Kurfürstendamm, Berlin
1 / 4
Kurfürstendamm - by Andre Drechsel from Pixabay
Description
The Kurfürstendamm (usually referred as Ku’damm) is one of Berlin's most famous avenues. It is a 3.5km long boulevard lined by 4 rows of plane trees and links the Breitscheidplatz, where the ruins of the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church stand with the Grunewald district to the southwest. There are fashion designer shops, car showrooms, hotels and restaurants. The street takes its name from the former Kurfürsten (prince-electors) of Brandenburg and "Damm" refers to a long road or corduroy road. During the 1920's the boulevard was a centre of leisure and nightlife in Berlin and, post-1961, it became the leading commercial street of West Berlin until the German reunification.
Access & Transport
Zoologischer Garten (U2, U9, S3, S5, S7, S9 and regional trains) and Kurfürstendamm station (U1, U9) serve the Breitscheidplatz / eastern side extensively. Going westward, Uhlandstraße (U1), Adenauerplatz (U7) and Halensee stations (S41, S42, S45, S46) are all located along the avenue. There are also several bus stops near or on Kurfürstendamm.
Instructions & Recommendations
We recommend visiting from mid-morning onward when shops open (many shops also close on Sundays). This activity is best combined with the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church & Breitscheidplatz and the Berlin Zoological Gardens.
Environmental & Social
No environmental data for the area but there is a lot of asphalts, concrete, glass, metal and electricity consumption involved. Socially slightly negative because of the heavy focus on commercial activities driven by big brands / chains and advertising.
Conclusion
The Kurfürstendamm is still Berlin's most famous high-end shopping street but is facing competition from the likes of Potsdamer Platz, Alexanderplatz and Friedrichstraße. If you are in a shopping frame of mind or have plenty of time it is certainly worth walking part, or all of it. If that is not the case, there are better ways to allocate your time in Berlin.
Key positive
Extensive choice for shopping, designer stores in particular
Well connected to the public transport network
The Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church at the eastern end of the avenue is worth seeing
Key negative
Not much else to do besides shopping and restaurants
Suitability
No restrictions
About this Rating
TYPE
Desktop
RESEARCHED IN
May 2024
PROVIDER
Koreval
av. transport time:0h 25m
est. visit time:1h 30m
Sunrise / early morningNo
MorningOk
Lunch timeOk
AfternoonOk
Sunset / eveningOk
Night – bef. midnightOk
Night – aft. midnightNo