Rick Steves' Top Tip To Get The Best Views Of Berlin's Breathtaking Architecture

The Berlin skyline is a striking mix of architectural styles, from modernist Bauhaus buildings to neoclassical museums. Add the remnants of Soviet-era social housing and it's a landscape full of contradictory designs, immersed in the past and focused on the future. But far from being an eyesore, the conflicting structures blend together in unexpected harmony.  You don't need to be an architecture expert to appreciate the beauty lining the center of the German capital since the fall of the Berlin Wall. And one of the best ways to see it is from the water. As Rick Steves suggests: "It's worth taking a boat tour or pedaling a rental bike along the Spree River just for the chance to glide by all the sleek new governmental architecture that lines its banks."

The Spree River, which starts in the Lusatian Mountains, winds its way through the city center before joining the Havel River on the western outskirts of Berlin. It's from here you'll have front-row views of many of the city's most famous structures. Among them is Museum Island, a UNESCO World Heritage site situated between the river and the Spree Canal. The island contains five museums built between 1824 and 1930, which are just as impressive on the outside as the treasures and artwork found within.

These must-see historic structures draw millions of tourists each year. Among the more contemporary structures that catch the eye are the Pei Building, a glass exhibition space connected by a sleek glass foyer to the grand baroque Zeughaus, or German History Museum, dating from 1695. Or the impressive glass dome sitting on top of the Reichstag, the seat of German parliament. Originally completed in 1894, it burned down in 1933. The glass dome was added in 1992 as a symbol of transparency within the government.

With so much stunning architecture to see in this historic city, the question is: what type of tour should you take? Starting on the water, choose from city tours, sightseeing cruises, sunset sailings, or guided canoe trips with GetYourGuide. The popular one-hour guided city tours for around $25 take you past some of the most recognizable landmarks, such as Berlin Cathedral, a superb Neo-Renaissance building with towers and domes visible from miles away. Or the Siegessaule (Victory Column), built in 1865 to commemorate Germany's military victories over France, Austria, and Denmark.

A sunset tour for around $35 lets you drift along the river as the sun goes down, showcasing the city in a different light. Pass by the beautiful double-tiered Oberbaum Bridge as it shines against the evening sky. Enjoy from a different, more active, perspective by renting a canoe for around $45. Paddle your way along the canals and through the district of Kreuzberg, the multicultural heart and one of the hippest neighborhoods of Berlin.

But you don't have to stay on the water. Rent a bike and pedal along riverside paths, or follow the huge network of cycle paths and head towards the East Side Gallery. Once part of the Berlin Wall, it's now nearly a mile of artworks, making it the longest open-air art gallery in the world. You could also hop on a sightseeing bus and discover the rest of the city at your own pace. Stops include the Brandenburg Gate, Berlin's most famous landmark, and a lasting symbol of peace and unity. If you're feeling energetic, you could always opt for a walking tour, or use your time in the city as a starting point for a road trip to take in the beauty of Germany by car.

The diversity and changing cityscape of Berlin have drawn many filmmakers, perhaps attracted by both the visual variety and the weight of history that lingers in the streets. It's no surprise that Berlin has been the setting for many WWII and Cold War-inspired films. Some that stand out are Cabaret (1972), filmed in several parts of the city, notably Charlottenburg and the Tempelhof district. Wings of Desire (1987), which follows the story of two angels, shows bird's-eye views of landmarks like Potsdamer Platz and the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church. Then there's Run Lola Run (1998), where the central character spends much of her time running through the city, in locations around the Oberheim Bridge.

For the musically-minded, don't miss a visit to Hansa Studios at the Meistersaal, a neo-classical former chamber music concert hall turned recording studio. The walls have been ears to all genres of music, and many classic albums were and still are recorded here, including Iggy Pop's Lust for Life and David Bowie's Heroes. Take a tour of this legendary venue with Berlin Music Tours.

Berlin may have its share of memorial buildings, but it also surprises with more unusual architecture. Check out the crown-shaped Tempodrom, a futuristic building that houses spas, saunas, and baths — perfect for soothing weary feet at the end of a day's sightseeing. Or for a darker side to Berlin's past, head underground and wander through the WWII air raid shelters, bunkers, and subway systems for a look at what life was like all those years ago.