Shopaholics all over the world talk about this place with reverence. Among the chic restaurants, cozy cafes and houses decorated with lace balconies and ornate bas-reliefs, nestled boutiques of famous designers of clothing, shoes and jewelry. Shops decorated with signs of Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Hermes, Dior, Bvlgari will help you immerse yourself in the world of high fashion... At the beginning of the promenade are the budget C&A and the 7-story Karstadt shopping center.

Cruise on the Spree and Landwehrkanal

We recommend ending an exciting day and relaxing after the cultural Berlin Marathon on the deck of a motor ship taking sightseeing cruises along the Spree River. Pleasure boats depart from piers located near the Cathedral, Chancellor, Friedrichstrasse and Hauptbahnhof train stations.

Most popular tour- this is a sentry river walk, during which you will see the sights of Berlin from a different perspective: the House of World Cultures, the Government Quarter, the Reichstag, Museum Island, the Cathedral, the TV Tower and the Nikolaifiertel. Those of you who want to spend more time on board can take part in a cruise along the Spree River and its adjacent Landwehrkanal. In addition to the iconic places already listed, on your way you will meet Bellevue Palace, Charlottenburg Castle, 64 bridges and high-rise buildings of Potsdamer Platz.

Day 2

The German capital has about 170 museums and art galleries. Naturally, even the most popular of them cannot be visited in such a short time. Therefore, we suggest that you familiarize yourself with the most interesting museums and choose which exhibitions to dedicate the day to.

Museum Island

A galaxy of unique museums that has no analogues in the world is located in the northern part of the island formed by the Spree River. The starting point of the ensemble, consisting of five historical buildings, was the building of the Old Museum, erected in 1830 according to the design of the architect Schinkel. The last in the architectural constellation is Pergamon, built in 1930.

The magnificent complex includes:

The Bode Museum, whose collection includes household items and works of art from the Byzantine and Roman Empires, Renaissance sculptures and a numismatic cabinet.
Pergamon, representing masterpieces of ancient art and cultural heritage Asia and Islamic states. The treasures of the collection are the altar of Pergamon and the Ishtar Gate.
A new museum focusing on a collection of ancient Egyptian artifacts, including centuries-old papyri, sarcophagi, masks, ritual accessories of priests and the flagship of the exhibition, a bust of Nefertiti.
An old museum reflecting the art of the ancient Hellenes, Etruscans and Romans. Relics include sculptures, military equipment, jewelry, medallions, frescoes and antique tombstones.
The Old National Gallery invites you to get acquainted with the masterpieces of the geniuses of sculpture and painting of the 19th century. On three floors, works of European authors working in the directions of romanticism, classicism, impressionism and modernism are presented.

Price entrance ticket to the Old Museum and the Old National Gallery is 10 €. To view the collections of other museums, you need to pay 12 €.

Museum Karlshorst

Zwieseler Str. 4

The exhibitions of the museum located in Karlshorst, a district of East Berlin, tell about the difficult relations between the two countries, which were irreconcilable enemies more than half a century ago. Here, in the officers' club, on the evening of May 8, 1945, an event took place that determined the further course of history. Representatives of the Wehrmacht and the Allied coalition signed the act of surrender of Nazi Germany. In May 1995, after the withdrawal of the last Soviet troops from Germany, the German-Russian Museum Karlshorst opened its doors on this site for the first time.

At the entrance to the gray two-story building, visitors are greeted by a T34 tank. In rooms with gloomy black walls there are thousands of original exhibits collected around the world. Here you will find military uniforms, weapons, posters, diaries of concentration camp prisoners, thousands of field letters, archival photographs and, of course, the historical surrender hall. Entrance to the museum is free.

Museum of the Human Body "MeMu"

Panoramastraße 1A

In 2015, the world's first museum dedicated to the human body opened at Alexanderplatz. Its shocking exhibits are plastinates - nothing more than the corpses of people and animals. They have been pre-treated to replace fats and tissue fluids with reactive polymers. This method of embalming was invented by the eccentric pathologist and part-time museum founder Gunther von Hagens back in 1979.

