Germany, Europe (Point of interest)

Berlin Cathedral stands proudly in the city centre, surrounded by state museums. Inside, look up at the new dome interior, the last mosaic piece of which was only put in place in 2002. Climb to the top for panoramic city views. In 1944 the cathedr... Continue reading →

The Munich City Museum in the city centre offers a fascinating insight into the diverse history of Munich. Its eclectic collections appeal to all ages, and range from musical instruments and puppetry to fashion, fairgrounds, photography and film.... Continue reading →

Berlin Tiergarten's Picture Gallery shelters a staggering collection of 13th- to 18th-century European art. A journey through its 72 rooms reveals masterpieces by Raphael, Titian, Vermeer and Caravaggio. Be sure to admire the octagonal gallery grac... Continue reading →

Trace the city's divided history at the Berlin Wall Documentation Centre. Boasting an extensive collection of photographs, films and exhibits, the centre documents both the events surrounding Bernauer Street and the wider political situation. One ... Continue reading →

Centrally located Frankfurt Zoo has a good reputation for keeping its animals in conditions that resemble their natural environment as closely as possible. Visit the darkened Grzimek House to watch nocturnal animals in their natural habitat.... Continue reading →

Alexanderplatz, located in the central district of Mitte, is Berlin's most important square. Characterised by its 1960s architecture, it is home to cinemas, shops and the famous Fernsehturm (TV tower). Alexanderplatz was originally located outside... Continue reading →

The Alte Nationalgalerie in Berlin boasts a collection of 19th-century art and a good range of 20th-century German pieces. The gallery also owns significant collections of French Impressionist works, including masterpieces by Manet, Monet, Renoir, ... Continue reading →

Frankfurt's opera house, the grand Alte Oper, is the city's prime venue for classical music. While operas are no longer performed, the extensive all-year programme boasts first-class symphony orchestras, chamber music and recitals. Jazz and cabaret... Continue reading →

The Alte Pinakothek in Maxvorstadt is among the world's oldest and most important art galleries, with nearly 900 paintings from the 14th to the 18th century (including works by Dürer, Rembrandt and Rubens) housed in a vast neoclassical building.... Continue reading →

One of the grandest works by neo-classical master architect Karl-Friedrich Schinkel, the Altes Museum on Museumsinsel (Museum Island) has housed Berlin's Collection of Classical Antiquities since 1904. Highlights include Greek sculptures, mosaics a... Continue reading →

The foundations of some of Frankfurt's oldest buildings, including Roman baths from the first century, have been excavated at the site of the central open-air Archaeological Garden. Prehistoric, Roman and medieval findings are on display in the adj... Continue reading →

Constructed in 1976, the Bauhaus Archive/Museum of Design has unique modern architectural features that have become something of a Berlin landmark. The museum is dedicated to the Bauhaus, the 20th century's most important school of art, architectur... Continue reading →

The city centre's Bavarian National Museum (Bayerisches National Museum) provides a fascinating glimpse of Bavarian life, through sacred and secular folk art from the Middle Ages onwards. Highlights include the Christmas crib collection, medieval t... Continue reading →

The Berggruen Museum is home to art works collected by the prominent Jewish art dealer and collector Heinz Berggruen, born in Berlin in 1914. The collection features pieces by Picasso, Klee, Giacometti and Matisse. Over 100 of Picasso's oil painti... Continue reading →

Munich's redesigned BMW Museum is housed in a futuristic steel bowl on the grounds of the BMW headquarters near Olympic Oark. Enter the glass-dominated, spaceship-like interior to see the engines, designs and cars that made BMW one of the world's b... Continue reading →

Towering above Pariser Platz square in Berlin Mitte, neoclassical Brandenburg Gate is the most potent symbol of German reunification. Look up to glimpse Victoria, goddess of victory, charging forth on Quadriga. At dusk, light bathes its Doric colum... Continue reading →

Built by Elector Frederick III as a summer residence for his wife Sophie Charlotte in 1699, Charlottenburg Palace houses majestic rooms and an excellent art collection. It is surrounded by well-attended Baroque gardens. Charlottenburg Palace hosts... Continue reading →

Symbol of a once-divided city and former border crossing between East and West Berlin, Checkpoint Charlie now draws camera-toting tourists to its reconstructed guardhouse and soldiers' post in the Mitte district. The adjacent Mauermuseum tells real... Continue reading →