To begin: Some info about Berlin:
Before moving on to our list of places to visit in Berlin, let’s take a moment to note a few things about the city:
• As of late 2025, Berlin’s population is about 3.9 million. Germany’s capital has a distinctly cosmopolitan character, with residents from more than 190 nationalities, and is home to the largest Turkish community abroad.
• Berlin is home to the East Side Gallery, the world’s largest open-air gallery. The city is highly dynamic, offering not only a vibrant nightlife but also a wide range of subcultures beyond the mainstream.
• As Germany’s largest city and a major European metropolis, Berlin isn’t exactly cheap. Still, it’s possible to explore the city while spending less than in other major European destinations.
• Winters in Berlin are cold, often dropping below zero. For a more relaxed and enjoyable experience exploring the city, summer is the best season; if you’re looking to travel on a more reasonable budget, spring is also a good alternative.
• Once the capital of an empire, Berlin came under the control of the Allied powers (the United States, the United Kingdom, France, and the Soviet Union) after World War II. In the postwar period (1949–1990), Bonn served as the capital of West Germany, while East Berlin remained the capital of East Germany. After the fall of the Berlin Wall, the city was reunified and now stands as a symbol of Germany’s rebirth.
• Turkish Airlines operates multiple daily direct flights to Berlin from Istanbul and Ankara, with an average flight time of 2 hours and 55 minutes. Before setting out to explore one of Europe’s most important capitals, we’re ready to turn your journey into a memorable experience with our delicious onboard offerings and privileges. Readers planning to visit Berlin can check our Berlin flight ticket page to explore alternative options.
Places to see in Berlin
Berlin Museum Island and the Pergamon Museum
The first stop in our guide to places to visit in Berlin is Museum Island, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Comprising five museums in close proximity, Museum Island spans roughly one square kilometer along the Spree River. Visiting all of them can easily take several days, so prioritizing the ones that interest you most can save time. The Altes Museum, Neues Museum, Alte Nationalgalerie, Bode Museum, and Pergamon Museum, along with the later addition of the James Simon Gallery, each house significant collections focused on different regions of the world.
Among these, the Pergamon Museum holds particular importance for Turkish visitors. Welcoming about one million visitors each year, the museum displays monumental sculptures, columns, and historical artifacts, many of which were either purchased from the Ottoman Empire or brought from Anatolia. It is home to three major collections: the Classical Antiquities Collection, the Ancient Near East Museum, and the Museum of Islamic Art. It is closed for renovation and will reopen in 2027.
East Side Gallery
The ruins of the Berlin Wall, which divided the city – and the country – into east and west jurisdictions, now house the East Side Gallery. Considered one of the must-see places in Berlin, the paintings on the Wall are worth a visit. As well, the East Side Gallery is known as the world’s largest open-air museum.
Tiergarten
An address that will open your heart among the things to do in Berlin: Tiergarten. The largest park in the city, the 630-acre Tiergarten offers beautiful views in every season. The Berlin Zoo is located in the southwest corner of the park, which was the diplomatic center of Berlin prior to the Second World War.
Jewish Museum Berlin
One of Germany’s most visited museums, the Berlin Jewish Museum is most definitely among the top places to visit in Berlin. Focusing on the cultural history of Germany’s Jews, the Museum’s collection includes artworks and sacred objects, as well as exhibits on the social and political history of the country’s Jewish population before and during the Second World War. The architecture of the structure is also notable.
Reichstag (Parliament building)
Adjacent to the Brandenburg Gate, the Reichstag (Parliament) is one of the most important historical structures in German history. Adding to the Reichstag’s significance is a glass dome at the top of the building, which features a panoramic view of Berlin. Entrance to the Reichstag is free and visiting hours are 08.00 to 20.00 in summer and 08.00 to 18.00 in winter. Organized tours are also available.
Sachsenhausen Museum
Sachsenhausen was a Nazi concentration camp where thousands of people lost their lives between 1936-1945. Now a museum, Sachsenhausen is among the historical sites to visit in Berlin; it is 35 kilometers from the city.
Alexanderplatz
Among the top attractions of Berlin, the expansive Alexanderplatz is one of the city’s liveliest squares. Sometimes called “Alex” by Germans, Alexanderplatz is the transportation hub of the city. It is also home to the famous TV tower Berliner Fernsehturm and the Alexa Shopping Mall.
DDR Museum
Presenting details of daily life in the former East Germany, the DDR Museum undoubtedly deserves to be on the list of top places to visit in Berlin. Entrance to the DDR Museum, located just opposite Berlin Cathedral, is 12.5 euros for adults and tickets can be purchased online.
Berlin Cathedral
Perhaps the most important historical place to visit in Berlin is the famous Berliner Dom, or the Berlin Cathedral. The construction date of the cathedral dates to 1465, when the Chapel of St. Erasmus was converted into a church. In addition to its splendid architecture, the Cathedral offers magnificent views of the city from its Dome.
