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Although Berlin has undergone constant change and suffered large-scale destruction, the pace of development in the German capital has been truly phenomenal, transforming it into one of Europe's most vibrant and dynamic cities. Yet the sprawling metropolis is often overlooked by tourists looking for that cheap city break.

Berlin's history is one of the oldest and most brutal in Europe, but in terms of things to see the city has no definite centre and pockets of attractions are dotted all over.
Thankfully, Berlin's cheap and highly efficient public transport system means you can navigate your way between these with relative ease.

An interconnected three-zone system (ABC) permits you to hop from bus to underground (U-Bahn) to surface rail (S-Bahn) and tram with one ticket. Trams are fast and convenient, although they do have right of way in the east, and small ferries will get you across Berlin's lakes.

To drive, Berlin is perfectly accessible with its wide, long avenues and main roads. The Berliner Ring ring-road also permits you to easily commute from one side of the city to the other.
The densest array of attractions is to be found to the east of Brandenburg Gate, on either side of Unter den Linden. Berlin has more than 170 museums and collections, offering everything from the ancient to the ultra-modern - the Egyptian Nefertiti, the greek Pergamon Altar, the painters of the "Brucke" and the "Bauhaus" and works by Baselitz and Beuys.

But perhaps the landmark most associated with Berlin, and the reason many choose to visit the city, is the Wall. Erected by the East German government in 1961, the Berlin wall represented the division not only of Berlin, but of Germany, Europe and the Western world. For over 40 years, Berlin was the focal point for tension between east and west, and it is a history drenched in blood.

Today, there are only a few remnants of wall fortifications that remain. But the Checkpoint Charlie museum is well worth a visit, and brings home the humanity of the well over 100 people who died attempting to breach the wall.

Socially speaking, Berlin also offers an array of activities to suit all tastes. The cosmopolitan city, with its jazz cafes, beer halls, and Latin clubs echoes its pre-war position as the capital of Bohemian sub-culture. Looking for Berlin Hotels? Then visit Traveldir the best choice of hotels in Berlin.

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