This is not an endorsement of certain places over others; they're all featured on our site and are all worth visiting. For some people, it's important to see the main sites, while others prefer to the hidden gems. We recommend seeing them all, or as much as you can, if time allows.
If you want to see the remains of the Berlin Wall...
WHERE THE TOURISTS GO: EAST SIDE GALLERY
An excerpt from Northern Germany - Part 1:
... The longest-remaining part of the Berlin Wall is now the longest open-air art gallery in the world. The original 1990 murals are symbolically painted on the east side of the wall, which was bare and inaccessible during the Cold War, in contrast to the west side...
Click here for more things to do near the East Side Gallery and where to stay the night.
WHAT THE LOCALS KNOW: TOPOGRAPHY OF TERROR
An excerpt from Northern Germany - Part 2:
... If you want to see what most of the wall looked like before the Cold War ended, check out the second largest remaining section outside the Topography Museum...
Click here for more things to do near Topography of Terror and where to stay the night.
If you want to commemorate the Holocaust...
WHERE THE TOURISTS GO: HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL
An excerpt from Northern Germany - Part 1:
... This unique and stunning monument is a sobering testament to a terrible time in human history. There's also a relatively small but very moving exhibition on the Holocaust underneath the monument that's worth your time...
Click here for more things to do near the Holocaust Memorial and where to stay the night.
WHAT THE LOCALS KNOW: SACHSENHAUSEN
An excerpt from Northern Germany - Part 2:
... If you've never had an opportunity to visit a concentration camp, don't pass this up. While it produced nowhere near the horrors of the death camps in Poland, Sachsenhausen still claimed the lives of 30,000 from disease, hunger, torture and brutal medical experiments. It's not an easy experience...
Click here for more things to do near Sachsenhausen and where to stay the night.
If you want to see Berlin from a distance...
WHERE THE TOURISTS GO: BERLIN TV TOWER
An excerpt from Northern Germany - Part 1:
... the best thing to do before you leave is catch a glimpse of Berlin from above, feel nostalgic, and wish you could stay longer. If you are staying longer, enjoy one last touristy sight before we take you into the real heart of Berlin...
Click here for more things to do near the Berlin TV Tower and where to stay the night.
WHAT THE LOCALS KNOW: TEUFELSBERG
An excerpt from Northern Germany - Part 2:
... During the Cold War, it served as Field Station Berlin, a US listening station. Most of the structures of the station still remain and now serve as a massive graffiti art complex. For a small fee (euro only) you can spend several hours wandering around. Be sure to check out the view of Berlin from the roof before you leave...
Click here for more things to do near Teufelsberg and where to stay the night.
If you want to immerse yourself in Cold War history...
WHERE THE TOURISTS GO: CHECKPOINT CHARLIE
An excerpt from Northern Germany - Part 1:
... Start at the most common Cold War-era crossing point between East and West Berlin... Suffice to say it wasn't a happy place, but nowadays you'll feel like you're taking a picture with a character at Disney World...
Click here for more things to do near Checkpoint Charlie and where to stay the night.
WHAT THE LOCALS KNOW: CHECKPOINT BRAVO
An excerpt from Northern Germany - Part 3:
... Checkpoint Charlie's less-appreciated but way-cooler brother can be found on a highway just south of Berlin... It's technically private property but you can still walk around on either side of the road for a view of the crumbling remains, including several buildings, a bridge, a gas station, and the Soviet Union's dignity...
Click here for more things to do near Checkpoint Bravo and where to stay the night.
If you want to go for a relaxing boat ride...
WHERE THE TOURISTS GO: SPREE RIVER BOAT RIDE
An excerpt from Northern Germany - Part 1:
... This one-hour boat tour takes you through the heart of Berlin, past historical landmarks and other historical-looking buildings. The best part about it: you'll feel like you've seen most of Berlin without moving a muscle. And did we mention they serve cocktails...
Click here for more things to do near the Spree River and where to stay the night.
WHAT THE LOCALS KNOW: SPREEWALD BOAT RIDE
An excerpt from Northern Germany - Part 4:
... From either Lubben or Lubbenau you can hop on a two-hour boat tour on a traditional barge, propelled by punting - just like the gondolas in Venice, but less pretentious. Spreewald is home to hundreds of kilometers of waterways with several ways to explore...
Click here for more things to do near Spreewald and where to stay the night.
If you want to check out the art scene...
WHERE THE TOURISTS GO: MUSEUM ISLAND
An excerpt from Northern Germany - Part 1:
... this island holds most of the notable museums in Berlin. You can either pick a few exhibitions to see from each or just focus on one museum. We recommend spending most of your time at the Pergamon Museum, which houses life-sized replicas of famous buildings from around the world. Just be prepared to stand in line...
Click here for more things to do near Museum Island and where to stay the night.
WHAT THE LOCALS KNOW: BOROS COLLECTION
An excerpt from Northern Germany - Part 1:
... This former Nazi air-raid shelter turned Soviet prisoner of war camp turned hardcore techno night club currently holds the private art collection of Christian Boros. It's still like a nightclub in that it's hard to get in. You have to book a few months in advance but at least you won't have to worry about getting rejected this time...
Click here for more things to do near the Boros Collection and where to stay the night.
If you're just trying to unwind...
WHERE THE TOURISTS GO: TIERGARTEN (NOT FEATURED)
WHAT THE LOCALS KNOW: TEMPELHOFER FELD
An excerpt from Northern Germany - Part 1:
... Chill out on the tarmac of an abandoned airport, its fields covered with lush grass and tarmac filled with stroller and leash-wielding pedestrians. You'll want to bring a Frisbee or soccer ball, as well as a picnic basket and blanket to make the most of your afternoon...
Click here for more things to do near Tempelhofer Feld and where to stay the night.