|
|
|
|
Within City Walls
City Tour
City panoramas from Berlin Television Tower, Grunewald Tower on the River, Cafeteria Skyline TU, Platform on Kollhoff Building. Also Alexanderplatz, Bebelplatz, Bellevue Palace, Berlin Cathedral, Brandenburg Gate, Charlottenburg Palace, Checkpoint Charlie (scene of several thrillers and espionage novels ranging from James Bond's "Octo-pussy" to "The Spy Who Came in From the Cold"), Gendarmenmarkt, German Chancellery, Glienicke palace, Marzahn recreational park, Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church, Nikolai quarter, Potsdamer Platz, Reichstag, Golden Lizzie, Deutsche Guggenheim Museum. |
For the kids
Archenhold-Sternwarte Treptow (oldest and largest public observatory and home to the longest moveable refracting telescope on earth) or the Zeiss Planetarium, FEZ-Berlin leisure centre, Babelsberg Film Park, Berlin Chamber of Horror, Black light indoor Mini golf, Jacks Fun World - Indoor Freizeitpark, Madame Tussauds, Hi-Flyer - captive balloon at Checkpoint Charlie, Tierpark Berlin, Zoo Aquarium, Zoological Garden. The Ritter Sport Colourful Chocoworld, Nearly 1000m² for children and adults to shop and enjoy, create their own chocolate and discover all about the famous square chocolate bar. |
Brandenburg Gate
No other monument in Berlin is as famous around the world as Brandenburg Gate, built between 1789 and 1791 to plans by C. G. Langhans on Pariser Platz in the heart of the city. After the Berlin Wall was built in 1961, Brandenburg Gate became impassable for 28 years. As a signature attraction and symbol of German reunification, it now represents the past and present of the German capital in exemplary fashion. The gate is supported by six Doric columns, forming five passageways with pedestrian-only access. The famous quadriga depicting the goddess of victory, Victoria, riding a four-horse chariot. |
Berlin's Museum Island
A UNESCO World Heritage site in the heart of the city, Berlin's Museum Island is a hugely popular attraction both with locals and international tourists. One of the world's most important museum complexes, it is home to priceless cultural treasures. Collections at the Museum of the Ancient World, New Museum, Old National Gallery, Bode Museum and Pergamon Museum take visitors on a fascinating journey through art and culture from the cradle of civilisation in Mesopotamia through Egypt, Classical Greece and Rome, Byzantium, the Islamic World and the Middle Ages right up to the modern age and 19th century Romanticism. |
Friedrichstadt-Palast
Experience a sensational show in the biggest theater in Berlin with over 100 artists on stage. No other German theatre has dedicated itself with such vigour to upholding the great revue traditions of the 1920s. Visitors can expect glitter and glamour, lavish revues and a spectacular show of light and colour, dance and acrobatics – along with star performers from all over the world who have trod the boards at this site of cultural and historical interest. This 'palace on Friedrichstrasse' is often also used as a venue for media events of all sizes, and can accommodate just under 1,900 visitors. Largest production budget ever. |
Quartier 206
One of the most famous streets in the eastern center of Berlin. Luxury fashion, cosmetics and interior design: Quartier 206 features DKNY, Etro, Strenesse, Gabriele Strehle and Gucci concessions, glasses from B54 and the Out of Asia furniture store. The architecture with its glass prisms, mediterranean-style atrium and Venetian mosaics is an attraction in itself. A consumer temple par excellence, Quartier 206 offers an exclusive selection of the most beautiful (and most expensive) items in the world, collections and confections the like of which you won't find anywhere else in Germany. |
Hackesche Höfe
A taste of Old Berlin, this is a magnificent retail complex that embodies the history and characteristic buzz of Berlin's Mitte district. Germany's largest interconnected series of courtyards, the site has been under a historical preservation order since 1977. This extremely popular ensemble has brought back to life a genuine slice of Old Berlin. Exuding all the distinctive charm of the city's traditional courtyards, it is home to a vibrant mix of art galleries, cinemas, theatres, variety venues, restaurants and bars, not to mention all the charming boutiques and big-name flagship stores. |
Berlin's TV tower
Berlin's 368-metre high television tower is the tallest building in Germany. It was erected in Berlin's historic centre right next to the medieval Church of St. Mary close to the Rotes Rathaus and immediately to the west of Alexanderplatz square. At a height of more than 200 metres, its observation platforms offer a magnificent panoramic view of the city. The tower was opened in 1969, although apparently the architects were not invited to the ceremony. The reason was that those in power at the time were annoyed about the cross-shaped reflection on the outer panels – known as 'the Pope's revenge'. |
Even the most die-hard Berlin fans might need a break from the city after a couple days, and thankfully there are plenty of places around perfect for day trips.
