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    Insight Guides Explore Berlin (Travel Guide eBook)
    Insight Guides Explore Berlin (Travel Guide eBook)
    Insight Guides Explore Berlin (Travel Guide eBook)
    Ebook524 pages1 hour

    Insight Guides Explore Berlin (Travel Guide eBook)

    By Insight Guides

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    About this ebook

    Take a fresh approach to Berlin with this brand new Explore guide. Lavishly illustrated in full colour, this book features 14 irresistible self-guided walks and tours, written by a local expert and packed with great insider tips. Whether you are new to the city or a repeat visitor, whatever your interests, and however long your stay, this book is the perfect companion, showing you the smartest way to link the sights and taking you beyond the beaten tourist track. All the walks and tours come with clear, easy-to-follow full-colour maps. A 'Key Facts' box at the start of each tour highlights the recommended time needed to enjoy it to the full, plus the distance covered and a start and end point; all this makes it simple to find the perfect tour for the time you have to spare. Try some of the hand-picked places to eat and drink and sleep, or refer to the clearly organised A-Z of practical information to get to grips with the city.

    About Insight Guides: Insight Guides has over 40 years' experience of publishing high-quality, visual travel guides. We produce around 400 full-color print guide books and maps as well as picture-packed eBooks to meet different travelers' needs. Insight Guides' unique combination of beautiful travel photography and focus on history and culture together create a unique visual reference and planning tool to inspire your next adventure.

    'Insight Guides has spawned many imitators but is still the best of its type.' - Wanderlust Magazine

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherInsight Guides
    Release dateApr 1, 2016
    ISBN9781780059952
    Insight Guides Explore Berlin (Travel Guide eBook)
    Author

    Insight Guides

    Pictorial travel guide to Arizona & the Grand Canyon with a free eBook provides all you need for every step of your journey. With in-depth features on culture and history, stunning colour photography and handy maps, it’s perfect for inspiration and finding out when to go to Arizona & the Grand Canyon and what to see in Arizona & the Grand Canyon. 

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      Book preview

      Insight Guides Explore Berlin (Travel Guide eBook) - Insight Guides

      How To Use This E-Book

      This Explore Guide has been produced by the editors of Insight Guides, whose books have set the standard for visual travel guides since 1970. With ­top-­quality photography and authoritative recommendations, these guidebooks bring you the very best routes and itineraries in the world’s most exciting destinations.

      Best Routes

      The routes in this book provide something to suit all budgets, tastes and trip lengths. As well as covering the destination’s many classic attractions, the itineraries track lesser-known sights, and there are also ex­cursions for those who want to extend their visit outside the city. The routes embrace a range of interests, so whether you are an art fan, a gourmet, a history buff or have kids to entertain, you will find an option to suit.

      We recommend reading the whole of a route before setting out. This should help you to familiarise yourself with it and enable you to plan where to stop for refreshments – options are shown in the ‘Food and Drink’ box at the end of each tour.

      Introduction

      The routes are set in context by this introductory section, giving an overview of the destination to set the scene, plus background information on food and drink, shopping and more, while a succinct history timeline highlights the key events over the centuries.

      Directory

      Also supporting the routes is a Directory chapter, with a clearly organised A–Z of practical information, our pick of where to stay while you are there and select restaurant listings; these eateries complement the more low-key cafés and restaurants that feature within the routes and are intended to offer a wider choice for evening dining. Also included here are some nightlife listings, plus a handy language guide and our recommendations for books and films about the destination.

      Getting around the e-book

      In the Table of Contents and throughout this e-book you will see hyperlinked references. Just tap a hyperlink once to skip to the section you would like to read. Practical information and listings are also hyperlinked, so as long as you have an external connection to the internet, you can tap a link to go directly to the website for more information.

      Maps

      All key attractions and sights mentioned in the text are numbered and cross-referenced to high-quality maps. Wherever you see the reference [map] just tap this to go straight to the related map. You can also double-tap any map for a zoom view.

      Images

      You’ll find lots of beautiful high-resolution images that capture the essence of the destination. Simply double-tap on an image to see it full-screen.

      © 2016 Apa Digital (CH) AG and Apa Publications (UK) Ltd

      Table of Contents

      How To Use This E-Book

      Recommended Routes For...

