Destination Berlin

To see

Berlin has a fantastic range of places to see. From the historic museums on the Museumsinsel to the glass dome of the new Reichstag. But don’t overdo it. Pick out a few good ones and leave something for your next visit. A few of the best places to see are described below. Tip: many museums are open until 22h00 on Thursdays and entry is free in the last four hours.

Reichstag

The German Lower House [Deutscher Bundestag] is based in this fantastic building. In 1999, it was completely redesigned by the English architect Lord Norman Foster. It’s an absolute must for anyone visiting Berlin. The view from the huge glass dome is phenomenal and free too. Restaurant available. Address: Platz der Republik 1 (the Tiergarten area) S-Bahn: Unter den Linden

Museumsinsel

This small island in the Spree is one of the most beautiful parts of Berlin and has no less than five historic museums. It has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1999. Visitors will find the beautiful Berliner Dom cathedral here too. U-Bahn/S-Bahn/city railway system: Friedrichstraβe (10 minutes on foot) Bus: 100, 200

Alexanderplatz and Fernsehturm

The spirit of old East Berlin still lives on here. For a beautiful view, you could visit the 368-metre high television tower (Fernsehturm), for example, where you can enjoy a cup of coffee as the café slowly turns. Address: Panoramastraße 1a U-Bahn/S-Bahn/city railway system: Alexanderplatz

Brandenburg Gate

Just like the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin is one of the most spectacular parts of the city. The history of this 200-year-old gate is impressive, and since the fall of the Wall, it has become a symbol of Germany’s reunification. Many national celebrations are staged here and tens of thousands of people gather here on 31 December to celebrate the New Year with champagne and fireworks. Address: Pariser Platz (the Mitte area) S-Bahn: Unter den Linden Bus: 100, 200

The Berlin Wall

The East Side Gallery is the longest and best-preserved part of the Wall. It is 1300 metres long and runs alongside the Spree River. International artists have painted this section of the Wall in bright colours. Address: Mühlenstraβe U-Bahn/S-Bahn: Warschauer Straβe

The Martin-Gropius-Bau Museum

This famous building, which dates back to 1881, houses exciting art and photo exhibitions from throughout the world. The evocative café takes you back to days gone by. Address: Niederkirchnerstraße 7 U-Bahn/S-Bahn: Platz