Sightseeing, leisure & sports in Berlin

One of Berlin's most-visited sightseeing highlights is Brandenburg Gate. The gate was built from 1788 to 1791 under the Prussian King Friedrich Wilhelm II. Today - after years of German separation - it is the symbol of national unity.

Alexanderplatz is almost at the centre of the East-West Berlin transport axis. It is an important traffic hub as well as a colourful playground for young and old. The World Clock ("Weltzeituhr") and the "Brunnen der Völkerfreundschaft" (Fountain of International Friendship) are famous reminders of the GDR era and its architecture. Overtowering it all is Germany's tallest building, the 368 m-high TV tower.

Berlin's Fernsehturm (TV Tower): Do you want to enjoy a 360-degree view of Berlin? Then you have to visit the TV Tower. From the observation deck at 203 metres or the restaurant at a height of 207 metres, you will have a perfect view over the whole city and sights like the Reichstag building, Brandenburg Gate, Berlin Central Station and many more.

Nikolai Quarter: The Nikolai Quarter (Nikolaiviertel) was rebuilt between 1981 and 1989. It is a traditional Berlin island around the Nikolai Church (Nikolaikirche), the city's oldest parish church. Between reconstructed historical buldings and modern apartment buildings, numerous restaurants, cafés and stores invite for a stroll and some shopping. Among the quarter's most notable sights are the museums Ephraim-Palais and Garlic House (Knoblauchhaus), as well as the restaurants "Gaststätte zum Nußbaum" (restaurant at the walnut tree) and the reconstructed "Gerichtslaube" at the medieval city hall.

Hackescher Markt is a traffic hub, cultural centre and a well-known starting point for Berlin's night life with its cafés, bars and restaurants. At the northern end of the square you will find the "Hackeschen Höfe", the largest closed courtyard area in Germany. Since its renovation in the mid-90s, it has once again become home to a lively mix of art, culture, living, trades and gastronomy.

The Gendarmenmarkt to the east of Friedrichstraße is known as one of Europe's most beautiful squares. The focal point is the theatre built by Karl Friedrich Schinkel from 1818 to 1821, today known as the "Konzertsaal" (concert hall). Many surrounding shops invite for some window-shopping.

The historical boulevard Unter den Linden (beyond the linden trees) leads from the historical city centre to Brandenburg Gate. Almost 1.5 km long, it is lined by royal palaces, theatres, libraries, museums and international consulates. Just past the Humboldt University campus it crosses Friedrichstraße, the city's most traditional shopping street.

Berlin Cathedral, built from 1894 to 1905 in Italian High Renaissance style, is the largest Protestant church from the 19^th century. The Hohenzollern Crypt with around 100 sarcophagi and tombs is of special historical value. The Sermon Church (Predigktirche) is home to highlights like the gilded Apostles' Screen by Karl Friedrich Schinkel, or the the great "Sauer" organ.

Museum Island is home to five of Berlin's most important museums: Whilst at the Altes Museum (Old Museum) you will learn everything about history from Greek to Roman times, the Neues Museum (New Museum) is home to ancient Egyptian history. The Bode Museum  houses an extensive collection of sculptures from the Medieval period to the late eighteenth century. Millions of visitors come to see the Pergamon Altar and the Ishtar Gate at the Pergamon Museum each year, and no less are attracted by the neoclassical, Impressionist and modern art at the Alte Nationalgalerie (Old National Gallery).

Friedrichstraße runs for 3.3 km straight through Berlin's city centre. In its north, the wonderful Friedrichstadt-Palast (short: Palast Berlin) was opened in 1984. Friedrichstraße train station was a main border crossing point in divided Berlin between 1961 and 1989. Walking down Friedrichstraße, you will reach the Kochstraße underground station, where Checkpoint Charlie and the Mauermuseum are located.