Things to do in Berlin for self travelers
Enjoy self-guided audio tours with included attraction tickets in one appTop sights in Berlin
All self-guided activities
Explore the Egyptian collection of the Neues Museum and the streets of Berlin with this self-guided audio tour, which includes a ticket to the Neues Museum. The tour begins at the Neues Museum, where you will meet face to face with some of the treasures of ancient Egyptian art guided by this insightful in-app audio tour, which introduces you to the very highlights of the Egyptian collection. Admire the timeless beauty of Egyptian art and get to know more about everyday life millennia ago. See the star of the collection – one of the symbols of ancient Egyptian civilization – the splendid bust of Nefertiti. Explore the world of ancient Egyptian tombs. Discover how the mummies were made and learn about mysterious rituals conducted to ensure the well-being of the deceased in the afterlife. After you finish exploring the museum, the tour will navigate you through Berlin's heart, where you'll experience the architectural beauty of the Berlin Cathedral and the solemnity of the Holocaust Memorial. Walk past Humboldt University, where great minds once gathered, stand before the iconic Brandenburg Gate, and delve into chilling history at the site of the former Führerbunker. Each stop reveals a piece of Berlin's complex story, concluding at the bustling Gendarmenmarkt square. Note! This tour is not affiliated with the Neues Museum but is provided by an independent creator. The ticket is included for the customer's convenience at no additional cost.
Discover the grandeur and stories of Charlottenburg Palace, Berlin’s largest and most magnificent royal residence, on this self-guided audio tour through its interiors and gardens. Once the summer retreat of Prussian kings and queens, Charlottenburg takes you through Baroque splendor, Rococo elegance, and Neoclassical refinement. As you explore the palace rooms, you’ll learn how the House of Hohenzollern rose to become one of Europe’s most powerful royal dynasties in the 18th and 18th centuries. The tour reveals not only political ambition, but also the rulers’ personal passions for art, music, philosophy, and architecture—reflected in the priceless objects that once shaped their daily lives. Beyond the palace walls, the experience continues in the Charlottenburg Palace Gardens. Walking through the landscaped park, you’ll encounter key landmarks of the estate, including the Large Orangery, the Mausoleum, the Belvedere, and finally the New Pavilion, a secluded royal retreat and the last stop of the tour. Designed to be enjoyed at your own pace, this audio tour blends historical insight with vivid storytelling, letting you experience both the palace highlights and the calmer corners of the park. Note: This tour is not affiliated with Charlottenburg Palace and is provided by an independent creator. Admission tickets are included for your convenience at no extra cost.
Explore The Upside Down Berlin, an interactive experience with nearly 20 creatively designed rooms. See the colorful Berlin Bear, perform on the Wintergarten stage, and learn about Germany's history at the Wallpit. Enjoy interactive fun and optical illusions throughout the rooms. Afterward, visit The Upside Down Hangout & Karaoke. It's a lively spot to relax with friends, enjoy food and drinks, and have some fun.
Dive into Berlin's layered history with this Self-Guided Audio Tour, perfect for those keen on uncovering the city's past from espionage to monumental ruins. Your ticket to the German Spy Museum is included, setting you on a path right from espionage's intriguing world to the pinnacles of German history. (!) Please note that while the ticket to the German Spy Museum is included, an in-app audio guide for this museum is not provided, inviting you to fully immerse in the ambiance of the artifacts and stories therein. The tour begins at the German Spy Museum, located at Leipziger Platz, a site that symbolizes the epicentre of Berlin’s historical division and the fault line of the Cold War. From there, you will make your way through various landmarks, including Potsdamer Platz, Tiergarten Park, the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe, the Brandenburg Gate, the Reichstag Building, and many more. The tour concludes at the Red City Hall of Berlin, a historic building that reflects the city’s medieval origins and its evolution over the centuries. Along the way, you will experience the vibrant and modern urban landscape of Potsdamer Platz, the peaceful retreat of Tiergarten Park, and the somber reflection of the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe. You will also witness the iconic Brandenburg Gate, the historic Reichstag Building, and the majestic Berlin Cathedral.
Delve into Berlin's rich tapestry with your ticket to the Neue Nationalgalerie included in this self-guided audio tour, perfect for history buffs and architecture enthusiasts. (!) Please, note, that the tour within the Neue Nationalgalerie itself isn't included, but the stories and sights of the city will more than satisfy your cultural appetite. Starting outside the Neue Nationalgalerie and ending at the Red City Hall, the route passes through iconic sites like Potsdamer Platz, Tiergarten Park, Humboldt University, and more. From the neoclassical grace of the Brandenburg Gate to the grand dome of the Reichstag Building, the tour’s route is a testament to resilience and revival. Feel the gravity of history beneath the linden trees of Unter den Linden and atop the majesty of the Berlin Cathedral's dome. The journey concludes with an upward glance at the emblematic Red City Hall. The audio guide will accompany you through Berlin's transformative eras as you traverse the city. By the end of this self-guided journey, you'll have experienced Berlin’s remarkable ability to remember, rebuild, and evolve into a modern metropolis, all while preserving the echoes of its multifaceted past.
