My 27 Favorite Things to Do in Berlin as a Local - Hidden Gems Beyond the Usual Tourist Spots
Updated: Sep 28
I have lived in Berlin for 3 years. When I first arrived in Berlin in November 2022, I did not like the city at all. It was cold and freezing, the architecture was from Soviet era, and I felt alone. I decided to immerse myself in my job and think of nothing else.
And then spring arrived, followed by summer. I could not believe this was the same city I had detested at first. It was the most beautiful city I had ever lived in. The trees were bright green with leaves fluttering under the afternoon sun. There were people everywhere on lakes and in parks with a beer in their hands. There were so many activities to do from art exhibitions to live music to open air cinemas. I fell in love with my city hard!
Since then, I have bookmarked so many places and visited each of them, some alone and some with friends. I loved exploring every corner of this eclectic city. People call Berlin a techno capital, however it is so much more than that. It has green spaces, beautiful architecture, and a very profound history to share.
You may be visiting Berlin as a tourist. But if you want to leave feeling a little more like a local, here is a list of places beyond what most tour guides suggest for a 2-3 day trip. You do not need to do all of them. Pick a couple that fit your itinerary and that will be enough.
Stroll through the cobbled streets of Nikolaiviertel around St. Nicholas' Church
Berlin has a huge war history. As wars often go, the beautiful architecture that existed before got torn down and destroyed. Today, Soviet-era architecture is prevalent in Berlin. By that, I mean you will see less of the traditional “European” architecture with cobbled streets and grandiose buildings, and instead find functional, bare-minimum architecture across the city. Ever since arriving in Berlin, this contrast remained on my mind, especially since I had briefly lived in Paris before and could easily see the difference.
However, when I set foot in Nikolaiviertel, it felt like I was brought back to how Berlin must have been before the war destroyed it. It had cobbled streets, a pretty church, and pastel colored buildings.
It is a very small area with quaint shops surrounding the church. The funny part is it stands right in the middle of the city, just a turn away from Alexanderplatz, yet very few people can be found wandering inside.
If you visit, try the delicious crepes at Café & Crêperie an der Nikolaikirche and enjoy a beer with traditional German food at Zur Gerichtslaube.
Cycle through the famous Berlin Tiergarten on a sunny morning
In every city I go to, I try to fit in at least one central park into my itinerary. I like breaking the monotony of tourist attractions with a sit down at a park where I can watch the locals carry out their afternoon siesta and I get to munch on my own sandwich.
Once you have seen all the important Berlin monuments like Berlin Wall, Brandenburg Gate and Checkpoint Charlie, it is natural to feel like you need a small break. The good news is Tiergarten is just a stone’s throw away from the famous Brandenburg gate.
You can either cycle or simply walk inside. The entry is free. You will find bikes scattered outside the park, and can rent one using apps like Lime, Bolt or Dott.
Once inside, have your lunch on the grounds while watching the locals enjoying their time off work, or enjoy a pizza and rent a rowboat at Café am Neuen See (more below), or even admire the various historical monuments inside. Climb the Victory column for a small fee of €4.50 (cash only) for a 360-degree view of the park and the Berlin skyline.
Spin around while you eat at the top of the Berlin TV Tower
While you can definitely watch the TV tower from the ground, it’s a better view to watch Berlin from up in the sky, and it gets even better when you pair a nice restaurant with the view. And what if we make the restaurant rotate (at a very very slow pace) while you eat your food?
This is a very unique experience that you can do as a tourist in Berlin. The food itself was delicious when we went, with big portion sizes and many varieties of wine to offer. It costs €30 to just enter the restaurant though, and I would suggest booking online. I can personally say I enjoyed the experience and would definitely like to do it once more.
Get off at Warschauer Straße and visit the East Side Gallery
I love Warschauer Straße because there are so many good memories made around this place. I have spent New Years admiring the fireworks from below the Oberbaumbrücke (bridge). However in recent years it has gotten more rowdy so I would avoid this now. There are also many restaurants scattered around here, like Trattoria Portofino, a really good Italian restaurant (reservation recommended).
The good thing is you can combine your visit to East Side Gallery where the famous painting of the two men kissing is painted on the Berlin wall, with some pretty restaurants in this neighbourhood. The famous Markthalle Neun, an indoor market with many food stalls, is also nearby.
