Things to Do in Berlin
Discover 69 activities and experiences in Berlin, Germany — from outdoor adventures to cultural events. Curated from real traveler recommendations.
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Karneval
In late February or early March. As a lot of people in Berlin originally came from the southern or western area of Germany where ''Fasching'', ''Fastnacht'' or ''Karneval'' is celebrated, a carnival parade was also established in Berlin. It grew bigger and bigger (about 500.000 to 1 million people watching), but the costumes and cars are rather boring and the people are not as dressed up as in the "original" big carnival parades (Cologne, Mainz, Düsseldorf). Since 2007 the traditional route across Kurfürstendamm was chosen. Note that people from Berlin themselves don't care a bit about Karneval; this is mostly an event for people coming from the regions of Germany that have a Karneval. In fact, most Berliners will be laughing at you if you mention that you went to Karneval, so beware that this is not a Berlin tradition, but a recent (post-1990) institution.
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Fuckparade
In August. The Fuckparade (Hateparade in the early days) started as an antiparade or demonstration against the commercialized Love Parade, and was first on the same date as the Love Parade but later the date was shifted. The Fuckparade is a political demonstration, with political speeches at the beginning and the end and the parade with music between. The general motto of the Fuckparade is "against the destruction of the club scene". The music is quite different than at the Love Parade: mostly independent/alternative/extreme electronic music.
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Berliner Philharmonie
The Berliner Philharmonie is a concert hall with 2,440 seats in Berlin-Tiergarten (constructed 1960–1963) and the home of the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra. Famous building and outstanding musicians. Reservations are recommended, but cheaper tickets are usually available 2–4 hr before the concert if not sold out. Every Tuesday (September to June) 1pm-2pm free lunch concert; come early. In the winter, late-night concerts (10:30 or 11pm) are a bargain and often have more avant-garde or unconventional formats.
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- Herbert-von-Karajan-Str. 1
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Berlinale – Berlin Film Festival
The city's largest cultural event and an important fixture in the global film industry's calendar (up there with Cannes). 250,000 tickets sold, 400 different films screened and a host of associated parties and events every year. In contrast to Cannes, all screenings at the Berlinale are open to the public. Tickets are inexpensive and relatively easy to get for the "International Forum of Young Film" screenings and the "Berlinale Panorama" (movies which are not in the competition).
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Schlossgarten Charlottenburg
The green areas of the park is free, so you can go there to have a walk even if you are not interested in the palace. It covers a large area and you can get in from the entrance just near the "New Pavillon" (Neuer Pavillon a.k.a. Schinkelpavillon) placed on the right of Luisenplatz. ''Bus M45, 309: „Luisenplatz“ or „Klausenerplatz“, the nearest train station is Sophie-Charlotte Platz on the U2''.
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Gärten der Welt
Inside you can find a large, well-established Chinese garden, a Korean garden, a small Bali's Garden/Glasshouse, an Oriental Garden with nice fountains and a cloister and a Japanese garden which is a project by the city partnership of Berlin and Tokyo. Best time for a visit is in spring or summer. To get there, take the S7 until "Marzahn" station and continue with bus 195 until Eisenacher Straße.
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- Open daily from 09:00-16:00, in April and October until 18:00, from May-Sep until 20:00
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- Entrance is €3
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Ticket B City–Tours by architects in Berlin
Showing the city of Berlin on hand-picked architectural routes. Led by selected architects in German, English, French, Italian or Spanish. Anything is possible - tours from the water, on land or in a helicopter. They arrange your special tour on contemporary architecture in Berlin with many exclusive visits to the interiors of buildings and unforgettable experiences.
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KulturBrauerei
A complex that was once a brewery. There you can find the Jazz Cafe, the SODA restaurant where you can enjoy a fine meal of insects, and some clubs: Club 23, nbi and frannz. The KulturBrauerei also has several cinemas showing alternative movies, the Kesselhaus concert house, and one of the best shop for instruments in Berlin, the "Sound and Drumland"
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- Schönhauser Allee 36
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Badeschiff
An old cargo ship hull converted to a fresh-water swimming pool, anchored permanently on the river Spree. Provides a nice opportunity to swim on the Spree, without actually swimming in the river itself, which is far too polluted. A bar with disco DJ music is situated just next to the pool. In winter time, the pool is covered against the weather.
