No matter the time of year or the event, Berlin always has something new for visitors to discover – be it sightseeing, nightlife, galleries, gastronomy or fashion! With endless attractions awaiting visitors year after year – Berlin never ceases to impress its visitors and keeps them coming back year after year!
After World War II ended, two Allied peace conferences at Yalta and Potsdam divided Germany into four “allied occupation zones”, with Berlin’s eastern half going to Soviets.
History
Berlin’s history is one of tension and transformation. Situated at Europe’s frontiers where Christianity met paganism and fertile farmland met swampy marshes and sands of Prussia and Pomerania – Berlin has always had an air of unpredictability that keeps it feeling alive and open to change. Over centuries of religious and political discord between Protestant people and their Calvinist government was religious tension; then political turmoil when Lutherans launched their Reformation movement in Europe and Berlin that divided Lutherans against Catholics. Artistic tensions began to surface during the 19th century as free thinking movements emerged to challenge official culture, some would say stultifying. After World War II Berlin became divided and western occupation zones established by U.S., Britain, and France were located far within Soviet territory which led to its first crisis during Cold War era.
While the West sought to keep control of Berlin in order to show Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev that their alliance remained secure, Soviet commanders wanted to use western zone as a base from which to operate in Eastern Germany – in order to do this they needed to restrict access between western zone and Eastern German zones.
In 1958, Khrushchev made an ultimatum against the United States that they abandon Berlin, prompting many in America to believe this decision constituted an ultimatum from Russia. President Dwight Eisenhower stood his ground and decided against complying. Instead he allowed Checkpoint Charlie crossing to remain open; by 1989 only a small number of travelers between East and West Berlin passed through this crossing point at Checkpoint Charlie; in spite of this turbulent period Berlin experienced rapid economic development while becoming an international center of architecture and design.
Culture
Berlin is an epicenter for culture. Home to theatres, museums and cabarets with new venues constantly opening, Berlin also hosts one of the world’s largest spectator film festivals; Berlinale. Many entertainment companies now make Berlin their base, including recording companies as well as producers of movies, television programs and commercials – it is widely considered one of Europe’s best locations for such companies and producers.
Modern Berlin is an inclusive and welcoming city that hosts multiple European youth movements as well as an ever-evolving art scene. There have been an increasing number of international galleries opening branch offices in Berlin as well as an influx of contemporary artists from all around the globe who flock to it as their artistic muse.
In Germany during the 20th Century, an unstable economic situation and political extremism combined to foster an atmosphere of intellectual freedom, leading to a golden era of artistic production that cemented Berlin’s status as a cultural capital. Cabaret clubs sprouted, jazz flourished, avant-garde movements found an audience, and progressive social policies allowed artists to make a living as artists.
Museum Island is one of the country’s premier destinations, boasting five prominent institutions that showcase art and history ranging from Altes Museum’s Greek and Roman antiquities collection to Neues Museum’s Egyptian and Modern Art collections.
Berlin is Germany’s cultural and scientific epicenter, home to universities, technical, art schools and professional institutes of all sorts. Additionally, Berlin serves as headquarters of the German Academy of Arts and Sciences (Hauptakademie der Deutschen Wissenschaften), one of Germany’s major research institutes as well as numerous other academic and professional bodies.
Nightlife
Berlin’s party scene can be more intense than that of an average night out, as residents here do more than simply head out for drinks before returning home at 2am; rather, they host parties throughout the weekend that can often last throughout an entire workweek!
Charlottenburg jazz emporium Madame Claud is the place for you, whether you prefer techno dance music or live jazz – this venue sets itself apart by featuring upside-down decor with seating on its ceiling and hosting various indie musicians, bands and solo performers on any given night.
Berghain is one of Germany’s premier clubs and should not be missed when clubbing in Germany. Once an old power station, this former power plant turned club now has one of Europe’s strictest door policies; their bouncers are known for being very selective in order to create diversity and encourage friction within the club while still creating a safe space where clubbers can come just to listen to music and celebrate!
Berghain is known for being one of the hardest clubs to access; yet it remains among the finest. Boasting multiple floors and an expansive outdoor area ideal for dancing and socializing, its main dance floor also includes restaurants, performance spaces and an underground network of rooms that allow you to explore. Be sure to dress accordingly when attending any Berghain club; be mindful about wearing minimal clothing without too much glitter or latex; otherwise you could risk offending fellow guests!
Shopping
Shopping in Berlin offers you endless possibilities, whether you’re in search of international designer fashion, upcycling trends or cheap bargains – you’re bound to find them all within its many shops, malls and streets. KaDeWe on Kurfurstendamm serves as its flagship department store while other smaller shops specialize in clothing, accessories or food offerings.
Kollektift in Kreuzberg offers young, independent design brands and offers everything from leather bags to handcrafted candleholders – the shop should definitely be visited if you are into sustainable and organic fashion.
Revered Berlin label Bless takes an innovative approach, setting up an apartment/store hybrid in Prenzlauer Berg that provides shoppers with a homey and domestic shopping experience. Skillfully integrated Bless designs into living areas give the space an authentic residential feel while giving shoppers a boutique shopping experience that feels chic but welcoming at once.
There are also a wide variety of second-hand and vintage shops located throughout the city, creating an inviting environment perfect for browsing and discovering something special.
Visit shops during their sales periods – particularly August and February when stores offer steep discounts to clear out old inventory.
Schonhauser Allee is another fantastic shopping area outside the center of Berlin that features vintage stores, exquisite jewelry boutiques and antique dealers – as well as several big department stores such as Alexa Shopping Center and Galeria Kaufhof.
Food
Berlin may have become better-known for art and clubs, but that hasn’t taken away its culinary scene in recent years. Restaurants here are quickly making up for lost ground; their most distinctive trait being they don’t try to force global flavor combinations onto consumers; instead they reflect Berliners themselves, reflecting a blend of cultures in each dish that comes directly from them and local ingredients melded together with influences drawn from lived experience.
Berlin offers no shortage of dining options. You’ll find everything from artisanal Italian bread and cheese, zero-waste vegan food (at Hildegard und Happa) and all manner of burger joints (even Berlin’s famous currywurst, now with various toppings!) To truly experience Berlin, head out to one of its old-style market halls – especially Markthalle Neun for its Street Food Thursday offering up everything from grilled sausages, mousakka and cheese-stuffed kofte and so much more.
Kebab shops are an ubiquitous part of Berlin life due to the large Turkish population. Though numerous, none can match Ma-Makan in Kreuzberg’s Lausitzer Platz for quality or variety; here, guests can tuck into dishes such as kaya toast, roti jala, laksa and nasi lemak in an atmosphere that is loud, hip and slightly quirky; finish it all off with Berliner Luft liqueur that has become just as much a part of Berlin culture as graffiti and nightclubs!