23 Impressive Castles in Berlin (And Nearby) + Map

I love visiting castles when I travel, and Germany has some great ones. While there aren’t as many palaces and castles in Berlin as there are in other parts of Germany, the city and surrounding areas still have plenty of gorgeous palaces and stately castles to visit while you’re here.

Some are right in the city, while others are just a day trip away. Check out our list of the best castles in Berlin plus even more palaces and castles in Germany near Berlin.

Potsdam and Berlin Castle Tour Options

Walking tours and sightseeing tours can be a great way to see and learn about the sights. The information guides provide can really make exploring a city more enjoyable.

Here are a few tours we recommend for experiencing Charlottenburg Palace in Berlin as well as the many palaces in Potsdam:

• Discover Potsdam: A half day walking tour of Potsdam from Berlin
• Potsdam Sanssouci Palace: A guided tour from Berlin including bus transport
• Potsdam Bike Tour: Tour Potsdam by bike with rail transport from Berlin
• Dinner and Classic Concert at Charlottenburg Palace: 3 course dinner and a concert from the Berlin Residence Orchestra in Charlottenburg Palace

Palaces and Castles in Berlin

This first list of Berlin castles includes castles and palaces located within the city borders, though some are centrally located and others are a ways out.

Charlottenburg Palace

Top castle in Berlin to visit.

Built in 1695 as a summer palace for Sophie Charlotte (Queen Consort of Prussia at the time), the Baroque style Charlottenburg Palace is an exquisite royal residence. Easily one of the most beautiful palaces in Berlin, and maybe one of the best castles in Germany, Schloss Charlottenburg has plenty of wide sweeping gardens, elaborate Rococo interiors, and ornate furnishings.

Visitors to the palace – the largest palace in Berlin – can peer into the grand ballroom or “Goldene Galerie” and various state rooms as they explore. This is definitely a popular thing to do in Berlin, especially if you like history.

Even if you don’t want to go inside this palace, you can still admire the outside and enjoy the gardens and surrounding park for free.

Friedrichsfelde Palace

Admire from the outside while at the Tierpark Zoo, stop at the cafe for cake.

Sitting at the center of Berlin’s Tierpark (the zoo on the East side) is the eye-catching Friedrichfelde Palace. Originally constructed in 1685, the palace tells the story of Berlin’s history through its string of Prussian kings and nobles who once owned it.

Their portraits hang on the walls of its rooms decorated with lavish furnishings, floral wallpapers and gleaming chandeliers. Strolling through this Berlin palace gives you an insight of what it may have been like to live in utter luxury during the 18th century.

Today the palace holds events and concerts and even hosts weddings. When you visit the zoo, check out the palace from the outside, and take a break at the cafe to enjoy some cake.

Bellevue Palace

Not open to the public, admire from the outside.

With an idyllic setting on the Spree River, the name of the palace is fitting, translating to “beautiful view” in French. It was built in 1786 as a summer residence to Prince Augustus Ferdinand of Prussia, and t was actually the first Neoclassical style palace built in Germany.

During World War II the palace was destroyed, but it was rebuilt and has been the official residence of the President of Germany since 1994. Though not open to the public, you can admire the palace from the Tiergarten, the giant park in central Berlin that was once a hunting ground.

Berlin Palace

Ethnographic museum, great for art and history lovers.

Also known as “Berlin City Palace”, or Berliner Schloss in German, Berlin Palace is situated right in the middle of the city, a stone’s throw away from the famous UNESCO Museum Island complex. This palace has a mixed-up history of state rulers and royal ownership, and has survived both World Wars, but was severely damaged after WWII.

It wasn’t until 1950 that it was completely destroyed. Decades later in the 1970s, the Palace of the Republics was built by the Soviets.

In 2013, the palace in its original Baroque form was fully restored, though not without some controversy. Today it is the home of the Humboldt Forum where you can admire important art exhibits.

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Schönhausen Palace

Off the tourist track, pretty gardens and park.

