A capital that doesn't look like it, a city whose cultural offer is capable of satisfying the most demanding visitors, a nightlife that attracts the parties from all over Europe… Welcome to Berlin, the city with a thousand facets! In the midst of a metamorphosis since the fall of the Wall, go on the traces of this huge, formerly divided city, symbol of the European iron curtain. At the forefront of the latest trends in the artistic, musical or even clothing fields, let yourself be caught by the dynamism of this exciting city.
First overview of the city's diversities…
For a first overview of the city's diversity, spend the first day of visit in Mitte should relax your curiosity. The Potsdamer Platz -formerly Europe's largest shipyard ─ is resplendent, and the headset with changing colors of the Sony Center is beautiful at night. Behind is a museum complex, the Kulturforum whose New Gallery hosts prestigious exhibitions. From Potsdamer Platz you only have to go through the Tiergarten, one of the city's many parks, to join the Brandenburger Tor. On the way, the Memorial to the Jews murdered in Europe is poignant, as is the outdoor exhibition dedicated to the victims of the Wall on the aisle that leads you to the Reichstag. Do not hesitate to climb into the dome of the latter, the splendid panorama is worth a few (long) minutes waiting. Architectural work, the government quarter around the Reichstag brings together a beautiful blend of styles.
To go back to history, take the majestic Unter den Linden Avenue. The buildings recalling the grandeur of the Prussian era march: Humboldt University, Opera, Cathedral, Museum Island. Take the time to discover at least one of the rich collections of these museums, you will not regret it. The detour by the Gendarmenmarkt, behind Unter den Linden, is strongly recommended, especially because Fassbender & Rausch, the best chocolate maker in the city, holds shop ↓! Finally, at the end of Unter den Linden appears Alexanderplatz. Some symbols of the communist period of East Berlin, including the famous TV Tower or the statues of Marx and Engels, are still in place. Even the Nikolaiviertel, this picturesque neighborhood nestled behind the square, is only a revival of the historic Berlin by the R.D.A. To continue in the reminiscences «╚ ostalgic ╩», take Karl-Marx Allee and, for two kilometers, you can imagine the atmosphere thirty years ago. Those who have less historical fiber will go from Alexanderplatz to the «district of barns ╩», the Scheunenviertel. Formerly low-income workers and artisans, the neighborhood lives in a whirlwind of modes and trends: galleries, fashion designers, artists have made an appointment here. Stroll along the streets and do not hesitate to go back to the backyards, which reserve many surprises! Perhaps history will catch you through these many golden dunks commemorating the execution of Berlin Jews during World War II.
In the footsteps of the Berlin Wall
Berlin is a city loaded with history. But where can we find traces of the famous Wall ╩? First on Potsdamer Platz, where three sections of Wall refresh memory. To complete this visit, an open-pit exhibition is installed at Checkpoint Charlie ╩: with a few scrolls from Potsdamer Platz, this crossing point between the Soviet and US sectors and rendered illustrious by espionage novels is now one of the city's most visited places.
Another tourist place, the East Side Gallery. Covered by artists from all over the world, the fragment of the Wall along the Mühlenstrasse is a unique souvenir that you will not find anywhere else in the city: time and graffiti have gradually deteriorated, but it remains a monument to history.
A walk along the Spree is being arranged, and will surely be more pleasant than crossing the Wall side street, which is a boulevard. If you stay in Berlin during summer, take a look at the Strandbar behind the Wall, an open-air bar, feet in the sand, arranged for the summer period and welcome you for a well deserved break. The bravest of you will go to Bernauer Strasse station. At the crossing of this street and the Ackerstrasse is the documentation center of Bernauer Strasse. Watch the chapel of Reconciliation and imagine life with the Wall from the center's observation terrace. You are not far away from the most beautiful terraces of Prenzlauer Berg around Kastanien-allee.
One final advice: if the weather allows you, go one morning in a flea market organized on Sunday in the ancient East Berlin.
At the pace of the vibrant Berlin nights
Point of respite along this weekend: The nightlife, the last facet to discover in Berlin, is not the least rich nor the least surprising. It is simply impossible to get bored at night in Berlin. The capital welcomes a hundred theaters, operas and cabarets. While the Berlin cabarets of the 1920 s are only a souvenir, this does not prevent today's variety shows from being of good quality. In the opera and theater, quality is also at the meeting, as well as the reputation. Classic, experimental, open air, in German, in foreign languages, culture is expressed here in all its forms and possibilities and at rates far less prohibitive than in France. A popular holiday destination for young Europeans, Berlin attracts. Would it be this atmosphere of tolerance, this resolutely alternative mindset that presides over night initiatives, these non-standard (and often unseen) places, this constant renewal (a club a week opens in Berlin) or the electronic music that holds it master ↓?
If the East, including the districts of Kreuzberg, Friedrichshain and Prenzlauer Berg, seems to be more at the forefront of trends and offer the most «typical Berlin» evenings, all places are good to celebrate. Even the simple bar has no closing time and can hide a dance floor in the basement. In addition, many places are polymorphic: bars in the afternoon become restaurants at the beginning of the evening and clubs at night!
Smart News
When is it? Between May and September. Berlin reborn to become one of the most pleasant cities in Europe and all the Berliners come out to settle on the terrace.
Go there. A big hour of flight from Paris (count 120 to 220 €).
BERLIN BRANDENBURG AIRPORT
AIR FRANCE
Useful. To prepare for your getaway best.
BERLIN TOURIST OFFICE
