Overview Hotels Things to Do Restaurants Nightlife Facts Explore Travel

Landmarks in Berlin

If you're traveling to Berlin for the first time, then you'll probably want to do some historical research to convey the importance of many must-see sites in this renowned European destination. For most travelers visiting Berlin for the first time, they'll liken it's urban structure to that of New York City, and find it's best to break the visit down by neighborhood. To create a unique glimpse of Berlin through the eras, Tiergarten, or 'Animal Park' in German, is a great place to start. The district, located in the neighborhood of Mitte is home to a sprawling urban park and numerous national moments. There, you'll find what remains of the historically unforgettable Berlin Wall, Brandenburg Gate, and even the former headquarters of the German Parliament, the Reichstag. Today, these sites stand as testaments to the difficult past that Germany has endured over the decades, and contemporary uses of the landmarks as museums and public art venues is a constant. As you continue on your tour of recent historically important sites in the rich epicenter of Germany, make your way toward the Kreuzberg district, where you'll find two frequented landmarks, the Checkpoint Charlie museum, and the Jewish Museum. While the former commemorates the most important crossing point between the former east and west divisions of the city, the latter is a contemporary venue for an entire cross section of nearly two millennia of Jewish history in Germany. Both are fascinating must-sees for any history buff or conscious observer looking to take in the complexity of Berlin's recent past. To lighten things up, take a stroll or rent a bike in this bicycle friendly city and make your way to Museum Island, host to some of Berlin's finest museums. There, you'll choose from one of Germany's best collections of ancient artifacts, the Pergamon Museum, the National Gallery, or the Altes Museum. All these sites are located in the constantly changing district of Mitte, where the blend of modern Westernized Berlin and that of a Soviet controlled past make for a fascinating meeting ground. Finish off your busy day with a leisurely stroll through the urban square Alexanderplatz, where the Berliner Dom, or Berlin Cathedral comes into spectacular view and makes for yet another reminder of the historically rich and eclectic city of Berlin.