People have been raving about Berlin to me ever since I started traveling in 2013. "A city like no other", "the creative capital of Europe", "an artistic city full of hipster cafes", and "one hell of a party" are a few words they used to describe Berlin.
The more I hear about it, the more I am intrigued, so when I was backpacking through Europe, I decided to stop by Berlin and see what all the fuss was about. Now I know why people love this place so much.
Berlin is a city that appeals to everyone, no matter if you are an adventurer, a music-lover, or a gamer. Berlin has everything for everyone, and if you are looking for cool and awesome things to do in Berlin, you are in the right place. Without further ado, here are the 12 best things to do in Berlin for solo travelers.
- Berlin Things to Do Map
- Where to Stay in Berlin?
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12 Hipster Things to Do in Berlin
- Shop Around for Hipster products at Kastanienalle Street
- 2. Visit Mauerpark on A Sunday in the summer
- 3. Enjoy the dance club at Urban Spree
- 4. Hang out at Festsaal Kreuzberg
- 5. Take a trip down memorylane at the Computer Game Museum
- 6. Admire the Famous Graffiti at the East Side Gallery
- 7. Sunset at the Brandenburg Gate
- 8. Admire the Beauty of Berlin Cathedral
- 9. Learn the history at the DDR museum
- 10. Be terrified by the WW2 Tragedy at Topography of Terror
- 11. Learn more about the Berlin wall at Checkpoint Charlie
- 12. Explore the Abandoned Spy Dome of Teufelsberg
- More Berlin Activities
- Germany Travel Video
- How to Get to Berlin?
- How to Get Around Berlin?
- What to Pack for Berlin, Germany?
- Further Reading for Germany
Berlin Things to Do Map
12 Hipster Things to Do in Berlin
1. Shop Around for Hipster products at Kastanienalle Street
Kastanienalle Street is a lively shopping street in Berlin where you will find a ton of awesome shops owned by artists and creatives of Berlin, selling all kinds of cool hipster stuff, from dope clothes to handicrafts and handmade trinkets.
You will also find all kinds of awesome cafes and boutique restaurants in which you can indulge yourself. If you are wondering why they call Berlin the creative capital city of Europe, this street is the embodiment of that statement.
I was tipped off by a local friend of mine who really loves Berlin, and it definitely did not disappoint. If you are looking for other hipster neighborhoods like this, I highly recommend you join the Berlin off-the-beaten-path walking tour, which will take you to some of the hidden gems of Berlin that you might not have found by yourself.
- Pfefferbett Hostel (Budget)
- Hotel Havel Lodge Berlin (Mid-Range) 👍 Top Pick
- Hampton by Hilton Berlin City Centre Alexanderplatz (High-End)
- All-in-One Berlin Shore Excursion from Warnemunde and Rostock Port (12 hours)
- Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp Memorial Tour from Berlin (6 hours)
- Private Berlin Complete History All Day Walking Tour (6 hours 30 minutes)
Where to Stay in Berlin?
2. Visit Mauerpark on A Sunday in the summer
It's hard to express how much I love Mauerpark. It is one of those places where you will have to visit to see why this place is one of the liveliest places in all of Berlin on Sundays.
Mauerpark is a grassland park full of trees that was constructed over the site of the former border between East & West Berlin. Every Sunday, during the summertime, hundreds, if not thousands of Berliners often come and hang out with their friends and families here.
There is a ton of things happening here; it might be a little overwhelming at first, but trust me, you are going to love the place.
From street performances to the famous karaoke theater to the awesome flea market, where you can find all sorts of vintage items, you can spend an entire day just relaxing and enjoying the vibe at Mauerpark.
It is one of my favorite places in Berlin. If you are able to align your visit on a Sunday, be sure to drop by here and see firsthand why Berlin is one of the coolest cities in Europe.
3. Enjoy the dance club at Urban Spree
Urban Spree is a half-club, half-art gallery located by the bank of the Spree River, and it is a great place to visit if you are going for a night out and looking for a unique place that embodies the creativity of Berlin.
I happened to stumble upon this place by accident when I was looking for an event to attend on my final Friday night in the city. Urban Spree was hosting an electronic band from the UK called the Vessels.
I didn't know who they were, but I had heard good things about the electronic music scene in Berlin, so I gave it a go. Now, Vessels is one of my favorite electronic bands!
If you are looking for an awesome place that blends the creativity and the electronic music scene Berlin is well-known for, be sure to check out the event schedule and align your visit with the event you want to see. You are going to love it!
