GAY BERLIN
Discover this City with our Quick and Practical Guide to Visit the Best Attractions, Savor Typical Dishes and Have Fun in the Best Gay Bars. All this through the Rainbow Eyes of the World Mappers
What to See, Best Places to Sleep, Where to Eat and to Have Fun in BERLIN?
Find it out with the World Mappers !
WHAT TO SEE in BERLIN?
20 THINGS TO SEE in BERLIN
Brandenburg Gate
One of the few monuments that survived the war and the ancient gateway to the city, today it is the symbol of Berlin. On top is a copper chariot representing the Goddess of Victory. During the construction of the Berlin Wall it was located on the border between the two parts of Germany. From this gate begins the Unter den Linden boulevard, the most important in the city where two of our favorite places to visit in Berlin are located: the Neue Wache building with the famous pieta as if it were moving inside and Bebelplatz with a great monument in memory of the burning of thousands of books that took place in this square at the time of Hitler.
Berlin Wall & East Side Gallery
Built after WWII in the midst of the Cold War, the Berlin Wall divided East Berlin from West Berlin for years. During the 28 years of this 4m high wall, many people crossed it to reunite with their families or have a better life in the western part, risking their lives in many cases. As time went on, protests against the wall grew more and more, until on November 9, 1989 there was a huge exodus that would end in the demolition of a large part of the wall, leading to the reunification of the two Germanys. The largest part still remaining and preserved today is the one known as the East Side Gallery, one of the places to see in Berlin, where a multitude of graffiti show the history of the wall and the messages of peace that have been left on it. Among our favorites: the kiss between two communist leaders and the Trabant car coming out of the wall.
Berliner Fernsehturm
Another symbol of Berlin, the wonderful 368 meters high TV Tower. Impossible not to see it even from afar, the advice is to climb it on a sunny day, to be able to admire the breathtaking view over the whole of Berlin from above. There is also an upscale revolving restaurant at the top, called the Sphere.
Reichtstag
Today's seat of the German Parliament, a place that was central to the history of Germany. In 1918, from one of the windows of the Reichstag, the birth of the German Republic was proclaimed, marking the end of the monarchy and the dynasty of German emperors. After being destroyed by fire in 1933, it was restored and in 1990 the official ceremony of the reunification of Germany was held. Only in 1999 did the symbol of German democracy officially return, once again hosting the chambers of Parliament. Extraordinary is the splendid glass and steel dome designed by the English architect Sir Norman Foster, as a symbol of openness after the dark period of division. Through its windows you can admire all of Berlin and the inner area of the Parliament.
Berliner Dom
The Berliner Dom or Cathedral, is located near the River Spree and Museum Island. From the outside it is recognizable by its green copper dome. Inside you can find the white marble and yellow onyx altar and the Hohenzollern Crypt, where several members of the Hohenzollern imperial family rest. If you have time, we suggest you climb to the top of the dome from where you can enjoy a breathtaking view of Berlin.
Alexanderplatz
Welcome to one of Berlin's most popular squares. Flanked by the River Spree and the Palace of the Republic, it is impossible not to notice the television tower. In addition to the view from the tower, you can see the Fountain of Friendship among Peoples, pop in and do some Shopping in the Kaufhof Gallery and observe the World Time Clock. Also nearby is the Marienkirche Church and the Rotes Rathaus (Red House), Berlin's town hall.
Holocaust Monument
One of the most poignant sights to see in Berlin is the Holocaust Monument. Built in memory of the Jews murdered by the Nazi regime, it was built in a large area today covered by large concrete blocks of different heights that create a labyrinth of corridors. There is also an underground area in which a room with the names and dates of birth and death of the victims of the holocaust stands out. Although the place is very photogenic, we recommend that you approach it with respect and silence, avoid climbing on top of the blocks or taking pictures with inappropriate poses, remember the significance of this place.
Jewish Museum Berlin (Judisches Museum)
If you want to relive the history of Jews from all over Germany, this is the perfect place. A futuristic building designed by architect Daniel Libeskind, where you can read up on the contributions made by Jews to art and culture. Undoubtedly the marvel also lies in the structure, in the shape of a Star of David, which preserves this enormous historical heritage.
