The history of Brandenburg Gate – an enormous, sandstone, neoclassical arch – is inextricably linked with the history of Berlin and Germany. Built in 1791 to mark the entrance to Unter den Linden, Berlin's grandest boulevard, the arch was originally created as a symbol of peace. Standing 85-feet (30-meters) high, the Brandenburg Gate was modeled on the gateway to the Acropolis in Athens. When Napoleon defeated the Prussians in 1806, he marched triumphantly through the gate into Berlin, before taking the gate’s crowning statue, Victoria, the Goddess of Victory, back to France as a spoil of war. Victoria was later returned and once again sits atop the gate driving her chariot of horses.
The gate was used as a powerful propaganda tool by the Nazis, and after World War II was left in near ruins on the border between East and West Germany. U.S. President Ronald Reagan gave his famous speech here in 1987, where he demanded, “Gorbachev – tear down this wall!” In December 1989, the gate was reopened to traffic between the East and West and the monument was again recast as a symbol of unity.
Before walking through the gate, spend a little time in the Raum der Stille (Room of Silence), a simple room where people from all denominations and walks of life are invited to leave behind their differences and sit together. When you do pass beneath the gate’s five imposing passageways and heroic friezes representing Greek myology, you’ll be forgiven if you feel a little overwhelmed the weight of history is almost palpable here. Look for the informative signs which document the history of the gate and all it has come to symbolize throughout the last 200 years. The gate is always a dramatic sight, but is particularly spectacular when lit up at night and for New Year celebrations.
The Brandenburg Gate sits between the Reichstag building and the Holocaust Memorial, and directly across from the Tiergarten. It’s also close to Friedrichstrasse, one of Berlin's main shopping and dining streets, and is serviced by S-Bahn and U-Bahn train stations.
Brandenburg Gate Tours and Activities
![Brandenburg Gate featuring a square or plaza, night scenes and a monument](https://a.travel-assets.com/findyours-php/viewfinder/images/res70/24000/24946-Brandenburg-Gate.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=1040&h=580&q=mediumHigh)
Visit Brandenburg Gate
Plan a trip to see Brandenburg Gate
![Ameron Hotel Abion Spreebogen Berlin](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/1000000/530000/523600/523511/5d308cdd_y.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=900&h=506&q=mediumHigh)
Ameron Hotel Abion Spreebogen Berlin
Reviewed on May 23, 2024
![SO/ Berlin Das Stue](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/6000000/5260000/5257000/5256909/214fb413_y.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=900&h=506&q=mediumHigh)
SO/ Berlin Das Stue
Reviewed on Jun. 23, 2024
![Regent Berlin, an IHG Hotel](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/1000000/50000/48400/48315/8477f037_y.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=900&h=506&q=mediumHigh)
Regent Berlin, an IHG Hotel
Reviewed on Jun. 9, 2024
Cruises & boat tours
See all 17 activitiesOpens in new tab![City Sightseeing Berlin Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour](https://mediaim.expedia.com/localexpert/221711/8f8bcd59-dcdd-4c07-ab8a-fb09a81c89b6.jpg?impolicy=resizecrop&rw=500&rh=280)
City Sightseeing Berlin Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour
Food, drink & nightlife
See all 77 activitiesOpens in new tab![Berlin: Panoramapunkt Skip-the-Line Lift Ticket](https://mediaim.expedia.com/localexpert/5089950/eb3df2d5-5991-4e2d-a25c-e54a00f845ef.jpg?impolicy=resizecrop&rw=500&rh=280)
Berlin: Panoramapunkt Skip-the-Line Lift Ticket
Tours & day trips
See all 500 activitiesOpens in new tab![Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp Memorial Tour from Berlin.](https://mediaim.expedia.com/localexpert/1140049/a572a72f-3de1-400a-b2ef-36123e570748.jpg?impolicy=resizecrop&rw=500&rh=280)
Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp Memorial Tour from Berlin.
Shopping & fashion
See all 3 activitiesOpens in new tab![Hire Photographer, Professional Photo shoot - Berlin](https://mediaim.expedia.com/localexpert/2788191/63469ef4-00fc-4ee9-976b-ca71531b280a.jpg?impolicy=resizecrop&rw=500&rh=280)
Hire Photographer, Professional Photo shoot - Berlin
Wildlife & nature
See all 14 activitiesOpens in new tab![Berlin Highlights: 3-Hour Bike Tour](https://mediaim.expedia.com/localexpert/5201407/97a3a40c-b52a-4a9e-88a8-0a2d5aec69d3.jpg?impolicy=resizecrop&rw=500&rh=280)
Berlin Highlights: 3-Hour Bike Tour
Reviews of Brandenburg Gate
5/5 - Excellent
See it at night too - is beautiful
4/5 - Good
Pickpockets presents every where. A must see easy parking on Bundestrasse dor free
3/5 - Okay
Currently Under Construction
3/5 - Okay
Don't visit when preparations are being made for 'Reunification day' celebrations!