      Architecture fans

      Art and Museum Buffs

      Clubbers

      Cold War and Wall connections

      Foodies

      Prussian Palaces

      Shoppers

      World War II remembrance

      Explore Berlin

      City Districts

      East and West

      Cultural Renewal

      Climate

      Population

      Young at Heart

      Local Dialect

      Economy

      Green Spaces

      Food And Drink

      High-end Restaurants

      Pubs (Kneipen)

      Ethnic Variety

      Chains

      Where to Eat

      Drinks

      Shopping

      What to Buy

      Sales

      Opening Times

      Entertainment

      Theatre

      Variety and Comedy Theatres

      Cabaret

      Musicals

      Music

      Classical Music

      Jazz

      Rock, Pop and World Music

      Film

      Nightlife

      Tickets

      History: Key Dates

      Early History

      19th and Early 20th Centuries

      Hitler’s Berlin

      Post-World War II: Berlin Divided

      The Fall of the Wall and Beyond

      Berlin highlights by bus

      Breitscheidplatz

      Kaiser-Wilhelm Memorial Church

      The Ku’damm

      Tiergarten

      Victory Column

      The Reichstag

      Brandenburg Gate

      Unter den Linden

      Museum Island to Alexanderplatz

      Schlossplatz and Nikolaiviertel

      Alexanderplatz

      Charlottenburg

      Breitscheidplatz

      Kaiser-Wilhelm Memorial Church

      Europa-Center

      Tauentzienstrasse

      Kaufhaus des Westens

      On and Around the Kurfürstendamm

      Fasanenstrasse

      Story of Berlin

      North Towards Savignyplatz

      Bleibtreustrasse

      Savignyplatz

      Tiergarten

      Berlin Zoo

      Zoo Highlights

      Aquarium

      Embassy Quarter

      Bauhaus Archive

      Neuer See

      Victory Column

      Schloss Bellevue

      Haus der Kulturen der Welt

      The Reichstag

      Visiting the Building

      Paul-Löbe-Haus and Chancellery

      Chancellery

      Potsdamer Platz and the Kulturforum

      Potsdamer Platz

      Alte Potsdamer Strasse

      Marlene-Dietrich-Platz

      Sony Center

      The Kaisersaal

      Kulturforum

      Philharmonie and Kammermusiksaal

      St Matthäus-Kirche

      Gemäldegalerie

      Decorative Arts Museum

      Musical Instruments Museum

      Neue Nationalgalerie

      Resistance Memorial

      History

      The Memorial

      Around the Brandenburg Gate

      Brandenburg Gate

      History

      Pariser Platz

      Southern Side

      Hotel Adlon

      British Embassy

      Holocaust Memorial

      Nazi Headquarters

      Hitler’s Bunker

      Unter Den Linden To Alexanderplatz

      Around Pariser Platz

      Komische Oper

      Deutsche Guggenheim

      Historic Libraries

      Forum Fridericianum

      Staatsoper

      St Hedwigstkathedrale

      Humboldt University to Museum Island

      Neue Wache

      Deutsches Historisches Museum

      Royal Residences

      Museum Island

      Berliner Dom

      Nikolaiviertel

      Town Hall

      Alexanderplatz

      Fernsehturm

      Museum Island

      Pergamonmuseum

      The Collection

      Bode-Museum

      The Collection

      Neues Museum

      Alte Nationalgalerie

      Altes Museum

      Berliner Dom

      Scheunenviertel

      Hackescher Markt

      Hackesche Höfe

      Sophienstrasse

      Grosse Hamburger Strasse

      Jewish School

      Oranienburger Strasse

      Neue Synagoge

      Tacheles

      Auguststrasse

      Kunst-Werke

      Friedrichstrasse and Gendarmenmarkt

      Around S-Bahnhof Friedrichstrasse

      Tränenpalast

      Northern Friedrichstrasse

      The Admiralspalast

      The Distel

      Friedrichstadtpalast

      German Theatres

      Shopping on Friedrichstrasse

      Gendarmenmarkt

      Konzerthaus

      German and French Cathedrals

      Treats and Refreshment

      Friedrichstadtpassagen

      Quartier 207

      Quartier 206

      Quartier 205

      Communications Museum

      Checkpoint Charlie

      Checkpoint Charlie Museum

      Peter Fechter Memorial

      Axel-Springer-Verlag

      Rudi-Dutschke-Strasse

      Kochstrasse

      Niederkirchnerstrasse

      Abgeordnetenhaus and Martin-Gropius-Bau

      Topography of Terror

      Anhalter Bahnhof

      Kreuzberg

      Hallesches Tor

      Viktoriapark

      Riehmers Hofgarten

      Bergmannstrasse

      Tempelhof Airport

      Around Gneisenaustrasse

      Turkish Market

      Oranienstrasse

      Mariannenplatz

      Bethanien Art Centre

      Schlesisches Tor

      Prenzlauer Berg

      Senefelder Platz

      Jewish Cemetery

      Kollwitzplatz

      Water Tower

      Synagogue

      Husemannstrasse

      Kulturbrauerei

      Friedrichshain

      Karl-Marx-Allee

      Towards the River

      East Side Gallery

      Mercedes-Benz Arena Berlin

      Potsdam

      Potsdam Town

      Sanssouci

      Sanssouci Palace

