Early western slavic settlements from the 12th century may have been the beginning of an early Berlin. The first written records of towns appear later that century. The year 1237 is considered the founding of todays Berlin. It benefited and grew from being on trade routes from eastern to western Europe. Successors to Frederick I established Berlin as the capitol of Bradenburg and the Hohenzollern’s ruled in Berlin until 1918. Berlin continued to grow and gained power and recognition throughout Europe. By the end of the 19th century it was one of Europe’s powerhouses. Being a seat of power palaces where built, great institutions established and municipal infrastructure built to reflect its growth.
Wars have taken their toll on the city during the Thirty Years War , Seven Years War, Napoleon’s occupation, World War I, World War II and then the Cold War which separated the city into East and West. This history makes visiting Berlin a unique experience. Berlin has changed in the past few decades since the wall came down and a unified Berlin has so much to offer todays traveler. A visit to Berlin surpasses everyone’s expectations.
Regions of Berlin…
Mitte
- Unter den Linden
- Friedrichstadt
- Museumsinsel
- Alexanderpaltz & Atl-Berlin
- Spreebogen & Regierungsviertel
- Tiergarten
- Spandauer Vorstadt
- Potsdamer Platz and Kulturforum
- Oranienburger Vorstadt
- Steglitz-Zehlendorf
City West
- Charlottenburg
- Charlottenburg-Nord
- Westend
- Wilmersdorf
- Grunewald
- Schöneberg
- Moabit
- Reinickendorf & Spandau
- Spandau
- Reinickendorf
- Tempelhof & Neukölin
- Tempelhof
- Neukölin
East Central
- Kreuzberg
- Friedrichshain
- Prenzlauer Berg
- Gesundbrunnen
- Wedding
East
- Marzahn and Hellersdorf
- Pankow
Treptow-Köpenick
- Müggelsee
- Treptow
- Köpenick
Points of Interests in Berlin…
| Name | Type | Class | Area | District |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alte National Gallery | Museum | 19th century Art | Mitte | Museumsinsel |
| Altes Museum | Museum | Old Antiquities | Mitte | Museumsinsel |
| Bebelplatz | Landmark | Square | Mitte | Unter den Linden |
| Berliner Dome | Landmark:Religious | Cathedral | Mitte | Museumsinsel |
| Bode -Museum | Museum | Art & Sculpture | Mitte | Museumsinsel |
| Brandenburg Gate | Landmark | Gate | Mitte | Unter den Linden |
| Deutscher Dom | Landmark:Religious | Cathedral | Mitte | Friedrichstadt |
| Deutsches History Museum | Museum | History | Mitte | Unter den Linden |
| French Dom | Landmark:Religious | Cathedral | Mitte | Friedrichstadt |
| Friedrichswerder Kirche | Landmark:Religious | Church | Mitte | Unter den Linden |
| Gendarmenmarkt | Landmark | Square | Mitte | Friedrichstadt |
| KunstHalle | Museum | Exhibition | Mitte | Unter den Linden |
| Memorial to Persecuted Homosexuals under Nazism | Landmark | Memorial | Mitte | Friedrichstadt |
| Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe | Landmark | Memorial | Mitte | Friedrichstadt |
| Museum for Communication | Museum | Communication | Mitte | Friedrichstadt |
| Neue Wache | Landmark | Memorial | Mitte | Unter den Linden |
| Neues Museum | Museum | Egyptian Antiquities | Mitte | Museumsinsel |
| Pariser Platz | Landmark | Square | Mitte | Unter den Linden |
| Pergamon Museum | Museum | Classical Antiquities | Mitte | Museumsinsel |
| Place of Tears | Museum | Historic | Mitte | Unter den Linden |
| St. Hedwig's Kathedrale | Landmark:Religious | Cathedral | Mitte | Unter den Linden |
| Statdschloss | Landmark | Re-constructed City Palace | Mitte | Museumsinsel |
Day Trips from Berlin…
- Brandenburg
- Dresden
- Gorlitz
- Hamburg
- Lehnitz Sea
- Leipzig
- Meissen
- Pfaueninsel
- Potsdam 🏛
- Rüdersdorf
- Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp
- Saxon Switzerland National Park
- Spreeworld
- Wandlitzsee
- Wannsee
Transportation in Berlin…
✈️ Airports
The new BER Berlin Brandenburg Willy Brandt Airport open in late 2020. It is now Berlin’s primary international airport replacing the now closed TXL Berlin Tegel International and SXF Berlin Schönefeld Airports.
It is located on the south side of the old Schönefeld airport in southern Berlin. S9 & S45 S Bahn service is available from the railway station directly below terminal 1 to the city center. Express buses x7 and x71 travel frequently between underground station Rudow (terminus U7) and both terminal locations.