In total, 220 anatomical exhibits are exhibited here. Among them are human organs, animals and entire bodies of real people who voluntarily decided to turn into plastinates after death. According to the creator of the collection, the exhibition is designed to familiarize visitors with the characteristics of the human body, diseases and anomalies. Many objects are provocative in nature.

Attention! Plastinates can cause feelings of rejection, disgust and fear. Before deciding to visit MeMu, check out the photographs of the collection.

Natural History Museum

Invalidenstraße 43

The history of the Berlin Natural History Museum, founded with the participation of Humboldt University, dates back to 1810. The exhibition dedicated to the evolution of the Universe and man moved to a magnificent building with powerful columns and huge windows in 1889. Over more than 200 years of existence, the collection has grown to more than 30 million specimens representing four main themes: space, mineralogy, paleontology and zoology.

The museum's expositions are opened by a central atrium. The colossal skeleton of the giraffatitan dinosaur appears before the eyes of visitors. The unique giant, 13.27 m high and 22 m long, is surrounded by life-size prehistoric lizards. Among them are Kentrosaurus, Pterodactyl, Allosaurus and the primitive bird Archeopteryx. Other exhibitions are no less interesting. Behind the glass display cases are displayed thousands of models and stuffed representatives of the fauna world, semi-precious stones, metals, fragments of meteorites... The pearl of the collection is the Tristan Otto room - the only complete skeleton of a tyrannosaurus in Europe.

Modern Art Museum

Alte Jakobstraße 124-128

If you understand and appreciate the conceptual movements of 20th century art, then go to the Museum of Modern Art, located in the building of the now defunct Hamburg train station. The former platforms and waiting rooms house 2,000 exhibits created in the styles of pop art, expressionism, avant-garde and modernism. In addition to sculptures and paintings, the gallery presents photographs and installations.

Walking through the spacious halls, you will come across unusual exhibits. For example, what does a straw-decorated drainpipe airplane mean? The idea of the museum's creators is to convey to visitors the idea that in modern art, the skill of the author often determines not the work he created, but its leitmotif. So that the objects do not seem meaningless and ridiculous to you, use the services of an audio guide.

Ticket price is 10 €.

Madame Tussauds museum

Unter den Linden 74

240 meters from the Brandenburg Gate you will meet the most revered people in the world. Of course, we are not talking about living people, but about their wax copies, which are sometimes difficult to distinguish from the originals. The Berlin branch of the London Wax Museum, created in 1835 by the talented sculptor Marie Tussaud (nee Grosholz), invites city guests to meet celebrities every day.

On an area of 2,500 m², 120 sculptures are exhibited in 9 thematic halls. Karl Marx, John Kennedy, Mikhail Gorbachev, Albert Einstein, George Clooney, Leonardo DiCaprio, Angelina Jolie, Rihanna and Michael Jackson appear as if they were alive. Tourists are allowed not only to touch the exhibits, but also to take pictures with them. Pictures of you giving a speech next to Angela Merkel or hugging football star Ronaldo will take worthy place in your photo album.

The price of a standard ticket is 21.00 €.

German Historical Museum

Unter den Linden 2

The Unter den Linden boulevard reveals the Zeughaus building, decorated with relief compositions and sculptures, which appeared near the Spreekanal embankment in 1730. The galleries of the baroque structure, built in honor of the Emperor of Prussia, Frederick I, housed the royal arsenal. After the split of Germany, the collections of the GDR History Museum were exhibited here. In 1994, an exhibition moved to Zeughaus from the Reichstag, whose exhibits became the first in the collection of the new German Historical Museum.

Now, on an area of 8,000 m², numerous relics are presented to the audience as illustrations of bygone times. Moving from hall to hall (there are 23 in total), guests get acquainted with the era of the formation of the primitive communal system, the dominance of the Roman Empire, the era of the Hohenzollern dynasty, the wars in which Prussia and then united Germany participated, as well as the period of split and subsequent reunification states.

