Berlin-Mitte – the heart of the capital

Berlin-Mitte is the most central district of Berlin and the historical, political and cultural centre of the city. The apartment at Kleine Alexanderstraße 11 (10178 Berlin) sits right in the middle of this district – just about 400 metres from Alexanderplatz, five minutes' walk to the Fernsehturm and about twelve minutes to Museum Island.

History of the district

Berlin-Mitte includes the historical settlements of Berlin (east of the river Spree) and Cölln (on the Spree Island, today's Museum Island) and is therefore the oldest part of the city — Berlin was founded here in the 13th century. During the division of Germany, Mitte lay in the eastern part of the city — visible today in landmarks such as the Fernsehturm (completed in 1969, 368 m tall), the former Palast der Republik (demolished; today the rebuilt Humboldt Forum stands on its site) and the GDR-era prefab buildings around Alexanderplatz.

Sights in Berlin-Mitte

  • Alexanderplatz – with the World Clock, Fountain of International Friendship and the Fernsehturm
  • Fernsehturm (TV Tower) – Germany's tallest structure, with an observation deck at 203 m and a revolving restaurant
  • Berlin Cathedral (Berliner Dom) – the main Protestant church, with its imposing dome and the Hohenzollern crypt
  • Museum Island – UNESCO World Heritage Site with five world-class museums (Pergamon Museum, Old Museum, Neues Museum, Bode Museum, Alte Nationalgalerie)
  • Humboldt Forum – in the reconstructed Berlin Palace; collections of non-European art and Berlin's city history
  • Rotes Rathaus (Red City Hall) – seat of Berlin's Governing Mayor
  • Marienkirche – one of Berlin's oldest churches (13th century)
  • Nikolaiviertel – reconstructed medieval quarter around Nikolaikirche
  • Hackesche Höfe – Art Nouveau courtyard complex with shops, galleries and restaurants
  • Friedrichstrasse – shopping street with Galeries Lafayette, Friedrichstadt-Palast and the former border-crossing Tränenpalast
  • Gendarmenmarkt – one of the most beautiful squares in Europe, with the Concert Hall, German and French Cathedrals
  • Unter den Linden – the historic boulevard between Brandenburg Gate and the Palace Bridge
  • Brandenburg Gate and Reichstag – at the western end of the district

Shopping and dining

At Alexanderplatz you'll find the Alexa shopping mall (180 shops) and Galeria Kaufhof opposite. For smaller, owner-run shops and good restaurants, head to Hackescher Markt, Rosenthaler Straße, Auguststraße (galleries) and Hausvogteiplatz. Friedrichstrasse offers high-end boutiques and Galeries Lafayette.

Public transport

Berlin-Mitte has the best public-transport coverage in the city. From Alexanderplatz you reach all major points in 10–20 minutes – ICE and regional trains from Berlin Hauptbahnhof in 4 minutes, Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) in about 50 minutes with the S9.

More background on the district on Wikipedia.