2 Best Sights in Berlin, Germany

Kulturforum

Potsdamer Platz Fodor's choice
Kulturforum
Claudio Divizia / Shutterstock

This unique ensemble of museums, galleries, and the Philharmonic Hall was long in the making. The first designs were submitted in the 1960s and the last building completed in 1998. Now it forms a welcome modern counterpoint to the thoroughly restored Prussian splendor of Museum Island, although Berliners and tourists alike hold drastically differing opinions on the area's architectural aesthetics. Whatever your opinion, Kulturforum's artistic holdings are unparalleled and worth at least a day of your time, if not more. The Kulturforum includes the Gemäldegalerie (Picture Gallery), the Kunstbibliothek (Art Library), the Kupferstichkabinett (Print Cabinet), the Kunstgewerbemuseum (Museum of Decorative Arts), the Philharmonie, the Musikinstrumenten-Museum (Musical Instruments Museum), the Staatsbibliothek (National Library), and the Neue Nationalgalerie (New National Gallery).

Urban Spree

Friedrichshain

A sprawling arts and event space, Urban Spree includes an exhibition gallery, workshop, art store, beer garden, and outdoor food court. Largely focused on urban graffiti, photography, and street art, the space also hosts a number of Berlin's alternative events including MidSommar Festival and several food festivals.