Unter den Linden is Germany’s most famous boulevard, and no trip to Berlin is complete without walking to see the Brandenburg Gate! Here are the top things to see and do along Unter den Linden, plus where to eat!
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Stretching 1.5 kilometers from Museum Island to the Brandenburg Gate, Unter den Linden is a must-visit site in Berlin for all first-time visitors. Why is it called “Unter den Linden?” This historic boulevard is named after the linden (aka lime) trees that are planted along its length.
Prior to World War II, Unter den Linden was the beating heart of Berlin. The Imperial Palace was located here (now the site of the Humboldt Forum), as were smaller palaces, the state library, important embassies, and more.
The linden trees were cut down during the post-war period and used for firewood. However, the trees have since been replanted and Unter den Linden has been rebuilt to (nearly) its former glory.
There are many worthwhile historic sites and attractions along Unter den Linden. In this guide, I’ll be sharing the top things to do and see, in walking order.
–Claire
Unter den Linden Walking Route
Claire’s Tip: If you’re visiting Unter den Linden for the first time, know that you won’t have the time to visit every single museum and attraction shared in this guide in a single day. However, I’ve given as many details as possible for each site so you can better decide where to spend your time and money!
Stop 1: Brandenburg Gate
Completed in 1791, the Brandenburg Gate is the crowning jewel of Unter den Linden. The impressive Greek Revival-style monument was commissioned by King Frederick William II. If you look beyond the Gate, you can see the start of the lush Tiergarten, once the royal hunting grounds and now Berlin’s most famous park.
At the top of the sandstone gate, you can see the figure of Victory in a chariot pulled by four horses. Napoleon actually whisked this figure off to Paris after he defeated Prussia in 1806! The statue was later returned, only to be destroyed years later in World War II.
During the Cold War, the Brandenburg Gate served as the backdrop for former U.S. President Ronald Reagan’s famous “Tear Down This Wall” speech. After the Berlin Wall finally came down in 1989, it’s estimated that nearly 100,000 people gathered at the Gate to see it open for the first time in 28 years.
The square surrounding the Brandenburg Gate is called Pariser Platz (Parisian Square). The famous Hotel Adlon is located on the square, as is the U.S. embassy and the Academy of Arts.
Stop 2: Bebelplatz
Named after former Social Democratic Party member August Bebel, Bebelplatz is one of the most beautiful squares in Berlin.
There are a number of historic buildings surrounding Bebelplatz:
- Staatsoper (State Opera House) — More information on this architectural gem below.
- Hotel de Rome — A luxury hotel located in the former headquarters of Dresdner Bank. I highly suggest heading to the rooftop bar (weather permitting) for a spectacular view of Bebelplatz from above. You’ll have to ask someone at the front desk to escort you to the rooftop as only guests are allowed to roam the premises freely.
- St. Hedwig’s Cathedral — Originally a Catholic cathedral, St. Hedwig’s is now the primary episocal church of Berlin. It’s been closed for renovations for a few years and will be reopened on November 24th of this year in time for Christmas market season. Definitely visit the church if you can; its domed roof is impossible to miss when looking around Bebelplatz!
- Altes Palais (Old Palace) — Shown in the photo above. Once the home of Emperor Wilhelm I; the stunning building is now used by Humboldt University’s law faculty.
- PalaisPopulaire — Formerly called the Prinzessinnenpalais (Princess’ Palace). Today the space is used to showcase rotating contemporary art exhibits.
Claire’s Tip: The Gendarmenmarkt Christmas market is happening at Bebelplatz in 2024!
After admiring the architecture surrounding Bebelplatz, head to the very center of the square and look down at your feet — you should see a window set into the ground.
Below-ground are empty white bookshelves, a memorial to the Nazi book burning that occurred in May 1933. It’s believed that around 20,000 books were burned at Bebelplatz.
Claire’s Tip: Humboldt University’s main building is located directly across the street from Bebelplatz. You can’t go past the front gates so I haven’t mentioned it separately in this Unter den Linden guide. However, there are often tables set up outside the gates with art prints and books for sale. Snap a few photos from across the street, then wander over to see if anything catches your eye!
Stop 3: Staatsoper (State Opera House)
Hidden behind the salmon-colored facade of the State Opera House is one of the most elegantly designed theaters in Europe. The building was originally commissioned by the Prussian king Frederick the Great in the 1740s and was called the “Königliche Hofoper” (King’s Court Opera).
The opera house was destroyed and rebuilt twice during WWII, so know that the magnificent building you see today along Unter den Linden is not original.
