Brandenburg Gate
This is one of the places we recommend visiting first in Berlin. The original name of this monument was the Gate of Peace. They are located in the Mitte district, in the very center of Berlin. The Brandenburg Gate was erected under the direction of Karl Gotthard Langhans in 1791 and became one of the first works made in the style of Berlin classicism. For a long time, the gates were a symbol of the division of Berlin, but in 1989, after the Federal Republic of Germany reunited with the GDR, they began to embody the unification of the country into a single whole. During the Second World War, the gates were almost completely destroyed by bombing; they were restored only in 1956, but the process was finally completed only two years later.
Sights of Berlin: what else to visit while in Berlin
If you have free time, it is worth including lesser-known monuments of history, nature and architecture in your tour of the German capital. However, even if there is no clear plan of where to go, tourists have numerous guides in Berlin at their disposal, who will not have any difficulty in choosing a route taking into account your wishes.
Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church
Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church in Berlin
The last Emperor of Germany, Wilhelm II, personally supervised the construction of the church in honor of the first German Emperor, Wilhelm I, thanks to which the structure stretched 113 meters high.
During World War II, the building suffered severe damage, and the city authorities wanted to demolish the church to build a new one, but the townspeople defended the destroyed building. For the edification of descendants, the destroyed tower reminds us of the inadmissibility of war.
The Berliners themselves nicknamed the memorial church the Blue Church because of the shimmering blue glass, illuminated in a special way, which creates a special mood inside the room, which was added to the old part in 1961. In this way, the architects combined the past and the present. The sights of Berlin often connect the history of bygone days with our era, making us think about the past.
Olympic Stadium
Olympic Stadium in Berlin
German sports traditions are reflected in the history of the Olympiapark sports complex. The first stadium was built here in 1916 to organize the Summer Olympics. The next Olympic Games in Berlin were held in 1936, for which the Nazi government rebuilt Germany's main sports arena during the three years preceding the games. The stadium was given a classic antique shape, which was supposed to indicate the Third Reich as the successor to the Holy Roman Empire.
The stadium, bombed during World War II, was restored by the Germans by 1960, and it became an important arena for football matches. The last modernization of the complex was carried out in 2006; the suspended roof now allows sports competitions to be held in any weather conditions, which is why fans are very fond of the Olympiastadion. The cultural attractions of Berlin attract football fans to a much lesser extent than sports facilities, which is why the Olympic Stadium is of special importance to fans.
Official website: https://olympiastadion.berlin
Grunwald forest
Grunwald Forest in Berlin Rae Allen
The largest green area in the southwest of Berlin is the Grunwald Forest Park. Guests staying in this part of the city have something to visit in Berlin without going to the historical center. The Grunwald Forest is well-groomed in German style, equipped with toilets, and the long paths are good for walking or cycling. On the picturesque shores of numerous lakes, lovers of active recreation admire the surface of the water, listen to the sounds of wildlife, and swim in the cool water. One of the best places to get away from city noise and breathe clean air.
French Cathedral
French Cathedral in Berlin
This church on Gendarmerie Square was first erected at the beginning of the 18th century and was subsequently rebuilt several times. The cathedral was named French because of the Huguenot parishioners who fled France during persecution and held their services in the temple. Even non-religious travelers have something to see in Berlin in terms of the architecture of religious buildings, and the French Cathedral is clear proof of this.
Old National Gallery
Old National Gallery in Berlin
In the antique building of the Old National Gallery, art lovers will be able to get acquainted with the richest collection of paintings of various styles created in the 19th century. The names of Menzel, beloved by the Germans, as well as Manet and Monet, Liebermann, Böcklin attract specialists and those interested in the gallery like a magnet. The works of European sculptors also have a significant place in the collection of this museum.
Official website: https://www.smb.museum
Tiergarten park
The Great Tiergarten in Berlin Florian Stangl
When listing the sights of Berlin, it is necessary to mention the Tiergarten - a huge park in the city center. Here they walk along the shady alleys, contemplate the chic flower beds, watch the kayakers train along the canal, drink beer in the traditional biergarten and feed the ducks in the lake. There is something to suit every visitor's liking. To explore most of the interesting corners of the park, you can hire a pedicab.
Red Town Hall
Red Town Hall in the half-Renaissance-half-Gothic style on Alexander Square in Berlin
One of the most condensed and intense options for traveling to the German capital is a weekend trip to Berlin. What to see in the legendary city with only a couple of days to spare? Of course, it’s worth starting your acquaintance with the most important cultural and historical sites, which certainly include the Red Town Hall. This iconic building is as significant for residents as the Kremlin is for Muscovites. It appeared here back in the Middle Ages, only in the mid-19th century a new one, made of unbaked red brick, was erected on the site of the dilapidated building. The recognizable dark red facade is decorated with stucco and topped with sculptures of bears, symbolizing the once influential Askani family. You can get inside the Town Hall only twice a year, on Museum Night: just outside the doors you can see the Armorial Hall, then the meeting room and corridors with snow-white columns, marble staircases and red carpets.
Official website: https://www.berlin.
Köpenick Palace
Köpenick Palace and palace park on an island on the Dame River in the east of Berlin
Once upon a time, the Köpenick district was an ancient settlement of Slavic tribes, who built the first fortress here. In the middle of the 16th century, the fortress was demolished, and in its place a hunting castle in the Renaissance style rose, later in the 17th century a park was laid out, and now in front of the castle there is a large square surrounded by paths, green lawns and colorful bushes. The calm and peaceful atmosphere of the park, surrounded by water and centuries-old trees, harmonizes with the interiors of the Baroque castle. Today Köpenick is part of the Prussian Cultural Heritage Foundation; on its lower floor there is a collection of archaeological artifacts telling about the history of the area. There are also collections of silver and gold items, porcelain tableware, furniture from different eras, and temporary exhibitions featuring works by local emerging artists and craftsmen. Chamber orchestras often perform in the palace concert hall.
Official website: https://www.smb.museum
Bellevue Palace
Panoramic view of the famous Bellevue Palace in the northern part of the Tiergarten park on a sunny day.
One of the magnificent buildings in the classicist style, Bellevue Palace, serves as the residence of the President of Germany. It is located in a picturesque location on the banks of the Spree River. The history of the palace begins in 1786, when it was built as the summer residence of Prince August Ferdinand, who hosted many high-ranking persons within these walls - both Friedrich Schiller and Napoleon visited here at one time. At the end of the 19th century, the palace was equipped with an upscale hotel for dukes, barons and foreign ambassadors. Some time later, a famous art gallery was founded; at the beginning of the 20th century, exhibitions dedicated to applied art were held. Today Bellevue is of great historical significance for the country, but getting inside is not so easy - to do this you need to write an application to the presidential office. Fortunately, the adjacent park is open to the public without any restrictions.
Official website: https://www.bundespraesident
Ka-De-Ve
A six-story department store from the early 20th century on Tauenzienstraße in Berlin.
Shopping fans should definitely include a visit to Ka-De-We, one of the world's largest shopping centers, on their itinerary. On seven floors there are departments of clothing, accessories, equipment, jewelry, linen, sports equipment, food - there are simply countless categories of goods. The history of the trading house began at the beginning of the last century, and even then this place gained the status of the country's leading shopping center. If we consider it floor by floor, the first level of the complex is occupied by luxury boutiques and corners - all the most beautiful and expensive. The second floor is given over completely to the male part of the population - trousers, jeans, jackets and much more. The third level is the main assortment of clothing, the fourth is lingerie and accessories, all subsequent floors present a huge assortment of other lifestyle goods, and on the last one you can still have a snack and relax after a busy shopping spree.
