[ADVERTISEMENT] Few places reflect Berlin’s eventful history as vividly as Potsdamer Platz. One of Europe’s busiest squares in the 1920s, it was divided by the Berlin Wall from 1961 to 1989. Redeveloping this largely empty former border zone in the heart of the German capital became one of the most ambitious projects undertaken after reunification.
Today, the area is home to stylish restaurants, exclusive bars and excellent shopping, as well as a wealth of cultural attractions and entertainment. Here are some of its highlights: 11 tips for a perfect day around Potsdamer Platz.
Tip 1: Start with panoramic views from Panoramapunkt at Potsdamer Platz
From the viewing platform at Panoramapunkt, 100 metres above the ground in the Kollhoff Tower, you can enjoy sweeping views across Berlin. As well as a bird’s-eye view of Potsdamer Platz, you’ll spot landmarks such as the Brandenburg Gate and the TV Tower, along with the greenery of the Tiergarten. Europe’s fastest lift whisks you to the top in just 20 seconds.
Tip: If you have a little more time, stop by the café, which opens at 11 am.
Where: Panorama Punkt, Potsdamer Platz 1, Mitte (main entrance on Potsdamer Straße, opposite the DB Tower)
When: daily 10 am – 7 pm (last lift at 6.30 pm), café 11 am – 6 pm
Tip 2: Explore Berlin’s history at Potsdamer Platz
Back at Potsdamer Platz, you’ll find reminders of two very different chapters in Berlin’s history just a few steps apart. Original sections of the Berlin Wall mark the route of the barrier that divided Potsdamer Platz and Leipziger Platz from 1961 to 1989. Nearby, the green traffic tower (pictured) is a replica of Berlin’s first traffic signal, installed in 1924 to manage the flow of vehicles across what was then Europe’s busiest square.
Where: Historic Traffic Light System/Section of the Berlin Wall, Potsdamer Platz 11/Potsdamer Platz 4, Mitte
When: Open to the public at all times
Tip 3: Discover extraordinary shops at The Playce
The Playce brings shopping, dining and entertainment together under one roof. Its three-storey, glass-roofed arcade is an attraction in its own right. Designed by renowned Italian architect Renzo Piano, it is a defining feature of the area’s modern architecture. Alongside fashion, sportswear and technology stores, you’ll find distinctive concepts such as the Conscious Fashion Store and The Streets, an immersive experience inspired by urban street art. There are also shops selling books, jewellery and everyday essentials, plus, of course, an authentic Berlin Späti.
Where: The Playce, Alte Potsdamer Straße 7, Mitte
When: Main opening hours 10 am to 8 pm
The Playce
Tip 4: Taste your way around the world at Manifesto Market
Time for a culinary world tour: Manifesto Market brings together flavours from four continents under one roof. Choose from Mexican, Venezuelan, Syrian, Korean and Japanese food, among many other options. With 22 restaurants and four bars, it’s an ideal choice for groups when everyone fancies something different.
Where: Manifesto Market at The Playce, Alte Potsdamer Straße 7, Mitte
When: daily 11 am – 10 pm
Tip 5: Take a wellness break above Potsdamer Platz at Club Olympus or the ONO Spa
After lunch, unwind at one of the hotel day spas around Potsdamer Platz.
Club Olympus Spa & Fitness at the Grand Hyatt Berlin features an indoor pool, sauna, steam room and gym. On sunny days, the highlight is its rooftop terrace, which spans more than 250 square metres and offers sweeping views across Berlin. A day spa pass includes access to all facilities, as well as towels and changing rooms. The spa is open to guests aged 16 and over. Families with children aged 12 and under may use the pool area between 10 am and 8 pm.
Where: Club Olympus Spa & Fitness, Marlene-Dietrich-Platz 2, Mitte
When: daily 7 am – 9 pm (please check)
High above the city streets, ONO Spa at The Mandala Hotel offers a range of options to suit your schedule. Choose a two-hour escape, a four-hour wellness package including a treatment and Power Food, or a full day at the spa. The eight-hour package also includes a two-course meal at QIU Bar & Restaurant.
