Berlin’s main cultural and historical sights, as well as many of its best hotels, are clustered in the central Mitte district. But make sure you venture out and explore the surrounding neighbourhoods to discover diverse districts, each boasting its own unique charms and attractions, from burgeoning art scenes to quirky shopping experiences.
A walk through history
Over time, the Reichstag has been burned, bombed, rebuilt and wrapped in polypropylene fabric, before being capped with its iconic transparent dome, designed by Sir Norman Foster.
The seat of German Parliament remains one of Berlin’s most iconic buildings. Venture to the top of the glittering glass dome to get perfect panoramic views of the city or joina guided tour to learn more about the building’s storied past.
Marvel at the majesty of Berlin’s most recognisable landmark, the Brandenburg Gate, the symbol of division during the Cold War, which now epitomises German reunification.
The elegant triumphal arch, completed in 1791 as the royal city gate, stands guard over Pariser Platz, Take some time to visit the maze-like Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe, a sobering window to the past made up of 2,711 columns, commemorating the victims of the Holocaust.
Afterwards, stroll along the forested paths of the Tiergarten, Berlin’s main city park, unwinding and recharging your batteries like a local.
A short walk from here is Potsdamer Platz, one of Berlin’s most famous landmarks and another symbol of its remarkable regeneration. This was the point where the Soviet, British and American sectors met post WWII.
Today, a metal strip in the ground traces its fascinating story. Take some time to wander the surrounding streets and discover a cultural hotbed among the forest of skyscrapers. On the south side is the highlight, Kulturforum, home to the Gemäldegalerie with its wonderful collection of paintings by Europe’s old masters.
From Potsdamer Platz it’s a short walk east to Checkpoint Charlie, the most visible reminder of the former division of Berlin. It has been faithfully recreated, complete with border guards and a fascinating museum chronicling the weird and wonderful efforts of Berliners who attempted to cross the Wall in post-war Germany
Museum Island
Wander Museumsinsel (Museum Island), in the middle of the Spree and discover a collection of five monolithic museums that catalogue a staggering 6,000 years of art, artefacts, sculpture and architecture from across Europe and beyond.
The Altes Museum displays Greek, Etruscan and Roman antiquities. Behind it, the Neues Museum showcases the Egyptian collection, most famous among which sits the bust of Queen Nefertiti.
The temple-like Alte Nationalgalerie focuses on 19th-century European art, while the Bode-Museum, at the island's northern tip, is famous for its medieval sculptures. Best of the lot is the Pergamonmsueum, with its vast treasures from the Ancient Near East and Islamic art.
Beyond the city
Take a short drive west of Mitte to the magnificent Charlottenburg Palace, built in the late 17th century for Sophie Charlotte, Queen consort in Prussia.
Originally a small summer retreat, it grew into an exquisite rococo pile, richly furnished and packed with precious collections of art. A stroll around the sprawling park, with its shady walkways, flower beds and manicured lawns, is a must.
Just 15 minutes by car from Berlin, Potsdam makes for a delightful day trip. The largest World Heritage Site in Germany, it was once the residence of the Prussian kings.
Among its many magnificent baroque buildings is the remarkable Schloss Sanssouci, the largest World Heritage Site in Germany. There’s also Babelsberg, the oldest large-scale film studio in the world, Schinkel’s Roman Baths, and the must-see – and utterly charming – Dutch Quarter.
Car rental in Berlin allows you to explore this magnificent European capital, as well as the many treasures that lie beyond the city.
