Berlin, Germany’s stunning capital city, offers a wealth of history and culture combined with a blossoming art scene and a lively, liberal attitude. It’s a must-see destination for city lovers, and fantastic hotels such as the great Hotel Adlon Berlin make it easy to see the city in style, but with so much to choose from, where do you start?
Berlin has six major districts:
Mitte: The city centre, primarily home to the city’s cafes, shopping malls and museums. You’ll also find clubs and bars in abundance in the smaller streets.
Don’t miss: The Bebelplatz, an open square with a strikingly simple monument marking the burning of books by the Nazi regime.
City West: Here you’ll find Ku’Damm, one of the city’s most premium shopping streets, especially noted for its luxury brands. The Charlottenburg Palace and Olympic Stadium is also located in this district.
Don’t miss: The Reichstag Building, Germany’s parliament building featuring panoramic views over Berlin from the domed rooftop.
East Central: A hub of activity for Berlin’s younger crowd, East Central is a clearly liberal-leaning area where artists, students and media professionals congregate. Lots of cafes, bars and independent shops to discover here!
Don’t miss: East Side Gallery, a breathtaking series of murals painted on the longest existing stretch of the Berlin Wall.
North: The North district of Berlin has retained the style of the old city, and contains a number of historical residential districts. Having avoided much of the bombing in WWII, it’s also one of the best places to find some of the oldest architecture in the city.
Don’t miss: Lübars, a small town on the city’s outskirts beautifully maintained in much the same way it was 100 years ago.
East: A district of contrasts, East Berlin is home to the former Stasi prison and a number of Cold War-esque apartment blocks, but also the beautiful World’s Garden, a park of ethnic garden designs and species with regular guided tours.
Don’t miss: The Tierpark, a large green space featuring a zoo and a 17th century castle to discover.
South: South Berlin is mostly residential, although nature lovers should note that the lake and forests in the Treptow-Köpenick borough are widely considered the best around the city, ideal for an afternoon away from the hustle and bustle of the centre.
Don’t miss: Müggelturm, the observation tower over the forests and natural landscape that borders the city.
It’s worth remembering that this is only a small selection of what’s on offer in Berlin. Whether you’re a history buff, aspiring artist or just a backpacker looking for a new city to explore, there’s something to suit every kind of visitor, so get packing and start planning you next European city break!