Berlin

Berlin is one of the world´s largest cities and first-timers may have a hard time getting a handle on this sprawling metropolis.  The old political and geographical boundaries that divided East Berlin from West Berlin have disappeared now, but there is still a marked difference between the two areas.  The eastern side of the city has a more trendy appeal and quite stunning architecture - not saying that the west does not have these things too, but it is as though the east has tried a lot harder to catch up and ended up surpassing the west!

If you are seeking history, then Berlin is a good place to come - with its wide streets and flamboyant government buildings it is possible to spend a day wandering around being awed by the city.  If that does not appeal to you, then drinking and eating seems like a natural pastime for many Berliners - whether you are seeking outdoor cafes (even in the winter!) or trendy Michelin-starred restaurants, they can all be found in Berlin.

The gay scene is thriving in Berlin and it is estimated that 1 in 10 of its inhabitants is gay, lesbian or bisexual.  This makes the city one of the top 3 cities in Europe (by size of population) along with Amsterdam and London.  As a result, the gay scene integrates seemlessly with the straight scene and same-sex couples are a part of everyday life.

In the former West Berlin, the "establihsed", mainly male gay scene is centered around the Nollendorfplatz in Schoenberg.  This is the first place that many gays will head for when they come to Berlin and houses an assortment of bars, restaurants, hotels and nightlife.  In Kreuzberg, a traditionally liberal and multi-ethnic district there is a less centralised scene which is more intertwined with the vibrancy of the diverse residents.  The gay museum is also based in Kreuzberg and is a private museum dedicated to documenting gay and lesbian history, art and culture. 

Over in the former eastern side of the city there is a newer scene which has its roots in the partially political gay and lesbian movement which gained ground towards the end of the GDR.  Prenzlauer Berg is the traditional heart of this scene but with the district's gentrification gay life has certainly become more sophisticated in this district.  The same thing is also happening with the downmarket Friedrichshain area.  One word of warning: for people who want to travel east of Ostkreuz, certain right wing elements might make gay and lesbians feel uncomfortable and so approach these areas with caution.