There are so many wonderful things to do in Berlin with kids, that I recommend when planning your itinerary for Berlin, that you allow at least 3 to 4 days – even more if you have the time.

In this post I’m going to share with you all of the best things to do in Berlin with kids of varying ages, from tiny toddlers to teenagers.  We take a look at the best Berlin tourist attractions and in particular how you might like to spend your time if you’re planning a 4 day itinerary.  Berlin is full of family friendly museums, exhibitions and attractions so you won’t see them all, but hopefully after reading the below information you can make an informed decision about which Berlin attractions will suit your family best.

As well as looking at what to do in Berlin with kids, this post covers off on how to get around in Berlin and some tips on the best place to stay in Berlin for families.

Click here if you want to see our exact Berlin 4 days itinerary.

The Best Things to do in Berlin with Kids

Throughout this section I have provided a comprehensive guide on the top things to do in Berlin with children. I tried to provide as much information as possible to make your planning easier, including locations, opening hours and ticket prices.

You will note that for many of the places to visit in Berlin I often recommend you purchase your tickets in advance from Klook or Get Your Guide.  Yes, I will receive a small commission if you do purchase from these sites – but as you will see in some cases you will save yourself a bit of cash in doing so.  Other times the price may be the same, but you will save time by not having to line up at the attraction for tickets.   I use these sites myself to book tickets for our travels around the world.

Please note that all prices mentioned were correct at the time of writing and may fluctuate depending upon changes to currency conversion and rate increases.

To check the rate in your local currency, click here.

1. Reichstag Building

 

The Reichstag building is perhaps one of the most famous Berlin Landmarks and was the first stop on our 4 days in Berlin itinerary.  Home to the German parliament this beautiful architectural wonder will give you an amazing panorama view of the city all while important decisions are being made below your feet in parliament.

Entry is free and you also get a free audio guide that tells you more about the German parliament, many of the other Berlin landmarks and some insight into the troubled history Berlin has faced.

The glass dome of the Reichstag building is certainly a must see in Berlin, and I found it a great way to start our Berlin sightseeing.

Location: Platz der Republik 1

Opening Hours:  Open from 8am to just before midnight daily

Price:  Free but does require advanced prior registration, which can be done here.

Approx. time to visit:  Allow around 1 hour to visit the Reichstag Building.

If you prefer a personal guided tour of the Reichstag, you can purchase tickets via Get Your Guide for around 15€ per person.  Click here if you want to book a guided tour.

2. Brandenburg Gate

 

Your Berlin sightseeing would not be complete without a visit to the Brandenburg Gate, another one of the most visited Berlin top attractions.   The Brandenburg Gate is Berlin’s only surviving historical city gate, which once symbolised the division of East and West in the Berlin. Inspired by the Acropolis in Athens the 26 meters high columned structure is found representing Berlin on all kinds of merchandise.

Location:  Pariser Platz – not far from the Reichstag Building

Opening Hours:  24 Hours

Price:  Free

Approx. time to visit:  Allow around 15 minutes to visit the Brandenburg Gate during your Berlin 4-day itinerary.

3. Tiergarten

 Tiergarten is Berlins answer to Central Park, the forested ground is spread over 210 hectares and is the perfect spot to stop and recharge or have a picnic.  Close to Brandenburg Gate and Potsdamer Platz it’s a great base for much of the sightseeing Berlin has to offer.  The open-air gas lantern museum is a must see when dusk falls and comprises of over 100 gas lanterns from Berlin and other cities.

Location:  Straße des 17. Juni – right in front of the Brandenburg Gate

Opening Hours:  24 Hours

Price:  Free

Approx. time to visit:  Really depends on how much of the park you wish to see.

4. Memorial for the Murdered Jews of EuropeThe abstract designed Memorial for the Murdered Jews of Europe is a place of remembrance but not in the usual means.  On a site covering 19,000 square metres, 2711 concrete slabs have been placed at different heights and on an uneven concrete floor to give a small sense of uncertainty to visitors.

For further information visit the underground information centre.  Here you will find information about the victims including names, photographs, diary entries, film footage and letters. The information centre is recommended for children 14 years and older.  Given this we did not go in with Myla.

Despite all the controversy surrounding the memorial, I found it quite nice, for want of a better word.  It certainly gave me a sense of uneasiness with all the different sized blocks, but this gave me an opportunity to reflect and think the horrific events of the holocaust.

If you do visit the memorial with your kids, can I please ask you to be mindful of showing respect.  Don’t let your kids climb all over the blocks.

Location:  Cora-Berliner- Straße 1 – not far from the Brandenburg Gate.

Opening Hours:  Daily from 10 am

Price:  Free

Approx. time to visit:      Allow around 15 minutes to visit the memorial.

If you’ve only the weekend to explore Berlin, you can use this Berlin 2-day itinerary.

5. German Spy Museum

 

There are some great attractions in Berlin for children, that parents alike with just love – and the Germany Spy Museum is one of these places.