      Picture Gallery and New Chambers

      Chinese Teahouse

      New Palace

      Other Highlights

      Accommodation

      Charlottenburg

      Tiergarten

      Potsdamer Platz

      Mitte

      Kreuzberg and Schöneberg

      Prenzlauer Berg

      Friedrichshain

      Outskirts

      Restaurants

      Mitte

      Charlottenburg

      Scheunenviertel

      Friedrichstrasse

      Kreuzberg, Schöneberg & Neukölln

      Prenzlauer Berg

      Friedrichshain

      Other Areas

      Nightlife

      Theatre and Music

      Cinemas

      Jazz Clubs

      Arenas

      Clubs

      Bars

      A-Z

      A

      Age Restrictions

      B

      Budgeting

      C

      Children

      Clothing

      Crime and Safety

      Customs

      D

      Disabled Travellers

      E

      Electricity

      Embassies/Consulates

      Emergencies

      F

      Festivals/Fairs

      January

      February

      March

      June

      July

      September

      October

      November

      December

      G

      Gay and Lesbian Issues

      Green Issues

      H

      Health

      Healthcare and Insurance

      Hospitals and Pharmacies

      Hours and Holidays

      National and Religious Holidays

      I

      Internet Facilities

      L

      Language

      Lost Property

      M

      Maps

      Media

      Print Media

      Radio

      Television

      Money

      Currency

      Credit Cards

      Cash Machines

      Travellers’ Cheques

      Tipping

      Taxes

      P

      Police

      Post

      Stamps and Postboxes

      R

      Religion

      S

      Smoking

      T

      Telephones

      Country Codes

      Operator Numbers

      Mobile (Cell) Phones

      Card Phones

      Time Zones

      Toilets

      Tourist Information

      In Berlin

      German Tourist Offices Abroad

      Tours and Guides

      Boat Tours

      Bus Tours

      Bunker Tours

      Walking Tours

      Transport

      Airports and Arrival

      Public Transport

      Taxis

      Driving

      Car Hire

      Bicycle Hire

      V

      Visas and Passports

      W

      Websites

      Weights and Measures

      Women

      Y

      Youth Hostels

      Language

      Pronunciation

      The Alphabet

      Words & Phrases

      General

      On Arrival

      Travelling

      Shopping

      Sightseeing

      Dining Out

      Table Talk

      Suppen/Soups

      Vorspeisen/Starters

      Fleischgerichte/Meat Courses

      Knödel/Dumplings and Noodles

      Eier/Eggs

      Zubereitung/Preparation

      Gemüse/Vegetables

      Nachspeisen/Desserts

      Früchte/Obst Fruit

      Emergencies

      Days of the Week/Seasons

      Spelling Rules

      How to Say ‘You’

      Numbers

      Books and Film

      Film

      Books

      Recommended Routes For...

      Architecture fans

      Explore the Sony Center and the other glass-and-steel buildings around Potsdamer Platz (route 4) and indulge in the great historic landmarks along the boulevard Unter den Linden (route 6) or on the Gendarmenmarkt (route 9).

      Jon Santa Cruz/Apa Publications

      Art and Museum Buffs

      Top arty tours are the Unesco-protected Museum Island, home to five internationally important museums (route 7), and an afternoon in the art galleries around the Kulturforum in the Tiergarten district (route 4).

      iStock

      Clubbers

      Spend a long night in Mitte’s vibrant Scheunenviertel (route 8) with its pubs, bars and clubs, before heading to the more alternative Kreuzberg (route 11) or the adjoining Friedrichshain (route 13).

      Getty Images

      Cold War and Wall connections

      Dive into Cold War history at Checkpoint Charlie and the adjacent museum on the Berlin Wall (route 10). Away from the tourist crowds, trace the Wall back to the East Side Gallery (route 13).

      Jon Santa Cruz/Apa Publications

      Foodies

      Great restaurants can be found across the city, but an excellent selection is clustered in the Scheunenviertel area (route 8) or in the bohemian Prenzlauer Berg (route 12).

      Jon Santa Cruz/Apa Publications

      Prussian Palaces

      Take time out to visit Frederick the Great’s palace and park of Sanssouci at Potsdam (route 14). This is an easy day trip (accessible by public transport) from central Berlin.

      Jon Santa Cruz/Apa Publications

      Shoppers

      Take a stroll down the Ku’damm in Charlottenburg and pay a visit to the Continent’s largest department store, the KaDeWe (route 2). Head over to East Berlin and inspect the luxury boutiques of the Friedrichstadtpassagen (route 9).

      Jon Santa Cruz/Apa Publications

      World War II remembrance

      Explore the area around the Brandenburg Gate and Wilhelmstrasse, the former location of Hitler’s Führerbunker (route 5). Reflect on the war at the Holocaust Memorial, or at the equally moving Gedenkstätte Deutscher Widerstand (route 4).

