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Area of Berlin, Germany
Photo: Sebastian Rittau, CC BY 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
City West is the heart of former West Berlin and even after reunification it represents the main retail centre of Berlin — all the best and most expensive shops are here. The area also includes some landmarks of great historical and cultural interest, as well as a large number of accommodation and entertainment options.
From the travel guide. Select a place for details, a map and what is nearby.
Schloss Charlottenburg
One of the oldest buildings in Charlottenburg and actually the reason for the whole city to be built.
Kaiser-Wilhelm-Gedächtniskirche
Also known as "der hohle Zahn" (the Hollow Tooth), this church in Breitscheidplatz is a memorial to Kaiser Wilhelm, and one of Berlin's most famous landmarks. Thick walls and plain decor mark it as neo-Romanesque, but with what's left of the Gedächtniskirche, it's tough to distinguish it as any one style. Allied bombing left only one tower standing on 22 November 1943, but a new location for worship designed by Egon Eiermann was completed in December 1961 (it's the octagonal structure with blue stained glass windows). There is a small memorial museum beneath the tower filled with artifacts from the original church, which was built from 1891-95 to architect Franz Schwechten's specifications.
Controversy arose after the war over the various options presented by the half-ruined cathedral - should it be torn down completely and rebuilt? Or should the destroyed sections be left standing as a memorial? The four major sections of the Kaiser-Wilhelm-Gedächtniskirche (central space, foyer, new tower and chapel) surround the ruined tower of the old church bridge and show the time gap between old and new. Mosaics and other remnants from the old church serve as a monument against war.
Museum für Fotografie
Admission €8, discounted €4, young people up to the age of 18 free. Guided tours every Th 18:00 and Su 16:00.
Käthe Kollwitz's reputation as a social activist who used art as a means to express her support of pacifism was hard-won. Her son was killed in the World War I, after which her art took a turn for the morose. When her grandson was killed in World War II, her art became even darker and more brooding as she contemplated the huge loss of life Germany had suffered. Her own losses and those of the nation affected her art. After the war, ever-present artistic themes for Kollwitz - death, violence, war, misery, guilt and suffering - took shape as the drawings, prints, sculptures, original posters and woodcuts housed in this museum.
Also known as "Picasso und seine Zeit", this not so large, but precious museum hosts a very good collection of paintings and sculptures signed by Picasso, Klee, Matisse, Giacometti, and others from the first decades of the 20th century.
A small but interesting collection of decorative arts from the Art Nouveau and Art Deco periods
A museum dedicated to surrealist art.
Small park in the heart of West Berlin. Great place to chill on a sunny day. There are many great cafés and restaurants nearby. Linger over a coffee here and watch people passing by.
Once part of the Skulpturenbulevard project, this sculpture was made for the 750th anniversary of Berlin (in 1987). It consists of four steel tubes looping but not touching each other, symbolizing the division of the city.
Gedenkstätte Plötzensee
An eerie memorial to victims of the Nazi regime built on the place of a former execution room, where nearly 2,900 people were put to death between 1933 and 1945.
Olympic Stadium
Built by Hitler for the 1936 Olympic Games, this is one of the better examples of Nazi neoclassical architecture (laying claim to the legacy of Rome, fasces and all) and is still used for sporting events. At those Olympics, African-American athlete Jesse Owens won four gold medals, a party-spoiler for Aryan superiority. It's the home of soccer team Hertha BSC - they were relegated in 2023 and now play in 2. Bundesliga the second tier. In 2024 this stadium hosted games in the UEFA Euro Finals, including the final itself. For a glimpse of the Olympiastadion in its original state, seek out Leni Riefenstahl's movie Olympia - clips are shown in the Kinemathek and elsewhere.
Radio Tower Berlin and Messe)
150 m high lattice tower with open-air observation deck 124 m above ground.
House of Broadcasting
Designed by Hans Poelzig in 1929, it is the first self-contained broadcasting house in the world and it is still in use today.
