Das Berlin Portal - Welcome to Berlin

  • BERLIN TOURS
  • BERLIN TICKETS
  • BERLIN TIPS
  • CULINARY BERLIN
  • CHRISTMAS MARKETS
  • PARKS & PALACES
  • ZOOS & AQUARIUM
  • TOP 10 BERLIN SIGHTS
  • MUSEUMS IN BERLIN
  • OTHER TOURIST ATTRACTIONS

TOP TEN TOURIST ATTRACTIONS

Berlins most recommended sights and attractions.

The Brandenburg Gate in Berlin is the most famous landmark

The Brandenburg Gate in Berlin is the most famous landmark

The Brandenburg Gate in Berlin is the most famous and probably the most photographed building of the city.

It is the most famous landmark of Berlin and a piece of German history. The Brandenburg Gate stood on the border in divided Berlin on the east side. Between the gate and the west was the Berlin Wall. Since the Brandenburg Gate was thus in the restricted area, it could not be crossed either from the west or from the east. Today it is inconceivable that no people, except the GDR border guards, were able to see the Brandenburg Gate.

Brandenburger Tor experience

Shops, restaurant, snack bar, café, hotel, handicapped accessible, wifi., the brandenburg gate in berlin, location & sights nearby.

The Brandenburg Gate is located in the Mitte district of Berlin. The Gate is an ideal starting point for many activities in Berlin.  When you go through the gate, you see the Victory Column . From above it you have a fantastic view. Or stroll through the Tiergarten . The Bundestag is 10 minutes away on foot. A Visit and a coffee at the Reichstag is always worth it. If you turn left from the Brandenburg Gate around the walk on the corner, you will pass the Holocaust Memorial and reach Potsdamer Platz . Also, in the immediate vicinity are the Brandenburg Gate Museum, Madam Tussauds and much more. With the 100 or 200 bus you will quickly reach Alexanderplatz .

Video - Brandenburg Gade in Berlin

Das Brandenburger Tor in Berlin

Brief history Brandenburg Gade

King Frederick William II had commissioned the construction of the Brandenburg Gate, as a worthy conclusion to the magnificent avenue "Unter den Linden". From 1788 to 1791 it was built according to the design of Carl Gotthard Langhans. In 1793 the Quadriga was put on top of the gate. In 1806, Napoleon stole the Quadriga once. Luckily, it was brought back eight years later by the victory of the Alliance. Due to the Second World War, the Brandenburg Gate was heavily damaged and much had to be reconstructed. Also the Quadriga was damaged too much and was replaced by a copy. Since the gate is in the former restricted area, it could not be visited for a long time. Only on December 22, 1989, the Brandenburg Gate was opened by cheers of more than 100,000 people. Unfortunately, the Quadriga was so badly damaged by the unification celebrations and New Year's Eve 1989/90 that it had to be restored two years later. For almost two years, the Brandenburg Gate was veiled, as it also had to be restored. The gate was built of sandstone and due to the environmental exposure and neglect it was already badly damaged. In the year 2002 it could finally be solemnly revealed again. The Brandenburg Gate is an important monument in Berlin's backdrop scenery and is one of the top 10 in the city of Berlin. A photo in front of it is a must.

Photo Gallery

Brandenburg gate.

tourist information at brandenburg gate

Address: Pariser Platz, 10117 Berlin  

Public Transport: S + U Bahn Brandenburger Tor (S1, S1, S25, U55), Bus 100, 200, 147 (S + U Bahnhof Brandenburger Tor)

Navigate with Google Maps!

Brandenburg Gate - sights, tours and tickets ... on Tripadvisor.

Can you find something on TripAdvisor for the Brandenburg Gate?

Your visit to Berlin with the best tours and tickets.

Reichstag: drinking coffee in the beetle roof garden restaurant.

Enjoy the roof garden Käfer restaurant in the Reichstag coffee + cake. Visit the Reichstag and enjoy a beautiful view of Berlin from the famed glass dome. Enjoy the Dachgarten Käfer restaurant in the Reichstag coffee + cake.

tourist information at brandenburg gate

2-Hour Sightseeing Tour in classic VW Bus

Experience Berlin through the 21 windows of the vintage bus. Enjoy an exceptional and exclusive sightseeing tour in the legendary VW T1 Samba bus. Discover the history of almost 50 sights of Berlin in two hours. A photo booklet, which is tailored to the individual locations of the tour, gives you an exciting impression of the past and the interior of the various sights during the journey, thus completing the overall picture..

tourist information at brandenburg gate

Our Berlin tip:

Save valuable time and money with the Berlin WelcomeCard all-inclusive including hop-on-hop-off buses and public transport! More information can be found HERE .

Berlin Welcome Card Turbo

Visit the Potsdamer Platz in Berlin

Hackesche Höfe in Berlin

Berlin Wall Memorial Bernauer Straße

Alexanderplatz is one of the most important squares in Berli

Madame Tussauds in Berlin

TV Tower in Berlin

The Victory Column in Berlin

The German Bundestag Berlin

Top Ten Tourist Attractions – Berlin Cathedral

East-Side-Gallery in Berlin

The Red City Hall in Berlin

Checkpoint Charlie in Berlin

Pariser Platz

Discover Berlin

  • Berlin Deals
  • Berlin Tours
  • Berlin Tickets

Lifestyle & Tips

  • Berlin Tips
  • Culinary Berlin
  • Berlin Nightlife
  • Christmas Markets

Sightseeing

  • Parks & Palaces
  • Wildlife Parks
  • Museums & Artscene
  • Places & Buildings
  • Other Attractions
  • Privacy policy
  • Contrast Contrast

Berlin Tourist Info Centres

Berlin Tourist Info at Hauptbahnhof

Your travel advisor on the ground

If you need advice about the best way to get into the city centre upon your arrival at Tegel or Schönefeld, both major airports have their own Berlin Tourist Information Offices that can help with information about public transport options. Berlin's main train and bus stations also have tourist information offices, with multilingual staff who can give advice about the Berlin Welcome Card , visitor attractions, offer city maps and even help book accommodation for your stay.

While out and about, you'll find offices at major locations like the Brandenburg Gate , Airport Berlin Brandenburg (BER) , and Berlin Central Station , so you can get the most out of your Berlin visit.

Get information about Berlin's districts at the t ourist informations of the districts .

Berlin Brandenburg WelcomeCenter at airport BER

Berlin Brandenburg WelcomeCenter

Location Flughafen Berlin Brandenburg 12529 Schönefeld Flughafen Berlin Brandenburg 12529 Schönefeld

Humboldt Forum Berlin, Foyer and Eosander Portal

Berlin Tourist Info Center at Humboldt Forum

Location Schloßplatz 10178 Berlin Schloßplatz 10178 Berlin

Berlin Tourist Info

Berlin Tourist Info Centre at Brandenburg Gate

Location Pariser Platz, südliches Torhaus 10117 Berlin Pariser Platz, südliches Torhaus 10117 Berlin

Berlin Tourist Info am Hauptbahnhof

Berlin Tourist Info Centre at the Berlin Central Station

Location Erdgeschoss/ Eingang Europaplatz 10557 Berlin Erdgeschoss/ Eingang Europaplatz 10557 Berlin

Berlin Verkerhrsmittel

Tourist informations of the districts

We are happy to help you!

  • Berlin-Infos and multilingual support
  • Tourist tickets - Berlin Welcome Card, CityTourCard and Museum pass
  • City maps and premium travel guides as well as post cards and souvenirs
  • Tickets for city and boat tours
  • Tickets for museums, events and tourist attractions

The Brandenburg Gate

Napoleon, Kennedy, Fall of the Wall - The Brandenburg Gate Has Seen it All

 TripSavvy / Christopher Larson

The Brandenburg Gate ( Brandenburger Tor ) in Berlin is one of the first landmarks that come to mind when thinking of Germany . It is not just a symbol for the city, but for the country.

German history was made here – many different times with the Brandenburg Gate playing many different roles. It reflects the country's turbulent past and its peaceful achievements like no other landmark in Germany.

Architecture of the Brandenburg Gate

Commissioned by Friedrich Wilhelm, the Brandenburg Gate was designed by architect Carl Gotthard Langhans back in 1791. It was built on the site of a former city gate that marked the start of the road from Berlin to the town of Brandenburg an der Havel .

The design of the Brandenburg Gate was inspired by the Acropolis in Athens . It was the grand entrance to the boulevard Unter den Linden which led to the (currently being rebuilt) palace of the Prussian monarchs.

Napoleon and the statue of Victoria

The monument is crowned with the sculpture of the Quadriga, a four-horsed chariot driven by Victoria, the winged goddess of victory. This goddess has had a journey. In the Napoleonic Wars in 1806, after the French forces defeated the Prussian army, Napoleon's troops took the sculpture of the Quadriga to Paris as a war trophy. However, it still did not stay in place. The Prussian army reclaimed it in 1814 with their victory over the French.

