Overview

Berlin has been a centre of arts and culture since the 18th century, and this tradition continues today in the city's many museums. Berlin's historical quarter, Nikolai, clings to the banks of the Spree River and plays host to a variety of medieval buildings. But the greatest draw card in Berlin is the space the Berlin Wall left behind when it fell in the late 1980s. Today, visitors can learn about the divisive wall and its resounding fall at the Gedenkstätte Berliner Mauer visitor centre.

Gemäldegalerie

As the largest museum of fine arts in Berlin, the Gemäldegalerie spans dozens of separate viewing halls and thousands of works of art. The museum's crowning exhibit is a spectacular collection of Rembrandt paintings. Most of the artwork on display has been generated by Germany's finest artists between the 1200s and 1700s, though visitors will also find a range of works by international masters with an emphasis on Dutch and Italian artists.

Reichstag

Also known as the Bundestag, this is one of Berlin's most iconic buildings, drawing a steady stream of tourists throughout the year. It began as the seat of parliament in the 19th century, and was later burned down by an insurgent shortly after Hitler was named chancellor. After the end of WWII, the Reichstag remained central to Berlin's struggle as it adjoined the Berlin Wall that cut the city in two. Eventually, the wall was torn down and the Reichstag was renovated so that the new unified parliament could return.

Nikolai Quarter

Once the core of medieval Berlin, Nikolai is now an atmospheric district of the city laid out with cosy restaurants and nostalgic store fronts. Among the prominent 13th century architecture is the city's oldest church. This part of the city also boasts a collection of well-preserved buildings from the 1700s. Nikolai is the perfect place to take a stroll along the Spree River.

Pergamon Museum

Housing a fascinating collection of artefacts from around the world, the Pergamon Museum is one of the finest collections of antiquities in the country. Each department focuses on one of the world's ancient civilisations, and given the number of exhibits it may be a good idea to focus on just two or three areas that are of particular interest. The Near East Department draws crowds with its world-class collection of Persian and Assyrian artefacts while the Greco-Roman Department is also popular.

Berlin Wall

Although it came down in 1989, remnants of the Berlin Wall can still be seen across the city. Portions of the remainder have blended into the cityscape and aren't worth visiting; however, the government has set aside a specific block of the broken wall known as Gedenkstätte Berliner Mauer. A chapel here memorialises those East Berliners who lost their lives trying to scale the wall, while the adjoining visitor centre offers a wealth of information on specific facts and features of the Berlin Wall.

Jewish Museum (Jüdisches Museum)

This is the largest Jewish Museum on the continent. Exhibits are grouped according to three overarching themes: the Holocaust; the recovery of the Jewish community after WWII; along with a broader look at Judaism and daily Jewish life. The architecture and interior design of the Jewish Museum are mesmerising. The interior is intentionally convoluted and disconcerting, while the exterior resembles a broken Star of David.

Overview

Berlin is well equipped to accommodate a variety of sports and leisure activities. The countryside features several lakes that are popular with swimmers, sunbathers and sailors during the warm summer months. Golfing is also a popular seasonal sport, and the city operates more than a dozen major courses. To escape urban life without leaving the city, consider touring the World's Garden or cycling in the Tiergarten.

World's Garden (Gärten der Welt)

Found in Marzahn district, the World's Garden is a lovely botanical garden featuring Asian themes. The Japanese Garden is especially authentic and was planned according to a partnership between Berlin and Tokyo. The largest area is the Chinese Garden, and visitors will also find a Korean garden and a lovely Bali greenhouse.

Swimming

Water-based sports are well catered for, especially during the summer months when indoor and outdoor facilities are both viable. Public swimming pools are widely available throughout the city, both in large-scale fitness facilities and hotels. The lakes of Grosser Müggelsee, Wannsee and Tegeler See all have beaches that are popular for swimming and sunbathing when the weather is warm.

Cycling

Berlin boasts excellent cycling infrastructure, with dedicated bike paths accessing many of the city's major sites. For an urban escape, follow the paths marked with red bricks and consider a detour into any number of public parks. With nearly 15 miles of biking trails, the Tiergarten is especially nice for cyclists who'd rather not stray from the city centre. Outside of town, Grunewald Forest offers more seclusion and a greater network of paths.

Golf

Golf-Zentrum Berlin-Mitte is the most accessible golf course, located on Chaussee Strassee within easy reach of the city centre. Practice facilities and onsite trainers are available. The greens here stay open relatively late and are open to non-members, making this an ideal course for tourists. In all, there are 16 city golf courses, all of which hire out equipment for golfers that prefer to travel lightly.

Boating

There are several places in Berlin where visitors can take to the water. In the city itself, boating tours are organised along the Landwehr Canal and the Spree River. Tours like these take in several major sites including the Reichstag and Charlottenburg Palace. Sailing is also popular on lakes in the countryside. The best facilities are found at Tegeler See, Grosser Müggelsee and Wannsee. Stern and Kreisschiffahrt is the city's largest boating company and can arrange tours on Berlin's lakes.

Dining and shopping

Berlin offers outstanding shopping and dining options, with a pleasing selection of upmarket and affordable venues to suit all tastes. Pub-hopping is a popular pastime with both locals and tourists, which comes as no surprise given the quality of locally-brewed beer. Expansive shopping facilities are found in every major district.

