Berlin is the capital of Germany and the largest city in the country. The city is located in northeastern part of Germany, on a territory with marshy forests. Although the city dates back to the 12th century, the most difficult time this city passed was during the Second World War and the decades that followed. The history of this city has made its mark on the culture, architecture and life of locals. In short, all these changes made Berlin one of the most modern and interesting metropolis in the world.

Berlin is an important cultural, artistic and economic centre that hosts numerous world-renowned concerts, festivals and conferences every year. In conclusion, with such a long history it is no wonder that the streets of the city are lined with old buildings and monuments that witness key moments in its past.

Religious and cultural attractions in Berlin

Berlin’s Cathedral is one of Berlin’s best-known landmarks. Firstly, is one of the most imposing buildings in the German capital. Secondly, the cathedral is the largest cult site in the city. This edifice has overtaken the borders of the country for a long time and attracts thousands of visitors from all over the world. Some members of the Hohenzollern family wished to be buried in the Berlin Cathedral.

Charlottenburg Palace is the largest palace in Berlin and one of the city’s most imposing buildings. The palace was built to be the summer residence for Sophie Charlotte. It was later extended to become the royal family residence. Although it was burned out during the Second World War, the building was completely rebuilt today. Go and visit the spectacular interior with paintings, sculptures, bedrooms or rooms of various themes. Therefore not only the palace is spectacular, but also the gardens behind the building.

Reichstag is another visited attraction in Berlin. This is the building that houses the German Parliament, located a short distance from the Brandenburg Gate, a building that can be visited inside. What is specific is the glass dome that was built above the plenary hall, which you can visit and which offers a beautiful 360 degree view of Berlin.

Other attractions in Berlin

Museum Island is a unique complex of five museums on Spree Island. It is a place that was built to bring together the most important cultural objectives found in 5 museums. The island has been included in the UNESCO Universal Heritage and if you want to visit all the objectives found here, you will need an entire day. The museums are based on various themes from collections of antiquities, exhibits from the Near East, Egyptian collections, artefacts to exhibits of Byzantine or Islamic art. Choose to visit this museum complex during you stay in Berlin and step back in the history.

Checkpoint Charlie is one of Berlin’s most famous landmarks, which preserves the memories of the Cold War years. It is one of the three checkpoints built along the Berlin Wall which is the most famous of all. You can see a board showing a picture of an American soldier and a picture of a Soviet soldier on the other side. Also there is a reproduction of the cabin where the checkpoint was.

Berlin’s Wall was separating the Eastern side of Berlin from the Western side. It was a symbol of The Cold War until it fell in 1989. The wall was very tall and very wide. In some places there are pieces of wall that symbolise a long stage in the recent history of Germany.

The best time to visit Berlin is May through September when the weather is ideal for cafe sitting, park lazing and leisurely city strolling. Winter, on the other hand, is freezing. However, this might be the best time if you are a budget travellers to find deals on airfare and hotel rates.

You can explore the past on a guided tour of the city historical architecture and diverse neighbourhoods. Fill up on German beer and sausages, or a wide variety of international food.

Berlin is an enormous city with an excellent public transportation system. Taking the S-Bahn (elevated train), U-Bahn (underground), or bus will get you anywhere you want to go. All of them use the same fare system.

By taxi: Taxis wait outside major hotels, stations and airports round the clock. Most drivers speak some English. There’s a minimum charge of 3.20€, plus 1.65€ per kilometre.

By bicycle: Berlin’s network of cycling trails makes biking a popular way to get around. Bikes are a fun, eco-friendly way of exploring the sights. Most S-Bahn and U-Bahn trains have a dedicated car for bikes. You will  need to buy an additional reduced fare ticket to take the bike on public transportation.