The building by Le Corbusier from 1957 stands close to the stadium. You can see a building that influenced the way modern residential blocks are designed all over the world.
A museum dedicated to the Berliner sculptor.
Russian Orthodox cathedral of the Resurrection of Jesus
1938
at the Rüdesheimer Platz
Grunewald Tower
Historic observation tower in the forest near the big Havel River.
A man-made hill of about 120 m in the Grunewald, created after the Second World War from debris of the city. On top is the Field Station Berlin, a former US listening station. Inside the building complex you can see lots of graffiti art. The hill can be accessed without any restrictions and is free; however, the building complex is surrounded by fences and requires a ticket (tours are available as well).
Restaurants abound here, with cuisines ranging from Afghan to Nepalese and Thai, plus several pizzerias and sandwich places. Prices are low, especially compared with other locations in the tourist centre of Berlin. Around Eisenacher Straße (extension of Goltzstr.) you’ll find even more bars and cafés situated in the basements of nice old houses. During World War II, this part of Berlin was not destroyed by bombs as much as other parts of Berlin, so you can get an impression of how 19th-century Berlin's architecture looked.
The Bayerischer Platz is the centre of the Bayerisches Viertel ("Bavarian district", with many streets named after Bavarian cities), which was destroyed a lot more during World War II (about 60%). Somewhere around there Albert Einstein lived once. You’ll find several memorial signs providing information about the Nazi regime's persecution of gays and Jews.
This area was Gay Central during the Weimar Republic, and it is today. But of course all are welcome. There is a diverse mix of restaurants and stores, several of which are open till midnight or later every day. The U-Bahn station has a superstructure and towers that echo the appearance of the Art Nouveau Neues Schauspielhaus across the street, now the Metropol, where radical left-wing dramas used to be presented in the 20s and 30s, and it is lit in rainbow colors at night.
In the very southeast of Schöneberg, there are daily shows for children and grown-ups alike. Projection is into a drawn Berlin skyline. Several guided tours to the obervatory daily with sky observation, conditions permitting.
The district town hall was the main town hall for West Berlin during the Cold War. The freedom bell (a present from the American people) and several memorials from that time can be found here. On the main balcony in 1963 U.S. President John F. Kennedy made his famous statement, "All free men, wherever they may live, are citizens of Berlin, and, therefore, as a free man, I take pride in the words ‘Ich bin ein Berliner!’". On 10 November 1989, Helmut Kohl (chancellor [Bundeskanzler] 1982-1998) and Willy Brandt (former Bundeskanzler and mayor of Berlin) cheered the crowd as they saw the end of the Berlin Wall the night before. The town hall is an emotional place for most people in Berlin (especially West Berlin).
Features a nice fountain, stately old houses and a good night time hot spot. Many people hang out in the platz in good weather.
Places with markets on Wednesdays and Saturdays are popular with locals at Winterfeldplatz. Buy a coffee and browse amongst the stalls; this is a place to unearth hidden gems. Breakfast is served usually until 14:00-15:00.
Museum for the Present
Museum of Contemporary Art located in former Hamburger Bahnhof train station. Big halls filled with artworks made since 1960s. In 2004 Rieckhallen, former Lehrter Bahnhof, was opened and now provides exhibition space for the Friedrich Christian Flick Collection. Free public guided tours (in English): Sa and Su at 12:00.
Geschichtspark Ehemaliges Zellengefängnis Moabit
A former prison built around 1850 with a haunting history until after the end of World War II (around 1955). During WWII it was used by the Nazis for oppression, torture and murder of political opponents. Nowadays it is a public park serving as a memorial.
Like the name says, this museum showcases letters that have been used in signage as well as entire signs, illuminated and non-illuminated with focus on Neon sign.
Classic opera house of West Berlin.
Modern theatre.
Popular theatre with TV celebrities in modern plays.
Used by the Komische Oper and temporarily as venue for the Komödie am Kurfürstendamm (im Schiller Theater). Between 2010 and 2018 it was used as temporary venue for Staatsoper Unter den Linden.
