As the capital city of Germany, Berlin is full of contrasts. The old Eastern part of the city is shedding the remainder of its Communist past and trying to catch up with its Western half. This is where you can see Berlin as it used to be, before the ravages of World War II. Modern West Berlin is worlds apart, rebuilt after almost total destruction in the war. You can enjoy the best of what both sides have to offer, such as the shopping and entertainment at Potsdamer Platz and the Ku'Damm, the legendary nightlife, historic landmarks, diverse restaurants, world-renowned museums, the famous cabarets, and much more. Whether you're a culture buff or a club hopper, you'll find plenty to do in Berlin.
If you want to step outside of Germany for awhile, visit the new Sehitlik Mosque, one of only a few traditional mosques in Berlin, and the largest in Germany. East Berliners protested the construction of this mosque, but the land on which it was built has been official Turkish territory for 140 years, when the Ottoman Empire was close friends with Prussia. Beside the mosque is an Islamic cemetery, founded in 1866, where Ottoman ambassadors and World War I Turkish soldiers are interred.
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If you're a bibliophile who loves spending time amid piles of books, head to the bohemian bookstore East of Eden, which sells secondhand titles in English, French, and German. Readings are organized by the bookshop owners, and are held at the Gaslight Poetry Café around the corner. There is also live music on occasion. East of Eden is a popular hangout for an eclectic mix of locals, but tourists are slowly starting to discover this store too.
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Established in 1762, the Dorotheenstädtischer cemetery in the center of town is the final resting place of many famous Berliners, among them playwright Bertolt Brecht, author Heinrich Mann, and architect Karl Friedrich Schinkel. The monuments that most visitors come to see are Schinkel's, Gottfried Schadow's, and Friedrich Stüler's, whose gravestone was destroyed in World War II and rebuilt in postmodern style. Within this cemetery sits a French cemetery, founded in 1780, where some notable Huguenots are buried who found refuge in Berlin after fleeing religious persecution in France.
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An island on the Spree River, and also a UNESCO World Heritage Sight, Museum Island is one of the world's most renowned museum complexes. Current redevelopment through 2010 has resulted in the closing of the New Museum, but you can still visit the Old Museum with its collection of Prussian antiques, the Bode Museum's sculpture collections and Byzantine Art, the Pergamon Museum, and the Old National Gallery's display of 19th century paintings. The Pergamon Museum is the most popular and considered the best of the museums, with its massive collection of Greek, Roman, and Islamic antiquities.
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Built as a summer palace for Electoress Sophie Charlotte (who later became queen), Charlottenburg Palace was home to several Prussian kings. Over the years, this 17th century estate has gradually expanded. No longer a residence, the palace currently serves as a museum housing a collection of art that includes paintings and Asian ceramics. The courtyards and Baroque garden are considered to be the most enjoyable parts to explore. Classical concerts are occasionally held on the grounds. If you choose a self-guided tour, you are allowed limited access inside. Guided tours are available in German.
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Originally the House of Parliament, the Reichstag has seen many changes since its dedication in 1894. It's an important historical site for Berlin and all of Germany. The Republic of Germany was officially announced here in 1918, and Hitler came into power here in 1933. After the capital of West Germany was moved to Bonn, the Reichstag sat in ruins. It has since been restored, and became the seat of Parliament once again in 1999. You can visit certain sections, including the glass cupola, where you can see a panoramic view of the city.
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The Brandenburg Gate is Germany's most famous landmark, and arguably the most photographed sight in Berlin. It has set the scene for many major historical events, symbolizing Nazi power during World War II, and then the separation of East and West when the Berlin Wall closed it off from West Berlin. Since 1989, it's been redefined as a symbol of Germany's unity. It is now the setting for most of Berlin's major celebrations, and the surrounding Pariser Platz is usually swarming with tourists and the occasional wedding couple looking for a dramatic photo opportunity.
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The most famous relic of East Germany, the Berlin Wall, is one of Berlin's top tourist draws. You won't see much of it, as very little of the wall remains intact. A double row of paving stones winds through Berlin, marking the wall's original location. A few parts and watchtowers are still on display around the city. The only part of the wall that has been preserved in its original state is known as the Memorial of German Separation. You can also visit the East Side Gallery, where the wall serves as a canvas for over one hundred international artists.
