The Eastside Gallery is a MUST STOP when visiting the Hauptstadt Berlin…read more If only to come see the mural "My God, Help Me to Survive This Deadly Love" by Dmitri Vrubel. Recently, Berlin foodie stop Curry 61 did a funny parody, see photos. This section of the former Berlin Wall, has over a hundred mural on this lone remaining section on Mühlenstraße along the Spree River.

East Side Gallery is not really what is commonly thought of as an, "Art Gallery." What it is, is a…read morelong section of wall where various artist exhibit their work by creating one of their pieces on the wall. Yes, it is a little bit strange. East Side Gallery is a really a very long wall. There are a lot of artists that have their work showing on this wall. Just like beauty in in the eye of the beholder, so is art. Some of the work along this wall is very good. Others, not so much. All this being said, it is an interesting concept. And, it is something that you should see if you are in Berlin. Just don't get your hopes up to experience something truly revolutionary or cutting edge. Remember, it's just a wall with a bunch of paintings on it.

This is one of those grand European architectural locations. Once you get anywhere near this area,…read morewhat you will find are great cathedrals, beautiful buildings, and a very large square. The center point of this area is the large square. My suggestion is that you go and stand in the center of it, look around, and study its true uniqueness. What you will experience is one of the best places to view the grandeur of historic Berlin. Around this very large square, what you will find, (occasionally), is that they will have marketplaces. These marketplaces are usually seasonally orientated. Meaning, if it's Christmas season, you will find a great selection of Christmas orientated items. The main reason you come here is not so much simply to go shopping or dining, of which there are a lot of places to check out around the surrounding area, but to go inside some of the structures, and truly bask in the architectural glory of the statues, the way the buildings were constructed, and all of that kind of stuff. This isn't really a highly-touristy Berlin location. Which, is a good thing. Meaning, you can come here and really bask in a historic Berlin, which is deeply rooted in history. It will provide you with the true flavor and culture of Berlin. Overall, I would suggest that you do go here. You just need to know what to expect. There's not necessarily a lot to do, unless you truly appreciate the finer elements of architecture. But, it's a great place to visit.

One visits Gendarmenmarkt to take in the local flavor. There are beautiful buildings and sculptures…read moreto view and appreciate. People come here to hang out with their families and loved ones. I especially enjoyed looking at the expressions on the faces of the sculptures within the gates of the church. The artist truly captures a feeling. I walked here from the hotel I was staying at and enjoyed lunch in the immediate vicinity. It is a place to visit when in Berlin.

A random arch in the middle of a weed patch.read more

One of the more beautiful train stations in Berlin. Emerging from underground and coming out of…read morethis amazing building, and then walking on the square almost feels like going back in time. Love it.

Ah, the Reichstag. This building has seen a lot since it was finished being built in 1894. The…read moreGerman Empire, the Weimar Republic, the rise of Naziism and Adolf Hitler and now, a reunified Germany. Architecturally, this building suffered severe damage by fire, and then by bombing in WW2. It was finally restored and updated in the 1950's. A visit to Berlin is not complete, IMO, without a visit here. There are a few different tours offered, but if you don't speak German, there are 2: one to see where parliament convenes (only when it is NOT in session), followed by a visit to the dome, and just the dome. All must be booked ahead of time. We took just the dome tour which will take you into the dome atop the building. Besides the magnificent views of the city and the Spree river, the dome contains an exhibition which tells the story of the building from its origins to the present day, along with parliamentary history. There is a spiral walkway that goes to the top of the dome and allows for 360 degree views of the city all the way up and down. You can pretty much stay there as long as you want, but 2 hours seems average, with reading all the information and taking photos. Just behind the building and to the right are the Brandenburg Gate, and the Memorial for the Murdered Jews of Europe. In front of it and slightly to the left is the Berlin Zoo and Bellevue Castle, just to give you an idea of what is in the area. To register and for more information: https://www.bundestag.de/en/visittheBundestag/dome/tours 81/2025

Absolutely amazing experience. It is an architectural wonder of the world. The level of…read morethoughtfulness that went into the architecture as it serves the goals of a constitutional republic is absolutely amazing to think about. An absolute must see when visiting Berlin.

