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15 Things to See and Do in Berlin
February 14th 2019
By Travel Puls
Where to Go in Berlin
If ever there was a good year to travel to Berlin, Germany, this is the one. The city is celebrating two very monumental anniversaries in 2019—the 30th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall and 100 years of Bauhaus.
Travelers to Berlin will likely want to take both of these celebrations into consideration when planning a visit in addition to taking in the city’s cultural attractions, artistic endeavors and devotion to clean living.
The Fall of the Berlin Wall
On November 9, 1989—30 years ago—the Berlin Wall fell, marking the end of the Cold War and the division of Germany and Berlin. It's a must visit for the iconic history and the beautiful artwork now on display.
The Brandenburg Gate
The Brandenburg Gate is the symbol of reunited Berlin and Germany and a must-see for visitors to the city. The gate was the backdrop for President Ronald Regan's 1987 speech, during which he famously said "Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall."
East Side Gallery
Once it was the Berlin Wall, now, the East Side Gallery is the longest open-air gallery in the world.
At roughly one mile long, the gallery on the banks of the Spree River is the longest remaining section of the Berlin Wall. Immediately after the wall came down, 118 artists from 21 countries began painting the East Side Gallery, and it officially opened as a gallery on September 28, 1990. Just over one year later, it was given protected memorial status.
Berlin Wall Memorial
Visitors can also learn about the history of the Berlin Wall at the Wall Memorial on Bernauer Strasse. The memorial was created in 1998 and commemorates the division of the city and it contains the last piece of the Berlin Wall with the preserved grounds behind it, which is viewable for visitors.
Bauhaus Archive Berlin
The Bauhaus Archive Berlin was built according to designs by Gropius and houses the world's largest collection on the Bauhaus. During the 2019 celebrations of the 100th anniversary of the Bauhaus, Berlin is offering an extensive program of exhibitions, installations and experiences of the Bauhaus and Modernism.
Mies van der Rohe-designed New National Gallery
The Mies van der Rohe-designed New National Gallery is one of Berlin's architectural highlights and is part of the Bauhaus exploration during the 100th anniversary year of the famous architecture and design school. Although closed for renovation, the building is a prime example of Modernist architecture.
The Reichstag
The impressive Norman Foster-designed glass dome of the Reichstag offers great city views, stands for transparency and is open to the public. Visitors need to register in advance to schedule their visit to Germany's stunning parliament building.
The Pergamon Museum
The Pergamon Museum is Berlin’s most popular museum, attracting more than 1 million visitors every year. The museum is currently under renovation, a project that began in 2013, but the rooms in the southern wing of the museum that house the Ishtar Gate and Processional Way, the Roman Market Gate of Miletus and the Museum of Islamic Art, continue to remain open.
The restoration project is currently scheduled to be completed between 2025–2026.
Gendarmenmarkt
The Gendarmenmarkt is Berlin's most beautiful square and is the site of summer concerts and a Christmas market in the winter. Visitors will also find the German and French Cathedral and Schinkel's Konzerthaus in the square.
Berlin Cathedral
The magnificent dome of the Cathedral Church (Berliner Dom) is one of the main landmarks of Berlin’s cityscape. It's full name is the Evangelical Supreme Parish and Collegiate Church and is located on the city's famous Museum Island.
The Green Market
The Green Market takes place twice a year, in the winter and the summer, and is a symbol of Berliners’ love of living green, which is evident throughout the city. For many, the (carefully selected) bicycle has replaced the car as a status symbol. In DIY workshops, Berliners are learning how to make their own furniture and clothing, instead of surrounding themselves exclusively with industrial mass production, and many follow LOHAS, a "lifestyle of health and sustainability", people who enjoy the pleasures of life whilst eating a healthy diet and making sustainable choices in their consumption.
Staatsoper
A 250-year-old tradition of opera awaits visitors at the magnificent Staatsoper unter den Linden, which is home to the Berlin State Opera company. It is also known as the Lindenoper and is also home to the Staatskapelle Berlin orchestra.
Berlin's Philharmonie Hall
Berlin’s Philharmonie hall is home to the legendary Berliner Philharmoniker, long ranked one of the best orchestras in the world. Those standards of excellence are matched by the Philharmonie itself. Designed by architect Hans Scharoun, not only has the concert hall’s appearance become world-renowned, but also its interior–with an innovative design that provides the best possible acoustics.
Berlin Street Food
In Berlin, currywurst is a street food staple. Each year, some 70 million of these grilled sausages covered in a curry-ketchup sauce are eaten in the city. Street food in the city has been enjoying a renaissance, and visitors will find food stalls, pop-up eateries and market halls full of exotic flavors.
Luxury Stays
Berlin offers a broad spectrum of luxury hotels. Visitors can spend the night in opulent luxury surrounded by extravagant design or choose to reside in a classy, contemporary hotel with minimalist design. Das Stue Hotel (featured) is an example of one of Berlin's exclusive and luxurious five-star hotel experiences.