No other monument in Berlin is as famous around the world as Brandenburg Gate, built between 1789 and 1791 to plans by C. G. Langhans on Pariser Platz in the heart of the city. After the Berlin Wall was built in 1961, Brandenburg Gate became impassable for 28 years. As a signature attraction and symbol of German reunification, it now represents the past and present of the German capital in exemplary fashion. The gate is supported by six Doric columns, forming five passageways with pedestrian-only access. The famous quadriga depicting the goddess of victory, Victoria, riding a four-horse chariot was added in 1794.

The route along Wilhelmstrasse right through the old and new government quarter and embassy district heads towards Brandenburg Gate and the Reichstag. The ministerial buildings and the Federal Chancellery, in particular, reflect the successful synthesis of the old with the new through prestigious yet modest elegance. From here, your gaze is immediately drawn to the Reichstag, one of the most famous sights in Berlin. Its glass dome by leading British architect Norman Foster has become a hugely popular attraction for visitors from far and wide.

The city's largest cultural event and a major festival for the international film industry, the Berlinale is for Germany what the Oscars are for Hollywood. Stars and starlets, culture and commerce, glitter and glamour at a festival of distinction with 270,000 visitors, 4,000 journalists, and as many as 400 films, mostly world and European premieres. Despite its size, the event is great for meeting new people and discussing the latest films. The cream of world cinema, the independent and arthouse scene, movies for younger audiences, newly unearthed gems from German cinema, films from faraway lands and experimental formats: the Berlinale has all this – and more besides.

A UNESCO World Heritage site in the heart of the city, Berlin's Museum Island is a hugely popular attraction both with locals and international tourists. One of the world's most important museum complexes, it is home to priceless cultural treasures. Collections at the Museum of the Ancient World, New Museum, Old National Gallery, Bode Museum and Pergamon Museum take visitors on a fascinating journey through art and culture from the cradle of civilisation in Mesopotamia through Egypt, Classical Greece and Rome, Byzantium, the Islamic World and the Middle Ages right up to the modern age and 19th century Romanticism.

A symbol of the tensions between the major world powers, Checkpoint Charlie became the world's most famous border crossing within a city. The 'Haus am Checkpoint Charlie' museum has a permanent exhibition on the history of the Berlin Wall and many other related themes – from opposition, resistance and the Stasi to the fall of the Berlin Wall on 9 November 1989.

The memorial to the murdered Jews of Europe at the northern end of Wilhelmstrasse close to Brandenburg Gate testifies to the fact that these unspeakable crimes had their origins in Berlin. Covering approx. 19,000m², the site is adorned with 2,711 rectangular concrete blocks designed by New York architect Peter Eisenman. The information centre underneath the wave-shaped 'field of stelae' has an exhibition documenting the persecution and murder of European Jews. A place for mourning, reconciliation and perhaps forgiveness, but not a place for forgetting.

The Hackesche Höfe is a magnificent retail complex that embodies the history and characteristic buzz of Berlin's Mitte district. Germany's largest interconnected series of courtyards, the site has been under a historical preservation order since 1977. This extremely popular ensemble has brought back to life a genuine slice of Old Berlin. Exuding all the distinctive charm of the city's traditional courtyards, it is home to a vibrant mix of art galleries, cinemas, theatres, variety venues, restaurants and bars, not to mention all the charming boutiques and big-name flagship stores.

Berlin's 368-metre high television tower is the tallest building in Germany. It was erected in Berlin's historic centre right next to the medieval Church of St. Mary close to the Rotes Rathaus and immediately to the west of Alexanderplatz square. At a height of more than 200 metres, its observation platforms offer a magnificent panoramic view of the city. The tower was opened in 1969, although apparently the architects were not invited to the ceremony. The reason was that those in power at the time were annoyed about the cross-shaped reflection on the outer panels – known as 'the Pope's revenge'.

No other German theatre has dedicated itself with such vigour to upholding the great revue traditions of the 1920s. Visitors can expect glitter and glamour, lavish revues and a spectacular show of light and colour, dance and acrobatics – along with star performers from all over the world who have trod the boards at this site of cultural and historical interest. This 'palace on Friedrichstrasse' is often also used as a venue for media events of all sizes, and can accommodate just under 1,900 visitors.

