Truth be told, there are so many incredible free things to do in Berlin that you’ll be spoilt for choice. This is especially true if you’re looking to explore some of the cities histories, markets and culture.
Now, for me, this is one of the main reasons why I love the city so much. It can cost as little (or as much) as you’d like it to cost, with so many free things to do in Berlin.
This is exactly why we wanted to show you a handful of ways to get around exploring Berlin without spending a single cent. Well. obviously, there might be a little transport card needed but nothing else.
Take a look, below, at some of the best free things to do in Berlin on your next trip. Have the best time in the city.
1.) Stroll through Berlin
If you are in city for the first time, then you’re in for a treat. This is especially true as some of the best free things to do in Berlin can be seen on foot.
Honestly. Berlin has so much to offer when it comes to sights and this walk will take you through the biggest and most essential sights of Berlin.
Start off with Alexander Platz where you will see the big TV tower and continue to the Museum Island to see the gorgeous architecture. Don’t forget, you can also get free entry to certain Berlin museums on certain days in the month. You can check these out, here.
2.) Go in the Reichstag Dome
Situated within the heart of Berlin is the Reichstag, the German Parliament building that has one of the coolest domes in all of Europe. You see, the dome has only recently reconstructed and opened as a place for everyone to enjoy. Oh yeah, and it’s totally free!
Take a walk up the architectural miracle, the glass dome and explore this totally unique space in Berlin.
Though, make sure to reserve your date and time well in advance. Spaces fill up really quick.
3.) Remember at the Holocaust Memorial
Not too far from the Reichstag is one of Berlin’s most sombre sites, The Holocaust Memorial. It’s a touching memorial to the murdered Jews of Europe and acts as a site for us to never forget this awful slaughter of people.
Consisting of nearly 3000 concrete slabs, it’s one of the free things to do in Berlin where you can walk around the memorial and take time to remember the dark history.
Read more: Visiting the Holocaust Memorial
4.) Visit Neue Heimat
Neue Heimat (New Hometown) has already become one of the most popular places to go for both locals and visitors.
The place is open all weekend and the food hall has a lot to offer, especially if you’ve worked up an appetite. Even though the food is not free, Neue Heimat is really worth a visit even if you want to just grab a cheaper bite to eat.
Oh yeah, and on Fridays, there is free DJ’s and jazz sessions from artists from all over the world. It’s one of the best free things to do in Berlin place for some free entertainment and a cheap bite to eat.
Read more: Best burgers in Berlin to try
5.) Visit the Topography of Terror
The Topography of Terror is one of the free things to do in Berlin that reflects the atrocities of the twentieth century. Here, you can learn more about terror and the awful things that humanity has done to each other. It really is worth a visit to reflect on our turbulent history.
6.) Berlin Wall Memorial
At some points in the city, the Berlin Wall was built in-between apartment buildings, which led many people to flee jumping out of the windows or swinging on a line from East to West.
Today there is an outdoor museum that tells all the accounts of the people who lived there and how life was like during the division in Germany.
7.) Walk the East Side Gallery
Still, to this day, 1.5 kilometres of the original Berlin Wall exists within the city itself.
Painted with over 100 murals including the famous, ‘kiss of death’ (with Brezhnev and Honecker kissing, it’s easily one of the best free things to do in Berlin if you want to see the Berlin Wall itself.
Read more: Visiting the East Side Gallery
8.) Visit the Turkish Market At Maybach Ufer
The market is a perfect place to give you an insight into how diverse Berlin is.
This outdoor food market is open every Tuesday and Friday and you’ll find Turkish people that fight for your attention to get you to buy some of the freshest Turkish foods from them.
The market has a perfect location right by the beautiful canals, so after going through the market take a stroll down the canals. It’s one of the best free things to do in Berlin on a sunny day… especially if you love a market.
9.) See Tempelhof
There are not many cities in the world that give you the opportunity to explore a closed airport. Well, Berlin is that city and now Tempelhof is open for public use as a park.
You see, Tempelhof closed for all air traffic in 2007 and since that, it has been used as an open space for working out directly on the original runways, flying kites, riding Segway’s, or simply just having fun.
10.) Stroll Down Karl-Marx-Alle
The grand boulevard of Karl-Marx-Alle originates from GDR, and it shows the days of East Berlin.
The boulevard itself is pretty wide and about 2-kilometres long and is designed in the lavishing socialist classicism style. Historically, it was also this boulevard that was used for the grandiose annual May Day Parade in East Berlin.
Walking down Karl-Marx-Alle lets you feel the presence of history and see a piece of East Berlin itself.
11.) Explore Mauerpark
Every Sunday in spring-autumn the amphitheatre in Mauer Park invites everyone and anyone to have their 15 minutes of fame to sing karaoke in Mauerpark in front of hundreds of spectators. That being said, if you’re not a singer, then don’t fret as there is a cool market and open spaces to enjoy here.
It really is one of the best free things to do in Berlin on a lazy Sunday.
Read more: What is it like to visit Mauerpark
12.) Visit Potsdam
Okay, so technically, Potsdam isn’t in the centre of Berlin but it’s only a 30-minute metro ride right from the city-centre. Once here, you’ll be able to spend a few hours exploring a few of the incredible palaces that are housed in this area.
You can freely walk around the grounds, see the beautiful buildings and go inside (if you purchase a ticket). It really is one of the best free things to do in Berlin that’s architecturally beautiful.
Read more: Best ways to explore Potsdam
13.) See the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church
Nestled withing Western Berlin, the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church is more commonly known as ‘der hohle Zahn’, meaning ‘the hollow tooth’.
You see, after the bombing by allied forces in 1943, most of the church was destroyed.
Thankfully, parts of the church were rebuilt, with the original steeple being kept as a reminder of what happened. Take a wander to explore the church, learn more about its history and visit the iconic inside, too.
14.) See Brandenburg Gate
Okay, so you can’t really visit without seeing the Brandenburg Gate, especially as it’s one of the easiest free things to do in Berlin.
Constructed in the 1800s, the Brandenburg Gate is easy to spot, especially if you’re in central Berlin. For many years, the site has become synonymous with peace and serves as a reminder in the city. Take a wander through the gate and see the incredible architecture (that’s so close to the Reichstag building).
Article contributor: Caroline Sølver: | Edited by: Lloyd & Yaya
Read more: Top places and things to see in Berlin
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