Berlin, the capital of Germany, is a fascinating destination with an almost endless array of exciting things to see and places to visit. Here are some tips to inspire you if you want to explore the city. Enjoy!

Brandenburg Gate

Like no other building, the Brandenburg Gate symbolizes Germany’s separation and subsequent reunification after World War II. After construction of the Wall in August 1961, the Gate was located in the prohibited zone between East and West Berlin. There are unforgettable images of the fall of the Berlin Wall in November 1989, when the Gate was reopened and became the symbol of Germany’s reunification.

 

Potsdamer Platz

Then a bustling traffic intersection in the 1920s, today Potsdamer Platz is Berlin’s vibrant urban center. Rebuilt after the fall of the Berlin Wall on the former border strip, the area became a prime business location and an entertainment hotspot. Every year in February, the red carpet is rolled out for the glamorous Berlinale film festival.

 

Museum Island

A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1999, this small island in the River Spree accommodates a unique complex of five world-renowned museums. Berlin’s “treasure island” exhibits a prestigious collection of art and cultural legacy, spanning six thousand years of history from the ancient world to the 20th century.

 

The Reichstag

A witness to Germany’s darkest hours and also to thriving German democracy, the Reichstag returned to be the seat of the German parliament when Berlin became the country’s capital after the reunification. The panoramic view from the roof terrace and Norman Foster’s glass dome is spectacular. With a little luck, you may even catch a glimpse of a parliamentary debate.

 

East Side Gallery

After the fall of the Berlin Wall, artists turned a 1.3 km long section of the former wall into the largest open-air gallery in the world. One of the best known pictures among more than 100 paintings on the banks of River Spree: “The mortal kiss” between Erich Honecker and Leonid Brezhnev.

 

Traffic light men (Ampelmännchen)

The iconic traffic light men from Eastern Germany guide you safely across the streets of Berlin. The Ampelmann stores in Berlin offer gifts and trinkets featuring the little red and green friends. Visit the flagship store at the Unter den Linden and Friedrichstrasse intersection, not far from the Brandenburg Gate and exactly where the first traffic lights with the original Ampelmännchen were located.

 

 

Currywurst

It is impossible to leave Berlin without tasting an original curry sausage. Konnopke and Curry 36 are two legendary spots – every good currywurst stall has its own sauce recipe and every Berliner has his or her favorite takeaway.

 

 

Trabi tour and TV Tower

In the mood for a nostalgic city tour? Why not go on a Trabi safari with the legendary Trabant car of the former German Democratic Republic. Don’t miss a stop at Berlin’s most prominent landmark and Germany’s highest building, the TV tower. Berlin will be at your feet.

 

The Bridge of Spies

The Glienecke Bridge over the River Havel in Berlin’s green South links the cities of Berlin and Potsdam. Durinq the Cold War, the bridge was the mysterious setting for the exchange of secret agents between the United States and the Soviet Union. Steven Spielberg’s movie “Bridge of Spies” starring Tom Hanks, filmed at these authentic locations, tells the story.

 

Gendarmenmarkt

Two cathedrals on one square? At Gendarmenmarkt, Berlin’s most beautiful city square, the German and French Cathedrals and the concert hall form a one-of-kind neo-classical ensemble. In the streets around the city square, some of Berlin’s most elegant fashion stores and gourmet shops are waiting to be explored.