 TripSavvy / Taylor McIntyre

Brandenburger Tor and the Nazis

More than a hundred years later, the Nazis would use the Brandenburg Gate for their own means. In 1933, they marched through the gate in a martial torchlight parade, celebrating Hitler's rise to power and introducing the darkest chapter of German history.

The Brandenburg Gate survived World War II, but with serious damage. The site was reconstructed and the lone remaining horses head from the statue was preserved in Märkisches Museum .

Mr. Gorbachev, Tear Down This Wall!

The Brandenburg Gate became infamous in the Cold War  when it was the sad symbol for the division of Berlin and the rest of Germany. The Gate stood between East and West Germany, becoming part of the Berlin Wall. When John F. Kennedy visited the Brandenburg Gate in 1963 the Soviets hung large red banners across the gate to prevent him from looking into the East.

It was here, where Ronald Reagan gave his unforgettable speech:

"General Secretary Gorbachev, if you seek peace, if you seek prosperity for the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe, if you seek liberalization: Come here to this gate! Mr. Gorbachev, open this gate! Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall !"

In 1989, a peaceful revolution ended the Cold War. A confusing series of events led to the great Berlin Wall being breached by the people. Thousands of East and West Berliners met at the Brandenburg Gate for the first time in decades, climbing over its walls and perching atop defiantly as David Hasselhoff performed a live show. Images of the area around the gate were featured prominently by media coverage around the world. 

Brandenburg Gate Today

The Berlin Wall had fallen overnight and East and West Germany were reunited. Brandenburg Gate was re-opened, becoming the symbol of a new Germany .

The gate was restored from 2000 to 2002 by the Stiftung Denkmalschutz Berlin (Berlin Monument Conservation Foundation) and continues to be a site of inspiration and photo ops. Look for the large Christmas tree from late November through December, mega-stars performing by it for Silvester (New Year's concert) and tourists year-round. 

Visitor's Information for the Brandenburg Gate

Today, the Brandenburg Gate is one of the most visited landmarks in Germany and in Europe. Don't miss the site during your visit to Berlin.

Address: Pariser Platz 1 10117 Berlin Getting There: Unter den Linden S1 & S2, Brandenburg Gate U55 or Bus 100 Cost: Free

Other Historical Berlin Must-Dos

  • The Brandenburg Gate is part of the Berlin Walking Tour
  • 10 Best Free Things in Berlin
  • Go up in the iconic Fernsehturm (TV Tower)
  • East Side Gallery - The Longest Remaining Section if the Berlin Wall  
  • Look for Stolpersteine memorials at your feet

Berlin's Mitte Neighborhood: The Complete Guide

48 Hours in Berlin: The Ultimate Itinerary

15 Things to Do in Berlin, Germany

11 Best Things to Do in Potsdam, Germany

Top 10 Attractions in Germany

The Top 11 Day Trips From Berlin

Top 10 Free Things to Do in Berlin

Berlin's Reichstag: The Complete Guide

The Most Haunted Places in Germany

The Top January Festivals in Germany

The 13 Best Things to Do in Hanoi, Vietnam

As Seen on Screen: The Hunger Games - Mockingjay Movie Locations

The Best Staycation in Every State

The 7 Best Islands to Visit in Germany

Top 19 Things to Do in Ahmedabad, Gujarat

Germany's Wine Road

This website uses cookies to improve your browsing experience and analyze the use of the website. Learn More

Company Logo - Home Link

The Brandenburg Gate in Berlin

tourist information at brandenburg gate

This post is about The Brandenburg Gate (Brandenburger Tor), its history, architecture, and what to see and do here.

The Brandenburg Gate is the symbol of Berlin and the reunited Germany as well.

  • Where Is It?
  • Early History
  • Architecture and Symbolism
  • WW2 + The Cold War
  • Events and Things to Do Here

Where is the Brandenburg Gate Located?

The Brandenburg Gate is located in the western part of Berlin's city center.  

The six columned gate with the quadriga (a chariot drawn by four horses abreast) on top is situated at the “Pariser Platz” in the center of Berlin, next door to the American Embassy.

Where is the Brandenburg Gate

The Brandenburg Gate is near the big park called the Tiergarten , as well as in walking distance to the Holocaust Memorial and former Hitler bunker .

The Reichstag is close and the avenue “Unter den Linden” connects the Brandenburg Gate with the site where the Berlin Castle is being reconstructed.

This post is a part of our  Berlin-in-a-in a day-Walking Tour , the Berlin Wall Tour and the Third Reich Tour .

Berlin Brandenburg Gate

The closest U-bahn and S-bahn station is Brandenburg Gate (see green arrow). We recommend using this link for directions to the gate from anywhere in Berlin.

The Berlin Customs Wall

But what is this ancient looking monument for?

In the 18 th century, Berlin abandoned the medieval wall as it had lost its military purpose.

In the 1730's, a new wall was built, this time for customs.

Berlin made all the incoming merchants pay the “Akzise”, a kind of sales tax.

tourist information at brandenburg gate

This first Brandenburg Gate from 1734 was smaller than the current one.

The gates were named after the cities the outgoing roads led to, such as Hamburger Tor or Potsdamer Tor.

tourist information at brandenburg gate

The Brandenburg Gate is named after the city of Brandenburg/Havel West of Berlin.

The German state of Brandenburg is named after that place as well, because the whole history of Brandenburg and Prussia started here.

Brandenburg Gate to Brandenburg an Havel

The Brandenburg Gate is the only gate left after the wall was destroyed in 1860.

You can still find some of the other gates as place names on the public transit map: “Frankfurter Tor”, “Hallesches Tor”, “Kotbusser Tor”, "Oranienburger Tor".

Tor is German for gate.

The Prussian King Frederick William II, the nephew of the famous Frederick II (“The Great”) commissioned the new gate, which was built between 1788 and 1791.  

He commemorated it to his famous uncle, hoping to take advantage of the latter’s fame.

He didn’t quite live up to his own expectations though; they called him “the fat good-for-nothing”.

Neoclassical Architecture

The actual Brandenburg Gate is 26 meters (85 feet) in height by 65 meters (215 feet) in width and is supported by 6 doric columns on both fronts.

It was modeled after the “Propylaea”, the ancient entrance gate to the Acropolis in Athens.

tourist information at brandenburg gate

The architect, Carl Gottfried Langhans, designed the broader middle space for the royal carriages and the smaller spaces on the sides for pedestrians.

Until 1918, when the Kaiser resigned after World War I, only the members of the royal or imperial family, the “Hohenzollern” were allowed to use the middle passageway.

The whole construction made of sandstone is strictly ancient Greece and thus an example of neoclassical architecture.

Johann Gottfried Schadow sculpted the quadriga in 1793, which was cast in copper.

Berlin Quadriga

The figure on the chariot is a Greek goddess. She looks into the city.

In 1806, after he had won the battle of Jena and Auerstedt against the Prussians, the French Emperor Napoleon took the quadriga to Paris along with a lot more of looted art.

After Napoleon was defeated in 1814, the Prussians took the quadriga back.

Until then, the lady on the chariot had word a laurel trophy, the symbol of peace, and represented Eirene, the Greek goddess of peace.

During the renovation of the sculpture, the laurel was changed into the more militant oak decorating the “iron cross” the Prussian and later German medal for military achievements and the Prussian eagle. 

So, Eirene changed it to the Roman goddess of victory, Victoria.

Just underneath the quadriga is a relief celebrating the victories of unification.

tourist information at brandenburg gate

Among other figures, the relief includes Nike, the goddess of victory, Hercules, the god of strengh, Cornucopia, the goddess of plenty, and Komus, the goddess of joy.

Inside of the five passageways are reliefs on both sides of each wall for a total of 20 reliefs.

tourist information at brandenburg gate

All reliefs depict scenes of Hercules and were designed to pay homage to Frederick the Great.

On both the southern and northern sides of the gate are columned porticos, where you will find 2 additional sculptural pieces.

One the southern end is Mars, the god of war, with his sword in its sheath, depicting the end of conflict.

tourist information at brandenburg gate

On the northern end is Minerva, the goddess of wisdom and many, many other traits, but in this instance, her role of protector of city states is likely a focus.

Minerva Statue Brandenburg Gate

From Pariser Platz, you can see two side buildings that look like small temples.

The one on the left was originally built to house the soldiers who were guarding the gate and controlling who could enter and exit.

tourist information at brandenburg gate

Today, it houses a small tourist information booth run by Visit Berlin, where you could pick up maps, souvenirs, and other things.

The temple house to the right of the gate was originally built to house the tax authorities, who were tasked with collecting the custom duties.

Today, it houses the Raum der Stille, or the Room of Silence, a place of prayer and contemplation.

Nazi State and World War II

On January 30, 1933, the Nazis celebrated the so-called Machtergreifung (the seizure of power) with a torchlight procession of the SA (a paramilitary wing of the Nazi Party, the NSDAP) through the Brandenburg Gate.

This was one of several symbolic acts to position the Nazi state within the tradition of Prussia.

