East Side Gallery and other Berlin, Germany Things to Do Tips

The East Side Gallery is the longest and best preserved remaining part of the Berlin Wall. This 1.3km long section of the wall is home to one of the largest open air galleries in the world.

Approximately 106 paintings by artists from all over the world cover this "memorial for freedom", which has been painted on the east side of the wall. The first painting was started in December 1989, immediately after the fall of the wall.

Over the years the frescoes have been eroded by the weather and exhaust fumes, and also destroyed by tourists wanting to take a part of the wall home with them. The gallery is slowly being restored by non-profit organisations, and the paintings closest to Ostbahnhof are in the best condition.

This is a very interesting place to visit, not only do you get to see part of the Berlin Wall, but you also get a glimpse of the hopes and dreams for the future for people all around the world, via the artists' work.

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Address: Mühlenstrasse, Berlin-Friedrichshain
Directions: Nearest Subway: Ostbahnhof (S3/5/7/75/9) or Warschauer (S3/5/7/75/9 or U1)
Website: http://www.eastsidegallery.com

The Reichstag or Parliamentary Building is one of the most symbolic buildings in Berlin. It was opened in 1894 and housed the parliament until 1933 when it was destroyed by a fire started by the Nazis. It was then further damaged during World War II.

From 1994–99 the Reichstag was reconstructed and extended by the architect Norman Forster. Since then it is again the seat of the German Bundestag or federal government and, with its stunning new dome, it is one of the city's biggest tourist attractions.

The beautiful dome or cupola is so worth a visit. A ramp winds its way up to the top, where you can enjoy fabulous views over the city, whilst exclaiming over the beauty of this open-aired structure. The mirror-clad funnel in the middle of the dome is great for taking quirky photos!

Be prepared for a queue to enter the building. We arrived at 10am and had to queue for an hour - outside, inside, security checks, elevator - before we made it to the dome.

Don't forget to photograph the huge German flag that flies proudly at the front of the building. It was first flown at the official celebrations of German reunifications in 1990.

The dome is open daily from 8am - 10pm and admission is free.

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Phone: (030) 227 32 152
Address: Platz der Republik 1, 11011 Berlin -Tiergarten
Directions: Nearest Subway: Unter den Linden (S1/2/25)
Website: http://www.bundestag.de/

The Brandenburg Tor (gate) is a triumphal arch and the symbol of Berlin. It is located on the Pariser Platz and dates back to the 18th century when it was loveliest of Berlin's 18 city gates, and is the only one that remains today.

The gate was incorporated into the Berlin wall during the years of Communist government, and became part of East Germany. When it was re-opened in 1989 it became a symbol of reunification of the two sides of this great city.

The Brandenburg Gate consists of twelve Greek style columns, six on each side. The 6 metre high sculpture on top of the gate is called the Quadriga. It was created in 1794 as a symbol of peace, and consists of a horse-drawn chariot being driven by the winged goddess of victory.

This is indeed an impressive landmark, and is looking particularly good after its recent-ish restoration. Though I must say I was a little surprised to see a branch of Starbucks just a few metres away!

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Address: Pariser Platz, 10117 Berlin-Mitte
Directions: Nearest Subway: Unter den Linden (S1/2/25)
Website: http://www.berlin-tourist-information.de/cgi-bin/sehenswertes.pl?id=13340&sprache=english

Located in the Kurfurstendamm district of Berlin is the intriguing Kaiser-Wilhelm-Gedachtnis-Kirche. The church was built from 1890-95, but only part of its west tower was left intact after bombing in 1943. Today only 63 metres high, the tower once stood to 113 metres.

The ruins of the tower have been left standing as a memorial. At the base of the tower there is a memorial hall, with historical information and pictures of the old church. This hall has stunning mosaics on the ceiling.

Next to the remains of the tower is the new church which was built next from 1957-63. In the church there is a stunning altar area with a golden figure of Christ suspended in front of a mass of beautiful blue stained glass windows.

There is no charge to enter the memorial hall or new church. If you are in the area I really suggest you pop your head in.

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Phone: 218 50 23
Address: Kurfürstendamm, 10789 Berlin
Directions: Nearest Subway: Kurfurstendamm (U1 & U9) or Zoologischer Garten (U2 & U9 or S3/5/7/9)
Website: http://www.gedaechtniskirche-berlin.de/KWG/dateien/englisch/index.php
Other Contact: KWGBerlin@t-online.de

Almost hidden behind the trees, opposite the southern side of the Reichstag there is a memorial for victims of the Berlin Wall, which used to run only a few steps away.

The memorial has white crosses with names of people who were killed whilst trying to escape over the wall from East Germany. Some of the crosses also have photos of the deceased, with stories of how they attempted to flee to a better life.

It was pretty sobering to read and hard to imagine that all of this was only going on a few decades ago. Particularly sad was the story of the man who was shot dead only a short time before the two sides were unified.

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Address: Corner of Scheidemannstrasse & Ebertstrasse
Directions: Nearest Subway: Unter den Linden (S1/2/25)
Website: http://www.berlin-tourist-information.de/english/berlin-infos/e_bi_stadtinfos_mauer.php

Berlin's Jewish Museum is the largest museum of its type in Europe and is a must see on any visit to Berlin. It is also the most significant example of contemporary architecture in Berlin.

