7 Ways to Experience the Past and Present in Berlin
Berlin Zoo
If you’re looking for fun things to do in Berlin, why not head to the zoo? One of the largest and most popular zoos in the world, the Berlin Zoo holds around 1,380 different species. For over 100 years, locals and tourists alike have come to see animals like elephants, great apes and polar bears.
Located inside Berlin’s large city park, the Tiergarten, the zoo also houses an aquarium with various sea life, reptiles and amphibians.
Along with typical animal feedings and shows, the Berlin Zoo also has a special VIP option for visiting six popular animals. For €80, plus the cost of regular admission, you’ll get up close and personal — sometimes even feeding the animals — for approximately 20 minutes.
Potsdamer Platz
In between the Tiergarten and Checkpoint Charlie, and just south of the Brandenburg Gate, lies the bustling heart of Berlin: Potsdamer Platz. Although the area was completely decimated in World War II, it now sees the most building developments within the city.
A hub for entertainment and culture, there are dozens of restaurants, attractions and shops all within walking distance here. See a movie at the Cinemaxx Berlin, take the kids to LEGOLAND Discovery Centre, or go shopping at one of the two malls in the area. Berlin even has its own version of the Walk of Fame in Hollywood there, celebrating the stars of German film and television.
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Philharmonie
Fans of classical music must make a pilgrimage to the Philharmonie, home to the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra. Frequently named as one of the top orchestras in Europe, the Berlin Philharmonic offers over 100 concerts every year inside their famous golden concert hall.
Legendary composers like Tchaikovsky and Strauss have formerly conducted the orchestra, which has been around since the late 1800s. There are even educational programs for children, teaching them how to enjoy music, play instruments and sing. Before you leave, be sure to also visit the Museum of Musical Instruments located right across the street.