Checkpoint Charlie
Another monument related to the Cold War is Checkpoint Charlie, the most famous in the city. In this place, in addition to seeing a reproduction of the checkpoint, it is possible to visit a museum with a large collection of original objects and documentation on the Cold War and the construction of the Wall.
Museum of Topography of Terror
A few meters from Checkpoint Charlie, there is a neo-baroque building which in 1933 was transformed into the headquarters of the dreaded GESTAPO (Secret State Police). Those who opposed Hitler's regime were imprisoned here, to be interrogated and tortured in the dungeons. Today it is a museum where you can find important remains of the wall, documents and photographs showing the sordid history of the GESTAPO.
Jewish Quarter
North of Museum Island, it is one of the most interesting districts to visit in Berlin, where even today you can find the footprints of the Jewish community that lived in this area before the Second World War. In Rosenstraße you will find the Block der Frauen monument, dedicated to the non-Jewish German women who for days demonstrated in front of Rosenstraße 2 and 4 against the arrest of their (Jewish) fathers and husbands, hitherto spared from persecution and who were not were taken to concentration camps. From this street you can then reach the Hackesche Hofe, eight splendid internal patios that communicate through passages between modernist buildings, and the Hackescher Markt, a triangular square full of atmosphere with numerous bars and restaurants.
Potsdamerplatz
Another of the most important squares in Berlin where the Berlinale is celebrated every year. In the past it was one of the busiest squares in Berlin but was later destroyed during the Second World War and divided into two parts by the Berlin Wall. After being completely renovated, today it has returned to its former glory.
Museum Island
Here in Berlin there is one of the largest cultural offerings among all European cities, concentrated in the area that is identified as "Museum Island" where you can find several museums with very important collections. Among the main ones we find:
Pergamon Museum
The most famous museum in the city, it has one of the most precious collections in the world. It was conceived and studied on the basis of the measurements of the great works of art it would have housed and is made up of the Museum of Near Eastern Antiquities, the Museum of Islamic Art and the Collection of Classical Antiquities. Inside you will find the reconstruction of the Istar Gate of Babylon, the more than 2000-year-old altar of Zeus from the city of Pergamum and the Hall of Aleppo.
Neues Museum (New Museum)
Another Berlin marvel, where you can even find the 3,300-year-old bust of the Egyptian queen Nefertiti, discovered by the German explorer Ludwig Borchardt. Here too there are collections of art from Ancient Egypt and Prehistory.
Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church
After the Second World War this particular church was not restored to show the devastating effects caused by the conflict. With the remains of the old church a memorial was created, the bomb marks can still be seen today. Inside you will find a selection of vintage photographs. The church also marks the beginning of Kurfürstendamm, the most important street in Berlin together with Unter den Linden.
Kurfürstendamm
Also called Ku'Damm for short, it is an avenue that extends for more than three kilometers up to the residential area of Halensee. The best fashion, electronics and sports shops are concentrated in this district, as well as the most famous shopping center in Berlin: the KaDeWe (Kaufhaus des Westens), the "Harrods of Berlin".
Tiergarten Park
The most famous and largest park in the city with its 200 hectares. Inside you will find several prominent places such as the Soviet Monument which was built in honor of the 80,000 Russian soldiers who died during the Battle of Berlin, the Bismarck National Monument and the Victory Column, from which you will enjoy one of the best views of the city .
Kreuzberg District
The most famous and largest park in the city with its 200 hectares. Inside you will find several prominent places such as the Soviet Monument which was built in honor of the 80,000 Russian soldiers who died during the Battle of Berlin, the Bismarck National Monument and the Victory Column, from which you will enjoy one of the best views of the city .
Unter den Linden
Another of Berlin's main avenues. The extensive boulevard was an important part of Berlin's cultural life right up until the Second World War. Following the fall of the Berlin Wall and reunification, Unter den Linden returned to its former glory. Today, some of Berlin's most iconic buildings can be found along the boulevard: Pariser Platz, with its Hotel Adlon, the imposing building of the New Guard, the Bebelplatz, the Opera House, the Humboldt University and the Catholic Cathedral of Santa Eduvigis.