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- Eichenstraße 4
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- entrace free, charges for drinks
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Hanf Parade
In August. The Hanfparade is the biggest European political demonstration for the legalization of hemp for use in agriculture and as a stimulant. Conflicts with police have been known to occur and consuming any form of Cannabis at this demonstration is not a good idea as the police ''will'' control people if only to show that they can
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Kienberg
Before or after visiting the "Gardens of the World", tourists might be interested in climbing on top of the Kienberg (a small hill nearby with a view on the surrounding suburbs) or to go for a walk in the valley of the Wuhle (a small river). More information on the area can be found on the district's official website (in German).
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Karneval der Kulturen
In May or June (on Whit Sunday). The idea of the "Carnival of Cultures" is a parade of the various ethnic groups of the city showing traditional music, costumes and dances. Other more modern, alternative and political groups also participate. Similar events are also held in Hamburg and Frankfurt.
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Mauerpark
At the end of the Eberswalder Straße, it was once a piece of the Berlin wall. Today in the summer it is a nice place to be, especially for young people. In the summer afternoons, you can witness - or participate in - the [http://www.bearpitkaraoke.com/ Bearpit Karaoke]
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Ice hockey
The Berlin Eisbären (Polar Bears) play this fast, exciting and very physical sport during the winter. The excitement is heightened by the singing and chanting of the crowds, who are fueled by the copious quantities of wurst and beer available.
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East Side Gallery
The longest stretch of the Berlin Wall that is still standing. It has been painted by street artists and has several famous art pieces. (If you want to see the wall in its original condition, see the Gedenkstatte Berliner Mauer in Wedding.)
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- Free
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Berlin Tour by public bus line 100 and 200
The 100 and 200 bus lines are just ordinary bus lines, but they pass by many of Berlin's famous landmarks. Both run every 5–10 minutes between S+U-station Zoologischer Garten and S+U-station Alexanderplatz. All BVG tickets are accepted.
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- €2.70 (single) or €7.60 (day ticket)
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Stadtbad Neukölln
Built from 1912-14 in Art Nouveau style and carefully renovated in 1984, this swimming pool (actually two in one building), covered in mosaics and domes, is one of Berlin's most beautiful. A must see for architecture fans.
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- Ganghoferstraße 3
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Open Air Gallery Oberbaumbrücke
Artists are selling their works, amateur tango dancers are giving public performances and you can contribute to a collaborative painting on a very long canvas spread on the street along the festival.
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- Oberbaumbrücke between Kreuzberg and Friedrichshain
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- Sunday 2th June and Sun 7th July 2013 at 10 to 22 h
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- free
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Spielwiese
Café with over 1200 high-quality board, card, and dice games, both European and American, available to play. Many have rules in English. Perfect for a rainy day. Food and drinks for sale.
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- Kopernikusstraße 24, Friedrichshain
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- Mo 16:00-24:00, Th 19:00-24:00, Fr 16:00-24:00, Sa-Su 14:00-24:00
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- 1€ per person, per hour; 3€ to rent games overnight
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Neuköllner Oper
Voted several times best off-opera house and known for its modern and contemporary pieces. Mostly in German as usually relating to developments in Germany. Very creative and innovative.
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Britzer Garten
A 90-hectare garden and former national garden show place (1984); public park with great flora and big playgrounds for kids; popular amongst children and seniors on weekends.
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Sonnenallee
Became famous from the film named after this street. During the Cold War, the street was split, with one section belonging to East Berlin and one to West Berlin.
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CineStar
The "CineStar Original" cinema located inside the Sony Center at the Potsdamer-Platz shows only movies in original version (e.g. in English, without subtitles).
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Philharmonie
Concert hall, home to the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, designed by Hans Scharoun. Free lunchtime concerts every Tuesday at 13:00, except during summer.
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Chamäleon Theater Berlin
Located in the trendy quarter Berlin-Mitte in the stunning Hackesche Höfe, Chamaeleon Theatre offers exciting cross genre variety and music shows.