Official website: https://www.kadewe
Alexanderplatz
Television tower and numerous skyscrapers on Alexanderplatz in Berlin
The central square of the capital, which is of great historical and architectural value and is an important transport hub of the city, deserves to be included in the top attractions of Berlin. This is Alexanderplatz, named after the Russian Emperor Alexander I. The fact is that for many centuries in a row the destinies of Germany and Russia were closely intertwined, and in 1805 the Tsar of All Rus' arrived in Berlin. The ceremonial meeting of the two heads ends with the decree of Frederick William III renaming the former Torplatz to Alexanderplatz. Today, on the famous square, monuments of the distant past and evidence of modernity have merged together: here is the TV Tower, and the Universal Time Clock, under which meetings are scheduled, and the ancient Neptune Fountain, and the Church of St. Mary. Here you can take a walk, have some food, stroll through shopping centers and listen to the music of street performers.
Official website: https://www.businesslocation
Berlin State Opera
Berlin State Opera or Opera House Unter den Linden in Berlin
Berlin can rightly be called one of the main centers of European culture. Among the 15 theater institutions located in Berlin, the most important is the Berlin State Opera - the oldest theater in the city, with a seating capacity of 1,300 people. It was founded in the mid-18th century. And for several centuries, the most outstanding works thundered on its stage, famous musicians and composers like Mendelssohn or Strauss performed, famous voices performed, including the Russian bass Fyodor Chaliapin. The theater was closed only once - during the Second World War, but in the 50s wonderful music began to play here again. And today, on the stage of the Berlin Opera, as before, the classics of Verdi, Wagner, Shostakovich, Tchaikovsky, Rossini do not cease, and the theater is the center of the cultural life of the country.
Official website: https://www.staatsoper
Madame Tussauds museum
Branch of Madame Tussauds Wax Museum on Unten der Linden Boulevard in Berlin
An important part of the tourist program is the museums of Berlin, where the most valuable and historically significant artifacts are collected, history comes to life, taking the visitor into the thick of the events of the past. One of the most famous wax museums is located in Berlin - the famous Madame Tussauds, the first branch of which was opened at the end of the 19th century in London. Today its divisions operate all over the world, and there is a representative office in Berlin. The Berlin Museum building is located near the Brandenburg Gate and includes 9 galleries and about a hundred figures of the world's most prominent figures. In one of the halls, for example, pop stars of the past and present are presented, including the Beatles, Britney Spears, Lady Gaga. In the other - film industry stars - Angelina Jolie, Nicole Kidman, Marilyn Monroe, Brad Pitt. There is another room where the process of creating wax sculptures is demonstrated.
Royal Porcelain Factory
Courtyard with the former kiln room (right) at the Royal Porcelain Factory in Berlin
It is difficult to find a souvenir in Berlin more refined, delicate and sophisticated than a product from the Royal Porcelain Factory. The history of this plant goes back 2.5 centuries, during which dozens of talented craftsmen, brilliant artists and designers have changed. It is here that beautiful products are made that add to the collections of famous artists, artists, politicians and other significant persons. Today, within the walls of the porcelain factory, fascinating excursions are held showing production workshops and an interactive exhibition. In the store, opened at the factory, you can purchase the most delicate products, hand-painted and made to order, marked with a recognizable factory stamp. Of course, not everyone can afford to buy a local copy, but such an acquisition will become a value passed on from generation to generation.
AquaDom
AquaDom in the lobby of the Radisson Blu Hotel
It is in Berlin that the world's largest salt water aquarium is located - a giant cylindrical tank called AquaDom. Especially lucky are the guests of the five-star Radisson Blu hotel, whose windows overlook the courtyard-well with this incredible aquarium. The spectacle is impressive - 2.5 thousand fish swim smoothly among realistic corals, caves, rocks and algae, illuminated by a pleasant blue light. The height of the glass structure is 25 meters, the diameter is 11 meters, and through the thick 19-centimeter glass you can observe the inhabitants not only from the outside, but also in the inner cylinder, from the transparent elevator passing here. It’s hard to imagine that the total volume of water in the aquarium is about 1 million liters!
Official website: https://www.visitsealife
Tropical Island Waterpark
Top view of a tropical amusement park in a former airship hangar.
Where should guests of Berlin go for a holiday with children? The first place worthy of attention is the Tropical Island water park, the best place for entertainment and relaxation 60 kilometers from Berlin. It is a huge hangar, which once served as a military base, and today, on an internal area the size of eight football fields, there is a world-famous water park. “Tropical Island” impresses not only with its territories, which can accommodate up to 6 thousand vacationers, but also with its variety of entertainment. The paradise contains about 50 thousand real tropical plants, there are even tropical animals and beautiful colored parrots. A 200-meter sandy strip of coastline stretches along the artificial reservoir. In the “Tropical Village” section you can explore the traditions of various southern countries, and in dozens of baths and saunas you can take a steam bath and improve your health. There are also solariums, a fitness center, and a dozen restaurants and cafes.
Official website: https://www.tropical-islands
Balloon Die Welt
Hot air balloon Die Welt - an attraction located in the Mitte district of Berlin.
Those who like to see interesting places in cities from a bird's eye view should definitely visit one of the unusual attractions in Berlin - the hot air balloon Die Welt, which is one of the largest balloons in the world. A recognizable blue ball with a white inscription every now and then “floats up” over the center of Berlin, periodically falling back. This is the most unusual observation deck, which rises 150 meters every 15 minutes, offering visitors the most stunning views of the city, its wide streets and magnificent architecture. To prevent the flight from being spoiled by weather conditions, the balloon is equipped with a system that predicts changes in the strength and direction of the wind. In addition, even when flying up, the ball remains connected to the ground by a powerful cable, which prevents it from flying beyond a certain area.
Official website: https://air-service-berlin
Holocaust Memorial
The Holocaust Memorial in Berlin in memory of the Jewish victims of Nazism.
Military landmarks of Berlin - of course, for the most part these are monuments dedicated to the tragic events of the bloodiest war in the history of mankind - World War II. One of them is located near the Brandenburg Gate and is a huge field with countless concrete blocks installed in memory of the murdered Jews of Europe. This is a memorial to the victims of the Holocaust - the regime of mass extermination of Jews who lived in Germany and the territories it occupied. This place is popular among tourists, although visiting it involuntarily evokes the most difficult emotions and experiences, awakening a feeling of the infinity of the tragedy that has occurred. But this is precisely the goal pursued by the author of the memorial project, Peter Eiseman. More than two thousand gray blocks of special concrete create a long labyrinth that seems to be pressing from all sides, reflecting the horror of what happened.
Official website: https://www.stiftung
St. Mary's Church
The Oldest Active Church of St. Mary in Berlin
St. Mary's Church is the oldest active parish in Berlin. The first mention of it dates back to the 13th century, when a red brick temple was erected on a granite foundation. The building was originally Gothic, but after several fires in the 17th century it was restored in the Baroque style, and a century later it was reconstructed in the Neo-Gothic style. Another restoration dates back to the 20th century, and thus the building acquired an unusual appearance and a mixed style. Within the walls of the church there are about 90 famous creations - these include the Baroque pulpit, the sarcophagus of Field Marshal von Sparr, the famous fresco “Dance of Death”, which depicts the social elite accompanied by figures of dancing death. Another masterpiece is the church organ created by Joachim Wagner, which has been reconstructed several times.
Church of St. Nicholas
View from the Berlin TV Tower of the Church of St. Nicholas in the historical quarter of Nikolaiviertel
No matter how surprising it may be, in the most atheistic European capital, the religious sights of Berlin are of great value, the presentation of which would be incomplete without mentioning the oldest basilica in the capital - the Church of St. Nicholas. The parish was opened near the place where the famous trade route crossed the Spree River. It is for this reason that the church acquired the name of St. Nicholas of Myra, who is considered the patron saint of trade. Throughout its 8-century history, the building has been restored several times, the last time this happened in the 1980s. Today it is a neo-Gothic building, topped by two tall spiers. Unfortunately, services are no longer held in the temple, but there is a lot of interesting things here - for example, an exhibition with the history of the church and three large organs on which works of classical music are performed during concerts.
Official website: https://www.en.stadtmuseum
New Synagogue
New Synagogue of the mid-19th century in Berlin's Mitte district Ansgar Koreng
In the Mitte district in the east of the city there is a charismatic building in the neo-Byzantine-Moorish style - the New Synagogue. Today this place is a cultural center for representatives of the Jewish people. Initially, the history of the New Synagogue began in the mid-19th century, when the first stone of its foundation was laid. During World War II, the Nazis destroyed the synagogue, but in the post-war years the Jewish community recovered, and the destroyed building was later restored almost from scratch, preserving the original architecture. Only in 1995, the Synagogue reopened its doors, and most of its area was occupied by a museum reflecting interesting facts from the life of the Jewish people, as well as a center of Jewish culture. More than a hundred secular and educational institutions of Jewish culture are concentrated in the immediate vicinity of the New Synagogue.
Official website: https://www.centrum
Berlin TV tower
The famous TV tower and the panorama of the city center of Berlin
For everyone who is interested in the most emblematic sights of Berlin, the route must definitely be planned by passing through the central square Alexanderplatz and visiting the most “prominent” object - the Berlin TV Tower. Back in the middle of the last century, the television tower project was conceived for quite reasonable reasons, because for high-quality television broadcasting in those years a more powerful and modern sensor was required. And in 1969, a 368-meter television tower with an observation deck, equipped at an altitude of just over 200 meters, rose above the eastern part of Berlin. Today, the structure, equipped with state-of-the-art elevators and rotating structures, still attracts thousands of visitors, most of whom go straight to the observation deck, a rotating platform inside a ball with panoramic views and a restaurant.
Official website: https://tv-turm
Treptower Park
Soviet war memorial "Warrior Liberator" in Berlin's Treptower Park
Modern Berlin is famous for its numerous green parks, of which there are more than 2.5 thousand. One of these places is Treptow Park, which gained particular fame after the Great Patriotic War, when a large-scale memorial complex to the fallen Soviet soldiers was built here. This largest monument was opened in 1949 as a sign of victory over Hitler’s Nazism, and about 7 thousand remains of Soviet soldiers who died in the battles for Berlin were reburied in nearby mass graves. Conventionally, the monument is divided into 5 parts - the complex opens with the sculpture “Grieving Mother”, then follows an alley of birches leading to the entrance to the brotherly cemetery, then a symbolic gate in the form of bowed banners and figures of mourning soldiers, then an alley of sarcophagi in the form of symbolic cubes with bas-reliefs telling about the exploits of soldiers, and finally a large sculpture of the “Warrior-Liberator” on a high pedestal.
Official website: https://www.berlin.
Botanical Garden
Large Tropical Greenhouse on the territory of the Botanical Garden in Berlin Paul VanDerWerf
Nature lovers do not ignore the Botanical Garden, which ranks first in Europe in terms of the number and variety of plants growing in it. The garden also has the status of a museum, because on its large area of 43 hectares the most outlandish plants grow, about which you can get comprehensive information. Here you can walk through picturesque meadows and visit numerous greenhouses, the most famous of which is the Great Tropical Greenhouse with hundreds of the most unusual exotic plants. No less interesting is the orchid greenhouse, rock garden, cactus pavilion, and fern gallery. It is noteworthy that the inhabitants of greenhouses are not only plants, but also rare insects and birds. Although the Botanical Garden is most famous for its flora, its sculptural and architectural creations created by talented craftsmen are also interesting.
Official website: https://www.bgbm
Memorial complex "Berlin Wall"
The historical landmark of Berlin is located on Bernauerstrasse and includes an observation deck, a chapel, a museum with a library and archive, and a border strip. It is here that part of the Berlin Wall has been preserved, which will allow you to find out what border structures were like in the 80s. For local residents, this monument is of great importance in terms of remembering events that happened in the past. The territory of the memorial is 1.4 kilometers, and along the border line some buildings, information stands, an observation tower and various historical artifacts have been preserved.
Red Town Hall
Red Town Hall
The Red Town Hall (Rotes Rathaus) is a historical building in the center of Berlin. It received this name due to the fact that its facade is made of red brick.
The town hall was built in 1861-1869 in the half-Renaissance-half-Gothic style according to the design of the architect G. F. Wezeman. The height of the quadrangular tower of the town hall is 74 meters, and this tower was built in the image of the towers of the French Laon Cathedral.
During World War II, the building was destroyed and restored only in 1951-1958.
After restoration in the Red Town Hall, on the ground floor there are the Armorial and Column Halls, which perform representative functions. The Berlin City Representative Assembly and the East Berlin Magistrate of the GDR were located here. Since 1991, the building has housed the seat of the government of the united state of Berlin and the office of the ruling burgomaster of the city.
Opening hours of the Red Town Hall
You can visit the Red Town Hall, as well as go up to the observation deck, from Monday to Friday from 9-00 to 18-00.
How to get to the Red Town Hall The Red Town Hall is located near the Alexanderplatz metro, train and tram station.
3. Reichstag
The Reichstag is an iconic building and one of the main attractions of Berlin. Thanks to the unification of the scattered German principalities, Germany needed a building in which the government could meet. The new state needed a great structure to show the power of the power structures. It was supposed to demonstrate the strength of the nation and the culture of the country. The Reichstag was rebuilt several times. The first time this happened was in 1933. A strong fire gave the Nazis a free hand, allowing them to blame the Communists for the arson. This served as the reason for the beginning of reprisals against the remaining political opponents. During the war, the building was converted into a bomb shelter. After the defeat of Germany, the Reichstag, which ended up on the western half, was empty for a long time. Repairs began only in 1954 and lasted until 1974. The Reichstag now serves as the meeting place for the Bundestag and is one of the most visited parliaments in the world.
Reichstag
Reichstag
The Reichstag Building (Reichstagsgebäude) is a majestic historical building in Berlin, built from 1884 to 1894 by the Frankfurt architect Paul Wallot in the Italian High Renaissance style. From 1894 to 1933, the German state body of the same name met in the Reichstag - the Reichstag of the German Empire and the Reichstag of the Weimar Republic.
After a fire in 1933, the Reichstag was restored, but was no longer used by the government.
Only since 1999, the reconstructed Reichstag building has once again housed government offices and the meeting rooms of the Bundestag.
An observation deck is equipped under the top of the Reichstag dome, from there a 360-degree panorama of Berlin opens from a height of more than 40 meters.
Currently, the dome is open to tourists, but only by appointment on the official website of the Bundestag. On the same website you can sign up for a tour of the Reichstag, with the opportunity to attend meetings of the German government.
