Berlin is full of exciting things to do and see, whether it be grabbing a bite to eat, sightseeing or heading out to a nightclub.
Check out Getting Around Berlin for information on travelling around Berlin and our Accessibility page to find your way around Berlin with disabilities. You can also read Payment methods in Berlin for tips and advice on how to buy things during your visit.
Fête de la Musique
Berlin is participating in Fête de la Musique 2019, an annual free festival of music. The full program features 649 different events in all corners of the city.
Sightseeing
Berlin is a popular tourist hotspot in Europe, and deservedly so. If you are interested in history and art or simply want to enjoy the local cuisine, Berlin will not disappoint.
Reichstag
The Reichstag has a rich and storied history and is the traditional home of the German government. Take a tour of the glass dome atop the building, added after reunification of East and West Germany, for a 360-degree view of the city. Admission is free, but you must register online to skip the queue and secure a date and time slot in advance. Bring a passport or European ID, and follow instructions sent to you on security and entry.
Address: Platz der Republik 1, 11011
Register to visit the Reichstag
Simon-Dach-Straße
This trendy strip can be found in the neighbourhood of Friedrichshain, a popular place for food in Berlin, known for its wide selection of yummy vegan food. A guided walking for vegans is on offer from Vegan Tours (website powered by WordPress).
Address: Simon-Dach-Straße, 10245
Museum Island
Berlin has a huge number of museums, many of the best of which are concentrated in the epicentre of Berlin’s thriving art scene on “Museum Island.” Here you will find the Pergamonmuseum (Pergamon Museum), Bode-Museum, Neues Museum (New Museum), Alte Nationalgalerie (Old National Gallery) and the Altes Museum (Old Museum). After a full day of museum hopping and admiring the Bust of Nefertiti and Gates of Babylon, you can cap off the evening at one of many cocktail bars, cafes and restaurants in the area.
Address: Museuminsel, 10178
Purchase Museum Island entrance tickets
Free walking tour [FULL]
Join WCEU Communications team member Ryan Hellyer for a free walking tour of Berlin on the Wednesday before WCEU or choose another of many free walking tours on offer. Most tours include stories of Berlin’s history and a pass by the Reichstag, Brandenburg Gate, historic memorials and buildings, Alexanderplatz, the Berlin Wall and Checkpoint Charlie.
Kreuzberg
Known as a hip and vibrant neighbourhood in Berlin, Kreuzberg has trendy bars, clubs, eats, urban gardens and street art all around. Aside from being a popular place to buy a famous Berlin Döner Kebab, it is home to the East Side Gallery, where the most Instagrammable street art is found and the longest remaining piece of the Berlin wall has been turned into a 1.3 km-long piece of artwork.
Food tour
WCEU Speaker, David Needham, signed up for a food and biking tour of Berlin. Cycling off the beaten path from East to West, you can explore how Berlin’s post-war history has shaped its food, people, places and street art, making it the vibrant city it is today.
Book into the Berlin bike and food tour
Tempelhof
Once the busiest airport in the world and the primary source of air traffic in and out of West Berlin during the Berlin Airlift, Tempelhof was permanently closed after reunification and is now used for tourism and recreation. Its public park has sprawling green areas for people and dogs, plus areas for cycling, walking and skateboarding. Tours are also available for the historic airport terminal building.
Address: Tempelhofer Damm, 12101
Book a Tempelhof airport terminal tour
Mauerpark
Every Sunday this social and artistic park built on a former militarised zone offers an eclectic mix of tasty street food, music and karaoke, cheap beers and secondhand goods. Mauerpark is a quirky but fun spot to spend a sunny afternoon in Berlin.
Address: Gleimstraße 55, 10437
Berliner Unterwelten
Berlin has a lot to see with even more hidden under the surface, including World War I-II bunkers, ghost stations and secret tunnels below the Berlin Wall.
Public guided tours show you the invisible spots, and you will need good shoes and warm clothes — it’s cold down there, even in summer. Tickets can only be purchased on the day of the tour.
Address: Brunnenstraße 105, 13355
Visit the Berliner Unterwelten website
Bars, beer gardens and cafes
Berlin has a variety of bars, beer gardens and cafes catering to every taste. Below is a short list of examples, but it’s easy to find a great place to hang out by just wandering around the city.
Prater Garten
Prater Garden is Berlin’s oldest biergarten. Opened in 1837 and featuring an entire acre of tables with a wide selection of drinks and food, the atmosphere is outdoors and relaxed.
Address: Kastanienallee 7-9, 10435
Monkey Bar
The Monkey Bar is a cocktail bar on the 10th floor of Bikini Haus hotel, serving excellent G&Ts with panoramic views of the zoo below. Oh yes, and sometimes there’s karaoke.
Address: Budapester Str. 40, 10787
Herman Schulz Café-Bar
A hidden gem of a cafe in the suburb of Friedrichshain serves up beer, wine and cocktails with German style snacks and meals in a cozy, living room type atmosphere.
Address: Finowstraße 33, 10247
Monbijoupark
Perched on the bank of river Spree, this park attracts people looking for a spot to sunbathe, play ball and grill on hot days. By day there are children in the open-air swimming pool, and by night there is Tango dancing.
Address: Oranienburger Str., 10178
Nightlife
Berlin is known for its nightlife, with bars, pubs and nightclubs in Kreuzberg, Neukölln (where WCEU is being held), Mitte, Prenzlauer Berg and Friedrichshain. Due to rapid upheaval after the fall of the Berlin Wall, areas that previously had no nightclubs quickly filled the void with abandoned factories and commercial buildings, creating an atmosphere and vibe unlike others. Below are a few favorites around the city.
Berghain and Panorama Bar
Berghain, housed inside an abandoned power plane, is one of the most difficult clubs to get into due to being the most popular spot in Berlin and one of the most well known in the world. Beside Berghain is the outdoor Panorama bar, a spot for late-night drinks. Bouncers at Berghain are notoriously strict, and it is highly unlikely you will be granted entry. To improve chances, it is recommended to not go in big groups, not wear good clothes and not have too much fun in the queue!
Address: Am Wriezener Bahnhof, 10243
Price: €8 – 14
Sisyphos
Sisyphos has been described as a cross between a festival, club, beach and a bar. Bouncers are not as strict as those working at other Berlin nightclubs, but you may need to queue for a long time and big groups are not welcome.
Address: Hauptstrasse 15, 10317
Price: €10
Salon zur Wilden Renate
Renate is the circus of Berlin nightclubs. In comparison to nightclubs already mentioned, Renate is considerably easier to gain entry to. They recommend not drinking too much in advance and not arriving in big groups.
Address: Alt-Stralau 70, 10245
Price: €5 – 10
Tresor
Tresor is the biggest nightclub in Berlin. Like Berghain, this nightclub is difficult to get into and prefers smaller groups that stay quiet whilst waiting in line.
Address: Kopenicker Strasse 70, 10179
Price: €2 – 10
Soda Club
Soda is a social club featuring a range of bars and music genres that’s great for a group of friends with differing music and clubbing preferences. They also have dance classes, themed parties, and free drinks and entry for women on some nights.
Address: Schönhauser Allee 36, 10435
Price: €6 – 10
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