Brandenburg Gate (Brandenburger Tor)

Berlin's most famous landmark, an 18th-century neoclassical triumphal gate that has witnessed Prussian parades, Nazi rallies, the divided Cold War city and reunification. It's free to walk up to any time and stunning when lit at night. Pariser Platz around it gets very crowded and is ringed with costumed performers angling for tips.

Key facts

Frequently asked questions

When is the best time to visit?

Early morning before the tour groups arrive, or after dark when it's floodlit and the crowds thin. Midday in summer, Pariser Platz is a wall of people and selfie sticks.

Is it safe? I heard about pickpockets.

The gate is a known pickpocket hotspot precisely because it's so crowded. Keep your phone and wallet secured and be wary of anyone shoving a clipboard petition at you, that's a classic distraction scam. Otherwise it's perfectly safe day and night.

Is there anything to do at the Brandenburg Gate besides look at it?

Honestly, not much on the gate itself, it's a monument you photograph and walk through. But it sits in the middle of a great cluster: the Reichstag, Holocaust Memorial, Tiergarten, and Unter den Linden are all a short walk away. Treat it as a hub.

What's the history in one sentence?

Built in the 1790s as a symbol of peace, it later stood stranded in the no-man's-land between East and West during the Wall years, which is why its 1989 reopening became the image of German reunification.

Is it worth visiting at Christmas or New Year?

New Year's Eve, the gate hosts Berlin's massive open-air party and fireworks, which is a spectacle but extremely packed. The rest of winter it's quieter and photogenic in the cold light. There's no market at the gate itself.

Can I walk through the gate?

Yes, the central and side passages are open to pedestrians. It's a pedestrian zone, so no cars. Walking through from Pariser Platz toward the Tiergarten side is the classic route.

Do I need a ticket?

No. The Brandenburg Gate is a free outdoor monument, open around the clock. There's nothing to book. Anyone trying to sell you an entry ticket is running a scam.

How does it combine with other sights?

Perfectly. From the gate you can walk five minutes to the Reichstag dome (book ahead), two minutes to the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe, and straight into Tiergarten park. Easily half a day of free sights.

Nearby in Ask Berlin

• Memorial to the Murdered Jews of EuropeAttraction0.27 km · 3 min walk
• Reichstag BuildingAttraction0.28 km · 3 min walk
• GendarmenmarktAttraction1.06 km · 13 min walk
• Topography of TerrorMuseum1.16 km · 14 min walk
• GemäldegalerieAttraction1.21 km · 15 min walk