Free things to do · Berlin · Germany
10 free things to do in Berlin
Berlin without the ticket prices: sights, walks and views that cost nothing.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Janericloebe, Public domain
Quick answer
You can fill at least 3 days in Berlin without paying an entry fee: Brandenburg Gate, Reichstag and its glass dome, Berlin Wall Memorial and East Side Gallery are all free. The Reichstag dome, Holocaust Memorial, Berlin Wall Memorial, East Side Gallery and Topography of Terror are all free.
Key facts
- Free sights in this guide
- 10
- Low-cost extras
- 5
- Cost level
- Moderately priced
- Lowest hotel prices
- January, March and November
Free sights and experiences
Landmark · Mitte
1.Brandenburg Gate
Visit at night when it is floodlit and quiet, then walk two minutes to the Reichstag and the Holocaust Memorial.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- History
- After dark
- Photo spot
Architecture · Mitte
2.Reichstag and its glass dome
Book an evening slot for sunset over the Tiergarten, and bring photo ID for the security check.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- Views
- Architecture
- History
Historic site · Mitte
3.Berlin Wall Memorial
Start at the Visitor Centre near Nordbahnhof and walk east along the outdoor exhibition; it is free and open-air.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Outdoors
- Iconic
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Historic site · Friedrichshain
4.East Side Gallery
Walk it from the Ostbahnhof end towards the red-brick Oberbaum Bridge, then cross to Kreuzberg.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Art
- History
- Photo spot
- Iconic
Historic site · Mitte
5.Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe
Walk into the centre of the field, then visit the free Information Centre beneath it; do not climb or jump on the slabs.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Architecture
- Rainy day
Museum · Kreuzberg
6.Topography of Terror
Allow at least 90 minutes; the indoor exhibition is text-heavy but among the clearest histories of the period.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Rainy day
Park · Tiergarten
7.Tiergarten and the Victory Column
Rent a rowing boat at the Neuer See, then have a beer in the lakeside garden.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Outdoors
- Views
- Kids
- Couples
Park · Neukölln
8.Tempelhofer Feld
Rent a bike or bring skates and ride the full runway; sunset across the open field is spectacular.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Outdoors
- Kids
- Active
- History
Market · Prenzlauer Berg
9.Mauerpark Sunday market
Arrive late morning for the market, then stay for the karaoke on summer Sunday afternoons.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Shopping
- Food
- Outdoors
Landmark · Mitte
10.Gendarmenmarkt
Check the Konzerthaus programme for evening concerts, often with affordable tickets.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes–1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Architecture
- History
- Couples
Free sights by area
| Area | Free sights | Time needed |
|---|---|---|
| Mitte | Brandenburg Gate, Reichstag and its glass dome, Berlin Wall Memorial, Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe and Gendarmenmarkt | 30 minutes + 1–1.5 hours + 1.5–2 hours + 1–1.5 hours + 30 minutes–1 hour |
| Friedrichshain | East Side Gallery | 1 hour |
| Kreuzberg | Topography of Terror | 1.5–2 hours |
| Tiergarten | Tiergarten and the Victory Column | 2–3 hours |
| Neukölln | Tempelhofer Feld | 2 hours |
| Prenzlauer Berg | Mauerpark Sunday market | 2–3 hours |
Worth a small ticket
Religious site · Museum Island
Berlin Cathedral
Climb the dome walkway late in the day for the light on the TV Tower and the Spree.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Architecture
- Views
- History
- Rainy day
Museum · Kreuzberg
Jewish Museum Berlin
Walk the underground axes first to understand the building, then visit the main exhibition upstairs.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Architecture
- Rainy day
- Art
Museum · Mitte
Museum für Naturkunde
Use the Jurascopes, binocular viewers that bring the dinosaur skeletons to life.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Kids
- Rainy day
- Nature
- History
Museum · Kreuzberg
German Museum of Technology
Families should allow most of a day and save Spectrum for when attention flags.
- Time needed
- 3–4 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Kids
- Rainy day
- History
Experience · Mitte
Spree river boat tour
Choose a boat with an open upper deck and a sailing in the early evening for softer light.
- Time needed
- 1–3 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Kids
- Couples
- Views
- Outdoors
More ways to save
- The Reichstag dome, Holocaust Memorial, Berlin Wall Memorial, East Side Gallery and Topography of Terror are all free.
- Street food — döner, currywurst, falafel and Vietnamese noodle soup — keeps food costs low.
- Buy a day or 7-day ticket instead of singles if you take more than three rides a day.
- Spätis sell drinks far cheaper than bars, and drinking outdoors is legal and common.
- Many restaurants offer weekday lunch specials (Mittagstisch) at lower prices than dinner.
- Hotel prices rise sharply during big trade fairs and the Berlinale; check the event calendar before booking.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Berlin expensive to visit?
Berlin is moderately priced for most visitors, but 10 of its best-known sights are free, which makes a tight budget workable.
+What is the best free thing to do in Berlin?
Brandenburg Gate: Visit at night when it is floodlit and quiet, then walk two minutes to the Reichstag and the Holocaust Memorial.