Berlin is the capital of Germany and had a total population of 4.5 million people. The city has a rich history and is known for its involvement during the Second World War. Berlin is one of the most developed cities in Europe and thousands of people visit it in order to explore the museum, galleries, historic landmarks, and other tourist attractions.
Berlin is the capital of Germany and is the seventh most populous area in the European Union. It is located towards the northeast of Germany, on the banks of River Havel and Spree. The history of the place dates back to the 12th century when it consisted of several small settlements. It was in the 15th century that Berlin was established as the capital of the margraviate and was ruled by the Hohenzollern family till 1918. It played a very important role in the Second World War because the Nazi party killed the Jewish community of Berlin, which is referred to as the Holocaust. Due to the rich history of the place there are a lot of things to do in Berlin. You can get started by exploring the Reichstag that is where the German parliament is or can go to see the Berlin Wall and learn about why the wall was created to divide the city. Some of the other things to do in Berlin include going to the museums in order to learn about the history of the city. Some of the places that you should visit include Brandenburg Gate, Holocaust Memorial, Museum Island, Soviet War Memorial, and the Topography of Terror.
One of the most important cities in the world, Berlin is located on the Northern European Plain that is on the northwest side of the country. The climate of the city can be classified as maritime temperate with warm summers and cool winters. The city has six main districts known as City West, East, East Central, Mitte, North, and the South. You can reach the city by travelling via plane and landing at the Tegel International Airport and the Schönefeld Airport. Other means of transport include travelling by bus, train or car. The city receives thousands of tourists every year, so there are several places that you can visit. If you are a history buff, you should visit the Deutsches Historisches Museum, Kulturforum, Museen Charlotteburg, Museen Dahlem, and the Museumsinsel. Since Berlin is the city of art you should visit art galleries like the Art Center Berlin Friedrichstraße, Galerie Eigen & Art, and the loop -- raum fur aktuelle kunst. After you are done with this, you can have a look at the important landmarks like the Berlin Wall or Checkpoint Charlie. There are plenty of things to explore for nature lovers, as they can head to Berlin Zoo, Tierpark Berli, Viktoriapark, Tempelhofer Park, and the Botanischer Garten.
Alexanderplatz or Alex, is a buzzing public square in Berlin. If you want to experience the markets of Berlin and see how the locals live this is one of the best places to visit. You will be able to shop for some of the best things Germany has to offer, experience the local culture, and view some beautiful sights as well. It used to be the center of Berlin’s nightlife.
Alexanderplatz is also a great place for restaurants. The transportation hub allows for easy travel and the astounding array of shopping options will leave you dizzy. This is the best place in all of Berlin to go on a shopping spree, and we know when touring how important it is for people to be able to go to a good shopping area.
Alexanderplatz truly starts being busy when Christmas is near, as a very large Christmas market forms, offering great offers and deals on many products. The kiosks are just as lively as the shops, and you can also get great German treats to eat while you shop.
Art hungry? Alte Nationalgalerie is one place that would satisfy your imagination. And If art is not one of your interests; this gallery will inspire you still. The building was constructed in 1861, and has retained all the charm of the era it was created in. The architects wanted it to combine art, nation, and history. which makes the building look like a church with a temple and a theater.
The collection here is fantastic, and everyone is sure to find something of interest. Many different art movements are represented in the collection, including Romantic, Neoclassical, French Impressionism, and early Modernism as well. The collection includes art from some of the most legendary artists of these movements such as Max Liebermann, Caspar David Friedrich, Karl Blechen and many more.
Alte Nationalgalerie is surrounded by many other museums but manages to stand out due to its architecture. The gallery is open every day except Monday, and the opening hours are 10am to 6pm, except on Thursdays when it is open till 8pm.
The Botanical Garden and Botanical Museum in Berlin is one of the finest in the world. Spanning an area of over 43 hectares and a collection of more than 22,000 different plant species, it definitely should not be skipped by any tourist. You will literally find plants from all over the world here, and some of them are a sight to behold due to their exotic nature.
The best part of visiting this place is the serene environment. You will feel like time itself is slowing down due to the peace and greenery you are surrounded by. If you are going on a romantic trip, this place will result in a beautiful experience. If you are going alone, then you’re in for an even better treat. Let your surroundings get to you, and you will feel very calm, relaxed, and happy. The garden is divided into many buildings and glasshouses.
The great pavilion is our favorite place in the garden, the temperature is 30 C, and the place is always humid to make sure the plants are kept in perfect condition. The greenhouses are divided mostly by areas, but some of them are also divided on the basis of the type of plants inside. Old World Succulents is the most interesting garden in our opinion, housing many plants from the exotic lands of Africa.
The Berliner Dom (or the Berlin Cathedral) is one of the most beautiful buildings in the world. This might seem like a grand claim, but one visit there and you will understand why we say so. The earliest recorded history of the cathedral is in 1451; however, the current cathedral was constructed in 1905. Designed by Julius Raschdorff, the building is an exquisite work of art. It looks beautiful in the day, but by nightfall is when its true beauty is apparent. It was made to counter St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican, and we think it is just as amazing.
We would highly recommend getting a guided tour rather than trying to discover the place yourself. The cathedral is open for visits everyday 9am-8pm every day except holidays, when it is open from 12 noon to 8pm. If you are religious then this is the perfect place to have a truly religious experience. Go there on a Sunday, the Holy Communion is at 10am and sermons are at 6pm.
