Berlin

Encounter Modern History

Since reunification and the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1990, Berlin has firmly established itself as a cosmopolitan city with grand buildings, trendy restaurants, a rich artistic culture and a city awash with the fascinating history of the 20th Century.

A relatively young city by European standards, much of Berlins heritage buildings were badly damaged towards the end of World War II and during the period of division of the Cold War. Berlin's neighbourhood all have their own distinctive flair, from the few surviving medieval buildings near Alexanderplatz, to the ultra-modern glass and steel new buildings, such as the iconic glass dome atop the Reichstag building. Berlin itself is a huge, sprawling city, so be sure to leave yourself plenty of time to see the highlights.

As the capital city of Germany, Berlin is well known for its culture, politics, universities, museums and nightlife. The buzzing city has over 170 museums and is known for its art, design and music. With such a heavy history behind it, this city now projects vibrant energy and countless attractions that keeps their visitors returning for more.

With a great deal of attractions documenting the city's past, such as the Brandenburg Gate and the Berlin Wall Memorial, Berlin is also home to a vast array of modern museums, art galleries, public parks, sculpture, theatre, live music, arts festivals and sporting teams.

Insiders' Tips

1. Berlin Walking Tour: This walk takes you on a journey through the city's amazing history, uncovering some of its most iconic buildings, sites, and sites of historical significance. A must do!
2. Checkpoint C: The Checkpoint Charlie Museum, located very close to the centre of Berlin, used to be the main military crossing between East and West. Today, it is a lasting reminder of the many Germans that attempted to cross the border
3. Berlin Cathedral: Dating all the way to the 15th Century, this beautiful cathedral suffered heavy damage during World War 11. Today visitors can go up to the top of the dome and witness a magnificent view of Berlin.
4. Take the U2 to Zoo Station: In a case of life imitating art, you can actually ride the U2 line from Alexanderplatz to Zoologischer Garten, the station that inspired the band.
5. See the Golden Bear: Berlin hosts one of the world's leading film festivals, and unlike Cannes, all screenings are open to the public.

More Information

For maps, days tours and accommodation options, visit the Berlin chapter in our online Europe brochure here.