Berlin, 12 hotels

The Brandenburg Gate, with its 200-year history, is the most well-known Berlin landmark. The former border between East and West Berlin is today a symbol of the reunification of Germany and the fall of the Berlin Wall. The Brandenburg Gate is centrally located between the Reichstag, Potsdamer Platz Square and the shopping street, Unter den Linden.

At 368 metres high, the Fernsehturm TV Tower is Germany’s highest structure and is, at the same time, the most beloved sight in Berlin with around one million visitors per year. The Fernsehturm TV Tower is located opposite the medieval Marienkirche Church on Alexanderplatz and close to the Roten Rathaus Townhall. Two platforms at 203 and 207 metres high, offer breathtaking 360° views over the whole city.

Experience politics up close! Listen to members of parliament at meetings or in political discussions, or watch the fascinating hustle and bustle of the city from the Reichstag’s glass dome. The Reichstag buildings house the German Bundestag Parliament and form the centre of German politics. There’s lots to discover around the Reichstag, such as the government quarter, the federal chancellery and the new Berlin Railway Station.

Berliner Dom Cathedral is the largest church in Berlin and, each year, attracts thousands of visitors from all over the world. It was built between 1894 and 1905 according to plans by Julius Raschdorff. It formerly served as the main church of the Prussian Protestants, as well as the court church of the Hohenzollerns. The unmistakable dome and the impressive architecture make for an unforgettable trip to Berlin Cathedral.

The famous Botanische Garten botanic gardens, in the Berlin district of Steglitz, feature around 22,000 plant species and an area of ​​43 hectares, making it one of the world’s most diverse and largest botanical gardens. The gardens, which belong to Freien Universität Berlin University, are made up of three areas: the forest and rose collection, the plants from around the world exhibition and a collection of over 1500 plant types.

The approximately 68-metre-high Kaiser-Wilhelm-Gedächtniskirche Memorial Church is one of Berlin’s most famous landmarks, located right on the Kurfürstendamm, at Breitscheidplatz Square. The church was bombed by the Allies during World War II and was badly damaged. It is now a museum and anti-war memorial.

Come and discover the biggest and most fascinating museum complex in the world! The Museuminsel is set on an island in the River Spree and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Discover, amongst others, the Neue Museum which features the famous Nefertiti Bust. The Alte Nationalgalerie Gallery has numerous, world-famous works from the Impressionism and Romanticism movements, while the Pergamonmuseum has several significant archaeological finds from antiquity.

The Gendarmenmarkt is a must for all visitors to Berlin! Many guests are of the opinion that this square in the historic centre of Berlin is one of Europe’s most beautiful. The central building of the Gendarmenmarkt is the renowned Schauspielhaus Playhouse, which is flanked by German and the French cathedrals. Enjoy a unique open-air concert in an unforgettable setting, or treat yourself in one of the numerous restaurants. At Christmas time, the Gendarmenmarkt transforms into one of the loveliest festive markets in Europe.

Located on Großer Stern, the Siegessäule Victory Column is set in the midst of Tiergarten Park and is another of Berlin’s famous sights. The 69-metre-high monument was built to celebrate the Prussian victory in the German-Danish War. You can check out the visitor platform, since it re-opened in 2011 after extensive restoration. You’ll get a breathtaking view over Berlin.

In the heart of Berlin lies Potsdamer Platz, a meeting point for shopping inspiration, events, a cultural forum and an historic border area. In 1961, the square was divided by the Berlin Wall. Equally, it also became a scene of reunification after the fall of the Wall. Today, the square attracts hundreds of tourists to the area each day. CinemaxX-Kino offers Germany’s biggest selection of films with 19 screens. That’s why, since 2000, it’s hosted the annual Berlinale film festival, attracting film stars from all over the world.

"Checkpoint Charlie" was one of three US-controlled border crossings and is also one of the most famous. Only members of the allied armed forces, diplomats and foreigners were allowed to pass through this checkpoint. It became famous as a site for numerous escape attempts from the GDR. The amazing escapes were often fatal. After German reunification, the checkpoint was taken down. You can see an example of a control barrack, modelled on the original site, which was built in 2000. The history of the many escapes from the GDR is documented inside the Checkpoint Charlie Museum.

At the gates of Berlin, about 20 minutes from the B&B Hotel Berlin-Süd Genshagen, you will find Babelsberg Film Park. The theme park offers an entertaining insight into the world of film and TV. Experience amazing stunt shows, take a look behind the scenes of a TV show or be a guest on the animal quiz show. A popular German primetime series is also filmed here. On a guided tour you can discover the GZSZ outdoor set and, with a little luck, you can also watch the actors at work. Further information can be found at: https://www.filmpark-babelsberg.de/

Potsdam’s Sanssouci Palace is known far beyond Germany and attracts thousands of tourists from all over the world every year. Not only the palace, but also the extensive gardens are well worth the visit! Frederick the Great commissioned the architect Georg Wenzeslaus von Knobelsdorff for the design of the Rococo-style palace, which was built between 1745 and 1747. In summer the palace is open between 10:00 and 18:00. In winter it is open between 10:00 and 17:00. Please note that the number of admission tickets sold each day is limited. So it’s best to book ahead!