Kudamm, Berlin:
The shopping boulevard in the heart of City West
Kudamm, Ku’damm, Kurfürstendamm – they all refer to the same thing: the most famous street in what used to be West Berlin. Stretching 3.5 kilometres from Breitscheidplatz, home to the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church, it winds its way through Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf to Rathenauplatz on the edge of the Grunewald. Anyone who wants to really take their time strolling, looking round and exploring Berlin will end up here sooner or later.
Sights on and around the Kudamm
The Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church & Breitscheidplatz: Ruins and a new building serving as both a memorial and a meeting place
Kranzler Eck: this historic site on the corner of Joachimstaler Straße is set to be redeveloped by the end of 2026; until then, an open-air cinema and deckchairs invite visitors to linger
Europa-Center: one of West Berlin’s first high-rise buildings, featuring shops and restaurants dating from the 1960s
KaDeWe: Europe’s second-largest department store after Harrods, just a few minutes’ walk from the boulevard
Zoologischer Garten & Bahnhof Zoo: one of the world’s most biodiverse zoos, right next to City West
Schaubühne am Lehniner Platz: a renowned theatre with an international programme
HENRI’s tip:
Bikini Berlin & Monkey Bar
Anyone who’s still in the mood for some fresh air after a stroll along the boulevard will find it just a stone’s throw away: in the listed Bikini building between Bahnhof Zoo and Kudamm, Bikini Berlin – a concept mall offering views of the zoo’s monkey enclosure – has established itself. One floor up, the Monkey Bar awaits with its jungle-themed décor and one of the most beautiful sunset views in City West.
The Kudamm is one of the most easily accessible places in Berlin. The Kurfürstendamm and Uhlandstraße underground stations are right on the boulevard, and Bahnhof Zoo – with long-distance, S-Bahn and underground connections – is just a few minutes’ walk away. If you’re coming by car, you’ll find parking spaces in the side streets. You should still be prepared to be patient at weekends, though.
Offers at the HENRI Hotel Berlin
Early Bird
2 persons, 1 night
WEEKEND DEAL including breakfast
2 persons, 1 night
The history of the Kudamm: from a bridle path to a magnificent boulevard
What is now lined with luxury boutiques and cafés was originally a simple embankment. Elector Joachim II had it built in the 16th century as a bridle path between the City Palace and the Grunewald hunting lodge, hence the name Kurfürstendamm. It was Otto von Bismarck who first recognised its potential: in the 1880s, he had the street developed into a boulevard modelled on the Champs-Élysées in Paris. Wealthy citizens built magnificent houses, artists moved into the side streets, and the Kudamm became a centre of entertainment, culture and business right through to the 1920s. The Roaring Twenties found their stage here.
Following the destruction of the Second World War, the Kudamm was rebuilt and turned into a showcase for the West: after the currency reform of 1948, the business centre of West Berlin, known as City West, emerged around Zoo Station. To this day, the Kudamm remains one of Berlin’s key transport hubs and, despite competition from Potsdamer Platz, has lost none of its appeal.
Frequently Asked Questions about Kudamm, Berlin
What does ‘Kudamm’ mean?
Kudamm is the colloquial short form of Kurfürstendamm, the famous shopping and leisure boulevard in western Berlin. Berliners also say ‘Ku’damm’.
How long is the Kudamm?
The Kudamm is around 3.5 kilometres long and runs from Breitscheidplatz through Charlottenburg to Rathenauplatz on the edge of the Grunewald.
In which district is the Kudamm located?
The Kudamm is situated in the district of Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf and forms the centre of what is known as City West.
What is there to do on the Kudamm?
The Kudamm is ideal for a leisurely stroll and a spot of shopping, for a visit to a café overlooking the boulevard, and as a starting point for visiting attractions such as the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church, KaDeWe or the Zoologischer Garten.
How do you get to Kudamm?
The quickest way is to take the underground to Kurfürstendamm or Uhlandstraße. Zoo station, with its long-distance, S-Bahn and underground connections, is also just a few minutes’ walk away.
Where’s the best place to stay near the Kudamm?
The HENRI Hotel Berlin is situated on Meinekestraße, around 250 metres from the Kudamm, and is therefore within easy reach of KaDeWe, the Zoo and the sights of City West.