The Baroque style Schönhausen Palace is an imposing structure surrounded by manicured green gardens through which runs the Panke River. It was built between 1685-90 for General Joachim von Grumbkow, but it was later the summer residence for Prussian Queen Elizabeth Christine in the 18th century.

She expanded the palace and made additions such as a ballroom, grand staircases, magnificent tapestries and a cedarwood gallery, making it the ornate Rococo style palace you see today. The garden also draws visitors for its Baroque fountains and colorful ceramics.

Britz Palace

Off the tourist track, pretty rose gardens and park.

Britz Palace is a manor home built in 1706. Inside the palace itself visitors will find a museum dedicated to the era of the Grunderzeit – an opulent time in Germany and Austria before the stock market crashed in 1873.

The sweeping palace grounds are also well worth visiting, complete with fountains, winding pathways, exotic plants and even Berlin’s oldest ginkgo tree. The gardens are well known for the rose garden section.

Spandau Citadel

Fortress, great for kids and families.

Spandau Citadel (Zitadelle Spandau in German) is a very well-preserved military fortress and one of the best examples of Renaissance era defenses anywhere in Europe. It was built in 1559 atop a medieval fort on an island where the Havel and the Spree Rivers meet, making it the oldest building in Berlin.

It was intended to protect the town of Spandau, now part of the German capital itself. Imposing and built of red bricks, it’s certainly a sight to behold.

>>Check out our list of popular landmarks in Germany.

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Have questions about planning your trip to Berlin?

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Köpenick Palace

Off the tourist track, feels like you’re not even in Berlin anymore.

Located on an island in the Dahme River, Köpenick Palace is attractively placed within an English-style landscape garden. This beautiful natural setting is part of the appeal of visiting, with plenty of pathways to wander and explore.

The royal residence itself is a Baroque building also known as the “Water Palace” or “Water Castle” and is the only surviving Baroque building (still in its original state) in Berlin.

Biesdorf Palace

Off the tourist track, sits in a big green park.

The Biesdorf Palace was built in 1868 and has a unique octagon-shaped tower and reddish facade. It was built for Baron von Rüxleben and is on the site of what was once a knightly manor. The palace sits among beautiful English style gardens.

Though the palace was neglected for decades, and even partially destroyed by a fire in 1945, it was recently renovated and restored. It is now a museum of art and culture, and sometimes holds lectures and concerts.

The palace is also the office of the Commission for Art in Public Space in the district of Marzahn-Hellersdorf.

As far as Berlin castles go, this isn’t the most impressive one around, but it is pretty. And if you’re looking for something a bit off the beaten path with a nice park to wander in, Biesdorf Palace is a good choice.

Castle on Peacock Island

Whimsical Berlin castle. The island is a lovely natural escape from the city for a half or full day trip.

Note: The castle is currently under construction until late 2023/early 2024, and it’s covered in tarps and scaffolding so you can’t even see the outside. The island is pretty, but if you’re main reason for visiting is the castle, I’d skip it until the renovations are completed.

The Castle on Peacock Island is named after Pfaueninsel, the islet in the River Havel where it is located.

This romantic, fairytale-esque palace was constructed on behalf of Friedrich Wilhelm II in 1797 and purposely built in the style of a derelict Roman style villa. Though the walls seem to be made of white marble, they’re actually just painted wood.

Today the palace is a charming spot to enjoy not just the palace but also its picturesque, natural setting. It’s just on the edge of the city lines and makes for a good day trip from Berlin.

Check out my full guide to visiting Peacock Island on a day trip for more details.

Glienicke Palace

Beautiful setting on the edge of Berlin and near the water.

The UNESCO-recognized Glienicke Palace, sometimes referred to as Glienicke Villa, is a Neoclassical villa on the banks of the River Havel. Prince Carl of Prussia, after returning from traveling around Italy, wished to build an Italian style villa with Mediterranean gardens. Glienicke Palace is the resulting Mediterranean manor house.

The garden is as highly regarded as the house itself, and is very enjoyable on a sunny day. Go for a stroll to admire the landscaping and the fountains.

