What to do in Prenden

Alexanderplatz is a pedestrian and transport hub, including everything from high-end shopping to panoramic views of the city. Named after the Russian Csar Alexander I and later becoming the center of East Germany during the Cold War, today's "Alex" includes all the luxuries of a Western metropolitan center.

The history of Brandenburg Gate – an enormous, sandstone, neoclassical arch – is inextricably linked with the history of Berlin and Germany. Built in 1791 to mark the entrance to Unter den Linden, Berlin's grandest boulevard, the arch was originally created as a symbol of peace. Standing 85-feet (30-meters) high, the Brandenburg Gate was modeled on the gateway to the Acropolis in Athens. When Napoleon defeated the Prussians in 1806, he marched triumphantly through the gate into Berlin, before taking the gate’s crowning statue, Victoria, the Goddess of Victory, back to France as a spoil of war. Victoria was later returned and once again sits atop the gate driving her chariot of horses.

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.

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.

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.

Museum Island (Museumsinsel) is located in central Berlin in the River Spree. The island derives its name from a collection of five world-class state museums located at the island’s northern end.

The Berlin Wall Memorial is a picturesque green space on the site of an old churchyard in Mitte, the city’s center. It is a commemoration to life during the 30-year division of Berlin.

See a bird’s-eye view of of Berlin from Alexanderplatz’s iconic TV Tower (Fernsehturm). The distinctive Berlin landmark reaches 1,207.3 feet (368 meters) into the sky and is the tallest structure in Germany. The tower’s viewing platform offers 360-degree views at 666 feet (203 meters) above the ground. Take in the view while enjoying a meal at Fernsehturm’s revolving restaurant.

The Reichstag is one of Berlin’s most historic landmarks. Completed in 1894 following the establishment of the German Reich, the neo-Renaissance building’s role as the home of German Parliament was short-lived. In the 1930s, Adolf Hitler blamed a devastating fire in the Reichstag on a group of Communists and radicals, a pivotal moment in his journey towards total control. The building sat largely unused for the next 60 years. It wasn't until reunification that this grand piece of real estate was cleaned up, boldly redesigned and reinstated as Germany’s main seat of power.

Berliner Dom (Berlin Cathedral) is hard to miss as you walk around the city center. You’ll see the dramatic dome of this Protestant church from almost anywhere. It was torn apart by Allied bombs during World War II and later restored to its former glory. It is a stunning example of reniassance and baroque architecture.