From dance clubs in former industrial spaces to art galleries in Brutalist ex-churches, the German capital has it all Berlin, known for a raucous club culture and cache of world-class museums, theaters, and cultural institutions, is in a class of its own when it comes to global cities.
Divided between East and West until the Berlin Wall fell in 1989, the landscape of the unified German capital is still marked by the turbulence of its complex 20th-century history. The free-spirited city has long attracted artists, musicians, and bohemians of all stripes, ushering in creative possibilities that continue to shape the city despite its rapidly rising rents.
For a city of three million people, Berlin has a laid-back vibe that lacks the frenetic pace of London or New York. While some areas are gritty?part of the city?s appeal?Berlin possesses an abundance of public parks, waterways, and lakes, making it especially ideal when the sun decides to shine. Architecturally speaking, the city has plenty to offer. Certain areas were completely destroyed during World War II, creating an immediate need for infrastructure and housing. In addition to a variety of new buildings, the former West still features many modernist structures from the ?50s and ?60s, while the former East remains dotted with Soviet-style high-rises in all their drab charm. A host of repurposed pre-war buildings now house museums, galleries, and other cultural institutions, leaving lots to discover in this modern ...