DDR Museum Berlin: everyday life in East Germany

Updated on October 1, 2026

The DDR Museum tells the story of everyday life in the German Democratic Republic (GDR), the socialist state that existed in eastern Germany from 1949 to 1990. Set on the banks of the Spree, opposite [Berlin Cathedral](/fr/attractions/cathedrale-de-berlin) and a short walk from [Museum Island](/fr/attractions/ile-aux-musees-berlin), it is a private museum funded entirely by ticket sales. Spread over more than 1,000 m², the exhibition is organised by theme: school, work, holidays, shopping, sport, the economy, the environment, ideology and the Stasi. Many objects can be touched, installations can be handled and interactive games punctuate the visit, which makes it popular with families. Texts are in German and English.

Highlights

The Trabant P601

Climb into a real Trabant, the small car that became a symbol of the GDR, and take the wheel for a simulated drive.

The prefab flat

A complete tower-block flat (Plattenbau) has been reconstructed with hundreds of original objects, from the living room to the bathroom and the children's room. The objects may be touched, and the living room has a few seats where you can take a break.

The Stasi and surveillance

Part of the exhibition is devoted to the Ministry for State Security, the Stasi, and its methods of eavesdropping on and controlling the population. To explore the subject further at an authentic site, continue to the [Hohenschönhausen Memorial](/fr/attractions/memorial-de-hohenschonhausen), the former Stasi prison.

"Lob des Kommunismus"

This monumental mural, "In Praise of Communism", illustrates the place of ideology in the life of the country, one of the themes of the exhibition.

The children's corner

Children can play with period toys in the flat's children's room and in the area devoted to the kindergarten.

Infos pratiques

Tips

Adults €13.90, reduced rate €8.50 (children aged 6 and over, pupils, students, trainees, with proof), free for under-6s; no discount for seniors; prices checked in October 2026. The Berlin Museum Pass is not accepted; the Berlin WelcomeCard gives 25% off the full price, at the ticket office only, and the WelcomeCard all inclusive gives free entry. An online ticket lets you skip the queue, but it is only valid on the chosen day and can be neither exchanged nor refunded. Suitcases and travel bags are not allowed in the exhibition: lockers take a €1 or 50-cent coin, which is returned afterwards. There is no audio guide, but a printed exhibition guide is available in English at the ticket office. Allow about 1 hour 30 minutes for the visit.

How to get there

Karl-Liebknecht-Straße 1, 10178 Berlin. The entrance is below street level, on the Vera-Brittain-Ufer quay by the Spree: from the Karl-Liebknecht bridge, walk down the steps on the DomAquarée side, opposite the cathedral; the entrance is 20 metres along on the right. The museum is step-free once you are on the quay, but the quay itself can only be reached by stairs or a very steep ramp. S-Bahn S3, S5, S7 and S9, Hackescher Markt or Alexanderplatz stations; U-Bahn U5, Museumsinsel or Rotes Rathaus stations, and U8, Alexanderplatz station; buses 100 and 200, Spandauer Straße stop, bus 300, Lustgarten stop; trams M4, M5 and M6, Spandauer Straße/Marienkirche stop. From the [TV Tower](/fr/attractions/tour-de-television-berlin), it is about a 10-minute walk.