Theatre of the West
A historic theatre in the former West Berlin, only musicals today.
Famous children's theatre with a light political touch, European recognition for the musical Linie 1.
One of the few old cinemas (founded 1912) left in Berlin's western city. Mostly non-mainstream European movies.
inside the Charlottenburg Palace
The green areas of the park are free, so you can go there to have a walk even if you are not interested in the palace. It covers a large area and you can get in from the entrance just near the "New Pavillon" (Neuer Pavillon a.k.a. Schinkelpavillon) placed on the right of Luisenplatz.
Lie in the grass and unwind at Lake Lietzensee, especially if you are with children - most of Charlottenburg children know and love the playground there.
The park is in an abandoned rail yard largely reclaimed by nature with trees and greenery growing around and within the tracks. Some tracks have been made over as footpaths for park visitors. The park has a retired steam locomotive on display as well as a few railway artifacts such as a turntable.
Do a boat tour on the Spree River or the Landwehrkanal - many of them start or end at Charlottenburg.
When the unpredictable weather in Berlin isn't favourable to explore the city's cultural gems, Artemis makes up for it with its wellness facilities. Aimed at relaxation, no children or electronic devices are allowed to make a full disconnection from real world worries possible. Amenities include indoor and outdoor (heated) swimming pools and saunas, whirlpools, cinemas, and so on. Lunch and dinner are included in the entrance fee. Open year round.
Deli that serves a delicious Mediterranean breakfast.
Café that is stocked with hundreds of books to rest and relax. Good cakes and sometimes on Sunday "Tanztee" (nipping tea and dancing) occurs.
Offers good à la carte breakfast
Russian restaurant that offers good breakfast varieties and a Sunday buffet. Also a popular coffee/cake break
Offers breakfast sets from around the world and also good lunch offers that attract the local residents
Buffet breakfast and institution for parents and prepared for children of all ages, indoor play room!
Excellent Russian breakfast buffet.
Classical style, waiters in livrée.
at Breitscheidplatz with Kaiser-Wilhelm-Memorial-Church.
The Berlin version of Kentucky Fried Chicken
German restaurant
The Berlin version of Kentucky Fried Chicken
German restaurant
Consistently great ice cream, ice cream-based desserts and the like. There are interesting flavours such as yogurt with figs and attacke, which includes chocolate and coconut, but the flavours don't vary from day to day, and there isn't a single flavour that is of inferior quality or taste. They have a larger branch at Postdamer Platz.
German restaurant
German restaurant
German restaurant
Delicious Georgian restaurant with pretty decor including Georgian rugs, some of them depicting ancient Georgian churches, and old photographs of people in traditional Georgian garb, and a sound track of pleasant Georgian music.
International chain with Italian food (pizza, pasta & salads) with an interesting approach of self-service. They prepare the meal in front of your eyes. The menu is also available in English and the entire staff speaks English.
Excellent Austrian restaurant with a great atmosphere. It is decorated as Austrian living rooms. Very generous portions, but you are welcome to share a course between more people as a starter or desserts. Try the brettljause or tafelspitz, which come highly recommended.
Portuguese restaurant famous for its mussels.
Original Chinese food, which may differ from the European "Chinese taste".
A number of restaurants in Berlin, where you can taste wonderful steaks.
This restaurant is a great steak house, serving sublime Spanish cuisine. Seating is available outside.
Great pizzas and professional service. Not a family restaurant, but kids are welcome and well cared for.
Real German dishes, properly prepared and big. Also some local beers available.
Very good Cambodian restaurant with authentic style. Lunch & dinner sets are excellent values.
Excellent Indian food.
This Turkish fish restaurant is literally in a fish store, so when you order your fish or seafood, they take it from the counter where it's been kept on ice and cook it, so it's extremely fresh. The mains are quite large, so a couple with a large appetite could easily be satisfied sharing a main and a salad or side. The fish sandwiches are also very big.
Bahadur - Tandoori Grill & Curries
Excellent Indian food.
