27 Famous Landmarks in Berlin You Can’t Miss
Berlin has tons of amazing tourist attractions and landmarks. These landmarks in Berlin help shape the landscape of Germany’s capital and add to its personality, and each one has a story behind it.
If you want to see Berlin’s most recognizable and famous landmarks, we’ve got you covered. Some of the Berlin landmarks on this list are more well known than others, but they’re all interesting and worthwhile to see on your trip.
Berlin sightseeing tours
Walking tours and sightseeing 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

Where to stay in Berlin
Berlin has lots of great neighborhoods for you to stay in and explore. If you’re visiting Berlin for the first time, it might be best for you stay somewhere central.
Many of the attractions are in Mitte or easily connected to Mitte by Berlin’s public transport, so you should stay somewhere in that region. Here are a few hotels we recommend.
For a more detailed look at the different neighborhoods and our hotel recommendations, check out our guide to where to stay in Berlin.
Or read my full review of the 25Hours Hotel in Charlottenburg with fantastic views of the Zoo and Tiergarten.
Must See Landmarks in Berlin
Check out these Berlin landmarks that should definitely be included in your itinerary and your Berlin bucket list. You can learn a lot about the city’s history and culture at these monuments, statues, buildings, and museums.
Let’s dig in and explore!
Berlin landmarks map
All the landmarks I’ve talked about in this blog post are on this map I created to help you see where they are in the city.
Brandenburg Gate
This is probably the most recognizable landmark in Berlin and the whole of Germany. It’s the last remaining city gate in Berlin and was built between 1788 and 1791.

During the Cold War, the gate sat on the line between East and West Berlin and was inaccessible. Once the Wall came down, Brandenburg Gate came to symbolize the reunification of Germany.
No matter how touristy it is, I still think it’s worth seeing, and I always make sure to take visiting friends here for a few photos.
- Location: Pariser Platz, 10117 Berlin
- Hours: Open 24 hours a day
- Admission: Free
>>Check out this post about how many days you need to see Berlin.
TV Tower
The Berlin TV Tower, or Fernsehturm, could easily challenge Brandenburg Gate for the award of most famous landmark in Berlin. The tower was built during the Cold War by the Soviets and was purposely constructed to be high enough to see from almost everywhere in the city.

Today there aren’t a lot of really tall buildings in Berlin, so you can still see the TV Tower from all over. I love turning a corner and there it is. Don’t miss this one on your trip to Berlin.
The TV Tower is also one of the most popular places for views of Berlin from above. But the lines can be long, so it’s best to book tickets ahead of time.
Here are our recommendations for TV Tower tickets:
Important info:
- Location: Panoramastraße 1A, 10178 Berlin
- Hours: November – March, 10am to 10pm / April – October, 9am to 11pm
- Admission: 22.50 euros for adults and 12.50 euros for children, when purchased at the door
Reichstag Building
The Reichstag Building is the seat of the German government and it’s one of the most iconic buildings in Berlin, located just a few steps away from Brandenburg Gate. It’s topped by a unique glass dome, which is accessible to the public.

You can actually take a free audio guide tour of the Reichstag Building, and you’ll learn about Germany’s government, the building, the surrounding areas, and more interesting facts. The views from here are really nice, and if you’re lucky, you might even get to see the Parliament below. You must book your tour in advance.
- Location: Platz der Republik 1, 11011 Berlin
- Hours: Varies, check website for hours and to register for the tour
- Admission: Free audio guide tour
>>Check out our list of the best World War II and Cold War attractions in Berlin.
Victory Column
Sitting in a roundabout in the middle of Tiergarten, the Victory Column is another Berlin monument you shouldn’t miss while you’re here. If you look through the columns of Brandenburg Gate towards the west, you’ll see the golden tower down the street.

