Art & design school trips to Berlin

We can’t wait to show you Berlin from the top of the city’s TV Tower, which soars 368 metres above ground level to show you unparalleled views of Germany’s capital. Built during the DDR era, the TV Tower is also an excellent place to teach students about the reunification of the city after the fall of the Berlin Wall – the tower undergoing a significant symbolic transformation to reflect this change.

Located in the city’s Museum Island in Berlin’s historic centre, the Pergamon Museum is a listed building that’s famous for the incredible Pergamon Altar, which dates back to the 2nd Century BC. Elsewhere in the museum, students can also find other well-preserved sites from around the world such as the Market Gate of Miletus and the Ishtar Gate – the most impressive of the hundred gates into the ancient city of Babylon.

The Berlinische Galerie houses one of the city’s largest modern art collections, featuring works by Otto Dix, Max Liebermann and George Grosz. Located in the creative Kreuzberg district, this is a must-visit gallery for art students. Don’t miss the opportunity for a group photo on the gallery’s giant yellow letter grid –– a favourite photo spot of the Equity team’s for years.

One of Berlin’s most iconic sites, the Brandenburg Gate is a neoclassical monument built during the 18th century which holds a wealth of history as a site for major historical events. Now considered as a symbol of unity and peace, the gate is an essential stop on any tour of Berlin – offering an excellent opportunity for students to contemplate the country’s tumultuous history within Europe.

After the fall of the Berlin Wall, over 100 artists from 21 countries gathered to paint a series of murals on the remains of the wall – depicting former times of pain, struggle and restriction. A popular excursion for history and art students, we’ve seen students inspired as they walk along the East Side Gallery – the longest open-air gallery in the world.

Explore Berlin’s contemporary art scene in this decommissioned railway station, which serves as a fantastic backdrop for an elaborate collection of paintings, sculptures and digital art. Students will be able to see how artistic movements have adapted over the last 70-plus years, taking influence from conceptual art and pop art to minimalist designs as they view works from the likes of Andy Warhol, Cy Twombly and more.

Regarded as one of the most important German artists of the 20th century for her expression of poverty, hunger and war, Käthe Kollwitz is immortalised in this museum through the largest collection of her works in Berlin. Students can explore an overview of the artist’s work while walking through the museum, which combines her life and her art in their historical context.

An excellent museum for budding artists and photography enthusiasts, the Museum of Photography houses a vast collection of works from the prolific photographer Helmut Newton, as well as rotating special exhibits which explore the medium of photography in its changing forms.

One of the most frequently visited sights in Berlin, the Reichstag is the current home of the German parliament and a global symbol of democracy. An excellent excursion for students to learn about German politics both present and past, the Reichstag also houses a walkway inside its glass dome, which spirals to the top of the Reichstag and boasts spectacular panoramic views of Berlin.

Instantly recognisable from its Greek-temple style exterior, the Alte Nationalgalerie presents a three-storey collection of 19th-century European art – one of the largest in all of Germany. Home to around 2,000 paintings and just as many sculptures, the gallery is a sight to behold for art students, who can be inspired by the variety of Neoclassical, Romantic, Impressionist and Modernist works on display.

Kaufhaus des Westens (Department Store of the West), or KaDeWe, is an excellent option for some retail therapy during your school trip to Berlin, featuring eight floors of merchandise to appeal to every shopping need. The second largest department store in Europe, the retail giant attracts 40,000 to 50,000 visitors daily, and is easily found on the famous shopping street of Tauentzienstraße.

Treat your group to a couple of hours on Berlin’s most famous and elegant shopping boulevard, where students can search for souvenirs, explore fashion trends and people-watch in cafes. Marked by KaDeWe department store on its eastern end, and luxury boutiques throughout, the street comprises almost five kilometres of retail paradise – the perfect winding-down activity for students after a day of learning.