DDR Museum
A hands-on, hugely popular museum recreating daily life in Communist East Germany – sit in a Trabant, snoop through a GDR flat, open every drawer. Fun and genuinely illuminating; busy, so go early.
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Jewish Museum Berlin
Daniel Libeskind’s jagged, unforgettable building houses two millennia of German-Jewish history, with voids and the haunting “Memory Void” that speak as powerfully as the exhibits. Moving and architecturally extraordinary.
Pergamon Museum
The star of Museum Island, home to monumental ancient reconstructions like the Ishtar Gate and Market Gate of Miletus. It’s under a long phased renovation, so check which wings are open before you book.
Neues Museum
A beautifully restored museum on Museum Island whose star is the 3,000-year-old bust of Queen Nefertiti, alongside a superb Egyptian and prehistory collection. The David-Chipperfield restoration is a marvel in itself.
Reichstag Dome
Norman Foster’s glass dome crowning the German parliament, with a spiralling ramp and a 360-degree view over the city. Entry is free but you must register online in advance – do it early, especially for sunset slots.
Fernsehturm (TV Tower)
The 368m TV Tower on Alexanderplatz – the tallest structure in Germany and an East-Berlin icon. Ride up for the best panorama in the city; there’s a (slowly revolving) restaurant near the top. Book a timed slot to skip the queue.
Impact Hub Athens
A community and coworking hub for people building social and environmental ventures, hosting events, incubators and a network of changemakers. A window into Athens’ fast-growing social-enterprise scene.
Forget Me Not
A gem of a shop in Plaka championing contemporary Greek design – witty, beautifully made objects, homeware and gifts from independent local designers and makers. A far better souvenir than the tourist tat nearby.
Athens Backpackers
A friendly, well-located hostel moments from the Acropolis Museum, with dorms, privates, a rooftop bar (Acropolis view included) and a big social scene. The easy, affordable base for younger travellers.
Shedia Home
A beautiful four-floor cafe-bar-restaurant, art space and shop run by the Shedia street-magazine organisation, employing around 30 people who were once homeless – its chefs trained by a Michelin star. Great food, a lovely heritage building, and every euro doing good.