Germany's most recognizable symbol is not as large as many visitors expect, yet its history is rich and fascinating. Built in 1791, the Brandenburg Gate was modeled on the entrance to the Acropolis in Athens. The Quadriga statue on top of the Gate, designed by sculptor Gottfried Schadow, represents Victoria, the Goddess of Peace, riding a four-horse chariot. This was one of Berlin's original 14 city gates, yet the only remaining evidence of the other gates are the names of underground stations such as Kottbusser Tor and Schlesisches Tor. The Brandenburg Gate and Pariser Platz have played center stage to numerous turbulent historical events. The south wing houses a tourist information office.
Treptower Park was designed in 1880 and is nowadays split in two by the Puschkinallee which runs through its centre. One side of the park contains the imposing Soviet Memorial and the Archenhold Sternwarte, an observatory with the longest refracting telescope in the world. The other side of the park borders onto the river Spree, where there is a quay for boat trips on the river. Further along the Spree, the Eierschale café is a good spot to stop and relax.
When you think of Berlin, the first word that likely comes to mind is the Wall. After being torn down, there is not much of the Berlin Wall which remains intact. The longest section of the Wall to be spared, which is 1.3 kilometers (0.81 miles) runs parallel to the River Spree between Kreuzberg in the West and Friedrichshain in the East. In the months following the fall of the Wall in 1989, 118 artists from all over the world flocked here to pay their tributes. The result is an open-air gallery containing a host of colorful and imaginative images, some satirical, some shocking and others puzzling. An important part of Berlin's cultural heritage, this landmark is one of the largest open-air galleries in the entire world.
Set inside the Erholungspark Marzahn, Gärten der Welt is comprised of beautiful themed gardens. These lovely landscapes are predominantly inspired by the flora of Asia. The first garden to open in the park was Chinese-themed in the year 2000. Stroll through the Japanese, Korean, Balinese, Oriental and Italian gardens and you will be amazed by their unique beauty. From having unique structures using Chinese, Korean and Italian architecture depending on the respective themes, to astounding fountains and artistic statues, the park is an engineering marvel. Ideal for going on a picnic with family, the park has a strict no pets and bikes policy.
The botanical garden and botanic museum's large and sedate park in the southwest of Berlin provides the perfect respite to a hard day's slog through the hectic inner-city. One can admire the English gardens and a collection of flora from all over Europe, Asia, Africa and the Americas. The many greenhouses here are home to many rare plants from around the globe. Visitors shouldn't miss the unique Botanical Museum at the entrance.
Built for the 1936 Olympic Games, the Olympiastadion conjures up memories of excited fans and Jesse Owens sprinting and leaping for four gold medals. Today, the Olympiastadion is home to Berlin's premier soccer club, Hertha BSC, and hosts major sporting events like the ISTAF Athletics Meeting. International performers like Michael Jackson, Beyonce, The Rolling Stones and U2 have taken the crowds by storm with their dazzling concerts here. Designed to impress the world, this monumental multi-purpose arena has done just that since its reopening in 2004. Visitors can wander around the stadium on event-free days, or choose to go on a guided tour of the massive arena. The visitor's center is perfect to learn more about the fascinating history of this monumental structure.
The Hackesche Höfe has been a center for food and entertainment since its construction in 1906. Before World War II, this area was known for its Jewish theaters and cultural institutions and later became a great place for shops, cafes, underground bars and restaurants. This historic courtyard complex in the Scheuenviertel consists of eight courtyards and houses cultural establishments, businesses and firms. These also include theaters, shops, bars and restaurants. The courtyard is the largest of its kind in Berlin, and makes for a lovely getaway.
A beautiful public park in Berlin, the Marx-Engels-Forum is named after Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels and was founded in 1986 by the socialist leaders of Berlin. It houses the statues of both these pioneers of Socialism. The area in which the park is situated used to be a bustling neighborhood which was razed to the ground during World War II and the park was established thereafter under the GDR regime. The park is now visited by many tourists throughout the year and several make use of the opportunity to click a few photos while sitting on Marx's knee.
BigBike Berlin offers a unique and super fun way to tour the city. The unusual vehicle that's officially a bike (as per the official bike association of Germany, Allgemeiner Deutscher Fahrradclub), can accommodate up to 16 passengers at the same time, and is known to make good use of the bicycle paths of the city to show tourists around. But, there's more - Berlin clearly loves its beer, so BigBike here, thought it only fair to load up on a keg for every tour - there's a big bike and beer, enough said! For those who're not into beer, they also have the option of fruit punches and sparkling and mulled wines. If you're looking for a guided tour, they'll spare a professional; if not, they let you take the lead. Nevertheless, it makes for a fun experience, one you won't be forgetting too soon (or maybe never remember).
Alte Münze used to be the coin factory of Berlin for decades. Now the old industrial plant at U-Bahn station Klosterstraße, just one stop away from Alexanderplatz, has been turned into a thrilling venue for events, fashion shows, exhibitions and concerts. There is no regular program, but you should check out their website to see what's happening next. The events here are a lot different and interesting and the location itself makes Alte Münze worth a visit. - John Luas
Situated on the banks of the River Spree, the Lustgarten, which literally translates to 'pleasure garden', at Museumsinsel was created in the 16th century as a garden for the Hohenzollern royal family (the former Royal Palace was situated close by). In the 18th Century, Friedrich Wilhelm I turned it into a military parade ground. The historic garden was re-landscaped in 2000 according to original plans and is once again full of lawns, fountains and bushes. It is a wonderful spot for a stroll or picnic on a sunny afternoon.
This English-style park was originally a large private estate with extensive gardens near the center of Berlin. Over the years pieces were donated to the city, gradually increasing the size of the public garden. Today it is a popular spot to catch a breath of fresh air or check out a concert under the stars. You can find a range of concerts and festivals that take place here during the warm summer months.