There’s so much to see in Berlin, it’s hard to decide where to start—especially if it’s your first visit. I’ve already covered the Berlin Wall and Alexanderplatz, so this week let’s explore a few more iconic spots, along with some hidden gems worth discovering.

Brandenburg Gate

The Brandenburg Gate, located on Pariser Platz at the western end of Tiergarten, is one of Berlin’s most iconic landmarks. Originally built in the 18th century, it once served as a city gate.

It was designed by Carl Gotthard Langhans, a master builder and architect known for his neoclassical works throughout Silesia, Berlin, and Potsdam—including churches, palaces, theaters, and more.

Sitting atop the gate is the Quadriga, a sculpture created by Johann Gottfried Schadow in 1793. The chariot, pulled by four horses, symbolizes peace entering the city.

Both the Brandenburg Gate and the Quadriga were severely damaged during World War II. The original sculpture was so badly damaged that it was replaced with a replica in 1956. After the Berlin Wall went up in 1961, the Gate stood in a restricted zone and was inaccessible to both East and West Berliners. It was finally reopened on December 22, 1989, to a crowd of tens of thousands cheering and celebrating the reunification.

Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe

This powerful Holocaust memorial is made up of 2,710 concrete columns of varying heights, forming a vast maze in the heart of Berlin. Designed by New York architect Peter Eisenman, it opened in May 2005.

It’s about a 10-minute walk from the Brandenburg Gate. Be sure to leave time to walk through the above-ground installation—it's an experience that’s hard to put into words. At times, you can see others walking nearby; in other moments, you feel completely alone and enclosed, which adds to the emotional weight of the memorial.

If you’d like to learn more, there’s an underground information center and a 2.5-hour guided tour available.

Neue Wache

Originally built as a memorial for those who died in the Napoleonic Wars and the Wars of Liberation, the Neue Wache also served as a royal guardhouse for King Frederick William III of Prussia. It’s a striking example of Prussian neoclassical architecture, designed by Karl Friedrich Schinkel—who also designed the Berlin Cathedral, the Altes Museum, and several palaces.

Today, the interior houses Mother with Her Dead Son, a powerful sculpture by German artist Käthe Kollwitz (1867–1945), known for her deeply emotional works that highlight the effects of poverty, war, and suffering on the working class.

Jüdischer Friedhof (Jewish Cemetery)

Berlin is home to several Jewish cemeteries, but the one I visited was in Prenzlauer Berg, about a 20-minute walk from where I was staying. It was both beautiful and deeply moving. Many of the graves and tombs date back to the 1800s and belong to prominent Jewish families.

There’s also a memorial dedicated to victims of the Nazi regime. It was a quiet, peaceful place—hardly any other visitors were there—which allowed me to take my time walking through, reading names and dates, and reflecting.

Haus Schwarzenberg

If you're exploring Mitte, don’t miss this artistic, graffiti-covered courtyard tucked away off the main street. Haus Schwarzenberg is a creative and historical space filled with galleries, sculptures, and small shops run by emerging artists.

There are picnic tables in the courtyard where you can relax and soak up the vibe, or you can dig into the building’s powerful history. Originally a 1940s factory, it was where Otto Weidt protected his Jewish workers from Nazi persecution. The museum on-site tells that story in a moving and personal way.

And I could keep going… but I won’t. 😄 

Berlin is packed with fascinating, iconic places and hidden gems—there’s always more to discover. I’ll be writing at least one more newsletter about my trip to Berlin, and after that, I’ll shift gears and go back to featuring more stateside destinations for the rest of the summer.

‘til next week, happy exploring!
Kathleen

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