Germany
Berlin, the capital of Germany, is one of Europe's most dynamic cities, known for its rich history, vibrant arts scene, and independent spirit. Landmarks such as the Brandenburg Gate, the Reichstag Building, and the remains of the Berlin Wall offer a glimpse into the city's past, while Museum Island, contemporary art galleries, and street art showcase its creative identity. With lively neighborhoods like Kreuzberg and Friedrichshain, expansive parks, multicultural cuisine, and a thriving nightlife, Berlin is a city where history and modern life come together, with a different story waiting around every corner.
Discover the landmarks, historic sites, natural highlights, and memorable places worth seeing in Berlin.
Government Building
The Reichstag is the historic parliament building and the seat of the German Bundestag. Its most distinctive feature is the glass dome created as part of Norman Foster’s redevelopment, offering panoramic views across central Berlin and the government district. Visiting the dome and roof terrace is free, but advance registration is required.
Historical District
The East Side Gallery is an open-air art site created on a preserved section of the Berlin Wall. In 1990, 118 artists from 21 countries painted works on its eastern side, addressing themes such as German division, the political changes of 1989–90, freedom and reunification. Today the site combines the history of the Wall with Berlin’s open-air art culture.
Historical District
The Berlin Wall Memorial on Bernauer Straße is one of the most comprehensive sites for understanding Germany’s division and the physical and social impact of the Berlin Wall. Its outdoor exhibitions, preserved border structures, documentation centre and memorial spaces show how the former border system operated. Admission is free.
Cathedral
Located beside Museum Island, Berlin Cathedral is one of Berlin’s most important Protestant churches. The present monumental building was constructed between 1893 and 1905 to designs by Julius Carl Raschdorff and is notable for its interior, dome and historical connections to the Hohenzollern dynasty. It remains an active place of worship while also welcoming visitors.
Palace
Charlottenburg Palace is one of Berlin’s principal sites for exploring the history of the Hohenzollern dynasty and Prussian court culture. Its Baroque and Rococo interiors, royal apartments, art collections and extensive palace gardens reflect Berlin’s royal heritage. The palace interiors require admission, while the surrounding grounds can also be explored separately.
Square
Gendarmenmarkt is one of the principal historic squares in central Berlin. Its architectural ensemble is formed by the French Cathedral, German Cathedral and Konzerthaus, while the surrounding district traces its development to late-17th-century Friedrichstadt and the French Huguenot community that settled in Berlin.
Architecture
Built at the end of the 18th century, the Brandenburg Gate is one of Berlin’s most recognizable landmarks. Its position close to the Berlin Wall made it a powerful symbol of the divided city during the Cold War, while after German reunification it became associated with unity and peace. Standing between Pariser Platz and the western end of Unter den Linden, it is one of the key landmarks of Berlin’s historic centre.
Church
The Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church is one of the best-known landmarks of Berlin’s City West. The original church was built between 1891 and 1895 in a Neo-Romanesque style by architect Franz Schwechten as a memorial to Emperor Wilhelm I, but it was severely damaged during air raids in 1943. After the war, the ruined main tower was deliberately preserved as a reminder of the destruction caused by war. Between 1959 and 1961, Egon Eiermann designed a new church ensemble around the surviving tower. Recognisable for its blue glass walls, the modern church remains an active place of worship, while the entire complex serves as a memorial to war, peace and reconciliation.