DK Travel : Berlin : Central Berlin: Unter den Linden

Most visitors to Berlin regard the magnificent boulevard of Unter den Linden as the heart of the small historic Mitte district. Many of Berlin’s sights are concentrated along the grand avenue and around Bebelplatz, creating an impressive picture of Prussian and German history from the early 18th century until the present day. South of Unter den Linden is Gendarmenmarkt, one of Europe’s most attractive squares. In recent years, many varied and elegant restaurants and cafés have appeared around the Neo-Classical square. Not far away, chic Friedrichstraße is lined with luxury shops and department stores as well as modern offices and apartments.

A Day of Culture

Morning

Start your stroll on Unter den Linden, at the corner of Friedrichstraße. Once this spot was one of Berlin’s liveliest street junctions, and there is still plenty to see today. For breakfast or refreshments, pop into Café Einstein . Afterwards continue eastwards along the boulevard; you will pass numerous fascinating buildings, for example, on the right, the Deutsche Bank with the Kunstmuseum in Deutsche Guggenheim . From here you can already see the equestrian statue of Frederick the Great, which marks the centre of Forum Fridericianum . This area as well as Bebelplatz are right in the centre of Old Berlin, with Staatsoper, St Hedwigskathedrale, Altes Palais and Humboldt-Universität. You could have lunch in one of the restaurants based in the Opernpalais .

Afternoon

In the afternoon continue your stroll along Unter den Linden and, if you like, make a detour to the north to Museumsinsel . Afterwards, if you still feel energetic enough, you could visit Berliner Dom . Opposite the cathedral you will see Schlossplatz ; its architectural future is still being hotly debated. You could round off your day of sightseeing in Mitte with a delicious evening meal at Dressler Unter den Linden . To get there, just retrace your steps and return along Unter den Linden in a westerly direction.

For more on Unter den Linden (see Unter den Linden) Konzerthaus in Gendarmenmarkt: www.konzerthaus.de Museum für Kommunikation Berlin: www.museumsstiftung.de/berlin/d211_rundgang.asp

Page
1
2
3
4
5
6

Margaux

A newcomer among Berlin’s top restaurants, Margaux serves sophisticated French-German nouvelle cuisine.
Maxim-Gorki-Theater

The renowned theatre was once Berlin’s Singakademie, or singing school. Paganini and Liszt, among others, performed here.
Mohrenkolonnaden

The Neo-Classical arcades, designed in 1787 by Carl G. Langhans, originally adorned a bridge across the city moat.
Museum für Kommunikation

The world’s largest Post Office Museum was opened as early as 1872. Its excellent displays document the history of communication from the Middle Ages via the first postage stamps to today’s satellite technology. Particularly worth seeing are a blue and a red Mauritius stamp, one of the first telephone installations (dating back to the year 1863) and three talking robots who interact with the visitors. Children – young and old – always enjoy the Computergalerie, where they can learn and gain new insights while playing.
Museumsinsel

Museum Island, a UNESCO World Heritage Sight, is one of the most important complexes of museums in the world, holding major arts collections and imposing full-scale ancient structures. Based here are the Pergamonmuseum, the Alte Nationalgalerie (the old national gallery), Bodemuseum and Altes and Neues Museum. The Neues Museum will reopen in 2008 (see Pergamonmuseum) .
Newton Bar

One of the trendiest bars in town. Sink into the deep leather armchairs and sip your cocktails, surrounded by Helmut Newton’s photographs of proud women.
Operntreff

Completely furnished in leather, this small but elegant bar in the historic Opernpalais is an ideal stopping-off point for night owls, after an evening at the opera.
Palais am Festungsgraben

The Baroque palace of 1753 has maintained its original elegant interior.
Quartier 206

Apart from the department stores, many top designer shops, such as Gucci and DKNY, are based in Friedrichstadtpassagen.
Refugium

A cosy cellar restaurant next to the French cathedral. International and German dishes.

Jump to top

Restaurant price categories

For a three course meal for one with half a bottle of wine (or equivalent meal), taxes and charges included.
- under €20
- €20–30
- €30–45
- €45–60
- over €60