Berlin is considered one of the largest cities in Europe in terms of population and land area. The first large-scale settlements appeared on this territory in the 13th century AD. It was two separate cities – Cologne and Berlin – which then merged into one. The name of one of the cities was assigned to the capital of Germany, and Cologne turned into the district of Neukölln.
Since its founding, the city has experienced a lot: there were periods of prosperity and periods of decline. Berlin changed most of all during and after the events of the Second World War. In addition to the fact that many buildings with historical and cultural value were destroyed, the city was divided into two parts by the Berlin Wall shortly after the end of the war. Now it is a prosperous region, popular among tourists. Many buildings have been restored and reopened to the public.
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➤ Reichstag Building
One of the most famous parliaments in the world is located in the Reichstag building. At the end of the 19th century, meetings of the State Assembly of the German Empire, then the Weimar Republic, were held here.
The monumental building began to be erected in 1884, and completed in 1894. During the Second World War, the building was used in a variety of ways: there were in different periods of time, and the hospital, and the maternity hospital, and the factory for the production of lamps.
- Operating hours: every day from 8 am to 11 pm;
- Cost: free;
- How to get there: the fastest way – take the U55 metro line.
➤ Berlin Zoo
The zoo, spread over 30 hectares, has been in existence for at least 150 years. The Berlin Zoo was founded in the 19th century by Friedrich Wilhelm IV, King of Prussia. At the moment, they contain about one and a half thousand different species of animals.
To enter the zoo, you need to go through Elephanteron. This is the name of the huge Chinese-style arch installed at the gates of the park. At its base – two elephants holding massive columns on their backs. The arch is crowned with a bright dome.
- Opening hours: every day from 9 am, it is better to check the closing time before visiting;
- Cost: entrance ticket price starts from 9 euros;
- How to get there: you can get to the zoo by metro lines U2, 9, 12.
➤ Brandenburg Gate
Once the Brandenburg Gate served as the main entrance to the city. Then they became part of the Berlin Wall, which divided the city into two parts. Now it is the only surviving section of the historic building. You can come here day and night. In the evening, the gate looks especially impressive due to interestingly thought-out lighting.
- Opening hours: around the clock;
- Price: free ;
- How to get there: You can take the U-Bahn line U to the Brandenburg Gate.
➤ Berlin Cathedral
The pompous building of the cathedral was built at the end of the 19th – early 20th century by two brothers-architects. Initially, the cathedral was designed as a family cathedral and the tomb of the Hohenzollern family. The building impresses and fascinates with the beauty of architectural structures. In front of the cathedral there is another interesting monument – fountain built on the contrast of rounded and acute-angled shapes.
- Opening hours:around the clock;
- Price: free;
- How to get there: walking distance from Lustgarten.
➤ Greater Tiergarten
The name “Tiergarten” occurs several times in the names of different locations in Berlin. This is both the name of the district and the name of two parks. The Greater Tiergarten is one of the largest parks in Germany. It covers an area of 210 hectares.
Previously, there were hunting areas here, but now it is a cozy area for walking and relaxing. When visiting the Greater Tiergarten, do not forget to stop by the Berlin Zoo, as well as visit the Memorial dedicated to the Soviet soldiers who fell during World War II.
- Opening hours: around the clock;
- Price: free of charge;
- How to get there: You can get to the park by metro lines U2, 9, 12.
➤ East Side Gallery
An open-air art gallery is located in the southeast of Berlin. Hidden under the colorful works is a building that is both a symbol of the division and unification of the people, – Berlin Wall. The first paintings appeared on it in the 90s of the XX century.
And now more than 1,300 meters of the wall are decorated with drawings made in a variety of styles. You can walk along the walls alone, or you can hire a guide who will tell you about the history of each of the paintings.
- Opening hours: around the clock;
- Cost: free;
- How to get there: Walking distance from Friedrichshain.
➤ Berlin Wall
For a long 28 years, the Berlin Wall divided the city into two parts. Until our time, only a segment of more than 150 kilometers, which includes the Brandenburg Gate, has survived. Near the monument there are many souvenir shops where you can buy a piece of the wall as a keepsake.