It was originally built to honor Prussia’s victory in the Franco-German war, and today it’s a popular tourist attraction in Berlin. Climb the stairs for great views of the city – it’s one of my favorite things to do in Berlin.
If you’re visiting Berlin in autumn, this is an especially nice tower to climb for views of the gorgeous fall foliage in Tiergarten.
- Location: Großer Stern 1, 10557 Berlin
- Hours: April – October, Mon – Fri 9:30am to 6:30pm, Sat and Sun until 7pm / November – March, 9:30am to 5:30pm daily
- Admission: 4 euros, cash only
Holocaust Memorial
The Holocaust Memorial, also known as the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe, is a somber place that honors the Jewish victims of the Nazi regime. It’s also a place to remember Germany’s dark past so those mistakes don’t get repeated.

This is one of the most important World War II sites in Berlin. It’s located across the street from Tiergarten and not far from Brandenburger Tor.
Pay your respects, don’t sit on the blocks, and please don’t take selfies here.
- Location: Cora-Berliner-Straße 1, 10117 Berlin
- Hours: Outdoor memorial: open 24 hours a day. Indoor section: Tues – Sun, 10am to 6pm, closed Mon
- Admission: Free
>>Check out our list of famous landmarks in Germany.
Hackescher Höfe
Hackescher Höfe is a series of pretty courtyards (Höfe in German) in Mitte, and I love coming here for a little wander.

Go a little north of the Hackescher Markt Sbahn station and check out these restored courtyards where you can shop or stop for a coffee, or simply enjoy the area.
- Location: Rosenthaler Str. 40, 10178 Berlin
- Hours: Courtyards are open 24 hours a day, hours vary for shops and restaurants.
- Admission: Free
Charlottenburg Palace
Completed in 1699, this was the summer palace for Sophie Charlotte as it was still outside the Berlin city limits at that time. When she died at the young age of 36, the palace was renamed to honor her. Today this popular attraction is well worth a visit.

Inside is a museum where you can see tableware, porcelain, Prussian crown jewels, and more as well as learn more about the history of Charlottenburg Palace. Even if you don’t go inside, the gardens of the palace are quite impressive, and free of charge.
- Location: Spandauer Damm 10-22, 14059 Berlin
- Hours: April to October, Tues – Sun 10am to 5:30pm / November to March, Tues to Sun 10am to 4:30pm / Closed Mon
- Admission: New Wing OR Old Castle adult: 12 euros / combo ticket adult: 19 euros
Airlift Memorial
During the Cold War, access to West Berlin was limited because it was surrounded by East Germany. At one point, the Soviets blocked land, rail, and waterway access to West Berlin, which meant people living there couldn’t get supplies.

This resulted in the Berlin Airlift, which started in June 1948. Allied partners supplied West Berlin residents from cargo planes, and one plane took off or landed every 30 seconds for over a year. The Airlift Memorial honors this effort.
This is just one of many Cold War sites you can see in Berlin.
- Location: Platz d. Luftbrücke 2, 12101 Berlin
- Hours: Open 24 hours a day
- Admission: Free
Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church
This church was built in the 1890s but was heavily damaged from air raids in 1943 during World War II. Rather than rebuild the church when the war was over, Berlin decided to leave it how it was.

It’s located not far from the Zoo and now stands as a reminder of how horrible and destructive war is. I recommend adding this landmark to your Berlin itinerary.
- Location: Breitscheidplatz/Tauentzienstraße, 10789 Berlin
- Hours: 9am to 7pm daily
- Admission: Free
Anhalter Bahnhof
The remains of the Anhalter Bahnhof train station sit a little south of Potsdamer Platz. This Berlin landmark was once one of the most important train stations in the city.
Unfortunately this was one of three stations in Berlin the Nazis used to deport Jews to concentration camps. The station also suffered damage during WWII, though it was still operational for several more years.

