Welcome to Berlin's very own Champs-Elysees: Kurfürstendamm!

A brief history

Kurfürstendamm traces its origins back to the 16th century when it served as a causeway from the city palace to the Grunewald hunting lodge and later on it was used as a bridle path for elector Joachim II. By 1886, the road was removed and the birth of a boulevard began to take place. It was only a matter of time before Kurfürstendamm emerged as the centre of heated artistic and intellectual discussion among Berlin's artist and writer community.
By the early 20th century, a number of nightclubs, theatres, and coffee houses sprouted up making the boulevard one of the most sought after in Germany. Kurfürstendamm was terribly affected during the World Wars and many of its architectural wonders were lost, however carefully planned reconstruction efforts have made the boulevard popular again.

Kurfürstendamm today

Shortened to just Ku'damm by Berliners, Kurfürstendamm happens to be one of the coolest boulevards in Berlin for a leisurely stroll. The 3.5 kilometre stretch starts from Breitscheidplatz and runs all the way to the Rathenauplatz in Grunewald. Breitscheidplatz is home to Berlin's Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church as well as trendy cafes and shops. Nearby attractions include the Berlin Zoo which is a short walk away.
The side streets of Knesebeckstrasse, Bleibtreustrasse and Fasanenstrasse are quieter and defined by architecturally stunning buildings and boutiques. They all open out into the square of Savignyplatz, where shoppers gather at the open air cafes to sample the legendary German beer in the summer. Fans of architecture should look out for the Iduna Haus which was built in 1905.

The gigantic KaDeWe department store is a fixture in any worthy Ku'damm itinerary - grab a drink in the 6th floor gourmet food area which offers superb views of Berlin. Kurfürstendamm is a great way to experience Berliners enjoying their city.

Planning your trip to Berlin? Check out our favorite downtown hotels in Berlin.

Author: David Rickerson-Seidel

Guest Relations Manager at NH Collection Berlin Mitte Friedrichstrasse

My name is David Rickerson-Seidel and I have been part of the NH Hotel Group since September 2015 when the first NH Collection Hotel opened in Germany. After 16 years of hotel experience, I was offered a great chance to meet people from all over the world and each time I was able to learn from them – this is one of the reason why I love my position as a Guest Relation Manager. My daily task is to fulfil our guest’s needs before they actually asking for it. With my passion for my job it is always a great pleasure to see our guests happy and smiling before they leave the hotel and I know that we have done the job right. I always say that the only thing that a guest can’t buy and book in advance is our smiling receptionist with a warm welcoming, the friendly breakfast host who would like to know if you slept well, and our elusive room maid, who is preparing the room so that it feels like home – our employees make the difference – this is why you are not checking into your room at a terminal. Whatever you need – we are always there for you.