DK Travel : Berlin : Potsdamer Platz

Potsdamer Platz

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The heart of the new metropolis of Berlin beats on Potsdamer Platz. This square, where Berliners and tourists alike now flock to cinemas, restaurants and shops, was already a hub of urban life in the 1920s. After World War II, it became a desolate wasteland, but since the fall of the Berlin Wall, Potsdamer Platz – for a long time Europe’s largest building site – has become a city within the city, surrounded by imposing buildings erected in the last ten years, and still being added to today.
The best time to visit the Sony Center is in the early evening, when the inside of the Plaza is lit up. For more on the Filmmuseum (see Exhibitions in the Filmmuseum)

Top 10 Sights

1. Sony Center

1. Sony Center

The Sony Center is the most ambitious, successful and architecturally interesting building in the new Berlin. The cupola structure, designed by Helmut Jahn and opened in 2000, is the European headquarters of the Sony company, and with its cinemas and restaurants it is also a social magnet on Potsdamer Platz.
2. Filmmuseum Berlin

This museum takes you backstage in the Hollywood and Babelsberg film studios. Exhibits include Marlene Dietrich’s costumes (see Exhibitions in the Filmmuseum) .
3. Café Josty

Café Josty harkens back to its legendary predecessor, a regular haunt for artists and intellectuals in the 19th century. The new Café Josty is partially housed in the historic Kaisersaal (Emperor’s Hall) of the former Grand Hotel Esplanade.
4. Weinhaus Huth

4. Weinhaus Huth

The only building on Potsdamer Platz to have survived World War II, the Weinhaus today accommodates restaurants and the fascinating art gallery of the DaimlerChrysler company.
5. Marlene-Dietrich-Platz

5. Marlene-Dietrich-Platz

This square in front of the Stella-Musical- Theater is dedicated to the great actress. A brash Flower Balloon , by the artist Jeff Koons, enlivens the centre of the square.
6. Potsdamer Platz Arkaden

6. Potsdamer Platz Arkaden

The arcades draw visitors with over 130 shops, exclusive boutiques and popular restaurants on three storeys. The lower ground floor is a food court, serving dishes from around the world.
7. Spielbank Berlin

Berlin’s casino invites visitors to faites vos jeux . Apart from roulette, Black Jack is also played, and an entire floor is given over to gambling machines.
8. Cinemaxx

The Cinemaxx on Potsdamer Platz with its 17 screens is one of Berlin’s largest cinemas. The bigger screens of the multiplex cinema show current Hollywood blockbusters, while the three smallest screens are for viewings of foreign-language films. There is also a small bar serving drinks.
9. DaimlerChrysler Quartier

9. DaimlerChrysler Quartier

The Berlin headquarters of the famous car manufacturers was designed by Hans Kollhoff and Renzo Piano. The software company “debis”, a former offshoot of Daimler, is also based here.
10. Musical- Theater Berlin

Berlin’s largest show stage, this venue has shown hits such as The Hunchback of Notre Dame and The Blue Man Group . The 1,300-seat theatre is often sold out.

Practical Information

Apart from visiting the famous Café Josty, make sure you do not miss Diekmann in the Weinhaus Huth. Potsdamer Platz Filmmuseum Berlin Potsdamer Str. 2 10am–6pm Tue–Sun, 10am–8pm Thu (030) 300 90 30 Admission charge Musical-Theater Berlin Marlene-Dietrich-Platz 1 8pm daily Admission charge Spielbank Berlin Marlene-Dietrich-Platz 1 11:30–3am daily (030) 25 59 90 Admission charge Cinemaxx Voxstr. 4 12:30pm–1:30am daily (01805) 246 36 299 Admission charge