I love museums and have visited many around the world. The Stasi Museum stands out as a must-see…read moreMuseum in Berlin. It methodically chronicles the history of the East German secret police known at the Stasi. From conception of the Stasi (based on the Soviet KGB) through the fall of East Germany, the museum covers everything. Most of all, the museum helped me understand how East Germans could live with the Stasi and a repressive regime by including example of East German propaganda with explanations of how the regime employed the propaganda to influence public thought. The museum of course presents the villainy of the Stasi, but it contextualizes it for a better understanding of the larger issues at play in geopolitics at the time. As an aside, I have read extensively on the oppression in modern Russia including tactics of the FSB and Russia's informant culture. If you want to understand the oppression of modern Russia, the Stasi Museum presents its historical analog. Time Budget: 2 hours minimum, 3 recommended WiFi is very spotty. Misc: Take Euro coins to use the storage lockers.

This is the old headquarters for the STASI. It is an Uber ride from the city center. It is worth it…read moreto learn the history of what happened here. The museum is 3 floors and easy to take the stairs. There is an elevator is needed. Such an amazing venue with so much information and history. From the history of how it came about, to the original beatings, to psychological abuse, training of new recruits, propaganda posters, audio and video surveillance equipment, and the offices of the members of the STASI left in their original state when raid after the Berlin Wall came down. The archive museum next door is free, but was closed when we came. Coffee shop: there is a coffee shop on the main floor and the third floor. Cash only. But offer coffee, drinks, and some cookies if you need a break. With nice seating area to enjoy your break. The third floor has a video that you can watch about the history of the building and things that went on. Bathroom: very clean and many throughout and free.

Small but fun. We…read morehad difficulty getting in with our US passports and CDC cards. They made us go to a pharamcy and get the German QR code. This happened nowhere else on our visit to Germany and clearly violates the German rules (which a different pharamcy gave us a copy of). So if you are a US citizen, just know you may have some hassle getting in. Once in, it was fun trip down memory lane. I got to see if I am still any good at Space Invaders, which I used to be great at. Spoiler alert: I'm not! Many old (now free after you pay your admission) computer and video games to play. Fun for a couple of hours. Children will enjoy it.

The idea of the place sounds kindof dumb, but it's pretty well presented. Not the greatest…read moredescriptions of everything, but they have a good collection of games from the beginning of the form, and a couple of fun surprises: some rare consoles from the GDR; old games you can play (such as the amazing Crazy Taxi); and exhibits of artistic indie games. Perfect for families of all ages, but this being Germany, they had one game for 18+ called the Painstation, where you could shock each other to see who can take it the longest. Wacky, wacky, wacky.

A castle beautifully restored, not necessarily related to the Capt Of Koepenick…read more I think this is a good tour if you know German, even though there is an English recording to walk around with, not every piece registers in English, so all of the beautifully restored furniture or paintings are left to just the imagination. Also the note cards are all in German, so your sol there. Here the air conditionings fairly weak and you're left sweating through the halls in the summer. Prices are modest and you can expect to spend 2 hrs or so walking through.

This palace isn't as well preserved as those in Potsdam and it isn't as full of treasures as a…read moremuseum but it is lovely and well renovated. We went on a Saturday afternoon and saw only two other visitors which made it feel like I owned the place. The handful of rooms that are preserved are covered floor to ceiling, and the ceiling, with ornate woodwork. These rooms alone made the trip worthwhile. They have a really impressive collection of cabinets in all sizes. Ornately carved and in amazing condition. They also have great collections of glass, ceramic and porcelain. I had fun imagining their use in everyday life. In the attic they have exposed the joists so you can see the original structure. The grounds are beautiful and it's a short trip from the city. I would highly recommend taking an afternoon to visit.

From the owner: The Sticker Museum in Berlin presents about 6000 Sticker,…read moremainly Street Art, Skateboard and Streetwear artworks.

Casual vibe - grab a drink and relax with great music. We had a glass of wine...they've got bier of…read morecourse and small baked goods case. Wall signed by all the bands that have played live inside this intimate bar

Now at their third location since 2007. The best yet. Great beer, good food and the Ramones - who…read morecould ask for more?!