Attraction
Brandenburg Gate
Berlin's best-known landmark, a neoclassical gate completed in 1791 and crowned by the Quadriga, which stood beside the Wall until it reopened in December 1989.
Reichstag Building
The seat of the German Bundestag, completed in 1894 and rebuilt by Norman Foster, whose glass dome and roof terrace can be visited free with advance registration.
At a glance
- Type
- Parliament building and glass dome
- Area
- Tiergarten, Berlin, Germany
- Official site
- bundestag.de
Good to know
- Free entry
- Advance registration required
- Roof terrace
- Security check
Why we recommend it
The Reichstag Building is the home of the Bundestag, Germany's parliament, and one of the few working parliaments in the world where visitors can walk on the roof. Paul Wallot won the design competition in 1882, the foundation stone was laid in 1884, and the building was completed in 1894 for the parliament of the German Empire. Its history since then mirrors that of the country.
On 27 February 1933, four weeks after Hitler became chancellor, fire gutted much of the building, and the Nazis used the event to suspend civil liberties. The building was badly damaged in the Second World War and stood close to the Berlin Wall during the division of the city. After reunification Norman Foster redesigned it for the Bundestag, which first met in the rebuilt building in 1999.
The highlight for visitors is Foster's glass dome. A spiral ramp winds up inside it, giving a view over the government quarter, the Tiergarten and the city skyline, and a central mirrored cone reflects daylight down into the debating chamber below, which you can look into from above. A moving sun shield tracks the sun to reduce glare and heat. The roof terrace around the dome offers further views, and an evening visit, when the city lights come on, is especially popular.
A visit to the dome and roof terrace is free, but you must register in advance through the Bundestag website, and places can be booked out days ahead in busy periods, so plan early. Bring the identity document you registered with, as it is checked on arrival, and allow time for airport-style security at the visitor entrance. The dome can close at short notice for parliamentary events or maintenance. Guided tours and lectures on parliament are also offered and must be booked ahead.
The building suits anyone interested in modern German history or architecture, and families can manage the visit easily. The nearest stations are Bundestag on the U5 and Brandenburger Tor on the S-Bahn and U5, both a few minutes' walk away. The Brandenburg Gate is just to the south, the modern government buildings along the Spree are next door, and the river path is a pleasant place for a walk afterwards.
Reichstag Building FAQs
Is it free to visit the Reichstag dome?
Yes, visiting the dome and roof terrace is free, but advance registration is required.
How do you book a visit?
Register online through the Bundestag website and choose a time; places can sell out in busy periods.
Do you need ID?
Yes. Bring the identity document you registered with, as it is checked before entry.
Is there a security check?
Yes, all visitors pass through a security check, so allow extra time.
Who designed the dome?
Norman Foster, whose redesign of the building was completed in 1999.
Can the dome close?
Yes, it can close at short notice for parliamentary reasons or maintenance.
What is the nearest station?
Bundestag on the U5, with Brandenburger Tor a short walk away.
What is nearby?
The Brandenburg Gate, the government quarter on the Spree and the Tiergarten.