Berlin boasts plenty of history dating back all the way to the 12th Century, but it’s the more modern chapters of history that the city is most famous for. As inglorious as it may sometimes have been, the dark past of the city isn’t something that’s shied away from now. The Brandenburg Gate, Reichstag Building, Holocaust Memorial, Berlin Wall and Jewish Museum all serve as some of Berlin’s most-visited tourist hotspots.
A trip up the Tower
The Berlin TV Tower (or ‘Berliner Fernsehturm’) can be found just next to one of Berlin’s largest and most popular squares, Alexanderplatz. Built back in the sixties, this 368-metre-tall structure is the biggest in Germany and one of the tallest in the whole of the European Union. It goes without saying, you can get some pretty special views from the top of it.
If you’re hungry, grab a bite to eat in the tower’s rotating restaurant Sphere, 207 metres above the ground. It takes an hour to do a full, 360 degree rotation, and on a clear day you can see over 60km into the distance. The extensive menu specialises in local and German delicacies.
Spy on a truly unique museum
Berlin is a city synonymous with espionage and if you’ve ever wondered how the spy game used to work, the Spy Museum Berlin is the place to visit. Found centrally in the Leipziger Platz, this fascinating museum is informative and fun, with as many interactive elements as there are traditional exhibits. The Spy Museum is a great way to spend an afternoon, and families will love competing to negotiate the laser maze.
A side order of history
Zur Letzten Instanz is Berlin’s oldest restaurant, dating all the way back to 1621. Famed for its rustic charm, the cuisine on offer here is refined German fare that doesn’t rest on its laurels and hasn’t succumbed to lowest common denominator tourist fodder. This cosy dark wood-panelled restaurant was said to be a particular favourite of Napoleon and Beethoven also dined on dishes such as pork knuckle with sauerkraut and stuffed cabbage leaves with bacon and caraway sauce.
Potter around Potsdam
A leisurely 45 minute drive south-west on the A115 or B1 will take you to the capital of Brandenburg State, Potsdam. Only 25 km away from Berlin, this eclectic city is home to the sprawling and beautiful parks and palaces of Sanssouci, known for being the largest and one of the most stunning World Heritage Sites in all of Germany.
The impressive architecture of Potsdam dates back from its time spent as the former Royal Seat of Prussia. It still retains its charm and is a hugely popular day out for Berliners as well as anyone visiting the German capital.
It doesn’t matter if your plan is to stay in the bustle of the city or to mix it up and stretch your legs a little, car hire in Berlin is the best way to see everything and miss nothing in this exciting and vibrant city.