()
The booming metropolis of Berlin is Germany’s capital city and home to the largest city in both population and size in Germany. Inside the city you’ll find numerous museums, architectural wonders, churches, a castle and even Germany’s oldest zoo. Find time to visit this area that is teeming with cultural history. The following locations are not to be missed:
The Berlin Wall separated east and West Berlin from Aug. 13, 1961 to Nov. 9, 1989. The East Side Gallery is the longest surviving section and features artwork from over 100 artists. You can also see Checkpoint Charlie, the most famous crossing point from East to West Berlin that still has a turnpike, sandbags and flags modeled after the original venue.
Brandenburg Gate, built between 1788 and 1791, is a symbol of both the tumultuous history of Germany and Europe and also peace and unity. This landmark is an 18th-century neoclassical monument that was inspired by the Propylaea in Athens.
Museum Island is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to five museums: Pergamon Museum, Bode Museum, New Museum, Old National Gallery and the Old Museum. The most interesting exhibits include the Nefertiti Bust, the Pergamon Altar and the Ishtar Gate.
The Berlin Cathedral allows visitors in the sermon, baptismal and funeral church, the Hohenzollern crypt, the museum and the cupola seven days a week. It is an Evangelical Church on Museum Island. The present building was inaugurated in 1905 and includes a monumental dome and four towers.
The Berlin Zoo is Germany’s oldest zoo and home to over 1,400 species. Here you’ll find Germany’s only giant pandas, elephants, gorillas, hippos, meerkats and more. See if there’s a special time for visiting your favorite animal if you have one.
Shopping on Kurfürstendamm is perfect for anyone looking for West Berlin’s legendary shopping boulevard. Start at the Europa-Center, filled with about 70 shops and then continue down the street for high-end boutiques, international brands and cafés that last for over two miles.
Charlottenburg Palace, Berlin’s largest palace, was built in 1699 as a summer home and has since been expanded several times. Visitors can enjoy the Baroque and Rococo rooms, royal apartments, Chinese and Japanese porcelain collections, the orangerie and more. The palace has extensive gardens that can be enjoyed at your leisure.
With so many things to see and do in Berlin, why not plan your trip today? From shopping to a close up encounter with a giraffe, you are sure to have a splendid time in Germany’s capital city.
