East Side Gallery in Berlin is an iconic, open air display of art work on a section of the old Berlin Wall. Here’s all the info for visiting.
How To Get To The East Side Gallery
Getting around Berlin couldn’t be easier. There are generally 3 options:
Public Transport
The most convenient way to explore Berlin, is to use the U-Bahn or underground railway.
You can buy a Berlin WelcomeCard, which allows unlimited use of the city’s metro, tram, and bus lines.
This card is available for 48-hours, 72-hours, 4-day, 5-day, or 6-days at a time. Prices start at £24 per adult.
East Side Gallery is quite a walk from the city centre, so your Berlin WelcomeCard would come in handy if you wanted to jump on the underground to Warschauer Straße. From here it’s just a 10 minute walk.
Hop On Hop Off Bus
Standard buses are available around Berlin.
However, there is also of course the famous Berlin Hop-on, Hop-off Sightseeing Bus.
This bus lets you jump on and off throughout the city, and explore monuments such as the East Side Gallery, Kurfürstendamm, Potsdamer Platz, Checkpoint Charlie, Gendarmenmarkt, Alexanderplatz, Museum Island, and the Berlin Cathedral.
This option is always popular among tourists, and is a great way to see many famous landmarks around Berlin at ease.
Tour
Some of the best days out we’ve had in Berlin have been on private tours.
For those short on time, or that prefer everything to be organised for them, there are some awesome tours on Get Your Guide available to book in advance.
From food tours, to river cruises and history tours, there’s plenty to keep you busy in the German capital!
East Side Gallery Entrance Fee
It is free to visit the East Side Gallery.
East Side Gallery Opening Times
East Side Gallery is open all day, every day.
Best Time To Visit East Side Gallery
People visit the East Side Gallery at all times of the day and night. However, the busiest time is usually between about 11am and 4pm.
The murals are viewed from a narrow path next to a busy road, so if you want to get some great photos you are best off getting there early in the day.
Don’t forget your camera – there are some great photo opportunities here.
What To Pack
East Side Gallery History
During the years that the Berlin Wall was in place (1961 -1989) graffiti covered the West side of the wall, but the East side was not touched.
However, between the months of February and September 1990, a 1316 m (4318 ft) section (one of the largest remaining portions of the former divide) of the East side of the wall was covered with some amazing murals.
Artists from all over the world were invited to paint murals on the Eastern side of the Wall.
Subsequently over a hundred artists, from twenty one different countries, chose to come and leave their mark on this historic monument.
The stunning murals tell the story of the oppression of communism as well the cosmopolitan nature of the city of Berlin.
The original paintings have had to be restored over the years and in 2015 a fence was been built in order to protect and preserve the wall and its murals.
What To Expect At East Side Gallery In Berlin
East Side Gallery is one of the most famous sightseeing attractions in Berlin and a testimony to the history of the Berlin Wall.
This stretch of open-air gallery is possibly the most famous of its kind in the world. With some of the more photographed murals recognised around the world.
The art work varies in style and is open to interpretation but all of it is interesting and thought provoking, with some pieces quite breathtaking.
One of the most well known pieces is the mural by Dmitri Vrubel of Leonid Brezhnev (the former General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union) and Erich Honecker (the former General Secretary of the Socialist Unity Party) kissing.
The impressive East Side Gallery is an iconic symbol of the Cold War period of Berlin and the following unification of Germany.
Therefore, visiting the site of such an important moment in history as well as seeing some spectacular art, has to be a must when in Berlin.
If you’re looking for a guide to the East side of the city then the East Berlin and the Wall: Walking Tour is probably your best option.
On this tour you’ll learn about the daily life of divided Berlin, how East Berliners lived that existence and also the fall of their country.
Where To Stay In Berlin
Luxury
This unique hotel features a spa area with pool and free WiFi.
It is centrally located opposite Berlin Cathedral, 750 yards from Alexanderplatz Square.
The Radisson Blu Hotel, Berlin offers stylish, air-conditioned rooms with flat-screen TVs and laptop safes. High-quality toiletries and a hairdryer are provided in the modern bathrooms.
All rooms are non-smoking and many have a balcony. Guests can enjoy drinks at the Atrium Bar.
The elegant HEat restaurant serves international dishes and a daily breakfast buffet, and also has a terrace.
Mid-Buget
This 4-star-Superior hotel enjoys a prime on the world-famous Friedrichstrasse in .
It is next to and only a from the .
All at the NH Collection Berlin Friedrichstrasse offer a flat-screen TV, a marble-finish , hypoallergenic bedding and hard floors.
All rooms have a minibar, satellite TV, a , complimentary high-speed WiFi, and soundproofed windows.
Budget
Centrally located in Berlin, this hostel features a , a 24-hour front desk, and free throughout the property.
Oranienburger Strasse S-Bahn and Oranienburger Tor U-Bahn are within 550 yards.
Generator Berlin Mitte offers brightly decorated rooms with en suite bathrooms. On-site laundry facilities are available at a fee.
Additional conveniences include luggage storage and safety deposit boxes.
Guests at Generator Berlin Mitte can order a continental breakfast at the hostel. Local bars and restaurants are within a 5 minute walk.
For more places to stay in Berlin, you can check the latest prices on Booking.com.
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