Mixture of Nepalese and Thai food/ You can reserve traditional tables (sitting on cushions, not on chairs).
Italian inspired kitchen with excellent weekend buffet or à la carte breakfast.
A tiny authentic Korean restaurant.
Good Thai restaurant with original dishes from Isaan and consistent to that interior
Very traditional Bavarian kitchen & beers
This is a family run Iranian restaurant with excellent Persian cuisine. Marinated lamb kebabs and the vegetarian khoreshteh esphinaj (stew) are recommended. Don't forget to order the delicious tea at the end of your meal!
One of the best Greek restaurants along town. Always wise to make a reservation, sometimes a bit noisy.
Excellent Schwäbisches Food with good Schwaben wines in nice surrounding and neat garden
Serving tasty Greek dishes with a good wine selection to match. Has a big biergarten for the balmy summer nights and plays live Greek music on Friday and Saturday.
Tapas and Spanish food
Good French restaurant with good value business lunch sets and interesting dinner variations.
Excellent Italian food and one of the best pizzas in town, Bleibtreustr. 49 (opposite S-Bahnstation Savignyplatz), 10623 Berlin (in Charlottenburg, and Hohenzollerndamm 33 in Wilmersdorf. Branches in Steglitz and Mitte.
One of the best sushi restaurants in Berlin. Also serves good pan Asian dishes.
Excellent cuisine franchise next to the river, for the expatriate French in Berlin.
Member of "Chaine des Rotisseurs" with outstanding wine card and excellent cuisine in rooms made by German painter. Named "Maitre of the year 2008".
The best teppanyaki grill in town.
formerly Luisen-Bräu
Excellent brewed beer. You can have either a helles (light) or a dunkles (dark). Although the beer is quite excellent, the atmosphere is quite touristy, and clearly not as antique as it strives to be.
Made up with sand on the floor and two pool tables. XL Cocktails will kick you faster than you would think.
One of the best cocktail bars in Berlin with excellent selection of spirits and a stylish decor to match.
karaokebar
The biggest karaokebar in Europe and they also have 150.000 karaoke playback.
One of the famous Berlin watering holes with a wide range of fruit wines, being drunk in nearly unchanged setting for the last 100 years. If the party gets started, among the best places in Berlin. Dangerous, when you come back to the fresh air.
Cafe/bar that offers an impressive cocktail list. Cocktails are mixed with fresh juices and matched with quality spirits.
As its name suggests, this bar is actually in an old S-Bahn car. Flashy and famous for inspired cocktails served by friendly bartenders.
One of the last old time Berlin bars in the area, and a great place to sit, drink and meet the locals.
Small wine bar with seats on footpath and some inside. Charming tree lined street. The proprietor and the shop look to be at least 500 years old perhaps more. Good selection of wine and charcuterie inside. This is not the spot for drinking and dancing until dawn but it can't be beaten if you are looking for a couple of quiet drinks in the afternoon.
Very small cafe/bar with plenty of seating. Musicians play their original compositions most nights of the week. Quality is very high. Small snacks served but probably best to eat before you go as there is not much room.
You can normally get tickets on the night if you are there at 8PM sharp but probably safest to book.
similar to the Maxxim, but less r'n'b music, for the wealthy people of Charlottenburg. Nice interior, plays house and 70s/80s.
Largest Latin music club in town. Dance to the beat when it's open on Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday nights.
Sheltered open-air location at the waterside right across from the Westhafen harbor with techno, house, electro DJs.
A bit more luxurious for the more mature crowd. Mainly R'n'B and house.
Named after the Ku'Damm, this big disco attracts a very young (and drunken) crowd. Rather cheap and usually very crowded with all the stuff you need (or don't want): R'n'B straight from the charts, Eurotrash party music, Mallorca ambiance, beach parties, go-go dancers and so on.
A newly refurbished guest house in an Art Nouveau style building.
The staff is friendly and helpful, and the breakfast is good. Some rooms have shared bathrooms, which can be quite cold at night.
