Things to do in Berlin

Berlin's turbulent history is visible throughout the city, from grand 18th-century monuments to concrete barriers left standing after the Cold War. 

• Brandenburg Gate: Completed in 1791, this neoclassical gateway features 12 Doric columns topped by a sculpture of a horse-drawn chariot. Once situated beside the barrier dividing East and West Berlin, it became a powerful symbol of German reunification following the Wall's opening in 1989.
• Berlin Wall: Surviving sections recall the period from 1961 to 1989 when Berlin was divided. The Berlin Wall Memorial on Bernauer Strasse preserves sections of the former border, while the East Side Gallery transforms another surviving stretch into an open-air display of colorful murals.
• Reichstag Building: Home to Germany’s parliament, the Bundestag, this imposing 19th-century building features a glass and steel dome completed in 1999. Its transparent design symbolizes modern German democracy while creating a striking contrast to the building's stone facade.

The Best of Berlin by Train excursion introduces these essential sites through a motorcoach tour and selected photo stops. You’ll also pass Checkpoint Charlie, make an extended photo stop at historic Tempelhof Airport and stop at Bebelplatz, where Nazi-organized book burnings took place in 1933. Lunch and time at the Hackesche Höfe shopping courtyards complete this full-day introduction to Berlin.

A glass of sparkling wine tastes even better with a view across Berlin's rooftops. On the Ultimate Berlin by Train excursion, you'll visit a restaurant beside the Reichstag's glass dome, where a 360-degree panorama brings the Brandenburg Gate and neighboring government buildings into view. It's a chance to appreciate the city's architectural contrasts from a vantage point few visitors experience during a typical sightseeing drive.

The small-group excursion also includes a coach tour, a traditional German lunch and time for shopping along Kurfürstendamm. Known locally as Ku'damm, this broad boulevard is lined with upscale stores and cafés, giving you a chance to experience western Berlin's commercial district as part of your adventure.

A visit to Sachsenhausen is an opportunity to confront one of the darkest chapters of German history at the site where it unfolded. Established in 1936, this former Nazi concentration camp north of Berlin now serves as a memorial to those imprisoned, persecuted and murdered there. During the Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp & Memorial excursion, a guide leads you through the grounds, including Guard Tower A and Station Z, where prisoners were executed and cremated.

The journey continues to Berlin for lunch and sightseeing, including the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe. Dedicated to the six million Jews murdered during the Holocaust, the memorial consists of 2,711 concrete stelae arranged across an uneven field. Walking between the increasingly tall blocks creates a deeply personal opportunity for reflection and remembrance.

The runways at Tempelhofer Feld are busy again, although these days it's cyclists and skaters rather than aircraft moving across the pavement. The former airport served as a vital supply point during the Berlin Airlift of 1948–1949, when Allied planes delivered food and necessities to West Berlin during the Soviet blockade. Now one of Berlin's largest public green spaces, the airfield has become a favorite place for outdoor recreation. The Best of Berlin by Train excursion includes an extended photo stop at the airport, where you can learn about its role in the Cold War.

Near the Brandenburg Gate, Tiergarten is a change of scenery from Berlin's busy streets. Once a royal hunting ground, this expansive park is now filled with wooded walking paths and peaceful ponds, with the Victory Column rising near its center. Both parks offer room to wander beyond the busy streets. To explore them independently, consider the Berlin on Your Own by Train excursion, which leaves most of the day free.

An Egyptian queen's 3,300-year-old, paintings from the Romantic era and monumental architecture from ancient civilizations are all given the reverence and attention they deserve in Berlin's museum collections. Many of these treasures are housed on Museumsinsel (Museum Island), a UNESCO World Heritage Site along the River Spree. With five grand museum buildings gathered near Berlin Cathedral, it's an inviting place to explore whether you have time for a gallery visit or simply want to admire the architecture. Among the Berlin museums worth considering are:

• Neues Museum: Home to the famous bust of Queen Nefertiti and extensive Egyptian collections, the museum combines ancient artifacts with architecture that still bears traces of World War II.
• Pergamon Museum: Known for monumental displays from ancient civilizations, including the Pergamon Altar. The museum is currently closed for renovations, with a partial reopening scheduled for June 4, 2027. As an alternative, the nearby Pergamon Museum: The Panorama recreates the ancient city of Pergamon in a massive 360-degree artwork, complete with temples and scenes of everyday life nearly 2,000 years ago.
• Alte Nationalgalerie: Housed in a building resembling a classical temple, this gallery features 19th-century European paintings and sculpture, including works by German Romantic artists.
• Jewish Museum Berlin: Located outside Museum Island, this institution takes an insightful look into Jewish life in Germany across centuries. Its angular modern architecture adds another dimension to the historical exhibitions. The museum is featured on the Berlin by Train & Jewish History excursion.

Short on time? Museum Island is still worth a visit. You can admire its grand museum facades from the surrounding walkways and enjoy views of Berlin Cathedral, whose enormous dome is one of the most recognizable features of the city's skyline.

There's more to Berlin than the monuments that fill its history books. Follow the scent of grilled döner kebabs through Kreuzberg, pop into shops tucked into Art Nouveau courtyards or find a café table on a leafy neighborhood street. The city’s shopping districts and residential neighborhoods give you a chance to experience everyday Berlin beyond the main sightseeing routes. On the Berlin on Your Own by Train excursion, you’ll have about five to six hours of free time to explore neighborhoods and courtyards like these at your own pace:

• Kreuzberg: Take in the culture and sensations of Turkish markets, sample freshly made dishes or admire street art reflecting the neighborhood's creative character.
• Prenzlauer Berg: Wander tree-lined residential streets, look through independent boutiques or enjoy a coffee near Kollwitzplatz.
• Neukölln: Walk a multicultural neighborhood known for independent galleries, international restaurants and an evolving arts scene.
• Hackesche Höfe: Admire the intricate tilework and ornate facades of this early 20th-century architectural complex, where a series of courtyards connect beneath graceful archways.

For a mix of guided sightseeing and free time, the Berlin by Train: Highlights & Time on Your Own excursion combines morning sightseeing with an independent afternoon. After photo stops at the Brandenburg Gate and Berlin Wall, you'll finish your guided tour at Gendarmenmarkt, a grand square surrounded by elegant architecture. From there, you can do some shopping or enjoy lunch at a local café before rejoining your motorcoach for the return journey to Warnemünde.

Your ship may be docked in Warnemünde, but a day in Berlin can feel like a journey through multiple layers of German history and culture. To see the city from the water, the Berlin by Train & River Spree Cruise excursion pairs a guided city tour with a 30-minute boat cruise along the Spree, passing the German Chancellery. Princess shore excursions help you get the most out of your visit, from organized rail transportation to guided sightseeing in the capital. And when your ship sets off for your next port of call, you’ll leave with a deeper appreciation of Germany’s past and present — and perhaps a few reasons to come back.