During the Second World War, the gate and the sculpture were damaged. Only the head of one horse is left and is now in the “Märkisches Museum”.

tourist information at brandenburg gate

As a plaster mold had been taken in 1942, the quadriga could be reconstructed.

This was done; believe it or not, in the German Democratic Republic, the DDR, the socialist German state in 1956.

However, the iron cross and the eagle were taken away because they were widely seen as symbols of German militarism.

The Berlin Wall and the Brandenburg Gate

After the construction of the Wall in 1961, the Brandenburg Gate was within the exclusion zone and inaccessible from West and East alike.  

On August 14, 1961 people from West Berlin together with their mayor, Willy Brandt, had rallied against the construction of the Wall.

Berlin Walll at The Brandenburg Gate

This gave the East German government a pretext to close the checkpoint at the Brandenburg Gate “until further notice”.  

As it could be seen from the West, the Brandenburg Gate became a symbol of the German partition during the Cold War and the desire of reunification.

In June 1987, during a visit in Berlin (West) the American President Ronald Reagan came to the Western side of the Brandenburg Gate and said the famous words: „Mr. Gorbachev open this gate! Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!“

And on November 9th, 1989, a crowd totalling in the thousands descended on the Berlin Wall in front of the Brandenburg Gate.

tourist information at brandenburg gate

They came to celebrate the fall of the Berlin Wall at the most symbolic sight of the separation of Berlin and Germany during the Cold War.

The Brandenburg Gate Today

On December 22, 1989, the Brandenburg Gate was officially reopened with 100,000 people cheering.

However, the gate and the quadriga needed refurbishing, which was done between 2000 and 2002.

Brandenburg Gate

On October 3, 2002, the refurbished gate was officially reopened and the quadriga got its iron cross and eagle back.

Motor vehicles cannot pass the Brandenburg Gate, as the sandstone would not survive the pollution.

You can't enter or climb the gate. It's just there to walk through and to admire from various viewpoints.

Many events take place here.

Notable Sights around Pariser Platz

Tourist Information Office

As mentioned above, the old temple that once housed the guards at the Brandenburg Gate is now a tourist vistor center.

Here you can purchase souvenirs, hats, and umbrellas, as well as tickets to attractions and make hotel bookings.

Berlin Walking Tours

It is also outside of this office where many walking tours start from, including our tours .

To the left of the tourist visitor center is the Embassy of the United States of America.

Along with France, Great Britain, and the Russian, Federation, the U.S. Embassy takes up prime real estate alongside the Brandenburg Gate.

Frank Gehry Sculpture

To the left of the the American Embassy is the DZ Bank Building, which has an interesting atrium area/event space.

When no event is taking place, you may be granted access to the lobby where you can see a remarkable space and sculpture designed by Gehry.

dz bank building frank gehry sculpture

The sculpture is made of titanium and is alternatively known as The Whale, keeping in line with Gehry's fascination with fish.

Akademie der Künste (Berlin Academy of Art)

This is one of two buildings that houses Berlin's premier art and cultural institution.

Akademie der Künste (Berlin Academy of Art)

This building hosts artistic exhibitions, lectures, and other events, most requiring tickets, which you could learn about here .

There is also a reading room, a book shop and a cafe.

Hotel Adlon Kempinski

The Hotel from the mid 1990s is a luxury hotel with many celebrity guests like Pierce Brosnan, Renée Zellwege, Marlene Dietrich, Charlie Chaplin and Queen Elizabeth.

tourist information at brandenburg gate

Arguably the most famous or infamous celebrity was Michael Jackson, who made headlines when he held his baby out of the window of his suite.

The original Adlon from 1907 was destroyed during the Second World War.

Unter den Linden

The street before you here connects the Brandenburg Gate with the Berlin Cathedral and the Berlin Palace/Humbult Forum.

The name of the street means "Under the Linden Trees" (or lime trees) that once again line its path.

Unter den Linden

Today, Unter den Linden is lined with many important buildings that have been rebuilt since the end of WW2.

The western side of the Brandenburg Gate is dominated by Tiergarten , Berlin's central park.

It’s a great place of recreation with water features, statues and flower beds and it’s right next to Germany’s oldest zoo, the Berlin Zoologischer Garten.

S

In the center of a traffic circle you find the “Siegessäule”, the victory column, commemorating three wars that led to the union of Germany in the German Empire in 1871.

Reagan's Speech Commemorative Plaque

Located on the sidewalk west of the gate, near the spot where he delivered his speech, is a plaque commemorating President Reagan's address.

tourist information at brandenburg gate

Reichstag Building

Just 300 meters to the north lies the Reichstag Building, the home of the German parliament, the Bundestag.

You can visit the inside of the Reichstag by taking a tour, and/or you can visit the buildings dome.

We explain how to do this in our post on visiting the Reichstag .

Events at The Brandenburg Gate

Throughout the year, there are recurring events that take place, at least partly at the Brandenburg Gate.

Additionally, there are pop up events as well as protest and political events throughout the year that are not recurring.

Below are some of the bigger recurring events.

New Year's Eve

Each year, a big, open-air celebration called "Celebrate at the Gate" for ringing in the new year takes place at the Brandenburg Gate, or nearby.

Live national and international musical acts make up much of the show.

In previous years, a major fireworks show was a part of it, but those have been suspended indefinitely.

Tickets are limited and free of charge, so make sure you plan well in advance, if you'd like to take part.

https://www.celebrate.berlin/en/

And on New Year's Day, there is a non-competitive, 4km run called the Neusahrslauf ( New Year's Run ).

Berlin Marathon

This yearly event usually takes place around the end of September.

The 42km marathon snakes its way through the city, but the finish line is the Brandenburg Gate, which has viewing stands.

Fest Zum Tag der Deutschen Einheit (Day of Germany Unity Festival)

October 3 is a national holiday that celebrates the official reunification of the country in 1990.

It's a 3-day festival that takes place on the western side of the Brandenburg Gate on the Platz der Republic.

Expect street food, musical acts, poetry readings, plays, and rides.

Festival of Lights

This terrific event is filled with light and video projections that illuminate buildings and landmarks throughout the city.

Top sights include the Brandenburg Gate, the TV Tower, the Berlin Cathedral, and dozens of other locations.

Brandenburg Gate Festival of Lights

Each year has a different overall theme, but every year is guaranteed to be colourful and beautiful.

Related Posts:

  • Visit the Reichstag
  • Holocaust Memorial
  • Free Things to Do in Berlin

Choose a Destination... I want them all PLUS general travel tips. Amsterdam Berlin Boston Charleston Chicago Dubai Lisbon London Los Angeles Miami Nashville New York City New Orleans Paris Philadelphia Prague Rome San Francisco Washington DC

About The Author

tourist information at brandenburg gate

Anne Wittig

North america, united kingdom & ireland, middle east & india, asia & oceania.

TheBetterVacation.com

Everything about tourist attractions

Brandenburg Gate – tickets, prices, what to expect

Brandenburg Gate, Berlin

Brandenburg Gate symbolizes Berlin’s division into East and West – and, since the fall of the Berlin Wall, it stands for a reunited Germany. 

Brandenburg Gate is a must-visit for every tourist in Berlin and attracts 12 million visitors annually. 

Locals refer to it as Brandenburger Tor.

This article covers everything you must know before booking a tour of Brandenburg Gate.

Top Brandenburg Gate Tickets

# Berlin Welcome Card # Third Reich and Cold War Walking Tour # Discover Berlin Walking Tour

Table of contents

What to see at brandenburg gate, brandenburg gate tickets, how to reach brandenburg gate, brandenburg gate opening hours, best time to visit brandenburg gate, reichstag to brandenburg gate, brandenburg gate’s map, brandenburg gate at night, brandenburg gate to berlin wall, brandenburg gate facts, faqs about brandenburg gate.

Thousands of tourists visit Berlin’s only surviving historical city gate every day. 

They are impressed by the massive structure, its decorations, and sculptures designed by Gottfried Schadow.

Most of the decorations on the Brandenburg Gate Berlin are about the Greek mythological exploits of Heracles. 

Schadow also sculpted the Quadriga, a chariot drawn by four horses, right on top of the Gate.

During your visit, you will also get to experience Pariser Platz, a beautiful public square in front of the monument. 

You can also see Haus Liebermann and Haus Sommer, the two buildings built by architect Josef Paul Kleihues in the late 1990s to replace the pavilions destroyed during World War II.

Max Liebermann Haus

To the left of the Brandenburg Gate is Max Liebermann Haus, a museum dedicated to Max Liebermann. 

He was Germany’s most famous artist of the last century and an ardent opponent of the Nazi regime.

Haus Sommer

Haus Sommer is to the right of the Brandenburg Gate, 

The building belongs to the Rhein Mortgage Bank (Rheinische Hypothekenbank), which uses the ground floor for exhibitions.

Room of Silence

The Room of Silence was designed to give visitors a quiet place to calm and relax at one of Berlin’s busiest attractions.

The locals refer to it as Raum der Stille.

There is no entrance fee for Brandenburg Gate. It is free for all visitors. 

