Fifteen years after the Wall came down, the last few pieces of Berlin's 21st-century puzzle are falling into place. The huge new central station at Lehrter Bahnhof will be open by publication time, Peter Eisenmann's city-block-sized Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe is already attracting visitors, and the last few futuristic buildings are rising in the new city centre at Potsdamer Platz. Wel-established as a budget flight destination that offers plentiful partying at affordable prices, world-class orchestras and theatre, a thriving alternative culture, one of Europe's liveliest gay scenes, non-stop nightlife, an unparalleled collection of museums and galleries, and one of the world's most important film festivals, Germany's cosmopolitan capital now looks forward to hosting the 2006 FIFA World Cup Final. In its seventh edition, Time Out Berlin continues to chart the ups and downs of this most changeable city. With the help of local journalists, writers and experts, the Time Out Berlin Guide takes you beyond the superficial - into the places where locals work and play, sampling the full extent of its museums and galleries, the best of its eating, shopping and carousing, the most interesting sights, strolls and excursions.

Time Out Berlin is researched and written by genuine experts. Dance correspondent Petra Roggel is a leading choreographer. Theatre and Cabaret writer Priscilla Be is a director and performer. Classical music writer David Canisius plays violin in the Berlin Chamber Orchestra and organises the Yellow Lounge classical club nights. Film critic Andrew Horn won a prize at the 2004 Berlin Film Festival for his film The Nomi Song. And our Architecture correspondent Michael Lees is the man Sony commissioned for their own survey of how Potsdamer Platz was working.