The cost of visiting is 8 €.

Day 3

We propose to spend the third day in the German capital in the central zoo - a green jungle in the western part of the city. But if you are not attracted by the beauty of the world of flora and fauna, devote this time to exploring the concrete jungle. Start your day by exploring the Berlin Wall, wander the flea market at Mauerpark, admire the metropolis from a hot air balloon gondola and visit the heart of modern Berlin - the famous Potsdamer Platz.

Hardenbergplatz 8, Budapester Strasse, 32

A mandatory point of the excursion program for tourists coming to Berlin with children is a visit to the Animal Kingdom - the largest European landscape zoo, located in the western part of the metropolis. More than 19.4 thousand representatives of the fauna world coexist in spacious enclosures on a well-groomed green area. The three-story aquarium building is home to 13 thousand reptiles, amphibians, fish and insects.

It will take several hours to walk around the 35-hectare area. For the convenience of visitors, the park is equipped with a restaurant, cafe and recreation areas. For younger guests, Berliner Zoo has prepared a huge playground and a pen with domestic animals: tame kids, sheep and piglets. A trip to the zoo will be made even more entertaining by the regular feeding of its four-legged and winged inhabitants and the show, which is organized daily at 15:15 by a friendly company of sea lions.

Bernauer Straße 111

The 28 years of tragedy - the time when Germany and its capital were separated by a 3.6-meter concrete fence - are today reminiscent of fragments of this ominous structure scattered throughout the city, a double line of paving stones and memorial centers dedicated to the Berlin Wall. One of these complexes appeared on Bernauer Straße in 2010 and was originally called “Memory Window”. On the site where the border zone passed from 1961 to 1989, a monument was erected - a monument made of rusty steel, on which photographs of residents who died trying to cross the border were placed.

Today, the memorial complex, stretching for 1.4 km and covering an area of 4 hectares, includes watchtowers, a chapel erected in 2000 on the foundations of a destroyed church, and a documentation center. The inconspicuous gray building houses within its walls the personal belongings of citizens, archival photographs, testimonies and audio recordings. There is an observation deck on the roof.

Mauerpark

If your last day in Berlin falls on a Sunday, spend a couple of hours walking around the area that was adjacent to the Berlin Wall until 1990. Today the former wasteland is bustling with life. Since 2004, the city's largest flea market has been located here. Walking along the long shopping arcades, you can stumble upon a long-defunct gramophone from the early 20th century, old magazines and books, silverware, moth-eaten shawls, snuff boxes, candelabra, boxes, retro clothes...

Among all these antiques there are original souvenirs, vintage jewelry and even cheap fur coats. However, the vast territory in the Prenzlauer Berg area was chosen not only by traders. Every day in Mauerpark, street musicians, mimes, dancers, clowns and magicians demonstrate their skills, skateboarders perform mind-blowing tricks, freaks and karaoke fans gather crowds of onlookers. People come here to forget about everyday problems in a relaxed atmosphere, have a glass or two of beer and have a small picnic on the green lawn.

Hot Air Balloon Die Welt

Zimmerstrasse 95-100

Berlin never ceases to amaze its guests. Those who want to feel like balloonists and look at the beauty of the city from a height of 150 m can enjoy a wonderful entertainment every day - a hot air balloon ride. It will not be possible to fly freely over the capital - the balloon is securely attached to the winch with a strong steel cable. But an unforgettable experience and a beautiful view of the center of the capital of Germany are guaranteed!

The helium-filled balloon, which can accommodate 30 people at a time, is one of the largest passenger balloons on the planet. A flight session lasts 15 minutes. Important! Due to safety reasons, the climb will not take place during strong winds. The purchased voucher can be used on another day. Opening hours: from 10:00 to 22:00 (01.04–30.09) and from 11:00 to 18:00 (01.10–31.03).

Ticket price: 23 € (adult), 18 € (youth 11–17 years old) and 10 € (children 3–10 years old).

