Experience
Germany

BUCKET LIST TRAVEL : BERLIN

Modern history, urban art and Biergarten

The German capital is known for its social atmosphere and affordable prices, a resilient city that’s constantly evolving. Partially destroyed during the Second World War, it’s now overflowing with art, as shown by the wealth of graffiti covering the remains of the Berlin Wall.

SWIMMING IN THE SPREE

A swimming pool that actually floats on the water! The idea seems as extravagant as it is functional, which perfectly sums up the Berlin spirit – a mix of practical-mindedness and wild creativity.

The Badeschiff pool floats on the Spree River, built from an old 1960s cargo ship. It opened its doors in 2004 in the east of the city within the Arena Berlin complex, in surroundings reminiscent of a disused factory. You can swim lengths in the clean pool waters while gazing at the river, which is less suitable for swimming.

It’s covered with a protective shell in winter and has light effects, so it can be enjoyed all year round. Swimming here is more prevalent in summer, with people coming to swim in the 32-metre pool, relax and sunbathe on the numerous deck chairs and hammocks.

In the evenings, a giant pool party takes place with DJs that come to play from the large wooden deck and get the audience moving. You can even treat yourself to a yoga lesson or a massage too. It’s a mecca for cool Berliners.

Must-sees in Berlin

BRANDENBURG GATE

An iconic monument in the city, Brandenburg Gate was an integral part of the wall separating East and West Berlin during the Cold War. Although its construction dates back to the 18^th century, this impressive Greek-style structure with its Doric columns topped with a quadriga is today a symbol of German reunification.

EAST SIDE GALLERY

Spanning 1.3 kilometres, the East Side Gallery is the most extended piece of the Berlin Wall still standing. The concrete wall stretched along Mühlenstrasse street and served as a canvas for street artists after the reunification, who covered it with street art celebrating freedom. It’s here you can see the famous kiss between Honecker and Brezhnev.

THE BERLINER DOM

Located on Spree Island, Berlin Cathedral, the Berliner Dom, and the Pergamon Museum are metres apart. This is your chance to visit the city’s largest Protestant church and the museum dedicated to ancient civilisations. It’s also home to the famous Pergamon Altar (the Zeus Altar), which dates back to the Hellenistic period.

MUSEUMSINSEL

Berlin’s Museum Island, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a collection of five museums surrounded by the Spree river. It’s also home to Berlin Palace. The palace is an exact reconstruction of the Prussian kings’ palace that was partially destroyed by bombing in the Second World War and then demolished by the communist regime.

The Fernsehturm, a TV signal tower that has become the symbol of Berlin

BERLIN TV TOWER

This tower stands 368 metres tall near Alexanderplatz, offering uninterrupted views of the city from its observation deck perched 203 metres high. Opened in 1969 by the German Democratic Republic as a TV signal transmission tower, it’s the tallest structure in Germany and one of the symbols of the German capital.