10+ Hidden Gems and Secret Spots in Berlin You Have to Visit

Last Updated on 29th November 2023 by Sophie Nadeau

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If you’re headed to the German capital anytime soon, then you’ll probably want to check out all of the major sights such as the Brandenburg Gate, the Reichstag, and Museum Island. However, once you’ve seen the must-sees, it’s worth noting that there’s a whole off the beaten path side of the city worth discovering. Here’s your guide to the best hidden gems and secret spots in Berlin.

I have now visited Berlin a handful of times, and each time I have been lucky to discover new and unique things to do. If you’ve never been to the German capital before, then one of the most important things to remember is that the city is pretty spread out, making it hard to see everything in one go.

For some ideas on how to manage your time, check out our suggestions on how to spend 2 days in Berlin.

Secret spots in Berlin

World Time Clock 

Also known as the Urania World Clock, this turret-style world clock is located in Alexanderplatz and was erected in 1969. The world clock is so-called because it shows the times in 148 major and important cities from around the world.

Drain covers

One of the more unusual aspects to look out for when wandering around the city is the drain covers. Some drain covers in Berlin are pretty ornate (including ones close to Alexanderplatz). Look out for ones which say ‘Berlin’ and are decorated with key attractions in the city such as the TV Tower, the cathedral, and the Reichstag.

Bauarbeiter-Denkmal

While many people are in awe of the towering TV tower and lost in the hustle and bustle of the constant crowds of Alexanderplatz, fewer people notice the smaller (yet just as significant) monuments in the vicinity around the square.

One such monument is Bauarbeiter-Denkmal, which was constructed to honour the builders of East Berlin’s city centre after the Second World War. The story of how the area was rebuilt following the War is told over a number of bronze reliefs and the sculptor was Gerhard Rommel.

Ruins of the Franciscan monastery church

One particular hidden gem of Berlin that I had never seen mentioned before our trip is actually one which can be spied from the top of the Berlin TV Tower is the haunting ruins of the Franciscan Monastery.

This is actually one of the only monuments from Berlin’s founding history which is still standing to this day and was the first building in the city to be built entirely of brick. The Franciscan monastery was actually dissolved after the Reformation and the building was turned into the first grammar school.

At the end of WWII, the monastery was badly damaged during bombing and all that remained was the bombed out shell of the former monastery. Today, the area is mostly used to host art shows and the like.

Middle Ages Paintings in St Mary’s Church

Now, many people take the time to enter inside St Mary’s Church since it’s so close to the Berlin TV Tower. But what you might not stop to take some time to look at is the entrance way. However, if you do take a moment to glance to your left after entering, then you’ll see the remains of frescoes which date back to the Middle Ages.

Three Girls One Boy statues 

One of the more centrally located statues in Berlin is Three Girls One Boy Statue, which overlooks the Berlin Cathedral. The set of four Statues were designed by German sculptor Wilfried Fitzenreiter in 1988. I particularly enjoy the view onto the cathedral (Berliner Dom) from next to the statues.

Computer Game museum 

One of the most fun and interesting museums in Berlin is the Computer Game Museum. For just over 10 euros you can play all of your childhood games on old consoles and learn about the history of video games. In German, it’s known as the Computerspiele Museum.

One of my favourite aspects of this museum is that a number of the rooms have been converted to look like childhood bedrooms from the 1980s and 1990s. As you can imagine, this museum is particularly popular among families and so it is best to avoid weekends and holidays if you want to maximise the time you’re able to actually play on the games!

Shakespeare and Sons Bookstore 

If you’re the kind of person who enjoys frequenting independent bookshops while travelling, then you can’t miss out on the chance to visit Shakespeare and Sons. This English language bookshop sells not only books, but also functions as a café where you can enjoy piping hot coffees with freshly baked bagels.

Hallesches Haus 

If you’re a fan of unique coffee stores which double up as concept stores, then Hallesches Haus is a must-see in the Tempelhof district of Berlin. Vegan and vegetarian options are on the menu, as well as seasonal products. I particularly loved all of the fun gifts for sale in the adjacent concept store, including candles, prints, vases, and greetings cards.

Find the Invaders 

If you’ve ever been to Paris, then no doubt you’ve spied the little mosaics peppered across the city. These street artworks are created by an anonymous street artist known simply as ‘Invader’.

From full sized mosaics that cover an entire block to smaller pieces the size of your hand that can only be spied by those with the most eagle of eyes, there’s even a Pokemon-style app called ‘Flash Invaders’ where you can take photos of the mosaics you find and keep a record of how many you’ve found. There are 12 Invaders to be found in Berlin.

Urban Nation 

If it happens to be raining during your time in Berlin, then there are numerous galleries and museums in which you can spend a day sheltering from the weather. One of my favourites of these is Urban Nation, an art gallery that is completely free to visit.

Kaiser Wilhelm Church 

Yet another ecclesiastical building which was heavily destroyed during WWII bombings was the Kaiser Wilhelm Church. In fact, all that remains of this once grandiose ecclesiastical building is the central tower, which has been left in a charred state and was not rebuilt in order to serve as a reminder of the war.

Entrance into the base of the tower is free and operates as a small museum documenting the history of the church and its surroundings. The church itself was rebuilt, as was a modern looking belfry, using pieces of stained glass inlays which were taken from the destroyed church.

Parliament of Trees 

Known as the Parlament der Bäume in German, this small park serves as a memorial for the death victims of the Berlin Wall. The memorial was created on the 9th November 1990 by artist Ben Wagin and incorporates real portions of the Berlin Wall.

Airplane in Tempelhof 

The former Tempelhof airport turned park is one of the more local spots to visit in Berlin and the best time to go is undoubtedly during the summer months. But one of the cooler things to see within the park itself is the abandoned aeroplane,  N106TA.

In October of 1987, a passenger plane skidded off the runway. The plane was repaired but continuing faults meant that the plane was swiftly decommissioned just a few flights later. In the decades that followed, the fire service used the plane for drills.

Today, the aircraft is surrounded by a fence to stop people from damaging the plane and spraying graffiti on it. Nevertheless, you can still approach right up until the iron grill in order to snap photos of the plane and read the plaques which detail more about its fascinating history.

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