Berlin and Munich both have a huge amount of sights and tourist attractions to see. But both are quite different in what they offer.
Things to Do in Berlin
Berlin is a city that embodies history like few others in the world. In its city center, you’ll find iconic landmarks such as the Museum Island (to save money I recommend buying the welcome card which includes all 5 museums + public transport access), the Reichstag, the Brandenburg Gate, the Memorial to the Murdered Jews, the Topography of Terrors, and Checkpoint Charlie.
These sites bear witness to the profound impact of World War II and the turbulent Cold War era, during which Berlin stood divided between East and West. To learn more about the history, it’s worth taking a guided walking tour around all these sites.
Speaking of this division, there are still sections of the Berlin Wall that can be visited today. At the East Side Gallery, you can admire beautiful and politically charged artwork adorning the remnants of the Wall. Additionally, the Berlin Wall Memorial at Bernauer Strasse offers an open space where you can immerse yourself in stories and visuals from that era.
For those interested in experiencing the vibrant and multicultural side of modern Berlin, exploring Mauerpark is a must. Every Sunday, this park hosts a lively flea market that attracts visitors from all walks of life.
Another area worth exploring is Friedrichshain and Kreuzberg neighborhoods, which boast a myriad of bars, restaurants, art galleries, markets, and nightclubs. These neighborhoods are a vibrant hub of creativity and offer an exciting blend of cultures, providing a glimpse into the alternative side of Berlin.
A good tip is to get the Berlin pass, which includes your travel around Berlin, whilst getting you into best museums and attractions for free.
Things to do in Munich
Munich, on the other hand, has more of an array of historic architecture to offer. The capital of Bavaria blends history, culture, and modernity, from its majestic buildings to its renowned beer gardens.
In the Old Town, you can stroll through the beautiful, Baroque streets of Munich (or maybe take a bike tour around the area). Marienplatz is the heart of the city, where you can marvel at the magnificent Town Hall, and other historical buildings. The city is also home to several world-class museums and art galleries, such as The Alte Pinakothek for art and the Deutsches Museum for science and technology.
No visit to Munich is complete without indulging in its beer culture. The city is famous for its beer halls and beer gardens (you can take a tour around the most important ones), where locals and visitors gather to enjoy a stein of Bavarian beer. The most famous beer hall is the Hofbräuhaus, which has been serving beer for over 400 years and offers a lively atmosphere filled with traditional music and hearty Bavarian cuisine.
And while Munich may not be known for its coastal location, it still offers a unique surfing experience right in the heart of the city. Located along the Eisbach River in the English Garden, a man-made standing wave known as the Eisbachwelle attracts surfers from near and far. Watching the surfers showcase their skills is a testament to Munich’s vibrant and unexpected recreational offerings.
Of course, Munich has its darker side too, if that’s what you are interested in seeing. You can visit Dachau Concentration Camp on the outskirts of the city, which was the first such camp to be set up by the Nazis. There’s more too, but compared to Berlin, this side of history isn’t quite as visible.
If you’d like to discover more about the history of how Munich became the “Capital of the Nazi Movement”, there’s a fully guided tour that takes you to the sites and explains the history.
Another positive for Munich is the surrounding Bavarian countryside, much of which is an idyllic, rural dream. The iconic Neuschwanstein Castle looks like it’s been taken out of the stills of a Disney movie, while the Linderhof Castle is not quite so dramatic but equally as compelling a historical sight.