Sit in the middle of Lustgarten with other Berliners to admire Berliner Dom
When I’m bored inside my house, I ring my friend or step outside alone, to take a stroll along Museum Island. It’s not just locals here, there are quite a few tourists too, who have all come to admire the Berliner Dom (Berlin Cathedral).
Lustgarten is a very small park right in the heart of Museum Island. Old buildings and the River Spree surround it on all four sides. I have lost count of the number of mornings and evenings I have simply sat here, sometimes watching a street musician play, and at other times to rest my tired feet.
Take a seat along the river enjoying different world cuisines at Holzmarkt
Holzmarkt is a quintessential Berlin experience. It is what you would expect out of this free-spirited city.
Built along the river Spree, Holzmarkt is a wonderfully chaotic mix of little food stalls, bars, quirky wooden seatings, and art. You can sit along the river or the many cozy corners scattered across this green space, and have really good beer for company (yes, most of the places on this list will have beer on their menu, because it’s Germany).
It used to be free earlier, but now costs €5 for entry.
Address: 📍 Holzmarktstraße 25, 10243 Berlin
Take a museum pass and spend a day at Museum Island
I have repeated Museum Island many times in this list. And the main point of Museum Island are its many museums. Berlin has some great museums with the most notable being Neues Museum and Altes Museum. Neues Museum has extensive Egyptian and prehistoric collections, however tickets are limited so try to get yours ahead of time.
If you are a Museum enthusiast, the Museum Pass Berlin guarantees free admission to over 30 museums for three consecutive days.
Please also note: On Mondays, the National Museums in Berlin are closed.
Watch a free lunchtime concert on Wednesdays at the Philharmonie
One day in the middle of work week, our boss informed us we could go for a small team outing somewhere during lunch hour. Being a close knit team, we had this tradition of wandering off to unique pockets in the city for lunch.
The pick for this time was the Berlin Philharmonie, a free entry to a 50 min piano performance held every Wednesday at 1:00 PM from September through June. Here you can hear everything from piano solos to classical pieces to even tango music. Food is provided inside the hall premises, and all you need to do is just walk inside!
Take a Berlin bunker tour for a glimpse into wartime history at Berliner Unterwelten
A long time had passed before I decided I wanted to get to know more about the city I live in. So naturally I dived into the most Berlin thing I could do, I booked a tour to visit an underground bunker from WW2. I booked a Berliner Unterwelten tour as it is pretty well-known. You should book their underground tours in advance because they fill up fast.
We were guided into underground tunnels and bunkers, where people took shelter during the bombings. It is a gruesome story, so be prepared for unpleasantries. Berlin was one of the main targets for Allied bombing, and up to 80% of the city centre was destroyed. These underground rooms were meant for people living nearby when the sirens went off.
Practical tips:
The tour is guided, lasts around 90 minutes and costs around €18.
Book only online. There is no ticket sale at the meeting point.
Tickets open about 30 days in advance, and popular slots fill fast.
Wear a light jacket even in summer, as it gets cold down there.
No photos or filming inside. They allow you 1-2 photos at few points.
Not wheelchair accessible, and you cannot bring big bags.
Visit the famous Mauerpark on a Sunday to experience a Berlin local's weekend life
If you want to experience the true spirit of Berlin, there is no better place to be on a Sunday than Mauerpark. This is where everyone gathers to laze around, cheer some street dancers, and sleep on the grass.
The highlight of the park is the famous flea market. It is an absolute treasure trove for anyone who loves vintage clothing, vinyl records, antiques, and handcrafted art. The market is incredibly bustling, drawing massive crowds of both locals and tourists.
It is also known for its legendary open-air karaoke sessions, where hundreds of people gather to cheer on brave performers.
You will also find a diverse range of international street food stalls serving everything from authentic bratwurst and vegan specialties to steaming dumplings.
Watch open-air salsa classes at Café Monbijoupark in September
I was just casually walking through Museum Island with a friend one day when we saw people dancing Salsa in the open next to the river Spree. Upon closer inspection, it was a cafe offering Salsa classes followed by social dancing open to all.
You don't have to arrive with a partner necessarily, you get to dance with total strangers who are also just learning Salsa and Bachata as you. In fact you don't even have to dance, you can just enjoy the lively atmosphere with a drink in your hand.
