Train Paris Berlin

What to do in Berlin ?

Berlin's very spread out, so it's best to buy a public transport pass when you arrive, as you won't be able to explore the whole city on foot. Fares vary, depending on the station you arrive at.

When you get off your Paris - Berlin train, we recommend you start your tour in the district of Mitte ('middle' in German) which, as the name suggests, is the geographical and historical centre of Berlin. Fun fact: this district is one of only a few that combines former East and West Berlin districts.

Head for the Reichstag Palace and its elegant glass dome, a symbol of the new, modern and transparent Germany. If you'd like to take a trip along the River Spree to admire Berlin from a different angle, just head to the pier in front of the House of Representatives. A large part of Berlin's charm lies in its contrasts: this walk is a great way to see them for yourself and get a good feel for the city. Don't forget to admire the famous Brandenburg Gate, Berlin's iconic monument, along the way. In the days of the Empire, only the Kaiser was allowed to pass through this arch, whose quadriga is topped by an iron eagle, the warrior symbol of Prussia. From here you can walk along Unter den Linden, where you will find Humboldt University and the Staatsoper. You'll then arrive at the famous Museum Island. It's home to the Bode Museum, the Pergamon Museum, the Neues Museum, the Altes Museum, the Alte Nationalgalerie, the recently opened James Simon Gallery, and the Forum Humboldt. You can also admire Berlin Cathedral (Berliner Dom).

If you fancy a spot of shopping, check out the nearby Hackescher Markt and take a stroll along the streets between Dircksenstrasse and Torstrasse. You'll find every style here: foreign brands, top German labels and small vintage boutiques in the backyards of Berlin buildings. Another nearby attraction is Alexanderplatz, a huge square overlooked by the 368-metre-high Fernsehturm (television tower), which can be seen from almost anywhere in the city. Don't miss the chance to climb up the tower - the view is superb.

Berlin is also famous for its Wall, which separated the city during the Cold War. You'll find numerous remnants of this dark Berliner period dotted around the city, including the infamous Checkpoint Charlie, the notorious border crossing which symbolised the division of Berlin. It marked the border between West and East, capitalism and communism, freedom and captivity. Another interesting vestige is the East Side Gallery, the largest preserved section of the wall that remains today. Along its 1.3 km stretch you can admire over a hundred works of street art by artists from over twenty different countries. It's currently the largest permanent open-air gallery in the world. If you're interested in this period, the Stasi Museum in the former Ministry of State Security is a must. Photos, documents, stories and anecdotes give a clearer picture of the spirit that reigned in the GDR. This fully interactive museum has fun experiences that will plunge you into Cold War Berlin, such as a driving simulator in an original Trabant P 601, a five-room prefabricated dwelling with authentic fittings, alongside lots of games for all ages.

Berlin has various distinct districts that visitors flock to. Explore bohemian neighbourhoods such as Prenzlauer Berg (in north Berlin) or Friedrichshain, an alternative area and symbol of East Berlin, followed by the more cosmopolitan Kreuzberg and Neukölln. Just choose the ones that fascinate you the most! As you wander around, sample some local specialities such as the famous Apfelstrudel, a rolled apple and cinnamon pastry, the surprising Currywurst, a curried sausage dish invented in 1949, and the Berlin doughnut, which has a marmalade rather than jam filling.

So no reason to put a trip off, time to book your Paris - Berlin train ticket and explore this buzzing and surprising city.