Moreover, all visits to the Reichstag, including climbing the dome, excursions and lectures are absolutely free for everyone.
How to get to the Reichstag The Reichstag is located at the Brandenburger Tor station of the S1 or S2 trains.
More about the Reichstag
Berlin Cathedral
This is one of the largest Protestant churches in Germany. The building is a popular tourist destination in Berlin, largely due to the beauty of the architecture, as well as its location on Museum Island, where most of the tourist routes lie. Construction of the building lasted from 1894 to 1905. Unlike other Gothic churches, when visiting the Berlin Cathedral there is no feeling of psychological pressure while staying in the internal halls. The outer part of the building is decorated with various sculptures and columns, and inside you can see stained glass windows and paintings on biblical themes. Built in the Baroque style, from Silesian granite, this evangelical cathedral had a height of 114 m. However, the building was damaged as a result of the battle for the city during the Second World War. Now, due to reconstruction, its height reaches only 98 meters, which is only slightly lower than the height of St. Isaac's Cathedral, built in St. Petersburg.
What to see first in Berlin
No matter how much you want to “see everything,” it is better to choose excursions in Berlin, the program of which is not oversaturated with tourist sites. Then you will be able to appreciate every place you visit. An alternative is to start exploring the city on your own, but to do this you should decide on the route points in advance and allow time for rest.
Reichstag building
The facade of the Reichstag building in Berlin
This is perhaps the most recognizable place of all the sights in Germany. Most tours of modern Berlin start here. The majestic palace of German statehood, built in 1894, witnessed all the historical events that shaped the fate of modern Germany. The building of the German Parliament was destroyed more than once; it was badly damaged in a fire in 1933, and as a result of bombing in 1945 it was practically destroyed. However, after several reconstructions, the structure regained its original appearance, and the grandiose glass dome was also restored, where a unique observation deck is located, accessible to tourists. From here, in clear weather, you can see the surrounding sights of Berlin in all their glory.
To visit the German Parliament building, you must first register on the official website of the Reichstag and present the received data at the entrance. Without this formality, it will not be possible to enter and take a tour of the premises from the inside.
Official website: https://www.bundestag.de/en/
Brandenburg Gate
Brandenburg Gate in Berlin
The classic arch of the Brandenburg Gate, as conceived by the architects, is the Gate of Peace, but ironically, German soldiers went to war through them. Four horses, driven by the goddess of victory, crown twelve columns. In this form, the Brandenburg Gate became a symbol of a united Germany and was replicated on millions of postcards scattered around the world. Tourists wondering what to visit in Berlin head through this gate to the famous Linden Alley and move along it, exploring historical sites. In photographs of this part of the city, the Brandenburg Gate is sure to appear in the frame, bringing the flavor of the German capital to the landscape.
Official website: https://www.berlin.de/en/
Museum Island
Museum Island in Berlin
On an island in the middle of the Spree River there are 5 Berlin museums. This historical complex began its development from the first building built in 1830, called the Old Museum, which houses an exhibition of antique statues, weapons and ancient Greek jewelry. Later, the New Museum was built, where samples of papyri and exhibits of ancient Egyptian art are exhibited. The Old National Gallery, opened in 1876, will be of interest to lovers of impressionism; works by the famous Berliner Menzel are also exhibited here, and you can also admire Roman frescoes. Later, at the beginning of the 20th century, the Bode Museum opened its doors to visitors, presenting the art of Byzantium and sculpture of Germany and Italy from the early Middle Ages. In 1930, the Pergamon Museum was founded, exhibiting Islamic art and examples of the culture of Western Asia.
You can get to Museum Island via a pedestrian bridge, which is called the bridge from the present to the past.
Berlin Wall
Segments of the Berlin Wall in Berlin
An ugly concrete fence more than three meters high, surrounded by barbed wire, about 160 km long, separated West Berlin from Democratic Germany in 1961 and stood for 28 years, dividing the German people into two hostile states. In November 1989, after the border regime between the Federal Republic of Germany and the German Democratic Republic was simplified, the Berlin Wall ceased to be a symbol of the country's division, it was colored with graffiti by street artists, and the rubble of the destroyed structure was scattered throughout the world.
Currently, the restored fragment of the wall, about 800 m long, along Bernauer Strasse has become a monument to the unity of the inhabitants of all of Germany, which cannot be destroyed by artificial obstacles. Berlin's attractions include the wall as a must-see monument to the end of the Cold War. United Berlin is developing and becoming prettier, and the remains of the wall remind us of the times of the Iron Curtain and the need to learn lessons from historical events.
Official website: https://www.berliner-mauer
Pergamon Museum
Pergamon Museum in Berlin
What to see in Berlin so as not to regret paying for entrance tickets? Of course, Pergamon!
The most visited museum in Germany was named after its main exhibit - the Pergamon Altar, found during excavations on the lands of the kingdom of the same name, which existed in 290-120 BC. on the territory of modern Turkey (now the city of Bergama). By the way, the Turkish government periodically declares its desire to return this artifact to its original territory. In addition to the Pergamon Altar of Zeus, the museum presents:
- the richest collections of ancient art from the territory of Greece and the Roman Empire;
- exposition of cultural objects from Western Asia;
- a huge collection of Islamic art.
You can see architectural fragments of Ottoman palaces, Roman market gates, mosaics, Assyrian reliefs, the treasure of Troy, the Babylonian Ishtar Gate, and a collection of oriental carpets in one place - in Pergamon.
Official website: https://www.smb.museum
Feel the atmosphere of Berlin in this beautiful video!
Checkpoint Charlie
Checkpoint Charlie in Berlin
The Berlin Wall checkpoint between the Soviet and Allied zones is a nondescript booth, but at the same time it is a famous place listed in the landmarks of Berlin and symbolizing the confrontation of ideologies. Military and diplomats moved through this checkpoint. It was here that Soviet tanks stood in 1961, but fortunately they did not open fire. The checkpoint got its name thanks to the alphabetical coding of Americans (A - alpha, B - bravo, C - Charlie), these three checkpoints were used by US citizens.
Not far from the checkpoint is the Berlin Wall Museum, where numerous exhibits tell how Berliners tried to overcome the barriers, bypassing the official points of passage from East to West.
Official website: https://www.berlin.de/en/
Charlottenburg Palace
Charlottenburg Castle in Berlin
The royal residence, built at the end of the 17th century, received its name in honor of Sophia Charlotte, wife of the Prussian Elector Frederick I. The exquisite palace complex is surrounded by a magnificent park in a regular style. Elegant staircases, greenhouses, a Carp pond, various statues, graceful bridges, centuries-old linden trees and flower beds create a unique atmosphere where Berliners love to stroll and play sports. Free access to the park makes it possible to enjoy well-groomed landscapes; in the shady alleys you can hide from the bustle of the big city and listen to birdsong.
The Palace Museum opens its doors to tourists to see the luxurious interiors, the decoration of the royal chambers, and the extensive collection of porcelain.
During the Second World War, the palace and park ensemble of Charlottenburg suffered serious damage, but through the efforts of restorers it was possible to restore the beauty and originality of this cultural heritage site for everyone who is interested in the historical sights of Berlin.
Official website: https://www.spsg.de/en
Berlin Cathedral
Berlin Cathedral in Berlin
The majestic Protestant temple was built over 11 years at the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th centuries. It was assigned the role of the main church of all Lutherans. The baroque cathedral building solemnly rises on Museum Island, and the interior decoration is not overwhelming, as in most Catholic cathedrals, but encourages you to carefully examine the details of sculptures, stained glass windows, paintings with scenes from the Bible. Representatives of the Hohenzollern dynasty rest in the tomb of the cathedral.