However, there are many guided tours, which also include a visit to Brandenburg Gate. 

Because of its central location, some of these guided tours of Berlin and the Berlin Wall start at the historic Gate. 

We list the best Brandenburg Gate tickets/tours you can book – 

Third Reich and Cold War Walking Tour

This is a two-hour tour to discover Berlin’s unique story, starting from Brandenburg Gate and including a long stretch of the Berlin Wall.

Some of the landmarks you will visit during this tour are the German House of Parliament, the Soviet War Memorial, the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe, and Hitler’s Bunker.

You will also come across Hermann Göring’s enormous Ministry of Aviation building, SS and the Gestapo’s headquarters, and Checkpoint Charlie.

Cost of the tour

Adult ticket (18 to 65 years):  €20 Seniors ticket (66+ years):  €18 Youth ticket (7 to 17 years): €18 Infant ticket (up to 6 years): Free

Discover Berlin Walking Tour

Despite being the cheapest tour of Berlin, where you also get to explore Brandenburg Gate, it is highly rated. 

You get to see all the city’s major sights, from the Brandenburg Gate to Museum Island, and hear stories from local experts.

This tour is available in 2-hour or 4-hour options. 

Adult ticket (12 to 64 years): €20 Seniors ticket (65+ years): €18 Children ticket (up to 11 years): Free

Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour of Berlin

This bus tour is a convenient way to explore Berlin’s 22 top sights, including Brandenburg Gate, in about two hours. 

If you want to spend extra time at any attraction, just get off, and get on again when the next HOHO bus arrives. 

You get both live commentary and audio guides to help you understand the monuments better. 

Adult ticket (18+ years): €22 Youth ticket (12 to 17 years): €18 Children ticket (3 to 11 years): €15 Infant ticket (up to 2 years): Free entry

If you want a free Spree River cruise with your Hop On Hop Off Bus tour, check out this exciting option .

Berlin Sights and Highlights Bike Tour

Enjoy an exciting 3.5-hour journey by bike through the history of Berlin.

This tour starts at Kulturbrauerei, an impressive old brewery complex in the trendy Prenzlauer Berg district. 

It passes through the Government District, Berlin Central Station, Brandenburg Gate, Holocaust Memorial, the Berlin Wall, Gendarmenmarkt, Museum Island, etc.

This tour is customizable as well. After booking, contact the tour operator with your preferences about the time and places you prefer. 

Bicycle rental is part of the tour price. 

Cost of the tour: €34 per person

If the division of Berlin interests you more, check out this bike tour focusing on the Berlin Wall .

Trabi Safari – the car lover’s way to see Berlin

The Trabant is a car produced from 1957 to 1990 in East Germany. It is often seen as symbolic of what was wrong with East Germany.

It was the German Democratic Republic’s official car, and now you can take it for a spin in Berlin. 

 A group of up to four gets their own Trabant, and you go on a Trabi Safari. 

During this 75-minute tour, you will pass by Potsdamer Platz, the Brandenburg Gate, Unter den Linden, the Berlin Cathedral, the Rotes Rathaus (Red City Hall), the TV Tower, East Side Gallery, the Oberbaum Bridge, and Checkpoint Charlie.

Important: Every new driver gets a Trabi driver’s license and third-party, and vehicle damage insurance in excess of 650 EUR is also included.

Adult ticket (18+ years): €79 Child ticket (up to 17 years): Free

Follow the link to explore Berlin in a mini Hot Rod . 

Brandenburg Gate + Reichstag’s Glass Dome

During this 90-minute private tour, you discover the highlights of Berlin’s parliamentary quarter and then go up to the glass dome roof for panoramic views over the city.

Cost of the tour : €245

Berlin Wall’s Greatest Escapes Game Tour

This experience is a perfect mix between an audio-guided tour, an outdoor escape game, and a treasure hunt.

In this tour, you download Questo, the gamified travel app, onto your smartphone and play the role of a person escaping East Berlin in 1984. Solving a clue gives you directions to the next stop without the need for a map, GPS, or a physical guide.

On each step, you will learn about Berlin’s secrets by visiting attractions such as Brandenburg Gate, Checkpoint Charlie, the Berlin Wall, etc.

Most visitors finish the game in two hours. 

Cost of the tour: From €10

Brandenburg Gate is at the end of Unter den Linden boulevard, between Platz des 18. März and the Pariser Platz.

Address: Pariser Platz, 10117 Berlin, Germany. Get Directions

You can reach the attraction both by public or private transport. It is best to take public transport.

The same tickets are valid for trips on buses, S-Bahn, trams, U-Bahn (Underground), etc. 

Take the bus route No. 100 to get down at ‘Unter den Linden’ bus stop.

By Train (S-Bahn)

You can board trains S1, S2, S25 or S26 and get down at Berlin Brandenburger Tor station . 

Brandenburger Tor Station to Brandenburg Gate

Gate Brandenburg is 150 meters (500 feet) from the station, and you can walk the distance in two minutes. 

By subway (U-Bahn)

Subway line U55 stops at Berlin Brandenburger Tor , the closest station to the Brandenburg Gate Berlin.

If you’re traveling by car, turn on your  Google Maps  and get started.

There is no on-site car parking available. However, there are several parking spaces nearby.

Note: Berlin Welcome Card can be used to travel in the city’s buses free of cost. It also gets you free entry to numerous Berlin attractions, including the TV Tower. 

From April to October, Brandenburg Gate opens at 10 am and closes at 7 pm.

From November to March, it remains open for one hour less, starting at 10 am and closing at 6 pm.

However, if you want to see the grand Berlin Gate from outside, you can visit it anytime.

During the peak summer months of April to October, it is best to visit Brandenburg Gate before 10 am. 

If you don’t mind the crowd, any time of the day is an excellent time to visit. 

Sunset is a wonderful time for visitors who want to get brilliant photographs of Brandenburg Gate Berlin. 

Brandenburg Gate Berlin also looks stunning after dark because of the yellow floodlights.

Reichstag Building to Brandenburg Gate

Many visitors combine their visit to Brandenburg Gate with a tour of Reichstag Building and its dome. 

Reichstag is 500 meters (one-third of a mile) from Brandenburg Gate, and most visitors can walk the distance in six to eight minutes. 

Location of Brandenburg Gate on Berlin wall map

Now, it is perhaps the only part of the ruins of the Berlin Wall that still stands strong. 

If you want to avoid the massive crowd it witnesses during the day, it is better to visit Brandenburg Gate at night.

This city icon is illuminated with yellow floodlights at sundown and makes for beautiful photographs. 

Brandenburg Gate at night

After dark, there is a carnival-like feel in the area around the Gate. 

Visitors roaming around hand-in-hand, lots of street food options, professional photographers offering to take your photograph…tourists find it very romantic. 

Most visitors take a stroll around the Berlin Gate, to reflect on its tumultuous history and marvel at its significance. 

Berlin Wall was built by the East Germans and the Soviet Union to keep people from escaping to the more liberal West Germany. 

Brandenburg Gate stood between East and West Germany, becoming part of the Berlin Wall.

After seeing the Brandenburg Gate, many tourists want to see the Berlin Wall.

Even though the Berlin Wall doesn’t exist now, there are a few places in the city where you can see remnants of the notorious wall. We list them below – 

Checkpoint Charlie

Checkpoint Charlie in Berlin

The Americans controlled three of the border crossings in Berlin, the most famous of which is Checkpoint Charlie (or “Checkpoint C”).

After the collapse of the wall, Checkpoint Charlie has become a tourist attraction. It is part of the Allied Museum in the Dahlem neighborhood of Berlin. 

Distance from Brandenburg Gate: 1.5 km (1 mile). 20 minutes by walk

Follow the link to find out more about Checkpoint Charlie tickets .

East Side Gallery

East Side Gallery, Berlin

The East Side Gallery is the longest section of the Berlin Wall that still exists. It is a 1.3 km (almost a mile) long wall along the River Spree.

In 1990, after the Berlin Wall’s collapse, the Eastern side of the wall was painted by more than 100 artists from 20+ countries.

Today, the East Side Gallery is the world’s longest open-air gallery. 

Distance from Brandenburg Gate: 4.5 km (2.8 miles). Bus Number 300 can take you there in 30 minutes. It is 13 stops away. 

Follow the link to find out more about an exciting Alternative Tour of Berlin , which includes access to East Side Gallery.

Berlin Wall Memorial

Berlin Wall Memorial

The Berlin Wall ran along the entire length of Berlin’s division.

A part of the Berlin Wall that ran along the southern edge of Bernauer Straße has been preserved along with the watchtower.

It is now an open-air exhibition offering historical audio and video to the visitors. 

Distance from Brandenburg Gate: 2.6 km (1.6 miles). 10-15 minutes by taxi.

This Private Walking Tour of the Divided City includes a visit to the Berlin Wall Memorial.

Topography of Terror

The Topography of Terror is a Museum behind a 200-meter (650-feet) wall that runs along Niederkirchnerstraße.

