Berlin

Copyright: Scholvien/Visit Berlin

Berlin

Welcome to Berlin — the capital of Germany, which has changed drastically since the Wall came down, becoming a major destination for culture, parties and niche hipster delights. Today Berlin is a young, dynamic metropolis open to the world right in the heart of Europe, setting new trends in architecture, art and fashion. Shiny modern business centres compete for attention with nostalgic 90s grunge, and young families have brunch while club kids bike home in the late morning. Discover its diversity — enjoy Berlin! Be a Berliner. Eat a Berliner.

The City

You can’t pigeonhole Berlin at all, and it is precisely this fact that makes the city so unique. Originally the symbol of the Cold War and division of Germany, the former “Walled-in City” at the border between West and East Europe has developed into an attractive travel destination, luring in visitors regardless of the season. The Berlin Wall divided one of the most popular metropolises in Europe for almost 30 years. When it came down on 9th November 1989, the world changed. For those who would like to go on a tour of discovery for the traces of the Wall where it used to run, there are many possibilities: one way is to experience the division at first hand at the Bernauer Straße Memorial, where the division created by the Wall is brought back to life by original parts of the actual death strips. Other places where you can trace the Berlin Wall are the East Side Gallery, the former border crossing point between East and West Berlin Checkpoint Charlie, and the associated Wall Museum. These days, the appeal of Berlin is its fascinating mixture of history and zeitgeist, offering diverse attractions in art, culture, music, entertainment and countless shopping possibilities. The modern hotel landscape, an incredibly diverse gastronomy and unbeatably favourable prices will make you want to return again and again. The city’s vibrant and flourishing creative scene combines with the fire-hot music and club culture to put a unique stamp on the unmistakable character of this metropolis. To be true, the first time you visit Berlin, you want to see the famous attractions. However, the second visit (at the latest) it’ll be clear what really makes Berlin feel special for you personally. Berlin has 12 districts and each of them possesses its own particular charm. In Berlin-Mitte fashion rules the roost. Neukölln has been transformed from a problem area into the hipster paradise. Prenzlauer Berg is famous for its family-friendly reputation. Kreuzberg has its multicultural scene and Friedrichshain is the centre of the alternate lifestyle.

Do & See

Whether you see the sights of Berlin by coach, steamer, bicycle or on foot – you’ll pass a lot of famous buildings and memorials. We’ll tell you which ones you really can’t afford to miss!

Dining

From a 3-course menu in a star-rated restaurant to boulettes or a doner kebab in the local snack bar — in Berlin there’s something to suit every taste and every budget. There are just no limits to the culinary diversities: Australian and French cuisine, exotic Asian dishes and the Berliner currywurst. Berlin’s regional cuisine is solid and tasty, served in cosy traditional pubs. A particular speciality is breakfast, which many cafes offer all day long — ideal for night owls who like to stay in bed a bit longer in the morning. In summer, the city life moves outside: beach bars along the banks of the Spree with a view of the water are specially favoured. They are perfect places for enjoying a cocktail or sipping a Berliner Weisse (wheat beer) after a sightseeing tour. The popular summer drink, a beer speciality mixed with raspberry or Waldmeister (woodruff) syrup, is something you really shouldn’t miss!

Cafes

The streets of Berlin are choc-a-bloc full with cafes. They've got everything that you need for a good start to the day, from lactose-free latte macchiato to a hearty buffet. You can grab a quick coffee to go and take a walk through one of the many parks in Berlin. Join the hoards of digital nomads tapping away at their laptops while sipping flat whites. Meet friends and family over brunch with crunchy sourdough bread and a generous spread of cold cuts and jams. In some cases, the distinction between cafes and bars in Berlin is not that obvious. Many places will serve you delicious meals all day, pour you a hot cup of coffee to keep you awake and will mix you a cocktail later in the night. Versatility is what Berlin is all about! Check out our list of the best cafes in Berlin:

Bars & Nightlife

Round your day off with a glass of nice wine or unleash the party monster within — you’re sure to find the right sort of bar to plan your individual evening in Berlin. Your choices range from the exclusive hotel bars with modern designs to traditional drop-in corner pubs, to exotic cocktail bars and oriental shisha bars. Particularly popular are the sky bars in the high-rise buildings on Ku’damm, at Alex or Potsdamer Platz. There are spectacular view of Berlin at night to be had from high over the city’s roofs. Berlin nightlife is legendary. The parties. The music. The people. In this respect, it’s a question of “Your wish is Berlin’s command”! Well-known DJs present the latest sounds to their audiences in the city’s countless clubs, bars and discotheques. And there are always new clubs popping up everywhere. The intent of the party people is obvious: dance, have fun and party into the small hours. Because there are no closing hours in Berlin.

Shopping

Lovers of exclusive designer fashion, bargain hunters, trendsetters looking for the latest fashion and all those, who would like to take more than just pleasant memories of their stay in Berlin home with them, are guaranteed to get their money’s worth in the large shopping centres, department stores, small shops and exclusive boutiques in the city. Hip, casual and trendy or classical, elegant and timeless — there’s something for every taste and budget. One of the most popular shopping streets is Kurfürstendamm (also known as Ku'damm). The Kaufhaus des Westens (KaDeWe for short) in Tauentzienstraße is the largest department store on the European mainland and has an enormous range of goods. In Berlin-Mitte, the legendary Friedrichstraße now exudes a cosmopolitan flair thanks to its new architecture and chic stores like the Galeries Lafayette or Quartier 206. Alexa at Alexanderplatz is also a great place for shopping. For new trends and original accessories, having a look in the small shops dotted around the Hackesche Höfe in the former Scheunenviertel (barn district) is well worth your while. There are lots of young Berlin designers represented in Münzstraße as well as Alte and Neue Schönhauser Straße. And let’s not forget that Kastanienallee in Prenzlauer Berg or Bergmannstraße in Kreuzberg also have some pretty hot fashion shops, too. Tip for bargain hunters and eco-conscious shoppers: The numerous flea markets in Berlin are great places to be on weekends. Go on Sundays at Straße des 17. June, in the Mauerpark (Wall park) or at Boxhagener Platz.

Tourist Information