Dining out in Berlin can be very economical, and visitors will find that local eateries charge much less than those in capital cities of other Western nations. Credit cards are usually accepted in upmarket restaurants, though policies vary in mid-range and budget eateries. As a rule, it is best to carry a modest cash reserve just in case.

A number of important dining districts can be found throughout the metropolitan area. Modern development is underway in Charlottenburg, which is paving the way for chic cafés and lounges. Meanwhile, trendy beer gardens and underground live-music bars are found in Friedrichshain district.

Hackescher Market on Oranienburger Strasse is a more nostalgic district with a range of atmospheric eateries that date back several decades. The most authentic dining experience is found in gaststatte pubs, which are situated in every major district. Kreuzberg is the best place to sample ethnic cuisine, with its selection of well-priced Asian and North African restaurants.

Local cuisine is hearty and relies on generous meat portions. Currywurst (sausage served with a spicy curry sauce) is a local delicacy and is served by street vendors across the city. Locally-brewed beer is another Berlin staple, especially the local weisse (wheat) beer which is served in all local pubs and restaurants.

Shopping enthusiasts will find an excellent array of modern shopping areas to keep them occupied during their stay in Berlin. Kurfürstendamm (often abbreviated as ‘Ku'Damm') is one of the main shopping districts, characterised by upscale boutiques, designer fashions and large-scale department stores.

Friedrichstrasse is located in East Berlin and supports Galleries Lafayette shopping mall with its impressive range of shopping outlets in this single venue. Upmarket designer brands are the mainstay here, as well as in Alexanderplatz's Gallery Kaufhof and the many shopping outlets of Hackescher Market.

For souvenirs, the main tourist districts are the best place to begin. Music stores, gift shops and book stores are kept in little shops throughout the Mitte historical district. Potsdamer Platz is unique in that it spans both sides of the former Berlin Wall. A large shopping centre with an IMAX theatre is found here.

Schöneberg district hosts atmospheric Saturday markets that offer a welcome alternative to indoor shopping. Other weekend marketplaces convene at Mauerpark and Strausse des 17 Juni (near the Tiergarten).

It comes as no surprise that Germany's capital city has a great selection of chic, upscale restaurants, but discerning diners don't have to spend a lot of money to satisfy their palates. In fact, some of the finest establishment don't even accept credit cards. Continental culinary traditions featuring German and French delicacies are the mainstay, with a strong showing of international cuisine.

Overview

Berlin Tegel International Airport is Berlin's main gateway, though it works closely with two other airports. Those arriving from elsewhere in Germany or Europe may wish to make use of the efficient train network which connects to cities across the country and abroad. Within the city, public transportation is accomplished onboard the city's world-class underground metro, its commuter trains and its comprehensive public bus network. An excellent network of highways makes hire cars an attractive option for transportation between cities.

Airports

There are three different airports serving Berlin, each with its own regional speciality. Ageing Berlin Tempelhof is only used for short-haul flights to German cities and a handful of neighbouring European countries. Berlin Schoenefeld focuses on connections with Asia while Berlin Tegel connects Germany with major cities across the Western hemisphere.

Berlin Tegel is the city's busiest airport and is found only a few miles from the city centre. Facilities are modern and comprehensive and include numerous ATMs, exchange and post facilities, business services, executive lounges and a thorough selection of eateries and shops.

Berlin Tegel is connected to the city centre via airport express X9 bus, which departs from the Arrivals hall every 10 minutes and reaches the city centre in less than half an hour. All three airports are linked to the city centre (as well as to each other) via bus, train and underground metro. Those who land at one airport and then need to catch a connecting flight from another can make use of the efficient private shuttle fleet that links all three facilities.

Public transportation

Visitors planning to access Berlin from anywhere in Europe can make use of Germany's world-class railways. Lehrter Bahnhof is a massive rail station in Berlin Mitte, slated to inherit the bulk of the city's rail traffic over the next few years. In the meantime, the east and west stations of Bahnhof Zoo and Ostbahnhof continue to play important roles in public transport. Trains connect first to Munich, Hamburg, Frankfurt and Bonn before continuing on to greater Germany and Europe.

An extensive fleet of buses originating in Berlin ply daily routes to hundreds of cities across Germany and the rest of Europe. Public transportation across the city connects to ZOB Omnibusbahnhof am Funkturm. This comprehensive bus terminal is found in Charlottenburg.

It is also convenient to reach Berlin by car via the country's world-renowned network of highways. The A12 approaches Berlin from Frankfurt, a major European transport hub. The A24 heads to Hamburg, while the A2 connects to Hanover. The A10 is the city's ring road, linking the city centre with the city's various transportation arteries. Hiring a car is an excellent idea for those wishing to drive themselves between cities or to outlying attractions in the countryside.

Getting around Berlin is convenient due to its modern public transportation infrastructure. The U-Bahn subway is extensive, taking in all of the primary tourist districts. The S-Bahn above-ground train network serves commuters with its comprehensive service to the suburbs. There is also a city tram service serving select routes throughout central Berlin. Public buses link with trams, trains and the metro to fill in the gaps. Taxis are also widely available.