Potsdamer Platz is a cast-iron example of the success of urban renewal in Berlin. This was a no man’s land during the Cold War, when Berlin was divided along political lines. In its pre-war heyday, the Potsdamer Platz had been one of Europe’s most bustling areas and the busiest traffic intersection in Europe.
After reunification in 1990, there was a desire to return the city to its former glory, so design competitions were held with the aim of restoring the square. Today, the Potsdamer Platz is packed with striking architecture, a smattering of corporate headquarters and swanky residential areas, along with plenty of entertainment in the form of shopping plazas and cinemas.
The modern Potsdamer Platz has forged a healing link in this city that was once so profoundly divided. The name Potsdamer Platz refers to the square itself, but also several of the surrounding streets are considered to form part of the Potsdamer Platz area.
This area contains one of the best vantage points for enjoying a spectacular view across Berlin—the Panoramapunkt is an open-air observation deck on top of the Kohlhof building, where Europe’s fastest elevator whisks you to the top at high speeds. From here you can see right across the city and enjoy all of its most attractive and notable landmarks from a unique elevated position.
There are some notable cultural aspects to the Potsdamer Platz as well. The Sony Centre features a vast IMAX Theatre where you can catch up on all the latest cinema releases. Film lovers should also visit Marlene Dietrich Platz, home to the annual Berlin International Film Festival. The Potsdamer Platz Arcaden is also very much worth a look for tourists. This arcade dominated by a glass-based design houses more than 150 boutiques and restaurants, making it ideal for a spot of shopping, or a bite to eat.
All in all, this is an excellent place to soak up some of the local culture and witness a significant part of Berlin’s history. Potsdamer Platz is located in central Berlin, just south of the Tiergarten and Brandenburg Gate, and is easily accessible by public transport.