Gendarmenmarkt
Two twin churches and the Konzerthaus make it one of the most beautiful squares in Berlin. On two sides of the square the two identical Baroque churches are characterized by towers surmounted by imposing domes. The north end's church, Französischer Dom (French Church), was built by French Huguenots, who moved to the area in the 18th century. In 1708, the German Lutheran community built a church in the south of the square, Deutscher Dom (German Church), a photocopy of the French one. Among them we find the Konzerthaus Berlin, home of the Berlin Symphony Orchestra. Its interior, completely destroyed during the Second World War, was restructured to be used again.
Charlottenburg Palace
In full Baroque style, it was the summer residence of Sofia Carlotta, the second wife of Frederick III. When a series of bombings of Berlin took place in 1943, the palace was partially destroyed. One of the major attractions of the palace are its huge gardens. While the visit to the palace is paid, you can walk around its beautiful gardens for free.
SUGGESTED ITINERARIES
Visiting this city at its best depends essentially on how long you have to fully enjoy it. Here is a solution based on the number of days available to you:
Day 1 - Classic Berlin (from Alexanderplatz to Brandeburg Gate) - Google Maps
Day 2 - Alternative Berlin (Kreuzberg & East Side Gallery) - Google Maps
Day 3 - Special Berlin (from German Parliament to Charlottenburg) - Google Maps
(By opening the Maps with Google, you can easily follow our path)
5 BEST EXCURSIONS from BERLIN
We advise you to book the best excursions here: Viator - Musement - Get Your Guide
Dresden
Postdam & Wannsee
Lubbenau & Spreewald
Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp
Magdeburg
Click'n'Go - Click on Hotels, Restaurants, Bars & Clubs
to find them on the Map or visit their Website
WHERE TO SLEEP in BERLIN?
15 BEST GAY FRIENDLY HOTELS in BERLIN
Choosing an overnight stay in Berlin can be really difficult because the city is so big. So here is a brief help to understand the ideal area to stay:
Mitte
The best area to stay in Berlin if you are here for the first time
Friedrichshain
Ideal for spending less
Schöneberg
Perfect neighborhood for the LGBT community
Kreuzberg
Great for those who want to enjoy some nightlife
Prenzlauer Berg
One of the coolest neighborhoods in Berlin
Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf
Recommended for those traveling with family
Axel Hotel Berlin **** (area: Schöneberg) ® Tested by World Mappers
TWO Hotel Berlin by Axel **** (area: Schöneberg)
Orania.Berlin ***** (area: Prenzlauer Berg)
Park Inn by Radisson Berlin Alexanderplatz **** (area: Mitte)
H4 Hotel Berlin Alexanderplatz **** (area: Mitte) ® Tested by World Mappers
RIU Plaza Hotel **** (area: Schöneberg)
Tom's Hotel *** (area: Schöneberg) ® Tested by World Mappers
ArtHotel Connection *** (area: Schöneberg)
Quentin Design Hotel *** (area: Schöneberg)
Gay Hostel *** (area: Schöneberg)
Michelberger Hotel *** (area: Prenzlauer Berg)
Leonardo Hotel Berlin *** (area: Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf) ® Tested by World Mappers
Sarotti-Höfe *** (area: Kreuzberg)
Ibis Berlin Kurfuerstendamm ** (area: Schöneberg)
a&o Hostel Berlin Friedrichshain (area: Friedrichshain)
WHERE TO EAT in BERLIN?