Using state of the art technology the German Spy Museum shows the history of spy’s from around the world and includes some great hands on activities to keep the kids entertained.  The only museum of its kind in Germany and comprises of over 1000 exhibits and interactive displays inviting you to try your luck at becoming a spy.

Most of the museum is display boards with a lot of text which the younger kids might not find too interesting, but they will love activities such taking on a mission to search for bugs in a room, maneuvering their way through a laser maze, hacking into their favourite website and dressing up in various disguises.

Andy and I would have liked to have spent a bit longer going through the museum, however Myla really was only interested in the interactive displays.  So this museum is perhaps better suited to older children.

Location:  Leipziger Platz 9 – not far from Potsdamer.

Opening Hours:  10 am to 8 pm daily.

Price:  Entry at the gate is 12 € for adults and kids are 8€, under 6 is free.  Click here to pre-book your tickets online.

Approx. time to visit: Allow around 2-3 hours to visit the Germany Spy Museum.

6. LEGOLAND

 LEGOLAND Berlin is the ultimate indoor playground – so perfect for kids if you are looking for something to do in Berlin on a rainy day.  Here there is 2 rides, various Lego build play zones, playground, a 4D cinema, the LEGO factory tour and more.

Whether you’re in Berlin with toddler or young children, LEGOLAND is sure to be one of the fun activities in Berlin the whole family will love.

Location: Potsdamer Strasse 4 – a short walk from the German Spy Museum

Opening Hours:  10 am to 7 pm daily.

Price:  19.50€ for adults under 3 are free.  To save a few dollars, purchase your tickets online via Klook, where tickets are 14€.  Click here to get your discounted tickets.

7. DDR Museum

 

During our 4 days in Berlin, one of our favourite places to visit was the DDR Museum.  This is a fantastic place for kids and adults to learn what life was like living in East Germany under the German Democratic Republic.  In fact this place is so interactive for kids that it’s perfect families looking for fun things to do in Berlin, whilst learning about its history at the same time.

Across 27 themed areas kids and adults are encouraged to touch and interact all the items on display.  You will find everyday items from the period, explore an authentically furnished apartment building depicted of the time as well as learn about the Stasi surveillance techniques, and the history of East Germany.

The DDR Museum is one of the must see Berlin Museums.  We spent a few hours here, and could have even spend longer here – Myla absolutely loved it and wanted to play with things over and over again.

Location:  Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 1 – between Alexanderplatz and the Berliner Dom.

Opening Hours:  Daily from 10 am

Price:  9.80€ per adult, 6€ per child and under 6’s are free – cheapest to buy at the gate.  Click here if you prefer to purchase tickets online in advance.

Approx. time to visit:  Allow around 2 to 3 hours to visit the DDR Museum. 

 8. East Side Gallery

The East Side Gallery is a 1.3 kilometre stretch section of the Berlin Wall, the longest section still in existence which has now been converted into an open-air gallery.  This is where you will find that famous art work of Honecker and Brezhnev in a brotherly socialist kiss as well as more than 100 paintings from artists all over the world.

We loved strolling down this section of the wall admiring all the pieces of art and in our view is a Berlin must see.  It’s also one of the free things to do in Berlin, which is even better!  I recommend checking it out after you have been to one of the various museums around town so you understand more the wall’s history, this will provide more meaning and understanding to the various art works.

Location:  Mühlenstraße 3-100 – right by the Wall Museum

Opening Hours:  24 Hours

Price:  Free

Approx. time to visit:  Allow around 45 minutes to visit the East Side Gallery. 

9. The Wall Museum

 If you visit Berlin with kids, I highly recommend you take the opportunity to teach them about the Berlin Wall.  There are various Berlin places to visit where you can learn about the Berlin Wall, but the Wall Museum is the only place dedicated to just the history of the wall.

In the Wall Museum, across various rooms you will find innovative displays of facts and events with regards to the wall, including audio and video footage as well as interactive exhibits.  It’s not overly big so you will only need an hour or so to explore it.

Overall the Wall Museum is suitable for any children that are interested in learning about the Wall – Myla who was 7 at the time really enjoyed it.  Just know that there is a section which talks about the people who died trying to escape over the wall and there are some images of this.

Location:  Mühlenstraße78-80 – right by the East Side Gallery

Opening Hours:  10 am to 7 pm each day

Price:  12.50 € per adult, 6.50 € kids and under 7s free

Approx. time to visit:  Allow around 1 hour to visit the East Side Gallery.

10. Nineties Exhibit

The Nineties Exhibit is another one of the places to go in Berlin to learn about the Wall; however this exhibit focuses on the time immediately before and after the Berlin Wall fell. Highlights include a 286 square meter film projection with historical pictures, footage from various people telling their story about the Wall, an installation of the Berlin Wall from original pieces and a memorial room for those who lost their lives at the Berlin Wall.

The Nineties Exhibit pays particular attention to the music and party scene that emerged around the time of the wall.  Kids of all ages will love the loud dance music and strobe lights which allows you to join in on the celebrations that the wall has fallen.

