no alt text

Bucket list experience:

Last updated: 16 December, 2022

This former city gate was rebuilt in the late 18th century as a triumphal arch for a rising Prussia.

The arch was commissioned by King Frederick William II of Prussia to symbolise a period of peace and prosperity in Berlin. The neoclassical design by Carl Gotthard Langhans was inspired by the Propylaea, the gateway to the Acropolis in Athens, and it built from 1788 to 1791. It stands as the entry to Unter den Linden, the boulevard of linden trees that formerly led directly to the city palace of the Prussian monarchs.

Now one of Germany’s best-known landmarks, the Brandenburger Tor is laden with historical significance. Napoleon briefly stole the Quadriga, the horse-drawn chariot atop the gate, and it was here Reagan urged Gorbachev to tear down the Wall. Nowadays, the gate stands as the symbol of national unity after reunification.

Price: Free
Minimum age: Any
Age suitable: 13+
When: All year around

Getting there & doing it

Take the U-Bahn to Brandenburger Tor. You can’t miss it from there.

Our writer’s picks of the best places to stay near this experience, closest first

Hotel Adlon Kempinski

Berlin, Germany[0.1 miles]

Old-style luxury at Berlin’s grandest hotel, famous for its princely pampering and regal guest list.

Official star rating:

Rocco Forte Hotel de Rome

Berlin, Germany[1.1 miles]

Romantic, luxury hotel set within a grand 19th-century bank building, with a contemporary twist and terrific spa. In the heart of Mitte, and close to the city’s main attractions.

Official star rating:

Honigmond Garden Hotel

Berlin, Germany[1.7 miles]

Lovely small hotel exuding 19th-century charm, with a great location near Berlin’s top attractions and trendy Mitte, with an Eden-like garden.

Official star rating:

Casa Camper

Berlin, Germany[2.1 miles]

A quirky chic boutique hotel that blends simple luxury and hip Spanish design in a killer Mitte location. In the heart of the city’s buzz.

Official star rating:

Destination guides including or relevant to this experience

Berlin

Germany

Europe’s hippest capital boasts non-stop nightlife, cutting-edge fashion, cosmopolitan eats and museum treasures galore.

Website >
Overview >

Our writer’s recommendations of other bucket list experiences our writer says you must do in this destination, closest first

The Reichstag

Berlin, Germany[0.3 miles]

Berlin’s stunning parliament building, boasting an astonishing glass dome designed by Norman Foster. Go inside and peer down on a live parliament session.

Best for ages: 13+ | Free

Gallery of Old Masters

Berlin, Germany[1.1 miles]

One of the world’s finest collections of European art from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance (13th-18th centuries). Caravaggio, Raphael, Rubens and Titian and 16 exceptional works by Rembrandt.

Best for ages: 18+ | £16

Other worthwhile experiences near this experience if you have time or interest..

German Spy Museum

Berlin, Germany[0.8 miles]

An intriguing museum that delves into that secretive world of espionage, exploring the history, techniques, and gadgets used in intelligence and counterintelligence operations throughout the years.

Best for ages: 8+ | £8

Museum of Decorative Arts, Berlin
Experience

Museum of Decorative Arts, Berlin

Berlin, Germany[1 miles]

The Kunstgewerbemuseum showcases decorative arts and design, with an extensive collection of objects spanning various historical periods and artistic styles. Exquisite displays of ceramics, glassware, and furniture, complement those of textiles, jewellery, and other decorative items. The museum’s collection encompasses both European and non-European works, providing a comprehensive perspective on global decorative arts.

Best for ages: 18+ | £6

Website >
Overview >
Topography of Terror in Berlin is a modern museum area built on site of 1945 Gestapo and SS headquarters on July 31, 2012 in Berlin. Modern architecture by architect Ursula Wilms
Experience

Topography of Terror Museum

Berlin, Germany[1.1 miles]

Located on the site of the former headquarters of the Gestapo and SS, this history museum offers a compelling exploration of the dark history of Nazi Germany and its reign of terror, and a chilling insight into the crimes and atrocities committed during the Nazi regime. Inside are informative exhibits, photographs, and archival documents, that explain the mechanisms of power, propaganda, and oppression that characterized this period. Outside, you’ll find remnants of the Berlin Wall. A sombre reminder of the importance of remembrance and vigilance against tyranny.

Best for ages: 18+ | Free

Website >
Overview >

New National Gallery

Berlin, Germany[1.2 miles]

An impressive collection of 20th-century artworks up until the 1960s, with masterpieces by artists such as Picasso, Kandinsky, and Warhol, among others.

Best for ages: 18+ | Free