Neurotitan is an eclectic shop with short-run comics, books, art and a small but varied vinyl…read morerecord selection. The wares are generally very niche by independent & local artists & illustrators. You can easily spend a few hours in here satisfying your curiosity. I also believe that they have the occasional show/vernissage/opening, so the mailing list is their best way to stay in the know. I came here to promote some vinyl records on my label and talking to the nice lady, I found out that for folks like myself, they generally do vinyl sales on consignment. 4 Stars!!

Awesome adress. A must-see for any street art lover. And the place is a must-see in Berlin.read more

Beautiful and the biggest church in Berlin located on the museum island. It is very massive both…read moreoutside and inside...you have to pay for entrance and you can climb to the top to see 360 degree view of Berlin, worth it but it's 267 steps each way..no bathroom so go before climbing. Somehow I was there and there was a mass in German an I stayed 1/2 way and it was lovely. I'm not a church person but do appreciate the service. The building, the decor, the history itself is worth to check it out for sure. There are plenty of crypts within the church so you can check them outs along with shop and café upon exiting.

This domed cathedral is the largest in Germany and as we see it today is one of many versions of…read morethis place of worship starting from the mid-15th century. Commissioned by Wilhelm II in 1888 the cathedral broke ground in 1894 over same location as a prior church building demolished the prior year to make room for this new and improved iteration. The design of this monumental structure incorporates details from Italian Renaissance and Baroque styles, notably ornamental mosaics, gold features and trimmings, and the layout of the building with its soaring dome and nave. Construction was completed in 1905, but after major damages during WWII was restored starting 1975 and only completed in 1993. Today it serves as functioning church parish for a German Protestant denomination. Visitors can access the following areas in the building: Preaching Church, Baptismal and Marriage Chapel and Panoramic View via 270 stairs. The crypt below the cathedral is a main attraction though closed for renovation until the end of 2025 or early 2026. Regular musical concerts are held here and programming can be found on their website. Normal visiting hours are Mon-Fri: 9am-6pm, Sat: 9am-5pm and Sun: 12-5pm. Check in advance for holiday hours. Tickets are €10 for adults, €7 with the Berlin Welcome Card, €7.50 reduced (students, disabled, see their website for full list). A single adult can bring up to 3 children in the ticket price. Prices go toward church upkeep which their website lists as €15K per day. Purchases can be made in person or line by credit card only, cash not accepted. Tickets for concerts can be booked at the box office without fee, or by phone or email with fee to mail the tickets.

The Sony Center is an architectural wonder…read more It is located only a few yards from the former Berliner Mauer and Potsdamer Platz. There are lots of food options and they even have a Legoland Museum/Store. We came here on our first evening in der Hauptstadt. Sitting back, enjoying our meal and Berliner Brau, while watching the light show above us. Simply the best

The Sony Center was right next to our hotel so we stopped for a drink and some shopping. There is…read morean adorable bookstore inside that I highly recommend. The architecture is beautiful to see even if you don't stop for food or shopping.

The Brandenburg gate is a must see when visiting Berlin. Lots of history, and it's an icon of the…read morecity. Look for hidden gems near the gate, such as the plaque to Ronald Reagan speech and the Caller sculpture, calling out to the east German side. Even in the off-season and the dead of winter beware of scammers near the Brandenburg gate. The scammers will ask for a signature and pretend to be collecting donations for a charitable cause. These are not bona fide charities, these are scammers working the tourists.

You know how sometimes, there just aren't enough, or maybe any, words to describe something? That's…read morehow I feel with the Brandenburg Gate. All the photos and videos that you've seen of it over the course of your lifetime do not do it justice. The thing is huge. We toured the nearby Reichstag, and were able to look down on the gate, then pass through it as we walked down Unter den Linden boulevard. This is probably the best known landmark in Berlin and is definitely a must see while here. It's mind boggling to see photos before the reunification compared to after and to think that you're standing in the same spot shown in those photos. It's a beautiful monument from top to bottom, and I could have spent hours there, just marvelling at how much history this thing has seen and been in the middle of. I hope I can get back to see it again! 82/2025