Built on the northern part of an island in the river Spree, Berlin Cathedral is the city's largest religious building and holds great significance for the Protestant Church in Germany. Year after year, it attracts many thousands of visitors from all over Germany and abroad – and of all faiths and beliefs. Built between 1894 and 1905 to plans by Julius Raschdorff in the Italian high renaissance and baroque style, the cathedral is one of the most important church buildings in Germany. The main entrance is reached through the pleasure garden.

A neo-Romanesque masterwork with Gothic elements, the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church was consecrated on 1 September 1895. Its impressive mosaics, reliefs and sculptures were created by famous artists. In November 1943, however, the church was destroyed in a bombing raid. Its ruined tower was turned into a memorial and is now one of the signature attractions in the west of Berlin. The new Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church designed by Egon Eiermann was consecrated in December 1961. It is famous for its blue glass walls and the incredible acoustics inside – standing in the centre of a bustling metropolis, you could hear a pin drop.

Luxury fashion, cosmetics and interior design: Quartier 206 features DKNY, Etro, Strenesse, Gabriele Strehle and Gucci concessions, glasses from B54 and the Out of Asia furniture store. The architecture with its glass prisms, mediterranean-style atrium and Venetian mosaics is an attraction in itself. A consumer temple par excellence, Quartier 206 offers an exclusive selection of the most beautiful (and most expensive) items in the world, collections and confections the like of which you won't find anywhere else in Germany.

The permanent exhibition in Daniel Libeskind's breathtaking building charts the course of German-Jewish history. Everyday objects and works of art, photos and letters, interaction elements and media stations covering 13 different eras from the Middle Ages through to the present day reflect Jewish culture in Germany and show how closely Jewish life is linked with German history. The museum also hosts a variety of special exhibitions.

The German Historical Museum is now housed in two separate buildings. In the exceptional baroque Zeughaus (armoury) on Unter den Linden a permanent exhibition on 'German history in images and artefacts' features more than 8,000 objects depicting German history in a European context. The modern exhibition hall by famous Chinese-American architect I. M. Pei has four levels which offer new exhibitions all the time about major historical events.

The Jewish cemetery at Weissensee is one of the most beautiful in the whole of Europe. It reflects the blossoming of Berlin's Jewish community in the 19th century and early 20th century and, of course, its tragic demise. Laid out in 1880 and home to 115,000 graves, this is the largest surviving Jewish cemetery in Europe and has been under a preservation order since the 1970s. Along the main walkways and on special rows of honour there are mausoleums and monumental headstones for a number of notable Jewish citizens, while a memorial stone commemorates the victims of Nazi persecution.

On sunny days, Berliners flock to Lake Wannsee. As well as providing the perfect backdrop for scenic walks far from the buzz of the city, it is also a true paradise for water sports enthusiasts. Just a few minutes from Wannsee train station, it's the ideal place for swimming, diving, canoeing, rowing and sailing – or simply enjoying a great day out. Boat trips on the lake offer spectacular views of the huge gardens belonging to the lakeside residences and there are many small bays where you can moor up and enjoy a picnic. The shady beer gardens are the ideal settings in which to enjoy a Berliner Weisse beer.

From 1961 to 1989 the Berlin Wall divided the city in two. Most of this concrete structure has since been torn down, but fragments do remain a feature of the city. The Berlin Wall Trail, a route for walkers and cyclists split into 14 sections, follows the path of the former wall. Information panels installed at 30 points tell the story of the Berlin Wall. The colourful and recently restored East Side Gallery in Friedrichshain is a piece of the hinterland wall that in 1990 was painted by artists from 21 countries. On Bernauer Strasse, where there is a replica section of the Berlin Wall, you can also visit a memorial site, a documentation centre and the Chapel of Reconciliation.

The Berlin Philharmonic Hall, built in 1963 by architect Hans Scharoun, is a masterpiece of concert hall design. The auditorium offers excellent acoustics and splendid views from all seats because the orchestra sits in the middle. From the outside as well, the tent-like building is a sight to behold. Free lunchtime concerts are held in the hall on Tuesdays at 1pm.