Potsdamer Platz

Glass, steel and concrete - this is how Potsdamer Platz appears to tourists - the place where the heart beats modern city. Already in 1838 there appeared Train Station, and at the beginning of the 20th century - the first traffic light in Germany to regulate busy street traffic. The bombs of World War II turned the area, which used to be bustling with life even at night, into a huge wasteland. With the construction of the Berlin Wall, it became a protected restricted area along the border of the GDR and the Federal Republic of Germany.

Berlin is a contrasting and daring city, whose modern appearance has been shaped by its rich history.

Travelers are worried: what to see in Berlin and where to go in 1, 2, 3 and 5 days? I want to do a lot in order to understand it with my heart and soul.

To Berlin – for 1 day

How did it happen that you decided to devote so little time to the capital of Germany? What to see in Berlin in 1 day to make sure it’s worth returning here for a closer acquaintance? Let's take a walk through the historical part of the city, which will remain in your memory forever. Like our ancestors, let’s go “to the Reichstag”, starting from the center of East Berlin – Alexanderplatz. You are ready?

Alexanderplatz

Luke McKernan / flickr.com

Or simply Alex - the square got its name in honor of the visit of the Russian Emperor Alexander I, although it has hardly preserved the architecture of that time. It's busy here because it's an important transport hub. But don’t rush to take the tram or train - we’ll go on foot. Let's just take a photo with two interesting art objects - the Peace Clock and the People's Friendship Fountain.

The second part of Alexanderplatz can be called... strange. Here are buildings that, it would seem, cannot be located in the same space.

TV tower

This is an example of modern architecture that is visible from almost any part of the city. The 368-meter metal spire with a ball at the end will not let you get lost, as you can easily navigate along it. Don't miss the chance to see Berlin from a bird's eye view. 40 seconds in a super-fast elevator and you're on an observation deck or in a rotating cafe.

Dennis Jarvis / flickr.com

It has been preserved since the Middle Ages - it is one of the oldest operating churches in Berlin. At one time, Bach himself played its silver organ. It is surprising that the Marienkirche survived when the city was almost completely destroyed. But even more amazing is the combination of a modern TV tower and ancient Gothic in one photo frame. Yes, a city of contrasts.

Tilemahos Efthimiadis / flickr.com

The residence of the government and the workplace of the burgomaster of the capital of Germany, made of red brick, are also located here. The three-story complex is crowned by a 74-meter tower. From Monday to Friday you have the opportunity to see how the building is equipped inside.

Leaving Alexander Square, admire the ancient Neptune Fountain and continue along Karl Liebknecht Strasse. After crossing the bridge over the Spree River, you will find yourself on Spreeinsel Island, better known as Museum Island. Here on Palace Square, where there is no palace for a long time, you can rest on the well-kept lawn and enjoy the beautiful view of the Berlin Cathedral.

Cathedral

Birger Kühnel / flickr.com

The Protestant church, stunning in its beauty and power, was built in the Baroque style. Inside is the tomb of the Hohenzollern dynasty, in which about 80 burials of its members have been preserved. It is worth visiting the observation deck, which is located under the dome.

Museum complex

Here is a whole constellation of Berlin museums that store treasures of world significance. The second name of the complex – “Athens on the Spree” – is not at all figurative. Here you can feel like you are in Ancient Greece, because in one of the museums there is an amazing find of German archaeologists - the Pergamon Altar, the dimensions of which are 20 meters wide and 120 meters long.

The blue gate of Ishtar, the bust of Nefertiti, weapons, jewelry, sculptures and objects of ancient Greek, ancient Egyptian and Byzantine art are also amazing. You could spend several days looking at priceless artifacts, but we only have one. We need to hurry.

What else can you see in Berlin? The further journey will take place under the linden trees - this is how the name of the Unter den Linden boulevard is translated.

pitpalme/flickr.com

Heine admitted that he did not know a more majestic view than the one that opens on this street - “one luxurious building crowds another.” The history of Unter den Linden began in the time of Friedrich Wilhelm, who ordered both sides of the hunting path to be planted with linden trees, and later to decorate the alley with rich houses for the nobility.