Tours & Tickets You Might Like
If you are looking for more activities to do here, be sure to check out some of the available tours and day trips:
- All-in-One Berlin Shore Excursion from Warnemunde and Rostock Port (12 hours)
- Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp Memorial Tour from Berlin (6 hours)
- Private Berlin Complete History All Day Walking Tour (6 hours 30 minutes)
4. Hang out at Festsaal Kreuzberg
Festsaal Kreuzberg is an event venue located by the bank of Flutgraben Canal, and it is home to some of the best BBQ and burger places in town.
They serve white trash food as well as craft beers that are priced surprisingly reasonably, and almost every month, you will find some sorts of concerts or something awesome happening here. So be sure to align your visit with the event schedule here.
During the day, you can also spend some time by Flutgraben Canal and indulge yourself in one of the many restaurants and beer gardens here, like the waterside Freischwimmer, where you can enjoy modern European cuisine with a glass of beer in your hand while overlooking the canal. If you are looking for a lunch spot or a place to enjoy Berlin's nightlife, this is a good place to be.
5. Take a trip down memorylane at the Computer Game Museum
If you are a 90s kid like me and want to see some awesome museums full of antique computers and game consoles, you are going to love the Computer Game Museum in Berlin.
Within the museum, you will find all kinds of 80s and 90s relics, such as the Apple II computers and Atari's Pong machine, all the way to the current-gen gaming consoles we all know and love, like PlayStation and Xbox.
The place is dedicated to collecting and documenting all the coolness, as well as the weirdness, of each century of gaming technologies. It also allows you and people of other generations to play arcade games and experience some of the most popular titles, like Ms. Pac-Man and Space Invaders, in their purest form.
I told you, Berlin is a place that has everything for everyone, even for aging game and tech enthusiasts like myself, haha 😂😂!
6. Admire the Famous Graffiti at the East Side Gallery
Only a few minutes away from the hostel, this place is a perfect spot for a morning stroll. The famous street arts that you may have seen circulating the internet, like the kissing politicians graffiti, are mostly here.
The East Side Gallery, once an intimidating concrete wall that separated East and West Berlin during the Cold War, has now been turned into an open-air museum where you can stroll along the 1.3 km strip of history and art that symbolizes our unity in freedom.
When the Berlin Wall came down, more than 110 artists from all over the world came and began painting the East Side Gallery. Now, it is a relic of the past, painted over by the hopeful symbol, turning it into a memorial we can all enjoy.
There is a lot more history to be learned here, and if you are looking to learn more about it, I highly recommend you join a walking tour that will take you to the East Side Gallery among other places. A local guide will explain each place to you in detail.
7. Sunset at the Brandenburg Gate
The famous landmark of Berlin, the Brandenburg Gate, was once located in the no man’s land behind the Berlin Wall that divided the nation in the 80s. It was then reopened after the fall of the Berlin Wall and has since become one of the most popular attractions in Berlin.
Despite it being a popular tourist attraction, I still highly recommend that you visit the place to see just how massive and beautiful the gate is in person.
If you want to know more about the history of this monument from the 18th Century and how it got its neoclassical architectural style, I highly recommend you go on a walking tour around Berlin and a local guide will take you to all the historically important spots in one go.
8. Admire the Beauty of Berlin Cathedral
Berlin Cathedral is another impressive landmark located not too far from the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin that I highly recommend you visit as you explore the Museum Island.
The place is said to have been used way back in the 15th century, but it got its Neo-Renaissance look after it was rebuilt in the early 20th century.
The cathedral is surrounded by all the beautiful flowers that spread out across Lustgarten Garden, making it a popular place to relax and people-watch. If you are in Berlin, be sure to drop by the cathedral.
9. Learn the history at the DDR museum
After seeing Berlin Cathedral, which is not too far from the Museum Island, you will find the DDR Museum, an impressive interactive museum dedicated to documenting and displaying what life was like in East Germany under the DDR's reign of terror.
It is a great place to visit if you are interested in the tragic history of East Germany during the Cold War, how the people lived out their lives in fear, how the communist party exploited that fear, and the techniques they used to control and strip away these people's rights.
One room in particular that stood out to me is where they show how the government bugged a room to eavesdrop on people using the intelligent surveillance system they came up with. The amount of effort they went through to control the masses is astounding and somewhat scary.
If you are a history buff and would like to learn more about Berlin during the Iron Curtain period, make sure to drop by and visit the DDR Museum.
