If it’s your first trip in Berlin, you’ll most likely want to visit Brandenburg Gate, Reichstag, and Museum Island, but don’t overlook Berlin Wall Memorial and Charlottenburg Palace.
1. Brandenburg Gate (Brandenburger Tor)
The Brandenburger Tor (Brandenburg Gate), inspired by the Acropolis entryway in Athens, is one of Berlin’s most photographed landmarks. The Brandenburg Gate, located at Pariser Platz, one of the city’s most prominent squares, was built for King Frederick Wilhelm II beginning in 1788.
2. Reichstag
The Reichstag or Parliament Building, a symbol of Germany’s past, present, and future, is a mash-up of architecture from the late twentieth to late twenty-first century. It represents the country’s journey from a dark past to a brighter future. The edifice, which was built between 1884 and 1894, was destroyed by arson in 1933, marking a watershed moment in the Third Reich’s history. It was then devastated during WWII and did not reopen as the seat of government until 1999, when the distinctive glass dome was erected.
3. Museumsinsel (Museum Island)
Museumsinsel (or Museum Island) refers to a collection of five museums, the Baroque-style Berliner Dom church, and vast gardens located on a little island in the Spree River. Each museum, built between 1830 and 1930, focuses on a distinct facet of German history and art.
4. Berlin Wall Memorial
The Berlin Wall Memorial, located in the city center, spans for a little less than a mile along what was once the boundary that separated the city in two. When you get to the monument, you may stop by the visitor center to view a brief video about the history of the Berlin Wall and explore a few other exhibits. There is also a bookstore on the premises.
5. Charlottenburg Palace (Schloss Charlottenburg)
Schloss Charlottenburg began as a vacation residence for the royal family in the late 17th century and evolved into a sumptuous palace after Frederick the Great commissioned several 18th-century improvements and extensions. It might now take more than a day to traverse the complex from top to bottom.
