Guide to Visiting Unter den Linden in Berlin
Unter den Linden is an important Berlin boulevard in the Mitte district where you’ll find lots of attractions. It’s a really pretty place to go for a stroll while doing some sightseeing in central Berlin. So what do you need to know for visiting Unter den Linden in Berlin?
In this post I’ll explain how to get to Unter den Linden, tell you about its history, share tips for seeing the important Berlin landmarks located along this street, and more. Quite a few of the best things to do in Berlin are here, so it’s worth visiting Unter den Linden on your trip to Berlin.
Hotels near or on Unter den Linden
If you’re interested in where to stay near Unter den Linden, you have lots of options that are within 10 minutes away on foot or about 10-15 minutes on public transport. Here are some hotel recommendations for Berlin hotels near Unter den Linden.
Luxury hotel where Michael Jackson infamously dangled his child, located on Unter den Linden
Upscale hotel where you can book a time to chisel off your own piece of the Berlin Wall
Midrange hotel located close to the Friedrichstrasse S&U station
Middrange hotel located close to the Friedrichstrasse S&U station and just a few minutes from Unter den Linden
Popular budget hostel located near Oranienburger Strasse Sbahn station
Budget hostel with a lively atmosphere and access to a couple different transport stations
For a more detailed look at the different neighborhoods and our hotel recommendations, check out our guide to where to stay in Berlin.
Strolling down Unter den Linden is a great way to see many of Berlin’s important sightsUnter den Linden Tours
Lots of city sightseeing tours include sights that are located along Unter den Linden, and these types of tours can be a great way to see a lot of things in a short amount of time. The information guides provide can really make exploring a city more enjoyable.
Here are a few Berlin tours we recommend:
- Discover Berlin Half-Day Walking Tour: Informative walking tour that includes Brandenburg Gate, Reichstag, Holocaust Memorial, Checkpoint Charlie, the Topography of Terror, and more
- Berlin Highlights Small-Group Bike Tour: Explore Berlin on two wheels, including Brandenburg Gate, Reichstag Building, Holocaust Memorial, Berlin Wall Memorial, East Side Gallery, and more
- Berlin City Highlights Walking Tour: This walking tour also includes lots of Berlin attractions such as Brandenburg Gate, Tiergarten, Government district, Museum Island, and more
The Berlin State Opera House is on Unter den LindenHistory and facts about Unter den Linden
So what is Unter den Linden? It’s one of the most important streets in Berlin. Unter den Linden is also Berlin’s oldest boulevard.
The grand Berlin boulevard called Unter den Linden stretches for about 1.5km (a little less than a mile) from the western edge of Museum Island to Brandenburg Gate. Many of the top sights in Berlin are located along this street.
The name “Unter den Linden” translates to “under the linden trees” or lime trees. It was named for the lime trees that once lined the street beginning in the mid 1600s.
Frederick the Great is credited with making improvements to the street in the 1700s, turning it into a gorgeous boulevard. There is a statue of him on a horse at the eastern end of Unter den Linden.
The street was almost completely destroyed during World War II. When the city was divided, Brandenburg Gate was on the border between East and West Berlin, so Unter den Linden was in East Berlin.
Though there was some rebuilding during the Cold War era, much of it resulted in buildings that looked almost identical to each other. But after reunification, many of the buildings along Unter den Linden have been restored to their former appearances.
>>Read more fun facts about Berlin.
Sights, museums, and other important buildings on Unter den Linden
Frederick the Great statue on Unter den Linden BerlinUnter den Linden packs in a lot of attractions along that 1.5km stretch of road. When you’re visiting Unter den Linden, here are some of the highlights from west to east:
Brandenburger Tor: A former city gate, this is one of the most famous landmarks in Germany.
Berlin State Library: This is an impressive Prussian building that houses a stunning library.
Equestrian statue of King Frederick II of Prussia: Frederick the Great played an important role in the development of Unter den Linden and is honored with this statue.
Humboldt University: An important university in Berlin dating back to the early 1800s and housed in several impressive buildings along Unter den Linden.
Bebelplatz: This square sits between the Humboldt University law building at the Berlin State Opera House, and it’s where you’ll find a memorial to a Nazi book burning.
The book burning memorial at Bebelplatz is an interesting place to see on Unter den LindenStaatsoper Unter den Linden: This is one of Berlin’s 3 opera houses and dates back to the mid 1700s.
Neue Wache: A memorial for victims of war and dictatorship, this building holds the moving sculpture Mother with her Dead Son by Käthe Kollwitz.
Palais Populaire: In this building, you can visit a free museum of contemporary art.