3/5 - Okay
Berlin marathon was on so didn’t get the full effect of the gate as it was cordoned off
4/5 - Good
Although the history of the landmark is quite significant, the site itself isn't as imposing as I imagined it to be. This is probably the busiest of the tourist sites in Berlin.
Popular places to visit
Parisier Platz
Take in views of the Brandenburg Gate and the edge of sprawling Tiergarten park from this expansive and handsome public square.
Holocaust Memorial
This architectural gem is a bold but peaceful tribute to the millions of Jews who lost their lives during the Holocaust.
Reichstag Building
Torched by Hitler, bombed by Britain and stormed by the Russians, the seat of German power has risen again as a symbol of a united and progressive Germany.
Tiergarten Soviet War Memorial
Discover a lesser-told story from Berlin’s history at this unique memorial to fallen Soviet soldiers, set in the lush grounds of the Tiergarten.
Marie-Elisabeth-Lüders-Haus
Find out about the history of Berlin when you take a trip to Marie-Elisabeth-Lüders-Haus. Visit the notable monuments and shops in this vibrant area.
Paul-Löbe-Haus
Find out about the history of Berlin when you take a trip to Paul-Löbe-Haus. Visit the shops and notable monuments in this vibrant area.
Best Lodging Options Near Brandenburg Gate
Check availability on hotels close to Brandenburg Gate
![Maritim proArte Hotel Berlin](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/1000000/30000/28200/28152/4ceb9479_y.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=420&h=224&q=medium)
![Hotel Berlin, Berlin, a member of Radisson Individuals](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/1000000/10000/6600/6596/ba2c3263_y.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=420&h=224&q=medium)
![IntercityHotel Berlin Hauptbahnhof](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/7000000/6030000/6028800/6028760/f913ea31_y.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=420&h=224&q=medium)
![Hotel Adlon Kempinski](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/1000000/200000/199300/199220/3a526d7e_y.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=420&h=224&q=medium)
![Select Hotel Berlin The Wall](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/6000000/5500000/5496500/5496487/c6ebc6f2_y.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=420&h=224&q=medium)
![URBAN LOFT Berlin](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/79000000/78280000/78270800/78270800/2a2577d6_y.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=420&h=224&q=medium)
![Steigenberger Hotel Am Kanzleramt](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/7000000/6470000/6460900/6460811/56cac35c_y.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=420&h=224&q=medium)
![Apartments am Brandenburger Tor](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/2000000/1310000/1309100/1309036/c1e9238d_y.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=420&h=224&q=medium)
![Grand Hyatt Berlin](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/1000000/160000/150500/150468/6bda268c_y.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=420&h=224&q=medium)
- Vacations and getaways similar to Brandenburg Gate
- Other Hotels near Brandenburg Gate, Mitte
- Hotels near popular Berlin Attractions
- More Hotel Options in Brandenburg Gate
- Expedia's Latest Trends
- Scandic Berlin Potsdamer Platz
- Hilton Berlin
- Leonardo Hotel Berlin Mitte
- The Mandala Hotel Berlin
- Hotel AMANO Grand Central
- The Ritz-Carlton, Berlin
- Melia Berlin
- Berlin Marriott Hotel
- The Westin Grand Berlin
- Adina Apartment Hotel Berlin CheckPoint Charlie
- Park Inn by Radisson Berlin Alexanderplatz
- NH Collection Berlin Mitte Friedrichstrasse
- Hotels near Alexanderplatz
- Hotels near Checkpoint Charlie
- Hotels near Potsdamer Platz
- Hotels near Kurfürstendamm
- Hotels near Mercedes-Benz Arena
- Hotels near Reichstag Building
- Hotels near Berlin Wall Memorial
- Hotels near Waldbühne
- Hotels near Gendarmenmarkt
- Hotels near Friedrichstrasse
- Hotels near Hackescher Markt
- Hotels near Museum Island
- Hotels near Friedrichstadt-Palast
- Hotels near Berliner Philharmonie
- Hotels near CityCube Berlin