City: Berlin
Top Things to do in Berlin
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What to do and see in Berlin, Germany: The Best Specialty Museums
Berlin is an edgy city, from its fashion to its architecture to its charged political history. The Berlin Wall is a sobering reminder of the hyper-charged postwar atmosphere, and yet the graffiti art that now covers its remnants has become symbolic of social progress. Check out the Weltzeituhr (world time) Clock, topped by a model of the solar system, then turn back time by dining at the historic Zur Letzten Instanz, a 16th century restaurant that was frequented by Napoleon and Beethoven.
Restaurants in Berlin
1. Urban Nation
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 232 reviews
Reviewed By julianw854 - Prestwich, United Kingdom
Fantastic gallery, free to enter, photography welcomed, really stunning work you can experience up close. No pushy sales or hustle for money. So much better than the outdoor wall gallery down by the river. Thank you.
2. Museum Island
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 8,925 reviews
Home to three famous museums - the Pergamon, the Altes and the Bode.
3. Topography of Terror
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 19,169 reviews
Since 1987 a permanent exhibition at the site where the headquarters of the Secret State Police, the SS and the Reich Security Main Office were located during the “Third Reich” has been providing information to the public about the most important institutions of National Socialist persecution and terror. The documentary exhibition conveys the European dimensions of the Nazi reign of terror.
Reviewed By timntoots - Melbourne, Australia
Great opportunity to see the remaining bit of the Berlin Wall, the free museum is interesting and you can get free tours and information. Also Checkpoint Charlie is only 2 blocks away. This is a great museum and you can open as much as or little time you want to see this historic site.
4. Deutsches Historisches Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,941 reviews
The German Historical Museum presents itself in two buildings: In the unique Baroque Zeughaus and the neighbouring modern exhibition hall designed by the Chinese-American architect Ioeh Minh Pei. The 300-year old Zeughaus is one of the most important buildings of the Baroque period in Berlin and the oldest buildings at the boulevard Unter den Linden. In 2006 the Permanent Exhibition “German History in Images and Artefacts” was inaugurated here; it showcases 2000 years of eventful and enthralling German history as seen within its European context. 8000 selected objects from the extensive collections of the German Historical Museum furnish valuable evidence of history and reveal, on a surface area of 8000 square meters, a fascinating and vivid picture of the past. Supplementing the Permanent Exhibition are specialized temporary exhibitions displayed in the fascinating exhibition building designed by I.M. Pei. The spacious new structure with its glass and steel entrance lobby and distinctive winding staircase was opened in 2003. Definitive events and facets of German history are presented in a variety of special exhibitions on the four floors of the new building.
Reviewed By STE00793 - London, United Kingdom
- Staff were super friendly and helpful on arrival - Audio guide is a must - Very well laid out and curated - Lots of things to learn and interested pieces - WELL worth a visit in Berlin if you want to learn more about the history of Germany
5. Stasi Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,731 reviews
The former headquarters of the East German secret police. Today, the exhibition includes surveillance and observation technology such as wires and hidden infra red beamers for photographs at night.
Reviewed By 47torbenw - Odense, Denmark
Do you trust your friends? Well you should, but seeing how the Stasi worked you may think twice. It is definitely worth visiting the Stasi Museum and get an insight into how secret services (or a particular secret service) work. The size, the methods, the thoroughness of the Stasi is quite overwhelming. There is a lot of reading to do at the museum but it's worth the time. Remember also to visit the archive (the corner entrance) to see files and machines used.
6. Museum Blindenwerkstatt Otto Weidt
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 286 reviews
Reviewed By AGJoao - Eastern Norway, Norway
Visit during the day. In the evening is dark and more difficult to admire. Today the walls are covered with popular art. The building where Otto Weidt provided activities for people with visual impairments, there were a hiding place for Jews. In the villa there is a bar, where is aloud to smoke inside. In another building there is a museum explaining the life of Anne Frank and the saga of her family to escape the Nazis.
7. Neues Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 5,795 reviews
The opening of the Neues Museum marked a key chapter in the history of 19th-century art, museum design, and technology. Designed by Friedrich August Stüler and built from 1843 to 1855, the building suffered severe damage during World War II, after which it was left as an abandoned bombsite. Emergency measures to secure the structure were only taken in the 1980s. Painstaking restoration work got under way in 2003 and was undertaken by the offices of the British architect David Chipperfield.The museum reopened its doors to the public in 2009 and combines geographically and thematically related exhibits pooled together from three separate collections at the Staatliche Museen zu Berlin: the collection of Egyptian art from the Ägyptisches Museum und Papyrussammlung, of prehistoric objects from the Museum für Vor- und Frühgeschichte, and of classical antiquities from the Antikensammlung.
Reviewed By 924vincep - Woodland Park, United States
This totally fascinating museum reopened its doors in 2009 and is well worth an extended visit. Its four floors contain a vast array of artifacts from the each of the prehistory eras (stone, bronze, iron), as well as other antiquity times (Greek, Roman, Nubian, and most notably, ancient Egypt). Exhibits include a Neanderthal skull, the world-famous bust, beautifully preserved, of Nefertiti, and the tall, gold-leafed golden hat. Be certain to take a few moments to sit and watch a fascinating, animated time machine projection of prehistorical life on the second floor near the golden hat exhibit.
8. Tempelhof Airport
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 816 reviews
Guided tours in the former airport building.In German : Mo - Thu 4 p.m., Fr 1 p.m. and 4 p.m., Sat /Sun 12 a.m. and 3 p.m.In English Wed, Fr, Sat and Sun 1:30 p.m. Special Tour "Hidden Places in the Former Airport building" Mo, Thu, Sat and Sun 11 p.m.,Special arrangements for groups in German, English, French, Spanish, Dutch, Polish, Czech, Russian and Chinese language.
Reviewed By ClogsPL - Warsaw, Poland
The Tenpelhof airfield is free to enter and to use, it's in fact a public park, used by windskaters, cyclists, friends having a picnic, or just aimless tourists like me. Awesomely gigantic, a wide open space in the middle of the city. Amazing feeling, felt almost overwhelmed by the wide space and vista. Almost alien. Cool visit.
9. Classic Remise Berlin
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,097 reviews
A classic car center with vintage cars for sale, glass garages, serviceActually no museum, but museum atmosphere in an old street car (tram) depotRestaurant and event locationNo admission fee
Reviewed By patrikbach
This is an amazing place for those who love cars.Really cool to see so many different cars in one place and it was free!
10. Deutsche Kinemathek - Museum fuer Film und Fernsehen
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 328 reviews
Reviewed By andycW9770ZT
I went with my teenage son for something to do in the heat and we were blown away. The artefacts are fascinating (particularly the those linked to the early silent era) and the Marlene Dietrich collection is a must for any film buff. The whole experience is beautifully arranged and I would highly recommend it.
