Berlin: sights at a glance

Alexanderplatz

It's the most famous square of Berlin. This large square was the centre of the East Berlin before the reunion of the city. It now represents the largest square in Berlin and is dominated by the impressive Fernsehturm (tv tower) which is located in the centre of the square. For more information about the history of the square and access details, click here.


Berliner Dom (The Berlin Cathedral)



The Berlin Cathedral was the church of the prussian royal family Hohenzollern. It was built by the king Willhelm II between 1894 and 1905. The building was seriously damaged during the Second World War and was reconstructed during the period 1975-1993 in a more simplified version. For more access details and other information, click here.

Bellevue Schloss (Bellevue Palace)

This impressive complex is now the official residence of the federal president in Berlin. This palace is surrounded by a beautiful garden. During the Second World War this palace was used as the guesthouse of the government of the Third Reich. After being seriously damaged during the Second World War, it was renovated and is used as the president's residence since 1994. You can visit the palace by using bus 100 or bus 187.

Brandenburg Gate (Bradenburger Tor)

Located at the heart of the Pariser Platz, is the absolute symbol of the city. You will find the gate at the end of the Unter den Linden. It represents the only remaining gate of the city and symbolizes the division of the city. You haven't seen anything of Berlin, if you haven't visited the Brandenburg Gate. Especially at night, it's fantastic! Go there by using the metro. It's near the station U Brandenburger Tor.


Charlottenburg Palace

This baroque style palace was used as a summer resicence by Sophie Charlotte. Her husband was coronated as King Friedrich I of Prussia in 1701 and the palace was expanded in order to look like Versailles. The palace was seriously damaged during the Second World War but it was reconstructed and offers to every guest the opportunity to admire its beautiful interior and to see the various rooms by following an audioguided tour. Don't forget to see the beautiful gardens.For more information, access and admission fees, just click here.


Checkpoint Charlie

After the construction of the Wall in 1961, this place was used as border crossing point between West and East Berlin. American and Sowiet soldiers stood there face to face. Located in Friedrichstrasse, the most central street in Berlin, is the place which represents the modern history of the city. In order to learn more about the history of the Wall, visit the museum Haus am Checkpoint Charlie. For access details and information about the museum, click here.

Fernsehturm

The 368 metres high TV tower is Berlin's highest building and offers a splendid view to the city. Don't forget to visit the Telecafe which rotates on its own axis and takes 30 minutes to go round. The tower is visited by 1,2 million visitors every year, so you will often find it crowded. You can avoid long waiting at the queue by buying VIP-Tickets via the official website or by using the SMS-service. For more information and access details, click here.


Friedrichstrasse

Friedrichstrasse is the most famous and popular shopping street in the centre of the city. Upper class stores with designer clothes and other famous shops can be found here. The street is 3,5 km long and apart from the shops, the famous Checkpoint Charlie is located here. For more information about this historical street, click here.

Funkturm

The 150m high radio tower was built in order to improve the quality of radio trasmissions in Berlin. It is made of steel and is based on the structure of the Eiffel Tower. There is a viewing platform at 126 m and a restaurant at 55 m which both offer you the opportunity to admire the city from above. For more information, click here.

KaDeWe

The largest department store in Europe, is located in Kurfurstendamm, in the heart of West Berlin. The store was opened in 1907 and represents the most historical department store of the city. Around 180000 people visit the store every day! If you want to live a true Berlin shopping experience, KaDeWe is really the place to be. For access details and other information, click here.

Kaiser Wilhelm Gedachtnis Kirche (The Church of king Wilhelm)

The church was built in 1895 in the memory of the king Wilhelm I and was damaged by a bomb in 1943. It's a neo-roman building with gothic elements.The church was reopened in 1961 and was the centre of West Berlin. It is famous for the blue glass walls made by Gabriel Loire. For more information about this historical church and access details, click here.

Kurfurstendamm

If you want to shop till you drop, Kurfurstendamm is the place to be! One of the longest streets in Berlin full of shops and cafes is waiting for you to come and enjoy the atmosphere of Berlin's shopping centres. For more information and access details, click here.



Museumsinsel (The museums island)

Located by the river Spree, it's the part of the city where 5 different magnificent museums can be found. You have the opportunity to visit either the Old Museum (Altes Museum) which houses a collection of sculptures or the New Museum (Neues Museum) which reopens in autumn 2009. Among the five buildings the most impressive is the Bodenmuseum, built in neo-baroque style which houses the collection of sculptures and the Museum of Byzantine Art, the coin cabinet and works from the Gemäldegalerie. Don't forget to visit the Pergamon Musem and the Alte Nationalgalerie. For more information about prices and opening times, visit the official website of the Berlin museums, here.

Nikolaiviertel

Countless bars, restaurants and medieval buildings are located in this quarter. This quarter is located between Spree river bank and the red town hall. The centre of the quarter is the St Nikolai church which is the oldest churc in Berlin. This part of the town offers you the opportunity to relax, enjoy a walk through its pedestrian zones and drink a coffee or have a meal with a view to Spree. For more details, click here.

Olympiastadion (Olympic Stadium)

Located in the suburbs of the city, this stadium was used for the Olympic Games of the year 1936. It also hosted in 2006 the final match of the FIFA World Cup Germany between France and Italy. Important sport events take place here every year. For opening times and other information, click here.

Potsdamer Platz

It's without doubt, the most impressive square in Berlin. With its high, colourfull and modern commercial buildings, shopping centres, restaurants and cafes, represents the New Berlin. When you are in this square, you feel differently. For more information, click here.

Siegessaule (Victory Column)

The Siegessaule with the golden statue of Victory on the top is certainly one of the most imposing landmarks in the city. You can admire a splendid view of the city by climbing up the viewing platform. To read about the history of the column and for other practical information, click here.

Rathaus (Town Hall)

The Town Hall of Berlin represents one of the most original and impressive buildings of the city. Somebody could say for sure that the colour of this building really makes the difference. It's red! That's the reason why everybody in the town calls it Rotes Rathaus (Red Town Hall).The building was seriously damaged during the Second World War and was reconstructed from 1951 till 1958. For more information, access and details, please click here.

Reichstag

This buiding is the seat of the german federal government . The most impressive part of the building is the glass dome from which you have the oppotunity to admire the parliamentary and government quarter. The german parliament is the most popular parliament in the whole world with 3 million tourists visiting it every year.There is also a roof garden restaurant at the east of the dome which offers a splendide view across Berlin. For more information and access details, try to visit the official website of the parliament. Please click here.

Unter den Linden

This magnificent avenue is located in the heart of Berlin and ends to Pariser Platz and the Brandenburg Gate. It's the most famous street in the whole town and the place were the central building of the Humboldt University and the Opera house is located. The linden trees dominate the street and make a walk there a unique experience!!!! Visit the street by using S1,S2 lines and buses 100 or TXL from the airport.

Zoologischer Garten

The zoological garden is a part of the Tiergarten complex and the largest zoological garden in Europe.It's the place to be not only for kids but also for everybody who loves seeing rare animal species in a well constructed physical environment. Don't forget to visit the aquarium and to see the most famous polic bear in Europe, Knut.For ticket information and access details,click here.

You may as well want to see an overview of the Berlin public transport system and ways to get from the aiports to the city.

Back to our Berlin articles collection.