Claire’s Tip: If you live in Berlin and are under 30 years of age, I suggest signing up for the ClassicCard app to score 15 Euro tickets on Staatsoper performances!
Stop 4: Neue Wache (New Guardhouse)
The Neue Wache was built in 1818 and originally served as a memorial to the victims of the Napoleonic Wars. In 1931, it became a memorial to the victims of World War I. Under the regime of the German Democratic Republic, the site became a memorial to the victims of fascism.
Today the Neue Wache serves as a general memorial for the victims of war and tyranny. Be sure to go inside to view the sculpture “Mother and Her Dead Son” by German artist Käthe Kollwitz.
Stop 5: German Historical Museum
Once the Royal Prussian Armory (Zeughaus), the bubblegum pink building across from Bebelplatz now houses the German Historical Museum (Deutsches Historisches Museum).
The permanent exhibit walks you through Germany’s full history, complete with historical objects and artworks from each period. Unfortauntey, the permanent exhibit — which is free to enter — is closed for renovations until the end of 2025.
In the meantime, you can pay to visit the temporary exhibits in the Pei Building. These exhibits focus on specific moments or epochs in German history that have shaped the nation as we know it today.
Stop 6: Berlin Art Market at the Zeughaus (Saturdays and Sundays Only)
Tucked between the German Historical Museum and the Spree River, the Berlin Art Market is one of my favorite places to buy locally-made souvenirs and handmade gifts in Berlin.
The art market operates Saturdays and Sundays from 11am to 5pm, rain or shine.
You’ll find artworks of varying sizes and mediums for sale, including: sculptures, photographs, art prints, digital art, jewelry, and more!
Stop 7: Museum Island (+ Berlin Cathedral)
As you cross the stunning Schlossbrücke (Palace Bridge) over the Spree River, know that you’re coming to the end of Unter den Linden. Don’t worry, though — I’ve saved the best for last!
A can’t-miss attraction along Unter den Linden is the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Museum Island (Museumsinsel). This island in the center of Berlin is comprised of five unique museums that showcase the city’s finest works of art and archaeological treasures.
The five museums on Museum Island are:
- Altes Museum — Opened in 1830 as Berlin’s first ever public museum. Today the museum displays the collection of classic antiquities.
- Alte Nationalgalerie — My personal favorite museum on Museum Island. This art museum built to resemble a Greek temple displays paintings and sculptures from the time of the late 18th Century through the early 20th century.
- Neues Museum — Has pieces from the Museum of Prehistory and Early History and the Collection of Classical Antiquities. You can see the famous bust of Nefertiti here.
- Bode Museum — Displays a unique blend of paintings, sculptures, and coins from the Middle Ages through 19th Century.
- Pergamon Museum — Closed until spring 2027 for renovations. Houses works of art and artifacts from the Museum of the Ancient Near East, Museum of Islamic Art, and Collection of Classical Antiquities.
Claire’s Tip: You can purchase a combined ticket to get access to all five museums. This is the best deal if there are multiple museums you’re interested in visiting.
If you have the time and desire, I also highly recommend paying to enter the Berlin Cathedral (Berliner Dom).
Once the court church to the Hohenzollern Dynasty (the family that the last German Kaiser Wilhelm II came from), it’s now a Protestant church that’s open to all.
You’ll need at least 90 minutes to explore the church fully. Your ticket grants you access to the nave, crypt, and the viewing platform on top of the massive dome. It’s a spectacular place to see Berlin from above!
Stop 8: Humboldt Forum
The Humboldt Forum is a genre-defying space that labels itself as being “more than a museum.”
When you look at the building from across the street on Museum Island, you might mistake it for being a palace. That makes sense, considering the facade was reconstructed to look like the old Berlin Palace that used to stand on this exact site!
Inside the Humboldt Forum you’ll find an array of permanent exhibits compiled in a joint effort by the Berlin State Museum, Prussian Cultural Heritage Foundation, Ethnological Museum, and Museum for Asian Art. The permanent exhibitions are all free to enter, so feel free to wander around at your leisure.
For 5 Euros, you can also ride the elevator to the top of the Humboldt Forum for an epic view of Museum Island, the Cathedral, the TV Tower, and more!
Claire’s Tip: Be sure to visit the “Palace Cellar” exhibit on the ground floor to learn more about the history of the site itself. It’s the only surviving portion of the original Berlin Palace, and the exhibit walks you through the many changes the site has undergone since the Middle Ages.