10 BEST RESTAURANTS in BERLIN Quality / Price
€€ - Hofbräu Wirtshaus Berlin (ottima cucina tipica) ® Tested by World Mappers
€€ - acht&dreissig ® Tested by World Mappers
€€ - Kurpfalz-Weinstuben ® Tested by World Mappers
€€ - Restaurant Maximilians Berlin ® Tested by World Mappers
€€ - Berliner Republik
€€ - Prater Beer Garden Berlin ® Tested by World Mappers
€€ - Oderquelle
€ - Burgermeister Schlesisches Tor (ottimi Hamburger)
€ - Curry 61 (among the best Currywurst in Berlin!) ® Tested by World Mappers
€ - Curry 63 (among the best Currywurst in Berlin!) ® Tested by World Mappers
GAY NIGHTLIFE in BERLIN
15 BEST GAY PLACES, BARS & CLUBS in BERLIN
Prinzknecht (Gay Bar) ® Tested by World Mappers
Lab.oratory (Gay Club) ® Tested by World Mappers
Woof Berlin (Gay Bear Bar) ® Tested by World Mappers
Roses (Gay Bar) ® Tested by World Mappers
Möbel Olfe (Gay & Lesbian Bar) ® Tested by World Mappers
Heile Welt (Gay Bar) ® Tested by World Mappers
SchwuZ (Gay Club) ® Tested by World Mappers
Pinocchio (Gay Bar)
Berghain/Panorama Bar (Gay Club) ® Tested by World Mappers
K6 (Gay Bar)
Blond Cocktail Bar (Gay Bar)
Revolver Party (Gay Club)
Bei Niki (Gay Bar)
Dreizehn (Gay Bar)
Ficken 3000 (Gay Bar)
TRAVEL TIPS about BERLIN by World Mappers
The Berlin Welcome Card is Berlin's official tourist card. With this card you can travel for free on public transport, have discounts in all the most important museums and attractions in the city. The Berlin Welcome Card is available in eight different variants, depending on the length of your trip to Berlin and the areas of the city you intend to visit. Validity: 48 hours, 72 hours, 4 days, 5 days or 6 days - Zones: A and B or A, B and C.
Do you need a single card to visit the best museums in Berlin? Here's the one for you: the Berlin Museum Pass. You can save on entrance tickets and avoid long queues. The Card lasts for 3 consecutive days and allows you to enter more than 50 attractions and museums in Berlin for free, including Museum Island, guaranteeing priority access.
The Most BEAUTIFUL STREET ART WORKS in BERLIN
Obviously we couldn't not talk about the incredible Street Art in Berlin. The capital of Germany is in fact the city par excellence for Street Art lovers like us. Berlin is in fact pure street art, a large open-air art gallery in constant evolution. But let's find out together the best areas where to find Street Art in Berlin:
The longest open-air art gallery in the world. Located along the Mühlenstraße street, in the Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg district, near the banks of the River Spree. According to legend, Frenchman Thierry Noir began painting his famous multi-colored faces on the Berlin Wall one night in 1984, when he was returning home from a Western nightclub. Tired of contemplating the gray construction from its fifth floor of a building in Kreuzberg, the artist reflected his discontent with the division of the city, not yet knowing that his creation would be one of the few salvageable in the later East Side Gallery. Many of these murals are slogans of peace, unity and brotherhood. Among the main works we find: The twinning kiss, painted in 1990 by the Russian artist Dmitri Vrúbel, a satire of the famous photograph of the kiss between Leonid Brezhnev and Erich Honecker; the Mural of the Trabi, the East German car crossing the wall with a plaque bearing the date of the fall of the wall, November 9, 1989; the Mural with the Slogan "Many little people, who in many little places, doing many little things, can change the face of the world".
Kreuzberg
The Kreuzberg district has some of the most famous murals in Berlin, among them: Blu's Pink Man, by the famous Italian artist Blu and represents a huge man made up of small figures, painted pink; The Yellow Man di Os Gemeos, near the Schlesisches Tor metro stop and is the work of the Brazilian twins Octavio and Gustavo Pandolfo, whose stage name is Os Gemeos and whose works always represent figures with a yellow face; ROA's mural on Skalitzer Strasse by Belgian artist ROA who usually paints animals like the ones in the image; Cosmonauta by Victor Ash, one of Berlin's most iconic graffiti; the Hands of CASE Maclaim; finally the Elephant "!" by Jadore Tong, a colorful elephant, one of our favorites.
The former train depot that was abandoned and gradually transformed into a meeting place for street artists, today full of graffiti has become a huge cultural center for the development of artistic and social projects.