The Berlin Wall was rebuilt in the middle of the 20th century, and destroyed in 1989 by the joint forces of the inhabitants of East and West Berlin. You will learn about the circumstances of these events from the tour, which can be booked directly on the spot.
- Opening hours: around the clock;
- Price: free;
- How to get there: You can take the U-Bahn line U to the Berlin Wall.
➤ Museum Island
There are many museums on this island that have collected exhibits from various eras: from the times of Ancient Egypt to the present day. At the end of the 20th century, this place was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The location is unique in that the territory of the island is a single structure of individual buildings. Outstanding architects of the era worked on the project in different years. Today, the collections have grown to such a size that it became necessary to build additional buildings.
- Opening hours:every day from 10 am to 8 pm;
- Fee: standard ticket costs 30 euros;
- How to get there: the fastest way – take the metro, the island can be reached by line U6.
➤ Pergamon Museum
The Pergamon Museum should be visited by every lover of architecture and archeology. Here are the famous reconstructions of the ancient cities of Ancient Rome, Greece and the Middle East. The Pergamon Museum is divided into three parts: the antique collection, the Asiatic sector and exhibits belonging to Islamic art.
- Opening hours: from Tuesday to Sunday, from 10 am to 6 pm pm;
- Price: minimum ticket price 12 euros;
- How to get there: can be reached by metro line U6.< /li>
➤ Berlin TV Tower
A huge tower crowned by a giant ball with spiers – one of the most popular tourist destinations. The height of the TV tower is over 350 meters. At its top is a delightful observation deck. The building of the TV tower was completed in the 60s of the XX century, after the completion of the construction of the Berlin Wall.
The building was put into operation just in time for the twentieth anniversary of the formation of the GDR. Today it is a symbol of German unity, to which people flock every year from all over the world.
- Opening hours: every day from 10 am to 10 pm, sometimes until midnight;
- Cost:the ticket price is from 10 euros;
- How to get there: metro lines U2, 5, 8 lead to the TV tower.
➤ Old National gallery
In 1861, the well-known banker Wagener presented the King of Prussia with more than 250 paintings. It was assumed that they would be placed in the Academy of Arts, but then it was decided to build a separate building for this collection. Thus was born the plan for what is now called the old national gallery. It houses a collection of art dating back to the 19th century, which is considered the largest in Europe.
- Opening hours: every day from 10 am to 6 pm;
- Price: Tickets start at €12;
- How to get there: There is a Lustgarten bus stop next to the gallery.
➤ Red Town Hall
“Red” The town hall, built in the 19th century, was named after the color of the bricks used for the façade. This building houses the office of the mayor of Berlin. Not all halls are open to tourists, because the town hall functions for its main purpose.
In addition, during some events, tourists are not allowed to enter for security reasons. We recommend booking a guided tour, during which you will be told in detail about all the interesting stories associated with the town hall.
- Opening hours: every day from 9 am to 18 pm;< /li>
- Cost: free;
- How to get there: there are several bus stops near the town hall.
➤ Charlottenburg Castle
Charlottenburg is rightfully considered one of the most significant among the palace ensembles of the city. Seven generations of rulers chose it as their place of residence: from the Electors of Brandenburg to the Hohenzollern family.
The construction of the castle began in the 17th century. Since then, each family that settled in Charlottenburg has brought something of its own to the architecture of the ensemble. During the Second World War, the castle was badly damaged and was subsequently restored. It is now fully open to the public.
- Opening hours: every day from 10 am to 5 pm;
- Price: the minimum charge for a breath is 8 euros;
- How to get there: you can get to the castle by metro line U7.
➤ Street Unter den Linden
The name of this picturesque street is translated as “under the lindens”. The street was actually laid by Friedrich Wilheim, who decided to improve the road along which he often traveled to the hunting grounds. Walking along the street, you can simultaneously visit many key attractions of the city: from the Brandenburg Gate to the Berlin State Opera.
- Opening hours: around the clock;
- < strong>Fee: free;
- How to get there: You can walk here from the Brandenburg Gate.
➤ Berlin State Opera
Many still call this building by the old name – Royal Court Opera. Opera reached its peak at the beginning of the 20th century. And in 1945, during World War II, the building was almost completely destroyed. Now, after reconstruction, the opera is again open to visitors. Interestingly, the place of the chief choreographer is now occupied by a Russian ballet dancer.