The creation of the famous master Sauer - a magnificent organ - fills the space of the cathedral with the sounds of music. The cathedral regularly hosts organ concerts; experts note the excellent acoustics in the room.
Visitors to the temple often go up to the observation deck under the dome to once again make sure that in Berlin you can look at the surrounding views from different vantage points.
Official website: https://www.berlinerdom
Gendarmenmarkt
Gendarmenmarkt in Berlin
Gendarmenmarkt is rightly called the most beautiful square in the German capital. Three masterpieces of architecture located along the perimeter - the Concert Hall, the French and German Cathedrals, also included in the landmarks of Berlin - adequately frame the space where market trade took place since the 18th century. First it was the Linden Market, then the New Market, and only then the Military Market (in honor of the cavalry unit stationed nearby). The gendarmes mentioned in the title are not law enforcement officers in this case, but simply representatives of the army.
Depending on the time of year, Christmas markets, art performances, exhibitions, and promotions are held at the Gendarmenmarkt. Reputable restaurants and drinking establishments are concentrated here. In general, you can always spend your free time culturally and admire the well-thought-out organization of space in German.
Official website: https://www.berlin.de/en
Berlin Zoo
Entrance to the Berlin Zoological Garden in Berlin
The zoo in Berlin was opened in 1844 and has since grown into the largest center for keeping and breeding animals in terms of the number of species represented. More than one and a half thousand species of fauna are represented on a compact territory of 35 hectares. There are no cages or bars here; the living space for the zoo's pets is arranged with grace and comfort. Visitors are practically not disturbed by fences organized for their own safety.
The question of what to visit in Berlin does not arise for animal lovers - they come straight here. Near the enclosures with elephants, giraffes, pandas, hippos, and penguins, there is always a crowd of people watching the animals frolic.
Since 1913, an aquarium center has been operating on the territory of the zoo, which is regularly modernized in accordance with the latest technology. You can spend the whole day at the zoo and still be sorry to part with its inhabitants; this corner of Berlin is so well-equipped, beautiful and cozy.
Official website: https://www.zoo-berlin.de/en
Berlin TV tower
The height of the Berlin TV Tower, located in the center of the German capital, is 368 m. It is considered the fourth tallest among all TV towers in Europe. The only higher places are the Ostankino TV Tower in Moscow (540 m), and the TV towers in Kyiv and Riga. After the location was finally determined, preparatory and construction work began in August 1965, which took more than four years. It is currently one of Berlin's most famous landmarks. During the year, about a million visitors come to its observation deck, before whom a magnificent panorama opens up. The revolving restaurant Sphere, which rotates around its axis in half an hour, is extremely popular not only among tourists, but also among residents of the capital. If you find yourself in Berlin, be sure to visit this place.
Victory Column
Victory Column
The Victory Column is a famous historical monument and symbol of Berlin, erected in honor of Germany's unification wars.
The column was opened in 1873 by decree of William I in honor of Prussian victories in the wars with Denmark, Austria and France.
Although until 1938 the Victory Column was located on Königsplatz near the Reichstag, it is currently located in the center of the Großer Tiergarten park on the Big Star Square (Großer Stern). Its base, as before, is decorated with four bronze bas-reliefs depicting scenes from the German unification wars and the triumphant return of troops to Berlin, and at the top of the monument is a gilded statue of the goddess of victory Victoria.
The total height of the column is 67 meters, and at the top there is an observation deck, where you can climb a spiral staircase and look at Berlin from a 50-meter height.
Opening hours of the Victory Column observation deck
The observation deck on the Victory Column is open every day: from April 1 to October 31 - from 09-30 to 18-30 (until 19-00 on weekends); from November 1 to March 31 - from 10-00 to 17-30.
Ticket prices for the observation deck of the Victory Column
The price of an adult ticket is 3 euros. A child ticket costs 2.50 euros.
How to get to the Victory Column The Victory Column is located at the U9 - Hansaplatz metro station or at the bus stop 100, 106, 187 - Großer Stern.
Museum Island
The Spreinsel Island, which is located in Berlin on the Spree River, is recognizable throughout the world due to its northern part. It is here that you can visit the most famous museums of the German capital. Tourists and art lovers from all over the world come here. In 1830, the first museum opened to the public was built - the Old Museum. A little later, in 1559, the Prussian Royal Museum appeared, called the New. The reconstruction of the Pergamon Altar ensemble, the Miletus market gate and other exhibits demonstrating the high level of art over a historical period of 6,000 years has made the Pergamon Museum the main attraction of the island. In 1999, Berlin's Museum Island was included in the UNESCO World Heritage Site and is one of the main tourist attractions in Berlin.
Other interesting sights
Brandenburg Gate
In ancient times, the only remaining intact city gates of Berlin divided the city into western and eastern parts. After the destruction of the wall, they became a symbol of German unity. Today this sandstone structure is considered one of the most impressive examples of German classicism.
The entrance gate, built in 1788–1791 according to plans by Karl Gotthard Langhans, was modeled after the Athenian acropolis. On both sides there are six Doric columns dividing the gate into 5 passages connected by a culvert 11 meters deep. In 1793, the gate was designed by Johann Gottfried Schadow as a quadriga leading east to the city center.
In October 2002, the Berlin Senate decided to close the road gates to cars, buses and taxis.
Reichstag
The place where important events in German history took place and continue to take place is located near the Brandenburg Gate of the Reichstag - the headquarters of the German Bundestag. After labor-intensive restoration work, the structure was equipped with a glass dome and has since become a must-see for those who come to Berlin.
In early June 1884, Emperor Wilhelm I struck the cornerstone three times and, according to sources, the hammer broke. The Emperor did not like the Reichstag. He reluctantly accepted the design of architect Paul Wallo and did not even agree with the heavy stone dome he designed. It would be taller than the city castle.
In 1894, after ten years of construction, the Reichstag was ready, and the dome finally rose above the city castle. The Emperor, William's grandson, William II, was outraged by this "peak of bad taste." What could he do? It's simple: he discredited the architect by giving the Reichstag the name "Reichs" and did not allow the inclusion of the inscription "Dem Deutschen Volke" (German nation). The inscription appeared only in 1916.
However, the parliament building still stands today, and its history reflects the turbulent events of Germany's past. At the beginning of November 1918, Philipp Scheidemann's deputy proclaimed a Republic here. At the end of February 1933, a fire broke out in the building. Inexplicably, the plenary hall and dome were on fire. This fire served as a pretext for the National Socialists to persecute political opponents.
Destroyed during the Second World War, the German Reichstag was rebuilt in 1961–1971 according to the plans of the architect Paul Baumgarten in a simplified form, without the dome blown up in 1945. After the reunification of Germany, the Bundestag decided to rebuild the building as the seat of parliament. Building on the site's spacious historic contours, architect Sir Norman Foster rebuilt and expanded the Reichstag to create the modern German parliament building. Initially highly controversial, the transitional glass dome became a symbol of the city.
Since 1999, the Reichstag has again served as the headquarters of the German Bundestag.
Alexanderplatz
In 1805, King Friedrich Wilhelm III proclaimed the union of Prussia and Russia here and gave the square the name of our Emperor Alexander I. Modern Berliners always call this place with the short word “Alex”. This is where the TV tower, immortalized on many postcards, is located. The nearest metro station is Alexanderplatz.