The Nineties Exhibit is fairly small, but will take a while if you read all the displays and listen to the various interviews.  There’s not much here really for younger children, but the older children will no doubt enjoy learning about this perspective of the Berlin Wall.

Location:  Molkenmarkt 2

Opening Hours:   From 10 am to 8 pm daily

Price:  12.50€ for adults and 8.50€ for children aged 6 and older.

Approx. time to visit:  Allow around 1 -2 hours hour to visit the Nineties Exhibit.

11. TV Tower

When you think of Berlin highlights, no doubt the TV Tower comes to mind.  Towering a massive 368 metres into the sky, the TV Tower is the highest building in Europe open to the general public.  Take in a beautiful 360-degree view across the entire city and spot other famous landmarks such as the Brandenburg Gate, Charlottenburg Palace and the Reichstag.

Location:  Panoramastraße 1a in Alexanderplatz

Opening Hours:  9 am to 12 am from March to October and 10 am to 12 am November to February

Price: 19.50€ for Adults and 12€ for Children aged 4-16.  This is one of the most popular Berlin tourist spots so it’s highly recommended to pre-book this attraction.   Click here to book your online.

12. Little Big City

 

One of Berlin’s newest attractions Little Big City tells the story of Berlin’s history until modern times in a fun way through mini 3d models.  Special effects and projections tell of the fascinating history of Berlin from all different eras.  At Little Big City you can witness the burning of the Reichstag and both the building and knocking over of the Berlin Wall.

We all just loved Little Big City.  Whilst its primarily designed as one of the places for kids in Berlin to learn about the city’s history – Andy and I found it equally as interesting.  Whilst Myla just loved all the little interactive parts to the exhibit, like pressing various buttons to make the models move – I found it presented the history of Berlin in a simple and sequential way.

Whilst Little Big City is certainly one of the best Berlin attractions for children, I also recommend it as one of the best places to visit in Berlin anyone wanting to get a good overview of the city’s history.

Location:  Panoramastr. 1a in Alexanderplatz.

Opening Hours:  10 am and closes from 5 pm to 7 pm depending on the month

Price:  16€ and children under 3 are free.  For super cheap tickets book online via Klook where tickets are 10€.  Click here to purchase your discounted tickets.

Approx. time to visit:  Allow around 1-2 hours to visit.

13. Body Worlds – Menschen Museum

 

If you’re looking for things to see in Berlin which doesn’t focus on its history, then check out the Menschen Museum.   This is a pretty unique kind of museum, that has over 200 real human body parts on display.

At this museum you will learn about all kinds of things about the human body including how organs, the nervous system and muscles function together, learn about diseases as well as what makes us laugh and cry.  It is a fascinating look at the human body and will no doubt have parents and kids a like absolutely intrigued.

Whilst we all personally loved this museum, it’s not for everyone.  All of the displays are actual human body parts, donated to science by people before they died.  We enjoyed seeing the human body, but some people might find it a bit disturbing.  Myla absolutely loved it though and I suspect other kids of all ages would too.

Location:  Panoramastraße 1A in Alexanderpltaz

Opening Hours:  Daily between the hours of 10 am to 7 pm

Price:  14€ for adults, 9€ for kids with under 7s free.  Family passes are available for 40€.  Entry prices include an audio guide.  Click here if you prefer to purchase tickets online in advance.

Approx. time to visit:  Allow around 1 -2 hours hour to visit Menschen Museum.

14. Checkpoint Charlie

 

Checkpoint Charlie is perhaps the most famous border crossing between East and West Germany during the Cold War.  The border crossing has now been restored to how it looked prior to the Berlin Wall coming down complete with the barrier, sandbags, signage, checkpoint booth and flag.  There are even people dressed as guards there.

Checkpoint Charlie is now one of the most popular Berlin points of interest, particularly those interested in the history of the Berlin Wall.

Location:  Friedrichstraße 43-45 – right by the Berlin Wall Museum

Opening Hours:  24 Hours- however the people acting as guards are only there at certain time.

Price:  Free

Approx. time to visit:  Allow around 10 minutes.

15 Berlin Wall Museum 

Right by Checkpoint Charlie is the Wall Museum (not to be confused with the other Wall Museum mentioned in this guide which is located by the East Side Gallery) which contains quite a lot of items, photographs and general information from the time of the Berlin Wall.

I must say that I found this Museum a bit of a mish mash of information and quite difficult to work my way through the mazes of rooms and corridors.  However having said this I found the displays on the escape attempts such as a concealed luggage compartment in a VW car, a mini-submarine, a hot air balloon and a collapsed suitcase particularly interesting.

Location:  Friedrichstraße 43-45 – right by Checkpoint Charlie

Opening Hours:  Daily between 9 am and 10 pm.

Price:  14.50€ for Adults and 7.50€ Children.  Click here to purchase tickets online in advance.

Approx. time to visit:  Allow around 1-2 hours to visit the museum.