During the Great Patriotic War architectural examples of German classicism and baroque were almost completely destroyed, but the Germans revived them - literally from the ashes.

Now on the street there are buildings of the Zeichhaus with the German historical museum inside, Humboldt University, Berlin State Opera, Palaces of Princesses and Princes, Madame Tussauds. As you admire the rich decoration, you will gradually approach Pariser Platz, where the hallmark of Berlin is located.

Ed Webster / flickr.com

This is the “gate of peace”, celebrating its 225th anniversary. In the twentieth century, the triumphal arch became a symbol of the reunification of the city and the country. Walk under the gate and turn left - the Reichstag building is very close.

Reichstag

Kamillo Kluth / flickr.com

The state building of the German Parliament looks solemn and... democratic. In front of it you can relax and even take a little nap, which the Germans are not at all embarrassed to do. The Reichstag is decorated with an unusual glass dome, which can only be entered by prior registration.

If you still have time and energy, you can continue exploring the ancient architecture. Not far from the Reichstag is another famous building in Berlin.

Davis Staedtler / flickr.com

Along the spiral staircase inside the monument you can climb to the observation deck - right under the golden robes of the statue crowning the column. In the lower part there is a museum with small copies of world architectural structures.

The day has flown by and you have to say goodbye to the city. You have only seen a small part of it, which is a must-see.

To the capital of Germany - for the weekend

What to see in Berlin in 2 days? Let's contrast the bourgeois center with the informal Kreuzberg, which will show us a new facet of the German capital.

foto.nichtsdestotrotz / flickr.com

This is a former Turkish quarter, in which during the 60s of the XX century, due to low prices Bohemians began to move into housing. Today, thousands of tourists rush here to see with their own eyes the impressive graffiti on the walls of houses. These are not just street sketches, but examples of real art. It is not for nothing that the most famous part of the Berlin Wall is located in this area.

East Side Gallery - Remnants of the wall dividing east and west are scattered throughout the city as a reminder of the pain it brought to the Germans. Walking along the street gallery of the Berlin Wall, which is more than 1 km long, you will see very interesting paintings, including the fatal kiss of Brezhnev and Honecker.
Kreuzberg Museums – another museum under open air is part of the “Topography of Terror” complex, which clearly tells about the criminal regime of the fascists. Not far from each other are worth Berlin Gallery and Jewish Museum. The latter once again demonstrates the architectural imbalance of Berlin. Next to each other are the old museum building in the Baroque style and the new one in the deconstructivist style, stretched out in the shape of a broken line.
Oberbaumbrücke – among modern examples of architecture, the Gothic bridge with turrets stands out. It’s amazing how Berliners know how to not only preserve history, but also modernize it - the metro line runs through the bridge.

What else to see in Berlin in two short days? The gallery of contrasts will be continued by another district of the city.

Potsdamer Platz

JeanneMenjoulet&Cie / flickr.com

Potsdamer Platz solves the problem of the most critical guest in the capital, who does not know where to go in Berlin. New symbols of the city rise here - made of glass and steel, in which business life is in full swing. Futuristic high-rise buildings house not only offices, but also hotels, cinemas, cafes, and shops. The most famous are Sony Center and Arkaden. It is on Potsdamer Platz that the Berlinale international film festival takes place.

Want to get back to historical architecture? Then it's time for us to visit the most beautiful square in Berlin.

Gendarmermarket

The architectural ensemble of the square consists of the Concert Hall located in the center and the French and German cathedrals facing each other. If you're thinking , what to visit in Berlin in December, then don’t hesitate - come here. A grand Christmas market is held here.

Jorge CG / flickr.com

This is an area named after the medieval church of St. Nicholas. You can get to the quarter, which recreates the historical atmosphere, using the spire of the TV tower as a guide. This place has a pedestrian area with narrow streets and cobbled streets, cozy restaurants and shops. On the banks of the Spree you can once again admire the Cathedral.