The museum documents the German-Jewish relationship throughout the centuries. There are different exhibition rooms and way more information to soak up then you could even begin to attempt in a short visit like we had.

Highlights of the visit for me were the windowless Holocaust Tower, a dark, empty, high-sided tower where you can stand and reflect on the horrors of the Holocaust; and out in the Garden of Exile, where tall stone pillars on a slope give you a feel for the isolation and loss of orientation experienced by those forced to live in exile. Very moving stuff.

Opening hours are: Monday from 10am - 10pm and Tuesday-Sunday from 10am - 8pm
The museum cost us 5 euro each to visit in May 2006.

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Phone: (030) 25993-300
Address: Lindenstrasse 9-14, 10969 Berlin Kreuzberg
Directions: Nearest Subway: Hallesches Tor (U1 & U6)
Website: http://www.jmberlin.de
Other Contact: info@jmberlin.de

Berliner Dom is the largest and most decorated church in Berlin. It is located on Museumsinsel, overlooking the sculptured lawns of the Lustgarten.

Originally built between 1894-1905, members of the ruling dynasty of the time are buried in the crypt beneath it. Since then the church has been fully restored - reopening in 1993 after almost 40 years of restorations!

The main draw card for us was the stunning 85 metre high dome. Not only is it beautifully ornate inside the dome, but better still, you can climb the 270 steps to the top of the dome for fabulous views over Berlin.

Don't miss it, it is well worth the entry fee (5 euro in May 2006).

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Address: Karl-Liebknecht-Straße, Berlin-Mitte
Directions: Nearest Subway: Hackescher Markt (S3/5/7/9) or Alexanderplatz (U2/5/8)
Website: http://www.berliner-dom.de

Alexanderplatz is a vast square and was the former East Berlin's main commercial hub. It is called 'Alex' by the locals and was one of the most vibrant parts of Berlin prior to the second World War.

At the centre of Alexanderplatz stands the Weltzeituhr (world time clock) and the - impossible to miss - TV Tower.

You can also see the Marienkirche, Berlins second oldest church, built in 1270 though extensively remodelled in the 15th century. The small steel cross on the churches spire can sometimes be seen reflected in the TV Tower, which used to cause upset for the East German government.

Nearby is the Neptunbrunnen - Neptune Fountain - built in 1891-95. The fountain depicts the sea god Neptune, surrounded by four female figures which symbolise 4 German rivers.

By now you will have noticed the Rotes Rathaus, Berlins town hall, which was built between 1861-69. It is home to the Governing Mayor and Senate. It is nicknamed 'Red Town Hall' due to the colour of the bricks used in its construction, nothing to do with its socialist past.

If the weather is fine, why not perch on the edge of the fountain and watch the world go by for a while.

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Address: Alexanderplatz, Berlin-Mitte
Directions: Nearest subway: Alexanderplatz (U2/5/8 and S5/7/75/9)
Website: http://www.berlin-tourist-information.de/cgi-bin/sehenswertes.pl?id=13341&sprache=english

Located in the middle of Alexanderplatz is the impressive Berliner Fernsehturm or TV Tower. The tallest building in Berlin, this 368 metre tall tower is visible everywhere!

The TV Tower was built from 1965-69 by the East German government, defying West German with its dizzying height. Below its lofty antenna is a shiny steel sphere, that reflects the cross from the nearby Marienkirche, called "the Pope's revenge" by the West Berliners.

You can take a lift up to the viewing platform, 203 metres above the ground. On a clear day you can see for almost 40kms. Above the observation deck there is the Tele-Café, a revolving restaurant offering those same fabulous views.

The TV Tower is also available for weddings, so if you fancy getting married 203 metres in the air, just speak to the Berlin-Mitte registry office and invite up to 200 of your closest friends and family!

The only times we had the chance to go up the tower the weather was a bit grey, so we will just have to go back to Berlin and check out those views another time.

Opening Hours: March - October: 9.00 am - midnight and November - February: 10.00 am - midnight

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Phone: +49 (0) 30/242 33 33
Address: Panoramastrasse 1A, Alexanderplatz, Berlin-Mitte
Directions: Nearest subway: Alexanderplatz (U2/5/8 and S5/7/75/9)
Website: http://www.berlinerfernsehturm.de/
Other Contact: info@berlinerfernsehturm.de

Checkpoint Charlie was one of the main gateways for crossing between the two halves of Berlin during the Cold War. The naming of the checkpoints was based on the phonetic alphabet, and as this was the third such checkpoint it was given the name of Charlie.

It became a symbol of the Cold War - representing the division of East & West - and was seen as a gateway to freedom for the East Germans.

The checkpoint ceased operation when the wall was opened in 1989, and the checkpoint booth was removed in 1990. These days a replica of the booth has been erected in the same place the original once stood, along with a copy of the sign that used to mark the border crossing.

Right near the checkpoint is the Haus am Checkpoint Charlie, a private museum which opened in 1962, not long after the wall was built. The museum chronicles the history and horror of the Berlin Wall, with some amazing stories about how some people attempted to escape and in some cases succeeded.

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Phone: (030) 25 37 25-0
Directions: Located at the intersection of Friedrichstrasse & Zimmerstrasse

Nearest Subway: Kochstrasse (U6)
Website: http://www.dailysoft.com/berlinwall/history/checkpoint-charlie.htm http://www.mauermuseum.de/