Berlin for a weekend

Alexanderplatz or Alex: historic Berlin square and former East Berlin city centre, with its typical GDR architecture. To see: the Marx-Engels-Forum, the Rotes Rathaus (the red brick town hall that also bears its name for the political opinions of its former councillors) and its neo-baroque Neptune fountain, but above all the 365 m high Fernsehturm (the television tower). It is possible to climb up and admire the city in a mobile sphere making a full tour in one hour; it is also advisable to book your VIP ticket on the website www.tv-turm.de to avoid long waiting times Kreuzberg: it is one of the most famous districts in Berlin. We go there for its alternative side, its multitude of clubs and bars around Oranienstrasse, Bergmanstrasse and Kottbuser Tor. Admire the graffiti and other examples of street art that adorn the streets.

Potsdamer Platz and the Kulturforum: why not start the day with a museum before the queues form? At the Kulturforum, behind the Potsdamer platz, you can choose between the Kupferstichkabinett, which houses an impressive collection of graphic art (engravings and drawings by Rembrandt, Dürer, Botticelli, Toulours-Lautrec, Andy Warhol...) or the Gemäldegalerie, a gallery of paintings containing exceptional pieces from the 13th to the 18th century. After the visit, stroll through the ultramodern district of Potsdamer Platz, one of the architects of which was the famous Renzo Piano. Take a look at the Philharmonic's concert hall, with its specially designed architecture for perfect acoustics. You can eat in the Sony Center at Lindenbraü, a Bavarian brewery at reasonable prices, or in one of the fast food restaurants of the Potsdamer Platz Arkaden shopping centre
South of Mitte and the Wall: in the afternoon you will follow in the footsteps of the Berlin Wall. Three sections are placed on the Potsdamer Platz, accompanied by explanatory signs on the history of the Wall and its layout. To explore the subject further, go to Checkpoint Charlie, where an outdoor exhibition is installed, excellently documented. Just next door is the exciting Museum am Checkpoint Charlie, which is really worth a visit to understand the extraordinary history of the separation of Berlin. From Potsdamer Platz, you can reach it on foot by going down Leipzigerstraße and then taking Friedrichstraße on your right. The museum is located just behind Checkpoint Charlie. Friedrichshain and the Wall: for a different view of the Wall, visit Warschauer Str. (U1) and walk along the famous East Side Gallery on Mühlenstraße. At the Reunification, the German government invited artists from all over the world to express their idea of peace and freedom on this one-kilometre stretch.Prenzlauer Berg and the Wall: Finally, go to the Wall Memorial, Bernauer Straße (U8), where a section is preserved, with the configuration of the time. End your day by strolling through Prenzlauer Berg. Where to dine? In summer, you can settle in the Mauerpark or in a Biergarten (the Prater for example); in winter, take refuge in the many restaurants and bars around the Kastanienallee. The nightlife of the district is full of possibilities, it's up to you to choose according to your tastes: bar, cinema, concert, cultural complex... (for a more agitated night, get off at Kreuzberg, Neukölln or Friedrichshain).

Tiergarten: the last day begins with a visit to the Siegessäule (Victory Column), symbol of the many triumphs of the Prussian Empire, which is located in the middle of Tiergarten. For an admirable view of Berlin, do not hesitate to climb the 285 steps. Above, under the benevolent presence of the famous golden angel of victory, you can see, among other things, Bellevue Castle, the official residence of the President of the Republic, as well as the buildings of the Chancellery. For the same type of panorama, you can also access the superb Reichstag dome free of charge (by booking in advance via the website www.bundestag.de). Mitte: then admire the Brandenburger Tor and Pariser Platz, before accessing boulevard Unter den Linden, the city's mythical avenue where the elegant women of the early 20th century used to walk. Continuing, we arrive on the Bebelplatz, where the memorial of the Autodafé is located, a glass plate reminding us of the place where the Nazis burned the books of Jewish authors or those considered depraved. On either side of the square, you can admire the National Library, the Humboldt University where Karl Marx studied, the former library, the Staatsoper (Opera House), the Cathedral of St. Edward, the Konprinzenpalais (the Crown Prince's Palace where the unification of Germany was signed on 31 August 1990) and finally the Neue Wache (the New Guard), in which there is the Memorial to the victims of fascism and militarism and the German History Museum Museum Island: after crossing the Spree, you reach Museum Island, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with major museums and the Berliner Dom (Cathedral). After this long walk, go to the Gendarmenmarkt for a drink. There are the two twin cathedrals - the Französischer Dom and the Deutscher Dom - face to face, as well as the Konzerthaus, a beautiful classical concert hall.