Conceived by renowned architect Daniel Libeskind, the building translates a complex system of philosophical ideas and concepts into an impressive expression of form. From the outside, the virtually windowless building resembles an unravelled Star of David. The museum houses a huge exhibition about the life and history of German-speaking Jews. The main axis – the 'void' – runs through the various sections of the museum, symbolising the voids in Jewish history.

Unter den Linden, Berlin's grand boulevard, runs from the Brandenburg Gate to Schlossbrücke bridge. It is lined with places of interest, such as Berlin Cathedral, the Zeughaus, the Neue Wache, Humboldt University and the State Opera House. Once a bridle path, Unter den Linden has been enlarged on numerous occasions since the early 18th century. Since the fall of the Berlin Wall, many buildings have been restored and redesigned, returning the boulevard to its former glory.

The permanent exhibition in the baroque Zeughaus (armoury) brings together over 8,000 objects of unique historical value. One-off exhibitions are staged in architect I.M. Pei's modern exhibition hall. Visitors will gain a stimulating insight into the past while learning about the political, social, economic and philosophical developments that have shaped it.

Opening times:

daily 10am-6pm

The highlights of the Planetary Evolution & Life exhibition include: the world's largest dinosaur skeleton – a 13.27 metre high Brachiosaurus brancai; the original Archaeopteryx lithographica remains – the world's most famous fossil; and a 'biodiversity wall' with around 3,000 different species from a range of habitats.

Opening times:

Tuesday-Friday 9.30am-6pm, Saturday, Sunday & public holidays 10am-6pm

This interactive educational museum features exhibits covering public transport, communications, manufacturing and energy technology, inland and marine navigation, and aerospace. It also has a major collection of rolling stock housed in historical engine sheds. The museum garden, with its brewery and windmills, is an oasis of calm in the city.

Opening times:

Tuesday-Friday 9am-5.30pm, Saturday & Sunday 10am-6pm

A 220-metre stretch of the Berlin Wall itself has been preserved. At this historic site, you can touch and feel the past. At other parts of the memorial there are photographs, videos and sound recordings telling the story of a divided nation. A tower with an observation platform provides a view out over the former border fortifications. The visitor centre holds regular exhibitions.

Opening times:

April-October: Tuesday-Sunday 9.30am-7pm; November-March: Tuesday-Sunday 9.30am-6pm

The complex was also the site of the SS leadership and the headquarters of the state security forces. Among all the memorials, monuments and museums in Berlin that deal with Germany's Nazi past, the Topography of Terror – 'the site of the perpetrators' – has a significance all of its own. At the heart of Germany's capital, you can learn about the headquarters of the SS and the police state in the place where they actually stood – which makes the European aspect of the Nazi reign of terror all the more real.

Opening times:

daily 10am-8pm

The DDR Museum is the only museum dedicated to life in the former GDR and gives an extended insight into coming to terms with everyday life under the Stasi and the wall. The permanent exhibition takes the maxim "history you can touch" quite literally: Information and exhibits are hidden away behind drawers, cabinets and doors. The exhibits can be handled and used, the kitchen still smells original as in the GDR, and the Trabi invites you on a virtual tour. The DDR museum is perhaps the most interactive museum in the world and the exhibition is something to experience. With over 500,000 visitors annually, the DDR Museum is one of the top 6 most visited museums in Berlin.

The Hohenschönhausen memorial site is a spacious area steeped in history, as well as a museum and memorial of the socialist GDR regime. Well-preserved and in sound condition, this destination is one of the most important memorial sites for the victims of communist dictatorship in Germany. It was originally a socialist warehouse, before becoming a central Soviet remand centre for Germany, and finally a prison for the GDR’s Ministry for State Security (Stasi). Around 40,000 people were detained there from 1946 to 1989. Since the construction of the Berlin Wall in 1961, the majority of the inmates were potential escapees, those aiding people wishing to escape and those attempting to emigrate. Guided tours through the Stasi prison offer an insight into the prison conditions and into the fate of the prisoners, bringing to life the experience of persecution during the communist dictatorship.