The Berlin Wall A 1km length of the Wall between Oberbaumbrücke and the Hauptbahnhof (main railroad station) has recently been covered with murals by various artists, and is the longest remaining stretch of this once grim, physical reminder of a divided city. The Wall was officially designated by the East German government as a Protective Wall against Fascism when it was erected in 1961. This 'East Side Gallery' is a nice counterpoint to the far more austere 'Checkpoint Charlie' section still intact further south. 

Alexanderplatz This impressive square was once the heart of East Berlin life, but its history stretches back much further. Look for the eight porcelain panels in the pedestrian tunnel at the Hotel Stadt Berlin. They show (from left to right) the King's Gate in 1730, the cattle market on the counterscarp outside the King's Gate in 1780, the King's Bridge in 1785, the wool market in the Alexanderplatz in 1830, the Alexanderplatz about 1900, the square in 1930, the square in May 1945, as destroyed during the war, and the rebuilt square in autumn 1968. Of the pre-war buildings in the square only Berolina House (now the town hall of the central district of Berlin) and Alexander House on the south side survive. Hotel Stadt Berlin, built between 1967 and 1970, with 30 floors, the World Clock and the Fountain of Friendship between Peoples (Brunnen der Völkerfreundschaft) are visions of how the communists thought the modern city should look like - fascinating if grim.

Reichstag (Parliament Building) Platz der Republik, Tiergarten. Open daily 10am-6pm. The queues are long and slow, but it's worth the wait. This impressive building is the seat of the German parliament and was, until it was seized by the Nazis in 1933, the seat of the Weimar Republic. Take the glass elevator to the domed roof of Foster's dream-like extension to this neo-Renaissance palace, which was heavily damaged during the war, but has since been painstakingly rebuilt. 

Brandenburg Gate The monumental sandstone structure of the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin's Mitte district was modelled on the Acropolis of Athens when it was constructed in 1788-91 to lend a suitably grand centrepiece to the western end of Unter den Linden. The central passage was reserved for the carriages of the royal court; the four side passages were used by ordinary traffic. Throughout its life, the gate has been the focus of many grand parades, some of which have been incorporated into its relief. The Quadriga (Victoria, Goddess of Victory driving a the four-horsed chariot) was destroyed in the Second World War - but with the aid of plaster models a new Quadriga was made and took the place of its predecessor in Sept. 1958. 

Schloss Charlottenburg Luisenpl. Closed Mon, OpenTues.-Fri. 9am- 5pm. A grand imperial palace, once a city residence for the Prussian rulers. In the 18th century Frederick the Great made a number of additions, such as the dome and several wings designed in the rococo style. By 1790 the complex had evolved into a massive royal domain that could take a whole day to explore. The Altes Schloss is the main building with the ground-floor suites of Friedrich I and Sophie-Charlotte. The official tour takes in the Oak Gallery, the early-18th-century palace chapel, and the suites of Friedrich Wilhelm II and Friedrich Wilhelm III. But save time for the immaculately laid-out gardens and the Belvedere Teahouse.

Gendarmenmarkt From Friedrichstrasse it is only a few minutes' walk southwards to Gendarmenmarkt, one of Berlin's most beautiful and harmonious squares. Chief attraction here is the collection of three graceful buildings - the Schauspielhaus (Theater), the French Cathedral and the German Cathedral. The square was laid out in the 17th C. and first named the Esplanade. Having suffered considerable damage in the Second World War, most of it was rebuilt in its original form during the GDR period. 

The Nikolaiviertel  This atmospheric little quarter in Berlin's Mitte district, southwest of the Rotes Rathaus (Red Town Hall), is the very core of old Berlin, on the site of the oldest known settlement on a ford around the Nikolaikirche (St. Nicholas' Church). Small compact houses, narrow winding streets filled with restaurants, cafes and shops make this pedestrian precinct a real joy. Worth seeking are the old fountains, lanterns and lattice-windows belonging to a number of the houses. 

Radio Tower Berlin Funkturm Messedamm 22, Open Daily 10am-11pm. Known to Berliners as "The Beanpole" (langer Lulatsch) the tower was built in 1924, during the Third Radio Exhibition. As well as being used for transmitting purposes, it was intended for use as a viewing tower and lighthouse for aircraft. In 1929 the world's first television picture was transmitted from it. From the restaurant, at 55 metres, or observation platform at 126 metres, there are magnificent panoramic views of the city. 

St Hedwig's Cathedral Chausseestr 128/129. Open daily 10am-6pm Sunday 12pm-6pm. The baroque St Hedwig's was begun in 1747. Apart from the Cathedral, St Hedwig's is the only church built in Berlin during the time of Frederick the Great. It was named St Hedwig's Cathedral after the wife of Duke Henry of Silesia, who was much revered in Silesia (as the area was then known). The church was destroyed by fire in the Second World War and was rebuilt between 1952-63. The rather plain interior is modern, (architect Hans Schwippert), but the original structure of the dome has been preserved.

St Mary's Church Marienkirche Karl-Liebknecht-Strasse 8. Open daily 10am-6pm. Marienkirche is Berlin's second-oldest surviving parish church, first mentioned in 1294. It was burned down in 1380 but rebuilt a few years later. The frescoes within are rich and detailed, featuring scenes from the plague which ravaged Europe in the 15th century. The bronze font and fine Baroque pulpit are overshadowed by the huge organ which dates from 1722. The statue of Luther near the church is all that remains of a large monument to the Reformation.

Television Tower Berlin Television Tower Panoramastrasse 1A. Open daily 9am-1pm. Arguably Berlin's chief landmark, the 'asparagus tower' stands 365m/1,200ft high. The tower was designed by Fritz Dieter and Günther Franke in co-operation with Swedish engineers. Work began in August, 1965, and the tower was brought into operation in October, 1969. Two high-speed lifts take visitors up to the observation floor from which there are panoramic views, extending in clear weather for anything up to 40km. The Tele-Cafe rotates once every 30 minutes. 

Berlin Cathedral/ Dom Berlin Dom Lustgarten. Open daily 10am-5pm, Sun 12am-5pm. 
Berlin Cathedral in the Mitte district, designed by Julius Carl Raschdorff, was built in 1894-1905 on the site of an earlier cathedral church dating from the time of Frederick the Great. Today's building, recently beautifully restored to its former glory in the New Baroque style, is divided into three main sections: in the north the dilapidated Memorial Church, in the south the Baptismal and Nuptial Church and in the centre the Parish Church. The dome is 74.8 metres high. 

Olympic Stadium Olympische Platz. Open Wed-Sun 10am-6pm. The Berlin Olympic Stadium was built in 1934-36 for the XI Summer Olympics in 1936, at the height of the Third Reich. Designed in typical monumental style by Werner March, it replaced the German Stadium, built on the same site. The stadium is the focal point of the "Reichssportfeld" (Imperial Sports Field), which embraces a large number of other facilities. The stadium can seat 90,000 spectators. Today football matches are played here, including the German equivalent of the F.A. Cup Final in May each year.