30 Most Memorable Experiences to Have in Berlin

Hoping to prove there’s more to German cuisine than bratwurst and sauerkraut, this half-day market tour and cooking class introduces students to the best of Berlin gastronomy. You begin by shopping for ingredients at the famous Winterfeldtmarkt before taking a German cooking class under the tutelage of an expert chef. This is a lot of hungry work, and travellers will be rewarded with a delicious four-course meal, showcasing both classic and more unusual German dishes, including regional specialities and foraged ingredients. Each group is limited to four people, meaning the experience can be personalised.

Berlin is well known for its hypnotic nightlife, and there’s no better way to start an evening out than with cocktails. Get the party going with this one- to three-hour cocktail course, which can be booked either for a private session or for groups of up to 15 people. Here you’ll learn how to prepare three unique cocktails and two shots under the watchful eye of a professional mixologist. The workshop takes place in the trendy Knutschfleck bar, which is set just off the easily accessible Alexanderplatz – meaning you can safely hop onto the tram or metro once you’ve sampled your creations.

Perfect for cycling and history enthusiasts, this insightful four-hour tour showcases the Cold War history that has shaped contemporary Berlin – from remnants of the Berlin Wall to watchtowers and where the East German secret police kept their top-secret files. Riders cover around 10 kilometres (six miles) while listening to tales of life on either side of the Wall, finding ghost train stations (closed during the period of Berlin’s division during the Cold War) and entering the infamous no-man’s land, once known as the ‘death strip’. The tour’s knowledgeable and entertaining guide can answer any questions you have about the city’s past on the way. Bikes and helmets are provided, with infant and child seats available upon request.

Besides its amazing exterior, Liquidrom has a lot to offer to the relaxing local or winding-down traveler. Besides all of those basic but beautiful spa features decorating Liquidrom, you can also dive into their salt water floating pool. Bob your head underwater and listen to the music that’s designed to strike your ear from the underwater currents. You can check out their website to see what genre of music is on for the upcoming days. Recommended by Dayna Gross.

You haven’t completed your trip to Berlin if you haven’t visited one of its weekend markets. Besides the fact that there is nothing else to do on a Sunday—other than wake up late with a hangover and find a salty bite to eat to curb your “dehydration”—the markets are the best events going on over the weekends. Mauerpark is one of the largest outdoor markets that we know of, and it’s impossible to leave without scoring an essential goodie. We recommend an extra suitcase for this experience. Recommended by Dayna Gross.

You may not leave this show a Berliner, but you might be more aware of this unique city’s culture once the belly laughs are over. Held at Comedy Club Kookaburra in Berlin’s Prenzlauer Berg district, How To Become a Berliner (in One Hour) sees comedian Karsten Kaie describe Berlin life with animation and humour, giving visitors insights into the everyday lives of Berliners, with interesting facts and a healthy dose of self-deprecation. Expect to pick up some crucial Berlin slang, and come away with a deeper knowledge of Berlin nightlife and the so-called ‘Berliner Schnauze’ attitude.

Berlin is famous the world over for its thriving art scene, and one of its latest innovations is spin art. This course allows you to experiment with this unusual art style at the workshop of leading spin-art painter Jan, who will guide your creativity in painting over a canvas with liquid acrylic paints, before your work is attached to a special turntable on the spin-art machine. Once your inner Picasso has been exhausted, the piece will be rotated at high speed, exploding with new, psychedelic forms. You will also get to take your art home with you – a souvenir of your bohemian stint in Berlin.

This outdoor activity might be enticing in the summertime, but it’s totally magical in the fall and winter. The abandoned theme park takes on an eerie energy, and if you’re lucky you can catch the Ferris wheel turning with only a ghostly explanation. Exploring Plänterwald’s forest with a few old or new friends is a sure setting for some unforgettable moments. Recommended by Dayna Gross.

If you need a break from all things German (as if Berlin could even get too German), take an Eastern visit to the Dong Xuan Center. If the smell of plastic makes you queasy, stay far away from this gold mine, or take an anti-nausea pill, because this place has everything you ever never needed and more. In the Dong Xuan Center you can get your hair done in the Asian salons, buy a lava lamp, speakers, toys, winter jackets, and of course grab a bite of Asian food to eat. This burst of the surreal will absolutely stimulate your senses and your memory pockets. Recommended by Dayna Gross.

Speaking of abandoned places, what kind of list would this be without mentioning the “Devil’s Mountain” spy tower? This high towering hill is believed to be made up of almost 400,000 buildings, which were used to cover up a Nazi military-technical college—apparently it was easier to cover up than blow up, which says a lot for its time. A few years ago you used to be able to sneak into Teufelsberg unnoticed and explore the graffiti and awesome view. Now it has been taken over by some unknown hustlers who will force you to pay to enter and tour the grounds. Looks like someone decided to capitalize on the crowd. Recommended by Dayna Gross.

