The German capital's property market is currently thriving. With the city undergoing a radical transformation it's a great place to visit or relocate to

Berlin needs little introduction. It's a city finally coming into its own after 50 years of history that left it scarred and wrought in two. Its position at the centre of global controversy, and at the heart of a further series of tragic events in the period following the Second World War, where the Wall scythed through the city separating the capitalist west and communist east, manifesting global Cold War tensions on a physical level to the detriment of a once great city.

When the Berlin Wall came down in 1989 a nation rejoiced; the prospect of German reunification loomed and street parties broke out across the city. What followed in the 1990s was a period of depression. The return of the national government to Berlin could not mask the difficulty of integrating two separate systems. Pockmarked with decaying buildings and vast swathes of undeveloped land, the German capital looked a sorry state. The west fared better than the east. Years of capitalism and sustained development through American investment yielded a healthy economy and widespread regeneration. The communist east after years under Soviet central planning, left as its legacy, concrete monuments and a crumbling infrastructure.

Evolving outlooks Since the turn of millennium it has been all change. Berlin is now at the heart of a new European outlook. It has been buoyed by its contradictions, the dichotomy between new and old, capitalist and communist; the constant collision of ideas and methodologies has led to an incredibly unique city. The Soviet kitsch of the east has met the refined capitalism of the west, and the results are fantastic. Attracted by low rents, glorious tree lined streets and an abundance of space, a creative community has established itself in the east of Berlin. And as is often the case, has acted at the forefront of regeneration efforts and subsequent gentrification. Now Berlin possesses low property prices, it's at the forefront of a growing economy, the centre of many multinational companies' European operations, and has a vibrant buzz that lends itself to enjoying life. From the expensive districts of central Berlin along Wilhelmstrae that houses designer shops and post-modern embassy buildings, to the cobbled streets of Prenzlauerberg in the east, and the edgy district of Kreuzberg, Berlin can provide for people of every taste.

A glut of established, world renowned cultural institutions, an extensive transport system and the feeling of space - Berlin claims one of the largest city footprints to population numbers in the world - make Berlin a fantastic prospect. Rising amongst this new Berlin are a number of building projects that complement the existing architecture of the city. Potsdamer Platz, once a vast area of wasteland bisected by the wall, is now a monument to the energy and spirit of reunited Berlin. A public square at the heart of the city, it has been the focal point of reconstruction, a symbolic point: the final piece of the jigsaw in uniting east and west. Its star is the Sony Centre; the complex funded by company to act as its headquarters in Europe and designed by Helmut Jahn is one of the finest examples of modern architecture in Berlin. Constructed predominantly of glass and metals, it's a light, airy structure, whose windmill inspired roof is lit to evoke a series of moods. At night it's a spectacular installation of light that encloses a courtyard that's the focus of the area's nightlife.

The east end Alexanderplatz is testament to the tenacity and vision of Soviet planners. Unashamedly moulded in varying shades of concrete, it's a transport hub, houses an atomic clock that's straight out of a 1950s vision of the future and is surrounded by slightly decaying apartment blocks that line huge boulevards. It's a shot at St Petersburg that missed the target, but now provides a startlingly endearing vision of planned growth. A monolithic square, cast in varying hue of grey, it is dominated by the Frensehturm TV Tower, easily the tallest building in Berlin. The Reichstag, destroyed by fire in the 1930s and wrecked throughout the subsequent war, has been restored as a national monument and the seat of German parliament.

Crowned with a glass dome designed by Norman Foster - a modern version of the original that acts as a viewing platform from which one can take in breathtaking 360-degree-views of the city. Olympic legacy Out to the west of the city lies the Olympic Stadium. The subject of some debate over the legacy that it represents for Germany, thought of as a relic of the Third Reich, it was built for the 1936 Olympics in which Jesse Owens embarrassed a watching Adolf Hitler. Some favoured its demolition and complete reconstruction but it's hard not to be won over by the architecture, classical in design, aping as it does, a Roman amphitheatre.

After much debate it was decided to undertake a sensitive modernisation prior to the 2006 FIFA World Cup. Outfitted with seats and a floating roof, it has long acted as the home ground of Hertha BSC football club. Worth a visit for its inspirational form and fine views in the evening, as the sunset is framed in the gap of the horseshoe, shining on the Olympic torch that still burns there. Life & Style Urban beaches During the summer months central Berlin moves the seaside to the banks of the river Spree. Urban beaches, a concept wholeheartedly embraced by cities such as Paris and London are a regular feature of Berlin life. Each year tons of sand is imported from Italy to form small islands of calm in the city.

Deserted carparks and urban wasteland are transformed into places to laze in the sun, sip cocktails and party with the city's young and beautiful. Tiergarten Contrary to rather stringent public nudity laws that stifle other European capitals - forcing their inhabitants to cover up like Victorians - the public of Berlin are rather relaxed about baring all indiscriminately. A stroll through the Tiergarten, the sprawling park in the city centre that is bracketed by the museum district and the Reichstag, can reveal naked bodies relaxing in the sun throughout the summer. The park is expansive and secluded spots are plentiful, all this seems to encourage plenty of self-expression.