10. Be terrified by the WW2 Tragedy at Topography of Terror
Topography of Terror is a free museum dedicated to showcasing the cruelty and inhumane actions committed by the Nazi party, with a main focus on Himmler and his plan of absolute extermination.
I was both touched and terrified by the content of this museum. It was an eye-opening experience and really hard to grasp just how low humanity could go. How could other humans do these tragic things to their fellow humans? I will never know.
One of the reasons why I respect Germany and its people is that they put their mistakes front and center and never sweep them under a rug like many other countries out there.
The Germans display vulnerability and humility, which is something that is quite hard to come by nowadays, and they show the world how to own up to their mistakes and take matters into their own hands to prevent history from repeating again. I wish more countries were like Germany!
11. Learn more about the Berlin wall at Checkpoint Charlie
Checkpoint Charlie is another historically significant place in Berlin that you should visit if you wish to learn more about Germany's history during the Iron Curtain.
This is the most well-known single crossing point between East Berlin and West Berlin during the Cold War, and since then, it has been turned into a museum where you can learn more about the Berlin Wall, life in the Eastern Bloc, and all the events that led to the collapse of the wall and the reunification of Germany.
It is also a popular photo spot in Berlin, and if you are visiting the city, it would be a shame not to get a photo of yourself at Checkpoint Charlie.
12. Explore the Abandoned Spy Dome of Teufelsberg
Near Berlin, there is a 120-meter tall mountain where you will find a spy dome that was operated by the US as a listening tower during the Cold War. It is abandoned now, but you can still visit the spy dome on a day trip from Berlin.
With the organized tour, you will be transferred to Teufelsberg and guided through the area by a local guide who will explain the history of Teufelsberg and what was going on at the listening tower during the Cold War while enjoying a panoramic view of Berlin and its surroundings.
It is a cool alternative thing to do in Berlin, and if you enjoy urban exploration and love to learn more about the city and its dark secrets, I highly recommend a day trip to Teufelsberg.
How to Get to Berlin?
The best way to get here is to fly directly to Berlin or one of Germany's hub cities like Frankfurt and take a bus from there. I would recommend you browse through Skyscanner or Expedia to find all the cheap flights from where you live to Germany and compare them so that you can find the one that best fits your itinerary.
There are many trains operated by Deutsche Bahn (DB) that end in Berlin, but I would suggest taking a bus instead. There are plenty of buses going towards Berlin, and their prices are much more affordable than the train.
For buses, I would recommend Flixbus where you can easily book a ticket online from their website. Most buses will drop you off at Berlin Central bus station, and from there, you can walk a bit north and catch the U-Banh metro at the U Kaiserdamm station.
How to Get Around Berlin?
In the central area where the Brandenburg Gate is located, you can simply walk around, and you will be able to cover most of the attractions in the area, such as the DDR Museum or the Reichstag. But if you plan to follow my guide, I would suggest you buy a one-day pass for the U-Bahn, so you can cover more areas faster. Don't try to freeload; it's not worth it when you get caught (50 Euros penalty).
Daily Budget
Traveling here will typically cost you more than visiting most other countries. You can expect to spend around $45 - $65 USD per day per person, including food, accommodation, and transportation.
Please keep in mind that these are suggested daily budgets based on my own style of travel, which leans more towards the budget side of things. If you aim to stick to this budget, anticipate sleeping in dormitories, dining out only occasionally, and being comfortable with the cheapest and most convenient modes of transportation, which often involve a considerable amount of walking.
What to Pack for Berlin, Germany?
As you may already know, I am an advocate of light traveling, and indeed, packing light for a journey like this is a unique art form. Here are some packing tips for your upcoming trip to Berlin, Germany:
- Walking/Hiking Shoes: With all the walking and possible hiking during your travel, a comfortable pair of shoes is a must. I recommend the Timberland 3-Eye Classic Boat Shoes that are my go-to pair for long strolls and hikes.
- Breathable Shirts: Given the potential for hot weather, pack a few breathable shirts for your outdoor adventures.
- Shorts/Jeans: Anticipate lots of walking during your travels? Be sure to pack some breathable shorts and a pair of Levi's jeans for when the weather cools. For women, leggings are excellent for both hot and cold climates, so consider packing some as well.
- Fleece Jacket: For colder weather, layering is the key, and a fleece jacket makes an excellent insulating layer. I recommend the Columbia Steens Mountain Fleece (for women).
- Outer Shell Jacket: An outer shell jacket is great for windy or rainy conditions. I highly recommend the Columbia Watertight Jacket (for women). It's lightweight, breathable, and even comes in a cool orange color.
