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About BerlinBerlin is the capital of Germany. Berlin is best known for its historical associations as the German capital, for its lively nightlife, for its many cafes, clubs, and bars, and for its numerous museums, palaces, and other sites of historic interest. Berlin's architecture is quite varied: though badly damaged in the final years of World War II (in which Berlin formed the backdrop to Nazi Germany's downfall), Berlin has reconstructed itself greatly, and it is now possible to see representatives of many different historic periods in a short time within the compact city centre, from a few surviving medieval buildings near Alexanderplatz, to the ultramodern glass and steel structures in Potsdammer Platz.
AttractionsBerlin is a veritable mother lode for lovers of art, architecture and artifacts. Its great clusters of museums will keep the most dedicated culture addict happy. The layers of the city's history, from war and violent division to imperial fancy, exist in fascinating proximity to its dynamic present.
 Brandenburger Tor
One of Berlin's most photographed locations, Brandenburger Tor(Brandenburg Gate) once marked the impenetrable boundary between East and West Berlin.
Eastside Gallery
The remains of the infamous Berlin Wall have now become the largest open-air art gallery in the world. The longest section of the wall, which has been preserved, stretches from Ostbahnhof station to the Oberbaumbrucke, and has been given over to graffiti artists from around the world The gallery is billed as an international memorial for freedom.
The Story of Berlin
One of Berlin’s most popular attractions, the unusual exhibition recounts the history of the German capital city from its foundation until the fall of the Wall. The Story of Berlin is divided into 25 theme rooms and pays attention to the feelings, thoughts and living condition of common Berliners. One of its main attractions is the nuclear bunker that was built during the Cold War in the 1970s. Guided tours are available every hour.
 Checkpoint Charlie
During the Cold War Checkpoint Charlie was one of three crossing points between East and West Germany (the others being Checkpoint Alpha at Helmstedt, and Checkpoint Bravo at Dreilinden; (all named following the Nato phonetic alphabet). Checkpoint Charlie was constructed on Friedrichstrasse, the heart of Berlin (the Soviets simply called the Friedrichstrass Crossing Point).
Checkpoint Charlie became a symbol of the Cold War, representing the separation of east and west, and - for the East Germans - a gateway to freedom. Checkpoint Charlie was frequently featured in espionage movies and books.
The Zoologischer Garten Berlin is one of the biggest Zoos in Germany and the one with the largest number of species the world. It is located in Berlin Tiergarten the S-Bahn and railway station of the same name in the city center.
The Pergamon Museum
The museum is subdivided into the antiquity collection, the Middle East museum and the museum of Islamic art.
Restaurants & barsEating out in Berlin is ridiculously cheap compared to any other West European capital, or indeed even most other German cities. The city is very multicultural and most cultures' cuisine is represented here somewhere, although it's often very highly modified to suit German tastes.
Mao Thai: Very good restaurant with a extreme nice atmosphere. This restaurant is not expensive en is situated in the trendy neigbourhoud Prenzlauer Berg.. Wörther Strasse 30.
Cheban: Serves Lebanese dishes. It has subtle colours, nicely set tables, and a pleasant atmosphere. Wartburgstrasse 41.
Vau: Created by one of Germany’s leading industrial designers, VÂU’s interior epitomizes relaxed style, with huge pictures decorating the walls. This expensive and trendy restaurant is located in the Mitte district and serves excellent German fish and game dishes. Jagerstrasse 54/55
Hamlet: A fascinating ambience is created in Hamlet, as European as well as Eastern influences are revealed not only in its interior design but also its menu. The imaginative cuisine covers traditional, French and Arabian tastes, such as vegetable plates or couscous dishes. The diversity of the food is enjoyed by a similarly varied crowd, coming from a range of ethnic backgrounds and social groups. Uhlandstrasse 47
NightlifeBerlin is quite simply one of Europe’s most effervescent party cities. The old divides are still there when it comes to nightlife and the Western center, somewhat ironically, lags behind the real action in the resurgent East. Berlin today is a byword for alternative culture and within the city pretty much anything goes. Punk and various forms of anarchy are struggling to survive among the style bars and yuppie haunts in Kreuzberg but the avant-garde cultural scene and accompanying drinking culture has moved on to Mitte, Prenzlauer Berg and increasingly to Friedrichshain. Likewise, the city’s gay scene is divided between staid Schöneberg, Kreuzberg and edgier Prenzlauer Berg.
Tresor/Globus
This is one of Berlin´s oldest techno clubs with resident DJs and guests from all over the world. It can get very crowded on weekends. Located at Leipziger Strasse 126 a, subway stop Mohrenstrasse or Potsdamer Platz. Definitely worth seeing.
Bar am Luetzowplatz
This is a chic bar with an international crowd and the longest counter in town. Happy hours between 5 and 9 p.m.. Luetzowplatz 7, subway Nollendorfplatz, bus 100, 109, 129, open daily 5 p.m. - 3 a.m., on weekends until 5 a.m.
Madow
This discotheque has been going for over 20 years, but it´s only open on weekends. During the week the place serves as a cafe and bar.
Pariser Strasse 23
subway: Adenauerplatz, bus 119, 129, nightbus 19, 29
open Sunday - Thursday 5 p.m. - 1 a.m, Friday and Saturday from 10 p.m..
Destille cafe & bar
At the Destille, you can watch live sports on a big screen (multiplex). Also a nice bar for meeting friends and making new acquaintances. Mehringdamm 67 (Kreuzberg), subway stop Mehringdamm.
ShoppingSince shopping hours were extended until 8pm on a Saturday in most places shopping has become much easier. Sunday opening is still sadly not on the horizon, though if you have time to queue you can go to Bahnhof Zoologischer Garten, Friedrichstrasse, Innsbrucker Platz or Ostbahnhof Stations to supermarkets there on Sundays. However, there are usually some bakeries and small food stores open on Sundays around Oranienstraße in Kreuzberg 36.
Ku'damm remains the main shopping street even now that the Wall has come down. KaDeWe (Kaufhaus Des Westens) at Wittenbergplatz is a must visit even if just for the vast food dept (which has an extremely confusing layout).
Friedrichstrasse ist the upmarket shopping street in the former East Berlin with Galerie Lafayettes and Quartier 204 etc as main areas to be impressed with wealthy shoppers.
For some affordable but still very fashionable shopping there is Prenzelberg with a lot of young designers opening shops. Constant changes make it hard to recommend place, but Shopping guides in the bi-weekly papers Tip or Zitty can help.
Other things you should knowBerliner Kunst-und Nostalgiemarkt an der Museuminsel. Just a few steps from the Pergamon and other museums of the Museum Island, this market is heavy on books, art, records and some antiques. Open 11am to 5pm Saturday and Sunday. It's about equidistant between Friedrichstrasse and Alexander Platz train stations.
Walk through the old area’s, for example around the Bayrische Platz. You will find always interesting things. A nice café, signs which tell you who lived there, beautiful houses and peculiar monuments.
Tränenpalast: Former DDR-costums office is nowadays a place for concerts and party’s. Reichstagufer 17.
 Prenzlauer Berg is the newest trendy area of Berlin. Around Kollwitzplatz you will find lots of trendy bars en restaurants, One of the nicest café is Eckstein. Pappalallee 73.
You can climb the Reichstag’s dome, it ‘s extraordinary resulting in a beautiful view. (Entrance is free).
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