Lake Wannsee
On sunny days, Berliners flock to Lake Wannsee. As well as providing the perfect backdrop for scenic walks far from the buzz of the city, it is also a true paradise for water sports enthusiasts. Just a few minutes from Wannsee train station, it's the ideal place for swimming, diving, canoeing, rowing and sailing – or simply enjoying a great day out. Boat trips on the lake offer spectacular views of the huge gardens belonging to the lakeside residences and there are many small bays where you can moor up and enjoy a picnic. The shady beer gardens are the ideal settings in which to enjoy a Berliner Weisse beer. |
Pfaueninsel
An island in the River Havel situated in Berlin-Wannsee. This destination is still within Berlin’s city limits, but it feels worlds away from the hustle and bustle of the German capital; a ferryboat brings you to the Pfaueninsel (Peacock island), a nature reserve in the lake Wannsee. On the island, you'll find a dreamy castle, which was built in the 18th century for the Prussian king and its favorite mistress, various greenhouses, and fountains. But the best are the free roaming peacocks and the beautiful gardens and trees - it's the perfect getaway for romantic strolls and pick-nicks. |
Potsdam
A world of palaces, parks and gardens, the state capital of Brandenburg, is best known as the former royal seat of Prussia with a number of magnificent parks and palaces. It offers a spectacular wealth of culture and history. In 1990, the Palaces and Parks of Potsdam were awarded UNESCO World Heritage status. The world heritage site now covers about 500 hectares of parkland and 150 buildings dating from 1730 to 1916. For more than ten years, Babelsberg Film Park has been a film and TV mecca. Visitors get to glimpse behind the scenes to see how various shows, TV programmes and feature films are produced. |
Bad Saarow
A small spa town 60 km East of Berlin. The virtually untouched landscape is the perfect setting for a health and fitness break or a family holiday. This elegant spa resort on Scharmützel Lake also offers a range of medical treatments. Located at the shore of a big lake and surrounded by hills and farmland, this is the ideal spot to kick back. Make sure to visit the state-of-the-art thermal salt-water spa, one of the best ones in Germany. End your day with a dinner at the restaurant called “The Buehne” (“The stage”), right next to the train station, where you can enjoy regional cuisine in the atmosphere of the 1920s. |
Spreewald
Shaped during the ice age, the landscape of the Spreewald (Spree forest) is breathtaking; more than 200 canals criss-cross a long stretch of marshland, which is dotted with pine forests, grasslands, meadows, and islands with old villages. The locals of the Spreewald still use these waterways to get to work or to go shopping; many of them are descendants of the Slavic tribes of the Sorbs, who preserved their language, traditions, costumes, and recipes; make sure to try a Spreewald gurke, a pickled cucumber. Explore this extraordinary biosphere reserve by taking a trip in a traditional punting boat. |
VW Factory Wolfsburg
If you are a car enthusiast, head to the Volkswagen factory in Wolfsburg, which prides itself in being the largest auto plant in the world. The adjacent “Autostadt” (car city) is an automobile theme park and offers everything from a car museum, and pavilions dedicated to various VW cars, to driving courses for adults and kids. Of course you can also tour the factory itself and see how the Volkswagen is made from start to finish. The two emblems of the Autostadt, the two CarTowers (AutoTürme), can be explored in an airconditioned panoramic glass lift. |
Dresden
Located in the East of Germany, is also called "Florence at the Elbe", thanks to its idyllic location on the banks of the Elbe river, and its excellent examples of Baroque architecture and world-class museums. Although 80% of Dresden’s historic center was destroyed in World War II, all important landmarks have been rebuilt to their former splendor. Sights include Church of Our Lady (Frauenkirche), Brühl's Terrace, Zwinger Palace, Semper Opera, Green Vault, Take a boat trip on one of the historic paddle steamers on the river Elbe, Pfund’s Dairy (most beautiful milk shop in the world). |
Leipzig