This Museum is located in a building that used to house the Gestapo headquarters and the high command and security service of the SS.

Distance from Brandenburg Gate: 1.3 km (less than a mile) and 15 minutes on a walk.

A visit to Topography of Terror is part of this highly recommended Third Reich Walking Tour .

Here are some interesting facts about the Berlin Gate. 

In ancient Greek mythology, Propylaea was a monumental gateway. In the modern world, the prime example of a Propylaea is the gateway to the Acropolis in Athens, Greece. Brandenburg Gate was also meant to be the monumental gateway and is modeled on the Acropolis’ portal in Athens.

In 1945, for the first time, a Soviet Flag was flown on top of the Brandenburg Gate. The flag would remain till 1957. 

Quadriga statue on Brandenburg Gate

In 1793, a Quadriga statue depicting the Goddess of victory bearing a symbol of peace was added to the Brandenburg Gate.

Quadriga statue on Brandenburg Gate

A Quadriga is a car or chariot drawn by four horses abreast. It is different from the more conventional two horses in the front and two horses in the back format.  Image: Visitberlin.de

When the French forces under Napoleon Bonaparte shattered the Prussian Army and captured Berlin in 1806, he took Brandenburg Gate’s Quadriga to Paris. 

However, he never installed it anywhere. 

The Prussian forces captured Paris in 1814 and, following Napoleon’s defeat brought the Quadriga back to Germany. This time, the Germans added a Prussian eagle and an iron cross on her lance, with a wreath of oak leaves, and mounted it on the top again. However, the original Quadriga was destroyed in WW II – only one horse’s head from the Quadriga survived the Allies’ onslaught. It is now on display in the Märkisches Museum in Mitte, Berlin.

Brandenburg Gate and Hitler

When Hitler seized power on 30 January 1933, he held a torchlit procession through the Brandenburg Gate.

Thousands of brown shirt-wearing stormtroopers and SS members passed under the Brandenburg Gate to the presidential palace, where Hitler was cheered.

When the Nazis ascended to power in Germany, red flags of the Nazi party were hung from the Brandenburg Gate, making it a party symbol. 

Brandenburg Gate during World War 2

Brandenburg Gate survived many onslaughts during World War II.

After the war was over in 1945, it was the only structure still standing amongst the Pariser Platz ruins.

However, the bullets and nearby explosions had damaged it to a great extent. In fact, all the columns had bullet holes.

After WW II ended, the governments of East and West Berlin joined hands to restore Brandenburg Gate to its former glory.

Ronald Reagan’s speech at Brandenburg Gate

On 12 June 1987, US President Ronald Reagan made his rousing speech standing in front of the Brandenburg Gate.

He said, “As long as this Gate is closed […] it is not the German question alone that remains open, but the question of freedom for all mankind […].

He followed it up with a “Mr. Gorbachev, open this Gate! Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!”

On 22 December 1989, Brandenburg Gate was opened for good when West German Chancellor Helmut Kohl walked through it to meet East German Premier Hans Modrow.

Here are some questions visitors usually ask before visiting Brandenburg Gate like to ask:

Tourists can buy tickets for the attraction online or at the venue on the day of their visit. For the best experience, we suggest you book your tickets online in advance.

We suggest you visit it once during the day and once at night to get the best of both worlds. 

Because of its central location, Brandenburg Gate in Berlin is an ideal starting (or ending) point for the day’s itinerary. You can see Reichstag – the German Parliament , Unter den Linden boulevard , Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe , Berlin Victory Column , and Tiergarten Park , to name a few.

Sources # Wikipedia.org # Berlin.de # Visitberlin.de The travel specialists at TheBetterVacation.com use only high-quality sources while researching & writing their articles. We make every attempt to keep our content current, reliable and trustworthy .

Popular attractions in Berlin

How useful was this post?

Click on a star to rate it!

Check out all the things to do in Berlin

This article was researched & written by

Era Kaundal

Era Kaundal is a writing enthusiast and a Korean language lover. In love with the beauty around her, she dreams of exploring the beautiful sights all around the world. While planning her holidays, she prefers destinations where one can relax and rejuvenate. Favorite Cities: Seoul, Tokyo, Florence, Vienna

Edited by Rekha Rajan & fact checked by Jamshed V Rajan

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

FireStorm Internet runs this website to provide the most accurate and up-to-day information about tourist attractions.

Our Address

FireStorm Internet, 203, 30C, Bollineni Hillside, Perumbakkam Main Road, Nookampalayam, Chennai, India. Pin Code: 600126

About Us The Team Contact Us Affiliate Disclaimer Content Policy HTML Sitemap Privacy Policy Terms of Service

Helicopter Tours Food Tours Ghost Tours Stadium Tours Hop On Hop Off Tours Zoo Tickets Madame Tussauds Linq High Roller Summit One Vanderbilt

© 2024 FireStorm Internet

Winter is here! Check out the winter wonderlands at these 5 amazing winter destinations in Montana

  • Travel Destinations

Berlin Sightseeing: The Brandenberg Gate

Published: October 14, 2023

Modified: December 28, 2023

by Clotilda Fulk

  • Arts & Culture
  • Plan Your Trip
  • Travel Tips

berlin-sightseeing-the-brandenberg-gate

Introduction

Welcome to the iconic Brandenburg Gate, one of the most recognizable landmarks in Berlin, Germany. This historic monument holds significant cultural and historical value, attracting millions of visitors each year. Standing tall at the end of Unter den Linden boulevard, the Brandenburg Gate serves as a symbol of unity, freedom, and the triumph over adversity.

Throughout its rich history, the Brandenburg Gate has witnessed momentous events, including the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 and the reunification of East and West Germany. Today, it stands as a proud testament to the resilience and determination of the German people.

Not only is the Brandenburg Gate a prominent historical site, but it also serves as a vibrant hub for cultural activities and celebrates the spirit of Berlin. From live music performances to festive events and even political gatherings, this iconic landmark continues to play an active role in shaping the city’s identity.

Whether you are a history enthusiast, architecture lover, or simply seeking breathtaking views, the Brandenburg Gate is a must-visit destination on your itinerary. In this article, we will delve into the history, architecture, symbolism, nearby attractions, popular events, and tips for visiting the Brandenburg Gate. So, let’s embark on a journey through time and explore the beauty and significance of this remarkable cultural icon.

History of the Brandenburg Gate

The history of the Brandenburg Gate dates back to the late 18th century when it was commissioned by King Frederick William II of Prussia as a grand entrance to the city of Berlin. Designed by architect Carl Gotthard Langhans, the gate was completed in 1791 and quickly became a symbol of the city’s identity.

Originally, the Brandenburg Gate consisted of 12 Doric columns, six on each side, supporting a quadriga – a chariot drawn by four horses. The design was inspired by the Propylaea, the monumental gateway to the Acropolis in Athens, Greece. The gate was not only a functional entrance but also a magnificent piece of architecture, embodying the neoclassical style popular during that era.

Throughout its existence, the Brandenburg Gate has witnessed crucial historical events, making it a living testament to the city’s past. During the Napoleonic era, the gate became a symbol of Prussian resistance. After Napoleon’s defeat, the Quadriga sculpture, depicting the goddess of victory, was temporarily removed and replaced with a Prussian eagle as a symbol of triumph.

In the 19th and 20th centuries, the Brandenburg Gate underwent significant changes due to political and social shifts. It became a focal point during the Nazi era, where Adolf Hitler marched triumphantly through the gate after assuming power in 1933. During World War II, the gate suffered extensive damage from bombings, and the Quadriga was destroyed.

Following the war, when Berlin was divided into East and West, the Brandenburg Gate found itself on the eastern side, sealed off from West Berlin. It became a potent symbol of the Cold War and the divided city. The gate remained inaccessible for nearly three decades until November 9, 1989, when the Berlin Wall fell and Germany experienced reunification. This historic moment took place at the Brandenburg Gate, with thousands of jubilant people celebrating the end of the division.

Architecture and Design

The Brandenburg Gate’s architecture and design are a testament to the grandeur and elegance of neoclassical style. Its imposing structure stands at over 65 feet tall and consists of 12 Doric columns, six on each side, forming five passageways. The central archway is reserved for vehicles, while the two smaller side archways are for pedestrians.

The gate is constructed primarily from sandstone, giving it a timeless and majestic appearance. The columns are adorned with intricate decorations, including relief sculptures of soldiers, symbolic figures, and mythological scenes. These details emphasize the gate’s historical and cultural significance.

A prominent feature of the Brandenburg Gate is the Quadriga, a magnificent sculpture that stands on top of the gate. Originally created by sculptor Johann Gottfried Schadow in 1793, it depicted the goddess of victory riding a chariot drawn by four horses. The Quadriga embodies the triumph and glory associated with the gate and its significance to the city.

Over the years, the Quadriga underwent several transformations. In 1806, after the French occupation of Berlin, Napoleon took the Quadriga to Paris as a spoils of war. It was later returned to Berlin in 1814 after Napoleon’s defeat and restored to its rightful place on the Brandenburg Gate.