Mitte
Also in the center of the Mitte district you can find some famous murals. Here are our favourites: Holzmarkt 25, an open space that is committed to sustainable development as well as being a great place for a beer and pizza; JR "The wrinkles of the city", huge murals, depicting old people with a past behind them, you will find one near Alexanderplatz, at the intersection of Prenzlaer Alle and Saarbrückestrasse; Meat Mural, near Bernauerstrasse subway station, where the famous Berlin Wall once passed.
It is no more than an alley, at number 39 Rosenthaler Strasse, near the S Bahn stop Hackescher Markt, very close to Alexanderplatz. In Berlin there was a regulation that prohibited painting on the walls, so a group of guys who called themselves "Dead Chicken" bought this alley to express their art. The murals in this alleyway are constantly changing. Here you will also find works by El Bocho, a German artist based in Berlin who has been decorating the walls of the city for years.
A former listening station outside Berlin, abandoned since 1991. Teufelsberg, which is German for "devil's mountain", is one of the most popular visits if you are looking for abandoned Berlin. In addition to spectacular murals, you can enjoy one of the most beautiful views of the city.
In 2018, the first museum of street art, Urban Nation, opened in Berlin. The facade of the building is itself a huge open-air canvas available to artists. In addition, its panels can be detached to be displayed inside, and thus constantly change its facade.
"SECRET BERLIN"
Unusual and Particular Places to See in Berlin
Outside the classic places to visit of the city, there is a "Secret Berlin" that has simply bewitched us. Here are the 15 Things and Places to See in Secret Berlin
Berliner Unterwelten - Another of the places to visit in Berlin that we liked the most is the Berliner Unterwelten, a vast network of tunnels and bunkers located under the city. You can find more information on tours and timetables by clicking on this page.
Markthalle Neun - Berlin boasted fourteen beautiful markets, but unfortunately only three have survived. Head to the Kreuzberg district for one of the best, the historic Markthalle Neun, first opened in 1891 and revived as a farmers market in late 2011. Tuck into some culinary delights at 'Street Food Thursday', try a traditional German breakfast at "Breakfast Market" every third Sunday of the month, or treat yourself to candy heaven at the "Naschmarkt".
Freiluftkino Kreuzberg & Kunstquartier Bethanien - The Kunstquartier Bethanien was a hospital then converted into a museum housing several galleries and alternative art studios. An open-air cinema is also held in the courtyard of the Kunstquartier between May and September with films in German and English.
Natur-Park Schöneberger Südgelände - The Tempelhof railway yard is where technology and nature meet, a strange oasis full of nature and abandoned relics. The deserted industrial area was gradually closed after the Second World War and has since become a kind of forest that can be explored on foot. Abandoned water towers, trains and railways within the park make visitors feel as if they have been transported back in time.
Berlin's Smallest Disco - Couldn't get into Berghain? Don't worry, just around the corner is Berlin's smallest nightclub, and this secret spot has no bouncers or queues. Teledisko Gold is a "club" inside a phone booth in RAW Berlin-Friedrichshain (RAW-Gelände). In fact, here you will find a golden telephone booth, which also serves as a disco.
Monsterkabinett - Created by the collective of street artists Dead Chickens, it is a collection of mechanical robotic monsters, artfully assembled, moved by computer and with sound installations. The entrance is located in the second courtyard of Haus Schwarzenberg by climbing the spiral staircase.
Liquidrom - A futuristic German spa that allows visitors to float in a pool of salt water, with multi-colored lights and music playing underwater. It was a huge WWII train station.
AquaDom al Radisson Blu Berlin NOT AVAILABLE NOW - A futuristic German spa that allows visitors to float in a pool of salt water, with multi-colored lights and music playing underwater. It was a huge WWII train station.
Weissensee Abandoned Children's Hospital - A state-of-the-art Imperial-era medical facility now in ruins, now a graffiti gallery.
Pfaueninsel - This Berlin island is home to a flock of free-roaming peacocks. It is a beautiful little islet with abandoned buildings, wild peacocks and even the facade of a fairytale castle built by a Prussian king.