Home to some of Germany’s best-known artists for a long time; Goethe was a student in Leipzig, Bach worked here as a cantor, and today, the New Leipzig school brings fresh wind into the art world. Besides being a center for German art and culture, the city also became famous in Germany’s recent history, when Leipzig demonstrators initiated the peaceful revolution, which lead to the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989. The Botanical Garden, located right next to Leipzig’s Univeristy, has been around since the 16th century. The 300 feet high Monument to the Battle of the Nation, is one of the largest monuments in Europe. |
The Fairy Tale Road
Visit the country of the Brothers Grimm: Little Red Riding Hood, Snow White, and the Bremen Town Musicians are some of their most famous fairy tales. Fairy tales, sagas and legends are brought to life in many places, since the Brothers Grimm were at home along the German Fairy Tale Route, and this is where they gathered the narratives for their world-famous stories. Immerse yourself in the world of fairy tales, visit museums and fairytale houses or go to one of the many enchanting fairytale-related events: there are fairytale theatre shows, fairytale musicals, fairytale weeks and storytelling hours for old and young. In many places you can personally meet up with real live figures right out of fairy tales and legends, for instance during a guided tour or at the welcome greeting of a tour group. Everything is as enchanting as a fairy tale on the German Fairy Tale Route. Whether they are placed along beautiful rivers or simply placed on top of high mountains surrounded by ancient forests, the German castles are the most vivid expression of romantic times when chivalry and beautiful damsels inspired the bards and story tellers to create what the kids today are calling fairytales. Almost all the towns you visit offer family-friendly activities, such as puppet shows, storytelling events, and theater plays (in German, but with universal appeal), parades, concerts, fairy tale museums, historic Christmas markets, and lovely statues of your favorite fairy tale characters. Follow The Fairy Tale Route. |
- Steinau: Visit the half timbered Museum of the Brothers Grimm where Jacob and Wilhelm grew up, then stroll through the picturesque old town of Steinau.
- Schwalm Region: The region along the Schwalm River is the setting for Little Red Riding Hood's adventure. Hike through forests dark and deep, and visit the museum of Ziegenhain, where you can see the traditional costumes that might have even belonged to Little Red Riding Hood and her grandmother.
- Göttingen: The Brothers Grimm worked at the University of Göttingen; visit the central square of the romantic old town and look for the statue of the little goose girl - some say it's the most kissed statue in the world (for luck).
- Trendelburg: Climb up to the medieval castle of Trendelburg, Rapunzel; from one of these towers, she let down her long blond hair so the prince could climb up and save her.
- Castle Sababurg: This 650-year old castle was where Sleeping Beauty slept for 100 years before a kiss saved her. You too can spend the night here: The castle is now home to a romantic hotel, surrounded by a lush park with ancient oak trees and tall ferns. In summer, there are theater performances in the castle's courtyard.
- Hamlin: The picturesque town of Hamlin was the setting for the folk tale of the Pied Piper, a rat catcher who lured the town's children away, never to be seen again. Visit the rat catchers house, enjoy the cute rodent shaped cookies from the local bakeries, and marvel at the old Glockenspiel at the "Hochzeitshaus" that reenacts the legend of the Pied Piper.
- Neuschwanstein: Nestled in the Bavarian Alps, is the most famous German castle, Ludwig II of Bavaria constructed this fairy tale castle in 1869, with the help of a stage designer, for pure pleasure; he built it as a fantastic summer retreat. Despite the castle's medieval appearance, Ludwig built in modern technologies of the day, such as flush toilets, running hot and cold water, and heating. It was the inspiration for the Sleeping Beauty Castle in Disneyland. Neuschwanstein is the highlight of the scenic drive Romantic Road.
- Bremen: This is
the last stop on the Fairy Tale Road and home of the Bremen town
musicians, the witty animals that outsmarted the thieves. Visit their
statue on the central town square.