A symbol of division during the Cold War, the recently restored landmark Brandenburger Tor now epitomises German reunification. The 1791 structure is the only surviving one of 18 city gates.
Mitte is the glamorous heart of Berlin, a high-octane cocktail of culture, commerce and history.
Concrete stelae spread across a huge field like an abstract cemetery. You’re free to access this maze at any point and make your individual journey through it.
Berlin’s most splendid boulevard extends for about 1.5km east of the Branden-burger Tor.
It is Berlin’s most graceful square. The twin churches of Deutscher Dom and Französischer Dom frame Schinkel’s Konzerthaus to form a superbly har-monious architectural trio.
On its northern half, Museumsinsel (Museum Island) is a treasure-trove of art, sculptures and objects. Collectively they became a Unesco World Heritage Site in 1999.
In a strange twist, it wasn’t far from the Holo-caust Memorial where Hitler spent his final days ensconced in his bomb-proof bunker.
A sensitively restored Greek-temple building by August Stüler, the Alte Nationalgalerie is an elegant setting for an exquisite collection of 19th-century European art.
If you only have time for one museum while in Berlin, make it here. A feast of classical Greek, Babylonian, Roman, Islamic and Middle Eastern art and architecture, it will amaze and enlighten you.
One of Germany’s largest collections of sculptures from the Middle Ages, fine examples of Christian and Byzantine art from the 3rd to the 19th centuries and a precious collection of ancient coins.
Great 1905 neo-Renaissance cathedral. There are some pretty good views from the upper viewing gallery and concerts.
For centuries the primary residence of the Hohenzollern kings. The GDR government razed the barely war-damaged palace in 1951 and, 25 years later, replaced it with the Palast der Republik.
Is one of Berlin’s liveliest areas, teeming with bars, restaurants and night-clubs, especially around Hackescher Markt and along Oranienburger Strasse and its side streets.
For the health conscious, Tiergarten is a great place to get away from IFA. Take a jog with everyone training for the Berlin marathon which takes place just three weeks after the event.
Perhaps the most visible symbol of the ‘New Berlin’. The historical Potsdamer Platz was a busy traffic hub that became synonymous with metropolitan life and entertainment in the early 20th century.
Cluster of museums and concert venues off the southeastern edge of Tiergarten park was master-planned in the 1950s by Hans Scharoun,
The history of German Jews and their contributions to culture, art, science and other fields are creatively chronicled at the sprawling Jüdisches Museum
Near the Jewish Museum is this Berlin museum that concentrates on modern art, architecture, and photography. Check out their website regarding updates on temporary exhibitions. Wednesday-Monday 10 am.
Built for the 1936 Olympic Games. A spidery web of glass, steel and fibre-glass membrane, it beautifully softens the monumental bulk of Werner March’s original coliseum-like structure.
This Baroque palace at the Chalottenburg district is the largest palace in Berlin. Has been beautifully restored (after being destroyed in WWII) and is home to the French-styled Charlottenburg Park.
Go and have a look to this nice, partly open air museum. The entrance is free!
A potent symbol of the Cold War, Checkpoint Charlie was the main gateway for Allies, other non-Germans and diplomats between the two Berlins from 1961 to 1990.
True underground Berlin experience. You have to see this before they demolish it to build some fancy hotels