How to manage to be in different parts of the metropolis on the second day? Berlin has a very convenient transport network, consisting of buses, trams, metro and trains. You can easily and quickly find yourself anywhere in the city.

You can complete the traditional excursion program in 3 days, taking your time, enjoying every minute spent in Berlin. Go to a cafe or restaurant to taste traditional German dishes and do some shopping.

Berlin holidays

You were not mistaken if you decided to go to Berlin with children. Where can you go with your child in the German capital?

Zoo – it is rightfully recognized as the best zoo in Europe. Living conditions here are close to natural - animals live in enclosures. A total of 1,500 species and 15,000 specimens. Impressive.
Tropical Island Water Park - swimming pools, slides, jacuzzi, sports grounds - children will find entertainment and attractions here for every taste.
Jacks Fun World is the third option for the children's route. Together with your beloved child you will take a real journey into childhood. The center has many entertainment and educational areas.

Video: where to go and what to do in Berlin?

Picturesque surroundings

Regardless of whether your trip lasts three, four or five days, one of them should be spent in the vicinity of Berlin.

Potsdam

The city, located 20 km from the capital, almost immediately greets tourists with historical architectural ensemble. But the main attraction of Potsdam is further away. On the way to it, be sure to visit the Dutch Quarter, which stands out for its colorful houses with pointed roofs.

Potsdam is the former country residence of the kings, whose memory is preserved by the Sanssouci palace and park complex. It is often called the Prussian Versailles.

Spreewald

And this Berlin suburb is called the German Venice, because you can get around the picturesque villages on gondolas. Try a local brand here - pickled cucumbers.

Now you know what to see in Berlin. But how interesting it is to discover new places on your own. On your next visit you will share them with your travel companions.

Apartments: In Berlin it is very cheap to stay, usually in apartments. Previously, we worked without a minimum with the help of which I booked accommodation from 13 € on, but now this site has a large number of budget options.
Hotels: Prices for such housing are higher than for apartments and start from 40 €. This will help you avoid overpaying when searching for a hotel. This site compares offers from many booking systems and shows where the same room can be rented cheaper.

Sights of Berlin

Before starting the story about interesting places and attractions, I will give a couple of links where you can purchase tickets and excursions, which can help you better prepare and get to know Berlin.

- 16€. Will replace city transport.
without a queue - 17.5€
Subscription for 3 days to 30 museums in Berlin - 29 €.
for 48 hours (city transport and entrance to museums) - 19.9 €.
in Russian – 20€.

What to see in Berlin in 1 day

Having purchased a travel pass for public transport, I moved around Berlin a little chaotically, now I would make the route more organized and perhaps save more on travel. Below I will try to tell you in the order in which I would do it now.

The rented room was located next to the park Volkspark Humboldthain , where the dilapidated Luftwaffe anti-aircraft towers (Flakturm Humboldthain) , which are also an observation deck.

But here our only disappointment in Berlin awaited us. This place is forgotten by tourists and neglected. Garbage, broken containers and the terrible smell of urine. I didn’t dare take photographs of such a situation, and the only photo was of a beautiful staircase in the park, along which local residents were running every now and then.

Volkspark Humboldthain

After visiting the park we go to Alexanderplatz this is the very center of the city and many start from here tourist routes in guidebooks. At the same time, we’ll test the pass by taking a ride with a transfer from U—Bahn on S-Bahn, because The pass is valid for both types of transport.

Alexanderplatz

Having reached Alexanderplatz You can take out a camera and not turn it off for a long time. As soon as you emerge from the metro, sights will open before you, many of which have become symbols of Berlin.

You can get stuck in this square if you have time until the end of the day; the first part of the day can be spent in line at the TV tower or bought for 17.5 € in advance and skipped the line.