Eat pizza like a local at the lakeside beer garden Café am Neuen See
This is one of my favourite things to do on a warm summer evening. It gets even better as the evening turns into night. In the heart of the Tiergarten park, this café-restaurant is located on a lake, and draws people in throughout the day for its grilled specialities and beer.
It has a massive seating along the lakeside, and you can buy your own pizzas and beer. Once the evening starts fading, the fairy lights come on and it gets more magical.
As a special bonus, you can also rent a rowboat to explore the lake. It costs €14 for one hour and fits 2 to 4 people.
Buy art at the Sunday art market next to Zeughaus
There is a beautiful art market that pops up every weekend Saturday and Sunday from 11am till 5PM. When I want to make plans with a friend centred around Museum Island, I always put this market on my itinerary.
It is a wonderful market with kind and talented people who arrive here every weekend to sell paintings, sculptures, craft items, art prints and other creative stuff. I have seen both cash and card being accepted however it is always good to have some cash on you.
Simply sit or even skate at the old airport of Tempelhofer Feld
Once an airport, this vast public park is now a space where Berliners picnic, skate, bike, and barbecue. The good part is you can go here any evening when the sun has painted the sky orange, and you will have an amazing time to yourself. This is a place where you can rest and people-watch, or you can also do small activities. I once rented a small open seat toy-car to pedal and reached the end of the runway, and came back. Many youngsters will be skating around you. There are also some cafes offering drinks and light food.
There is also an abandoned plane at the end of the field, which is a pretty cool sight.
Watch the sunset from the rooftop terrace at Klunkerkranich
Klunkerkranich is a cool, laid-back rooftop garden and bar tucked away in the Neukölln neighborhood of Berlin, and also one of the best places in the city to watch an amazing sunset. It provides a stunning 360-degree panoramic view of the Berlin skyline.
Upon entry, they charged us a small sum of 5 euros, but I have heard entry is free before 4PM. The space was covered with art, hanging plants, and wooden benches. You could get cocktails, drinks and food at the restaurant. There are so many hidden tucked away spots and also many photo spots.
Enjoy summer beer and swimming at Schlachtensee
If there is one place I love to take people to, it is my favorite lake in all of Berlin (mind you, Berlin has many stunning ones!) - Schlachtensee.
I have spent many warm summer evenings here, with sun rays piercing through the foliage, people sunbathing in their swimsuits, the occasional boys being boys by climbing trees and diving straight into the lake, the many people on kayaks paddling by and even playfully tipping each other over, and as for me, I find some clearing next to the lake and sit with a beer in my hand.
And after you spend time enjoying the water, there is always the Fischerhütte am Schlachtensee, a beautiful lakeside beer garden where you can end the day with a beer, fries and schnitzel.
How to get there: Take the S1 S-bahn metro to Schlachtensee station. The lake is just a short walk from the station, making it one of the easiest lakes to reach by public transport (sbahn.berlin).
Watch open-air cinema at Humboldt Forum on a summer evening
A special summer activity is booking tickets for open air cinema in the many Kinos (cinema theatres) across Berlin. Between May and September, these open-air cinemas show a wide spectrum of films, from brand new blockbusters to vintage and indie offerings. They offer popcorn (sweet and salty) with drinks and beer, so you can take a seat of your choosing, prop your leg up, and enjoy the films. I especially love the one at Humboldt Forum because you are sitting in the midst of a historically significant structure watching a movie of your choice.
Book a brunch at the green cafe House of Small Wonders
Every trip needs good restaurants on the itinerary. And that is why I have included this beautiful brunch place on this list. House of Small Wonders is a Western-style cafe with a Japanese twist, offering all-day brunch, lunch, & cocktails. I go here time to time because I enjoy the ambience of this place and also their food.
You can sit either indoors or also in their outdoors terrace. Make sure to book a reservation ahead. It is warmly decorated, cozy, and full of character. The atmosphere immediately feels welcoming. Make sure to try their Eggs Benedict with Wasabi infused hollandaise sauce, it's highly rated.
Enjoy cherry blossoms in spring at Japaneck along Mauerweg
If you are visiting Berlin in April, you are in for a surprise. Berlin will be full of cherry blossom trees in every neighborhood. People in Japan donated money to buy more than 9,000 cherry trees, or sakura to give to Berlin after the Berlin wall came down.