Anhalter Bahnhof is in the former East, but the Soviets started using Ostbahnhof as the main train station in the East. Anhalter Bahnhof was no longer needed, and operations ceased in 1952.
- Location: Askanischer Pl. 6, 10963 Berlin
- Hours: Open 24 hours a day
- Admission: Free
Oberbaumbrücke
The Oberbaumbrücke spans the Spree River connecting Friedrichshain and Kreuzberg.
Since the river formed part of the border between East and West Berlin, this bridge served as one of the pedestrian crossings between the two sides. After the Wall came down, the bridge was fully repaired, allowing cars to cross as well.

The Ubahn line that once crossed here was once again connected to the Warschauer station on the east side of the river. The bridge’s old appearance coupled with modern vehicles makes it an interesting landmark to see.
- Location: Oberbaumbrücke, 10243 Berlin
- Hours: Open 24 hours a day
- Admission: Free
>>Still planning your trip? Read here: When is the Best Time to Visit Berlin?
Molecule Men
This is one of the more quirky landmarks in Berlin. The holes in the men are supposed to represent molecules. Standing 30 meters (about 98 feet) tall in the middle of the Spree River, the Molecule Men is one of the Berlin statues you should see.

Here are a few boat tours we recommend:
Important info:
- Location: An den Treptowers 1, 12435 Berlin
- Hours: Open 24 hours a day
- Admission: Free
Hamburger Bahnhof
This Berlin landmark is a contemporary art museum set inside the former terminus of the Berlin-Hamburg railway. The bold, striking art here sits very well inside the wide, open spaces of this former train station.

Even without the art, however, this late Neoclassical building is impressive, and it inspired many civic buildings across Germany. It was actually the first station of its kind built in Germany.
- Location: Invalidenstraße 50-51, 10557 Berlin
- Hours: Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, 10am to 6pm / Thursday, 10 am–8 pm / Saturday and Sunday, 11am to 6pm / Closed Monday
- Admission: 14 euros, ticket prices for special exhibits vary
East Side Gallery
I think we can all agree that the East Side Gallery is one of the most popular attractions in Berlin. It’s very photogenic, it represents a lot of history, and it’s one of the sights Berlin is famous for.

This is one of the longest remaining sections of the Berlin Wall, and it’s covered in art. Some sections have been there for decades while others change from time to time, so there’s a wide spread of messages from each work of art.
Check out our full guide to visiting the East Side Gallery for tips, directions, things to do nearby, places to eat nearby, and more.
- Location: Mühlenstraße 3-100, 10243 Berlin
- Hours: Open 24 hours a day
- Admission: Free
>>Looking for something a little different? Check out my list of Berlin hidden places.
Berlin Wall Memorial at Bernauer Strasse
Another section of the Berlin Wall that you should definitely check out is the Bernauer Strasse Wall Memorial. This memorial describes the history of a street divided down the middle by the Wall and how it affected those who lived there.

The visitor center shows two excellent short films (English available) about the Wall, and the memorial itself stretches for nearly a mile. I highly recommend watching these videos as they are very moving and insightful, and they make me all teary-eyed every time I watch them.
Check out this detailed guide to visiting the Bernauer Strasse Berlin Wall Memorial.
- Location: Bernauer Str. 119, 13355 Berlin (Visitors Center)
- Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 10am – 6pm / Closed Monday (Visitors Center & Documentation Center)
- Admission: Free
Berliner Dom
The Berlin Cathedral, or Berliner Dom in German, sits alongside the impressive museums on Museum Island and is a Protestant cathedral, not a Catholic one. It has a long history and has been repaired and rebuilt over the years.

Church services still take place here, but you can tour the building when services are not going on. You can even climb to the top for views.
- Location: Am Lustgarten, 10178 Berlin
- Hours: Monday to Saturday, 10am – 5pm, Sunday 12 noon to 5pm
- Admission: 9 euros, book ahead online
Gendarmenmarkt
Berlin doesn’t have a main square like many European cities, but instead it has ended up with several squares in Mitte (which means middle or center) that could be considered central city squares. Gendarmenmarkt is undoubtedly the most beautiful of them.
In the square you’ll see three gorgeous buildings: German and French cathedrals (Deutscher und Französischer Dom) and Schinkel’s Konzerthaus (concert hall). The cathedrals are now museums.

