The best things to do in Berlin

1.The Brandenburg GateFree

Berlin's symbol, the 18th-century gate that stood just behind the Wall until 1989.

Tip: See it lit up after dark, when Pariser Platz is quiet.

2.The Reichstag domeFree

A glass dome on top of the German parliament, with a spiral ramp and an audio guide about the building's history.

Tip: It's free, but you must register online in advance and bring ID.

3.The TiergartenFree

Berlin's great central park, stretching west from the Brandenburg Gate, with lakes, beer gardens and the Victory Column.

Tip: Climb the Victory Column for a view down the avenue to the Brandenburg Gate.

4.Memorial to the Murdered Jews of EuropeFree

A field of 2,711 concrete slabs of different heights, a short walk from the Brandenburg Gate.

Tip: Visit the information centre underneath, which tells the stories of individual victims. It's closed on Mondays.

5.Museum Island

Five museums on an island in the Spree, including the Neues Museum, home of the bust of Nefertiti.

Tip: The main hall of the Pergamon Museum is closed for renovation for several years; check what's open before you go.

6.Berlin Cathedral

The huge domed Protestant cathedral next to Museum Island, with a crypt of Prussian royal tombs.

Tip: Climb the 270 steps to the dome walkway for a view over Mitte.

7.The TV Tower

The 368-metre East German tower at Alexanderplatz, with a viewing floor and a revolving restaurant.

Tip: Book a timed ticket online to skip the queue.

8.Topography of TerrorFree

A documentation centre on the site of the Gestapo and SS headquarters, next to a surviving stretch of the Wall.

Tip: Combine it with Checkpoint Charlie, a few minutes' walk away.

9.The Hackesche HöfeFree

A chain of eight connected Art Nouveau courtyards with shops, cafés and a cinema, near Hackescher Markt.

10.The Berlin Wall MemorialFree

The most complete stretch of the Wall and its death strip, along Bernauer Strasse, with a viewing tower.

Tip: Start at the visitor centre at the Nordbahnhof end and walk along the open-air exhibition.

11.Mauerpark on a SundayFree

A park on the old death strip with a big flea market and open-air karaoke on Sunday afternoons.

Tip: The karaoke only runs in good weather, roughly from spring to autumn.

12.The East Side GalleryFree

The longest surviving section of the Wall, 1.3 km long, painted by artists from around the world in 1990.

Tip: Walk it from Ostbahnhof towards the Oberbaum Bridge, then cross into Kreuzberg.

13.Berlin's clubs

Friedrichshain and Kreuzberg have the city's famous techno clubs, many open all weekend.

Tip: Most clubs ban photos and some have strict door policies. Go late; things start well after midnight.

14.The Jewish Museum

Daniel Libeskind's zigzag building, telling the history of Jews in Germany, with the striking Holocaust Tower.

15.Markthalle Neun

A 19th-century market hall in Kreuzberg with food stalls, a bakery and a small brewery.

Tip: Thursday evening is Street Food Thursday, the busiest and best night to go.

16.The Turkish market on MaybachuferFree

A long canal-side market of fruit, cheese, fabrics and Turkish snacks, on the Neukölln bank of the Landwehr Canal.

Tip: It runs on Tuesdays and Fridays.

17.Tempelhofer FeldFree

The former Tempelhof airport, now a huge park where you can walk, cycle and skate on the old runways.

Tip: Bring a picnic; there are barbecue areas and community gardens, but few cafés.

18.Charlottenburg Palace

The largest palace in Berlin, a baroque royal residence with formal gardens behind it.

Tip: The gardens are free and open every day.

19.Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church and KaDeWeFree

The bomb-damaged church tower kept as a war memorial, and KaDeWe, Berlin's grand department store, nearby.

Tip: Go up to the sixth-floor food hall at KaDeWe.

20.A day trip to Potsdam

Sanssouci, Frederick the Great's summer palace, and its park of palaces and gardens, about 40 minutes by S-Bahn or regional train.

Tip: A Berlin ABC ticket covers the journey.