TV Tower (Fernsehturm)
The tower was built in 1965–1969. It is the tallest building in Germany and the second tallest in the European Union (half a meter taller than the Radio and Television Tower in Riga, Latvia). Due to its location near Alexanderplatz, it is sometimes called Alex's Tower.
Inside the ball, located at an altitude of 203.8 meters above the ground, there is an observation deck. Above the terrace (at an altitude of 207.5 meters) there is a restaurant with a rotating ring where tables are placed. The ring rotates around its axis in half an hour.
About a million people visit the tower every year.
German Historical Museum (DHM, Deutsches Historisches Museum)
The museum was founded in 1987 by Chancellor Helmut Kohl and Berlin era Eberhard Diepen on the occasion of the 750th anniversary of the founding of Berlin. It is located in the Zeughaus, the oldest building on the Unter den Linden Avenue in the central district of Berlin.
Designed by Yuming Bei, the expansion of the History Museum was completed in 2004. In 2006, Zeughaus, built in 1695, was restored. The renovated museum opened the exhibition “The History of Germany in Painting over Two Millennia.”
The "History of Germany in Pictures and Documents" includes 8,000 objects, and this is only a small part of the total resources of the museum, which is the heir to the collections of the Armory, the Prussian Army Museum and the Museum of German History. The exhibition occupies two levels and is divided into nine historical periods. Due to the rich collections, three or four temporary exhibitions are organized on a regular basis.
Red Town Hall in Berlin (Rotes Rathaus)
The town hall is located in the Mitte district and was built during 1861–1869. This is the seat of the mayor of Berlin and the government of the state of Berlin.
The name of the building comes from the color of the facade and the red bricks from which it was built. The author of the architectural and executive design was Hermann Friedrich Wesemann. The architecture of the town hall tower is reminiscent of the tower of Notre Dame Cathedral in Laon, France.
Most of the time it was the seat of local authorities and served as the town hall. During the Cold War and after the building was reconstructed in the 1950s, the building was the seat of the municipal authorities of East Berlin to its original state. After the reunification of Germany and the unification of the city administration, the tower officially became the seat of government for all of Berlin.
Berggruen Museum
The Berggruen Museum collects the private collections of one of Europe's greatest art collectors, Heinz Berggruen. You can admire works of painting and sculpture created by famous artists and representatives of classical modernism. Within the resources of this substantial collection one can discover the artistic achievements of Pablo Picasso, Braque, Alberto Giacometti, Paul Klee, Laurens and Henri Matisse. The museum is located in the so-called “Western Stüler House”, opposite Charlottenburg Palace.
Grunewald Tower (Der Grunewaldturm)
The observation tower was built according to plans by Franz Schwechten between 1897 and 1898 on the occasion of the centenary of the birth of the Prussian King and German Emperor Wilhelm I of Hohenzollern. It was given the name Kaiser-Wilhelm-Turm (Kaiser Wilhelm Tower). After the events of the First World War, it was renamed Grunewaldturm, which is associated with the surrounding forest - Grunewald.
The tower is made of red brick and has a height of 56 meters. It is located on the 79-meter Carlsberg hill in southwest Berlin, near the Grosser Wannsee lake. There is a round hall with a marble statue of William and the Hohenzollerns. There are 204 steps leading to the observation deck, from which you can see the Havel and the Grunewald Forest. The building also has a restaurant and beer garden.
Berlin Zoo
One of the largest zoos in Germany. It is located in Berlin's Tiergarten district, close to the S-Bahn (S-Bahn) station and the Zoologischer Garten train station in the city center.
The zoo opened in August 1844 and became the first zoological garden in Germany. The first species of animals were donated by King Frederick William IV of Hohenzollern of Prussia from the Tiergarten Menagerie and Poultry House. During the battles of WWII (World War II), the garden areas were completely destroyed. Only 91 animals survived.
Currently, the zoo houses almost 14 thousand animals from 1,500 different species. Everything is located on 35 hectares in historical cells. All animals are kept in pens with natural conditions.
The Berlin Zoo is one of the most important institutions of its kind in Europe. About 2.6 million people from all over the world visit it annually. It is open all year round and enjoys a prime location with easy access to Berlin by public transport. Visitors can enter the zoo's exotically decorated Elephant Gate, located next to the Aquarium on Budapest Street, or through the Lion Gate on Hardenbergplatz.
Berlin Cathedral
This is the largest Protestant church in Europe. It was built between 1894 and 1905 according to the plans of the architect Julius Karl Raschdorff from Pszczyna. In 1944, the Berliner Dom was damaged by Allied raids, and reconstruction began only in 1975. The temple has 1,500 seats and is one of the largest in Berlin. It is here that ecumenical services are most often held on the occasion of national holidays or at important moments for the country.
The modern Berlin Cathedral is not only a charitable institution, but also the tomb of the German royal Hohenzollern family. The nearest metro stations are Alexanderplatz and Spittelmarkt.
Charlottenburg Palace
Charlottenburg Palace is an amazingly beautiful example of a Baroque building. The name of this Berlin landmark is associated with the order given by the wife of Frederick I, Queen Sophia Charlotte, to begin its construction. It was a summer royal residence, which gradually, during the course of work, turned into a huge building. Its scale is indicated by the 48-meter dome located above the main entrance. The center of the palace is considered to be the apartments of King Frederick I. The reception hall is also grandiose, the vaults of which are extremely high, and the walls are decorated with numerous niches and bas-reliefs.
Köpenick Palace
Köpenick Palace
Köpenick Palace (Schloss Köpenick) is a palace located on an island on the Dame River near its confluence with the Spree River in the center of the Berlin district of the same name.
The island of Köpenick is one of the earliest settlements on the territory of modern Berlin. Already in the 8th-9th centuries there was a Slavic fortress here.
After the old building standing here was demolished in the middle of the 16th century, in 1558 Elector Joachim II Hector erected a hunting castle here in the Renaissance style. And after the death of Joachim during the Thirty Years' War, the palace was the residence of King Gustav II Adolf.
In 1677, reconstruction of the palace began for Elector Frederick III of Brandenburg, who later became King Frederick I of Prussia. In 1679-1682, the Northern Pavilion appeared here, and then in 1684 a utility wing and a palace church were built.
In 2004, after extensive restoration work that lasted 10 years, Köpenick Palace opened as a branch of the Berlin Museum of Decorative Arts, part of the State Museums Berlin.
In the basement of the museum, valuable archaeological exhibits are exhibited, demonstrating the history of the settlement of these places. On other floors, a collection of furniture, works of local craftsmen, gold and silver items, and a collection of porcelain dishes are exhibited.
Köpenick Palace hosts exhibitions of contemporary art and folk crafts, performances, concerts, fashion shows and other events.
Opening hours of Köpenick Palace
Köpenick Palace is open to the public: from April to September - every day except Mondays from 11-00 to 18-00; from October to March - Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 11-00 to 17-00.
Cost of the Köpenick Palace premises
The cost of a ticket to Köpenick Palace is 6 euros, a reduced ticket is 3 euros.
The official website of Köpenick Palace, where you can find up-to-date information on opening hours and cost of visiting. It is possible to purchase tickets online.
How to get to Köpenick Palace Köpenick Palace is located at the tram stop 27, 60, 61, 62, 63, 67, 68 - Schloßplatz Köpenick.
