Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf

The regal retail nucleus of the West
Noteworthy for: After the Berlin Wall went up, former consumer centre Mitte was subsumed into the East, making this area – called City West – the heart of West Berlin.

Talk of the town: The large Russian contingent here has earned the area the nickname 'Charlottograd'.
Home to grand tree-lined boulevards, lofty white mansions and the largest royal residence in the city, Charlottenburg has often been compared to Paris' Champs Elysees. But just like the decadent French district, the elegance has been somewhat muted by the demands of capitalism, and chain stores dominate the vast shopping street of Kurfurstendamm (Ku'damm). However, escape the crowds onto the interesting cobbled side streets – especially around Ludwigkirchplatz and Savignyplatz – with their many boutiques and bistros.

Once the literary and creative heart of West Berlin, after the Wall came down the bohemians moved east, and Charlottenburg somewhat lost its edge. However, with many affluent families and couples living in the stunning apartment buildings, there are still some of the finest restaurants and bars to be found here. This is also one of Berlin's greenest districts with the serene Tiergarten and grand Grunewald Forest here, and culture abounds with museums like the Käthe Kollwitz centre and sights such as the beautiful Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church.