First to review Risa C.
Kurfürstendamm Strasse, or Ku'Damm as it is commonly known, is the major shopping street in West Berlin.
Although the tree-lined boulevard is home to retailers like Gucci, LaCoste, Chanel, and Louis Vuitton, the main draw is Kaufhaus Des Westens, or KaDeWe, the famous department store rivaled in size and scope only by Harrods of London.
The first six floors contain a breathtaking array of clothing and luxury goods, while the top floor is dedicated to gourmet food items including 1,800 types of cheese and 1,400 types of pastries.
There is also a café that offers weary shoppers a bit of respite and a wonderful view of West Berlin.
Besides the fantastic shopping, Ku'Damm is also known for its upscale restaurants and hotels, making it a great destination for those with a taste for luxury or those who just want to see how the other half lives.
Ku'Damm is definitely at its best during the Christmas season, when lots of twinkling lights shine down on the vendors peddling nostalgic treats like roasted chestnuts and yummy warm spiced wine. Also, be sure to check out the amazing display at KaDeWe when the whole store is transformed into a winter wonderland.
Shopping enthusiasts of all ages, and a mature, upscale clientele at many of the hotels and restaurants.
A variety of restaurants and food stands line the boulevard.
On the more expensive side.
Casual to dressy, depending on location.
At the start of Kurfürstendamm Strasse is the Kaiser-Wilhelm-Gedächtniskirche, a chapel that was heavily bombed during World War II and then left unrepaired. It is now a moving and unique anti-war monument.
Kurfurstendamm is one of those places that are described that never sleep. Although all Berlin could be qualified so, Kurfurstendamm is special. It is a major shopping location for the mass-market brands, which is always full of people. One can think of any brand to be found here, in one of the numerous shops or shopping malls, while some of the shops are multiple in this street. As you walk further, the street gets calm and romantic especially in the evening. You may enjoy your coffee or romantic dinner in the nice restaurant. Kurfurstendamm changes as the Christmas approaches. It gets covered in Christmas lights, and magic atmosphere prevails. What is more, it hosts annual Christmas Market, which attracts both locals and tourists.
While I'm definitely not wealthy enough to be considered a natural inhabitant of this street, it reminded me a lot of walking down 5th Avenue in New York City. Even if I didn't have the money to shop in all of the designer boutiques there was still plenty of window shopping to enjoy and people watching to be had. It was also a nice break to see people dressing fashionably as opposed to the all black and grey garb I had been seeing in Berlin all week. Plus in addition to the super expensive stores there were some affordable options interspersed which was great for picking something up so when my friends asked where I got my shirt I could say "oh this? I got it on the 5th Avenue of Berlin."