Berlin is a city known for hundreds of historical museums and tours. It can be hard to choose exactly what to see in this sprawling city in just a few days. Here is a list of unique things to do in Berlin, Germany to help you plan your next trip!
After living in Asia for six months, it was time to move countries so I looked at Google Flights and searched for the cheapest flight from Asia to Europe. Luckily, the flight happened to be to Berlin. I stayed there for a month and visited again recently.
Here are some places visited and activities that I participated in, that are not your typical museum or tour. They are unique just to Berlin in Germany!
Unique Tours in Berlin
1. Take a Bike Tour of the City
The first tour I always take in every city I visit is a bike tour. Having been on several of the tours with Berlin on Bike, I highly recommend them.
The bikes are easy to ride and they have several options for tours, including seeing the Berlin Wall, as well as alternative neighborhoods.
2. Learn About the Cold War
On the bunkers, subways, and the Cold War tour offered by Berliner Unterwelten, you will see how people lived during the Cold War in Germany. By explaining the practical preparations made to help people survive, this tour attempts to make the realities and horrors of such conflict easy to comprehend.
The tour office is located 15 minutes from the city center by car or metro (U-bahn). It is located next to a supermarket (Denns BioMarkt) which makes it easy to get a quick snack or lunch after the tour.
3. Explore Under the Berlin Wall
This tour, also offered by Berliner Unterwelten, takes you underground and shows you the tunnels people used to escape East Berlin between 1961 and 1982. Through them, over 300 citizens of the GDR managed to make it from East to West Berlin to freedom.
This is by far my favorite tour in Berlin. Take note that this tour starts at a different location than the one above. Your ticket will have exact directions from the same metro stop, on where to walk to find the meeting point.
Unique Things to Do In Berlin
4. Snap Pictures of Murals
Create your own walking tour to give your wallet a break, and check out all of the murals all over Berlin.
Grab a pretzel from a local bakery and start at the East Side Gallery. From there, you can wander the side streets and catch some more unique art, away from the tourists.
5. Explore a Garden in Berlin
The Berlin Botanic Garden and Botanical Museum is 45 minutes on the U or S Bahn from the city center, however, it is worth the trip. The weather was beautiful the day that I went and the colors on the flowers really popped. It’s a great way to spend a relaxing three hours or so.
6. Relax at a Spa – Just Read the Rules First
One day I decided to check out a spa called Liquidroom. I didn’t do much research before going, I figured it would be like any other day spa. Let’s just say that I should have, as this spa is nude except for one room!
I was totally shocked, to say the least, and since I had already paid, it was too late to turn back. However, it was a pleasant experience. They have multiple treatment rooms, including a sauna and steam room, along with multiple pools. You can choose to wear a robe also if you prefer not to be in your birthday suit all day.
7. Run the Berlin Marathon
This option may not be for everyone, however, you can still at least cheer the runners on. The race takes place at the end of September each year. People from all over the world participate in the race, and then after the streets, bars, and restaurants are flooded with happy racers.
Many streets will also be closed during marathon week so be sure you plan ahead.
Unique Museums
8. Tour a Closed Airport
Berlin Tempelhof Airport was one of the first airports in Berlin. Situated in the south-central Berlin borough of Tempelhof-Schöneberg, the airport ceased operating in 2008 amid controversy.
The former airport offers daily tours that will take you through the old terminal, underground where the luggage was received, as well as the former dining hall. I have taken this tour over four times, and I learn something new every time. It is one of the most unusual things to do in Berlin.
9. Learn about the DDR
The DDR (Deutsche Demokratische Republik) Museum is a museum in the center of Berlin. It has hands-on exhibits that depict life in the former East Germany.
If you love seeing equipment, books, and cars from the past like I do, then this is the museum to spend a few hours. There is a lot to read, so make sure you leave time to take it all in. If it’s raining, however, just be prepared for the museum to be very busy.
Unique Bars and Restaurants
10. Play Obscure Music Trivia
Formerly a brothel, Madame Claude, is a bar located in the Kreuzberg-Schlesisches Tor district, which is well-known for its intense alternative nightlife. You will be confused by the furniture glued to the ceiling, as well as the choice of music during Wednesday trivia night. However, it is one of the most eclectic and fun bars in Berlin.
If you like enjoying a cocktail in obscure bars, with multiple rooms and odd decor, then this is the place for you. The staff are super nice and will also give you local food recommendations.
11. Go To Argentina in Berlin
One of the best meals I had in Berlin was at Steakhouse Las Malvinas. Not only was the food amazing but the staff was so friendly and even the local German guests dining around you, were talkative.
They use traditional asado techniques and a careful selection of first-class, sustainable meat products. The portions are large but make sure you leave room for their warm apple strudel dessert!
12. Celebrate Oktoberfest All Year Long
Can’t get to Munich for steins during Oktoberfest which runs from September to October? Then head over to the Hofbräu Wirtshaus Berlin. Every day they have live polka bands and liters of beer.
I assumed it would be just for tourists but when I went it was only locals. You sit at bench tables and they serve a full German food menu.
13. Drink On a Rooftop
Klunkerkranich is located 20 minutes on the U-Bahn, from the city center. It’s a local venue that has live music and a full bar.
The crowd is a mix of young and old and you won’t see a lot of tourists. It is the perfect place to grab a cold drink after a long day of walking around the city.
14. Drink with Other Rejects
Trying to get into the famous nightclub Berghain may not be “unique” to Berlin, however, if you find yourself denied entry, there is an outdoor “bar” called Nirgendwo. They consider themselves a performance area but it’s really where all the rejects (like myself) go after being turned away at the door.
Don’t take it personally if this happens to you. The time I went they just picked every other person. My male friend who was in front of me got in and I didn’t, and that’s just how it is!
Getting Around Berlin
You can easily get to all the above locations from anywhere in the city. The metro (subway) system is easy to use which includes an underground system, an above-ground light rail, as well as buses.
- The U-Bahn serves the city center.
- The S-Bahn serves the suburbs and outlying areas.
- You can either use a ticket machine or go to a booth with a live person to purchase tickets.
- The options are single-trip tickets, day passes, and weekly or monthly passes.
- Inside each station are two different machines. One is older and only written in German, and the other is electronic and offers multiple languages.
- The easiest way to buy tickets however is to use the app called BVG tickets on both Apple and Andriod.
- If you choose to buy a paper ticket, make sure you validate it BEFORE you ride. You will see a small box either standing at the train entrance or attached to a wall near the tracks. Punch the ticket before you get on the train/light rail.
- If you choose to use the app, just validate the ticket on your phone, before getting in the car.
- The police do random checks for tickets all the time. I have been checked over a dozen times at least.
Berlin Accommodation Options:
- Budget (Hostel): Generator Berlin Alexanderplatz
- Average (Hotel): Hampton by Hilton Berlin City Centre Alexanderplatz
- High End (Luxury Hotel): Hotel Augusta Am Kurfurstendamm
Final Thoughts
Berlin is such an amazing, and large city. If you plan carefully you can add most of these ideas to your itinerary and still have some free time. Most tours can be booked at the last minute as well, just be sure to make dinner reservations when applicable.
Hopefully, this list of unique things to do in Berlin helps you to add some less touristy things to see and do, during your time there and fall in love with the city as much as I have.
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