After the TV tower on Alexanderplatz there are several shopping centers. A big surprise may await you inside in the form of crowded shops, apparently this is very popular place and few people pass by.

Museum Island

If shopping or visiting the TV Tower does not detain you, then you can move further towards the Spree River until we cross the bridge and find ourselves on Museum Island.

Here, as at Alexanderplatz, there will be attractions at every turn. The first one will be Berlin Cathedral , and immediately behind it Lustgarten Park and 5 more museums, lined up one after another.

It may be tempting to stay and visit all or at least some of the museums, but if you have time, you can set aside a separate day for this.

We leave the island and go along the street with a beautiful sounding name Unter den Linden to another symbol of Berlin Brandenburg Gate, in front of which there is a pedestrian Paris Square.

After taking a photo at the gate, you should not go through it and go further down the street, because... miss one of the most interesting buildings in history - the Reichstag. It is located to the right of the gate. Before the gate we turn right and walk a little less than 500 meters.

How to get to the Reichstag

You can enter the Reichstag for free from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. On days when the dome is not closed, an audio guide is provided free of charge, including in Russian. The 20-minute track tells the main moments in the history of the Reichstag as you and your entourage ascend to the dome.

To get to the Reichstag you must register in advance for the Bundestag. Registration is free, after which you will receive a confirmation by email; you must print it out and show it at the entrance along with your passport. After checking your registration and passport, you need to go through security control as at the airport, so do not take anything sharp/cutting with you. After passing the inspection, you are divided into groups and an accompanying person is assigned to each group.

These are not all the nuances; before registering, carefully read the operating hours of the dome, since it is closed 4 times a year for cleaning. These days you can still get to the Reichstag, but in this case you will not be given an audio guide and will not be guided through the Reichstag, but will be sent to the roof in an elevator. These days, the Reichstag is just an observation deck.

Unfortunately, my visit fell on the days when the dome was closed, so I will only show a few photos from the roof of the building.

After visiting the Reichstag, you can return back to the Brandenburg Gate and visit, for some, a not very pleasant place that can bring a little horror - this. Outwardly, it looks harmless, but if you walk between the rows and go deeper, the sensations may not be very pleasant, when the columns are either higher or lower than you, when you get lost in them, you just have to close your eyes and just turn around.

Gendarmenmarkt Square

A 15-minute walk from the memorial will be the beautiful Gendarmenmarkt square. If you face concert hall, then the French Cathedral will be on the right, and the German Cathedral on the left. They are almost twins.

Brandenburger Tor

This can complete the first day, and to make it more beautiful, you can again return to the gate to Paris Square and go down to the metro station Brandenburger Tor . After all, anyway, you will most likely have to go to the hotel or somewhere else by metro. It’s worth going down to this station for the interactive decorations about the history of Berlin that decorate the walls.

What to see in Berlin in 2 days

The second day can be spent exploring more distant attractions from historical center, if you don’t necessarily need a travel card on the first day, then this time you’ll have to travel to different sides of Berlin.

You can start the second day with Potsdamer Platz , to do this you need to get to the station of the same name S-Bahn Potsdamer Platz . Here, in addition to tall office buildings, you can find a piece of the Berlin Wall.

If climbing the TV tower turns out to be expensive for you, then there is an excellent alternative in this square. In the Kollhoff-Tower building (Address - Potsdamer Platz 1) there is a Panoramapunkt observation deck.

costs 7.5€.

After Potsdamer Platz we go to, to do this we go underground again and take S2 and change to S7 at the station Friedrichstrasse station . You need to get off at the station Bellevue . And walk 700 meters. Bellevue Palace is the historical residence of the kings and princes of Germany.

After the palace you can go one stop to Victory Columns take bus 100 or 187 or walk 400m. At the very top, under the statue, there is an observation deck, which you will have to climb to on foot along a spiral staircase.

Berlin Zoo and Kaiser Wilhelm Church

We take the 100 bus and go about 10 minutes to Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church or until Berlin Zoo . This is a stop Zoologischer Garten . They are located almost in the same place.