Tropical Island Waterpark
This complex is located just 7 km from the city and is divided into several climatic zones where palm trees, orchids, mangroves and other representatives of tropical flora grow. You can also visit local bars and restaurants serving exotic dishes. In general, each establishment of the complex has its own features. Interestingly, most city residents come here with their food in containers and thermoses, since this is not prohibited by the park rules. The park has the largest bath complex, with dozens of baths and spas, where there is a different approach for every lover of water treatments.
Location of Berlin attractions on the map
The list of interesting places in the German capital does not end there. You can continue your walks and see many more interesting things. Such trips will seem exciting for adults and children; they will help you learn a lot of new things from history, culture and architecture:
- Neue Wahe on Unter den Linden. The building is located between Friedrich the Great Street and the University. Humboldtian. This is a memorial in honor of the victims of war and tyranny.
- Bellevue Palace. The building is located in Tiergarten and is the residence of the President of Germany. Inside there is a museum of applied arts since 1935. You can enter the building once a week.
- Topography of terror. Another memorial complex to the victims of Nazism, which began work in 1987. On an area of 800 sq. m there is a group of thematic exhibitions in the open air.
- St. Mary's Church. The 13th century building is located near the Berlin TV tower. Inside the building there is an organ that Bach himself played. On Sundays you can enjoy church hymns.
- Checkpoint Charlie on Friedrichstrasse. This is a symbol of the confrontation between the USA and the USSR, a memory of the Cold War. After the division of Germany, a checkpoint was located here, and during the Berlin crisis there was a tank confrontation.
- Köpenick Palace. Now it is a museum of decorative and applied arts, and was previously the hunting castle of Elector Joachim. In the summer, concerts are held in front of the main entrance.
- Alexanderplatz in the center of Berlin. This is a square with the city hall, a modern TV tower, and a unique Fountain of Friendship of Peoples. Previously (until the 17th century) there was a cattle market and a place for public execution.
Berlin has a lot to see for foreign tourists who are interested in history, architecture and simply like a change of scenery. The capital of Germany is rich in cultural, historical and modern attractions. The national flavor and hospitality of the local residents does not go unnoticed.
Berlin Zoo
If you come to Berlin with children, then an excursion to the Berlin Zoo is a must. Here you can see a huge number of rare animals. The Berlin Zoo ranks first in the world in terms of the diversity of animal species represented (about 15,000). Among the enclosures and open pavilions you can see animals such as pandas, gorillas and kiwi birds. Also adjacent to the zoo is a three-story aquarium, where you can get acquainted with representatives of the aquatic world, including reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates. In addition to them, you will have the opportunity to look at insects. About 3 million people visit this place every year.
Spandau Citadel
Spandau Citadel
Spandau Citadel is a fortress located in the northwestern part of Berlin on the banks of the Havel River. This is one of the most significant and well-preserved Renaissance fortresses in Europe.
The citadel was built between 1559 and 1594 on the site of a medieval fortress in the city of Spandau, which is now one of the 12 administrative districts of Berlin.
The architects of the citadel were the Italian Francesco Chiaramella de Gandino, and the Italian Rocco Di Linari, who replaced him in 1578.
In addition to its main function as a fortified defensive structure, at various times the Spandau citadel housed military production, a laboratory for chemical defenses and toxic substances for the army, and a local history museum.
Currently, the City Historical Museum of Military Weapons is open here.
Opening hours of Spandau Citadel
Opening hours of the Spandau Citadel - from 10-00 to 17-00
Cost of visiting Spandau Citadel
Tickets to the Spandau Citadel cost €4.50 for adults and €2.50 for children 6-14 years old.
The official website of the Spandau Citadel, where you can find up-to-date information on opening hours and cost of visiting.
How to get to the Spandau Citadel The Spandau Citadel is located at the U7 - Zitadelle metro station or the S5 - Spandau train station.
Holocaust Memorial
The memorial was created as a reminder of the Jews who were victims of the Nazi regime. It is just one block from the famous Brandenburg Gate. And although this place is quite often visited by single tourists, there is a heavy atmosphere here. The idea of such a monument originated in 1988 with publicist Leah Roche, who a year later created a foundation for the construction of the “Monument to the Murdered Jews of Europe.” Many influential people supported the decision to start construction. The project was implemented by Peter Eisenman, the opening took place in 2005.
Climate
The capital is located in the temperate climate zone. The average precipitation is 582 mm. The average annual temperature is -9 °C.
The warmest months are July and August, their average temperatures are 18.6 and 17.8 °C; February and January are considered the coldest with −0.4 and −0.7 °C. The highest amount of precipitation should be expected in July - approximately 71 mm, the least - in March (about 31 mm).
More than 40% of the city’s territory is covered with various green spaces; more than 400 thousand trees are planted along the streets. The city has a huge number of small open spaces, including vast urban park areas, which are nicknamed “islands of cold”; they create a very useful climate for citizens and visitors.
11. Tiergarten
Tigraten is a district of Berlin that is part of the Mitte district. In the modern world it appeared as a result of the administrative reform carried out in 2001. Informally, Tiergarten is considered the center of the city due to the presence of wooded alleys, parks and many other recreational areas, which is why a huge number of locals and tourists flock here. It is also here that Berlin's most iconic sights are located, including the Reichstag and the Embassy Quarter. These are the places worth visiting for tourists who arrived in the city for the first time.
Berlin and its main attractions
Today Berlin is a huge metropolis, famous for its diversity, tolerance and openness. People of different nationalities, cultures, and religions live here. Every day Berlin is visited by thousands of tourists who do not remain indifferent when they see the beauty of the capital of Germany. A large number of Berlin attractions, photos with names of which you can see in any city guide, beckon and fascinate. The city is famous for its history and a myriad of architectural monuments, museums and other interesting places that tell about the culture, traditions, and stages of development of the German capital.
Gendarmenmarkt
The Gendarmenmarkt is a large square in the city center. It is considered to be one of the most beautiful places in Berlin. The composition is formed from three significant landmarks: the Concert Hall in the center, the German Cathedral on the right, the French Cathedral on the left. Here you will find many cozy cafes where you can have leisurely conversations. The perfect proportions of the local buildings create a special atmosphere, making it an ideal place for a stroll. You can also do some shopping here, since the square has a huge number of shops with a wide variety of products. The Gendarmenmarkt owes its name to the elite of the Prussian cavalry - the gendarmes. In 1736, stables belonging to the cuirassier regiment were built on this site.
Checkpoint Charlie
Checkpoint Charlie
Checkpoint Charlie is a former border checkpoint on Friedrichstrasse, established after the construction of the Berlin Wall on August 13, 1961, which from 1961 to 1989 served as the only border crossing point for foreigners, East German officials and Allied troops from the West. Berlin to Vostochny.
Today, on this site there is an open-air museum in the form of an American guard post, sandbags and two large billboards with inscriptions in 4 languages: “You are leaving West Berlin,” as well as photographs of a Soviet soldier on one side and an American one on the other. .
In one of the nearby houses, the Berlin Wall Museum (Mauermuseum) is organized, which tells about the Cold War, the totalitarian regime of the GDR and the attempts of East Germans to escape from the GDR to the Federal Republic of Germany.
How to get to Checkpoint Charlie Checkpoint Charlie is located at metro station U6 - Kochstraße.
