Virtually destroyed by the Second World War, Berlin became the world’s largest construction site in the last decade of the 20th century. What this city has witnessed in one human lifetime is unparalleled, making it is one of the most fascinating destinations in the world.  Some of its monuments and landmarks are instantly recognised, others more like premonitions of the 22nd century.  The epicentre of the Cold War, the reunited Berlin has virtually two of everything, hence lacking a city centre proper.  This also means that each part of Berlin has something unique to discover. 

See:

• Brandenburg Gate – The iconic landmark of Berlin has witnessed invading armies march into the city over centuries.
• Potsdamer Platz – Once a desolate patch of no-man’s land, it is now completely redeveloped with works by architects such as Renzo Piano.
• Bebelplatz – Site of the Nazi book burnings of the 1930s, now houses the unforgettable Night of Shame Monument.
• TV Tower – Fernheturm in Mitte is the second tallest building in the EU, hence commanding spectacular views over Berlin.
• Reichstag – The seat of the German parliament, redeveloped by Norman Foster is now crowned with a scalable glass dome, offering views of the chamber and panoramas across the city.   
• Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church – A modern church stands next to the ruins of a church destroyed in WW2.

Experience:

• Museumsinsel – The Pergamon and Altes are the most popular of Berlin’s 153 museums. The former particularly famous for its Greek and Babylonian artefacts, the latter for the bust of Queen Nefertiti
• Memorial to the Murdered Jews – One of Berlin’s most recent and moving monuments has an underground museum dedicated to the Jews who were murdered during the holocaust.  
• Love Parade – Held every July around the Victory Column, this is one of the largest techno music festivals in the world attracting thousands of visitors.
• East Berlin – Mitte, once the heart of East Berlin is now the centre of Berlin’s ultra-trendy underground culture and cutting edge arts scene. 

Secrets of the City:

• Topography of Terror – Right near a fragment of the Berlin Wall, this is one of Berlin’s newest and most harrowing museums exhibiting the secret activities of the Gestapo during the Nazi period.