The Brandenburg Gate (Brandenburger Tor) is Berlin’s best-known monument. Built from 1788 to 1791 and topped with Schadow’s quadriga in 1793, it stands on Pariser Platz, at the end of the Unter den Linden avenue. It can be visited freely at any hour, free of charge, and is wheelchair accessible, according to the official berlin.de portal. The nearest station is S+U Brandenburger Tor (S1, S2, S25, S26 and U5). This page summarizes the gate’s history, from Napoleon to the Berlin Wall, how to get there, the best times to photograph it and what to see around it.
The gate is visited as part of a longer stay: see our Berlin travel guide, our page on the Berlin Wall and the best time to visit Germany.
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Brandenburg Gate: key facts
- Access: « jederzeit zugänglich » (accessible at any time), free, wheelchair accessible — checked on 24 October 2026 on berlin.de
- Address: Pariser Platz, 10117 Berlin (Mitte district)
- Transport: S-Bahn and U-Bahn S+U Brandenburger Tor (S1, S2, S25, S26, U5); bus 100 (stops Reichstag/Bundestag and S+U Brandenburger Tor) and bus 300
- Dimensions: 26 m (85 ft) high, 65.5 m (215 ft) long, 11 m (36 ft) deep, five passages (Wikipedia)
- East side: Pariser Platz and Unter den Linden; west side: Platz des 18. März and the Tiergarten park
History of the Brandenburg Gate in 6 dates
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 1788–1791 | Built in sandstone to plans by Carl Gotthard Langhans, inspired by the Propylaea of the Acropolis in Athens, for King Frederick William II |
| 1793 | Johann Gottfried Schadow’s quadriga is installed: the goddess Victoria on a chariot drawn by four horses |
| 1806 | After Prussia’s defeat, Napoleon has the quadriga taken to Paris; it returns to Berlin after the Allied victory |
| August 1961 | Construction of the Wall: the gate ends up in a forbidden zone, inaccessible from both East and West |
| 22 December 1989 | The gate opens in front of more than 100,000 people |
| 3 October 2002 | End of a restoration lasting nearly two years |
Damaged during the Second World War, the gate and its quadriga were rebuilt: according to berlin.de, the sculpture had to be replaced by a copy during the 1956 reconstruction. The reunification celebrations, notably on New Year’s Eve 1989–1990, damaged the quadriga again, and it was restored two years later.
What to see around the gate
- Pariser Platz, on the east side: lined by the Hotel Adlon, the Academy of Arts and the U.S. Embassy, according to berlin.de.
- Unter den Linden avenue, which runs east toward Museum Island.
- The Reichstag (Bundestag), to the north, served by the same bus 100.
- The Tiergarten, to the west, and the Straße des 17. Juni.
- Traces of the Wall: see our Berlin Wall page for the memorial sites.
A one-hour walk around the gate
- Arrive at S+U Brandenburger Tor station, 200 m (219 yd) from the gate according to berlin.de.
- Pariser Platz, east side: the main façade, the Hotel Adlon and the Academy of Arts.
- Walk through the gate toward the west: Platz des 18. März and the start of the Straße des 17. Juni.
- Edge of the Tiergarten, then head north to the Reichstag, served by bus 100.
- Return via Pariser Platz and set off east along Unter den Linden, toward Museum Island.
Bus 100, which passes the Reichstag and the gate, links several major sites in the center: it is a simple way to string the monuments together without a paid tour.
Best time to photograph the Brandenburg Gate
The main façade, on the Pariser Platz side, faces east: it gets the morning sun. The west side is lit in the afternoon. The table gives sunrise and sunset on the 15th of each month, calculated at the gate’s coordinates.
| Month | Sunrise | Sunset | Day length |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 08:10 | 16:21 | 8 h 12 |
| February | 07:23 | 17:18 | 9 h 55 |
| March | 06:21 | 18:10 | 11 h 49 |
| April | 06:09 | 20:04 | 13 h 55 |
| May | 05:10 | 20:55 | 15 h 45 |
| June | 04:42 | 21:31 | 16 h 48 |
| July | 05:01 | 21:22 | 16 h 21 |
| August | 05:48 | 20:32 | 14 h 44 |
| September | 06:40 | 19:22 | 12 h 42 |
| October | 07:31 | 18:12 | 10 h 41 |
| November | 07:27 | 16:13 | 8 h 46 |
| December | 08:10 | 15:52 | 7 h 42 |
Destination de Voyage calculation based on these times: between mid-December and mid-June, day length in Berlin varies by more than 9 hours. In winter, the sun sets before 4:30 pm: the illuminated gate can be photographed from late afternoon. In June, sunrise is before 5 am, the quietest time for a photo without crowds.
Events at the Brandenburg Gate
The gate is the backdrop for large gatherings, such as the New Year’s Eve party or the Festival of Lights, according to berlin.de. On 24 October 2026, the portal said that a 2026 New Year’s Eve party was « not yet confirmed ». During these events, access to the square may be restricted: check before you go.
Guided tours and passes: what you pay for
The gate itself is free and needs no ticket. What you can book: guided walking or cycling tours of the area, and the Berlin WelcomeCard, presented by berlin.de as the official tourist ticket (public transport for 48 hours, 72 hours or 5 days, plus discounts). Before buying a pass, compare its price with your actual journeys and the discounts that interest you.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Buying a « ticket » for the gate: access is open and free.
- Getting off at « Unter den Linden » thinking you will arrive at the square: the nearest station is S+U Brandenburger Tor.
- Coming on New Year’s Eve without checking: the square may be closed or subject to controls.
- Climbing on the monument: it has been damaged several times during celebrations.
Accessibility
The berlin.de portal lists the gate as barrier-free (« barrierefrei »): the square is pedestrianized and level.
Frequently asked questions
Is there an admission fee for the Brandenburg Gate?
No: it can be visited freely and free of charge, at any hour, according to the official berlin.de portal.
How do you get to the Brandenburg Gate?
By S-Bahn (S1, S2, S25, S26) or U-Bahn (U5) to S+U Brandenburger Tor station, or by bus 100.
When was the Brandenburg Gate built?
From 1788 to 1791, to plans by Carl Gotthard Langhans; Schadow’s quadriga was installed in 1793.
Why is the Brandenburg Gate a symbol?
During the division of Berlin, it stood in a forbidden zone along the Wall. Its opening on 22 December 1989 made it the symbol of reunification.
What does the quadriga represent?
The goddess Victoria on a chariot drawn by four horses. Napoleon took it to Paris in 1806; it returned to Berlin after the French defeat.
What is the best time to photograph it?
Early in the morning for the east façade, on the Pariser Platz side, and to avoid the crowds; in winter, at dusk for the lighting.
Our sources
- Berlin’s official portal (berlin.de): « Brandenburger Tor » page (history, access, accessibility, events), consulted on 24 October 2026
- Wikipedia, « Brandenburg Gate » article (dimensions, coordinates, history), consulted on 24 October 2026
- Astronomical calculations: NOAA solar algorithm, applied by Destination de Voyage to the Brandenburg Gate’s coordinates (Wikipedia) (15th of each month, year 2027, clear horizon)
- Our methodology
Updated November 2026.
