The Brandenburg Gate is an 18th-century neoclassical monument located at the heart of Berlin. It has become a symbol of the city and its tumultuous history. Visitors can walk through the gate or climb to the top, where they can enjoy a panoramic view of the city.
The Berlin Wall Memorial is a site dedicated to the division of Germany and the reunification of Berlin. Visitors can explore the open-air exhibition and see preserved sections of the wall, as well as the border fortifications and watchtowers.
The Checkpoint Charlie Museum provides an immersive exhibition and documentation of the story behind the Berlin Wall, the inner-German border, and the Cold War. Exhibits include original artefacts, photographs, films, and documents that shed light on the events that took place in Berlin during this time.
The Pergamon Museum is one of the most visited art museums in Germany, with a collection of ancient artifacts, sculptures, and historical objects from the Middle East, Greece, and Rome. Highlights include the Market Gate of Miletus and the Ishtar Gate.
The Reichstag Building is a historic building that has been the home of the German parliament since 1999. Visitors can take a guided tour of the building and the glass dome, which offers a panoramic view of the city.
To fully experience Berlin, the best way to get around is by public transportation. The city has an extensive network of buses, trams, and trains which are clean, efficient, and affordable. A single ticket costs €2.80 and is valid for two hours. A day ticket costs €7 and allows unlimited travel within the AB zone. Taxis are also available but can be quite expensive.
If you have more time, you can visit other historical sites like the Topography of Terror Museum, the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe, or the Berlin Wall Trail. Alternatively, you can also explore the city's trendy neighborhoods like Kreuzberg, Neukölln or Friedrichshain, which offer an array of authentic local experiences. If you have less time, you can skip the Pergamon Museum and allocate more time for the other sites in the itinerary.
The main airport serving Berlin is the Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER), which is located approximately 18 kilometres south-east of the city center. It is the primary airport for both domestic and international flights and has direct rail connections to the city. Another airport in the city is the Tegel Airport (TXL), which will soon no longer operate commercial flights as BER replaces it.