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- Rosenthaler Straße 40
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Kollwitzplatz
Small nice park with cafes and a great market on Saturday, there is an extensive selection of food (a feast for the eyes as well as the stomach)
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Staatsoper Unter den Linden
'. The impressive building and royal history make the building alone worth a visit. Schiller Theater in Berlin-Charlottenburg.
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Lange Nacht der Museen
A large cultural event in May (17th May 2014, 16th May 2015) with museums open until 02:00 and extra events around the city.
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- Price with unlimited use of the shuttle bus service and public transportation (BVG and S-Bahn): 18 €, concessions 12 €
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Basketball
Alba Berlin, known as The Albatross are consistently the best basketball team in Germany, and one of the best in Europe.
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Greenwich Promenade
Relaxing lake-side strolls on 'Greenvitch Promenaid', a path named after Reinickendorf's twin town of Greenwich, London.
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Yachtcharter Werder
Offers the possibility of a long term stay on the waterways of Berlin and the surrounding federal state Brandenburg.
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Kant Kino
One of the few old cinemas (founded 1912) left in Berlin's western city. Mostly non-mainstream European movies.
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Grips Theater
Famous children's theater with a light political touch, European recognition for the musical ''Linie 1''.
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Kastanienallee and Oderberger Straße
Nice streets with lots of little shop and cafes to sit outside in the summer and watch people pass by.
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Fête de la Musique
All kinds of music around the city on this day coordinating with a similar day in most French cities.
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- June 21 every year
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Theater des Westens
An historic theatre in the former West Berlin, only musicals today. Till 2013: „Tanz der Vampire“
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- Kantstraße 12
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Friedrichstadt-Palast
Berlin's biggest show with over 100 artists on the biggest theatre stage in the world.
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Müggelsee
Berlin's biggest lake. You can travel there by tram, which is an experience by itself.
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Adlon Day Spa
One of the best spa's in town right next to the Brandenburg Gate in the Hotel Adlon
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Public swimming pools
Can be found around the city. Check out BBB for pool listings and opening times.
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Go on the water
Rent a motor boat, row boat, canoe, or kayak and explore the Spree and Dahme.
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Stern und Kreisschiffahrt
By far the biggest boat company in Berlin. They offer tours on most lakes.
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Legoland Discovery Centre
An educational attraction for children, featuring a LEGO replica of Berlin
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- Potsdamer Straße 4
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- Adult and children: €18
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Deutsches Theater
Classical theatre with an impressive line up of actors and directors.
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- Schumannstraße 13a
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Volkspark Mariendorf
Boasts an open-air cinema and is the perfect activity to do at night.
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Sana's Day Spa for Women
Small spa offers privacy for women and daily fresh blended products.
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Moviemento
Cinema showing independent and older movies, some in English.
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- Kottbusser Damm 22
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CineStar Imax im Son Center
The worldwide recognised theatre at Potsdamer Straße
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- Potsdamer Straße 4
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Festival of lights
Famous buildings are illuminated in a special way
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- 09th until 18th October 2015
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- free
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Kabarett Theater Distel
Cabaret and comedy, political satire in German.
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- Friedrichstraße 101
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Harness racing
There is a harness racing track in Karlshorst.
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- Treskowallee 129
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- Usually the races take place on Sundays.
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Volksbühne am Rosa Luxemburg Platz
Sometimes controversial, modern theatre.
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- Rosa-Luxemburg-Platz / Linienstraße 227
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Volksbühne am Rosa-Luxemburg-Platz
Sometimes controversial, modern theater.
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- Linienstraße 227
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Exploring Berlin: A Traveler's Guide to Activities
Berlin rewards curious travelers with an exceptional range of experiences. Whether you have a weekend or several weeks, the city's 69 documented activities cover the full spectrum — architectural landmarks and world-class museums at one end, local neighborhood festivals and underground cultural scenes at the other. The activities listed on this page come from Wikivoyage contributors who have personally explored Berlin and written detailed, practical descriptions to help you plan your visit.
The most rewarding way to experience Berlin's activities is with company. Solo travelers who arrive without plans often find that meeting a fellow traveler at a hostel, cafe, or through the Nomax app opens up entirely new itineraries — a museum visit becomes a half-day exploration, a street food crawl turns into an evening of discovery, a day trip to a nearby site becomes an adventure. Berlin has an active traveler community, and the city is designed to reward those who explore it with open curiosity.
