Germany’s edgy metropolis-turned capital has a little something for every visitor. Like many ‘first’ cities (Rome, London, NYC), Berlin has a seemingly-inexhaustible well of sights to see, things to do, foods to eat. Of Germany’s big cities, Berlin seems most like its NYC: it has nonstop energy and creativity, but little of the stateliness that marks other European capitals one could name.
I just led clients through Berlin and other highlights of Germany; when you’re ready to see the best of Germany or other countries in Europe, give me a shout. For now, check out Berlin . . .
The major sights
Your intrepid guide, spotted by paparazzi at Brandenburg.
The Brandenburg Gate is Berlin’s Tower Bridge, Big Ben, or Eiffel Tower—the iconic landmark the city’s name conjures up. Built in the 1700s, it’s been a multi-use symbol for the city through every era since then; notably for Americans, it served as the backdrop for President Reagan’s 1987 ‘tear down this wall’ speech. A plaque on the sidewalk marks where he stood to deliver it.
Brandenburg guards one end of Unter den Linden, which takes you past shops and cafes to the Berlin Cathedral and Museum Island. With the gate behind you, look up Unter den Linden: to the right are the American Embassy and the Adlon Hotel, from which Michael Jacksons dangled his baby. Just to the north of the gate, find the nearby Reichstag (the capital building that burned in 1933, possibly/probably by Hitler’s allies, and helped propel him to power), now topped with a steel and glass dome. If you want to visit the building, book it well in advance. [Seen below: details of Brandenburg Gate, the Topography of Terror exhibit and a section of the Wall, and the Holocaust Memorial.]
Several major sights cluster at the other end of Unter den Linden. The German National History Museum is currently (fall 2022) being refurbished but when open, gives a great overview of Germany’s story. Next door sits Museum Island (Museuminsel), home to five museums:
Pergamon Museum- Greek and Roman, including the Pergamon Altar and the Babylonian Ishtar Gate.
Altes Museum- ‘classical antiquities,’ including Greek art/artifacts. [Pictured right.]
Alte Nationalgalerie- major paintings, including Impressionists and lots of German artists.
Neues Museum- Egyptian artifacts
Bode Museum- wide-ranging collection anchored by Byzantine art
Visit one for €10 or get a day pass, as of this writing, for €20. See below, the entrance to the Altes Museum, pictures by Renoir and Monet, and sculpture by Rodin.
Head further east, and you’ll find Alexanderplatz and its TV tower (Fernsehturm), which features a revolving restaurant. Shops and rather depressing communist-era buildings surround the square. Also next to the tower: the meeting point for Fat Tire Bike Tours, which I highly recommend. I’ve done their city tour and Potsdam excursions—both excellent.
A US soldier, shown at Checkpoint Charlie.
Checkpoint Charlie sits to the south of Unter den Linden and offers kitschy photo stop and kitschy-cool souvenirs at the Allied Checkpoint Store. Nearby, the adventurous can take a tour in a Trabant, the crappy ‘60s car that became an emblem of East Berlin, or a quick Air Service balloon flight.
The Gendarmenmarkt is Berlin’s grandest square, capped by two churches and a concert hall and surrounded by high-end stores. [Check out the Rausch chocolatier.] It’s a great setting for an outdoor concert, or a Christmas market. There are several big hotels nearby as well, including the Hilton. [Gendarmenmarkt, captured by bus, below.]
Potsdammer Platz was left an empty field for decades before being redeveloped into shops, apartments, and offices. Noteworthy is the Sony Center, which looks like Mount Fuji and contains a movie theater, restaurants, and shops. Lots of all three in this area.
Speaking of tours, it’s easy to walk or bike among the major sights clustered in the eastern side of the city. All of the sights I’ve mentioned so far are walkable or bikeable and could be strung together in a very full day.
On the western side of town, Ku’damm, Berlin’s big shopping street, counts as a major sight if you love to shop. Two shop-stops not to miss: the Bikini shopping area, near Zoo Station and the Bikini/25hours hotel. You can peak over into the zoo’s monkey area from here. A block or two away, there’s an outpost of the famed Käthe Wohlfahrt Christmas store. And KaDeWe, short for Kaufhaus des Westens, is Germany’s grandest department store (a la Harrod’s or Galleries Lafayette)
The Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church looms across the street from Zoo Station and Bikini, its ruined tower a reminder of the war. There’s both a ‘modern’ chapel and the ruined one; the latter has a small exhibit, and some beautiful mosaic work. ]Seen below: Kaiser church, interior mosaic, and multiple monkey shots from Bikini.]
Next stops
Run through the big stuff? Want something a little less obvious? Try these. Berlin’s best modern art museum is the sprawling Hamburger Bahnhof—as its name suggests, a former train station that’s now a huge modern art playground. Nikolaiviertel, or Nicholas quarter, is a little German village tucked into the middle of Berlin not far from Alexanderplatz. Hackescher Markt offers quirky shopping and a variety of restaurants, wedged in between Museum Island and Alexanderplatz.
Staying, Eating
I reserve my dining and hotel recommendations for my clients. Good news: it’s easy to become one! Shoot me an email, and we’ll get started creating a dream trip to central Europe.
