Many of the gay bars, clubs and shops are located in Schöneberg. It is also the location of the big summer street events: the lesbian and gay Stadtfest and the Christopher Street Day Pride celebrations in July.
It has a well-established, multifaceted gay community, and you’ll often see same-sex affection and leathermen in full regalia alongside families and kids on bikes. Best known to tourists are the quiet tree-lined streets of Schöneberg, a little south of the area between Wittenbergplatz and Nollendorfplatz U-Bahn stations. Gay life is easily found in the Schöneberg, Friedrichshain, Kreuzberg, and Prenzlauer Berg neighborhoods. Flea markets are also very popular and can be found throughout the city. Other shopping districts include Alexanderplatz, Friedrichstraße, Hackescher Markt, Kurfürstendamm, Tauentzienstraße, Spandau Old Town, Schlossstraße and Schönhauser Allee. The surrounding area features an array of exquisite shops, wonderful restaurants and quaint parkettes. In addition to the usual retail departments, the upper floors offer a wide variety of gourmet foods and tempting buffet selections to tuck into. Located in the city center, close to the Wittenbergplatz U-Bahn station, this is Continental Europe’s largest department store.
Look no further than KaDeWe for your shopping pleasure.
Once you get through the extensive collections, or if you need to rest, you can escape by way of the charming cobblestone paths to the island’s hidden gardens, quality restaurants and boutiques to recharge. The entire complex, worth a trip for the buildings themselves, was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999. Located in the middle of the Spree River, which flows through the city center, is the famous Museum Island, consisting of five internationally significant museums: the Old Museum, the Old National Gallery, the Bode Museum, the New Museum and the Pergamon Museum. Sunday brunch is a sublime culinary experience. The square immediately behind, Pariser Platz, is home to embassies and the luxurious Hotel Adlon Kempinski, which offers a two-star Michelin restaurant, a luxury spa and an outdoor terrace overlooking the gate. Restored over a two-year period, starting in 2000, this iconic structure, located west of the city centre, served as the entrance to the city palace of the Prussian monarchs.
That said, the locals do appreciate it when people try to speak a few words in German.īerlin’s - and the country’s - most notable monument is the Brandenburg Gate.
English is firmly established as the second language of many people, especially in the west, so English-only tourists will have little trouble communicating. Still, people from other EU countries and beyond are flocking in, creating an ever-more-cosmopolitan ambiance. Prices here are reasonable compared to other European capitals, but catching up. The city is a mecca, and not only for gay people. Berlin also boasted an openly gay mayor, Klaus Wowereit, from 2001 until 2014. A vast and diverse set of gay scenes, thoughtful civic amenities and tourist-friendly pricing make Germany’s capital a popular destination. See Germany/Travel and for the latest news in English.įor current German entry restrictions see the DW, Federal Foreign Office, Travel Bans/Germany, and World Nomads/Germany websites for details and updates in English.īerlin is one of the most gay-friendly cities in the world. Emergency measures in the wake of Covid-19: