Brandenburg Gate (Brandenburger Tor)

No Berlin tour is complete without a glimpse of the Brandenburg Gate. Whether you choose to explore Berlin on a walking tour, on a bike tour, by Segway, or in a Trabant vintage car, you’ll surely stop to snap a photo by this iconic landmark. There are tours to suit all preferences—small-group and private tours that offer a more personalized experience; Berlin Wall and Third Reich tours that offer a greater insight into Berlin’s history; and hop-on hop-off bus tours for those who want to discover Berlin at their own pace.

• The tourist information center at the Brandenburg Gate has free Wi-Fi.

• The Brandenburg Gate and many surrounding attractions are wheelchair accessible.

The Brandenburg Gate is located on the historic square of Pariser Platz in West Berlin, at the western end of Unter den Linden Boulevard and bordering the eastern entrance to Tiergarten Park. The closest subway station is Brandenburger Tor. Monuments such as the Holocaust Memorial and the Reichstag building are within easy walking distance.

As one of the most popular Berlin attractions, the Brandenburg Gate is often surrounded by crowds, especially during the busy months of July and August. Visit after dark to see the monument lit up by dramatic spotlights, or stop by in the early morning to avoid the crush of tourists or grab a rare photograph of the gate without crowds. The Brandenburg Gate is also an important part of annual events such as the October Berlin Lights Festival, Berlin’s holiday illuminations, and the city’s New Year’s Eve celebrations.

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 Berlin. After the fall of the Berlin Wall, it was heralded as a symbol of unified Berlin, with huge crowds gathering to celebrate its monumental reopening.

The Brandenburg Gate is usually illuminated in the evenings, typically after sunset and until midnight. The lighting schedule varies throughout the year with different illuminations to symbolize special events, organizations, or as a sign of solidarity with other countries, such as the colors of the Ukrainian flag.

No, you can’t go inside Brandenburg Gate, but you can walk through it. As it’s a public outdoor landmark with no admission fee, it’s possible to go there at any time of the day or night, and it makes one of the city’s best photo opportunities, especially when it’s lit up.

To avoid the peak crowds, it’s best to visit Brandenburg Gate either in the early morning or later in the evening. The monument is typically busiest in the afternoon. Opting for these times provides a greater chance for unobstructed photo opportunities at this popular Berlin landmark.

To fully experience Brandenburg Gate, it’s best to take a walk around Pariser Platz, where the gate’s located. This area is closed to traffic, except for bikes. Many opt for guided walking or bike tours to explore nearby historical sites like the East Side Gallery, enhancing their understanding of Berlin's past.

Yes, there are several public restrooms near the Brandenburg Gate. If you walk along Budesstrasse, toward the Tiergarten, there’s a public toilet around a 3-minute walk from Brandenburg Gate. For a more comfortable option, there are several museums, restaurants, and cafes nearby—such as Starbucks—that also offer toilet facilities for customers.

Yes, the Brandenburg Gate is definitely worth seeing. It’s not just a renowned Berlin landmark, but it’s also an important symbol of German Reunification. As well as history buffs, architecture enthusiasts also flock to admire this landmark, as it dates back to the late 18th century and displays neoclassical design.