German History Museum: This important museum is in the Zeughaus, a former arsenal that is the oldest preserved building on Unter den Linden.
After this point, you will cross the river and the road continues onto Museum Island. Sometimes Museum Island, the Berlin Cathedral, and the Humboldt Forum are considered part of Unter den Linden, but technically the street name changes.
Once you cross Museum Island, the road becomes Karl-Liebknecht-Strasse, which passes the Neptune Fountain, the Berlin TV Tower, and eventually continues past Alexanderplatz.
How to visit Unter den Linden
View of Berliner Dom and TV Tower from Unter den LindenIt’s best to visit Unter den Linden by walking from one end to the other. Especially on a sunny day, this is a great way to see several important buildings and attractions in Berlin.
If you want to walk from one end to the other, you can start either at Brandenburg Gate or at Museum Island. Both spots are served by Ubahn stations.
It’s worth noting that there aren’t a ton of attractions between Brandenburg Gate and the Unter den Linden Ubahn station (though the buildings are still beautiful) so if you’re a little short on time, hop on the U5 for one stop to skip that section.
There’s also an Ampelmann store on Unter den Linden, near the Unter den Linden Ubahn station, if you’re interested in shopping for Berlin souvenirs.
What to wear on your visit
Since Unter den Linden is a long boulevard, and it’s likely only part of a big day of sightseeing, you’ll be on your feet a lot. Wear comfortable shoes, and dress for the weather at the time of year you’re visiting Berlin.
>>Read: What to Wear & What to Pack for Berlin, Germany: Your Ultimate Berlin Packing List
How to get to Unter den Linden
The Museumsinsel Ubahn station is at the eastern end of Unter den LindenUnter den Linden is easy to reach thanks to the somewhat new extension of the U5 Ubahn line. You can take the U5 to Museumsinsel or Brandenburger Tor and walk down the street to the opposite station, and you will cover the length of Unter den Linden.
Brandenburger Tor also has several Sbahn connections, which will help you if you’re coming from a different part of the city, such as the Berlin Wall Memorial at Bernauer Strasse.
The Unter den Linden station is in between Brandenburger Tor and Museumsinsel, and it is served by both the U5 and the U6. The U6 is helpful if you’re coming from the Friedrichstr S&U station (Palace of Tears Museum) or the Kochstr station (Checkpoint Charlie, Topography of Terror).
Bus line 100 also runs down Unter den Linden, and it’s a good cheap alternative to a hop-on-hop-off bus since it passes many important Berlin sites.
Things to know before you go
Before you visit Unter den Linden, here are a few more pieces of advice to help you enjoy one of the most popular places to see in Berlin.
Bebelplatz & Humboldt University law building on Unter den LindenHow much does it cost to visit Unter den Linden?
Unter den Linden is a public street, so there is no entry fee to visit. And walking down this street to admire the gorgeous buildings is one of the most popular free things to do in Berlin.
Unter den Linden opening times
Unter den Linden is a public street with no barrier to entry, so you can visit any time day or night. I recommend getting there early in the day to avoid crowds, but since it’s a long street with many things to see, you’ll be fine no matter when you arrive.
Things to do near Unter den Linden
With so many other things to do near Unter den Linden, you’re spoiled for options. And besides the things I’ve listed below, you’ll have easy access to public transport, so you can get to another part of the city for sightseeing.
Tiergarten
Tiergarten is a great park just steps away from Unter den LindenTorTiergarten is a huge inner-city park—the largest of its kind in Germany. Originally a hunting ground dating back to 1527, this vast green space has become one of the most loved public parks in Berlin over the years.
Throughout the park there are statues, memorials, ponds, tree-lined thoroughfares, and lawns. When the weather’s warm in Berlin, it’s here that people flock for strolling, picnicking, and generally hanging out, making it a great spot to people-watch.
Tiergarten is located just west of Brandenburg Gate. Check out my full guide to Visiting Tiergarten Park in Berlin.
Reichstag Building
The Reichstag Building is an important sight near Unter den Linden and Brandenburg GateOpened in 1894, the Reichstag Building is a unique piece of architecture. It is also where the German parliament meets.
You can take a tour of parts of the building, mainly in the glass dome, where you can learn more about the history of Germany. This building also has a rooftop terrace and restaurant, which promises panoramic views of Berlin.
Tours into the glass dome are free, but advanced booking is required. The Reichstag Building is located a few minutes north of Brandenburg Gate.