Memorial of German Separation: Mitte/Wedding, Bernauer St., http://www.die-berliner-mauer.de/
East Side Gallery: Friedrichshain, Mühlenstr., http://www.eastsidegallery.com
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Hasir claims to have some of the best doner kebap in the city, because they were the first restaurant in Berlin to serve it. If you can't make it to the original Hasir, there are other locations all over Berlin.
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Operncafe, next to the State Opera House, is the place to go to get your sugar high. They are renowned for their extensive selection of desserts and their opulent, old-world decor. Their patio garden is popular in the summer.
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Iskele is a popular restaurant serving up seafood, Turkish style, on a century-old boat. If you're a vegetarian or just not a fan of seafood, Iskele can accommodate you too. Reservations are suggested, particularly for evening dining.
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Pasternak is an extremely popular restaurant with an authentic Russian menu that includes generous portions of such traditional dishes as Chicken Kiev, borscht, blinis, and Beef Stroganoff.
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Defne is known for the creative names that they give their dishes. You can try "Imam fainted" or other Turkish and Mediterranean specialties. A buffet brunch is served on Sunday. Reservations recommended, as Defne is always crowded.
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Gorki Park is popular for Sunday brunch, serving up a buffet of crepes, salads, potato pancakes, blinis and soup. If dinner is more your thing, Gorki Park offers various Russian specialties which can be washed down with, what else, vodka.
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Café Kranzler is known as the most famous café in Berlin. Locals avoid it, as they consider it a tourist trap. If this sounds like your kind of place, come enjoy its prime location in the center of the Ku'Damm.
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Voland is a café that serves up both Russian and Ukranian cuisine. You may want to come on a Friday or Saturday night, when they offer live Russian and Balkan music, but make reservations, because Voland gets crowded.
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Café Einstein is considered by many to serve the best cup of coffee in Berlin. Bow-tied waiters serve up your schnitzel and apple strudel in Viennese atmosphere that's known for its elegance.
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Bar am Lützowplatz - This upscale watering hole is popular with young, jet-set Berliners due to its wide variety of cocktails and relaxing jazz, world, and soul music. Bar am Lützowplatz has the longest and narrowest bar in the city, and offers comfortable seating areas for cozier chats. Come early, because this bar gets packed.
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Berlin, as with most of Germany, is a very easy for cyclists to navigate. There is a clear difference between pedestrian and bike paths, but they are often together, so the unsuspecting tourist may choose the wrong path. You must be observant, otherwise you can be seriously injured. Cyclists have the right of way on bike paths, and if you are injured in a collision with a cyclist, you will be to blame. In order to avoid this problem, consider renting a bike yourself. There are various places around town where you can do just that.
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When you purchase tickets for public transportation, make sure to validate your ticket at one of the yellow boxes you find at the station. There are undercover employees sitting on the U-Bahn and S-Bahn trains, just waiting to check that everything is valid. If you fail to validate your ticket, you could face a hefty fine that you must pay on the spot, and it's almost impossible to talk your way out of one. Women shouldn't travel alone on public transportation at night. Travel in groups or take a taxi.
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If you feel that a piece of the Berlin Wall is a great souvenir to take home, proceed with caution. There is often no way of knowing who is selling an authentic part of the wall. Many souvenir shops and vendors around the city sell these souvenirs, but most are not real. Some tourists try to chip off their own pieces of the wall, but this is illegal. Look for a reputable vendor who can provide proof of authenticity.
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More of an entertainment and cultural center than a nightclub, Acud has a performance space, gallery, pub, café, dance club and an arthouse cinema that shows international films. It is a hotspot for the highbrow set, and university students in particular like to congregate here. Admission only for ages 13 and over.
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This club offers something for everyone, whether you dance or prefer to listen to musical acts representing everything from metal to jazz. There are four levels and various genres of music going at once, from oldies to the latest dance beats. There is also a lounge with karaoke and a game area.
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This Latin-themed dance club has three floors and is especially popular for its salsa and merengue beats. The young adults who flock here come to show off their moves, but if you're no Fred Astaire, never fear, you can come to Havanna an hour before opening for dance lessons.
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If you're in the mood for jazz, this is the club. Located in the cellar of the café that shares its name, Quasimodo is the oldest jazz club in Berlin, and beloved for its great music and intimate seating. Local and world famous artists have performed here. Quasimodo's musical repertoire also includes blues, rock, funk, and Latin.
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