The most beautiful place in Berlin to watch them blooming is Japaneck. It is a 1.7km stretch full of cherry blossoms.
Enjoy cold beers with the after-work crowd at BRLO Brewhouse
BRLO is a Berlin favorite to enjoy cold beer and German food with plenty of other people in the open. They also have an indoor restaurant where you need to make a reservation, and you can try their beer tasting option with 5 different beer.
Don't mix up the two spaces. One is an outdoor beer garden where you mostly do not need reservations, and can catch a seat at these long tables, shared with other parties you won’t know, all part of the experience. There is a counter where you can place beer and food orders. The indoor space is a proper restaurant where reservation is recommended and you get to order good food and a beer tasting menu.
Stand close to a waterfall and hike to a viewpoint at Viktoriapark
The first time I visited Viktoriapark was in winter, and I did not particularly like it. However the view at the top was still beautiful. The second time I visited, it was summer, the waterfall was brimming with water and flowing down the rocks, the adjacent park was bright and green, and I really liked the visit. It is a great place for a viewpoint, or to simply walk around the small rolling hill and park.
Create your own ceramic art at Paint Your Style across the city
If you want to do an indoor activity that is fun, artistic and can be done with another person, then this is perfect for you. Visit any of the Paint your Style centres scattered across the city, but make sure to make an online appointment first.
Here you will be handed over a table of your own for 2½ hours, and you get to choose from the many different ceramic items on which you can paint. The paint, brush and all other necessary accessories will be provided to you within your ticket, along with the final glazing cost. The minimum ceramic purchase is €15.00 per person which includes all above costs.
We chose to paint on a heart shaped plate and a round plate each and it cost us 50 euros in total. I think it's a fair price considering you get to do an activity where you also get to take pretty art pieces back home.
And if you are scared that you are not an artist, do not worry, it is super simple to draw on ceramic, even if you are terrible at art, and for inspiration, look up cute pictures from Pinterest. You will find everything from easy to intricate.
Enjoy delicious Vietnamese food and afternoon cakes at Umami or Chén Chè
I love the many Vietnamese restaurants that Berlin holds. The food is 10/10 and the interiors are very tastefully decorated.
Two such places that I frequent often are Umami and Chén Chè. Umami is decorated with wooden interiors and seatings, and has great Vietnamese rice bowls with coconut based curries (my favorite!). It gets busy fast, so it's worth booking a table ahead.
Chén Chè is more chill, a cozy teahouse near Rosenthaler Platz. It's great for an afternoon tea and cake, or a delicious dinner.
Stargaze during the daytime at the Zeiss Major Planetarium
This is a planetarium where you can lean back and watch 360 degree cosmic shows with live music events. It's a great place to visit when it is raining outside or you want to do an off-beat activity. You can easily spend an hour or two here. The cost of entry is also cheap starting at just 10 euros per person.
Admire the stunning ambience inside Cocodrillo while eating truffle
We went here for my birthday dinner, and it was such a special setting, that I had to put this unique restaurant on my list. Since then, I also heard from other Berliners that they too have visited it and loved it. The best part about this restaurant is its ambience. They have painted it completely red inside. The food was equally delicious. We ordered some great cocktails and pasta with truffle fries.
Experience the joy of German Christmas markets at Alexanderplatz
German Christmas markets are the best places to visit in December. I especially love the one at Alexanderplatz right below the TV tower (there are two nearby, so don't get confused). It has a flying Santa Claus every hour. There are many more markets in Berlin, the one next to Humboldt Forum is also great.
You can drink warm Glühwein here, and enjoy German delicacies like Bratwurst or Schnitzel. I love having hot crepes with Nutella and banana inside.
Step outside Berlin to visit Sanssouci Palace and gardens in Potsdam
If you have an additional day in Berlin and want to make more of your German visit, then don't miss out on this sprawling palace and grounds next to Potsdam. It’s an easy trip outside Berlin and feels like a completely different kind of day. The whole area is a UNESCO World Heritage Site as well.
I had a lot of fun exploring its grounds and taking pictures in beautiful corners. The main attraction is the Palace, the former summer residence of Frederick the Great. You can also walk towards the New Palace at the other end of the park, or look out for the Chinese House, the Orangery and the historic windmill along the way.
The park itself is free to enter and is open daily from 8am until dark, although the individual palaces have their own tickets and opening times. Do check the timings online before your visit.
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