If you’ve got an upcoming school trip to Berlin and are struggling for ideas on how to spend your downtime, or are simply looking for a few extra excursion ideas, then we’ve got just the thing. Our list of free things to do in Berlin is here to help both students and teachers navigate Berlin’s rich culture through a series of interesting and thought-provoking excursions
Berlin’s history is famous around the world – making it a great place to visit for history students. But, more than that, the city has strong political roots, and is home to a world-famous government. Students of both history and politics would hugely benefit from a trip to this magnificent city – but if you’re on a budget, you can make the most of all these sights free of charge…
One of the most popular visits in the city, Berlin’s Reichstag Building is home to the German Bundestag, the country’s national parliament. A free guided tour of the building allows students to learn the inner workings of parliament, as well as the history and architecture of the building.
Finish your trip with a visit to the building’s iconic dome, a glass centrepiece atop the roof which offers panoramic views of the city.
Please note that this experience requires booking in advance through the Bundestag website. Alternatively, there is limited availability for admission on the day, but this is allocated on a first come, first served basis.
The site of the former German Gestapo HQ, this permanent exhibition details the rise and fall of the institution, providing in-depth insight into the causes and events leading up to the start of WW2.
Great for history students, the museum is rich with information about the SS and Gestapo and is also surrounded by the longest remaining stretch of the outer Berlin Wall in the city.
Located close to the Brandenburg Gate, and just a few minutes’ walk from the Reichstag Building, The Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe is one of Berlin’s most famous sites of remembrance. It features 2,711 individual concrete slabs, representing the Jewish victims of the Holocaust.
The memorial is free to walk through 24hrs a day and, comprising 19,000m2 of concrete, can prove to be both moving and thought-provoking. An information point is also located on-site which is open during daytime hours.
With a vast selection of art galleries to choose from, Berlin provides a great base for art school trips. What’s more, lots of the city’s galleries are free to enter, and contain some world-famous works of art for students to observe.
Sat atop Museum Island, the Alte Nationale Galerie houses some of the most important works of the 18th and 19th centuries. Designed and built by architect F.A. Stüler between 1866-1876, the museum contains two centuries worth of work from prominent German and international artists, and is great for students observing 18th and 19th century art.
Standing tall as Berlin’s oldest museum, the Altes is home to some of world’s most remarkable pieces of art. One of the city’s most popular attractions, it’s home to many intriguing artworks – while the building itself has become a talking point after being damaged by a fire in WW2.
With an astonishing length of 1.3 kilometres, the East Side Gallery is the longest open-air gallery in the world. Housing some of the most iconic and thought-provoking imagery, this remnant of what was once the Berlin Wall serves as a tribute to both history and art.
Following the demolition of the Wall, 118 artists from 21 countries across the globe began painting the East Side Gallery. In September 1990, it officially opened and was granted protected memorial status just a year later.
Head to the banks of the river Spree in Friedrichshain to wander down the length of the wall or enjoy a drink in one of the many cafes and bars along the route.
Science students visiting Berlin have a wealth of options for cheap things to do in their downtime. Especially as the city has been home to lots of famous scientific discoveries – particularly in astronomy and biology.
Home to the longest moveable refracting telescope, the Archenhold Observatory is great for science students interested in astronomy and physics. At 21 meters long, the telescope is the main highlight of the observatory, with accompanying exhibitions focusing on observing and measuring various areas of our solar system and beyond.
A centre dedicated to helping visitors learn more about the human body, the Ottobock Science Centre houses an interactive three-storey exhibition with various multimedia installations. The aim of the centre is to bring awareness to inventions that help improve mobility for people with disabilities – something that could prove hugely beneficial for those looking to further a career in biology.
The Ottobock Science Centre is great for science students interested in the human body and aids for physical impairments.
If you’re planning a school trip to Berlin, our team of specialists can help organise bespoke itineraries fitting for any subject.
We will arrange everything from educational tours and workshops to accommodation and travel to ensure your trip goes smoothly.