Berlin Holidays

The first landmark that comes to mind when you think of Berlin is the neo-classical Brandenburg Gate – this became a symbol of German reunification after Cold War division of city into East and West Berlin. And, the second being the Berlin Wall – or the figurative Iron Curtain – which cut through the middle of the city and famously fell during the Peaceful Revolution on 9 November 1989 – only small sections remain intact including the 1.4km stretch which is part of the Berlin Wall Memorial. Other must-see sights include the Reichstag Building, a symbol of democracy and the current home of the German parliament; the Charlotttenburg Palace, the former home of Prussian Kings and German Emperors; and Gendarmenmarkt Square with its German and French Cathedrals, Konzerhaus, and annual WeihnachtsZauber Christmas Market.

Culture fans can head to the UNESCO-listed Museum Island in Berlin’s historic Mitte. Explore Pergamon Museum’s Collection of Classical Antiquities, Museum of the Ancient Near East, Museum of Islamic Art, and Roman Pergamon Altar. The Bode Museum hosts a unique collection of sculptures, Museum of Byzantine Art, Numismatic Collection, and James Simon Cabinet. Neuses Museum displays fascinating exhibits including the famous bust of Nefertiti. Alte Nationalgalerie houses world-famous works such as Caspar David Friedrich’s The Monk by the Sea and August Rodin’s The Thinker. The Altes Museum is home to a myriad of masterpieces of classical antiquity exhibited under its expansive circular dome.

Witness the cityscapes from the observation deck at the 368-metre-tall Berlin Television Tower or head to Tiergarten to climb the 285 steps to the top of the 70-metre-tall Victory Column for scenic vistas. Visit Checkpoint Charlie Museum marking the iconic crossing point between East and West Berlin; delve into the history and struggle of Jewish Germans at the distinctive Jewish Museum Berlin; and pay your respects at the thought-provoking Holocaust Memorial. Encounter 20,000+ animals including giant pandas, giraffes, and penguins at Berlin Zoological Gardens. Shopaholics flock to the renowned Kurfürstendamm, the elegant Friedrichstraße, and the independent boutiques around the Hackesche Höfe.

No Berlin holiday is complete without sampling tasty local dishes. Tuck into Bratwurst, Schnitzel, Kartoffelknödel, and Reibekuchen with Black Forest Gateau and Apfelstrudel for dessert - sip Reisling, Silvaner, or Spätburgunder wine with your meal and then finish with a Jägermeister herbal liqueur.  And, of course, why not cool down with a bottle of Kölsch, Doppelbock, Helles, or Bock in a beer garden or warm up with Glühwein at a Christmas market. You’ll also find everything from fast food fare to international favourites served at Berlin’s restaurants, cafes, food stalls, and takeaways.