The Glienicke Bridge, which inspired the movie Bridge of Spies, is located a short walk from this palace.

Glienicke Hunting Lodge

Administrative use, admire from the outside.

Glienicke Hunting Lodge, or Jagdschloss Glienicke, may be a hunting lodge, but don’t let the name fool you. This is an impressively palatial country estate situated on the shores of Glienicke Lake, opposite Babelsberg Palace, on the border between Berlin and Brandenburg.

It was originally built between 1682-93 for the Great Elector Friedrich Wilhelm of Brandenburg. It’s been through multiple changes – from French Baroque style remodeling, to a military hospital, a wallpaper factory and even an orphanage.

Though the lodge has a Potsdam address, it is on the edge of the Berlin-Brandenburg border, just on the Berlin side. It’s a short walk from the Glienicke Palace.

How many castles are in Berlin?

Berlin has quite a few palaces and castles, though the exact number depends on what you want to count as a castle. There are roughly 20 palaces and castles in Berlin, some of which are now university buildings or art museums or government buildings.

Potsdam Castles near Berlin

If you’re looking to get out of the city for a day, taking a day trip to Potsdam from Berlin is really worthwhile. Here you’ll find lots of history plus several castles and palaces set in beautiful gardens.

These gorgeous palaces in Potsdam are actually part of the Palaces and Parks of Potsdam and Berlin UNESCO World Heritage Site – one of three UNESCO sites in Berlin.

>>Read: How to Get From Berlin to Potsdam

Sanssouci Palace

Top palace in Potsdam to visit.

Situated in Potsdam, near Berlin, Sanssouci (translating to “without worry” in French) Palace was an important royal residence for Prussian King Frederick the Great. This summer retreat retains its magical air of majesty, and it was King Frederick’s favorite palace, gradually becoming something of a sanctuary for him.

Today, you can explore his personal rooms lavished with elegant furnishings, and meander through the leafy park and grounds. Potsdam is a popular day trip from Berlin, and Sanssouci Palace is the most famous castle in the complex and one of the most well known Prussian palaces in Germany.

Orangery Palace

Currently closed for renovations

Orangery Palace, located in Sanssouci Park, was built between 1851 and 1864 for King Friedrich Wilhelm IV. The largest palace in the park – over 300 meters long – this eye-catching structure is richly adorned with plant halls, sculptures, arcades and terraced gardens with a Mediterranean aesthetic.

The gardens here are particularly attractive and make for a fine place for a walk in any season. But go inside to see the plant halls that protects plants during winter.

Charlottenhof Palace

This former royal palace (also in Sanssouci Park) was the summer residence of Crown Prince Friedrich Wilhelm, given to him as a Christmas gift in 1825. It was built in a Neoclassical Roman style, complete with columns; most notably, the tent room was designed to look like tents used by ancient Roman generals.

There are ten rooms to explore here, all fully preserved in their original form. The surrounding garden, designed by Peter Joseph Lenne, features plenty of charming Italian style.

Neues Palace

Though in the same park as Sanssouci Palace, the New Palace is quite a different building. The Neues Palace is grand, large, and imposing. It was the last royal residence built by Frederick the Great, though he rarely lived in it. Mostly it was used for celebrations and to house guests.

Today the palace is home to 18th century art. You can easily see this palace on the same visit as several castles located in Potsdam.

Cecilienhof Palace

Great for history buffs, especially those interested in WWII and Cold War history.

Built from 1914-17 in the style of the English Tudor manor house, Cecilienhof Palace was final palace built for the House of Hohenzollern – the powerful dynasty who ruled Prussia for centuries, and later the German Empire, until World War I.

Surrounded by over 100 hectares of parkland, there are numerous apartment rooms and courtyards to wander through, including a library, a smoking lounge and, bizarrely, a room designed like a cabin on an ocean liner.

Cecilienhof Palace is also where the Potsdam Conference took place from July 17 to August 2, 1945. This was the meeting where the Allies decided how to handle post war Europe and Asia and is seen as the end of World War II and the beginning of the Cold War.

