In fact, Berlin has not only one centre but several and sights are spread all over the area. In the western part, between the Ku’damm (Kurfürstendamm) and Tegel Airport is Schloss Charlottenburg the Baroque palace with English gardens that Frederick I built for his wife Sophie-Charlotte. Across the street is the fascinating Egyptian (Ägyptisches) Museum which houses the famous 3000-year-old bust of Nefertiti.

Other cultural gems are concentrated in the Dahlem Museum complex and the Kulturforum. The Dahlem complex is located in a quiet southwest neighborhood and has art museums with works by Old Masters and ethnographic museums displaying artifacts from all over the world. The Kulturforum in the district of Tiergarten encompasses the New National Gallery designed by Mies van der Rohe the Museum of Decorative Arts (Kunstgewerbemuseum) Copper Engraving Museum (Kupferstichkabinett) New State Library and the Philharmonie. Other art museums worth visiting are Martin Gropius Bau Museum of Contemporary Art in the Hamburger Bahnhof the House of Contemporary Art and the Brucke Museum.

The true historical center of the city is in the eastern half. Probably the most easily recognized monument is the Brandenburg Gate which was the main gathering place for celebrations following the fall of the wall in 1989. On its eastern side is Pariser Platz. Plans are under way to fill in the gaps around the square’s perimeter primarily with new embassies for France the U.S. and the U.K. The once majestic boulevard "Unter den Linden" is today an eight-block study in overstated imperial grandeur and Eastern Bloc drabness. The most notable buildings are found at the eastern end such as the Staatsbibliothek (State Library) Humboldt University Neue Wache (national memorial) the Zeughaus (Museum of German History) and the grand Staatsoper.

Across the Schlossbrücke (Palace Bridge) is the Berlin Cathedral which crypt contains the remains of German kaisers. The cathedral is located on an island, the northern end being better known as the Museuminsel. The Museuminsel is home to the famous Pergamon Museum as well as the Bode Museum Altes Museum Old National Gallery and Neues Museum (undergoing reconstruction). This group of neoclassical buildings is the reason Berlin is sometimes called "Athens on the Spree."

Directly south of the cathedral is the spot where Berlin’s city palace once stood. The East German government razed the damaged structure after the war and built the present Palast der Republik in its place. If history repeats itself—and there are proponents of this—this structure will meet a similar fate. What to do with this central historic piece of real estate has been the subject of a longstanding debate at both the city and federal level.

Alexanderplatz, also known as Alex, is one of Berlin’s liveliest squares and public transportation hubs. Looming above it is a 1 200-ft-/365-m-high TV tower the tallest structure in Berlin (you can go to the top for an excellent view of the city). Nearby is the Rotes Rathaus (Red Town Hall). To the north is the reconstructed gold-domed Neue Synagoge. Back to the west is Gendarmenmarkt one of the city’s most attractive squares. The Schauspielhaus which hosts concerts is framed on both sides by almost identical domed churches (the Deutscher Dom and the Französischer Dom) giving the square a nice symmetrical feel. One block west of the square is Friedrichstrasse a bustling avenue with fashionable shops.

Berlin is justly proud of its unusual amount of undeveloped open natural space. The Tiergarten is the oldest and most popular park stretching from the Zoologischer Garten (one of the largest zoos in the world) to the Brandenburg Gate. Treptower Park in the east stretches out along the Spree River and has the overwhelming Soviet Memorial dedicated to its fallen soldiers. Large lakes can be found at the city’s eastern and western edges: Muggelsee and Wannsee respectively. Many smaller lakes are scattered throughout the city and they are enjoyed by hordes of Berliners who flock to them for ice skating or swimming and sunbathing (often in the nude). The Grunewald and Tegeler Forst are large wooded areas with trails for hiking cross-country skiing or horseback riding.

Other sites in Berlin worth visiting are the Olympic Stadium site of the 1936 Olympics (and Jesse Owens’ victories) and Rathaus Schoneberg site of John F. Kennedy’s Ich bin ein Berliner speech. Design enthusiasts won’t want to miss the Bauhaus-Archiv which traces the history of that famous movement. If time permits visit the Brecht House (home of the writer) or the Friseur Museum—a museum dedicated to the history of hairdressing! And after the sun sets in Berlin, the city offers, in addition to the dozens of nightclubs and cafes, a wide variety of concerts and other cultural events.

Full-day trips could be made to Potsdam or Cottbus. Allow three days to see Berlin more if you wish to see area sights.

