Rotes Rathaus Berlin: visiting, opening hours, free entry and history (2026)
The Rotes Rathaus, the "Red Town Hall", is Berlin's city hall, in red brick, a short walk from the TV tower. You can walk in for free Monday to Friday from 9am to 6pm: the reception rooms and exhibitions are open without a ticket, but it is not a museum and there are guided tours only for groups, not individuals. Allow 20 to 30 minutes. The building houses the office of the Governing Mayor and the Senate, so it can close at short notice for events or security reasons. Hours and conditions come from the City of Berlin's official site seen in October 2026; a third-party site says 8am-8pm, but we keep the official hours.
Highlights
The red-brick facade
Built between 1861 and 1869 in an Italian Neo-Renaissance style, the Rotes Rathaus takes its name from its red bricks. It was rebuilt after wartime destruction and now stands in the former East Berlin.
The terracotta frieze
A long terracotta frieze runs around the building and tells the city's history in sculpted panels: it is the most interesting detail to look at from outside, even when the inside is closed.
The reception rooms and exhibitions
Monday to Friday, the reception rooms are free to enter, as are temporary exhibitions held in the building; the programme changes, so check it before you go.
The open day
The Rotes Rathaus opens to the public on an annual open day, for instance Saturday 6 June 2026 from 10am to 6pm: that is the time to see rooms normally reserved.
Practical info
Tips
- Entry is free, but the city advises calling +49 30 9026-2032 before you come, as the building may close temporarily. There is no access at weekends and on public holidays: admire the facade from the neighbouring square. For a full tour of the area, combine it with the TV tower, the Nikolaiviertel and the Marienkirche, all five to ten minutes on foot. TV tower tickets should be booked ahead: it is the most natural paid attraction next door.
How to get there
Rathausstraße 15, 10178 Berlin (Mitte). U5, Rotes Rathaus station, right in front; or S-Bahn / U-Bahn Alexanderplatz, then 5 to 8 minutes on foot.
Opening hours
Nearby
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