It's a well known hipster hangout, but Berlin is not just about style - although there's plenty of it, from fashion to architecture. Learn about the city's turbulent history, see some world-class live music and shop for low-cost gourmet grub at the markets. Oh, and of course, taste test some of the world's best beer (just don't tell Bavaria). Here's a selection of must-sees in the German capital: 1. The Berlin Wall Memorial The best place to learn more about the Berlin Wall and the division of Germany is the official Berlin Wall Memorial on Bernauer Strasse, north of the centre. The border ran right along the façades of the houses here, and after residents were evacuated and the lower floors were bricked up, people still managed to flee the GDR by jumping out from the top floors. 2. Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra The Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra is without doubt one of the best in the world. Directed by Englishman Sir Simon Rattle, it performs regularly in Berlin, and tours the world extensively. The orchestra's home is the striking yellow tent-shaped Philharmonie near Potsdamer Platz. 3. Three panoramic places Berlin may be a relatively flat city with only a handful of high-rise buildings, but there are several places to get great panoramic views across town. The Panoramapunkt at the top of the brick Kollhoff tower on Potsdamer Platz is a terrific city centre viewpoint., open daily 10am - 8pm. 4. Take a tour with a difference There are dozens of tours around Berlin’s tourist sights, but perhaps the most interesting is to join small tours around the outlying districts. The history here is no less interesting than in the city centre, and you'll get insights into normal daily life. 5. Markthalle 9 Only two of Berlin's thirteen market halls survive, and the beautiful 'number 9' hall in Kreuzberg, dating back to 1891, has been revived with a lively weekly farmers' market. Wander around the many enticing stalls on a Friday or Saturday (10am to 6pm) - it's a great place for fresh regional food and a cheap way to dine out. 6. Clärchens Ballhaus Generations of Berliners have danced the nights away at Clärchens since it opened in September 1913. Here, Berliners could have fun and perhaps dance with the man or woman of their dreams. The photos at the entrance show that very little has changed over the last 100 years, though the front of the building, now a terrace, was bombed in the war. 7. Tempelhofer Freiheit Park Visiting a former airfield may not sound very exciting, but step out onto the runways of the now abandoned Tempelhof Airport and there's two kilometres of wide empty track stretchng out before you, then you'll get the appeal of such an afternoon. Tempelhof was built in the 1930s and was meant to be the world's most advanced airport and one of the world's largest buildings. 8. Have a beer in Berlin's microbreweries Bavaria may have Germany's most famous beer brands, but Berlin has a long tradition of brewing too. In recent years several exciting new brewers have set up shop. Hidden in a Wedding student housing complex, Eschenbraeu is well worth visiting for its home-brewed beers and flammekuchen pies. 9. Go urban exploring Photographers, graffiti-artists and the plain curious are all drawn to Berlin's many abandoned and ruined places, and several websites are dedicated to 'urban exploration' self-guided tours. Southeast of the city centre in the Treptow district, the former Spreepark amusement park is one of the most spectacular examples; the Ferris wheel and many rides are slowly being swallowed by the forest, and can be visited on a tour or just by wandering in. 10. Party on at a festival Berliners like to celebrate outside during the warm summer. But the festival season starts off each year in the midst of winter with the Berlinale Film Festival in February, which sees thousands of Berliners and foreigners retreat to warm cinema halls to watch the best new film releases.

• published: 01 Feb 2016
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