For those who haven't been recently, Berlin is still about its sinister Wall that was symbolically pulled down in the late eighties. A tour of Berlin soon dispels this somewhat dated image and presents Germany's capital as it really is – a green, cultural city with plenty of noteworthy landmarks and in fact more bridges than Venice. What with clubs, bars, superior museums and a healthy art scene, Berlin is sophisticated, lively and back on par with Europe's other great cities.
Tour Berlin
A wander around Berlin's streets will instantly bring you across the city's historical features. The imposing neo-classical Brandenburg Gate that was initially constructed in 1791 to represent peace stands in Pariser Platz, having narrowly escaped bombing in the Second World War. One block away lies the equally impressive Reichstag (Parliament Building), home to the Bundestag (German government) with its now trademark glass dome. A trip up to the gleaming cupola is a must on any trip to Germany – from here, visitors can admire 360-degree views of Berlin as well as a privileged peek into the Bundestag's debating chamber.
If you can't resist a glimpse of the famous Wall, then Potsdamer Platz is the place to head, which owns one of the last three surviving sections. Despite the wall's demise, the east side is still vastly different from the razzmatazz of the west. After that, the square's 120 shops and cinemas are on standby to provide some lighter relief.
- Berlin has a few sterling museums and 175 in total, but Museum Island is well worth a visit if you're pushed for time on your touring holiday. This World Heritage Site on the River Spree merges a quintet of museums including the Pergamon Museum, Old Museum, New Museum, Old Nationally Gallery and Bode Museum.