Berlin is an entirely different city once the sun sets, and navigating its famous nightlife can be overwhelming without expert help on hand. Join this guided night-time tour to experience one of the wildest bar crawls in the city, which takes in the bar scene via electro lounges, shisha and steampunk bars on Simon-Dach Straße, and finishes with VIP entrance to one of Berlin’s legendary nightclubs. Not only is this a rollicking good time, but it’s an insight into the dynamic and diverse party life that makes the German capital Europe’s premier nightlife destination. A ticket includes free shots and discounted drinks throughout the night, and there are plenty of chances to play drinking games with co-partiers. The tour meets at 9.30pm at ONE80° Hostel Berlin on Otto-Braun-Straße.

The Berlin corner bars are a staple to the city’s past, and hopefully present life. Every neighborhood and almost every street has their own corner bar with its very committed locals, but this may not be the place for you if you are intimidated by a strictly German-speaking atmosphere. If you’re curious about Berlin and how it used to be, then try out your German in one of these bars, and don’t be surprised if one of the regulars ends up smacking you with a kiss or two on the lips—they are way friendlier than you would expect your typical German to be, especially when its four or five beers later. Recommended by Dayna Gross.

Craving a taste of the outdoors? This three-hour forest high-ropes course – just a 10-minute U-Bahn ride from Berlin’s City West – should do the trick. Set in the tranquil Jungfernheide forest, the course offers thrills for adrenaline junkies of all ages. Visitors make their way through the trees and weave around the obstacle course, guided by a professional instructor. After climbing, guests can relax with a well-deserved pizza and drink in the elegant Wasserturm summer garden.

Be a pilot for a day (well, kind of) by manning an Airbus A320 simulator. The state-of-the-art JetSim flight simulator will make it feel as though you are truly behind the wheel of a commercial plane, with a genuine cockpit and co-pilot to make the experience more authentic. Few things are more thrilling than experiencing endless freedom above the clouds, as you set your own destination and flight conditions, and watch your flight unfold on the 210-degree, full-HD visualisation screen. The experience comes with an in-flight welcome snack and drink and two memento-photos (and simulator licence) – everything you need to trick your more gullible friends at home into thinking you acquired a pilot’s licence during that weekend break in Berlin.

If visiting this park doesn’t inspire you to love Berlin then really, what will? The fact that the city has decided to keep this massive piece of land as a park instead of throwing up some corporate buildings or soaring condos should give you a pretty good insight into the working brain of Berlin. Pushing the politics aside, visit the DIY gardens, see some fireworks on the weekends, and watch one of the greatest sunset views Berlin has to offer. The crowd, the scene, and the energy in Tempelhof will mark your memory with some of the very best images. Recommended by Dayna Gross.

One of Berlin’s charms is taking typical activities and adapting them in interesting ways. Take this latest trend: combining paddleboarding with yoga. Detox travellers can put their minds and muscles to the test by practising yoga shapes on the gentle waters of the Spree. Past visitors say the experience put them into a “state of ease and tranquillity” (while also helping them work off some of the excess food from the trip!). Your experienced course leader will help get you started, ensuring you make the most of this 90-minute journey and strike both inner and outer balance.

This interactive scavenger hunt is made for puzzle lovers of all ages. Once you have ordered the City Game Box, which includes up to 16 closed envelopes filled with messages and puzzles, the journey takes you from Alexanderplatz and Museum Island to Brandenburg Gate and finally Checkpoint Charlie. Better yet, you can pause the game whenever you like to relax and make the most of each sight. It even doubles as an interactive tour guide, giving information on each one of your stops – educational and fun!

Constructed from 69,000 kilograms of ice, Berlin’s Icebar is a sight to behold. Visitors are in awe of the frosty bar setting, where everything – from furniture to drinking glasses and elaborate sculptures – is made of ice. The all-in-one package offers the full experience, with entry to Icebar Berlin (located near Alexanderplatz), three free drink tokens on your arrival, and cosy coats and gloves to keep you warm in –10C (14F). Had enough of the cold? There is also a heated bar on-site for you to warm up once the experience is over.

Thought Berghain was synonymous with Berlin? Berghain isn’t for everyone, but actually that’s not true at all, it is for everyone, if you are able to actually get in. With or without the drugs we are sure you will see, and maybe do, things you have never even imagined. It’s truly unholy to write about the inside happenings of this big bad club. You’ll have to just do your very best to get in and see—and do—for yourself.

