Cities & Culture
Berlin: Our capital is waiting for you
The German capital combines history and modernity like no other metropolis: from the imposing Brandenburg Gate to the multifaceted art and cultural scene and lively neighborhood cafés. A city full of contrasts, where the past meets innovation.
When people think of Berlin, the first thing that probably comes to mind is its most famous landmark – the Brandenburg Gate. A symbol of division for decades, the monument has always been at the heart of a major city bursting with ideas, inspiration, art, culture and creativity. Wonderful residential areas, sophisticated galleries and the Kurfürstendamm – the very definition of an exclusive shopping street – can all be found in the west of the city. And the nightlife is not to be missed, either.
Berlin's prestigious Unter den Linden boulevard extends eastwards, passing the Museum Island UNESCO World Heritage Site as well as numerous buildings that have been instrumental in the city's history.
Nearby is the Gendarmenmarkt square with the German Cathedral, French Cathedral and the Konzerthaus concert hall. There is a very chilled vibe to both the Alexanderplatz square and the Hackesche Höfe within the central Mitte district. The Hackesche Höfe complex is the largest series of enclosed courtyards in Germany, where visitors will find a multicultural mixture of art galleries, cinemas, theatres and cabaret, pubs, restaurants and bars, nice little boutiques and flagship stores.
The progressive spirit of optimism that engulfed the reunified city was – and still is – astounding. Art began to take over streets, the walls of buildings and even entire districts. Artists have even appropriated the remains of the Berlin Wall, a section of which now goes by the name of the East Side Gallery and has become an illustrated encyclopedia of street art. Want to explore Berlin? It's a unique experience!