Attractions Near Unter den Linden
Thanks to its central location in the heart of Berlin, Unter den Linden is a great jumping-off point for your explorations of the city. Nearby attractions I highly recommend visiting include:
- Alexanderplatz — Once the beating heart of East Berlin. This is where you’ll find the TV tower, a beautiful church containing an original 14th century fresco, and more. Read my full Alexanderplatz guide for more information on Berlin’s most famous square.
- Palace of Tears (Tränenpalast) — A former check-in hall near Freidrichstraße station. Anyone traveling between East and West Germany would have had to pass through a checkpoint like this one. Entrance to the Palace of Tears is free.
- Reichstag — The center of the German government. Book tickets for your self-guided audio tour of the glass dome well before you travel to Berlin. This is an absolute can’t-miss attraction near Unter den Linden!
- Memorial to Murdered Jews of Europe — Just down the street from the Brandenburg Gate. It’s a sobering memorial dedicated to the millions of Jews who died during the Holocaust.
- Tiergarten — Formerly the royal hunting grounds. Unter den Linden was originally constructed to connect the Tiergarten with the Berlin Palace (now the site of the Humboldt Forum).
- Gendarmenmarkt — This square is famous for its twin churches, which face each other across the cobbled plaza. In the center, you’ll see the beautiful Concert Hall. All of the individual buildings are still open, but the center of the square is currently torn up for construction.
- Checkpoint Charlie — Site of a former check-point between East and West Berlin. This is where a multi-tank standoff took place during the Cold War.
- “Die Mauer” Panorama — A multi-story, panoramic image has been created by German artist Yadegar Asisi. The panorama utilizes light and sound to transport visitors back to West Berlin, with a glimpse over the Wall into the Death Strip and, beyond that, East Berlin.
Where to Eat Near Unter den Linden
To be honest, Unter den Linden is a bit of a restaurant dead zone. Many of the places to eat along Unter den Linden are large chains or overpriced eateries.
I suggest walking 10 to 15 minutes down Friedrichstraße — in either direction — to find good places to eat. I recommend one of the following:
- Cafe Einstein (Unter den Linden 42) — A beautiful cafe with a historic-feeling interior. The savory menu items are on the pricey side, but the food is good! I can also recommend this cafe if you simply need a mid-day coffee and cake break.
- Hotel de Rome (Behrenstraße 37) — Head to the rooftop terrace for drinks and light bites with a fantastic view of Berlin from above.
- Chupenga (Georgenstraße 200) — Budget-friendly burritos and burrito bowls using fresh ingredients.
- Augustiner am Gendarmenmarkt (Charlottenstraße 55) — A staple for hearty Bavarian and German fare.
- Frittenwerk (Friedrichstraße 69) — A regional chain dishing up poutine in every flavor imaginable.
- Humboldt Forum Bistro — A chic cafe located within the Humboldt Forum. The food and drinks are surprisingly good and are fairly priced.
Where to Stay Near Unter den Linden
Any hotels along or near Unter den Linden are going to be more expensive than pretty much any other district in Berlin. On the plus side, you’ll be near the top attractions in Berlin and can get almost anywhere on foot or you can hop on the U-Bahn or S-Bahn in little to no time!
- Hotel AMO by AMANO Friedrichstraße — Budget / mid-range (depends on time of year). 15 minutes from Unter den Linden.
- NH Collection Berlin Mitte am Checkpoint Charlie — Mid-range. 12 minutes from Unter den Linden.
- Hotel Motel One Berlin-Alexanderplatz — Mid-range. 8 minutes from Unter den Linden via U-Bahn.
- Hotel Luc, Autograph Collection — Upscale. 5 minutes from Unter den Linden.
- Hotel Eurostars Berlin — Upscale. 7 minutes from Unter den Linden.
Otherwise I just use Booking.com to search for hotels in my desired price range.
Enjoy Your Walk Along Unter den Linden!
If you have any questions about visiting Unter den Linden or the attractions near it, don’t hesitate to leave me a comment below! Having lived in Berlin since 2019, I’m very familiar with this area of the city and am more than happy to help you troubleshoot your itinerary.
Don’t forget to follow me on Instagram to keep up with my daily adventures in Berlin and beyond!
More Berlin Travel Guides You’ll Find Helpful:
- 1-Day Berlin Itinerary (THREE Unique Options!)
- 3 Days in Berlin: A Detailed Itinerary
- What to Do and See in Mitte (the neighborhood that Unter den Linden is located in!)
- 19 Day Trips From Berlin by Train
- All of my Berlin guides!
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