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A city on the cutting-edge of European development and the capital city of a now united Germany, Berlin has often been in the spotlight over the past 100 years for one reason or another. Now, it has re-established itself as one of Europe’s primary cities and is positively brimming with optimism.

Located in the north-east of Germany with a population of around 3.5 million, Berlin is a hive of activity and growth. Despite this, one third of Berlin is still covered by woodland, parks and waterways and nature seeps in; around every other bend. Berlin is great for backpackers who are looking to immerse themselves in one of Europe's most prominent cultures, whilst the city's more historic sites, such as the Brandenburg Gate are a must see for everyone.

Berlin Overview

It sits in the middle of the region known from medieval times as the Mark of Brandenburg, now the Bundesland (federal state) of Brandenburg. The city spills north and south of the Spree River. Unlike most other large German cities, Berlin is a partly planned capital, with streets and boulevards organized in a clear manner.

Berlin is also laid out on an epic scale - western Berlin alone, is four times the size of the of Paris. Of its 23 boroughs, the five of most interest to visitors are Charlottenburg in the west, Tiergarten and Kreuzberg in the downtown western area, the historic eastern part of town in Mitte and Prenzlauer Berg in the northeast. South-west Berlin has lovely parks, secluded forests and lakes in the Grunewald area.

Popular with overseas visitors, Berlin is one city you can't really get lost in as one is nearly always within sight of the brooding Fernsehturm (TV Tower). Too large to be explored on foot, Berlin has one of the most efficient public-transportation systems in Europe, making every part of the city easily accessible.

Visitor's to this historic city can bask in it's magnificent architecture and monument's from the Reichstag to the Brandenburg Gate. This city's tortured history is evident in the remains of the Berlin Wall and the famous Checkpoint Charlie, which was once the gateway between the divided city.

Cultural attractions in Berlin include the city's many theatres such as the Grips theatre and the Berlin Theatre Des Westens. Museums in Berlin are among the best in Germany and if you enjoy eating out, the restaurants in Berlin offer some of the best European cuisine there is. Shopaholics too won't be disappointed with the shopping on offer here.

Contrary to the usual clichés about Germany, Berlin is a city with a laid-back attitude and some of the liveliest nightlife in Europe. In Berlin today, there is everything from authentic beer halls and old Soviet era haunts right through to buzzing style bars and Latino nightclubs. Sporting facilities and activities for children are good too. Thus Berlin makes for a sensible starting point to any disocvery tour of the country.

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