MITTE. Since the end of Communism in 1989, this bustling eastern square has enjoyed an ongoing transformation. The railway station splits the area in half, with the Platz proper on one side and the Marx-Engels Forum and Television Tower on the other. Be sure to visit the café located at the pinnacle of the Television Tower. It revolves 360 degrees every 30 minutes and offers a majestic view of Berlin. S-BAHN, U-BAHN: Alexanderplatz

MITTE. This is one of the most popular areas for antique shopping. Stores and street vendors carry everything from bric-a-brac to one-of-a-kind lamps.

MITTE. Considered the main drag of what was once East Berlin, Friedrichstrasse has shrugged off its cobwebs and emerged as one of the city's more cutting-edge commercial zones. Where visitors once found ho-hum trinket and souvenir stands, they now discover a bustling central district that's the epitome of 21st century capitalism. Indeed, high-end markets, boutiques, department stores, and restaurants stand in the shadows of modern office buildings, giving Friedrichstrasse the look and feel of London, the Big Apple, and other fashion centers. U-BAHN: Friedrichstrasse and Französische Strasse

KREUZBERG. Located near the center of the city, this area was the military crossing point to and from East and West Berlin. Since the fall of the Berlin Wall, it has become prime real estate and has seen an economic boom. Kreuzberg boasts historic appeal, picturesque parks, quaint streets, and a renowned Turkish community ­ the fifth-largest in the world. Along the Oranienstrasse you'll find an eclectic mix of local-designer shops, bookstores, welcoming cafes and Turkish restaurants. U-BAHN: Görlitzer Bhf.

Kreuzberg has one of the youngest populations in Berlin, drawn to the cheap rents and abundant night-life. Although it may not be that way for long ­ gentrification is slowing creeping through the suburb, much to the dismay of the city's active left-wing community, who are gradually being moved out of the squatted buildings they've made their homes for years. Typical of Kreuzberg, the Bergmannstrasse, or Bergmannkiez ("neighbourhood") as it's known to locals, provides an interesting mix of shops and scenes. It's here that you'll find Turkish second-hand dealers alongside gay cafes, live-music venues and vintage clothing stores. U-BAHN: Mehringdamm