16. Topography of Terror

With more than a million visitors each year Topography of Terror is one of the most visited memorial sites in Berlin.  Located where the principal instruments of Nazi persecution and terror were kept this once dark place now tells a story of remembrance.   Through film, photographs and documents, this museum covers the period from the time the Nazis took power until the end of the war.

This is certainly one of the must-see places in Berlin if you want to learn more about how the Nazis came to power and the despicable acts they performed against not only the Jewish people but other minority groups within the community.

This definitely isn’t one of the things for kids in Berlin (well young children anyway), but as Andy and I really wanted to visit, we brought Myla’s ipad and headphones along and she happily sat on a chair whilst we went through the various displays.

Location:  Niederkirchnerstraße 8 – a short walk from Checkpoint Charlie

Opening Hours:  Daily between the hours of 10 am to 8 pm

Price:  Entry is free and if you happen to visit on a Sunday there are free guided tours.

Approx. time to visit:  Allow around 2 hours hour to visit the Museum.

17. Berlin Jewish Museum

The Berlin Jewish Museum tells the story of the History of Jews in Germany and is a place to learn, understand and reflect.  The architectural design of the museum offers unusual corridors and empty spaces all to enhance the experience and remind visitors of the destruction of the Holocaust.

I found it interesting how the museum used various every day personal items such as tea cups, books and toys to tell the personal stories of what happened to various Jewish people during the holocaust.  I also thought the various art installations and sculptures were a rather interesting interpretation of the lives of the Jewish people in Berlin.

Whilst I found certain parts of this museum interesting, if you’re short on time trying to visit all the places to see in Berlin, I would probably skip this museum.

Location:  Lindenstraße 9-14 a short walk from the Topography of Terror

Opening Hours:  Daily between the hours of 10 am to 8pm

Price:  8€ for adults and 3€ for children (under 6’s free), family passes for 14€ are also available.  Audio guides are available for 3€.

Approx. time to visit:  Allow around 1-2 hours hour to visit the Museum.

18. Computer Games Museum

If you’re looking for cool things to do in Berlin, then take the kids to the Computer Games Museum.  Children and parents alike will love this museum which celebrates the history of computer gaming.  At this museum there is over 300 exhibits where you can play various interactive games from classic retro games to modern 3D games.

Location:  Karl-Marx-Allee 93a

Opening Hours: Daily between the hours of 10 am to 8 pm

Price:  9€ for adults, 6€ for kids with under 6s free.  Family passes are available for 19€.  Click here if you prefer to purchase tickets online in advance and skip the line.

19. Berlin Wall Memorial

 This open air exhibition of what was once the border strip of the Berlin Wall is now a place of remembrance.   The site includes a 70 meter stretch of the wall as well as historical pictures, materials, a visitor’s centre and an observation tower.

We unfortunately ran out of time to visit the Memorial, so I can’t speak of it first hand, but I’ve heard great things about the memorial site and really wanted to visit.

Location:   BernauerStraße 111

Opening Hours:  9.30 daily and closes between 6-7pm depending on the season

Price:  Free

20. Turkish Market

Berlin is a great place for foodies.  If you love food and wondering where to go in Berlin?  Then I highly recommend the Turkish Market.  This was easily one of all our favourite Berlin activities.  Here we tried so many different foods such as pastries, breads, cheeses, dips, even donuts!  And I bought a gorgeous ring, as well as head bands and beanies.

Honestly if you love food and local handicrafts; then the Turkish Market is a must do in Berlin.

Location:  Maybachufer, Kreuzberg

Opening Hours:  10 am to 6.30 pm Tuesdays and Fridays

Price:  Entry is free, but how much you spend is up to you!

21. Berlin Dungeon

 If you’re looking for Berlin attractions for kids which will scare the pants of them – check out the Berlin Dungeon.  This is one of the popular Berlin tourist places which takes people through 800 years of Berlin History as they walk through different themed areas and experience nine different performances.  Escape the Black Death by floating down a raft on the river spree and overcome the ultimate fear on the freefall tower Exitus.

Children might be over 8 years of age to visit the Dungeon – hence we weren’t able too.  In fact it is recommended for kids over 10.  Many people say as much as they loved it, the interaction between actors throughout the Dungeon are so life like that it was a terrifying experience so take this into consideration before taking your kids.

 Location:  SpandauerStraße , not far from Alexanderplatz

Opening Hours:  10 am to 6 pm daily.

Price:  Tickets at the gate are 21.50€ per adult and 17.50€ per child, which includes entry to Little Big City.  To save a few dollars per ticket, book online via Get Your Guide where tickets are 17.11 € per adult and 13.62€ per child (note that these tickets don’t include entry to Little Big City).  This is quite a hefty saving for a family.    Click here to purchase your discounted tickets. 

22. AquaDom and Sea Life

Sea Life is a fantastic attraction to take the kids in Berlin, especially if you’re looking for things to do in Berlin with toddler or younger children.  At Sea Life there are 37 large pools with more than 5000 sea creatures including starfish, seahorses, rays, and sharks.  Throughout the day there are various presentations and feeding times where you can learn a little more about the wonderful sea creatures.  Be sure to check the time on arrival to avoid missing any shows.