This self-guided audio tour of the East Side Gallery of the Berlin Wall will guide you through the iconic site where history comes alive through the powerful murals that adorn the wall and the voices of eyewitnesses that you will hear on your way. The tour takes you on a journey through the past, exploring the rise and fall of the Berlin Wall, and the different problems that the Wall represented. Looking at the artworks, you'll discover the many perspectives of life beyond the wall, and hear firsthand accounts of censorship, tolerance, and freedom. One of the highlights of our tour is the iconic mural "Test the Rest" by Birgit Kinder depicting an East German Trabant car breaking through the wall. Another must-see mural is "Fraternal Kiss" by Dmitry Vrubel, featuring the socialist fraternal embrace between Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev and East German leader Erich Honecker. You'll hear the true story behind this famous mural and how it came to be. You'll see the images of and learn about prominent political figures such as J.F. Kennedy and Mikhail Gorbachev, and how they shaped the course of history during this time. Did you know that the Berlin Wall fell by a small mistake? With our expertly crafted narrative, you'll gain insight into the events of November 9th, 1989, when the Wall came down.
Feeling snap happy? Join the club at Berlin's Museum of Photography (Museum für Fotografie), which draws photographers and photography fans from all corners of the globe. Skip the line and shift your focus to 2,000 square meters of snaps, exhibitions, and insights into the history of photography, including works and cameras from the world-famous Helmut Newton.
This Self-Guided Audio Tour reveals Berlin’s historic grandeur, inviting you on an enlightening stroll through time. Your ticket to the Altes Museum is included, setting the stage for an exploration rich in culture and history, perfect for enthusiasts of architecture. (!) Note! While an audio tour inside the Altes Museum itself is not included, the memories fashioned from this walk through Berlin's storied avenues will linger long after the tour concludes. Starting at the classical Altes Museum on the famed Museum Island, this tour takes you on an enlightening path through Berlin's tumultuous history, culminating at the enchanting Gendarmenmarkt square. Along the way, visit the solemn Berlin Cathedral, and behold power at the Reichstag, among other key monuments. Expect to be moved by the starkness of the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe and the concealed history of the Führerbunker. Marvel at the regal beauty of the Brandenburg Gate and the legislative transparency embodied by the Reichstag's glass dome. This tour not only educates but allows you to feel the pulse of Berlin, leaving lasting memories of the city's soulful monuments and stirring history.
Visit the Altes Museum, the oldest museum of the Museum Island in Berlin, and discover the timeless beauty of the art of Classic Antiquity. Completed in 1830, the Altes Museum was the first museum of what later would become the Museum Island. Its impressive building designed by one of the most prominent German architects of the 19th century, Karl Friedrich Schinkel, is a masterpiece of the Neoclassical architecture. Nowadays it houses a unique collection of Classical Antiquities. Admire masterpieces of the ancient Greek civilization. Explore the didactic stories of the Greek vases and immerse yourself in the world of gods and heroes from ancient myths. Be impressed by the stunning beauty of the Roman mosaics and get to see the portrait busts of the famous lovers – Cleopatra and Julius Cesar. Discover the art of Etruscans and try to translate their mysterious language which till this day hasn’t been fully deciphered. See the treasures of the past and marvel at the skill and mastery of the ancient masters in the halls of the Altes Museum.
Visit the Bode Museum, perhaps, the most elegant museum of the Museum Island in Berlin –and explore its extensive collection. Built in 1904, the Bode Museum became the fourth museum of the famous Museum Island. It was originally called the Kaiser-Friedrich-Museum after Emperor Frederick III. However, after World War II the museum was renamed in honor of its first curator, famous German art historian, Wilhelm von Bode whose ideas laid the foundation for this unique institution. Explore the incredible collection of the Bode Museum which includes sculptures and paintings from the end of the Roman Empire to the 18th century. The exhibition allows to trace the progression of European art highlighting different art movements from Early Christian art, through Romanesque and Gothic, to Baroque and Classicism eras. Discover stylistic changes and the evolution of world’s perception in European culture. Immerse yourself in the world of timeless beauty in the halls of the Bode Museum.