Award-winning popular hostel.
formerly Grand City Hotel, hotel Imperial
One of the hotels in Lietzenburger Straße, parallel to the Ku'damm.
Ideal for visitors of the fairground. Small and reasonably priced hotel with large garden and wonderful ambiance.
Fairground in walking distance. Small house, personal, individual atmosphere.
Small, familiar run house with personal ambiance.
Private hotel.
Very clean and friendly hotel in a nice neighborhood.
Three-star hotel for business travellers with a sense of lifestyle and design. Wi-fi available for a small fee (€1.90 per hour, €3 for two hours, etc.) or free internet from two terminals in the lobby.
Brand new and stylish design hotel direct at the Ku'Damm. Just a step away from anything in the City West and offers good weekend rates. One of the best hotel restaurants in town.
Los-Angeles-Platz 1. Located at a quiet square near Kurfürstendamm.
This hotel makes the most of its small spaces by wrapping them in striking design based on white, black and dark red, as well as geometric curves and concaves. Some rooms have unusual features, such as bathtubs right next to the beds. The name of the hotel is a play on the Ku'damm, ("Q" = "Ku"), as well as the German word for cow ("Kuh", pronounced the same as "Q" or "Ku").
Small but luxurious boutique hotel with charm in a historic city villa.
Located in a quiet corner of City West, this cozy hotel features a very good restaurant.
Tucked away near the Grunewald Castle, this ultra luxe exudes charm and indulgence, and with the interior styled by Karl Lagerfield, you can be assured of a stylish setting. May be the luxury hotel with the greenest surroundings in Berlin, a step away from the hectic part of the city. Was home to the German national soccer team during the World Cup 2006.
The ageing Hotel Excelsior became a Wyndham and was afforded a renovation of its common areas and the deluxe rooms. Others remain tired, however, and not always meet guest's expectations. The limited Internet access also does not help the hotel score highly. The hotel faces the green wide Hardenbergstraße, northwest of the Zoologischer Garten train station, its courtyard side is also overlooking a nice, green area.
The Berlin property of Hilton's uber-luxury chain has some of the best views in Berlin, being located at the upper floors of the Zoofenster tower. The location is also first rate, right between the Gedachniskirche and the Zoologischer Garten train station. That said, the prices are among the highest in Berlin as well.
formerly Concorde Berlin
The distinctive, multi-tiered wedding cake of a hotel peeks out from behind the Swissotel at the corner of Augsburger and Joachimstaler Straßen, making one of the few remarkable architectural statements along the Kurfurstendamm. It was launched as the Concorde Berlin, and became a Sofitel at the start of 2014, retaining pretty much everything but the name - including the simple yet refined decor throughout the hotel and many posh facilities (yet no pool).
A market hall offering a mix of stalls with fresh and ready to eat produce (butchers, bakeries, delicatessen, etc.), and cafes and bars.
Cool little Croatian store. Sells excellent Croatian wines and many foodstuffs, and they also sell high-quality home-made slivovitz (plum liquor) from a big demijohn.
Kaufhaus des Westens
The largest department store on the European continent at Wittenbergplatz has it all. Be sure to check out the food department at the sixth floor, where you can find anything from a baked chicken to a champagne brand bar. On the weekends, this place can get quite crowded.
There are Turkish supermarkets all over town, but this one is particularly big and has great items. If you want to have a picnic lunch, consider buying some small containers from their spreads counter, as they are really delicious! Good produce, too.
For collectible stamps. They generally speak English. From the Deutsche Post.
By bus
In lieu of the dismantled tram system, West Berlin is served by a number of MetroBus lines, which are often operated using the iconic (and very tourist-friendly) double-decker buses.
By U-Bahn
Six U-Bahn lines stop within the City West area - all of the available ones except for U5, U6 and U8. That said, U1 and U2 are the only ones that are of much use to most tourists.
By S-Bahn
The east-west S-Bahn track cuts through the City West, while the ring one follows the Stadtring on the outer rim of City West.
By bike
You can find racks with bikes for rent next to most hotels, as well as some cafes, bars and restaurants.
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