It’s worth visiting this Berlin landmark any time of the year, but if you’re visiting in December, Gendarmenmarkt hosts one of the prettiest Christmas markets in Berlin.
- Location: Gendarmenmarkt, 10117 Berlin
- Hours: Square itself: 24 hours a day / French Cathedral: Tuesday to Sunday, 11:30am – 4:30pm, closed Monday / German Cathedral: Tuesday to Sunday, 10am – 6pm, closed Monday
- Admission: Square itself: Free / French Cathedral tower climb: 6.50 euros / German Cathedral: Free
Kultur Brauerei
Literally meaning “Culture Brewery”, this 25,000 square meter building was once a brewery, and is a great example of the late 19th-century industrial architecture in Berlin.
A brewery no longer, it’s been repurposed to hold regular events, festivals, and concerts. A variety of different organizations have set up shop inside the former brewery, including a cinema, dance club, publishing houses, restaurants, and even a free museum where you can learn about life in East Germany.

I enjoy coming here on Sundays when you’ll find loads of food trucks for Street Food Sunday. And in winter in Berlin, this is home to a cozy, not-so-touristy Christmas market, which happens to be one of my favorites.
- Location: Schönhauser Allee 36, 10435 Berlin
- Hours: Varies by shop/restaurant/club
- Admission: Free, admission for clubs varies
Weltzeituhr
Located in Alexanderplatz, the Weltzeituhr is another quirky attraction in Berlin. Weltzeituhr means world time clock, and it shows what time it is currently in Berlin but also in dozens of cities around the world.

The cities are placed around the globe so you can see where they are in relation to the rest, plus they’re placed in the proper hemisphere. It’s an easy meeting spot in this busy former East Berlin main square, and it’s a fun way to see what time it is in another part of the world.
- Location: Alexanderpl. 1, 10178 Berlin
- Hours: Open 24 hours a day
- Admission: Free
Checkpoint Charlie
Checkpoint Charlie is the most famous border crossing between East and West Berlin. Once the Wall fell and Berlin became a popular city for tourism, Checkpoint Charlie became a must see attraction in Berlin. Men dressed as American soldiers used to be there for photo ops, but they have been banned.

If you happen to be nearby for something else, go take a look. But I promise you, it’s the most overrated sight in the city, and it’s totally fine to skip it.
The nearby Checkpoint Charlie Museum is much more informative and definitely recommended.
- Location: Friedrichstraße 43-45, 10117 Berlin
- Hours: Open 24 hours a day
- Admission: Free
Palace of Tears
The Palace of Tears, or Tränenpalast in German, was constructed in 1962 at the Friedrichstraße train station. Located on the border between East and West Berlin, it was used by the GDR (DDR in German) dictatorship to control who was crossing the border.

At this location, many were forced by border guards 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 partition of Germany and all the tears that were shed in connection with it.
- Location: Reichstagufer 17, 10117 Berlin
- Hours: Tuesday to Friday, 9am – 7pm, Saturday and Sunday, 10am – 6pm
- Admission: Free
- Check out my full guide to visiting Tränenpalast (Palace of Tears) Museum in Berlin
Topography of Terror
The Topography of Terror Museum sits on the location that was the headquarters of the Gestapo and the SS between 1933 and 1945. At this location, they organized the persecution and killings of Nazi opponents and coordinated the genocide of Jews, Roma, and Sinti.
It’s one of the many historical sites in Berlin that now serves as a place to remember the past and warn us from repeating terrible mistakes and events. The exhibits here use photographs and documentation to tell visitors about the crimes that occurred here.