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About Berlin
The best tours in Berlin are:
The best tours to do in Berlin with kids are:
The best indoor tours in Berlin for rainy days are:
The must-see attractions in Berlin for a first visit are:
Insider tips for visiting Berlin
Sergio Clementini is a local guide who has been publishing tours since 2023 for your discovery of hidden gems and local specialities of Berlin on their personal guide page (view profile). Explore their expert tips planning trip to Berlin.
If you ask me where I go after dark in Berlin, I usually point people to Kreuzberg first, especially the stretch around Kottbusser Tor and along Oranienstraße. When I visit Berlin, that’s where I find the city at its most unfiltered: late-night bars packed with locals, tiny DJ sets in back rooms, and excellent döner or gözleme at 2 a.m. Neukölln is my close second, around Weserstraße, for a slightly more laid-back but still stylish scene. In any travel guide Berlin nightlife can look overwhelming, but for me these are the real things to do in Berlin if you want Berlin beyond the polished postcard version.
I always recommend wandering Berlin alone on foot, especially from Hackescher Markt through the courtyards to Museum Island and then across to the Spree. For solo visitors, it’s one of the most rewarding things to do in Berlin because the city reveals itself in small details: street art tucked into alleyways, secondhand bookshops, and cafés where nobody minds if you linger with a coffee. When I’m in Berlin, I like stopping at Monbijou Park to people-watch before heading into Mitte. Among the many tours in Berlin, I still think self-guided wandering is best if you want to feel what to see in Berlin beyond the obvious attractions in Berlin.
I usually tell friends to stay in Prenzlauer Berg if they want a comfortable base with real neighborhood life. In my own travel guide Berlin notes, it’s the area I come back to for leafy streets, good cafés, and easy tram links into central Berlin without the constant noise of Mitte. Around Kollwitzplatz and Helmholtzplatz, you can start the morning at a bakery, browse small shops, then head out for some of the best things to do in Berlin. If it’s your first time to visit Berlin, Kreuzberg is more energetic, but for sleeping well and still feeling connected to Berlin, Prenzlauer Berg is my pick.
When I want to show a quieter side of Berlin, I take people to the courtyards at Haus Schwarzenberg, the peaceful St. Matthäus-Kirchhof cemetery in Schöneberg, and the little village feel of Alt-Stralau by the water. These are the kind of attractions in Berlin that locals stumble on rather than plan around. In Berlin, I also love Teufelsberg early in the day, when the wind cuts across the old listening station and the city feels far away. If you’re deciding what to see in Berlin beyond the obvious, these corners stay with you longer than most big sights. Even among all the tours in Berlin, these spots still feel personal.
When I visit Berlin, I always tell people to look beyond the clichés, but yes, currywurst and döner are part of the city’s DNA. In Berlin, the better experience is knowing where and when to eat them: a döner after midnight in Kreuzberg, or currywurst from a no-frills stand where locals eat standing up. I’d also add Königsberger Klopse, Turkish gözleme, and flaky börek, because Berlin’s food scene reflects the city’s layered history more than one single dish. If I were writing a travel guide Berlin food chapter, I’d say tasting this mix is one of the most honest things to do in Berlin when you visit Berlin properly.
I usually send families straight to Tempelhofer Feld. For me, it’s one of the smartest things to do in Berlin because kids can run freely on the old airport runways while adults actually enjoy the space too. When I’m in Berlin with families, I suggest bringing snacks, renting bikes nearby, and heading there in the late afternoon when the light softens and the city feels relaxed. It’s more than one of the usual attractions in Berlin; it shows how Berlin uses its history in everyday life. If you’re deciding what to see in Berlin, this beats many formal tours in Berlin for families who want room to breathe.
In my travel guide Berlin advice, I always say the U-Bahn and S-Bahn are the easiest way to move around Berlin, but the real trick is combining them with walking. When I visit Berlin, I use trains for longer hops, then explore neighborhoods like Kreuzberg, Prenzlauer Berg, or Charlottenburg on foot, because that’s where Berlin starts to make sense. The BVG day pass is usually worth it, and locals know the tram is especially useful in the eastern parts of Berlin. For shorter distances, I often grab a bike, especially along the Landwehr Canal. It’s one of those practical things to do in Berlin that also helps you feel the city properly.
When I want a break from central Berlin, I head to places just beyond the usual map: Potsdam for the gardens around Sanssouci, Köpenick for its old-town waterfront, or Pfaueninsel for a slow afternoon among peacocks and wooded paths. I know the brief says attractions in Berlin, but some of the most memorable moments around Berlin are these half-day escapes that locals actually make. If you’re wondering what to see in Berlin beyond the center, I’d also suggest Müggelsee in warm weather for swimming or a boat ride. Even compared with many tours in Berlin, these nearby corners feel calmer and far more lived-in.