When planning what to do in Berlin, consider mixing well-known attractions with neighborhood-level experiences. The city's most photographed sights are popular for good reason, but Berlin's character lives in its quieter corners too — the local markets, the parks where residents spend their weekends, the small performance venues where the next generation of artists and musicians are finding their voice. The 69 activities on this page include both categories, ordered by the richness of their traveler-written descriptions.
How to Get the Most from Berlin's Activities
Timing matters in Berlin. Many of the city's best attractions have shorter queues and better atmospheres on weekday mornings. Major cultural sites — museums, galleries, historic monuments — often run free admission windows on certain days or evenings; check before booking. Outdoor activities and walking tours are best enjoyed in the morning before the city heats up or fills with tour groups.
Budget-conscious travelers will find that Berlin has a strong free-to-access layer. Public parks, open-air markets, architectural walking routes, and many community events cost nothing. The price information included with activities on this page (where available) helps you plan a realistic daily budget. A mix of free and paid activities across a week in Berlin is entirely feasible for most traveler budgets.
For travelers who want to do more than just sightseeing, Berlin offers organized activities through local guides, tour companies, and traveler apps like Nomax. Group activities — cooking classes, cycling tours, kayaking excursions, photography walks — are a natural way to meet people while experiencing the city. Many travelers who use Nomax in Berlin coordinate these types of group experiences together, splitting costs and building memories that last beyond the trip itself.
Activities for Different Travel Styles
Not every traveler wants the same experience. History enthusiasts will gravitate toward Berlin's museums, heritage sites, and guided historical walks that reveal the layers of the city's past. Outdoor and adventure travelers will focus on the parks, cycling routes, climbing areas, and day trips to surrounding natural areas. Food travelers will treat Berlin's markets, restaurants, and food tours as the primary activities of each day. Culture seekers will fill evenings with concerts, theater, gallery openings, and street performances.
The 69 activities documented on this page span all these categories. Use the numbered list above to browse in order of description quality — longer descriptions generally mean more detailed, firsthand traveler knowledge. For each activity, the address and opening hours (where available) give you everything you need to plan your visit without needing to search elsewhere.
Connecting with Travelers in Berlin
One of the best things about traveling to Berlin is the community of international travelers already there. Backpackers, digital nomads, long-term expats, and short-trip tourists all share the same city at any given moment. Nomax makes it easy to find who is in Berlin right now, see what activities they are joining, and coordinate plans. Whether you want a hiking companion, someone to split museum entry with, or a group for an evening out — the app connects you to people with the same itinerary in minutes.
Download Nomax before your trip to Berlin to set your travel dates and start discovering who else will be there at the same time. The app is free, requires no subscription, and works across all the major traveler destinations worldwide — meaning the community you build in Berlin often extends to your next destination too.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best things to do in Berlin?
Berlin offers 69+ activities and experiences for travelers. Top highlights include Karneval, Fuckparade, Berliner Philharmonie, and much more. This page lists every documented activity in order of description quality, so you can find both the major attractions and the hidden gems.
Are there free things to do in Berlin?
Yes — Berlin has a strong selection of free activities. Public parks, open-air markets, walking routes through historic neighborhoods, and many cultural institutions offer free admission on specific days. Scroll through the list above and look for activities marked with free or no price information — these are often the city's most authentic experiences.
How do I meet other travelers while exploring Berlin?
Download Nomax — a free travel companion app that shows you other solo travelers currently in Berlin. You can join group activities, chat with travelers at the same spots, and plan outings together. Many travelers in Berlin use Nomax to find companions for day trips, museum visits, and evening activities.
What activities can I do with travel companions I meet in Berlin?
Berlin has activities for every interest — guided tours, food experiences, outdoor adventures, cultural events, and nightlife. Use Nomax to coordinate with other travelers: join a group for a walking tour, split a day-trip cost, or simply explore the city together. The app makes spontaneous plans easy.
Explore Berlin with fellow travelers
Download Nomax — find travel companions, join group activities, and chat with solo travelers in Berlin right now. Free forever.
Travel tips by Wikivoyage contributors (CC BY-SA 3.0). Content may have been updated since publication.