During World War II, the Quadriga was severely damaged, and its original sculptures were destroyed. However, it was meticulously reconstructed in 1958, with modifications made to reflect the political ideology of East Germany. The chariot driver, previously depicted as a woman, was replaced with a male figure symbolizing the collective spirit of the people.

Following the reunification of Germany, the Quadriga underwent restoration once again to revert to its original design, with the goddess of victory standing proudly atop the gate. It serves as a powerful reminder of the gate’s rich history, resilience, and the desire for peace and unity.

The overall design of the Brandenburg Gate exudes elegance, symmetry, and grandeur. It is a masterful representation of the neoclassical architectural style, which was popular during the late 18th century. Its graceful lines, intricate details, and imposing presence make it a true masterpiece of architectural design.

Visiting the Brandenburg Gate allows you to appreciate the skill and craftsmanship that went into its creation. The grandeur of the architecture and the attention to detail make it a truly remarkable structure that continues to captivate visitors from around the world.

Symbolism and Significance

The Brandenburg Gate holds immense symbolism and significance, both historically and culturally. As a symbol of unity, it represents the reunification of East and West Germany, marking the end of the Cold War and the division of Berlin. The gate stands as a testament to the resilience and determination of the German people, who overcame significant challenges to achieve unity and freedom.

Throughout its history, the Brandenburg Gate has witnessed pivotal moments in German and European history. It has seen the triumphs and tribulations of the nation, from the rise and fall of empires to the devastation of World War II. It has served as a gathering place for celebrations, protests, and political demonstrations, where the voice of the people was heard.

Moreover, the Quadriga sculpture atop the Brandenburg Gate carries its own symbolism. The goddess of victory driving the chariot represents the triumph of peace over war, freedom over tyranny, and unity over division. The act of installing the Quadriga on the gate conveys a powerful message of hope, progress, and the pursuit of a better future.

The Brandenburg Gate has also become a symbol of European unity and peace. Its location at the heart of Berlin, near the former Berlin Wall, represents the unification of a divided continent. It stands as a symbol of the shared values, cooperation, and reconciliation that have shaped Europe’s post-war history.

Furthermore, the gate has served as a backdrop for major historical events and speeches by world leaders. It is a place where significant treaties have been signed, where the ideals of democracy and human rights have been championed, and where the power of collective action and peaceful movements have been demonstrated.

Today, the Brandenburg Gate continues to be a symbol of freedom, democracy, and the pursuit of a more inclusive society. As a popular tourist attraction, it attracts visitors from all over the world who come to witness its grandeur, soak in its historical significance, and pay homage to the struggles and achievements of the past.

Whether it represents the triumph of the human spirit, the unity of a nation, or the symbolism of peace and progress, the Brandenburg Gate stands tall as a powerful and enduring icon. It serves as a reminder of our shared history and the ongoing quest for a better tomorrow.

Top Attractions near the Brandenburg Gate

The area surrounding the Brandenburg Gate is teeming with attractions that offer a deeper insight into Berlin’s rich history and vibrant culture. Here are some of the top attractions you can explore during your visit:

  • Reichstag Building: Located just west of the Brandenburg Gate, the Reichstag Building is the seat of the German parliament. Its modern glass dome offers panoramic views of the city and is a must-visit for its architecture and historical significance.
  • Museum Island: Situated in the Spree River, Museum Island is a UNESCO World Heritage site that houses several renowned museums, including the Pergamon Museum, the Neues Museum, and the Bode Museum. From ancient artifacts to modern art, it is a treasure trove of cultural and historical artifacts.
  • Holocaust Memorial: Located just a short walk from the Brandenburg Gate, the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe is a poignant and thought-provoking site. The memorial consists of 2,711 concrete slabs arranged in a grid pattern, creating a powerful and somber atmosphere.
  • Unter den Linden Boulevard: Stretching from the Brandenburg Gate to the Lustgarten, Unter den Linden is Berlin’s most famous boulevard. Lined with majestic trees, historic buildings, and upscale shops, it offers a picturesque stroll through the heart of the city.
  • Checkpoint Charlie: This iconic Cold War checkpoint was once the border crossing between East and West Berlin. Today, it serves as a museum and a symbol of the divided past. Visitors can learn about the history of the Berlin Wall and the attempts to escape to the West.
  • Berlin Wall Memorial: Located near the Nordbahnhof S-Bahn station, the Berlin Wall Memorial is a comprehensive exhibition documenting the history and impact of the Berlin Wall. It features preserved sections of the wall, watchtowers, and informative displays that shed light on this pivotal period.
  • Gendarmenmarkt Square: Considered one of the most beautiful squares in Berlin, Gendarmenmarkt is home to impressive architectural masterpieces. It is flanked by the French Cathedral, the German Cathedral, and the Concert Hall, creating a stunning ensemble.
  • DDR Museum: Located on the banks of the Spree River, the DDR Museum provides an interactive and immersive experience of life in East Germany during the Cold War. From simulated Trabant car rides to a recreated East German apartment, it offers a unique perspective on everyday life in the former GDR.

These attractions near the Brandenburg Gate offer a diverse range of experiences, allowing visitors to delve into Berlin’s captivating history, appreciate its architectural marvels, and gain a deeper understanding of its complex past. Whether you are interested in art, history, or simply exploring the city’s vibrant atmosphere, these nearby attractions are sure to enhance your visit to the Brandenburg Gate.

Popular Events at the Brandenburg Gate

The Brandenburg Gate is not only a historical landmark but also a vibrant hub for various events and celebrations. Throughout the year, this iconic location plays host to a wide range of concerts, festivals, and cultural gatherings, attracting locals and tourists alike. Here are some of the popular events that take place at the Brandenburg Gate:

  • New Year’s Eve Celebration: The Brandenburg Gate is the epicenter of one of the world’s largest New Year’s Eve parties. Tens of thousands of people gather to celebrate the arrival of the new year, enjoying live music performances, spectacular fireworks, and a joyous atmosphere that lasts until the early hours of the morning.
  • Brandenburg Gate Summer Concerts: During the summer months, the Brandenburg Gate becomes the stage for a series of open-air concerts featuring a diverse range of music genres. From classical performances to contemporary pop and rock bands, these concerts attract music lovers of all ages and backgrounds.
  • Cultural Festivals: The Brandenburg Gate serves as a central venue for various cultural festivals throughout the year. From the Berlin International Film Festival to the Berlin Marathon and the Love Parade, these events showcase the city’s creativity, diversity, and spirit of celebration.
  • Sporting Events: The Brandenburg Gate is often a prominent feature in major sporting events in Berlin. It serves as the finish line for the Berlin Marathon, where thousands of runners complete their 26.2-mile journey. Additionally, the gate has been a backdrop for public screenings of important football matches and other sporting competitions.
  • Patriotic Celebrations: The Brandenburg Gate is a place of national pride and often hosts celebrations of significant historical and patriotic events. From the German Unity Day celebrations to World Cup victory rallies, these gatherings bring people together to commemorate their shared heritage.
  • Political Demonstrations and Rallies: Due to its symbolic location, the Brandenburg Gate is often chosen as a gathering point for political protests and demonstrations. From environmental activism to marches for social justice, the gate has witnessed numerous demonstrations that demonstrate the power of the people’s voice.

Attending these events at the Brandenburg Gate offers a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the vibrant atmosphere of Berlin’s cultural and social scene. Whether you are joining the revelry of a major celebration, enjoying a concert under the night sky, or standing alongside passionate protesters, the Brandenburg Gate provides a memorable backdrop for these diverse events that reflect the city’s dynamic spirit.

Tips for Visiting the Brandenburg Gate

If you’re planning a visit to the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, here are some helpful tips to make the most of your experience:

  • Arrive Early: The Brandenburg Gate is a popular tourist destination, so it can get crowded, especially during peak tourist seasons. To avoid crowds and have a more enjoyable experience, try to arrive early in the morning when it is less crowded.
  • Explore the Surrounding Area: The area around the Brandenburg Gate is filled with other attractions, such as the Reichstag Building, Museum Island, and the Holocaust Memorial. Take the time to explore these nearby sites to enhance your visit and gain a deeper understanding of Berlin’s history and culture.
  • Take Photos from Different Angles: The Brandenburg Gate is an iconic symbol of Berlin, and taking photos of this magnificent structure is a must. Experiment with different angles and perspectives to capture the gate’s grandeur from various viewpoints.
  • Visit at Night: The Brandenburg Gate takes on a different charm at night when it is beautifully illuminated. The lit-up gate against the dark sky creates a magical ambiance that is worth experiencing. Take an evening stroll to witness this mesmerizing sight.
  • Attend an Event or Concert: Keep an eye out for events and concerts happening at the Brandenburg Gate during your visit. From live music performances to cultural festivals, these events add an extra layer of excitement to your visit and allow you to immerse yourself in the local atmosphere.
  • Respect the Monument: The Brandenburg Gate is not only a tourist attraction but also a revered historical monument. Be mindful of its significance and show respect during your visit. Follow any posted rules or guidelines, and refrain from climbing on the gate or behaving inappropriately.
  • Stay Hydrated and Dress Comfortably: Berlin’s weather can vary, so check the forecast before your visit and dress accordingly. Wear comfortable shoes as you may do a fair amount of walking. Also, carry a water bottle with you to stay hydrated, especially during warmer months.
  • Take Public Transportation: Berlin has an excellent public transportation system, including buses, trains, and trams. Consider taking public transportation to reach the Brandenburg Gate, as parking can be limited in the area. The gate is easily accessible, with various transportation options available.