Suggested sights:

Messe Berlin GmbH
Berlin's expanding trade fair complex includes two of the city's landmarks.Conferences and major events are held at the International Conference Centre(ICC). The Funkturm (Radio Tower) welcomes Berliners coming home on the Avusmotorway. In January the highlight here is "Grüne Woche" (the agriculturaltrade fair Green Week) where you can eat your way round the globe.
Address: Messedamm 22
Openings=
Admission=
Tel: 030 30380
Connection= U Kaiserdamm or Theodor-Heuss-Platz, S Westkreuz

Reichsluftfahrtministerium (Former Air Ministry)
In East Germany this was the "House of Ministries" and was at the centre ofthe uprising on 17th June 1953. Now the German Ministry of Finance has moved in here.
Address: Leipziger Str. 5-7/ corner of Wilhelmstr.
Openings=
Admission=
Tel:
Connection= U+S Potsdamer Platz

Olympiastadion
(Olympic Stadium)Built by Werner March on the Maifeld for the 1936 Olympic Games, the stadiumholds around 76,000 spectators. In 1936 the black runner Jesse Owens won the100-metre race here (a completel, y un-Aryan result); Berliners hope the localfootball team Hertha will soon win the cup here. Plenty to see around herefor history fans.
Address: Olympischer Platz.
Openings= In summer 8am -8pm
Admission=2DM, red. 1DM
Tel: 030 300633
Connection= U Olympiastadion

Karl-Marx-Allee
More than 2,5 km long, this avenue was built as a showcase for the GDR inthe Stalinist "pastrycook" style. The wise, imposing street was used forparades and isn't only interesting for architectural fans.
Connection= U Strausberger Platz, U Weberwiese

Nikolaiviertel
Old city quarter restored in the mid 1980s for Berlin's 750th anniversary.The area is located around the city's oldest church, from which is takenit's name. Parts of it seem just like any pedestrian precinct in a smallWest German town.
Address:
Tel:

Email:
Connection= U+S Alexanderplatz, U Klosterstr.

Palast der Republik (Palace of the Republic)
Opposite the Lustgarten the "Show-off Palace" stands there waiting for a face-lift. Since the reunification of Germany in 1990, Berlin's city planners have been wracking their brains about its future. At the moment the building is being cleared of asbestos, even though it will probably be demolished.
Address: Schloßplatz, Berlin-Mitte
Openings=
Admission=
Tel:
Connection=U+S Alexanderplatz

Kronprinzenpalais (Crown Prince's Palace)
The palace was completely destroyed in the war and entirely rebuilt in 1968 - 1969 using the old plans. Unfortunately it is not open to the public.
Address: Unter den Linden, at Bebelplatz
Tel:
Connection=U Französische Str., bus 100

Rathaus Schöneberg
(Schöneberg Town Hall)From 1948 to 1991 Rathaus Schöneberg was the seat of West Berlin's regionalparliament and government. The bell tower houses the famous Freedom Bell, agift from the American people to mark the end of the Soviet blockade of WestBerlin. The Town Hall also contains the permanent exhibition "Fighting forFreedom" -Willy Brandt 1913 -1992"

exhibition daily, 10am -6pm,
guided tours Th, Sa and Su 2pm, -4pm
Address: John-F.-Kennedy-Platz
Openings= Mo-Fr 9am -4pm
Admission= free
Tel: 030 7877070
Connection= U Rathaus Schöneberg

Haus des Lehrers
(House of education)When it was built, this teacher' centre in East Berlin was regarded assomething special architecturally. Today it still stands as a good exampleof architecture from the communist era in East Germany.
Address: Alexanderplatz 4
Openings=
Admission=
Tel: 030 243410
Connection= U+S Alexanderplatz

Schloss Bellevue
(Bellevue Palace)A beautiful classicist palace built in 1785 with an elegant Englishlandscaped park. This is the official residence of the Federal President.When the flag is fluttering on the roof, Johannes Rau is at home.
Address: Spreeweg 1
Openings=
Admission=
Tel: 030 390840
Connection= S Bellevue, bus 100

Brandenburger Tor (Brandenburg Gate)
Built 1788-1791 as a victory gate by Carl Gustav Langhans. Berlin once had 18 citygates - this is the only one remaining. Badly damaged in the war, it was rebuilt in 1957 and a new casting of the Quadriga satue on top was made in West Berlin. After the wall was built the Gate became a landmark and symbol of the division and reunification of Germany.
Address: Pariser Platz
Connection=S Unter den Linden, bus 100

Friedrichstadtpassagen
Above the ground, the building complex comprising Quartiers 205, 206 and 207displays very different kinds of architecture. Why this variety? When thebuiliding owners applied for for the sites here they had to promise to builtin different styles te set an example of how to give the city a varied look.Underground the buildings are connected by interlinked passages. You canspend days here.
Address: Friedrichstaße
Tel:
Connection= U Französische Str

