Berlin Flights And Sights

Ask Berliners what they love about the German capital and some will talk about the joys of post-Communist freedom, others about Kreuzberg's throbbing nightlife, others about Friedrichshain's exciting young designers. Berlin can fill you with wonder, contemplating the future in the crystalline Reichstag and high-rise Potsdamer Platz, and with horror, revisiting the past at the Jewish Museum and remnants of the Berlin Wall. The nostalgic, the party lover, the trendsetter, today's Berlin is one city, many characters -- different every time you look but never looked at indifferently.

Thing to Do

Berlin is a monster-size capital, eight times the size of Paris. Plan wisely. First, head up to Norman Foster's panoramic glass-domed Reichstag (German Parliament), and join photographers for the obligatory twilight snapshot of the glowing Brandenburg Gate. You can spend days roaming Tiergarten park's lake-dotted woodlands and UNESCO-listed Museum Island's galleries, where Egypt's Queen Nefertiti hides. Trace Berlin's turbulent past at the Libeskind-designed Jewish Museum and walk the artiest stretch of Wall at the East Side Gallery.

Shopping

Individuality defines free-spirited Berlin. Go beyond the big-name designers on stately Kurfürstendamm to its quieter specialty stores, like L. & M. Lee with its German-made porcelain and glass. Poke around hip Prenzlauer Berg and Kreuzberg for urban, young designers and quirky boutique shopping. The Hackesche Höfe's Art Nouveau courtyards make for a leisurely stop, with their upscale shops and people-watching cafes.

Nightlife & Entertainment

The fall of the Wall was the party of the 20th century, and even today Berlin still hasn't run out of steam. Glitzy 1920s cabaret lives on along Friedrichstrasse, while classical music rings out of Mitte's lavish concert halls like the neoclassical Staatsoper. Canal-side bars with alternative attitudes and industrial-style techno clubs draw revelers to Kreuzberg and Friedrichshain. Summer evenings are best spent chatting and sipping foamy wheat beer under chestnut trees in Prenzlauer Berg's Prater Garten beer garden.

Restaurants & Dining

Down-to-earth and sociable, Berliners love lazy brunches in Prenzlauer Berg's bohemian cafes and fun street food. Join the queue in muticultural Kreuzberg for mustard-slathered Currywurst (curried sausage), pan-fresh falafel and shawarma. Foodies dine at Mitte's Michelin-starred restaurants and enjoy French food by candlelight in Charlottenburg's intimate bistros. For a real taste of Berlin, feast (as Napoleon once did) on fat pork knuckles with lashings of sauerkraut at the wood-paneled 17th-century tavern Zur Letzten Instanz.

With American Airlines flights to Berlin, you can discover this city's culturally and historically significant points of interest. From visiting Brandenburg Gate to admiring Berliner Dom, we'll help you plan an unforgettable trip with tips on the best things to do in Berlin.

Brandenburg Gate is undoubtedly one of the most important landmarks in the city, and visiting it is one of the most popular activities in Berlin. Construction on Brandenburg Gate began in 1788 and it is the only surviving gate out of 18. At one time, people would climb to an observation point to see into East Germany. After Germany was reunified, Brandenburg Gate became a symbol of harmony.

For a glimpse of impressive baroque architecture, visit Berliner Dom (otherwise known as Berlin Cathedral). It's the largest church in the city, and touring it is one of our top things to do in Berlin. Its history reaches back to the mid-15th century, and today it is considered the gateway to Museum Island. Tours are offered during opening hours, but not during church services. You'll be awestruck by the grandiosity both inside and out, and those who climb the stairs all the way to the top of the dome will enjoy sweeping views of many of the city's most noteworthy attractions.

Once you've seen Berliner Dom, you won't want to miss the many wonders of Museum Island, which is within walking distance. One of the most delightful activities in Berlin has to be taking a day to explore the northern half of the island, home to five fascinating museums. Named a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this area is comprised of the Old Museum (which was completed in 1830) and the New Museum (completed in 1859), along with the Old National Gallery, Bode Museum and Pergamon Museum.

One of our other favorite things to do in Berlin is to visit Charlottenburg Palace, or Schloss Charlottenburg. It was built in 1699 and houses an exquisite collection of 18th century French paintings -- the largest collection outside France. You'll also be able to see Chinese and Japanese porcelain collections. And, of course, you'll find splendid baroque gardens.

It's easy to discover all the facets of this unique city when you fly to Berlin with American Airlines. Its blend of history, architecture and art make Berlin a distinctive and memorable destination, and we look forward to helping you explore it all.