There are also excavation sites you can view through glass windows. You can also see a long section of the Berlin Wall that stands here as well.
Check out my full guide to visiting Topography of Terror Museum in Berlin for more details.
- Location: Niederkirchnerstraße 8, 10963 Berlin
- Hours: 10am to 8pm daily
- Admission: Free
Olympic Stadium
The Olympic Stadium located in western Berlin is one of the more historical places in Berlin to see. It was used for many Nazi propaganda events but today holds concerts and other less controversial events.

You can take a tour of the building on non-event days, and the bell tower is great to climb for impressive views of the city. If you have time for this Berlin landmark, it’s worth the effort.
Read about more places to see World War II sites in Berlin.
- Location: Olympischer Platz 3, 14053 Berlin
- Hours: 10am to 4pm unless there’s a game or other event going on / Bell Tower: April 1 to October 31, 10am to 6pm
- Admission: Tours start at 15 euros per adult, depends on which tour you book / Bell Tower climb: adult – 5 euros, children ages 6-14 – 3 euros
Karl-Marx-Allee
During the Cold War, this wide boulevard was called Stalin Allee. Today the impressive ornate Soviet buildings are a protected monument in Berlin.

You’ll see them starting near Strausberger Platz and ending on Frankfurter Allee a little past Frankfurter Tor. The upper levels of these iconic buildings in Berlin are mostly apartments, and the ground levels are businesses.
- Location: Runs from Alexanderplatz to Frankfurter Tor
- Hours: Open 24 hours a day
- Admission: Free
Franziskaner-Klosterkirche ruins
Berlin doesn’t have a lot of truly old buildings left. But there is an almost hidden Berlin landmark located not far from Alexanderplatz – a Franciscan Monastery.

The monastery is in ruins, making it an even more interesting place to see in Berlin. The original building dates back to the late 1200s, though it went through several changes over the centuries.
Bombings towards the end of WWII resulted in heavy damage to the building, but eventually it was fixed up and made safe. Today the monastery ruins is host to cultural events.
- Location: Klosterstraße 73a, 10179 Berlin
- Hours: Website lists May to September, Monday to Sunday, 10am to 6pm, but it’s accessible 24 hours a day
- Admission: Free
Museum Island
For museum lovers, visiting Museum Island is a must. This group of five museums sits on an island in the Spree River in the Mitte district in the middle of so many tourist attractions.
Museum Island is also a recognized UNESCO World Heritage site. It’s one of three Berlin UNESCO sites you should see.

The museums here are the Pergamon Museum, the Bode Museum, the Altes Museum (Old Museum), the Neues Museum (New Museum), and the Alte Nationalgalerie (Old National Gallery). Their striking appearance matches the wealth of exhibits found inside these Berlin museums.
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.
Important info:
- Location: most of the museums are listed at Bodestraße 1-3, 10178 Berlin
- Hours: Tuesday through Sunday 10am to 6pm
- Admission: 10-12 euros depending on the museum
Viktoria Park
Opened in 1894, and this large urban park was dedicated to the English wife of the Kaiser Friedrich III. It’s also home to one of the highest natural points in the city center.

You can also see Berlin’s only waterfall here. Although it’s an artificial one, it’s still quite pretty.
The attractive park and gardens has long been popular with Berliners, who come to kick back on a warm day. Most attractive of all, however, is the beer garden. This large space dedicated to beer-drinking and snack-eating is a fun and lively place to be.
- Location: Katzbachstraße, 10965 Berlin
- Hours: Open 24 hours a day
- Admission: Free
What is a famous landmark in Berlin?
As I hope you’ve learned from this blog post, there are many famous landmarks in Berlin. And it’s hard to choose just one because there are so many iconic Berlin landmarks.
Some of the absolute most famous ones are the TV Tower, Brandenburger Tor, Berliner Dom, East Side Gallery, Checkpoint Charlie, Reichstag Building, and Charlottenburg Palace.
Book a tour for your trip to Berlin
Berlin Travel Resources
I want you to have the best trip to Berlin, and hopefully this list of Berlin landmarks helps. 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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