Accommodation and city guide

ACCOMMODATION

The Arena Berlin is located in the centre of Berlin, and there are many options for accommodation nearby. You can check for available accommodation here.

SIGHTSEEING

The Brandenburg Gate
The Brandenburg Gate was built between 1788 and 1791 and is Berlin’s most iconic landmark as well as one of the earliest examples of a neoclassical building in Germany. A symbol of the division of Germany during the cold war, the monument now serves as a national symbol of unity and attracts thousands of tourists every year. On top of the Brandenburg Gate is the Quadriga—a sculpture depicting a two-wheeled chariot pulled by four horses—which symbolises peace entering the city.

The Berlin Cathedral
The Berlin Cathedral is a monumental Protestant church and dynastic tomb in central Berlin. With its striking colours and rich decoration, the dome of the cathedral is one of the most beautiful landmarks in Berlin’s cityscape. In addition to church services, the cathedral is used for state ceremonies, concerts and other events. Pay a visit to the inside of the cathedral, or enjoy a picnic outside while appreciating the scenic surroundings.

The Tiergarten
The Tiergarten is Berlin’s most popular inner-city park. The park is 520 acres in size and is among the largest urban gardens in Germany. Indulge in a pleasant stroll past water features, ornamental ponds and monumental sculptures and explore the abundance of green spaces. End your walk at Café am Neuen See, where you can enjoy refreshments in a lake-view beer garden, which is especially charming when lit up at night.

FOOD

Currywurst
Currywurst Day is celebrated annually on 4 September in Germany. Currywurst is a fast food staple in Germany that was popularised in Berlin in 1949. It is made of steamed, fried sausage, usually pork, that is typically cut into bite-sized chunks and seasoned with the traditional spicy sauce—curry ketchup. With a side of French fries, currywurst is definitely a favourite not only in Berlin but in other parts of Germany as well.

Wiener schnitzel
Wiener schnitzel, which means “Viennese cutlet” in English, is a thin, breaded, pan-fried veal cutlet. Considered one of Austria’s and Germany’s most traditional dishes, Wiener schnitzel can be found in any traditional German restaurant and is typically served with a wedge of lemon and potatoes.

Berliner pfannkuchen
Berliner pfannkuchen, or “Berliners”, are German doughnuts made from a sweet yeast dough fried in lard or cooking oil, filled with jam and covered in powdered or granulated sugar. Fillings can include strawberry, raspberry, plum, cherry and apricot jam, and variations may include cream or chocolate. Note that it is not a traditional doughnut—it does not have a hole in the centre! Soft, fluffy and sweet, pfannkuchen are authentic Berlin pastries that are a must-try when visiting the city.

CULTURE

The East Side Gallery
At 1,316 m long, the open-air art gallery on the banks of the Spree river in Friedrichshain is the longest continuous section of the Berlin Wall still in existence. Immediately after the wall came down, 118 artists from 21 countries began painting the wall that was to become the East Side Gallery. It officially opened as an open-air gallery on 28 September 1990. Just over a year later, it was given protected-memorial status.

Museum Island
Museum Island is a unique ensemble of five museums on Spree Island, namely the Altes Museum, the Neues Museum, the Alte Nationalgalerie, the Bode-Museum and the Pergamonmuseum. The entire complex is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Finished in 1930, the museum complex is the largest in the world and attracts millions of visitors every year to view not only its extensive collection of art but also its beautiful architecture.

The Berlin Wall Memorial
The Berlin Wall Memorial commemorates the division of Berlin by the Berlin Wall, which was erected on Bernauer Straße in August 1961, and those who died there. The monument was built in 1998 by the Federal Republic of Germany and the Federal State of Berlin. Today, it extends along 1.4 km of the former border strip and includes an outdoor exhibition on the history of the division of the city.