Sitting at the western edge of Luisenplatz, this gate built by Frederick the Great in 1770 to…read morecommemorate victory in the Seven Years War. It ended up being designed by two architects--Karl von Gontard, who designed the side facing Brandenburg Straße and his student Georg Christian singer, who designed the one facing Luisenplatz, which was the side originally towards the fields, (though the square itself outside the gate was created in 1744). The gate was built on top of a site that used to be a smaller town gate along a wall surrounding central Potsdam, which controlled the flow of traffic into the city. In 1900 when the city walls were torn down the Brandenburg Tor was left standing. Again as a landmark not much to do except view it and walk through it, though I can see how considering its location leading towards a main shopping thoroughfare there could be community and seasonal activities set up in its vicinity.

Majestic and gorgeous. This building has amazing architectural features and is everything you'd…read moreimagine it to be, and more. The winter time is especially beautiful with the huge Christmas tree.

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.