verb
to visit (a place), to tour; to sightsee
A1
Besichtigen means 'to visit' (a place) or 'to tour/sightsee'. It's a regular, weak verb (besichtigte, besichtigt) using haben for perfect tenses (ich habe besichtigt). Non-reflexive and inseparable. It takes a direct object (Accusative: eine Stadt besichtigen) and doesn't require a specific preposition.
Examples
Am Wochenende möchten sie die Altstadt besichtigen.
At the weekend they want to tour the old town.
Wir haben die Burg besichtigt.
We visited the castle.
Wir besichtigen morgen das neue Museum.
We're visiting the new museum tomorrow.
Details
Mnemonics
Picture yourself pointing at a famous building and saying 'We're going to besichtigen that!' — visualize touring a museum or landmark.
Sounds like 'be sight-seeing' — besichtigen = be-sight-igen (visit sights).
Notes
A transitive verb typically used for visiting sights, buildings or exhibitions (take an accusative object). It usually implies sightseeing or inspecting a place rather than visiting people (use besuchen for people). Perfect uses haben: 'hat besichtigt'.