In the heart of the German capital
The Mitte district really is at the centre of Berlin and it has much more to offer than just the government quarter, famous attractions and landmarks. Berlin-Mitte has a number of shops, bars and cafés. It also brings visitors in their droves with a wealth of cultural attractions and events.
Tourist attractions
Mitte has a number of attractions that represent both the past and future of Berlin. Bellevue Palace, the German parliament in the Reichstag building, the Philharmonic Hall, the Chamber Music Hall and the State Library give way to the exciting modern architecture on Potsdamer Platz. Berlin's Museum Island and Gendarmenmarkt square are just a stone's throw from Brandenburg Gate.
The Spandau quarter is also a successful symbiosis of old and new. The lovingly restored Hackesche Höfe retail complex, Oranienburger Strasse and a number of smaller side streets offer a wealth of restaurants and cultural institutions, offering an insight into the diversity of the Berlin fashion scene.
The Victory Column is a wonderfully positioned, aesthetic monument and one of Berlin's most famous landmarks. It commemorates the Prussian victories against Denmark (1864), Austria (1866) and France (Franco-Prussian War of 1870/1871).
More than any other German square, Potsdamer Platz reflects the history and fate of Germans in the 20th century. With its incredible architecture, it attracts tourists from all over the world to the political, cultural and economic centre of Berlin. Nearby are the government quarter and the monument to the murdered Jews in Europe. Also not far away is Checkpoint Charlie, the legendary border crossing that once separated the Soviet from the American sector. Situated right on the former border is the private 'Haus am Checkpoint Charlie' museum – one of the city's most popular attractions.
Going out, cultural scene
There are around 400 galleries here offering a variety of fine arts. Many of these are in the Spandau quarter. At the heart of the museum scene in Berlin, Berlin Museum Island is nestled between the River Spree and Kupfergraben canal. Numerous theatres are close at hand, such as the Berlin Ensemble, Friedrichstadtpalast and Deutsches Theater, along with a variety of artistic attractions such as the Philharmonic Hall, whose ensemble is one of the best orchestras in the world.
Sports/leisure activities
Berlin's marathon and half-marathon attract large numbers of athletes and spectators from all over Germany, Europe and the world. Both races start on the Strasse des 17. Juni. The highlight is the home straight at Brandenburg Gate. Wedding is home to the Erika Hess ice-skating rink. There's also an indoor climbing centre, an outdoor climbing centre in Humboldthain, an altitude training centre and several skate parks.
Shopping
The shopping boulevard known as Unter den Linden is the perfect place for a relaxing stroll. If you are looking for something luxurious, the Quartier 206 department store on Friedrichstrasse is a great place to browse. Covering an area of 40,000m2 across three floors, the glass-roofed Potsdamer Platz arcades are the ideal place to stroll, browse and spend some time. With the building of the new Alexa and Die Mitte shopping centres and the restoration of the Galeria Kaufhof department store, Alexanderplatz now has a new urban quality, attracting Berliners and large numbers of visitors from the rest of Germany and abroad.
Events
International Film Festival – Berlinale
The Berlinale is not only an outstanding art and media event, it is also the largest film festival in the world for public screenings. An international panel of judges award the festival's Golden and Silver Bears to selected films. The Theater am Potsdamer Platz – or 'Berlinale Palast' – is the main venue for the festival. This is where the opening film is shown, along with the premieres of the participating films, and where the award ceremony takes place.
Classic Open Air
The series of concerts held on Gendarmenmarkt, one of the most beautiful squares in Europe, on several evenings in the summer are always well attended. With a combination of classicism and classical music, a fabulous atmosphere is guaranteed.
New Year's Eve Party at Brandenburg Gate
Hundreds of thousands of people come here every year to see in the New Year with music, dance, food and drink between the Victory Column and Brandenburg Gate. At midnight there's an impressive light and laser display and a spectacular firework display.
Hidden places
Gas Lantern Museum in Tiergarten Park
The leafy Tiergarten park, located just behind Brandenburg Gate, is the green heart of the city. In winter, the historic gas lanterns along the paths in the park create a beautiful shimmering light ...
The Brown Bear Enclosure at Köllnischen Park
Ever since 1280, a bear symbol has decorated Berlin's official seal and coat of arms. But Berlin's brown bear isn't just an emblem – the enclosure at Köllnischen Park, close to the Märkischen Museum, is home to three living examples of the city's mascot.
Carillon
The carillon in Tiergarten is well worth a visit. This unusual instrument comprising 68 bells is near the House of World Cultures in the north-eastern section of the park. The Berlin carillon, one of the largest in the world, is played by carillonneur Jeffrey Bossin every Sunday from May to September and on some public holidays.
AEG Turbine Hall, Huttenstrasse 12-16
Peter Behrens' 1909 turbine hall, with its sweeping glass curtain wall, illustrates industrial architecture as art nouveau gave way to classical modernism.
Meilenwerk, Wiebestrasse 36-37
Originally constructed in 1901 as Europe's largest tram depot, the Meilenwerk now hosts an exhibition of classic vehicles, from the bubble car to sport's cars.
Mon-Sat 8am– 8pm, Sun 10am –8pm