Brandenburg Gate
Brandenburg Gate · Pariser Platz 1, 10117 Berlin, Germany
Last updated 2026-10-29
By Global Travel Guide Editorial Team
Introduction
Built between 1788 and 1791 for Frederick William II, the gate follows the Propylaea on the Acropolis and was designed by Carl Gotthard Langhans. It measures 26 metres high and 65.5 metres wide, with the Quadriga chariot group added on top. For nearly three decades it stood isolated in the Wall's restricted zone, and the crowds that gathered on both sides in 1989 made it the image of reunification. The square and gate are open around the clock and free to walk through. U55 and S-Bahn services stop at Brandenburger Tor, and the Reichstag is a 10-minute walk away.
Ticket Price
Free to visit the gate and Pariser Platz; no admission ticket is required. Check the official site before visiting.
Opening Hours
The gate and the surrounding square are public and open 24 hours; there is no viewing platform. The nearby Berlin Tourist Info centre keeps its own opening hours.
Transportation
U-Bahn: U55 to Brandenburger Tor station (right at the gate). S-Bahn: S1/S2/S25 to Brandenburger Tor. Bus: 100, 200, TXL. Walking: easy 10-15 min walk from the Reichstag or Checkpoint Charlie. The gate is very central and walkable from many central Berlin attractions.
Best Season
May to September — warmest weather, longest days, best for photos. December — magical with the Christmas market at Pariser Platz. March-April and October-November — fewer crowds, pleasant cool weather. Winter can be cold and grey but fewer tourists. The gate looks good in any weather.
Pro Tip: Visit early for an unobstructed view
Local Tips You'd Only Learn After Visiting
The details official guides skip — save time, avoid crowds, and get better photos.
1
Visit early for an unobstructed view The gate is a major gathering point and gets busy by mid-morning. Go early, walk through the gate to the Reichstag side, and keep an eye on your belongings in crowds.
Member-Only Tips
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Frequently Asked Questions4 questions
Early morning before 8:00 gives clean light and few people; sunset and blue hour are also good, but the square is busier.
No, it is an open monument rather than a building with an interior. You can walk through the passageways and around Pariser Platz.
Take the S-Bahn or U-Bahn to Brandenburger Tor station; bus 100 also stops nearby.
The Reichstag (register online for the dome), the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe and Tiergarten are all within 5-10 minutes on foot.