Berlin

The DDR Museum is an interactive museum that takes you on a journey into the socialist past. You'll see countless iconic objects from the former East Germany, will take a simulated ride in a Trabi, dance the Lipsi and rummage around in an authentic apartment. It's an essential Berlin history trip.

The smell of candied apples and toasted almonds drives Berliners out of doors during the cold season into their city's Christmas markets. With more than 400 stalls at the weekends, the Christmas markets offer sensual concerts, unique handicrafts, and culinary delights from top chefs — the winter magic is in the air at the Gendarmenmarkt. A romantic Christmas market is held in Charlottenburg. The illumination of the castle and the castle park create an enchanting backdrop. Winter sports enthusiasts head to Winter World in Potsdamer Platz. At the Christmas market, you can go ice skating and sledging on the largest mobile toboggan run in Europe. If you feel a bit intimidated by the abundance if choice and want to have the smoothest introduction to Berlin's Christmas Markets — book a guided tour with several snacks and mulled wine included!

It’s Berlin’s most famous landmark and became the symbol of overcoming the division of Germany. From an architectural perspective, the sandstone structure, built by Carl Gotthard Langhans, is one of the most magnificent examples of German classicism. Nowadays the Gate serves as a backdrop for festivals, big sporting events or New Year’s Eve parties.

An East German Trabant car, which appears to be breaking through the concrete. Honecker and Breschnew locked in a kiss of brotherly, socialist love. With the East Side Gallery, a segment of the Berlin Wall has been turned into the longest open air gallery in the world. The open-air East Side Gallery is located along the banks of the river Spree in Friedrichshain. At 1316 metres, it's also the longest segment of the Berlin Wall that is still standing. Right after the fall of the Wall, this stretch was painted by 118 artists from 21 different countries. Using various techniques, the artists commented on the political events that took place in 1989 and 1990 in over 100 works of art found on the eastern side of the wall.

The Berlin Palace on the Museum Island in the Mitte area of Berlin, was the main royal residence from 1443 to 1918. It was badly damaged during the Allied bombing in World War II, and was demolished by the East German authorities in 1950 to build the modernist East German Palace of the Republic. After German reunification and several years of debate, the Palace of the Republic was itself demolished and the Berlin Palace was constructed anew to house the Humboldt Forum museum. Today, the Humboldt Forum museum houses a rich collection of Asian art and craft objects dating from the 5th millennium BC through to the present day. Explore East Asian paintings and prints, lacquer objects and ceramics, the art and culture of the Silk Road, South Asian and South-East Asian art, Hindu and Buddhist sculptures and much more.

Once the heart of the former East Berlin, Alexanderplatz is today the largest inner-city square in Germany and has developed into a popular shopping attraction. The view from the Television Tower, its height of 368 metres (1,207 ft) making it the tallest tower in Germany, is absolutely fantastic. A perfect 360° all-round view is provided by the revolving restaurant Sphere and Bar 203, making a full turn twice an hour.

Friedrichstadt-Palast Berlin, also shortened to Palast Berlin, is a gorgeous building and a brilliant piece of entertainment that cannot be found anywhere else in Europe. Jean Paul Gaultier designed the over 500 daring and extravagant costumes. The dazzling shows spark a mesmerising abundance of emotions: hope, happiness and a joy for life. Recommended by the New York Times as "Must-See in Berlin". Also suitable for international guests, who do not speak German.

The best views of Berlin: With the fastest elevator in Europe in just 20 seconds to 100m height. You'll speed up to the terrace where photo-worthy views of the German capital await. Spectacular views of the city’s most famous landmarks and historic sites! The Brandenburg Gate and a lot more are just a stone’s throw away. Check out the view, an exhibition and a cool cafe.

Back in the 1970s, Berlin was the home of the legendary David Bowie. Together with a specialist guide, you'll navigate the city on foot and by public transport, discovering the Berlin that inspired David Bowie's seminal Berlin Trilogy. You'll see Hansa Studios, where 'Heroes' and 'Low' were recorded. Stop by 155 Hauptstrasse, where Bowie and Iggy Pop lived and created together in 1977. This tour is an absolute must for all the fans of Ziggy Stardust.

Not far from the Brandenburg Gate you'll the Memorial for Europe’s Murdered Jews, also known as the Holocaust Memorial. It is a grid of stelae (2711 concrete slabs) on a sloping field accessible from all sides. It serves as a central place of remembrance and admonition and is supplemented by an underground information centre, containing the names of all known victims and details on the places of horror.

In the heart of Grunewald lies Teufelsberg the highest mountain built from the rubble of the World War II with a fantastic 360° view over Berlin. British and American secret services operated their most important and spectacular spy station here. On weekends guided tours through the ruins with high profile street-art galleries are a Berlin highlight.