'Stand By Me' Tree - Someone loved this song enough to carve all of its lyrics on a tree trunk in a Berlin park in the middle of Tiergarten Park.
Kaninchenfeld (Rabbit Field) - These brass bunnies honor the rabbits that dominated the no man's land around the Berlin Wall. The town rabbits could dig under the wall to jump and run as much as they liked on either side of the border. You will find some along the Chausseestraße.
Stolpersteine Holocaust Memorials - Small memorials honor individual victims of the Holocaust. They are found all over Berlin and can be found on the sidewalk. The word Stolpersteine means obstacle, a reference to the artist's hope that people will bump into them as they walk. They were usually placed in front of the victim's last chosen address, forever commemorating their place in the neighborhood and community.
Carillon Berlin-Tiergarten - One of the heaviest musical instrument towers in the world within a popular urban park.
Gasometro Schöneberg - Here we are at the skeletal frame of a disused gas pumping station integrated into Berlin's industrial architecture, offering a breathtaking view over greater Berlin.
GAY FRIENDLY TOURS
Do you want to discover the city more deeply through Berlin's Best Gay Tours? We recommend the following local operators:
Gaily Tour - Tour Operator offering tours and excursions dedicated to the LGBT + community throughout Europe. Special Tours and Gay & Lesbian Friendly Guides ready to make you discover the beauties of this destination. Info & Booking: info@GailyTour.com
Berlin • Historic Tour
Start your Berlin tour with our Gay/Lesbian Guide with a view of the main highlights. Observe the Brandenburg Gate, one of the most famous monument of Berlin, marking the beginning of the road from Berlin to the city of Brandenburg an der Havel and a symbol of unity and Peace after the destruction of the Berlin Wall in 1990. Continue to the memorial of the Jews murdered in Europe. Then take a look to the Reichstag building, the German parliament. Walk along historic avenues such as Unter den Linden and admire Berlin’s Cathedral, passing by the Museum Island and reaching the Television Tower and Alexanderplatz. Finally you will enjoy the special view of Berlin from above by climbing the TV tower. With 368 meters the TV Tower is the highest open building in Europe and one of the most popular tourist attractions in Berlin. Over 1 million people visit the TV Tower at Alexanderplatz every year. Included: * Gay or Lesbian Tour Guide for City Tour (3 hours) * Entrance Fee Skip-The-Line – Berliner Fernsehturm
Berlin • Gay Tour & Schöneberg and Kreuzberg’s Secrets
Berlin is the queer capital of Europe and has been a pioneer of gay and lesbian rights since the late 19th Century. Explore with our Gay/Lesbian Guide Berlin’s gay neighborhood, Schöneberg, home of Marlene Dietrich and chronicled by Christopher Isherwood and Otto Dix. Visit the Eldorado, one of Berlin’s oldest gay and transvestite bars. Visit a memorial to the homosexuals persecuted by the Nazis and find out how openly queer and transgendered individuals found assistance. Then continue with public transportation to the vibrant neighbourhood of Kreuzberg to get a feel for what life is like today for queer individuals in Berlin. Find out how queer figures from the Prussian King Frederick the Great to openly gay mayor Klaus Wowereit have shaped the history of Berlin, a city which still believes a “kiss-in” to be the best form of protest, and finish the tour near to the Gay Museum. After the tour enjoy a delicious Beer tasting (2 small German Beers) together with a typical Brezel salty bread. Included: * Gay or Lesbian Tour Guide for City Tour (3 hours) * German Beer & Brezel Tasting (2 Small Beers + 1 Piece Brezel)
Berlin by Night • Gay Tour
Enjoy an enlightened Berlin and an amazing walking tour through Berlin’s gay & lesbian bars and clubs to live on your skin the magic atmosphere and LGBT scene of the city. Enjoy your included drink (also alcohol free drink available) and own the night ! Included: * Gay or Lesbian Tour Guide for Night Tour (2 hours) * Drink in Gay Bar (1 Drink)
Waht to See near Berlin ?
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