      Jon Santa Cruz/Apa Publications

      Explore Berlin

      Berlin represents the triumphs and tragedies of European history as no other city on the continent. It is, moreover, a city that publicly acknowledges its past – good and bad – with museums, memorials and historic buildings.

      Berlin is located in the east of Germany, approximately 80km (50 miles) away from the Polish border and some 150km (93 miles) from the Baltic coast. It is situated within a typical North European flatland (Berlin’s highest mountain, the Grosser Müggelberg, measures a mere 115m/ 377ft), with dry soil, not very fertile land and only a few rivers. Berlin is at the confluence of two of these rivers, the Spree and the Havel.

      Berlin, the greenest metropolis in Europe

      Getty Images

      By any standard, the city-state of Berlin (one of 16 German states) is laid out on a vast scale. It covers a total of 892 sq km (344 sq m), with a north–south length of 38km (24 miles) and a breadth, east to west, of 45km (28 miles). The state comprises 12 districts or boroughs, the borders of which generally relate to the historic evolution of the region. Despite its size, Berlin is easy to navigate – thanks to its modern highway network and extensive public transport system.

      City Districts

      Visitors to Berlin who knew the city 25 years ago would no doubt be astounded by the shifts in the personalities of the various Bezirke (boroughs). The centre of the city is Mitte, where the major cultural institutions are located. The Tiergarten district, with its leafy park of the same name, is to Mitte’s west and leads to Charlottenburg, which is upscale, if less prominent, since the fall of the Wall. South of the centre is Kreuzberg, home to many of the newer landmarks and a neighbourhood legendary for its alternative youth culture and large Turkish population. Schöneberg is located just west and is more gentrified, with a prominent gay scene. Meanwhile, the northern district Prenzlauer Berg has transformed from a poor district into a trendy hub with a thriving café culture and stylish boutiques.

      For each emotion that the name Berlin evokes, the city has an appropriate symbol. The noble Schloss Charlottenburg and the monuments on Unter den Linden honour Germany’s formidable Prussian past, while the Brandenburg Gate proclaims the city’s regained unity. The Reichstag recalls united Germany’s return to parliamentary democracy, while the gigantic Olympic Stadium expresses the bombast of Hitler’s dictatorship. The chaos and destruction that the Nazis wrought find their deliberate reminder in the bombed-out shell of the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church, while the atrocities of the Holocaust are represented by innumerable memorials big and small.

      East and West

      When Berlin was divided up at the end of World War II, it was appropriate that the Soviet sector, devoted to the Communist experiment, should take in a large number of the working-class areas, while West Berlin had at its centre the eminently bourgeois neighbourhood of Charlottenburg. After the total destruction wrought by World War II, the eastern sector was hastily rebuilt in uninspired Socialist style, while the West was regenerated with bland ‘Wirtschaftswunder’ buildings.

      On reunification, two sets of people psychologically attuned to different economic and social systems were thrust together, and unforeseen problems emerged. As tens of thousands of East Germans came to settle in the West, entitling them to ‘adjustment’ money, housing subsidies and job retraining from the Bonn government, the financial burden of reunification began to trouble West Germans, while a small minority of disgruntled West Berliners even began to wish that the Wall had never been knocked down.

      For many of the inhabitants of East Berlin, too, the merger with the West was less than perfect. The sudden impact of the West’s free-market economic system was in some cases disastrous, with people losing such previously enjoyed benefits as controlled rents and job security (see Ostalgie box).

      When the two halves of the city were reunited their infrastructures remained separate entities for several years and have only recently been fully integrated. Transport links and electricity, gas, water and telephone infrastructure was quite outdated in East Berlin and it has been a costly project to update everything.

      Ostalgie

      As the film Goodbye Lenin! (2003) illustrates, there are some East Germans for whom reunification must have proved simply too much of a shock. Others have accepted the passing of the GDR, but retain a nostalgia (hence the term Ostalgie) for the old certainties of jobs for life, trade union holiday homes and workplace kindergartens. Basic items such as food and household products from the GDR are also fondly remembered, and some ‘Ostprodukte’ (Eastern Products) have at some points been objects of retro fashion. The Trabant enjoys a vigorous after-life, with restored cars taking visitors on a ‘Trabi-Safari’ round East Berlin. Entire museums packed with 1970s and 1980s junk have opened up across the country (though none in Berlin) displaying everyday objects that Germans from the east so fondly remember. Souvenir shops sell retro DDR trinkets while flea markets overflow with GDR jumble.

      However many East Germans who experienced the terror of the Stasi (East German secret police) have little time for this selective nostalgia. The cold war days have also spawned

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