Where: ONO Spa, Potsdamer Straße 3, Mitte
When: Monday to Thursday 4 pm – 9 pm, Friday & Saturday 11 am – 8 pm, Sunday 11 am – 6 pm
Tip 6: Brighten up a rainy day at Lane7 and Gamestate at Potsdamer Platz
If the weather takes a turn in the afternoon, or you simply fancy some light-hearted competition, you’ll find two large, modern entertainment venues right at Potsdamer Platz. At Lane7, you can go bowling, play mini golf, shuffleboard, darts or pool, and even take to the karaoke stage.
For more gaming action, head to Gamestate, where you can choose from 50 arcade games. These range from nostalgic favourites such as Pac-Man and Pong to cutting-edge racing simulators, Mario Kart, air hockey and immersive VR experiences. Some games award tickets that you can exchange for small prizes.
Tip: Both venues have a bar serving drinks and snacks – and, of course, they’re great places to round off the evening or kick off your night out in Berlin.
Where: Lane7, Linkstraße 2, Mitte
When: Monday to Thursday 3 pm – midnight, Friday & Saturday 12 noon – 1 am, Sunday 12 noon – midnight
Where: Gamestate, Alte Potsdamer Straße 7, Mitte
When: Monday to Thursday 10 am – midnight, Friday & Saturday: 10 am – 1 am, Sunday: 12 noon – midnight
Tip 7: Turn the world upside down at the Upside Down Instagram museum
At The Upside Down Berlin, the world really is turned on its head. Step into immersive sets, discover surprising new perspectives and capture the perfect photos for your Instagram feed. Pose with the Berlin Bear, hop into a Trabi-Cadillac or take a seat in an aircraft cockpit inspired by the former Tempelhof Airport. Costumes, wigs and props help you complete the look, while many of the installations offer a playful take on Berlin’s culture and history. And, of course, there’s a giant ball pit.
Afterwards, head to the pink Hangout Café to compare photos over colourful snacks and waffles. There are also four karaoke rooms, with late sessions available from 8 to 10 pm on Fridays and Saturdays.
Where: Upside Down, Alte Potsdamer Straße 7, Mitte (in ThePlayce)
When: Monday to Thursday 11 am – 7 pm, Friday 11 am – 8 pm, Saturday 10 am – 8 pm, Sunday 10 am – 6 pm
Tip 8: Walk straight from Potsdamer Platz to Berlin’s major landmarks
From Potsdamer Platz, you can easily reach some of Berlin’s most famous sights on foot. One possible route takes you past the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe to the Brandenburg Gate and on to the Tiergarten or the Reichstag building. Alternatively, you can walk along Potsdamer Straße towards the Kulturforum and visit the Neue Nationalgalerie or the Gemäldegalerie . You can also reach the famous Checkpoint Charliefrom Potsdamer Platz in just 15 minutes on foot.
Tip 9: Choose between a magical dinner at the Grand Hyatt and Michelin-starred cuisine at FACIL
Back at Potsdamer Platz in the evening, you’ll have the choice between Michelin-starred dining or a magical show:
The Magic Table, a culinary magic show
In the luxurious setting of the Grand Hyatt Berlin on Potsdamer Platz,‘The Magic Table’invites you to an immersive dining experience that blurs the lines between reality and illusion. Whilst you enjoy an exquisite five-course menu, a culinary magic show unfolds on the table through projections, 3D storytelling and surprising effects.
Where: The Magic Table, Grand Hyatt Berlin, Marlene-Dietrich-Platz 2, Tiergarten
When: Dining experience lasts 2.5 to 3 hours (dates available upon booking)
Michelin-starred cuisine at FACIL, Potsdamer Platz
High above Potsdamer Platz on the fifth floor of The Mandala Hotel, at FACIL you’ll enjoy not only a unique atmosphere but also the finest Michelin-starred cuisine. Beneath a light-filled glass roof, the team led by Head Chef Michael Kempf and Maître Manuel Finster serves cuisine that combines lightness with complexity. The restaurant has held two Michelin stars continuously since 2013. This means that FACIL has been one of Berlin’s finest restaurants for years.