- Working hours: depends on the specific event;
- Price:< /strong> we recommend that you check ticket prices immediately before the event;
- How to get there: you can get to the opera house by metro line U6.
➤ Holocaust Memorial
An eternal monument to the terrible events that unfolded during the Second World War. The memorial is dedicated to the victims of the Holocaust, the Jews brutally murdered by the Nazis. Gray slabs are arranged in even rows on the territory of the memorial. All of them are of different heights, which once again reminds us that among the victims of the Nazis were people of all ages: from children to the elderly.
- Working hours: around the clock;< /li>
- Cost: free;
- How to get there: the fastest way to get to the Memorial – take a taxi.
➤ Treptower Park
A cozy park is located in the southeast of the city. Folk festivals and holidays are often held here. Not only tourists often visit this place, but also locals.
In the park, you can find extremely interesting sights. For example, a memorial monument dedicated to Soviet soldiers who died during World War II. In addition, there is a puppet theater and an observatory.
- Opening hours: around the clock;
- Price: free of charge;
- How to get there: You can get to the park by metro using the S line.
➤ Alexanderplatz
Once upon a time there was a hospital named after St. and the square bore his name. At the beginning of the 18th century, the square and the gate adjacent to it were renamed the Royal Square in order to symbolically mark the coronation of Frederick the First.
Last Name – Alexander Square – the place was given in the 19th century after the visit of the Russian tsar to the city. In the 20th century, the most famous trading houses were built here, some of which have survived in their original form to this day.
- Opening hours: around the clock;
- Fee: free;
- How to get there: You can easily walk here from the city center or take the subway line U.
- Opening hours: around the clock;
- Cost: free;
- How to get there: walking distance from the city center
- Opening hours: every day from 10 am to 6 pm;
- Price: free;
- How to get there: Walking distance from Potsdamer Platz to the gallery.
- Opening hours: around the clock;
- Price: free of charge;< /li>
- How to get there: the palace can be reached on foot from the center of Berlin.
- Opening hours: every day from 9 am to 8 pm;
- Price: The minimum entry price is 3 euros;
- How to get there: The Botanical Garden can be reached by subway line U.< /li>
- Opening hours: around the clock;
- Cost: free;
- How to get there: you can walk here from anywhere in the center of Berlin.
- Opening hours: we recommend that you check the synagogue's opening hours immediately before visiting;
- Price: free;
- How to get there: The synagogue can be reached by subway line S.
- Opening hours: around the clock;
- Cost: free;
- How to get there: the most convenient way to get to the church – take a taxi, you can also walk from the city center.
- Opening hours: Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 10 am to 2 pm, Thursday from 2 pm to 6 pm;
- Price: free;
- How to get there: lines U and S.
- Opening hours: every day from 10 am, check the closing time before visiting;
- Cost: entrance ticket costs from 24 euros;
- How to get there: the museum can be reached on foot from anywhere in the city center.
- Opening hours: around the clock;
- Price: free of charge;< /li>
- How to get there:the square is located in the center of the city and can be easily reached by almost any transport.
- Opening hours:around the clock;
- Price: free;
- How to get there: a short walk from Bremen Cathedral.
- Opening hours: every day from 10 am to 5 pm;
- Cost:< /strong> the minimum entrance fee is 5 euros;
- How to get there: you can get to the citadel by metro line U.
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➤ Checkpoint Charlie
Checkpoint Charlie was created almost immediately after the construction of the Berlin Wall between the western and eastern parts of the city. Today, Checkpoint Charlie is considered a symbol of the confrontation between the USSR and the USA. The place is located right on the street. The historic landmark contrasts with modern cafes and shops that have grown up around, reminiscent of relatively recent military events.
➤ Berlin Art Gallery
The exhibits stored in the Berlin Art Gallery belong to the period XIII – XVIII centuries. There are expositions devoted to other time periods, but they are much smaller in scale.
The interior of the gallery is designed in a minimalist style so that nothing distracts visitors from enjoying the art. Here are collected works by Schonauer and Cranach, as well as Italian geniuses: Botticelli, Bronzino and Carracci.
