Charlottenburg at a glance: from the queen's town to the centre of West Berlin
The name comes from Queen Sophie Charlotte, wife of Frederick I: the palace, begun in 1695 as a summer residence, gave its name to the town that grew up around it. Charlottenburg remained an independent municipality until 1920, when it was merged into Greater Berlin. After 1945 the Memorial Church and the Kurfürstendamm became the heart of West Berlin, facing the historic centre of East Berlin in Mitte. Today the area belongs to the Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf borough.
What to see in Charlottenburg
Charlottenburg Palace and its gardens
Charlottenburg Palace is the largest Hohenzollern residence preserved in Berlin. The Old Palace and the New Wing can be visited Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00 to 17:30 from April to October; each wing costs €12, and the combined charlottenburg+ ticket €19. The gardens, French and then English in style, are open all day and allow a long walk to the mausoleum of Queen Louise.
The Käthe Kollwitz Museum, in the palace's Theaterbau
A few steps from the courtyard, the Käthe Kollwitz Museum has occupied the palace's former theatre since 2022. It shows the work of the Berlin printmaker and sculptor: drawings, lithographs and sculptures about poverty, war and grief. It is open every day from 11:00 to 18:00; admission is €8 (reduced €5).
The Kurfürstendamm and the Memorial Church
The Kurfürstendamm, or "Ku'damm", is the great shopping boulevard of western Berlin: fashion boutiques, department stores, cafés and theatres. At its eastern end, the Memorial Church has kept its ruined tower, left as a memorial to the bombing of 1943. Around it, Breitscheidplatz hosts one of the city's Christmas markets every winter.
Photography: C/O Berlin and the Museum of Photography
Behind Zoologischer Garten station, two venues stand 200 metres apart. C/O Berlin, in the Amerika Haus, shows photography exhibitions; it is open every day from 11:00 to 20:00 (€15, reduced €8). The Museum of Photography houses the Helmut Newton Foundation; it is open Tuesday to Sunday (€12, reduced €6) and closed from 16 November to 2 December 2026. A same-day ticket for one gives €2 off the other.
The zoo, Bikini Berlin and around
The Berlin Zoo, the oldest in Germany, has its Lion Gate right opposite the station. Across the road, Bikini Berlin, a concept mall, has a roof terrace overlooking the monkey enclosure. Further west, the Olympiastadion can be reached by S-Bahn or U-Bahn.
Savignyplatz and the streets of the west
Away from the Ku'damm, Savignyplatz and the neighbouring streets are full of bookshops, cafés and restaurants. Nearby Kantstraße is known for its Asian restaurants. This is the nicest area for dinner in the west, but check opening hours before you set out.
A walking route through Charlottenburg
Allow three to four hours without visits, for about 5 kilometres.
- Start at Zoologischer Garten station (S-Bahn, U2, U9) and walk along Hardenbergstraße past C/O Berlin, then Jebensstraße and the Museum of Photography.
- Head to Breitscheidplatz and the Memorial Church, then walk west along the Kurfürstendamm.
- Turn right towards Savignyplatz for a coffee break.
- Reach Charlottenburg Palace by bus M45 or on foot, and finish with its gardens and the Käthe Kollwitz Museum.
Practical information
Getting to Charlottenburg
Zoologischer Garten station (S3, S5, S7, S9, U2, U9) is the gateway to the east of the district; Uhlandstraße and Kurfürstendamm stations (U1, U9) serve the Ku'damm. For the palace, take buses M45, 109 or 309. Ticket details are in our guide to transport in Berlin.
Summary of places to see
| Place | Address | Opening hours | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charlottenburg Palace | Spandauer Damm 10-22, 14059 Berlin | Tuesday-Sunday 10:00-17:30 (April-October) | €12 per wing, combined ticket €19 |
| Käthe Kollwitz Museum | Spandauer Damm 10, 14059 Berlin | Every day 11:00-18:00 | €8, reduced €5 |
| C/O Berlin | Hardenbergstraße 22-24, 10623 Berlin | Every day 11:00-20:00 | €15, reduced €8 |
| Museum of Photography | Jebensstraße 2, 10623 Berlin | Tuesday-Sunday 11:00-19:00 (Thursday 20:00) | €12, reduced €6 |
Prices checked in October 2026 on the official websites.
When to come
The palace and gardens are nicest in spring and summer. On Mondays the Museum of Photography is closed, but the Käthe Kollwitz Museum and C/O Berlin stay open. From late November to late December, the Breitscheidplatz Christmas market gives the Memorial Church a special atmosphere.
Where to stay in Charlottenburg
The Ku'damm and Zoologischer Garten area is very well connected to the rest of the city and offers a wide choice of hotels. To compare neighbourhoods, see our guide to where to stay in Berlin.
Going further
For photography fans, our guide to galleries and contemporary art extends the visit. For another neighbourhood, see Kreuzberg and Prenzlauer Berg.
