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Most cities only have one center, but Berlin has two. Although East and West Berlin have successfully interwoven to form a more-or-less homogeneous city, city planners are still trying to cope with the "problem" of two centers.
Brandenburg Gate
For those in Berlin for the first time, a stroll down Unter den Linden, Berlin's most prestigious boulevard, is a must. Begin at the Brandenburg Gate, situated on Pariser Platz, which was once the border of East and West Berlin. Today Brandenburg Gate is a symbol of German reunification. This broad, tree-lined avenue contains many of Berlin's historic landmarks, including the Max Liebermann Haus. Near the Reichstag, home of the German government, and the Brandenburg Gate, lies a huge field of concrete blocks. The Holocaust Memorial, formally known as the Monument to the Murdered Jews in Europe, provides information about the Jews who were under the wrath of Nazi forces. For an in-depth look into 2000 years of Jewish history, pay a visit to the Jewish Museum. Also, nearby on niederkirchnerstraße is the Topographie des Terrors, which features an exhibition recounting the history of Nazi crimes.
Restaurants are mostly located inside the hotels in this area, yet plenty of food stands provide visitors with refreshments and snacks.
Friedrichstraße
Friedrichstraße was the focal point of Berlin's thriving nightlife during the "Golden Twenties," but now has become filled with ritzy shopping malls like Galeries Lafayette. Behind the Friedrichstadt-Passagen is Gendarmenmarkt, one of Berlin's most beautiful squares, featuring the graceful Deutscher Dom and Französischer Dom. Visit the popular Haus am Checkpoint Charlie to learn about the history of the Cold War. In addition, nearby is the site of the Berliner Mauer (Berlin Wall), the former symbol of a divided Europe that endured four decades of uncompromising and unrelenting politics of the Cold War era. Beginning at the former border-crossing on Friedrichstraße, the Tränenpalast (Palace of Tears) conjures up memories of tearful goodbyes as Berlin's divided families bode farewell after an all-too-brief visit. Along Ebertstraße, red stripes on the road mark the route of the Wall that many would prefer to forget. To see the longest and most famous stretch of Wall, you'll need to take the S-Bahn to Ostbahnhof. This 1.3-kilometer (3/4 mile) long stretch of Wall was painted by artists from all over the world in 1990 and has now been turned into an open-air exhibition known as the East Side Gallery.
Museumsinsel
The beautiful Schlossbrücke, which spans the River Spree, brings you to Museumsinsel (Museum Island), the northern part of the island in which several renowned museums occupy. The Altes Museum, Alte Nationalgalerie, Pergamon Museum and Bodemuseum make up one of Europe's most impressive art collections. After years of reconstruction, the Neues Museum will reopen in 2009 to the public.
Next, walk back towards the main street through the lovely Lustgarten, the former royal gardens once used by the Nazis and East Germans for military marches, you can't miss the enormous Berliner Dom which rears up on your left. Built in 1905 and modeled on St. Peter's Cathedral in Rome, Berliner Dom was destroyed during the war and then painstakingly rebuilt over the ensuing decades. Across the road from the cathedral, you can still see the gloomy Palast der Republik, the former East German parliamentary chamber. It is supposed to be deconstructed by February 2009. It was built on the site of the glorious 15th-century Berliner Schloß, the royal palace that was deemed unworthy of restoration and was demolished by East German authorities in the 1950s. The only remnant of the original palace is the triumphal arch-portal, which has been incorporated into the State Council Building on the south side of Schlossplatz.
Nikolaiviertel & Alexanderplatz
Near the State Council Building you will reach the Nikolaiviertel, the historic birthplace of the city. Within this square you can tour around the Red City Hall, Alexanderplatz, an important railway station, and the famous Fernsehturm (TV Tower). Tastefully revamped by East German authorities for Berlin's 750th anniversary celebrations in 1987, the centerpiece of this historic city quarter is the 13th-century Nikolai Church. Nearby you can also visit the Knoblauchhaus, an 18th century house, turned museum.
Kurfürstendamm
Starting from Berlin's oldest underground station at Wittenberg Platz, head down Tauentzienstraße, past the legendary KaDeWe department store until you reach Breitscheidplatz, dominated by the ruins of the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church. You might enjoy a visit to Berlin Zoo, situated behind the Memorial Church. Continue down Joachimstaler Straße and take a right onto Ku'damm, the smart shopping boulevard that runs through the heart of the western center. If you're feeling hungry, turn right into Knesebeckstraße and follow the road until you hit Savignyplatz. The Dicke Wirtin offers typical Berlin cuisine, and Bohemian-types will like Zwiebelfisch café.
Whether you travel by land or sea, you will experience the city's historical significance while you venture through the modern landscape of Berlin. Guided and boat tours offers insider information, or you can always pick up a tour book, hop on a bus and see for yourself.
Guided Tours
Insiders Walking and Bike Tours Berlin ( +49 30 692 3149 / http://www.insidertour.com/tours.php/ )
Unwrapping History ( http://www.unwrapping-history.de/ )
Tour-the-East ( +49 30 4703 4747 / http://www.tour-the-east.com/ )
Bus Tours
Berlin City Tour ( +49 30 68 30 26 41 / http://www.berlin-city-tour.de/ )
Berlin Sightseeing ( +49 30 79 74 56 00 / http://www.berlin-stadtrundfahrt-web.de/ )
Oldtimer Berlin ( + 49 30 21 90 21 88 / http://www.oldtimer-berlin.com/ )
BBS ( http://www.bbsberlin.de/sightseeing_english_berlin_hotel_incoming/index.htm/ )
A cheap alternative to an organized tour is a trip on the no. 100 bus departing from the bus station at Zoologischer Garten. The bus passes many famous sights along the way, including the Memorial Church on Ku'damm, the Victory Column and Bellevue Palace in the Tiergarten, the Reichstag and Brandenburg Gate, the State Opera on Unter den Linden and the TV Tower at Alexanderplatz. Buses run every ten minutes.
Boat Tours
Reederei Winkler ( +49 30 349 95 95 / http://www.reedereiwinkler.de/ )
Berliner Seegler-Verband ( http://www.segeln-in-koepenick.de/ )
Berliner Wassertaxi ( +49 30 65 88 02 03 / http://www.berlinerwassertaxi.de/ )
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