Also be sure to check out AquaDom, the largest freestanding cylindrical aquarium in the world!  With a height of 25 metres and more than 1 million litres of water and more than 1500 fish.  The best thing about this attraction is its completely free!  AquaDom is located inside the Radisson Blu Hotel foyer, so anyone is welcome to go inside and check it out.

Location:  Spandauer Str. 3, not far from Alexanderplatz

Opening Hours:  10 am to 7 pm daily.

Price:  Entry at the gate is 19€ for adults, 14.50€ for kids with under 3s free.  Click here if you prefer to purchase your tickets online.

23. River Spree Cruise

 A great way to see some Berlin main attractions is by taking a cruise down the River Spree.  Here’s a couple of options you might want to consider:

• Berlin New City Cruise: This is 2.5-hour cruise departs from Reichstagufer at 12.30 pm or 3.25 pm.  Adults are 18.82€ and kids 9.47€ – under 5’s are free.  You can also purchase an English audio guide for 2.05€. Click here to book tickets online.

 

• Historical Sightseeing Cruise: This is 1-hour cruise departing from either Nikolaiviertel or Friedrichstraße/ Weidendamm every hour from 10.30 am to 5.30 pm. Tickets cost 15.28€ per adult, 7.64€ per child and under 5s are free.  You can also purchase an English audio guide for 2.05€. Click here to book tickets online.

24. Berlin Story

Here you will find two different attractions the Berlin Museum and the Hitler – How Could It Happen Exhibit.

The Berlin Story Museum is located in a bunker and comprises of over 30 different displays taking you through 800 years of Berlin history as well as the 25 minute “Making of Berlin” film.  Using your audio guide you will walk through a snap shot into Berlin’s rich history.   You’ll need around 90 minutes to see all the displays in this museum.

The Hitler exhibit is the largest display on Hitler and National Socialism.  Also housed in a bunker from the WWII, you will learn how the state changed in a blink of an eye.  It takes around 90 minutes to see all the displays in this exhibit.

Location:  SchönebergerStraße 23A

Opening Hours:  10 am to 7 pm daily.

Price:  Entry to the Berlin Story Museum is 6€ (inclusive of audio) and 13.50€ (inclusive of audio) for the Hitler exhibit.  To book tickets online, click here for the Berlin Story Museum or here for the Hitler exhibit.

25. Museum of Natural History

For the kids that love museums, the Museum of Natural History is certainly a Berlin must do.  With over a million years’ worth of zoological exhibits there is something here for everyone.  The Museum offers an interesting insight into the natural world and features the world’s largest dinosaur skeleton a massive 13.27 meter tall Brachiosaurus.  Not to be missed is the Tristan encounter, an exhibit that is 66 million years old of a 12 meter long Tyrannosaurus Rex.  With over 200 scientists working at the Museum there is constantly new exhibitions on.

Location:  Invalidenstraße 43

Opening Hours:  Tuesday to Sunday – open from 9.30am weekdays and 10am weekends till 6pm

Price:  8€ for adults and 5€ for children 6-14 years.  Click here to purchase tickets online.

26. Zoo Berlin

If your 4-day Berlin itinerary allows it, take the kids to the Berlin Zoo. This is Germany’s oldest zoo and has around 20,000 animals.  The zoo also has the largest public aquarium in the world as well as featuring a big cat house, a hippopotamus house, a nocturnal animal house and also features the biggest bird house in Europe.

Location:  Hardenbergplatz 8

Opening Hours:  9 am to 4.30 pm in winter and 9 am to 6.30 pm in summer

Price:  Tickets vary depending if you want to see the Aquarium as well but start from 15.50€ for adults and 8€ for children, under 4s are free and different family passes are available.

27. The Story of Berlin

The Story of Berlin is an interactive museum and makes it a great way to learn about 800 years of Berlin’s history in a fun and interesting way, and makes it a perfect option for Families.  With over 23 different rooms the museum show cases everyday life of Berliners through the different historical events the city has faced.  Finish your tour with a visit to a nuclear bunker built in the 1970s which can offer protection to over 3600 people and is the largest bunker in Berlin.

Please note that this museum is currently closed for renovations and not due to re-open until December 2019.

Location:  Kurfürstendamm 207

Opening Hours:  10 am to 8 pm daily

Price:  10€ for adults and 5€ for children, with under 6s are free.

28. Anne Frank Zentrum

The Anne Frank Zentrum is an exhibition of some of her most fascinating yet tragic passages from her diary.  The tour starts with a time tunnel showing a parallel view on how the Nazi periods influenced one young girl’s life.  Multimedia stations give detailed information about the hiding place of Anne Frank’s family and the Exhibitions links back to modern days and the effects of the war even on young Berliners now.

Location:  Rosenthaler Straße 39

Opening Hours:  Tuesday to Sunday 10am to 6pm

Price:  10€ per adult and 5€ per child with under 9s free. 

