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

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Russian Embassy

This giant building, typical of Stalinist “wedding cake” style, was erected in 1948–53 on the site of the old Tsarist embassy.
S-Bahnhof Friedrichstraße

Remodelled several times, this has always been one of Berlin’s most famous stations. In 1961–89, it was the principal crossing point between East and West.
Schlossplatz

Today Schlossplatz seems deserted, but once the Stadtschloss (town residence) of the Hohenzollerns stood here. It was blown up by the East German government in 1950–51, and today just a few historic fragments of the original remain. The debate about the reconstruction of the palace began in the early 1990s and, in 1993, a spectacular model was built; however the costs are prohibitive and make it unlikely that this venture will ever succeed. Remains include the façade of the doorway where Karl Liebknecht supposedly proclaimed the Socialist Republic in 1918. The portal has been incorporated into the former Staatsratsgebäude on the south side of the square. On its eastern side, Schlossplatz is bordered by the Palast der Republik (palace of the republic), the former seat of the East German parliament. The building, dating from 1976, will be torn down in the near future.
Seasons

The unimaginative name of this restaurant in the Four Seasons Hotel does little justice to the sophisticated dishes that are served here. The crackling open fire in the dining room makes each meal a special experience.
Ständige Vertretung

The name harks back to the permanent West German representation in East Berlin, but the drinks are bang up to date.
Theodor Tucher

A nice little restaurant with book store next to the Brandenburg Gate, serving hearty Berlin food.
Tränenpalast

The Palace of Tears witnessed much heartbreak, when Western visitors parted from family or friends in the East after a visit. Today, the former checkpoint at S-Bahn station Friedrichstraße is a concert hall.
Vau

The chef, Kolja Seeberg, deserves his Michelin star with his top-class German food. Attractive interior.
Wilhelmstraße

In imperial Berlin, the centre of the German Empire’s governmental power was based in Wilhelmstraße. Around 100 years later, nothing remains of the prestigious historic buildings which represented the equivalent of No. 10 Downing Street in London or Quai d’Orsay in Paris. All political decisions were made at Wilhelmstraße: both Chancellor (No. 77) and President (No. 73) of the German Reich lived here in old town houses. Their gardens became known as “ministerial gardens”. Adolf Hitler had the street systematically developed into the nerve centre of Nazi power. The Neue Reichskanzlei (the Chancellor’s office) was built in 1937–9 to plans by Albert Speer, at the corner of Vossstraße and Wilhelmstraße. It was blown up in 1945. Behind the Reichskanzlei was the so-called “Führerbunker” where Adolf Hitler committed suicide on 30 April 1945 (today it is a playground). Of the historic buildings, only the former Reichsluftfahrtministerium (Ministry of Aviation) remains. Today, Wilhelmstraße is lined by modern office buildings; and the British Embassy, built in 2000 by Michael Wilford, creates a link with the international importance of this street.
Windhorst

Trendy cocktail bar – classy, elegant, good.

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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