Visiting the Brandenburg Gate is an opportunity to immerse yourself in Berlin’s history, culture, and architectural marvels. By following these tips, you can make the most of your visit and create lasting memories of this iconic landmark.

The Brandenburg Gate stands as a timeless symbol of Berlin’s rich history, resilience, and triumph. Its grand architecture, historical significance, and central location make it a must-visit destination for travelers from around the world.

From its origins as a grand entrance to the city to its role in pivotal historical events, the Brandenburg Gate has seen the rise and fall of empires, the struggle for unity, and the celebration of freedom. It stands as a powerful reminder of the perseverance and determination of the German people.

The gate’s majestic design, with its iconic Quadriga sculpture, captivates visitors and leaves them in awe of the skill and craftsmanship of bygone eras. It represents the elegance and grandeur of neoclassical architecture, reflecting Berlin’s rich cultural heritage.

But the Brandenburg Gate is more than just a historical monument. It is a living, breathing part of Berlin’s vibrant cultural scene. It serves as a backdrop for concerts, festivals, political demonstrations, and celebrations, bringing people together to appreciate the power of unity and the pursuit of a better tomorrow.

With its location near other significant attractions, such as the Reichstag Building and Museum Island, a visit to the Brandenburg Gate becomes a journey through Berlin’s past and present. Exploring the surrounding area allows visitors to dive deeper into the city’s history and gain a profound understanding of its cultural significance.

Whether you visit during the day or admire it glowing under the night sky, the Brandenburg Gate leaves a lasting impression on all who encounter it. It embodies the values of unity, freedom, and resilience, serving as a reminder of mankind’s unyielding spirit.

So, as you plan your trip to Berlin, be sure to include the Brandenburg Gate in your itinerary. Immerse yourself in its grandeur, appreciate its historical significance, and cherish the moments spent in its presence. The Brandenburg Gate beckons, ready to share its stories and inspire all who stand before it.

TouristSecrets

  • Privacy Overview
  • Strictly Necessary Cookies

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.

Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings.

If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again.

Berlin Tourist Info am Brandenburger Tor

Berlin Tourist Info am Brandenburger Tor

Berlin Tourist Info Centre at Brandenburg Gate

Well-informed.

Brandenburg Gate is Berlin's signature attraction. A visit to Brandenburg Gate and the Berlin Tourist Info Centre in its south wing can be easily combined with a leisurely stroll along the Unter den Linden boulevard with its numerous places of interest. The Reichstag with its striking glass dome is also just a few minutes' walk from Brandenburg Gate.

Our services for you

Our trained multilingual staff behind the counter will be happy to help you plan your stay in Berlin. We can provide you with information about the latest events, book tickets of your choice and reserve hotel rooms for you and your guests - we are able to present offers from more than 350 hotels and guesthouses in Berlin.

  • Expert Multilingual Advice
  • Berlin WelcomeCard
  • Hotel Reservations
  • Tickets for Events in Berlin
  • Tickets for City Tours, Boat Tours and Museums in Berlin
  • Berlin City Map and Guide
  • Tickets for Public Transport
  • books and travel guides

The shop sells an extensive range of attractive clothing and quirky souvenirs with the BERLIN label as well as a variety of travel guides. You are guaranteed to find the perfect souvenir or a wonderful memento to take back to your loved ones.

Kurz & Knapp

Daily 10am - 6pm

Pariser Platz, südliches Torhaus 10117 Berlin Germany

Ermäßigungen in der Nähe

Need Help? : Whats app

  • Travel Reviews
  • Travel Forum
  • Destinations

This website uses cookies

tourist information at brandenburg gate

Brandenburg Gate (Brandenburger Tor) Tours and Tickets

11172 Reviews

1. The Brandenburg Gate is a neoclassical monument in Berlin, Germany. It was built in the 18th century and served as a symbol of peace, power, and unity throughout its history. The gate is comprised of 12 columns with a chariot on top driven by the Roman goddess of victory. The Brandenburg Gate has witnessed many historic events throughout its existence, including the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989. Today, it is a popular tourist attraction and a symbol of German unity. Interesting facts: - The Brandenburg Gate was heavily damaged during World War II and was almost completely destroyed. It was reconstructed in the 1950s and 1960s. - The chariot on top of the gate was stolen by Napoleon and taken to Paris, but it was later returned to Germany. - The Brandenburg Gate was closed off for 28 years during the division of Berlin, and it wasn’t until 1989 that the gate was opened again after the fall of the Berlin Wall. 2. The Brandenburg Gate is open to visitors 24/7, and admission is free. There is no phone number available for the monument. 3. The Brandenburg Gate is easily accessible by public transportation, with several tram and bus lines stopping nearby. The closest underground station is Brandenburger Tor, which is on the U55 line. Visitors can also take a taxi or ride a bike to the monument. There is no ticket required to visit the Brandenburg Gate.

  • The tourist information center at the Brandenburg Gate has free Wi-Fi.
  • The Brandenburg Gate and many surrounding attractions are wheelchair accessible.

The similar Tours

Tour to ...

Checkpoint Charlie

Access for Visually Impaired

Accessibility for wheels, access for seniors, for hearing impaired.

Tour to ...

Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe (Holocaust Memorial)

Attraction

Likely to Sell Out

Discover Berlin Half-Day Walking Tour

Uncover Berlin's past and present on this enlightening 4-hour walking tour through Mitte, the city’s historic center. Walk along the Berlin Wall, stroll down Unter den Linden to Brandenburg Gate, see the Reichstag and Holocaust Memorial, hear the story behind Checkpoint Charlie and learn about the Topography of Terror museum. Listen as your guide ties important monuments, buildings and memorials to the city’s complex Prussian, Imperial, Nazi and Cold War past, weaving history into a detailed narrative. Compare these historical sights with modern marvels such as Potsdamer Platz and Friedrichstrasse.

Attraction

Third Reich Berlin WalkingTour Hitler and WWII

Visit the sites from where Hitler and his henchmen, plotted and executed the conquest and eventual destruction of Europe. Over the 3 hour walking tour you will stand above the site of Hitler's bunker, where he committed suicide in 1945. See Soviet military hardware used in the battle for Berlin in 1945 at the soviet war memorial. Walk down Wilhelmstrasse where Nazi top brass plotted assults on enemy forces and planned the subjugation of millions of peoiple in occupied Europe.. Go to the Reichstag parliament building where a fateful fire in 1933 helped Hitler and the Nazi's dismantle democracy in Germany in 1933. Learn about the Berliners during this period, how they reacted to the bombing raids and living life under a dictatorship. See Hermann Goerings former airforce ministry, Goebbels' former propaganda HQ and various other sites that had great importance to the NSDAP.

Attraction

Explore Berlin's Top Attractions 3-hour English Walking Tour

Embark on a captivating 3-hour journey through Berlin, delving deep into the city's soul with an Insider's perspective! Led by our expert local guide, you'll explore not only the iconic landmarks like the Berlin Wall, Brandenburg Gate, Reichstag parliament building, and Checkpoint Charlie but also discover the hidden gems often overlooked by conventional tours. Immerse yourself in the untold stories of Berlin during World War II and the Cold War, gaining profound insights into the lived experiences of the city's residents during those tumultuous times. Get ready for a tour that goes beyond the surface, revealing the heart and history of this dynamic city.

Attraction

Big Bus Berlin Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Tour

Enjoy this perfect introduction to Berlin on a Hop on Hop off Big Bus tour. Sitting back and relaxing on an open-top double decker sightseeing bus as you listen to insightful and highly educational audio commentary of the German Capital. You'll pass by and have the opportunity to hop on or off and further explore the city's most iconic sights such as The Brandenburg Gate, Checkpoint Charlie, The Reichstag, Museum Island, The Berlin Cathedral and The East Side Gallery Gain a further insight into Berlin’s tumultuous history on our 90-minute walking tour. Delve into the city’s fascinating past from the Third Reich and Second World War to the Cold War. In addition to all this, you can also enjoy Berlin’s most famous street-food, the Currywurst. Complete your Berlin experience with an optional 75-minute live-guided Evening tour taking in the East Side Gallery, Berlin's trendy neighborhoods of Kreuzberg, Mitte and Prenzlauer Berg.