The fall of the Berlin Wall, a famous quote we’ve all heard. The Berlin Wall memorial is a fantastic monument to visit, if you are interested in history. It is rare to have sites as historic yet so new. It can be a very emotional experience as well, since the names of the people who died while trying to cross the wall are preserved here. Knowing that people suffered and died trying to get a better life is heartbreakingly relatable. The visitor’s center is great for tourists.
There is a small museum there which gives you the true history of the place. You get a real feel for how the people lived at the time, and the effects of the wall. The economic differences between East and West German were huge, and it was all separated by this wall. You also get a great idea of the political climate of those days, and why the Berlin wall was constructed in the first place. You also hear personal stories of people who crossed the wall, and it is an illuminating and very personal experience.
The Berlin Zoo (officially known as The Berlin Zoological Garden), with over 20,500 animals from more than 1500 species. Established in 1844, the zoo’s grandeur has only increased with time. More than 3 million people visit the zoo per year, making it among the most visited zoos in the world. It is a great place to visit to see all types of animals, and the regular feeding times are a very fun event.
You will be impressed by the variety of animals here. Camels, Kangaroos, Lions, Owls, Giraffes, penguins, bears, wolves, and some that you haven't heard of. The are species of rare deer and pigs you probably will not find in any other zoo. The zoo is open all days of the year, with the timings from 9am – 5pm. If you are going to the Berlin Zoo we would highly recommend the animal feedings. Call or visit their website to know what are the feeding timings.
The Bode Museum is located at the Museum Island of Berlin. Established in 1904, the collection of this museum is eccentrically mixed. The reason is that the founder Wilhelm von Bode believed that art was better enjoyed in variety, and that keeping the same type of art together devalued the experience. The 2 major collections here are the Skulpturensammlung und Museum für Byzantinische Kunst and Münzkabinett.
Skulpturensammlung und Museum für Byzantinische Kunst contains some of the most impressive and classic sculpture collection in the world of the Byzantine Art. Boasting artists like Donatello and Antonio Canova, the sculptures are truly a sight to behold. The Byzantine at is similarly awe-inspiring, with works collected from the 3rd to the 15th century.
Münzkabinett is the most important medal and coin collection in the world. If you ever had the hobby of collecting coins, this should be pure heaven for you. Some of the most interesting coins from the history of humankind are available here. The collection starts from 650 BC, and it is fantastic to be able to such ancient coinage.
The museum is open 9am-4pm, Mondays to Friday. When visiting the Museum Island, do not forget to head here.
It was in the 18th century when the Brandenburg Gate was built and is still considered one of the most famous landmarks of the city. Back in the days of the Cold War, it was built near the border of the two halves of the city. In 1989, the wall fell, and the Brandenburg Gate became a symbol of the unification of East and West Germany.
The gate was commissioned by Emperor William II and it was 28 meters tall and 65.5 meters wide. The construction of the wall started back in1778 and ended in 1791, and was decorated according to Greek mythology, which took additional four years. The gate had five passages out of which two were used by the common people, one by the aristocracy, and two by the royals. The gate was heavily damaged during World War II, but it was reconstructed from 1956 till 1958.
In the year 1961, the Brandenburg Gate was closed just a day after the construction of the Berlin Wall. When the wall fell, people rejoiced near the gate, and it was reopened in December 1989. Don't forget to visit this historic landmark when in Berlin.
The Charlottenburg Palace, also known as the Schloss Charlottenburg, is located in the western district of the city. The palace was made as a summer place for Sophie Charlotte who was the wife of Frederick III, the Elector of Brandenburg. The palace was constructed in 1965, and the chief designer was Johann Nering, whereas the architect was Johann Friedrich Eosander von Göthe.
Gothe at that point had returned from his trip to Rome and Paris, and the architecture there impressed him, which is why he constructed a dome on the palace’s structure and with a statue of the goddess Fortuna. The palace was damaged in 1943, during an air raid by the British, and the restoration process took more than sixty years. Currently, the Charlottenburg Palace is one of the few buildings left that show the era of the Hohenzollern dynasty.
It is highly recommended that when you are in the city, you pay a visit to this palace, as the architecture is truly impressive. Visitors can see the apartments of the King and Queen that have been constructed in Baroque style and have intricate wood paneling and beautiful ornaments. Another highlight of the palace is the Oak Gallery, which has portraits of the royal family, and the statue of the Great Elector that is placed at its entrance.
If there is one symbol that reminds Berliners about the Cold War, it is Checkpoint Charlie, as it separated East and West Berlin. The Berlin Wall was built in 1961 and stopped people from the East side to travel to the West side. The wall had three check posts, out of which Checkpoint Charlie became extremely famous.
It was the only place via which foreigners could cross from East to West. The checkpoint was removed almost thirty years later, during the time the reunification, but the place still holds historical importance and is considered an important landmark when it comes to Berlin’s history.
Currently, visitors can go to the area and they will find some bricks that lie on the path where the Berlin Wall once stood. Other than this, there is a sign that points towards the original site, and replica of the original check post. Visitors can pay a visit to the Haus am Checkpoint Charlie and learn more about the city’s history, the Berlin Wall, and World War II.
