The spots at a glance
| Spot | Best moment | For which shot | Access |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oberbaumbrücke | Sunset | Brick towers, metro, Spree | U1 Schlesisches Tor |
| Brandenburg Gate | Early morning | Monument without crowds | S/U Brandenburger Tor |
| Cathedral and TV tower | Late afternoon | Dome and Fernsehturm side by side | S/U Alexanderplatz |
| Gendarmenmarkt | Morning or late evening | Twin cathedrals, steps | U6 Französische Straße |
| Molecule Man | Sunset | Sculpture in the Spree | S Treptower Park |
| East Side Gallery | Afternoon | Wall murals | S Ostbahnhof |
| Reichstag | Morning | Glass dome | By registration, free |
Oberbaumbrücke: the brick bridge and the metro
The Oberbaumbrücke is Berlin's most photographed bridge: two red-brick towers, a yellow U1 train passing along the top, the Spree mirroring it all. Stand on the Kreuzberg bank for the overall view, or in the middle of the bridge at dusk. The sun sets behind Kreuzberg: the orange sky behind the towers is the classic shot.
Brandenburg Gate: early in the morning
The Brandenburg Gate is photographed all day, so the crowd is hard to avoid after 9am. Arrive at sunrise, on a weekday: Pariser Platz is almost empty and the low light falls on the façade. The west side, from the Tiergarten or Straße des 17. Juni, gives a clearer view. Our page on the Tiergarten describes the park that leads there.
The cathedral and the TV tower
The dome of the Berlin Cathedral and the silver ball of the TV Tower end up side by side in the same picture from certain points on the Spree bank and in the Lustgarten. In the late afternoon the copper and stone turn pink and the tower stands out against the sky: that is the best moment.
Gendarmenmarkt
The Gendarmenmarkt is one of Berlin's most beautiful squares: a concert hall in the centre flanked by two almost symmetrical cathedrals. Come early for empty steps, or in the evening for the lit façades. During the Christmas markets the square is much busier: see our page on Christmas markets in Berlin.
Molecule Man and the Spree
The Molecule Man is a 30-metre aluminium sculpture by Jonathan Borofsky, standing in the Spree near the Treptowers. It can be photographed from the Treptow bank or from a boat: see our guide to the Spree river cruise. At sunset, the reflections on the water give the best pictures; the neighbouring park is described on the Treptower Park page.
East Side Gallery and murals
The East Side Gallery is a backdrop in itself. In the afternoon the light brings out the colours; on weekdays there are fewer tourists. For more murals, see our guide to street art in Berlin.
The Reichstag dome and other high viewpoints
The glass dome of the Reichstag offers a panorama over the government district; the visit is free but requires prior registration. For other views of the city, look to the Viktoriapark in Kreuzberg (see our guide to Kreuzberg), the Victory Column or the great lawn of Tempelhofer Feld, whose horizon is wide open.
Tips for better photos
- Light: favour sunrise and sunset; in winter the low light lasts longer.
- Crowds: the Brandenburg Gate, the Reichstag and the East Side Gallery are packed from 10am to 5pm in summer; come early.
- Rain: a grey sky shows off the brick of the bridges and wet cobblestones; in bad weather, see also Berlin: what to do when it rains.
- Respect: do not block passages and avoid photographing strangers without their consent, especially at memorials.
- Going further: our guide what to do in Berlin in 1 day links several of these viewpoints in a single day.