Attraction

All-in-One Berlin Shore Excursion from Warnemunde or Rostock Port

This shore excursion is our flagship experience, and is designed to show you the very best of Berlin in the time that you have ashore! The German capital has become the third most visited destination in Europe and we will take you to all its main sights to show you exactly why. This shore excursion is adjusted to each ship’s docking times and starts promptly after your vessel’s arrival, returning with plenty of time to spare before its departure. Our expert team has been organizing these tours for nearly a decade. We have never missed a cruise ship’s departure and imparted our knowledge and enthusiasm for our unique and beautiful city to thousands of satisfied passengers!

  • Video Guide
  • Hearing kits
  • Speech To Text
  • Special Parking
  • Access with Portable Ramp
  • Can have severe slope, cobblestones, and/or gravel
  • Accessible elevator
  • Easy without assistance
  • Wide doors >= 75 cm and < 90 cm
  • Accessible Toilet
  • Braille description
  • Audio Guide
  • Place has Special Guide Service
  • Service animals permitted
  • Physical difficulty level for Seniors - 2

IMAGES

  1. Walk Through The Brandenburg Gate

    tourist information at brandenburg gate

  2. Brandenburg Gate

    tourist information at brandenburg gate

  3. Brandenburg Gate, The Berlin City Heart

    tourist information at brandenburg gate

  4. Brandenburg Gate

    tourist information at brandenburg gate

  5. Brandenburg Gate in Berlin: history, events & more

    tourist information at brandenburg gate

  6. Brandenburg Gate, Germany

    tourist information at brandenburg gate

VIDEO

  1. Brandenburg Gate Germany

  2. Brandenburg gate

  3. Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, Germany 🇩🇪

  4. The Historical Gate

  5. Berlin with a tourist from Argentina

  6. Brandenburg Gate: Must See to Believe! #Berlin

COMMENTS

  1. Berlin Tourist Info Centre at Brandenburg Gate

    Berlin Tourist Info Centres. Brandenburg Gate is Berlin's signature attraction. A visit to Brandenburg Gate and the Berlin Tourist Info Centre in its south wing can be easily combined with a leisurely stroll along the Unter den Linden boulevard with its numerous places of interest. The Reichstag with its striking glass dome is also just a few ...

  2. Brandenburg Gate

    The Brandenburg Gate is one of Berlin's most important monuments, a landmark and symbol with over two hundred years of history. Hardly any other sight is on so many tourist selfies as the great sandstone gate in the heart of the city. The Brandenburg Gate used to be memorial of division - after the construction of the Berlin Wall, it was ...

  3. Guide to the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin

    Entrance, Tickets & Tours to Brandenburg Gate. Entrance: The Brandenburg Gate can be visited daily around the clock. The Room of Silence, on the other hand, is open from 11 am to 6 pm. Tickets: Admission to the Brandenburg Gate, including the "Room of Silence," is free. Tours: Many guided tours include a visit to the Brandenburg Gate.

  4. Guide to Visiting Brandenburg Gate in Berlin

    Brandenburger Tor has an S&U station by the same name, so you can get there from farther away. Take the Ubahn line U5 or Sbahn lines S1, S2, S25, or S26. Bus 100 also has a stop close to Brandenburg Gate. You could also get to Brandenburg Gate on one of the hop on hop off buses in Berlin.

  5. Brandenburg Gate

    The gate was commissioned by King Frederick William II of Prussia in 1791 and was built in the neoclassical style. The Brandenburg Gate stands as a triumphal arch, and is a symbol of peace and unity, with its many sculptures and symbols representing the history of the city. It is a great place to visit and learn more about the city's past.

  6. The Brandenburg Gate in Berlin is the most famous landmark

    TOP TEN TOURIST ATTRACTIONS Berlins most recommended sights and attractions. ... The Brandenburg Gate is an important monument in Berlin's backdrop scenery and is one of the top 10 in the city of Berlin. A photo in front of it is a must. Weather. Berlin EN. Photo Gallery Brandenburg Gate. Address: Pariser Platz, 10117 Berlin ...

  7. Berlin Tourist Info Centre at Brandenburg Gate

    Brandenburg Gate is Berlin's signature attraction. A visit to Brandenburg Gate and the Berlin Tourist Info Centre in its south wing can be easily combined with a leisurely stroll along the Unter den Linden boulevard with its numerous places of interest. The Reichstag with its striking glass dome is also just a few minutes' walk from Brandenburg ...

  8. How To Visit The Brandenburg Gate in Berlin

    The Brandenburg Gate gets quite busy in the afternoons, and can be quite loud and chaotic if there are protests or public events on at the time. I recommend getting there around 9am or 4pm if you want a bit of space. 09:00 - Get the Brandenburg Gate to yourself! 11:00 - Getting busier. 13:00 - How is there a guy with an organ grinder, ten ...

  9. Brandenburg Gate

    The Brandenburg Gate (German: Brandenburger Tor [ˈbʁandn̩ˌbʊʁɡɐ ˈtoːɐ̯] ⓘ) is an 18th-century neoclassical monument in Berlin. One of the best-known landmarks of Germany, it was erected on the site of a former city gate that marked the start of the road from Berlin to Brandenburg an der Havel, the former capital of the Margraviate ...

  10. Berlin Tourist Info Centres

    Brandenburg Gate is Berlin's signature attraction. A visit to Brandenburg Gate and the Berlin Tourist Info Centre in its south wing can be easily combined with a leisurely stroll along the Unter den Linden boulevard with its numerous places of interest. Read more. Pariser Platz, südliches Torhaus ...

  11. History of the Brandenburg Gate

    The Brandenburg Gate became infamous in the Cold War when it was the sad symbol for the division of Berlin and the rest of Germany. The Gate stood between East and West Germany, becoming part of the Berlin Wall. When John F. Kennedy visited the Brandenburg Gate in 1963 the Soviets hung large red banners across the gate to prevent him from ...

  12. The Brandenburg Gate in Berlin

    The German state of Brandenburg is named after that place as well, because the whole history of Brandenburg and Prussia started here. The Brandenburg Gate is the only gate left after the wall was destroyed in 1860. You can still find some of the other gates as place names on the public transit map: "Frankfurter Tor", "Hallesches Tor ...

  13. Brandenburg Gate

    Find Brandenburg Gate, Unter den Linden, Berlin, Germany, ratings, photos, prices, expert advice, traveler reviews and tips, and more information from Condé Nast ...

  14. Brandenburg Gate

    The over 200-year-old Brandenburg Gate is a symbol of the reunification of Germany and captivates visitors with its unique charm. ... The Berlin WelcomeCard is available directly at the Tourist Info point at the Brandenburg Gate. Berlin's official tourist ticket has already been sold over 12 million times and allows you free travel on all ...

  15. Brandenburg Gate

    You get to see all the city's major sights, from the Brandenburg Gate to Museum Island, and hear stories from local experts. This tour is available in 2-hour or 4-hour options. Cost of the tour. Adult ticket (12 to 64 years): €20. Seniors ticket (65+ years): €18. Children ticket (up to 11 years): Free. Book This Tour.

  16. Berlin Tourist Information at Brandenburg Gate

    Brandenburg Gate is Berlin's signature attraction. A visit to Brandenburg Gate and the Berlin Tourist Information in its south wing can be easily combined with a leisurely stroll along the Unter den Linden boulevard with its numerous places of interest. The Reichstag with its striking glass dome is also just a few minutes' walk from Brandenburg Gate.

  17. Berlin Sightseeing: the Brandenberg Gate

    Visiting the Brandenburg Gate is an opportunity to immerse yourself in Berlin's history, culture, and architectural marvels. By following these tips, you can make the most of your visit and create lasting memories of this iconic landmark. Conclusion. The Brandenburg Gate stands as a timeless symbol of Berlin's rich history, resilience, and ...

  18. Berlin Tourist Info Centre at Brandenburg Gate

    Brandenburg Gate is Berlin's signature attraction. A visit to Brandenburg Gate and the Berlin Tourist Info Centre in its south wing can be easily combined with a leisurely stroll along the Unter den Linden boulevard with its numerous places of interest. The Reichstag with its striking glass dome is also just a few minutes' walk from Brandenburg ...

  19. Brandenburg Gate

    The Brandenburg Gate, Berlin. The gate was commissioned by Frederick William II as an entrance to Unter den Linden, which led to the Prussian palace. It was built in 1788-91 by Carl G. Langhans after the model of the Propylaea in Athens. The sandstone structure is composed of 12 Doric columns that create five portals—the middle of which was ...

  20. Brandenburg Gate (Brandenburger Tor)

    Built in 1791 in a neoclassical style, the Brandenburg Gate is the last of Berlin's original city gates. Originally commissioned by Prussian King Frederick William II, the monument took center stage years later during the Cold War, when it was located in an exclusion zone on the Soviet side and inaccessible to residents of both East and West ...

  21. Brandenburg Gate (Brandenburger Tor)

    The gate is comprised of 12 columns with a chariot on top driven by the Roman goddess of victory. The Brandenburg Gate has witnessed many historic events throughout its existence, including the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989. Today, it is a popular tourist attraction and a symbol of German unity.