Brandenburg Gate
Brandenburger Tor · Berlin, Germany
From division to unity: the 'triumphal arch' of modern German history
Know before you go
- Never give a Nazi salute or display Nazi symbols (a criminal offence)
- don't climb on or fool around at the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe
- don't cross on red (Germans are very particular about this).
This article is Not yet verified. Please check official announcements for prices, opening hours and dates.
Culture
Culture & customs
Background
A neoclassical city gate completed in 1791, topped by the Quadriga of the goddess of Victory. Napoleon carried off the Quadriga; in the Cold War the Berlin Wall split it between east and west, and after the Wall fell in 1989 it became the centre of reunification celebrations. Today Pariser Platz in front of it is Berlin's 'living room', where New Year's Eve, New Year and football fans' celebrations all take place, with the bells and fireworks of New Year lighting up the gate.
Local customs
- Germans value order and quiet — don't be loud in public
- most sights can be seen from outside for free, while museums usually need booking.
Religion & beliefs
- Berlin is religiously diverse, and the Brandenburg Gate itself is a secular national symbol
- keep quiet when visiting the nearby Berlin Cathedral (Protestant).
Etiquette
Etiquette & taboos
Rules that apply here
Germany: most shops close on Sundays
- Shop for food and essentials on Saturday
- If you need to shop on Sunday, go to shops at railway stations, airports or petrol stations
- Planning a shopping trip for Sunday
There is no penalty — you will just find everything closed. Sunday is protected as a day of rest by the constitution, and each state allows only a few 'open Sundays' a year.
Verified Oct 19, 2026Source: Library of Congress law blog: Germany's shop opening laws
Don’t DON'T
- Never give a Nazi salute or display Nazi symbols (a criminal offence)
- don't climb on or fool around at the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe
- don't cross on red (Germans are very particular about this).
Locals appreciate DO
- Berliners appreciate direct, punctual visitors
- take history seriously — laughing and messing about at memorials will draw stern looks.
Plan your visit
Practical info
| Best time | Good all year, best in May–September and the December Christmas season |
|---|
Travel tips
- Good all year, best in May–September and the December Christmas season. The gate is free to see, and the 'Room of Silence' inside is worth a look
- it's most beautiful when the lights come on in the evening
- walk on to the Reichstag (book the dome on the official website in advance) and Unter den Linden.
Eat nearby
What to eat nearby
Must-try
- Currywurst
- Döner kebab
- German pork knuckle / schnitzel
Currywurst (Berlin's famous snack), döner kebab (Berlin's national fast food), German pork knuckle / schnitzel, Berliner Pfannkuchen (jam doughnuts), pretzels
| Where to eat | Around Unter den Linden and Potsdamer Platz restaurants; for local flavour, Kreuzberg's Turkish market and small places |
|---|---|
| Dining etiquette | At snack stands, eat standing and return your tray |
| Typical price per person | EUR 12–25 ≈ CNY 100–208 |
| Tips | Have your currywurst and chips 'mit Mayo'; don't eat or drink on memorials in the memorial areas (especially the Holocaust Memorial). |
Prices are typical rates as of October 2026, not exact quotes; CNY equivalents are approximate where exchange rates fluctuate.
Superbass · CC BY-SA 4.0
Photos
Photos
Thomas Wolf, www.foto-tw.de · CC BY-SA 3.0
א (Aleph) Creator: Johann Gottfried Schadow · CC BY-SA 2.5
Norbert Nagel · CC BY-SA 3.0
Sources & verification notes
Compiled from visitBerlin visitor information
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