Places of interest

• Leaving from the Zoo station or Friedrichstrasse, busses with the numbers 100 and 200 are a great way to gain initial first impressions of the city. Tip: depart the bus at the Brandenburg Gate and walk along the 'Unter den Linden' boulevard to the Gendarmenmarkt - weather permitting, it is an invigorating experience (no guided tours).

• Mall of Berlin (LP12) at Leipziger Platz: more than 270 shops with food court
• Friedrichstraße: Galeries Lafayette and design boutiques
• Tauentzienstraße: KaDeWe - the Kaufhaus des Westens enviably located at the Wittenbergplatz with its famous connoisseur level on the 5th floor

Berlin is the city of museums. Over 170 museums in Berlin keep the history, art and knowledge of the city alive and form a unique museum scenery - a dynamic landscape that is growing in breathtaking speed. Many of the museums also form the city's memory banks if you will. Among other things, they document the Kingdom of Prussia, the city's turbulent role in two world wars and the affects of the Iron Curtain.

Whether it's a parody of a politician, a biting sketch or a sarcastically twisted cover song - when the spot(t)lights go on at the DISTEL, they tease, dissect and rip off with sharp humour and lots of live music. Lovers of cabaret and friends of black humour get their money's worth just as much as fans of political comedy.  The legendary ensemble cabaret with its chequered history is considered Germany's first address for political satire. Located in the heart of Berlin - right next to Friedrichstrasse station - the DISTEL sees its proximity to the Bundestag and the Chancellor's Office as an incentive to be the "sting at the seat of government". (German performances only)

25th November to 26th December 2019

Christmas shopping in the capital is a highlight of the season! More than 80 markets large and small liven up Berlin's districts and neighbourhoods. In addition to the well-known markets on the Gendarmenmarkt, Alexanderplatz and in Spandau, why not try these lesser known delights: the Nostalgic Christmas Market at the Opernpalais, for instance, the Finnish Christmas Market in Kreuzberg, the Christkindlmarkt (Christ Child Market) in Kladow, or the fairytale bazaars around the Jagdschloss Grunewald palace and against the splendid backdrop of Charlottenburg Palace.

7th April 2024

The Generali Berlin Half Marathon is not only the largest German race of its kind, but also the most high-profile. It is now part of the fixed repertoire of Berlin running events and attracts international runners.

30th May 2020

Berlin shows its most colourful side! At the Carnival of Cultures, numerous groups of many nationalities provide music, dance, performances, visual arts and acrobatics on a procession of floats. From Brazilian samba to the Chinese Lion Dance, from West African drumming to Swiss trumpet players from the Bern Winter Carnival - the groups demonstrate that diversity and internationalism are the pride of Berlin.

21st June 2024

On the first day of summer, Berlin celebrates the Fête de la Musique. Musicians take part in the festivities and play their music free of charge on more than 100 stages and in many streets all over the city.