- Down Jacket: In freezing temperatures, a down jacket is essential. The Columbia Men's Lone Fir Hooded Jacket (for women) is my choice. They are warm, lightweight, and available in various colors.
- Wool Beanie: A wool beanie is perfect for keeping your head and ears warm.
- Wool Gloves: I always have wool gloves handy to keep my hands warm in cold weather.
- Wool Socks: Don't forget to keep your feet warm with wool socks.
- Microfiber Towel: A Microfiber towel is the ideal backpacker's towel due to its lightness, quick drying, and compressibility.
- Camera: You should also pack a good camera for your trip so that you can capture all the beautiful experiences you might have. I recommend the Sony a7R V camera together with the Sony 24-70mm f2.8 GM II lens, which is probably the highest-performance camera and lens combination you can get right now.
- Power Bank: Keep your electronics charged on the go with a 20,000+ mAh Power Bank.
- Water Bottle: The Hydro Flask Trail Water Bottle is a great insulated water bottle to have with you in cities or on hiking trails. It is lightweight and can keep your water cold or warm for more than 12 hours. It's a total game-changer.
- Universal Adapter: You'll need just one universal adapter to plug in your electronics in any country you visit.
- Packing Cubes: Packing Cubes will help you save space in your backpack and keep all your belongings organized.
- Daypack: The Langly Alpha Globetrotter is my go-to everyday camera backpack. It's large enough to carry all my travel gear, and it comes with plenty of slots and pouches. Plus, it's stylish as hell!
- Large Backpack: You will need a large backpack to carry all of your stuff. I recommend the Osprey Atmos AG 65L backpack. With excellent weight distribution and a lifetime guarantee, you can't go wrong with Osprey.
For more information on what I pack in my backpack for this trip, check out: My Packing List: 60 Travel Essentials.
Now that we have all the information we need, it's time to start planning your trip! Here are some resources to help you get going:
Are you planning to travel independently? Be sure to check out my guide on How To Plan A Backpacking Trip here.
Further Reading for Germany
I hope you found this guide helpful in your trip planning. If you want to read more about Germany, I have written a few more travel guides, all listed here:
- Looking for a complete itinerary for Germany? 2 - 3 Weeks Backpacking Itinerary for Germany.
- Are you traveling to Germany as part of a bigger Europe trip? Be sure to check out my 3-month itinerary for Europe from Portugal all the way to Sweden.
- Packing for a trip to visit a region as big as Europe can be extremely daunting. Here's a packing guide to help you: What to Pack for Europe - The Essential Packing List.
- Want to visit Europe in winter? Better prepare for the cold. Here's a winter packing guide to help you: What to Pack for Europe in Winter - The Essential Packing List.
- Munich is the capital city of Bavaria and embodies the rich culture often portrayed in the media when it comes to Germany. If you are planning to visit Munich, check out: 10 Unique Things to Do in Munich.
- Dresden is one of those underdog cities that has the same level of creativity as Berlin, but lower travel costs and fewer tourists than other famous cities in Germany. Visit my travel guide on the top 6 things to do in Dresden page for more information.
- If you are going to Cologne, watch out for your bag as I had my bag snatched from the train station there. Read about my experience getting my bag stolen in Cologne and how I dealt with it here.
- Have a long layover in Frankfurt and looking for a place to sleep comfortably? Napcaps sleeping pods are great for that. Check out my review here: Sleeping in Napcabs at Frankfurt Airport: A Traveler's Review.
- Not convinced by my words? Here are 125 photos that will inspire you to visit Europe.
- You can also watch my Germany travel video here: "Alone in Germany" travel video.
- To see all the articles about Germany, visit the Germany Travel Guide page.
- Looking for a place to go after Germany? How about France, Switzerland, or Poland? Visit our France travel guide page, Switzerland travel guide page, and Poland travel guide page for more.
- Traveling in Europe can be cheap, really cheap. These are the 12 Cheap European Countries to Visit.
- Looking for more travel guides for Europe? You can find more on my Europe Travel Guide page.
- Or, if you want something more specific to the region, visit our Western Europe Travel Guide page.
- For more of my travel guides like this, visit my Destinations page.
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links.
1 Comments
I wish I'd have known that you were in Berlin — I'm currently based there, at least for the time being. Would have been a pleasure to show you around, but you certainly visited the major (hipster!) hotspots.
The only missing place here, and it is a MUST visit, is the abandoned Tempelhofer Airport, which is now owned by the community... perfect for any lazy day!