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East Side Gallery
11.10.2019

Spend a cultural weekend in Berlin

There’s a light that never goes out in Germany’s vibrant capital: Berlin’s cultural life is definitely something your wouldn't want to miss. With a cultural landscape that is defined by both venerable cultural institutions and an exciting experimental scene, Berlin culture provides a daily dose of inspiration and entertainment.

It’s not very original to point out East Side Gallery, Berliner Dom or the Reichstag for a weekend-visit to Berlin. Although these three do showcase some of Berlin's great cultural and historical heritage, we want to call your attention to other interesting places that would be worth your while. 

So let's say you have a full weekend to spend...                      

Museum Island

Visit the unique ensemble of museums on the Spree island in the center of Berlin, showcasing a wide range of art collections and cultural artefacts spanning several millennia from Europe and the wider Mediterranean region. In 1999 UNESCO recognized theMuseumsinsel Berlin as a place of world cultural heritage for being 'a unique ensemble of museum buildings illustrating the development of modern museum design over the course of more than a century'.

Pergamonmuseum

The Pergamonmuseum houses three of the Staatliche Museen zu Berlin’s collections: the Antikensammlung, Vorderasiatisches Museum, and the Museum für Islamische Kunst. The impressive reconstructions of massive archaeological structures – the Pergamon Altar, Market Gate of Miletus, the Ishtar Gate and Processional Way from Babylon, and the Mshatta Facade – have made the Pergamonmuseum famous throughout the world, with the result that it is the most visited museum in Germany.

Since 2013, the Pergamonmuseum has been undergoing staggered renovations and the hall containing the Pergamon Altar will be closed until at least 2024.

These are just to name a few. Close to Museumsinsel, there is also the Deutsches Historisches Museum, which provides a unique overview of German history within its international context. If you're mostly interested in East German history, you may also pay a visit to the nearby DDR Museum. Moreover, known for its provocative and creative exhibitions, the Jewish Museum Berlin provides a place of active reflection on Jewish history and culture and is located near Hallesches Tor in the district Kreuzberg.

Check this museums guide for a comprehensive list of the Berlin museums as well as current exhibitions.

Parks and Picnics

For a capital city, Berlin offers an exciting dimension of natural sites. Berlin is home to more than 2500 parks to give you some time to unwind, watch passers-by and even enjoy some live music. 

Also interesting:

Körner Park

This public park in the neighbourhood of Neukölln looks like a royal garden with its water fountains and orangery consisting of a cafe and gallery. In the north of the park you can moreover find a beautiful flower garden. The former gravel pit lies five to seven metres below the street level and is now a true oasis for relaxation away from the rush of the city.

Where to find? Schierker Str. 8, 12051 Berlin

Feel like a royal

There are some impressive remains of royal history to be found in and around Berlin. If you're curious to take a stept back in time and take a break from the contemporary city, these retreats might just be right for you.

Enjoy classical music

Of course going to a classical concert won't fit in every weekend-trip to Berlin. If you're looking for someting very special to complete experience, we highly reccomend a concert or performance in one of Berlin's symphony orchestras or opera houses.

Also interesting:

Neuköllner Oper

Berlin's fourth opera house is unique in the diverse cultural scene of the capital. A little different from usual opera houses, the Neuköllner opera ("NO") goes beyond new productions of a known and limited repertory and hosts undogmatic musicals as well as baroque plays and was the first one bringing a turkish-german music theatre on stage. The NO likes to experiment with traditions and is the most productive music theatre in Europe.

Where to find? Karl-Marx-Straße 131/133, 12043 Berlin

More deep dives into history

House of the Wannsee Conference

Located at Berlin's lake Wannsee is the memorial and educational site of the Wannsee Conference, which took place on January 20th, 1942 and held by representatives of the SS, NSDAP and many Reich ministries. The conference was about the “Final Solution of the Jewish Question”. Today visitors can learn more about the persecution and murder of European Jews and the history of National Socialism, its prehistory and consequences.

The permanent exhibition is currently closed but a new one will open in January 2020 at the 78th anniversary of the conference house.

Where to find? Am großen Wannsee 56 - 58, 14109 Berlin

We hope you found this a helpful starting point to plan your trip to our favortite city. If you end up falling in love with it - as many people have before - Berlin Partner is happy to provide you with our specialized, free-of-charge services regarding:

Header image: Berlin Partner -Fritsch Foto

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