29. Madam Tussauds

If you’re looking for stuff to do in Berlin with the kids that’s not all about history, then Madam Tussauds offers a break from Berlin’s sometimes gloomy history.  Get up close and personal to your favourite celebrities, sporting stars and Hollywood actors.  A waxwork collection of over 90 past and present figures including Rihanna and Lady Gaga, there is bound to be a favourite for every member of your family.  Don’t forget your camera for those hilarious photo opportunities.

Location:  Unter den Linden 74

Opening Hours:  10 am to 7 pm daily

Price:  25€ per adult and 19.50€ per child.  If you want to save some money – book online via Klook where tickets are 17.63€ per adult and 15€ per child.  Click here to book your discounted tickets. 

30. Museumsdorf Düppel

Museumsdorf Düppel is an open air museum dedicated to telling the story of Germany’s medieval times.  During 1967 archaeologist discovered signs of settlement in the area and in 1975 the recreated village was built on the original foundations and became open to the public.  Take a journey through rural Germany and Middle ages with the buildings being constructed using medieval tools and techniques.  Learn about the physical toll of medieval farming with everything being constructed exactly as it would have been in that era.

Location:  Clauertstraße 11

Opening Hours:  Weekends 10 am to 6 pm – on Sundays there are free guided tours from 11 am.

Price:  3.50€ for adults and is free for children under 18 years old 

31. Sachsenhausen Memorial

Sachsenhausen is the site of what was once one of the biggest concentration camps in Germany.  During 1936 to 1945 the camp housed around 200,000 inmates who were exploited and used for forced labour.  Several tens of thousands died due to brutal conditions.  After the Second World War the camp was then used again and was known as a silent camp with around 60,000 people living there and a saddening 12,000 passing away due to the conditions and diseases.

This once unthinkably horrible location is now a memorial centre and a place of learning.  It is recommended that children under 12 do not visit the memorial.

Location:  Straße der Nationen 22

Opening Hours:  From 8.30 am with varied closing times depending on the season

Price:  Free – however guided tours are recommended.  Click here to book your half day tour. 

32. The Domäne Dahlem – Country Estate and Museum

A once country house, the Domäne Dahlem has now become an open air museum and combines a working farm with exciting exhibitions and interactive learning experiences.  This site where land has been cultivated for over 800 years is now a place to learn all about food production and tells the story from food to plate.  Visitors can see historic farm machinery whilst in the house look at a recreation of a merchants shop, learn how to make all different crafts from artisans including jewellery making, restoring furniture and pottery.

Location:  Königin-Luise Straße 49

Opening Hours:  Wednesday to Sunday 10 am to 7 pm

Price:  5€ for adults and is free and anyone under 18 years old.

33. Tierpark Berlin

Tierpark was built in the former East Berlin when the city became divided and is now the largest zoo in Europe.   Make sure to plan a whole day for your visit to get the most out of your time.  With over 9,000 animals over a massive 160 hectares and with 900 different animal species there is so much to cover.  The elephants are a highlight of the zoo and if you visit on a Saturday or Sunday you may get to see them being bathed.

Location:  Am Tierpark 125

Opening Hours:  9 am daily with different closing times depending on the season

Price:  14€ for adults and 7€ for children aged 4 to 15 years old and different family pass options are available. 

Passes

Purchasing a city pass is often a great way to save money if you intend on visiting multiple attractions during your time in Berlin.  Some passes even include transportation.

As to which pass is the right choice for you, really depends on which attractions you intend to visit.  I recommend you compare the pass price to the individual attraction prices and make the decision from there.

Here are a few I recommend considering: 

1. Berlin City Pass

The Berlin City Pass provides you with free entry to over 50 of the best attractions, tours and museums as well as access to the hop on and hop off sightseeing buses.  Choose from a 2 or 3 day pass, with or without transportation.

Some of the attractions covered by the pass  with their associated entry fee are:

• Berlin Bus Tour (hop on hop off) – 19.00 €
• Checkpoint Charlie (Mauer) Museum – 14.50 €
• Berlin River Cruise – 15 €
• Berlin Dungeon – 21.50 €
• LEGOLAND Discovery Center – 19.50 €
• Madame Tussauds – 25 €

From Klook you can buy a 3 day pass without travel card for 87.20€ per adult and 65.205€ per child.  A 3 day pass with travel card is 108.30€ per adult and 79.20€ per child.   Click here for more information or to purchase the Berlin City Pass.

2. Berlin WelcomeCard

Another option without the big price tag is to buy a card which gives you a discount for the popular tourist attractions.  With the Berlin WelcomeCard you can save up to 50% on entry fees of over 200 Berlin attractions.  It also comes with a public transport card to help you get around.  What’s even better is up to 3 children between the ages of 6-14 travel free with every adult.  This is the card we had whilst travelling around Berlin and I think it’s well worth it.

