Berlin, being the capital of Germany, is also its largest city. Berlin is a state. As of 2021, 3.655 million people live in the city, where 6.1 million people lived before World War II. Berlin is located in northern Germany, on the sandy area between the rivers Spree and Havel. From 1961 to 1990, the city was divided into East and West Berlin by the Berlin Wall, also known as the "Wall of Shame". Berlin is also among the most important cities in the world in the field of art. In addition to three operas, philharmonic, many theatres, concert halls and libraries; The Berlin Film Festival, festival weeks and theatre days draw all art lovers to Berlin.

Berlin is not only the political but also the cultural capital of Germany. There are many museums in Berlin. In particular, the Museum Island (Museumsinsel) to the east of the city houses many museums, including the Pergamon Museum. There are also many art galleries and theatres in the city. Berlin is at the forefront of city tourism in terms of visitors. The number of daily tourists alone is over 100 thousand per year.

What to see in Berlin, Germany

Brandenburg Gate

This historical gate, built between 1788 and 1791, is one of the most touristic spots in Berlin. The building, located in the centre of the city, was located in the East Germany region, which was under the control of the Soviet Union during the Cold War. In addition, the famous parliament building, the Reichstag, is located right next to this door. Before visiting the Reichstag, it can be pleasant to take a walk down Unter den Linden street, which is full of linden trees in front of the Brandenburg Gate.

Reichstag Parliament Building

The German Parliament Building, whose name we heard mostly with the Reichstag Fire, has a very interesting architecture. The dome in the middle of the building is made of glass and offers the opportunity to visit and see the city view (but you need to book before you go). The architecture of the building was chosen in a competition opened in 1882, and it was completed in 1894. Let's add that the Reichstag building provides its electricity with solar panels, its water with rain purification, and its light with mirrors to the parliamentary hall.

Berlin Wall East Side Gallery

With an artistic collaboration initiated after the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, 1.3 kilometres of the wall was turned into an open-air art gallery. Contributing to this project, which was started in 1990, painters from all over the world drew 105 pictures. Most of the paintings in this work, in which the themes of freedom and peace are handled, are worn or damaged, but thanks to a renovation project started in 2009, the values ​​of the works are regained.

An island of museums

Visiting the museum island has an important place in the list of things to do in Berlin. There are Bode, Neues, Altes, Pergamon museums and Alte Nationalgalerie on this island, which has five museums and is close to the historical city centre of Mitte. The Museum Island, where the artefacts brought together by the unification of East and West Germany are exhibited, has entered the UNESCO World Heritage List. Pergamon Museum also houses important works such as the Altar of Zeus, the Miletus Market Gate, the Ishtar Gate and the Mshatta Pediment.

Checkpoint Charlie

It was the most important gateway in the period before the Berlin Wall fell. Here, American soldiers and Soviet soldiers stood guard against each other. Only West and East German rulers, ambassadors, allied soldiers and foreigners could pass through this gate. There is a small symbolic hut in place of the larger original, which is in the Allies Museum. You can now comfortably pass through this critical point where soldiers once faced each other.

Potsdam Square (Potsdamer Platz)

Potsdam Square, which has become an important centre after the reunification of Germany, is a place where movement is not lacking. In addition to shops, restaurants and hotels, you can see the works and works of street artists around the square where Berlin's modern buildings are located. This is the best place if you are planning to shop in Berlin. There are a few remnants of the Berlin Wall in the square, it has become a custom to stick chewing gum on these wall remnants.

Kreuzberg

In this famous Turkish quarter, also known as Little Istanbul, you can visit the First and Second World War museums and relax in the parks when you are tired. This is definitely one of the must-see places in Berlin. In the neighbourhood where hip hop culture is intense, it is quite possible to see young people doing breakdancing on the street. You can also visit the Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp, which operated between 1936 and 1945.

Berlin Cathedral

The church was first built in 1465 on the site of the protestant cathedral, which has undergone changes for centuries, it was converted into a cathedral with a baroque design in the 1700s, and finally it was rebuilt between 1894 and 1905 to switch to the neo baroque style. The building, which was badly damaged in the Second World War, was restored in 1981. You can climb the stairs to the upper floor of this building and watch the panoramic view.

AlexanderPlatz

This is the centre of the historical Mitte district and the meeting point of Berlin locals. There is also a station with the same name as the square. You can see the whole Berlin 360 degrees from the TV Tower, the tallest structure in Germany, in this historical square. Alexanderplatz is very close to Museum Island on the River Spree, where the Berlin Cathedral is also located.

When to visit Berlin?

You can easily go to Berlin, which welcomes its visitors with its historical and modern structures, in all four seasons of the year. If you are one of those who say they want to go in full season, we recommend you to go any time between May and September.