Attractions in Berlin

When it comes to the best attractions in Berlin, it's often remarked that knowing the recent past allows for a unique and fresh take on sites marred by past events. Even if you come to this European destination without much of a history lesson under your belt, the freshness of the architectural structures, urban designs and landscape is quite refreshing in comparison to its western European counterparts. In large part, this blend of historic and contemporary can be attributed to destruction of so many buildings and sites during World War II. In a massive rebuilding effort that has spanned the course of the last 50 years, Berlin has gone from a city left in shambles to a world-class destination dawning some of the most beautiful contemporary architecture in all of Europe. For a unique and intimate hangout, The Admiralbrücke is a tiny bridge with a lot of character. Cobblestone streets and hoards of young happy go lucky individuals occupy the majority of the space here, sipping on inexpensive drinks and chatting away. The Art Noveau style of the plaza provides a picturesque backdrop to this hot spot historic district. Along the more mainstream lines, no visit to Berlin is complete without those quintessential photos of the most renowned monuments in town. Among them, you'll certainly want to make a stop in front of the Berlin Cathedral, where this iconic response to Rome's St. Peters Basilica stands high and sturdy, despite extensive damage sustained during the second World War. Nearby, you'll find perhaps two of the most symbolic structures in all of Berlin these days. One is the Brandenburg Gate, an enormous architectural masterpiece that sits symbolically in between the former East and West Germany. Dominating the public square not too far away is the TV tower, a giant disco-like ball floating 368 meters above the ground. Here in another of Berlin's extensively rebuilt neighborhoods, you'll feel the grand openness of the city in the plaza known as Alexanderplatz. Locals and tourists alike congregate in this plaza, as a central point in the city, filling itself up when the weather is at it's most agreeable in summer. Perhaps the most magnificent boulevard in all of Berlin is Unter den Linden, a wide stretching boulevard lined with trees and an amazingly fresh feel, redesigned with sense of motion after being totally destroyed during the war. As with any city with a rich past, Berlin offers tourists the chance to see the reinvention of a place, the resilience of a people, and a diverse sense of culture on par with any great city in the world.

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