Berlin is a vibrant city, with many unique attractions to visit and trendy places to eat. Being the capital city of Germany means that it’s not the cheapest city in Europe to visit, but that doesn’t mean you can’t visit Berlin on a budget. There are some fantastic free things to do in Berlin that cater to all types of interests, and that includes free museums in Berlin on certain days too.
The turbulent history of Berlin means that you’ll find a lot of interesting historical attractions throughout the city, many of which are free of charge or cost very little. You also don’t need to blow your budget on accommodation either since there are a lot of budget friendly places to stay in Berlin. If you’re not sure where to start looking for free things to do in Berlin that suit you the most, Visit Berlin regularly updates their website with free events in Berlin as well as which attractions have entry fee.
Having spent four days in Berlin, we were able to visit a lot of points of interest around the city. Here are my favourite free things to do in Berlin from a history enthusiast’s perspective, as well as some tips about where to eat in Berlin on a budget.
Free things to do in Berlin
Brandenburg Gate
One of the most well known landmarks in Berlin is the Brandenburg Gate. It was built in the 18th century on the site of an old city gate and sits just a short walk from the Reichstag Building. Today it stands as a symbol of reunified Germany, but during the Cold War it marked the division between East and West Berlin.
Interestingly enough, Napoleon marched through the Brandenburg Gate in 1806 and took the bronze quadriga statue back to Paris with him. The Prussian army eventually rebelled against Napoleon and was able to bring the statue back to its rightful place. There’s a lot more history surrounding the Brandenburg Gate to learn about, and visiting it is definitely one of the top free things to do in Berlin at any time of the year.
Dome of the Reichstag Building
Did you know you can visit the roof of the Reichstag Building? The rooftop terrace and the dome of the Reichstag Building offer visitors a unique perspective of the city, as well as the German parliament below. Inside the dome visitors can learn more about the timeline of the building and climb to the top of the dome from the inside. It’s one of the best free things to do in Berlin but tickets need to be booked through the official website in advance for access.
Walk along the largest open air gallery in the world
The longest continuous section of the Berlin Wall also happens to be the largest open air gallery in the world. The East Side Gallery stretches for 1.3 kilometres and was painted by 118 artists from 21 different countries when the wall came down in 1989. There are a lot of incredible pieces of street art here, so it may be worth taking a walking tour if you want a more in depth visit. Otherwise, I would recommend spending at least an hour walking along the wall because there’s a lot to take in.
Explore the oldest part of Berlin
If you’re planning to visit the Berlin TV Tower, why not take a walk around the oldest part of Berlin too? Nikolaiviertel was almost completely destroyed in WWII but it was reconstructed in the 1980s. One of the main features of this neighbourhood is St Nicholas Church, but it’s worth exploring its cobbled streets too because there are a lot of historic houses as well as quaint shops and restaurants in the area.
Cross the Berlin Wall
Throughout Berlin you’ll find traces of the Berlin Wall. If you look down, you’ll often see the course of the Berlin Wall outlined using a double row of cobblestones on the sidewalks and streets. In some areas you’ll also find information boards and memorial markers for people who died trying to cross it. If you’re interested in history, finding these lines are very unique things to do in Berlin.
Checkpoint Charlie
One of the top visited attractions in Berlin is Checkpoint Charlie. This was the most famous checkpoint during the Cold War and it became a symbol of the separation of East and West Berlin. Although there are no guards there today, visitors can still take a photo inside the guard house and learn more about the checkpoint through the nearby Checkpoint Charlie Museum.
Topography of Terror
There are a lot of museums in Berlin to visit, and many of them are directly related to WWII and the Cold War. The Topography of Terror is an incredible free museum in Berlin that’s spread across indoor and outdoor exhibitions. The museum is located on the site of the former headquarters of the Gestapo and it stands as a place of remembrance and a warning from history.
Through various exhibitions, visitors can learn more about national socialism and the crimes that were committed by the Nazi institutions. The Topography of Terror is open later than other museums in Berlin and entry is free to all exhibitions. This makes it a good option for something to do at night in Berlin.
Berlin Wall Memorial
The Berlin Wall Memorial is another example of the many emotional places of remembrance scattered around the city. This memorial commemorates the separation of the city by the Berlin Wall and the deaths of the people that tried to cross it. It includes a section of the original wall, a tower, and a signal fence as well as several information boards with interactive elements. This is one of the many free things to do in Berlin and it’s recommended to go on a guided tour of the memorial and the surrounding area.
Alexanderplatz
Alexanderplatz is one of the main squares in Berlin with numerous attractions surrounding it such as the Berlin TV Tower. It’s named after the Russian Tsar Alexander I and today the square stands as a major commercial hub and starting point for tourists exploring the city. Near Christmas you’ll find one of the biggest Christmas markets in Berlin situated here. You can find other events happening in the square too throughout the year.
Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe
One of the most well known free things to do in Berlin is the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe. This Holocaust memorial consists of over 2500 concrete cubes of different heights, with a sloped ground that gives it a wave-like form. It’s a very unusual memorial in Berlin because it doesn’t have a central component to it. Instead, the memorial creates a place of remembrance as a whole.
If you head underground you can learn more about the victims of the Holocaust in the information centre. Many Berlin walking tours will also bring you to this memorial.
Walk around Gendarmenmarkt
The Neue Kirche (New Church) is also referred to as the German Church and is located on the Gendarmenmarkt. It was built in the early 18th century by King Frederick I who had his heart set on turning Berlin into a royal residence that would rival Versailles. The church was badly damaged during the bombings in WWII, and it wasn’t until the late 20th century that it was restored.
There are two other impressive buildings in this square to look at, the French Cathedral and the Concert Hall, so taking a walk around Gendarmenmarkt is one of the best free things to do in Berlin if you like architecture.
Look out for the stumbling stones
If you’ve been to other European countries that were affected by the Holocaust, you may have come across stumbling stones before. These brass stones are meant to ensure that the victims of the Holocaust are never forgotten. On the stones you’ll find the names of Jews that were taken from their homes, as well as information about if they were taken to a concentration camp or if they survived.
Sometimes you’ll see just one stone, other times you’ll find a cluster of them together. They’re situated in front of houses or driveaways where the people once lived, even if nothing now remains of their former home. If you take a guided walking tour in Berlin you’ll be able to learn more about the stumbling stones.
Admire the art in Dead Chicken Alley
If you’re a fan of art, one of the best free things to do in Berlin is to visit Dead Chicken Alley. It’s located a short walk from Alexanderplatz, so it’s quite easy to add to your itinerary. This alley is full of unique graffiti and street art, and it’s also home to the Anne Frank Museum and two bars.
The alley was originally purchased by a group of men during the Nazi regime who wanted somewhere that they could show their artistic expression. Since then the alley has continued to grow and is now one of the most visited attractions in Berlin.
Sitting next to Dead Chicken Alley is Hackesche Höfe. It’s a unique courtyard complex in the centre of Berlin that’s made up of eight courtyards, each with various shops and eateries within them. The architecture is also beautiful and very different from what you’ll find in other parts of Berlin, so make sure you stop by for a quick look.
Soviet War Memorial Tiergarten
There are a lot of memorials in Berlin to visit, but some are more centrally located than others. The Soviet War Memorial Tiergarten is located close to the Brandenburg Gate and was erected by the Red Army after the end of WWII. It stands as a place of remembrance for more than 2000 Red Army soldiers whose graves are located behind the memorial.
There are several other memorials located near the Soviet War Memorial too, which is what makes visiting them among the top free things to do in Berlin.
Museum Island
Although the museums themselves aren’t free, walking around Museum Island and taking in the unique architecture of the buildings ranks very highly on the list of free things to do in Berlin. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is home to five museums that were built on the orders of the Prussian rulers. The most famous of these museums is the Pergamon, but if you plan on going inside the museums you also shouldn’t miss the Neues Museum which is home to the bust of Nefertiti.
The Center Potsdamer Platz
If you’re looking for free things to do in Berlin at night, I would recommend taking a walk through The Center Potsdamer Platz. It’s a unique workspace that’s currently being redeveloped to house a two-storey food hall, an entertainment venue, and a rooftop restaurant. In the evening the roof is lit up in different colours so it takes on a completely different vibe than during the day.
Walk around the Christmas markets
Christmas in Berlin really is magical. The entire city is filled with Christmas markets that vary in theme and size. Although Alexanderplatz boasts one of the largest Christmas markets in Berlin, the Historischer Weihnachtsmarkt is another great option that’s medieval themed. Or you can try the Lucia Christmas Market and the Charlottenburg Palace Christmas Market and enjoy a picturesque setting while you eat and drink the day (and night) away.
Budget friendly places to eat in Berlin
Madami
Berlin is a city made up of all types of cuisines, but for some of the best Vietnamese food in the city you have to visit Madami. They have a few locations in Berlin, including one near Alexanderplatz. Their menu is based around tasty and fresh authentic Vietnamese food, and each dish is generously portioned.
There are plenty of meat-free alternatives on their menu too, making it a great restaurant in Berlin to visit for vegetarians. The setting is very nice in the evening so I would recommend ordering a few dishes and a cocktail to unwind after a day of exploring Berlin.
