Breathtaking Berlin

Berlin can be described in two words: big and breathtaking. There's twice as much of everything here. The city is twice the size of Paris, for example. It even has two city centres. The lively, unashamedly commercial Kurfürstendamm is cheerful and bright, while Alexanderplatz is more serious and restrained.

Youthful and frenzied 
Both of Berlin's centres are well worth a visit. At the same time the visitor can reflect on the point that it is still not a long time since this city was divided by a disobliging wall. One place to learn about the history of the divided city and of the wall is at the Checkpoint Charlie museum. Berlin has always had a slightly eccentric reputation, and so it continues to exercise a strong fascination for artists, students, young people and visionaries. The best place to sense this youthful and frenzied side of the city is at Prenzlauer Berg.

Fleamarkets and fine department stores 
Berlin also offers double opportunities for shopping. At KaDeWe, the world's second largest department store, the food section alone can easily take up a whole day of the visitor's programme. Everything is available in this city, from exclusive fashions to flea market finds, cowboy boots, antique jewellery and even designer clothes for pets. Or perhaps we could interest you in a complete 19th century gala dress? You're sure to find it somewhere in the endless array of shops that Berlin provides.

Festivities every day 
They say that the feeling of sustained transience that permeates this city has stimulated its people into endless celebration. Berlin is definitely the place for theatre, cabaret, concerts, musicals, restaurants, cafés and bars – with subsequent outings to the city's countless clubs and discos.