Berlin City Guide
This multicultural city allows tourists to experience a variety of different lifestyles and cultures as well as a traditional German break away. There is an enormous range of restaurants where you can taste differing cuisines as well as a variety of entertainments which suit a range of tastes. The city also has a rich historical past and this becomes apparent as you journey around the streets and buildings.
Sightseeing
There are a few sections of the Berlin Wall remaining around Berlin. The East Side Gallery and Muhlenstrasse emerged during the post-war years as a symbol of the new hope; there is inspiring artwork and writing adorning the wall along this stretch. The best way to see the wall is along the Gedenkstatte Berliner Mauer where authorities have preserved it from graffiti. There is also a visitor centre where you can learn about the history of these remains.
The Schloss Charlottenburg was built in 1699 and was home to Sophie Charlotte, the wife of King Frederick III. The establishment exudes nobility as a result of its luxurious decor, grand exterior and expansive grounds. You can only visit on a guided tour; yet you will still get the chance to stroll around the Orangerie, the mausoleum and the New Wing. There are also museums and galleries dotted around the palace which hosts Picasso pieces as well as hundreds of other artworks.
Places to Visit
There are some interesting museums and galleries to visit around Berlin; each allows you to soak up different aspects of German culture. The Checkpoint Charlie Museum is famous amongst tourists, the museum stands in place of the monitoring tower that used to control the area around the Berlin Wall. This was demolished during the 1989 revolution and the museum memorialises the significance of this site. There is a cinema which displays images from the cold war era as well as displays which help you learn and understand the history surrounding the Berlin Wall.
The Bode Museum hosts one of the greatest collections of antique Byzantine sculptures and is definitely worth a visit. The establishment was renovated in 2006 after being left to decay for over 60 years. There are over 1700 exhibits to peruse and the building has a diverse range of art work, varying between paintings to sculptures.
Events and Festivals
Berlin hosts a variety of events for both tourists and locals to participate in; each festival adds to the cultural richness that is prominent within the city. The Classic Open Air Festival sees soloists, orchestras and dancers descend upon Berlin from around the world. This event takes place within July in the Gendarmenmarkt – this square provides the perfect quaint backdrop for the music on stage.
The Musikfest is another music festival that has proved to be extremely popular within Berlin. The city invites exceptional orchestras and ensembles to perform at the Berlin Philharmonia. This festival attempts to open eyes to the developments and innovations taking place within classical music.
Another cultural event which catches the attention of many visitors is the Berlinale International Film Festival. This attracts many filmmakers and film lovers as everyone is able to enter a glamorous arena and rub shoulders with movie stars and actors. This festival shows over 350 films and has movies which span between international blockbusters and independent art-house films.
5 Day Weather Forecast for Berlin