Marmorpalais

Marmorpalais, or “Marble Palace”, was built on the grounds of Neuergarten on the shores of Lake Heiliger. It was commissioned by Prussian King Friedrich Wilhelm II, in the Neoclassical style, in the late 18th century, and was used as a residence until the early 20th century.

Originally a simple two story red brick building, various wings and additions have been made over the years to create the sprawling structure visitors can see today.

Babelsberg Palace

Only open for special events. Admire from the outside and enjoy the quiet, pretty park.

Another summer residence, this one was built in 1833 for Crown Prince William who later became Emperor William I – better known as Kaiser Wilhelm I.

Designed in the Neo Gothic style with English Tudor inspiration, the interiors have been partially preserved as they were, with many Neo Gothic furnishings and decorations on display. With its battlements and flanking towers, it looks more like a Tudor castle than a 19th-century German palace.

This palace is generally not open to the public, but it’s still stunning to see from the outside. The surrounding park is nice for a walk, too.

Belvedere Pfingstberg

Great for views of Potsdam.

The Belvedere Pfinstberg is a palace that was built as an Italian Renaissance style villa for King Frederick William IV, although it wasn’t actually completed until two years after he died. This two-towered castle looms above the landscape, making for fantastic views of Potsdam and the surrounding areas.

While you’re here, you can also see the impressive Temple of Pomona located on the grounds nearby.

Other castles close to Berlin

Besides Potsdam, check out these other palaces and castles near Berlin that you can visit as day trips fro Berlin or weekend trips from Berlin.

Schwerin Castle

The Schwerin Castle is a gorgeous palace in the city of Schwerin in northern Germany. The island where the Schwerin Castle stands has been the home to several castles dating back at least to the year 942.

The castle you see today was built in the mid 1800s, though there are pieces as old as the Renaissance that have been integrated into the castle’s facade.

Today it is a museum where you can admire artwork and learn about the former residents, and it also serves as the parliament building for the Mecklenburg-Vorpommern state government.

Check out my full guide to taking a day trip to Schwerin from Berlin.

Burg Tangermünde

The Tangermünde Castle is located in the town by the same name, and it’s one of the best preserved towns in Saxony-Anhalt. The impressive castle dates back more than 1000 years, and you can get there in about 2 hours from Berlin.

For medieval castles near Berlin, Germany, you can’t beat Burg Tangermünde. Be sure to visit the fortress museum named Burgmuseum where you can learn about the castle and the town’s history.

Today the castle is a gorgeous hotel where you can step back in time – but with modern updates, of course. If you’d like to take an overnight trip here, this is a great choice.

Check prices and availability for the Ringhotel Schloss Tangermünde.

Lübbenau Castle

Maybe not the most impressive palace on the list, but if you’re looking for a nature escape from Berlin, you can stay in this palace-turned-hotel while enjoying the Spreewald Forest.

The Lübbenau Castle was originally a medieval castle with a moat around it. But it was later remodeled with a more Reniassance style and has since been changed several times over the centuries.

The castle sits in a lovely park where you can go for a leisurely stroll. Have a meal or coffee and cake at the palace’s restaurant, or splurge on a night or two at this luxury hotel.

Read my full guide to taking a day trip to the Spreewald from Berlin. And if you’d like to stay overnight, check prices and availability for the Hotel Schloss Lubbenau Spreewald.

Although you probably can’t visit all of these castles and palaces in one trip to Berlin, you can visit quite a few. You can see many of the ones in Potsdam on a day trip from Berlin to Potsdam.

The castles in Berlin’s central areas, like Charlottenburg Palace, Humboldt Forum, and Bellevue, are all easy to reach while sightseeing.

Berlin Travel Resources

I want you to have the best trip to Berlin, and hopefully this list of amazing palaces and castles in Berlin helps. But there are lots more tips on the site!

• 101 Best Things to do in Berlin
• 15 Amazing Places for the Best Views of Berlin From Above
• 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
• Where to Stay in Berlin: A Local’s Guide