A trip to Berlin wouldn’t be complete without visiting the Reichstag, East Side Gallery or the city’s iconic TV Tower. The German capital’s must-visit attractions encompass world-class museums, poignant street art and awe-inspiring architecture.

Tourist attractions get a bad rap – they can be expensive, corny and, worst of all, crowded. But in Berlin, with its rich and turbulent history, the prime attractions offer the opportunity to learn about the city’s complex past in engaging, dynamic ways – from Prussian palaces and the World War II years to the Cold War and beyond. And that’s before even mentioning Berlin’s world-class collection of museums, which head much further back in time. However, don’t think you need to spend your vacation time waiting in queues as many of these attractions can be booked online, meaning you can go straight to the heart of the action, sometimes even with an expert guide.