Berlin, like many other cities with a large immigrant community, is a vibrant place. Berliners are a mixed bag of nationalities from over 150 countries, and this combination of influences makes the city open to new ideas for self-expression.
Visible in its modern buildings, Berliners aren’t afraid of the new. While the Brandenburg gate attracts huge crowds of tourists, buildings like the zinc-clad Jewish Museum symbolise the city’s forward-looking youthfulness.
Some of Berlin’s finest museums can be found on Museum Island or Museumsinsel – an island in the River Spree with 5 museums. The Altes or Old Museum, built in the Neoclassical style, houses the city’s collection of classical antiquities.
The Neues or New Museum, damaged during the war, was recently refurbished and re-opened, displaying Egyptian and Early History collections, including the famous Bust of Nefertiti. The Alte Nationalgalerie or Old National Gallery houses works from the Neoclassical, Romantic, Impressionist and Modernist periods.
The Bode Museum – another recently refurbished museum – houses an impressive array of sculpture. Finally, the Pergamon Museum – the most visited museum in Germany, houses impressive, original sized, monumental buildings transported from their locations, such as the Market Gate of Miletus and the Pergamon Altar.
Berlin’s nightlife and festival scene is famous the world over. Revellers are out in droves dancing the night away at the city’s numerous clubs and discos. Berlin caters for all tastes, but its most famous export – Techno – is most widely available.
While German food has never enjoyed international fame, Berlin is a different story. Thanks to its multicultural make-up, foodies are never at a loss in this metropolis. From Vietnamese to Turkish, global cuisine is found everywhere and at reasonable prices.