Shiso Burger
Looking for unique budget friendly places to eat in Berlin? Shiso Burger has got you covered. We stopped by their Berlin Kreuzberg restaurant which was newly opened when we visited. It’s designed for swift dining so your orders are done through a self-service machine and the food is freshly prepared. Their menu is a fusion of burgers and Asian cuisine, so you probably won’t have tried anything like it before. If you’re not in the mood for meat, I would suggest ordering one of their tasty tofu burgers with a side of edamame.
CorndogNinjas
It’s always fun to see what kind of street food different cities have to offer. CorndogNinjas is a food truck that sells the first Korean corndogs in Berlin. It’s the perfect place to come for a mid-afternoon snack or a light lunch if you’re not a big eater. You can choose a sausage or mozzarella corndog in a dough or potato casing. Make sure you top off your corndog with one of their homemade sauces for a real treat. CorndogNinjas is one of the best budget friendly places to eat in Berlin by far.
Kebap With Attitude
If there’s one thing that Berlin knows how to do right, its kebabs. There are a lot of kebab takeaways on almost every corner in Berlin. If you’d rather have a healthier kebab and sit down in a modern restaurant to enjoy it, then you need to check out Kebap With Attitude. This was one of the stops during our Berlin food tour. Having never tried a kebab before, I can honestly say that I was pleasantly surprised at how these ones are cooked and presented.
Sammy’s Berliner Donuts
You can’t visit Berlin without trying a doughnut. Berlin’s most famous doughnut, the Berliner, is a jelly-filled doughnut that dates back to the 19th century. If you’re not a big fan of jelly doughnuts though, you’ll find a lot of bakeries and doughnut shops throughout the city that sell a wide variety of flavours. One of the best places for doughnuts in Berlin is Sammy’s Berliner Donuts who just happen to have a completely vegan menu.
Curry 61
There’s no better place for currywurst in Berlin than at Curry 61. This is another place we stopped at during our Berlin food tour, and it was so good we came back the next day. It’s one of the most popular places in Berlin for currywurst so expect at least a small queue when you arrive. This is a family-run business and they make their own curry sauce several times a day to keep things fresh. Curry 61 have also recently added vegan currywurst and vegan mayo to their menu.
Best budget hotel in Berlin
MEININGER Hotel Berlin Mitte Humboldthaus
Depending what time of the year you visit Berlin, accommodation can be pricey. If you’re looking for a budget hotel in Berlin that’s close to several main attractions and has easy public transportation links, then MEININGER Hotel Berlin Mitte Humboldthaus is a fantastic option.
MEININGER Hotel Berlin Mitte Humboldthaus sits close to the Hackescher Markt and is only a short walk from the Brandenburg Gate. Outside of the hotel you’ll find tram, metro, and bus links that will take you around the city in no time. The modern design of the hotel perfectly matches the unique vibe of the neighbourhood that it’s situated in, and all of the rooms are expertly cleaned before each guest’s arrival.
The hotel offers budget private rooms with modern furnishings, with the option of a larger family room if you’re travelling with more than four people. This is a great alternative to staying in a hostel since you can save money on your room but still have the amenities you get in a hotel.
We stayed in the multiple room which has two twin beds and a bunk bed. There’s also an ensuite bathroom with a walk-in shower, plenty of space for storing bags and clothes, and free WiFi throughout the hotel.
Before you head out to explore all of the free things to do in Berlin, you’ll want to have a good breakfast to start the day. MEININGER Hotel Berlin Mitte Humboldthaus has a fantastic buffet breakfast every morning that’s laid out with freshly prepared food. There’s a very good selection and plenty of options for people with dietary requirements. It’ll save you a lot of time eating at the hotel instead of searching for breakfast spots in Berlin.
Accommodation can eat up a large part of any budget, which is why finding an affordable place to stay in Berlin is important. We’ve stayed at a few MEININGER hotels in different cities around Europe and we’ve always been happy with our stay, and the MEININGER Hotel Berlin Mitte Humboldthaus was no different.
>> Book your stay now at MEININGER Hotel Berlin Mitte Humboldthaus <<
Is Berlin worth visiting?
Berlin is a unique city in Germany that’s very different from places like Cologne and Frankfurt. There are a lot of free things to do in Berlin as well as plenty of Berlin guided tours and interesting museums to explore as well. If you’re planning a trip to Berlin, it’s a good idea to spend at least three days in Berlin so you can see as many of the main attractions as possible. In your spare time you can also add a few hidden gems in Berlin to your list or try out one of the city’s many unique dining experiences.
If you have any questions about free things to do in Berlin or where to eat in Berlin, please feel free to reach out via email. Or if you have any other recommendations about things to do in Berlin, let me know! You can also get in touch with me through Instagram and follow along with my travels.
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