So much history in Berlin, it’s tough to cram in all the sights in one day. With the help of Rick Steve’s Audio guide, it was pretty easy. We did add some of the sights not mentioned in the guide as well as skipped some that were. When you are touring any city, don’t get stressed about fitting in too much. Sometimes the best experiences are the unexpected and unplanned! Top must see sights for Berlin!

Stasi Museum

The Stasi Museum is located in the former headquarters of the East German secret Police (The Stasi). When we first arrived, we couldn’t find it since the building itself was just a regular office building. Within the walls, you get the walk through the halls and offices of where the Stasi conducted business; the exhibition showcases surveillance and observation technology they used for covert operations to spy on regular people they suspected were against them.

If you can, definitely try to go during the free guided tour.

: Wire hidden behind a family’s wall to listen to their conversation

: Camera behind a button

: Spyware equipped with surveillance

: Just a regular office building

: Actual conference room where the Stasi conducted business

Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe

Designed by architect Peter Eisenman, the memorial consist of 2711 concrete slabs of different sizes and heights. The slabs are arranged in rows 54 of them going North-South, 87 heading East-West at right angles, but set slightly askew. Arranged in a grid pattern and a sloping field, the memorial is open and abstract and can be experienced and interpreted in your own way.

This is a place of remembrance for the Jewish victims of the Holocaust.

Berlin Wall

The Berlin Wall was a guarded concrete wall that physically divided Berlin from 1961 to 1989. During this time over 100,000 people attempted to escape East Berlin and over 5000 succeeded in escaping over the wall.

: Inside wall

: Peering through the inside wall

Checkpoint Charlie

The former border crossing, Checkpoint Charlie, is the most famous crossing point between East and West Berlin. This sight is definitely a busy one and is surrounded by restaurants and many tourist shops. Don’t forget to check out the museum as well!

Topography of Terror

This exhibition of remembrance is located on the site where principal instruments of Nazi persecution and terror were located between 1933 – 1945. Photographs and documents illustrate the history from the time the Nazis took power until the end of the war.