Where: FACIL, The Mandala Hotel, Potsdamer Straße 3, Mitte
When: lunch from 12 noon, dinner from 7 pm; we recommend booking well in advance
Tip 10: See Cirque du Soleil’s ALIZÉ or stand-up comedy at the Theater am Potsdamer Platz
With Alizé, Cirque du Soleil has brought its first European resident show right into the heart of Berlin – and has specially refurbished the Theater am Potsdamer Platz for the occasion. The story centres on the power of human connections and those invisible moments where reality and the surreal intersect. This poetic production combines spectacular acrobatics with the innovative techniques of ‘Magie Nouvelle’, which the ensemble calls ‘Acromagic’.
You can find out more about this new form of artistic expression in our interview with Fabrice Becker, Vice President of Creation at Cirque du Soleil, who offers a behind-the-scenes look at the production for our Berlin Unboxed podcast: Cirque du Soleil: The Magic Behind ALIZÉ
Tip: In the theatre’s basement, the PUNCH L!NE Club brings German-language and international stand-up comedy to the stage.
Where: Theater am Potsdamer Platz, Marlene-Dietrich-Platz 1, Mitte
When: depending on the performance
Cirque du Soleil ALIZÉ
Tip 11: Round off the evening with cocktails at The Alchemist
To round off your day around Potsdamer Platz, things are set to get magical – and mysterious – once again. The Alchemist showcases the fine art of cocktail-making with flying colours. The bar team uses techniques from molecular gastronomy, meaning your drinks aren’t simply shaken or stirred, but are presented with the help of dry ice, smoke, nitrogen, gel or edible pearls. Many drinks arrive at the table steaming or foaming and surprise you with completely new flavours.
Tip: If you ’d prefer to round off the evening in a quiet and mysterious setting, we recommend the Japanese-inspired speakeasy bar Himitsu at Manifesto Market.
Where: The Alchemist, Linkstraße 4, Mitte
When: Friday & Saturday 12 noon – 2 am, Sunday 12 noon – 11 pm, Monday to Wednesday 12 noon – midnight, Thursday 12 noon – 1 am
FAQ
How do you get to The Playce and Potsdamer Platz?
The Playce is situated right next to Potsdamer Platz station and is easily accessible by S-Bahn, U-Bahn and bus. It’s particularly quick from the airport: the FEX Airport Express runs every 15 minutes directly from BER to Potsdamer Platz, and the journey takes just around 19 minutes. From there, it’s just a short walk to The Playce. Further information on airport transfers.
What is there to do at Potsdamer Platz?
At Potsdamer Platz, you can discover Berlin’s history, visit the Panoramapunkt , shop at The Playce, eat at Manifesto Market and choose from a range of wellness facilities, gaming arcades, bars and shows, including Alizè, Cirque du Soleil’s first European resident show.
What sights are near Potsdamer Platz?
The Brandenburg Gate, the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe, the Tiergarten, the Gropius Bau and Checkpoint Charlie are all within walking distance of Potsdamer Platz. The Kulturforum, home to the Neue Nationalgalerie, the Gemäldegalerie and the Berlin Philharmonic, is also just a few minutes’ walk away.
Is Potsdamer Platz worth a visit on a short trip to Berlin?
Yes. Potsdamer Platz is centrally located, well connected to public transport and brings together history, sights, restaurants and leisure activities within a small area.
What can you do at Potsdamer Platz when it’s raining?
When it rains, The Playce, Lane7, Gamestate, The Upside Down, the CinemaxX cinema and the neighbourhood’s restaurants and bars are all great options. You can also relax in the luxurious day spas at the nearby hotels.
Can you explore Potsdamer Platz in a single day?
Yes. The sights at and around Potsdamer Platz are all within walking distance. This means you can combine a visit to the most important historical sites with shopping, a stroll through the city, a meal out and evening entertainment to create a full day’s itinerary.