Holocaust Memorial
Paying your respects the Holocaust Memorial in Berlin is a mustThe Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe, often referred to as the Holocaust Memorial, honors the large number of Jewish people who died at the hands of the Nazis. It’s one of the most important World War II sites in Berlin, and it’s a few minutes south of Brandenburg Gate at the western end of Unter den Linden.
The memorial consists of 2,711 concrete blocks of varying heights, and the ground they sit on is an uneven slope similar to a wave. The information center showcases letters, diaries, photographs, and biographies of the victims to help personalize the experience.
Entrance is free. Photography is allowed (no flash inside) but please be respectful.
Do not sit on or climb on the cement slabs or take selfies. This is a place to reflect and remember those who were murdered.
Gendarmenmarkt
Gendarmenmarkt on a bright summer day in BerlinGendarmenmarkt is one of the most beautiful squares in Berlin, and it’s only a few blocks south of Unter den Linden. This historic square is home to an impressive trio of buildings: the French Church, the German Church, and the Konzerthaus.
Sadly the square was badly damaged during World War II, but today it’s mostly been restored to its former glory. Gendarmenmarkt is a great place to wander, and you can climb the French Cathedral for some really nice views of the square and surrounding area.
If you’re here over the holidays, you can visit one of the most popular Berlin Christmas markets here.
Tränenpalast
The Palace of Tears Museum is just next to the Fredrickstrasse train stationThe Palace of Tears, or Tränenpalast in German, was constructed in 1962. It is located at Friedrichstraße train station and was used by the GDR (DDR in German) dictatorship as a departure terminal for those visiting the GDR from West Berlin.
At this location, guards forced many people to leave their families and friends in tears as they were denied any access to the border. Today, this free museum is used as a reminder of the great separation of Germany and all the tears that were shed in connection with it.
It’s one of the best Cold War attractions in Berlin. You can walk there from Unter den Linden in 5-15 minutes depending on where you are along the boulevard, or it’s one stop on the U5 from the Unter den Linden station.
Read more about visiting the Palace of Tears Museum in Berlin.
Museum Island
Alte Nationalgalerie on Berlin’s Museum IslandJust before the street changes names to Unter den Linden is Museum Island, one of Berlin’s top attractions. UNESCO Museum Island is the name of a complex of multiple museums loaded with historic marvels.
Museum Island includes five museums in total: Pergamonmuseum, Altes Museum, Alte Nationalgalerie, Bode Museum, and Neues Museum. Each museum has a different focus, including Egyptian art, antiquities, Romantic, Impressionist and early Modernist art, Byzantine art, Islamic art, collections of coins, a bust of Nefertiti, the Pergamon Alter, and much more.
Visiting a lot of museums on your Berlin trip? It might be worth getting a Welcome Card.
The Museum Island Welcome Card gives you a 72 hour transport pass, free entry to all museums and collections on Berlin’s Museum Island (Pergamon Museum, Bode Museum, Altes Museum, Alte Nationalgalerie, and Neues Museum), and discounts at many other museums and attractions.
Another option is the normal Welcome Card which gives you discounted entrance to the museums on Museum Island plus discounts at many other museums and attractions. It also includes a transport pass with an option for either 48 hours, 72 hours, 4 day, 5 day, or 6 day.
Berliner Dom
Berlin Cathedral with TV Tower behind itThe Berlin Cathedral, or Berliner Dom in German, is a gorgeous Protestant cathedral located on Museum Island. It’s one of the most well known attractions in the city.
Tours are available (when religious services are not taking place) and included with the admission fee if you are interested in hearing about the history of the cathedral. You can also climb 270 stairs for lovely panoramic views of Berlin.
In front of the cathedral, you’ll find a gorgeous park called Lustgarten where people often relax on warm, sunny days.
Book a tour for your trip to Berlin
Berlin Travel Resources
I want you to have the best trip to Berlin, and hopefully this guide to visiting Unter den Linden in Berlin is helpful. But there are lots more tips on the site!
- 101 Best Things to do in Berlin
- 23 Impressive Castles in Berlin (And Nearby)
- 27 Best World War II & Cold War Sights in Berlin
- 29 Fun Day Trips From Berlin
- 75 Things to Know Before Visiting Berlin: Essential Berlin Travel Tips
- What to Wear & What to Pack for Berlin, Germany: Your Ultimate Berlin Packing List
- How to Get Around in Berlin: An Easy Guide to Berlin Public Transportation
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Ali is originally from the US, but she’s been living in Germany since 2011. In 2015, she and her husband moved to Berlin where they now live with their small dog. They even bought an apartment in Berlin in 2021 – Berlin is definitely home now! Ali’s goal is to show you everything you need to know for enjoying a trip to Berlin.