The Berliners greet the New Year in a way that no one else does. Over a million people gather between the Brandenburg Gate and the Victory Column from the evening of December 30 to the early hours of January 1 to take in Europe’s largest New Year’s street celebration. Berlin’s New Year’s Eve celebration promises to be an unforgettable extravaganza featuring live music, dancing, laser shows, and, of course, a spectacular professional fireworks display.

In Germany, the holy Jewish holiday of Hanukkah is celebrated with great love and enthusiasm, despite Christmas taking up much of the spotlight. The largest menorah, a holy candelabrum with eight branches, is lit in front of Berlin’s Brandenburg Gate in observance of the Festival of Lights. In Berlin, Hanukkah is also celebrated with a ball. In many other regions of the nation, the menorah is lit, and Jewish groups and museums host unique occasions and festivities.

Berlin’s craft beer scene is beginning to take shape. A movement has gradually emerged from what was once an amorphous blob of unrealized potential. The few establishments that are beginning to brew their own beer are doing it with grace and speed, despite the fact that beer is not as common here as it is in the United States. If strollers weren’t looking closely, they might pass Hops & Barley, a brewery off the usual route. Philip Brokamp, its owner and modest brewmaster, has been in the business for a little more than a decade and doesn’t appear to be planning to leave anytime soon. Though modest, the interior is reminiscent of a real bar.

It’s unlikely that Cold War nuclear bunkers and World War II air raid shelters immediately spring to mind when you think of Berlin’s underground scene. Based in a former air raid bunker at the Gesundbrunnen train station, Berliner Unterwelten (Subterranean Berlin) is a museum that provides a distinctive viewpoint on Berlin’s past. There are several thematic tours offered, and researchers lead tourists through the extensive system of Nazi-built underground tunnels. These include the Under the Berlin Wall Tour, which focuses on tunnel escape attempts beneath the Berlin Wall, and the Dark Worlds Tour, which focuses on life during the war for the typical Berlin citizen.

Explore Berlin’s iconic sights at your own pace with a Hop-On-Hop-Off bus tour. Discover landmarks like Brandenburg Gate and Checkpoint Charlie with informative commentary onboard. Afterward, step into the frosty wonderland of the Icebar, where everything, including your glass, is made of ice. This combo offers a perfect mix of sightseeing and unique, icy fun in the heart of Berlin.

Experience Berlin from the water on a guided bilingual river cruise. Glide along the Spree River, passing landmarks like Museum Island, Berlin Cathedral, and the Reichstag. Your guide shares fascinating insights in both German and English, bringing the city’s history to life. Relax on board as you take in stunning views and learn about Berlin’s rich cultural heritage from a unique perspective.

Discover Berlin’s iconic landmarks and secret corners on a private walking tour. Visit must-see sights like Brandenburg Gate and the Berlin Wall, then explore hidden gems and lesser-known neighborhoods. Your expert guide tailors the experience to your interests, sharing stories that bring Berlin’s history and culture to life. This personalized tour is perfect for those wanting a deeper, off-the-beaten-path exploration of the city.

Make the most of your stopover with a comprehensive Berlin shore excursion. Travel from Warnemünde or Rostock to explore highlights like Brandenburg Gate, the Berlin Wall, and Checkpoint Charlie. A knowledgeable guide ensures you uncover the city’s rich history and culture, all within a convenient day trip. Perfect for cruise passengers, this tour provides an in-depth look at Berlin’s top attractions and vibrant atmosphere.

Delve into Berlin’s history and visit the Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp on this tour from Warnemünde or Rostock. Explore key Berlin landmarks, then journey to the camp for an insightful and respectful exploration of its history. Learn about the atrocities of the Holocaust and hear stories of survival from your expert guide. This powerful and educational experience offers a deep understanding of Germany’s past.

Explore Berlin’s turbulent 20th-century history on a private walking tour of World War II and Cold War sites. Visit key locations like the Berlin Wall, Hitler’s bunker, and the Topography of Terror, as your guide shares gripping stories and historical insights. Tailored to your interests, this tour provides a thought-provoking exploration of the events that shaped modern Berlin. Ideal for history enthusiasts.

Immerse yourself in a dazzling spectacle at Friedrichstadt-Palast Berlin with the “FALLING | IN LOVE” grand show. Marvel at breathtaking choreography, elaborate costumes, and cutting-edge stage effects in one of the world’s most renowned theaters. This unforgettable performance blends art, music, and drama, creating a mesmerizing experience that captures the heart and imagination. A must-see for lovers of grand, theatrical productions.