The Reichstag and its dome
The obvious starting point is the building itself, on Platz der Republik. The glass dome and roof terrace can be visited free of charge every day, but only with advance registration. The dome is closed for maintenance from 19 to 30 October 2026; the roof terrace stays open. If you are tempted by the dome but unsure about another viewpoint, read our comparison TV Tower or Reichstag dome.
The Brandenburg Gate (5 minutes)
Five minutes' walk to the south, the Brandenburg Gate opens onto the avenue Unter den Linden. It is Berlin's most photographed monument: come early to avoid the tour groups. To the east, the avenue leads towards the Neue Wache and Museum Island.
The Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe (10 minutes)
About ten minutes' walk from the Reichstag, south of the Brandenburg Gate, the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe spreads its concrete stelae over a large area. It can be entered freely. The underground information centre has its own opening hours: check them before you come.
The Tiergarten (5 to 10 minutes)
Just west of the Reichstag begins the Tiergarten, the big central park. For a break, look for the shaded paths rather than the main avenue, or walk to the Victory Column, further on, and take the bus 100 back.
The government quarter and the Spree (5 to 10 minutes)
To the north and east of the Reichstag, along the Spree, the Bundestag buildings (Paul-Löbe-Haus, Marie-Elisabeth-Lüders-Haus) and the Federal Chancellery form a modern ensemble of glass and concrete. You see them from outside, from the riverbank: it is not a visit but a pleasant stroll. Access to the Reichstag and neighbouring buildings is monitored, with security checks.
The central station and the Futurium (10 to 15 minutes)
North of the quarter, the central station is about fifteen minutes' walk away; our guide to Berlin Hauptbahnhof describes its services. Between the Reichstag and the station, the Futurium museum offers an exhibition on possible futures.
The Tränenpalast (10 to 15 minutes)
To the east, towards Friedrichstraße station, the Tränenpalast, the former farewell hall at the GDR border, has a free exhibition on the division of Germany.
A three-hour circuit
- 9:00: Reichstag dome (advance registration);
- 10:30: Brandenburg Gate and Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe;
- 12:00: lunch near the Brandenburg Gate or at the central station;
- 13:30: Tiergarten or Futurium;
- 15:00: Tränenpalast, then Unter den Linden.
Getting there
U-Bahn U5, Bundestag station (about 200 m); S+U Brandenburger Tor (S1, S2, S25, S26; U5), about 500 m away; bus 100, stop Reichstag/Bundestag. Tickets and lines: see our guide to transport in Berlin.
