Discover Berlin: Culture, Gardens and History

Berlin reveals its many facets in museums, gardens, memorial sites and along routes through the city. On Museum Island, the collections span from prehistory to 19th-century art; elsewhere, the focus is on garden design, plants from around the world or traces of Germany’s division. When planning your trip, it may therefore be helpful to first consider which of these themes interest you most.

Explore museums and history

Museum Island houses unique collections of European and Mediterranean art and culture. Its five museums present collections spanning from prehistory to 19th-century art. Museum Island has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1999. You can visit the museums and their collections independently or on a guided tour. The broad span of time makes a visit a journey through different eras, rather than a look at just one art form.

Berlin’s memorial sites dedicated to the city’s division also focus on different aspects. The Berlin Wall Memorial stretches for 1.4 kilometres along Bernauer Straße, on the former border strip between East and West Berlin. The site includes the last remaining section of the Berlin Wall and the border area behind it. As a central memorial to Germany’s division, it connects a specific location with the history of the border. The East Side Gallery offers a different perspective: you can walk along the 1,316-metre stretch of the Wall, the longest continuous section of the Berlin Wall still standing. Public introductory tours on various topics are held there regularly. They last about an hour and use audio guides. Check the current tour schedule before your visit.

Garden design, plants and animals

The Gardens of the World bring together themed gardens and garden spaces from different cultures with contemporary garden design. For the 2017 International Garden Exhibition Berlin, they were expanded to 43 hectares together with Kienbergpark. Visitors can enjoy relaxing, observing nature, playing and taking part in cultural activities. As a result, the site caters to a wide range of interests, from quiet observation to active and cultural pursuits.

Britzer Garten offers another selection of gardens, with four themed gardens. Three flower shows are held there each year; check the seasonal dates before your trip. The Botanical Garden is home to 20,000 plant species from every continent. Its tropical greenhouse stands out as a 25-metre-high Art Nouveau building, surrounded by 14 other display greenhouses. At 43 hectares, the Botanical Garden is also a large destination in its own right for plants and garden visits. Berlin Zoo, Germany’s oldest zoo, is home to many endangered species as well as rare domestic animal breeds.

City routes and lively places

Mauerpark occupies the former Wall strip between Prenzlauer Berg and Wedding. A flea market is located right next to the park in Prenzlauer Berg, with stalls run mainly by private traders rather than professional sellers. Check current operating details before your visit. Since 2009, karaoke has taken place in Mauerpark’s amphitheatre on Sundays from 3 p.m. in good weather; visitors can sing in front of an audience. As the event is weather-dependent, it is worth checking the conditions for your planned day.

The Berlin Wall Trail is also part of the city’s route network: it belongs to the Green Main Routes, which include walking paths, promenades and leafy streets. The network is almost 550 kilometres long. If you are planning your stay around public transport, the Berlin WelcomeCard may be a practical option. It consists of a public transport ticket and a free app. It is available for the Berlin AB or Berlin ABC fare zones, with a freely selectable validity period of 48 hours to six days. Check the current fare conditions before your trip.

Choose accommodation to suit your priorities

Your trip’s themes can help guide your choice of accommodation: would you like to focus on museums and sites related to the division of the city, are you especially interested in gardens and plants, or would you like to make time for city walks and events? The sights and activities mentioned offer different ways to plan your days. Decide which matter most to you and plan the rest of your trip accordingly. For seasonal flower shows, tours at the East Side Gallery, the flea market and weather-dependent karaoke, it is worth checking the specific dates or conditions.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Marzahn, Berlin, Friedrichshagen, Karlshorst, Karow, Kladow, Ruhlsdorf, Schmöckwitz, Wannsee, Adlershof, Charlottenburg, Köpenick, Mahlsdorf, Velten, Tiergarten, Buckow, Wedding, Schöneberg, Berlin-Reinickendorf, Berlin-Prenzlauer Berg, Kreuzberg, Hermsdorf, Friedrichshain, Berlin-Neukölln, Wilmersdorf, Rahnsdorf, Bohnsdorf, Altglienicke, Weißensee, Zehlendorf, Spandau, Marienfelde, Friedenau, Pankow, Rudow, Steglitz, Biesdorf, Grünau, Hohenschönhausen, Hellersdorf, Lichtenberg, Tempelhof.