Brandenburg Gate and its surroundings
One of Berlin’s most iconic landmarks, the Brandenburg Gate was built in the late 18th century and is distinguished by the statue of the Goddess of Victory atop it, depicted in a chariot drawn by four horses. During the Wall era, the gate stood in a neutral zone; today, it remains one of the most powerful symbols of Germany’s reunification. The American and French embassies, art galleries, and the Kennedy Museum surround the gate.
If you continue from the Brandenburg Gate toward Tiergarten, the Haus der Kulturen der Welt, designed by American architect Hugh Stubbins Jr., will catch your eye. Known for its striking, unconventional architecture, the building hosts a wide range of cultural events.
Checkpoint Charlie
One of the most famous crossing points between East and West Berlin during the Cold War, Checkpoint Charlie remains a must-see historic stop in the city. Located on Friedrichstraße, one of Berlin’s best-known shopping streets, the site still features a replica of the guardhouse where American soldiers once stood guard. At the nearby open-air museum, both successful and failed attempts to cross the Wall are documented and exhibited.
Kreuzberg: Berlin’s Turkish neighborhood
Within a short walk of Checkpoint Charlie, Kreuzberg is known as the Berlin neighborhood with the largest Turkish population. Often called “Little Türkiye,” it’s the kind of place where you might momentarily forget you’re still in Berlin, especially when Turkish signs appear on building facades. With its Turkish markets, restaurants, and cafés, Kreuzberg offers one of the city’s most vivid reflections of Turkish culture. For Turkish visitors in particular, it’s a welcoming place to find familiar flavors and feel a little closer to home.
There’s also a must-see for art and culture enthusiasts in Kreuzberg: Turkish artist Ayşe Erkmen’s work Evde (Am Haus). When Erkmen moved to Berlin in 1993 as part of the DAAD artist program, she adorned the façade of an apartment building on Oranienstraße with conjugations of the Turkish reported past-tense suffix “-miş.” Made with plexiglass letters, the installation conveys a sense of longing for home and offers a subtle reference to the history of Turkish migration. Originally intended as a temporary piece, it became permanent thanks to the affection of residents and locals. Today, the building, often referred to by Berliners as the “-miş building,” remains one of the neighborhood’s most distinctive landmarks.
Karl Marx Allee and Neptune Fountain
After visiting Museum Island, you can set out for a walk along the monumental Karl-Marx-Allee. Built in honor of Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels, this grand boulevard reflects the architectural legacy of former East Berlin. A little further on, the Neptune Fountain, built in 1891, comes into view. Around the Roman god Neptune, female figures represent Germany’s four major rivers: the Elbe, Rhine, Vistula, and Oder.
What to eat in Berlin?
When it comes to what to eat in Berlin, a few classics immediately come to mind. From the famous marinated beef dish Sauerbraten to Schnitzel, and Doner kebab, a familiar favorite for readers from Türkiye, the city offers a rich range of flavors worth trying. And of course, rounding things off with a Berliner for dessert feels almost essential.
On another note, here’s something that will delight vegan and gourmet-minded readers alike: according to HappyCow, Berlin ranks among the world’s top three most vegan-friendly cities. With more than 1,700 vegan and vegan-friendly venues, the city’s plant-based scene is remarkably developed. From vegan pizza to vegan doner, nearly every plant-based option is available here.
For the truly devoted gourmets, Berlin offers yet another appeal. As you may know, the city is among the world’s leading destinations when it comes to Michelin Guide stars. According to the 2025 guide, Berlin is home to 23 Michelin-starred restaurants, including three-starred Rutz, four two-star restaurants, and 18 one-star restaurants. As the city with the highest number of Michelin-starred restaurants in Germany, Berlin is nothing short of a paradise for gastronomy enthusiasts.
Getting to the airport in Berlin & getting around the city
Berlin Brandenburg Airport transportation information
Bus and train schedules
From Berlin’s Brandenburg Airport, trains and express buses operate to the city center. For more information on regional train services, and airport express and bus services departing from different terminals, you can visit the Berlin Brandenburg Airport website. The website also offers a Turkish language option.
Taxi and car rental
There are taxi stands around the airport’s T1 and T2 terminals. From Brandenburg Airport, a taxi will take about 30-40 minutes to reach the city center (Alexanderplatz). Keep in mind that Miles&Smiles members who rent a car in Berlin with our business partner Avis can earn up to 4,000 bonus Miles.
Getting around Berlin
Berlin features a highly developed urban transportation system. In addition to the U-Bahn and S-Bahn rail and metro lines, public buses operate to almost every point in the city. For more information, click here: transportation in Berlin.
Practical information about Berlin
Official language: German
Currency: Euro
Socket type: F
Important Phones
Area Code: +49
Emergency Assistance: 112
Embassy of the Republic of Türkiye in Berlin: +49 30 56 83 73 099
Sources:
Berlinerdom.de
Britannica.com
Guide.michelin.com
Happy Cow
Travel and Leisure