Here’s a quick look at some of the attractions covered by the WelcomeCard, with the full admission price and the discounted admission price you received by showing the card:

Hop-on Hop-off bus tour	22,00 €	16,50€
TV Tower	19,50 €	14,63€
GDR Museum	9,80 €	7,35€
AquaDom & SEA LIFE	18,95€	13,26€
Berlin Zoo	15,50 €	11,70€
Madam Tussauds	25,00€	18.75€
Berlin Dungeon	21.50€	15.05€
Total:	132,25 €	97,24 €

 

So if you were to see the above attractions that’s a saving of 35.01€, plus you get public transport on top of that.

The Berlin WelcomeCard comes in 48-hour, 72-hour, 4-day, 5 day and 7-day options and start at 19.19€.  And remember you don’t need to purchase one for kids under 14 as they travel free on your pass.  Click here to purchase your Berlin WelcomeCard online.

If you plan on visiting some of the museums on Museum Island, you may want to consider getting a Welcome Card with the Museum Island Pass.  This is only available for the 72 hour pass.  Click here to purchase your Berlin WelcomeCard with Museum Island Pass here. 

Best Place to Stay in Berlin

The first thing you’ll notice about Berlin is that all the main attractions are fairly well spread out, with various mini cities, making it impossible to pick one central place that tourists should stay.  The good news about Berlin, is that the public transportation system is fantastic, so no matter where you stay, you’ll be able to reach all the attractions with ease.

During our time in Berlin we stayed in both Mitte and the Friedichshain areas.

Jugendgästehaus Hauptbahnhof

The first placed we stayed at in Berlin was Jugendgästehaus Hauptbahnhof, a hostel which is well set up to accommodate families during their stay in Berlin.  This is the ideal place for families wanting to be close to the main Berlin station and either easy walk or train ride to the main attractions. 

Location

The Jugendgästehaus Hauptbahnhof is only a 5 minute walk from the main Berlin train station, which makes it handy for getting around to see all the Berlin attractions.  We arrived super late at night, coming all the way from Australia, but still managed to find the hostel easily.

From the Berlin main train station, you can basically get anywhere within Berlin, or even Europe for that matter!  There is also a bus stop right outside the hostel also and you can easily walk to attractions such as the Reichstag Building and the Brandenburg gate. 

Rooms 

There are a variety of different room options at the Jugendgästehaus Hauptbahnhof including private rooms as well as dorm rooms.  Being family travellers we stayed in a one of their family rooms, which is just perfect for a family of up to 4.

As you can see from the above photo, family rooms contain and a double bed and bunk bed.  They also include a private spacious bathroom (see below) and a small sitting area.  One thing I loved being part of a family, is how the shower was in a separate room from the toilet.  So no telling the person in the shower to hurry up as you need to go to the loo!

I’m not sure if you can tell from the photo, but these rooms are really spacious!  There was plenty of room for all our luggage, there is even a small wardrobe by the door for jackets and shoes etc.  I loved the small sitting area which was perfect for a glass of wine and planning out the itinerary for the following day.

There are even wheel chair accessible rooms here too. 

Facilities

 Not only does Jugendgästehaus Hauptbahnhof  have fantastic family rooms, but they also have some great facilities as well.  Here’s a quick overview of whats on offer:

 

• Cafeteria: Each morning there is a great buffet breakfast served in the cafeteria.  Breakfast includes a range of cereals, breads, eggs, bacon, sausages and more.  Breakfast is 11.40€ per adult, 10€ per children 7-17 and 6€ per child 3-6 and under 3s are free.  The cafeteria also serves lunch on weekdays and is a buffet style.  Prices are super cheap – 1.20€ per 100g, 1€ for a salad and 0.80€ for dessert.  We were always out during the day so didn’t have lunch here, but the breakfast’s were delicious.

 

• Family Lounge: The younger kids will love the family lounge which includes board games, TV, books and toys. There is also a change table here as well as microwave and kettle.

 

• Baby Items for Hire: If you need things like a baby bath, potty, toilet seat, child locks etc, they are available for hire from the reception.

 

• 24 hour reception: Always someone available in case you need anything.  And they are super friendly!!

 

• Free Wifi:– great for planning out the next days itinerary.

 

• Kiosk:   There are snacks and drinks available.  They even sell wine!  Arriving late at night after 2 days of travelling from Australia, I was so pleased I could buy a bottle of wine.  There are no fridges in the rooms, but the guys at reception will write your name on your wine and keep it in the fridge for you – awesome!!

 Click here for more current pricing or to make a booking.

Other Hotels in Berlin

 If Jugendgästehaus Hauptbahnhof is booked out during your visit, here are a few other family friendly hotels to consider.  I have chosen all these hotels based on their ability to adequately accommodate a family of 2 adults and 2 children, having private bathroom facilities as well as being in a central location and an easy walk to transportation.  For cheaper accommodation you will need to move further out from the city and / or consider getting a room with shared bathroom facilities.

 

Schulz Hotel Berlin Wall at the East Side Gallery

This is the second hotel we stayed at whilst in Berlin and found also found it to a great family friendly hotel, although a bit more pricey compared to the Jugendgästehaus Hauptbahnhof:

• The Schulz Hotel Berlin Wall is located right across from the Berlin Ostbahnhof train station which is full of places to eat, as well as supermarkets.  With the train station right there, you can reach any attraction easily.  It’s also located right by the East Side Gallery.