German Historical Museum
Founded in 1978, the museum was originally supposed to be located near the Reichstag in a building specially erected for this purpose, but it was moved to the Zeichhaus, the oldest building on Unter de Linden Boulevard. In total, the museum has about 8,000 exhibits that relate to German history and allow you to learn about the life of people who lived more than two thousand years ago. Among the most interesting exhibitions are those related to events in Germany after the defeat in World War II. The German Historical Museum can easily be called a real guide to the rather complex German history. It will be very interesting to visit this place in Berlin.
Bellevue Palace
Bellevue Palace
Bellevue Palace (Schloss Bellevue) is a Berlin palace located on the banks of the Spree River near the Victory Column and the Brandenburg Gate, in the northern part of the Tiergarten park.
Bellevue Palace was built in 1786 by the architect Michael Philipp Bowman as the summer residence of Prince Augustus Ferdinand, the younger brother of the Prussian King Frederick II.
During the Second World War, Bellevue Palace was greatly damaged. But in the 50s of the 20th century, the building was rebuilt, and the internal historical interiors were restored according to the drawings.
Currently, the palace is the official residence of the Federal President of Germany, so the palace grounds are closed to the public.
How to get to Bellevue Palace Bellevue Palace is located at the Hansaplatz metro stop and the S3, S5, S7, S75 - Tiergarten train station.
- More information about Berlin transport
Botanical Garden Berlin
The main buildings of this garden were built between 1897 and 1910. The initial task was to grow exotic flora, which German scientists brought from expeditions, and this also applied to the colonies. The complex is one of the three most significant gardens in the world. Here you can meet the most interesting representatives of the plant world. In addition, the Great Tropical Greenhouse is the largest structure of its kind, reaching 25 meters in height, and also grows giant bamboo and other representatives of the tropics. The garden area is decorated using materials brought from all over the world. There are also many benches for rest on the territory. Thus, guests of the complex can leisurely stroll along local paths and relax both on benches and on special high balconies specially made for observation.
Where else to go in Berlin: 11 interesting places
Tiergarten
The largest and most popular park in Berlin. Located in the city center, area - 210 hectares. The park has many beautiful ponds, canals, monuments and alleys.
Sights of Berlin, photos and description : Goethe monument in the Gross Tiergarten park.
Red Town Hall
The building is made of red unbaked brick, built in 1869 and finally restored after the war in 1958. The area is 90 by 100 meters, the height of the main tower is 74 meters. The Senate and the mayor of Berlin meet here.
In the 19th century, they decided to build the Berlin City Hall from red brick, because all the surrounding buildings were built from it.
Fountain Neptune
Opened in 1891. The figure of Neptune stands on a giant shell held by newts. Children and all kinds of sea creatures are having fun around the sea god - crayfish, fish, seals, etc.
The female figures at the edges of the fountain represent the rivers: Rhine, Vistula, Oder and Elbe.
Church of St. Mary (Marienkirche)
This Lutheran church is one of the oldest in Berlin. Founded in 1380, it survived several fires, reconstructions and restorations. During the war, Marienkirche was badly damaged, but received its modern appearance after restoration in 1970.
Three famous landmarks of Berlin - the Marienkirche, the Neptune Fountain and the Red Town Hall - stand opposite each other. Well, the TV tower, where would we be without it?
Boulevard Unter den Linden
The length of the boulevard is 1390 meters, the name translates as “Under the linden trees” (these trees have been growing here since the mid-16th century). To be honest, we were not very impressed with this boulevard, but it is definitely worth a walk along it, because it connects two landmarks of Berlin - the Brandenburg Gate and the German State Opera. And the main building on the boulevard is, of course, the Russian Embassy.
Podlipki Boulevard on a stormy autumn day. In the background you can see the goddess Victoria from the Brandenburg Gate.
Berlin State Opera
One of the oldest musical theaters in Germany, first opened in 1742, at that time it was the largest opera house in Europe. The building was destroyed three times - after a fire in 1843 and bombings in 1942 and 1945 - and each time was completely restored. The theater received its current appearance after restoration in 1955, and in 2017 another reconstruction of this Berlin landmark was completed, which cost 400 million euros.
To the right of the opera are Bebelplatz and the Old Library building.
Checkpoint Charlie
In this place there was a checkpoint between Germany and the GDR, and it was here that the “tank confrontation” between the USSR and the USA took place in 1961. The Americans, together with the Federal Republic of Germany, wanted to destroy the Berlin Wall, they pulled tanks and bulldozers towards it, but Soviet tanks stood up as a wall on the eastern side and all this almost ended in an armed conflict. Today it is a popular tourist spot, and near the booth that remains from the checkpoint, artists in the uniform of American soldiers are on duty and are happy to pose for photographs for money.
Like many sights in Berlin, Checkpoint Charlie is one of the symbols of the Cold War and the division of Germany.
Topography of terror
A museum telling the story of the Nazis' rise to power in Germany. Built on the site of the former Gestapo headquarters. Part of the exhibition is located outdoors on a preserved section of the Berlin Wall.
Photographs, posters, newspaper clippings, stories about human destinies - it is very right that this exhibition was made free of charge.
Potsdamer Platz
Since the Middle Ages, this place has been a busy square. Today it is built up with beautiful modern skyscrapers, inside of which there are shopping centers, expensive hotels and luxury housing, as well as the famous Mommseneck and Lindenbräu beer gardens (highly recommended!). Potsdamer Platz is the most important transport hub, with a train station and metro and S-Bahn lines converging here.
And in 1924, the first traffic light in the German capital appeared on Potsdamer Platz.
Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church
The main advantage of this Berlin landmark is not its architectural delights or historical value. The fact is that during the Allied air raid on Berlin in 1943, the church was badly damaged, after which it was decided not to restore it and it unwittingly turned into a monument to a terrible war. Finally, a little history: the church was built in 1895 in honor of Kaiser Wilhelm I by his grandson Wilhelm II, the last Kaiser of Germany.
Berliners lovingly nicknamed this church “Rotten Tooth.”
Teufelsberg
The name of this Berlin landmark translates as “Devil’s Mountain.” This is an artificial hill 80 meters high; during the Cold War there was an American interception radar station on it. Now this is a tourist site, former ideological opponents in our person are wandering around the ruins of the spy station, and all the walls here are covered with layers of graffiti.
Related article: Teufelsberg. Former reconnaissance station, now an abandoned building
Previously, American radio interceptors operated at the station, but now young people have fun here. It's good that the Cold War is over, right?
Wilhelm Kaiser Church
This temple was erected in memory of Wilhelm, who became the first Kaiser. The temple received serious damage from Allied bombing in 1943, only the western tower was partially preserved, the rest of the building was completely destroyed. After the end of the war, local residents insisted on not rebuilding the church, but not demolishing the ruins either. This landmark of Berlin was supposed to serve as a reminder of the events of the war. However, in the 60s, several modern buildings were built near the ruins, and a year later they were consecrated by church representatives. Instead of the main nave of the old temple, a bell tower 100 meters high was erected. There is a small souvenir shop there. Every week, on Sunday, organ concerts are held, which are quite popular among both visitors and local residents, who arrive in large numbers to listen to the musicians.
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Pool Badeshift
The unique Badeshift outdoor pool is a purely Berlin invention. It is built from an old barge frame and floats down the Spree River on its own. All visitors, in addition to swimming, are invited to enjoy the beautiful view that opens from here to the central streets of the eastern shore. The pool has a sandy beach and a wooden platform, which attract sun lovers on a fine day. At the same time, you won’t be bored: there is a bar nearby. Summer is the ideal time to visit the pool, which is open until late in the evening. In winter, it is covered with a special canopy, it is kept warm inside and there is a sauna.
