No two sunsets are the same, but they all have one thing in common: the magic of that moment when even the metropolis of Berlin seems to hold its breath for a few minutes. Whether you ’re looking fora great photo opportunity or a quiet spot to see out the day, here are the best places to watch the sunset in Berlin.
Tip 1: Enjoy the panoramic view of Berlin from the Oberbaum Bridge
As a former border crossing between East and West, the Oberbaum Bridge is a symbol of reunified Berlin and a popular meeting place to watch the day slip into night. No wonder: the view is breathtaking. From here, you not only have an unobstructed view of the River Spree, but you can also see Berlin’s historic centre with the Red Town Hall; and, of course, the ever-present TV Tower.
Oberbaum Bridge
Tip 2: Watch the sun set over Lake Müggelsee
Watching the sunset at Borkenstrand in Rahnsdorf on Lake Müggelsee is the perfect way to daydream your way into a summer’s holiday on the beach. From the shore of Berlin’s largest lake, you can watch the sun sink directly into the water. The Fisch-Borke beer garden serves delicious snacks and a changing selection of daily specials to go with the view. This is what a Berlin sunset tastes like.
Müggelsee
Tip 3: Say goodnight to the zoo animals at the Monkey Bar
Fancy a cocktail with a view? At the Monkey Bar on the 10th floor of the 25hours Hotel Bikini Berlin, you can look out through large panoramic windows and from the terrace over the green Tiergarten and Berlin Zoo– hence the bar’s name. It’s particularly lovely at sunset, when the sky over western Berlin changes colour and the lights of City West gradually come on. Order a cocktail, find a spot with a view and let the day draw to a close high above Berlin.
Tip 4: Take sunset photos at the Brandenburg Gate
The Brandenburg Gate is one of the city’s most important landmarks and a particularly popular photo spot at sunset. As the sun slowly disappears behind the Brandenburg Gate, the backdrop is particularly impressive: the warm evening light casts the quadriga and the six mighty columns as silhouettes against the sky. Try out different angles from Pariser Platz and the Unter den Linden boulevard, and do stick around a little longer. Afterwards, you can round off the evening in one of the cafés or restaurants around Pariser Platz.
Tip 5: Enjoy a romantic evening at the Bode Museum
When the evening light turns the River Spree golden, Museum Island shows itself at its most photogenic. One of the most beautiful views of the Bode Museum’s striking dome is from the Ebertbrücke – especially at sunset. For more photo opportunities, take a stroll along the Kupfergraben afterwards or head over to the Monbijouufer, where museum architecture and the water blend beautifully. Afterwards, you can round off the evening with a walk along the Spree or find a quiet spot by the water.
Tip 6: Enjoy the view over Berlin from the Panoramapunkt at golden hour
Berlin from above, bathed in the day’s final rays of sunshine: from the Panoramapunkt at Potsdamer Platz, you can look out over the city’s rooftops from a height of around 100 metres. Even the ride up is an experience in itself: the lift in the Kollhoff Tower is one of the fastest in Europe. Once at the top, the view stretches from the TV Tower past the Brandenburg Gate and far into the west of Berlin. It’s particularly atmospheric when the sun slowly disappears behind the skyline. Check the opening times in advance and plan your visit to coincide with sunset.
Tip 7: Sunset against the backdrop of impressive industrial heritage in Schöneweide
On a day trip to Schöneweide, it’s well worth staying until sunset. For one thing, there’s plenty of fascinating things to discover here, such as the former GDR radio centre or the industrial heritage in Oberschöneweide. At the Sonnendeck restaurant, right on the banks of the Spree, you can relax on the longest sun terrace in Köpenick. If you’d like to enjoy the sunset in complete privacy, you can hire the ‘Achterdeck’ raft, which is securely moored on the riverbank. Or why not hire a canoe or SUP board and paddle towards the sunset?
In our Berlin Unboxed podcast ‘Two Sides of Schöneweide’, we take you on a stroll through the history of this former industrial area and, of course, take a peek into the future too.
Tip: Getting out onto the water is, of course, also possible in many other places in Berlin. Our Digital Waterways Atlas offers a great overview.
Tip 8: Look out over the Old Town from the Große Eiswerderbrücke
Another lovely place to visit is Spandau, especially if you’re interested in architecture. In the Berlin-Haselhorst district, you’ll find the Reichsforschungssiedlung. Between 1930 and 1935, a number of quite renowned architects experimented here with ways to create affordable housing as quickly as possible.
Of course, the famous‘ ’ Spandau Citadel also makes for a lovely sunset view. And from Krienicke Park you’ve got an unobstructed view of the River Havel; walk across the Kleine Eiswerderbrücke to the island of the same name. From the Große Eiswerderbrücke, you can look out over the Old Town and the Old Town harbour.
Tip 9: Watch the sunset from Kreuzberg
For a sunset with sweeping views, head up to the National Monument on Kreuzberg in Viktoriapark. This neo-Gothic monument by Karl Friedrich Schinkelcommemorates the Wars of Liberation against Napoleon and stands atop one of the highest natural elevations in Berlin’s city centre. From here, you can look out far across Kreuzberg and over the city’s rooftops – a fantastic spot for photos, not just in the warm evening light.
On your way up, it’s worth stopping at the man-made waterfall cascading down the slope. Grab a drink, find a nice spot and enjoy the evening atmosphere!
Tip 10: Soak up the vastness of the golden-orange horizon
On the vast open space of Tempelhofer Feld, which used to be an airport, you can see right to the end of the horizon. Hop on your bike and soak up the last rays of sunshine as you whizz along the former runway. You’re sure to find a few musicians gathered somewhere on the field – listen to them whilst the sky over Berlin slowly turns a golden-orange hue.
Tip 11: Enjoy the last rays of sunshine from the TV Tower
As the city’s highest vantage point, the TV Tower naturally offers a truly fantastic view over Berlin at sunset. Treat yourselves to dinner at the Sphere Tim Raue restaurant whilst enjoying the 360-degree view of Berlin. Of course, the TV Tower is also the perfect backdrop for a romantic photo of Berlin against an orange-red sky – for example, whilst cycling along Landsberger Allee, as shown in the picture above.
Tip: In our Berlin Unboxed podcast, we chat to Michelin-starred chef Tim Raue about his concept for“Sphere TimRaue” in Berlin’s TV Tower – whilst also taking a personal look at the man behind the brand.