🚊 Public Transportation
Suburban Train: S-Bahn (digital live map)
S1 line, Wannsee ↔︎ Oranienburg
S2 line, Blankenfelde ↔︎ Bernau
S25 line, Teltow Stadt ↔︎ Hennigsdorf
S26 line, Teltow Stadt ↔︎ Waidmannslust
S3 line, Erkner ↔︎ Spandau
S41 line, Ring Südkreuz ↔︎ Südkreuz (clockwise)
S42 line, Ring Südkreuz ↔︎ Südkreuz (counter-clockwise)
S45 line, BER Airport ↔︎ Südkreuz
S46 line, Königs ↔︎ Wursterhausen
S46 line, Spindlersfeld ↔︎ Hermannstraße
S5 line, Strausberg Nord ↔︎ Westkreuz
S7 line, Ahrensfelde ↔︎ Potsdam Hbf
S75 line, Wartenberg ↔︎ Warschauer
S8 line, Zeuthen ↔︎ Birkenwerder
S85 line, Grünau ↔︎ Pankow
S9 line, BER Airport ↔︎ Spandau
Berlin Train Stations
Berlin Hauptbahnhof – The central station in Berlin where all trains arrive and depart for S Bahn trains routes for Greater Berlin and regional areas and all ICE, IC & Eurocity trains to international destinations.
Ostbahnhof – S Bahn service and trains east Frankurt Oder & Poland.
Südkreuz – S Bahn service and trains South to Dresden, Leipzig & Munich.
Gesundbrunnen – S Bahn service and trains North to Rostock, Starlsund & Angermünde
Spandau – S Bahn service and trains west and northwest to Hannover & Hamburg
Zoologischer – S Bahn Services and trains west to Dessau & Magdeburg
Light Rail / Tram: BVG (M Tram lines)(digital route map)
M1 – Mitte, Am Kupfergraben ↔︎ Niederschönhausen, Schillerstraße / Rosenthal Nord
M2 – Alexanderplatz/Dircksenstraße ↔︎ Am Steinberg (- Heinersdorf)
M4 – Hackescher Markt ↔︎ Hohenschönhausen, Zingster Straße / Falkenberg
M5 – Hauptbahnhof ↔︎ Hohenschönhausen, Zingster Straße
M6 – Hauptbahnhof ↔︎ Landsberger Allee/Petersburger Straße – Ahrensfelde/Stadtgrenze
M8 – Hauptbahnhof ↔︎ Landsberger Allee/Petersburger Straße ↔︎ Ahrensfelde/Stadtgrenze –
M10 – Hauptbahnhof ↔︎ Warschauer Straße
M13 – Wedding, Virchow-Klinikum – S Warschauer Straße
M17 – (Falkenberg -) Hohenschönhausen, Gehrenseestraße ↔︎ S Schöneweide
M12 – Mitte, Am Kupfergraben ↔︎ Weißensee, Pasedagplatz
M16 – Frankfurter Allee ↔︎ Ahrensfelde/Stadtgrenze
M18 – S Springpfuhl ↔︎ Hellersdorf, Riesaer Straße
M21 – Lichtenberg/Gudrunstraße ↔︎ S Schöneweide (via Eldenaer Straße, Frankfurter Tor, Boxhagener Straße)
M27 – Krankenhaus Köpenick – Weißensee, Pasedagplatz
M37 – Lichtenberg/Gudrunstraße ↔︎ S Schöneweide (via Rhinstraße, Treskowallee)
M50 – (Wedding, Virchow-Klinikum -) Prenzlauer Berg, Björnsonstraße ↔︎ Französisch Buchholz, Guyotstraße
M60 – Johannisthal, Haeckelstraße ↔︎ Friedrichshagen, Altes Wasserwerk
M61 – Adlershof, Karl-Ziegler-Straße ↔︎ Rahnsdorf/Waldschänke
M62 – Wendenschloß ↔︎ S Mahlsdorf
M63 – Adlershof, Karl-Ziegler-Straße ↔︎ Mahlsdorf, Rahnsdorfer Straße
M67 – Krankenhaus Köpenick ↔︎ S Schöneweide
M68 – S Köpenick ↔︎ Alt-Schmöckwitz
Metro / Subway: BVG (U-Bahn lines)(digital route map)
U1 – Uhlandstraße ↔︎ Warschauer Straße
U2 – Pankow ↔︎ Ruhleben
U3 – Krumme Lanke ↔︎ Warschauer Straße
U4 – Nollendorfplatz ↔︎ Innsbrucker Platz
U5 – Alexanderplatz ↔︎ Hönow
U6 – Hauptbahnhof ↔︎ Brandenburger Tor
U7 – Alt-Tegel ↔︎ Alt-Mariendorf
U8 – Rathaus Spandau ↔︎ Rudow
U9 – Wittenau ↔︎ Hermannstraße
U55 – Rathaus Steglitz ↔︎ Osloer Straße
City Bus: BVG (digital route map)
329 lines (+39 night lines)
Ferry / Boat: BVG (digital route map)
Bicycle: Likebike, Nextbike, Call a Bike
Aerial Cable: IGS Gondola Car
Transit Cards / Passes: Berlin Welcome Card, Berlin City Tour Card