Fragen and die deutsche Geschichte
Cathedral at Gendarmenmarkt(Questions on German History)A trip through German history on three floors. The development of East andWest Germany is shown chronologically in a lively, interesting way.
Address: German
Openings=Tu-Su 10am -6pm
Admission=free
Connection=U Stadtmitte

Berliner Rathaus (Rotes Rathaus)
Since 1991 this has once again been the seat of the governing mayor of Berlin. Berliners call it the "Red Town Hall" - which refers not to Berlin's politics but the building's red bricks. If you follow the red carpet at the main entrance you get to the interactiveterminal at the first floor. Here you can click through a programme of information on Berlin.
Address: Jüdenstr. 1-9
Openings=Mo-Fr 8am -6pm
Admission=free
Tel: +49 (0)30 - 90260
Connection=U+S Alexanderplatz

Schloss Glienicke mit Park
(Glienicke Palace and Park)The classicist building by Schinkel (built 1825-28) houses artworks fromthis period. The Italian inspired park at Jungfernsee is ideal for aromantic stroll.
Address: Königstr. 36
Openings=15May -15Oct, Tu-Su 10am -5pm

Tel: 030 8053041
Connection= Bus 116

Museumsinsel (Museum Island)
Concentrated art and culture are united on this island -one of Europe's real treasures in terms of art history and cultural history. Altes Museum (Old Museum), Pergamon Museum, Alte Nationalgalerie (Old National Gallery), Bode Museum. When you've had your fill of art the best place for a quiet rest is the Lustgarden. It's all wonderfully impressive.
Connection=S Hackescher Markt, bus 100

Preußischer Landtag
(Prussian Parliament)This magnificent building in the Roman High Renaissance style has aneventful history. In communist East Germany it was the minister president'soffice for a while. Since the reunification of Germany it's been the seat ofBerlin's parliament. Here you can see the permanent exhibition "100 years ofPrussian Parliament" on the ground floor.
Address: Niederkirchner Str. 3
Openings= Mo-Fr 9am -3pm
Admission= free.
Tel: 030 23251064
Connection= S Anhalter Bahnhof, bus 129

Gendarmenmarkt
Flanked by the German and French cathedrals, one of Berlin's fewarchitecturally complete squares and one of the most beautiful in Europe.Berlin's "living room" looks particularly lovely when it's lit up at night.
Address: Gendarmenmarkt
Tel:

Email:
Connection= U Stadtmitte

Reichstagsgebäude (The Reichstag)
A symbol of German history. Pictures that went round the world: in 1945 the Soviet flag was hoisted on the Reichstag, in 1995 it was wrapped by Christo and Jeanne-Claude and since 1999 it has been the seat of the German Parliament. The dedication above the entrance reads: "To the German People". The dome built by Sir Norman Foster is not entirely in tune with this, because: anyone, if German of from abroad, can walk around freely inside it until midnight (admission till 10pm). Magnificent view of Berlin.
Address: Platz der Republik, Tiergarten
Openings=daily till 10pm
Admission=free
Tel: +49 (0)30 - 39770
Connection=S Unter den Linden, bus 100

East Side Gallery
The longest remaining section of the Berlin Wall (1,3 km long) is anopen-ait gallery. Artists have painted and scratched this part of the Wallwith graffithi and countless other artworks on the theme "enviroment,tolerance and freedom".
Address: Oberbaumbrücke /Mühlenstr
Connection= U+S Warschauer Str., bus 123

Schloss Tegel
(Tegel Palace)This palace was built by Schinkel for the Humbolt family. Its elegantneo-classical style made it a model for a whole generation of Berlin villas.It also has a garden designed by Lenné, Berlin's most famous gardenarchitect.
Address: Adelheidallee 19-20
Openings= May to Sep Mo 10am -noon and 3pm -5pm
Admission=10DM, red. 8DM
Tel: 030 4343156
Connection= U Alt-Tegel, bus 124, 133, 222

Carillon
Located next to the House of World Cultures, this is the biggest Glockenspiel of its type in Europe. There are regular performances of newcompositions written exclusively for this huge instrument.