 

• Facilities include a guest kitchen, laundry, Wi-Fi, lounge with cinema screen and restaurant.

 

• Rooms include 1 double bed and 2 singles, free WiFi, TV, private bathroom, and heating.

 

• 85% of people on TripAdvisor rate this hotel as excellent or very good.

 

• At the time of publishing the best rate was $200 AUD per night for 2 adults and 2 children on Booking.com.

 

Click here to check the prices and / or to make a booking for the Schulz Hotel Berlin Wall.

  

Novotel Berlin Mittee

We just love love the Novotel chain of hotels for families and have stayed with them all over the world.  They go out of their way to cater for families and all at a fantastic rate.

• The Novotel Berlin Mittee is located close to Museum Island, and only a 3 minute walk to the Spittelmarkt underground station.

 

• Facilities include a sauna, gym, Wi-Fi and restaurant.

 

• Rooms include 1 double bed, 1 sofa bed, mini bar, TV, tea and coffee making facilities and air conditioning.

 

• 88% of people on TripAdvisor rate this hotel as excellent or very good.

 

• At the time of publishing the best rate was $202 AUD for 2 adults and 2 children on Booking.com.

 

Click here to check the prices and / or to make a booking for the Novotel Berlin Mittee. 

 

LebensQuelle Hotel

• The LebensQuelle Hotel is located close to Checkpoint Charlie and is only a 3-minute walk to the Spittelmarkt underground station.

 

• Rooms include 1 double bed, 2 singles, Wi-Fi, seating area and heating.

 

• 45% of people on TripAdvisor rate this hotel as excellent or very good; and

 

• At the time of publishing the best rate was $222 per night including breakfast for 2 adults and 2 children on Booking.com.

 

Click here to check the prices and / or to make a booking for the LebensQuelle Hotel.  

Getting to Berlin

 You will most likely arrive in Berlin via train or plane.

Whichever way you intend to arrive in Berlin, I recommend before leaving home download the DB Navigator App – which is the German trip planner for public transportation.  We found it super helpful to get around whilst in Germany.  It provides information such as platform numbers for your trains, as well as real time information so you know if your train will be late and allow you to find another route.

Tegel or Schonefeld Airport

If you arrive by plane, there are two airports: Tegal and Schonefeld.

If you have purchased a Berlin WelcomeCard, your transportation will be covered.  Just ensure you have purchased the correct WelcomeCard depending upon which airport you arrive at.  You will need the AB card if arriving at Tegel or the ABC card if arriving at Schonefeld.  Also be sure to activate your card first by visiting the Tourist information Centre at Terminal A in either airport.

From Schonefeld the train runs every 30 minutes from the Flughaten Berlin-Schoenefeld station, which is around 10 minutes walking distance from the airport terminal.

From Tegel Airport take one of the local buses which are located outside terminal A and B.

Once you reach central Berlin, continue to use your WelcomeCard to take the local transport to your hotel.

Train

The main station in Berlin is Berlin Hauptbahnhof, where most trains will stop.  From here you can continue to use your WelcomeCard to take the local transport to your hotel.  Just be sure to activate your WeclomeCard at the Tourist Information Centre prior to boarding local transport.

We arrived in Berlin via train, as we had Eurail Global Passes.  Learn more about the different Eurail options here.  However if you are just travelling within Germany, a German Rail pass may be the best option.

Click here to read our review on travelling Europe with Eurail Passes.

Getting Around Berlin

Many of the Berlin attractions are clustered together so you can easily walk between a few at a time.  However overall the city is well spread out, so you will need transport to get you from one section of the city to another.

As mentioned before, having the WelcomeCard is an ideal of getting around the city as not only do you get unlimited use of public transport and free transportation for kids but you also get massive discounts into a range of attractions too.

Another option is to use the Hop On Hop Off bus, which not only will take you around to all the major attractions but also provide some commentary too.  Click here for more information about the hop on hop off buses, or click here if you want to get the bus tour with the boat pass too.  But in all honesty, save yourself the money and just get the WelcomeCard – we found the transport so easy.  Sure the first few times it took a bit of getting use to, but after your first few rides, you will be getting around Berlin like a pro!

Berlin: Our Verdict

We all absolutely loved Berlin.  There are so many interesting places to go to learn about the city’s history, great places to eat and it’s super easy to get around too.  Honestly 4 days in Berlin just simply isn’t enough to see all that it has to offer and I for one am certainly keen to return and explore more it’s wonderful attractions.

After Berlin we traveled by train to Prague – read our Prague with kids guide here.

Thanks to Visit Berlin, DDR Museum and Germany Spy Museum for hosting our visit.  However always, all opinions expressed in this post remain my own.

Please note that this post contains affiliate links, which means that if you make any bookings using the links I may receive a small commission at no extra charge to you.  This helps me provide this helpful information to you at no charge.