➤ Palace Bellevue
In the 21st century, Bellevue Palace became the residence of the President of Germany. This is a beautiful palace complex, which is located in the heart of Berlin. The palace building was built at the end of the 18th century by order of Ferdinand of Prussia.
During the Second World War, Bellevue was significantly modified. Then the Nazis used it as a guest palace for the reception of dignitaries. When the war ended, the damaged building of the palace was reconstructed.
➤ Berlin Botanical Garden
The Berlin Botanical Garden is part of the Free University of Berlin. This place is extremely popular with students and young people. This is one of the largest botanical gardens in Europe. The collection of plants, which includes many rare specimens, is about twenty-two thousand items.
➤ Gendarmenmarkt
The most famous square in Berlin, which also ranks first in popularity among tourists. Almost no excursion is complete without a visit to the Gendarmenmarkt. Two central cathedrals of the city are located here: German and French.
In addition, here is the Konzerhaus, where various concerts are held. The square is decorated with a monument to Schiller, the German poet, philosopher and playwright.
➤ New Synagogue< /h2>
The synagogue was built in the second half of the 19th century in the Mitte area. For a long time it was the main synagogue of the local Jewish community. The building was built in the Eastern Moorish style. The opening of the synagogue was no less magnificent. It was attended by Otto von Bismarck, who at that time held the post of President of Prussia.
During World War II, the synagogue building was almost completely destroyed. It was reconstructed and now the synagogue is accessible, including for tourists.
➤ Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church
What is now left of the memorial church is only a faint echo of its former greatness. The building was erected as a monument to the first Kaiser of Germany. At the time, Protestant services were held at the Memorial Church. During World War II, the monument was badly damaged.
From the once luxurious multi-tower building, only two towers remained: the central and the side ones. The mosaics and paintings that adorn the walls and ceiling of the church have also not survived to this day. On the territory of the church there is a small museum where you can see old photographs of the monument, as well as examine the layout of the building in detail.
➤ Church of St. Mary
St. Mary's Church is considered one of the oldest religious buildings in Berlin. The church originally held Catholic services, but is now one of the key points of the evangelical church. The oldest part of the building – foundation – made from granite. The walls are lined with red brick.
Next to the church is the Red Town Hall, lined with almost the same red brick. The church building survived several fires and the war. What we see now – reconstruction. Inside, one of the oldest frescoes, the “Dance of Death”, which dates back to 1484, has been preserved.
➤ Madame Tussauds
The famous museum with many wax figures that are extremely difficult to distinguish from living people. If you dreamed of a photo with your idol – that way! What is interesting and important to remember is that you can take pictures with all the figures except one.
The area where the figure of Hitler is located refers to places where you can neither take pictures nor shoot videos. Madame Tussauds is known for the fact that in each city the expositions are arranged in a special way so that visitors, in the process of studying the figures, get acquainted with the history of the country they arrived in.
< h2>➤ Potsdamer Platz
Potsdamer Platz has become a symbol of a renewed and united Berlin. Even before the outbreak of World War II, this place was considered the cultural and political center of the capital of Germany. During the war, she herself and the surrounding buildings were badly damaged by destruction.
After the fall of the Berlin Wall, an active reconstruction of the city center began, which also affected Potsdamer Platz. Now the area around the square is overgrown with office buildings and innovative architectural structures. Fans of environmental technology will definitely have something to peep here.
➤ Fountain «Neptune»
«Neptune» was built at the end of the 20th century. The project belongs to the famous sculptor Waldemar Otto. The height of Neptune, a fountain statue, reaches three and a half meters. It is made of bronze and green granite, the color of which blends very nicely with the color of the water. Benches have been installed near the fountain so that residents of the city can relax under the measured murmur of water.
➤ Spandau Citadel
Spandau Citadel belongs to the Renaissance period. The buildings of the castle were built in the second half of the 16th century. Previously, there was another fort in the same place. Interestingly, the citadel has been very well preserved to this day, despite the fact that it was actively exploited by the Nazis during the Second World War.
In those years, the production of poison gases was launched on the territory of the citadel. The fortress was saved from destruction by the fact that the garrison located in it surrendered without resistance. Now there are guided tours for everyone.