Chimes daily at noon und 6pm; May-Sep: live concerts Su 3pm
Address: John-Foster-Dulles-Allee
Connection= Tiergarten Bus 100

Glienicker Brücke
(Glienicker Bridge)During the Cold war the great powers exchanged spies on this world famousbridge on the border to Potsdam.., Zehlendorf
Address: Königsstr./Berliner Str.
Connection= S Wannsee, then bus 116
Tel:

Email:

ICC (Internationales Congress Centrum / Messe Berlin GmbH)
(International Conference Centre/Berlin Trade Fairs) This complex hoststrade fairs and conferences, sporting events and entertainment. Publicguided tours every first Sunday of the month.
Address: Messedamm 22
Openings= Variable
Admission=Variable
Tel: 030 30380
Connection= U Theodor Heuss Platz, S Westkreuz

Grunewaldturm
William II had this tower built in 1897 in memory of his predecessor. Todayit offers a beautiful view over the Grunewald, The Havel and sometimes evenas far as Potsdam.
Address: Havelchaussee
Openings= daily 10am -5.30pm
Admission=1,50DM, red. 1DM
Tel: 030 3041203
Connection= U Theodor-Heuss-Platz, S Wannsee, then bus 218

Fernsehturm am Alexanderplatz
(TV Tower at Alexanderplatz) Berlin's tallest building. So that everybodycould see the heights socialist building could achieve, GDR communist partyboss Walter Ulbrich demanded that the tower have as many metres height asthe days of the year -an easy number to remember. Today it's three meterstaller with a new (western) tip. Since Berlin lies on the North German plainit's worth going up the tower to see the view over the city from theplatform at 203 metres or the revolving café at 207 metres. On the horizonyou can imagine the city limits even if you can't see them.
Address: Panoramastr. 1a
Openings= May-Oct daily from 9am to 1am, Nov-Apr 10am -midnight
Admission=8DM, red. 4DM, groups of 20 or more 7DM
Tel: 030 2423333
Connection= U+S Alexanderplatz

Königliche Bibliothek (Alte Bibliothek)
(Royal Library -Old Library) Today students swot for the state examinationin Baroque rooms of the library with it's reading room. The building is alsocalled "chest of drawers, " because ot its semi-circular façade.
Address: Unter den Linden /Bebelplatz
Openings=
Admission=
Tel:
Connection= U Französischer Str., bus 100

Sony Center am Potsdamer Platz
A big complex of buildings with the Filmhaus, which houses the German Filmand TV Academy, the Marlene Dietrich Collection and the German Mediatheque.The Multiplex Cinema Centre and IMAX 3-D Cinema hold 2800 seats. The Forumin the middle is a covered area. The entertainment , area has opened at theend of January 2000 and from mid June the entire area will be open as a newmeeting-place and venue for all kinds of activities and experiences. Themusicbox presents music in an informative, interact ive way that brings itto life for all your senses not just your ears.
Address: Kemperplatz 1
Tel: 030 25755777
Connections= U/S Potsdamer Platz

Sowjetisches Ehrenmal
(Soviet War Memorial)Memorial centre for the soldiers of the "great patriotic war" who died in1945 in the battle for Berlin In autumn and winter this is the ideal place to indulge in melancholyfeelings. Impressive!
Address: Treptower Park
Connections= S Treptower Park

Reichsbank
(Former Reichsbank)The new seat of the Foreign Ministry was the sea, t of the GDR FinanceMinistry from 1949 -1959 and then the seat of the Central Committee of theSocialist Unity Party.
Address: Werderscher Markt
Openings=
Admission=
Tel:
Connection= U Hausvogteiplatz

Staatsratgebäude
(Former Council of State building)At the moment His Eminence the Chancellor is based in the former Council ofState building with his retinue and is controlling the destiny of Germanpolitics. Everybody's looking forward to the day when the new FederalChancellor's Office at Spreebogen in Tiergarten will be ready. Thegovernment officials are well-versed in packing and unpackin -they gotplenty of practice last year with the move from Bonn to Berlin.Unfortunately the interior of the building is not open to the public.
Address: Schloßplatz 1
Openings=
Tel: 030 40002116
Connection= U+S Alexanderplatz

Humbolt-Universität
(Humbolts University)Built in 1810 at the instignation of the humanist Wilhelm von Humbolt. Aplace steeped in history, perfect for escaping from the city crowds. In fineweather there's a book market in the forecourt.
Address: Unter den Linden 6
Openings=
Admission=
Tel:
Connection= S Friedrichstr., bus 100

Zitadelle Spandau
(Spandau Citadel)Today the once-proud water castle of the Askanians houses a museum on thehistory of the fortress and the citadel. After you've seen the exhibitionyou can dine here in medieval style or browse in the local history museum.In winter at 7pm and 8pm you can take a guided tour to the place where lotsof bats go into hibernation in the citadel.
Address: Am Juliusturm 1
Openings= Tu-Fr 9am -5pm, Sa+Su 10am -5pm
Admission=4DM, red. 2DM
Tel: 030 3549440
Connection= U Zitadelle, bus 133