Things to do in Fangschleuse

The Alexanderplatz can be viewed very much as a transport hub for the city of Berlin as well, although it has plenty to offer visitors with its world-class shopping and panoramic views over the entire city.

This enormous monument in the form of a neoclassical arch constructed from sandstone, is intrinsically linked with the history of Berlin and Germany. Built over two centuries ago, in 1791, the Brandenburg Gate was originally constructed to mark the entrance to Unter den Linden, Berlin's grandest boulevard. The arch was also intended to be a symbol of peace. There is a clear Greek influence in this monument, with the design of the Brandenburg Gate closely corresponding to the Acropolis in Athens.

Potsdamer Platz is a cast-iron example of the success of urban renewal in Berlin. This was a no man’s land during the Cold War, when Berlin was divided along political lines. In its pre-war heyday, the Potsdamer Platz had been one of Europe’s most bustling areas and the busiest traffic intersection in Europe.

Walk through the Gendarmenmarkt and admire some of Berlin’s most attractive architecture from the 18th and 19th centuries. This square features an imposing central statue depicting poet Friedrich Schiller and is overlooked by three landmark Berlin buildings: the French Cathedral, the German Cathedral and the Konzerthaus.

Lined by some of Germany’s most exclusive department stores and surrounded by major historical attractions, the Friedrichstrasse cultural and shopping precinct in Berlin’s Mitte district has undergone extreme change since the fall of the Berlin Wall. However, at its center find one of the city’s most unusual tourist attractions, throwing you back into the Cold War era. Friedrichstrasse is today one of Berlin’s most visited streets. It is home to Checkpoint Charlie, one of the very few Cold War border crossings between East and West Berlin.

The Berlin Wall separated capitalist West Germany from Communist East Germany for many decades. The wall was originally constructed along a street called Bernauer Strasse in 1961, instantly separating thousands of friends and families. Once the wall had been constructed, the neo-Gothic church that stood in the area became essentially stranded in no man’s land—instantly taking on the status of a symbol of a truly divided city. This landmark was eventually destroyed by the East German government just four years before the wall came down.

The East Side Gallery is a memorial to Berlin’s reunification in 1990 and the fall of the Berlin Wall. The monument to Berlin’s freedom is a 0.8-mile (1.3-kilometer) stretch of the old Berlin Wall that was covered in colorful murals in 1990. Stroll along one of the world’s longest open-air galleries to experience the heartfelt and historical paintings.

Hackescher Markt is a small and stylish square in Berlin and a popular shopping spot for the fashion-forward. Spend an afternoon discovering up-and-coming Berlin designers in the nearby boutiques. When you tire of shopping, take a break at one of the many charming cafés and restaurants in the area.