I thought I was just passing through Alexanderplatz on my way to a museum. Turns out, I’d wandered into one of the busiest—and most interesting—parts of East Berlin.
Alexanderplatz is a major transit hub, so chances are you’ll pass through here at some point.
But it’s not just a place to change trains. It’s also a bustling shopping area, with everything from big department stores to smaller, quirky shops. And that’s just scratching the surface—there’s a surprising amount to see and do just steps away.
So don’t just rush through the station. Come up to the surface and look around. There’s a lot packed into the platz and the surrounding area, and the Spree runs nearby if you want some scenic views.
Right in Alexanderplatz, you’ll find the Atomic Clock, a rotating world clock showing the time in cities around the globe and a classic East German-era meeting spot.
Nearby is the TV Tower, Berlin’s tallest structure at 368 meters. You can go to the top for sweeping 360-degree views… for what I felt was a slightly unpleasant fee.
Relax for a while at the colorful Fountain of Friendship, a popular place to sit and rest when it’s turned on. It was created to celebrate the GDR’s 21st anniversary.
Next to Alexanderplatz, the Marx-Engels-Forum is surrounded by several notable landmarks:
St. Mary’s Church (Marienkirche), one of Berlin’s oldest churches, dating back to the 1200s, with a slightly creepy medieval “Dance of Death” fresco inside.
Red Town Hall (Rotes Rathaus), Berlin’s city hall, named for its red brick façade.
and
Neptune Fountain, a grand fountain featuring Neptune and figures representing Germany’s major rivers.
And then, almost unexpectedly, you’re at Berlin Cathedral, Lustgarten, and Museum Island. I didn’t realize they were all so close together until I was practically on top of them.
Berlin Cathedral (Berliner Dom) is the city’s largest church, with a massive dome right along the Spree. You can see more about the Dom in my prior blog.
Lustgarten is the open green space in front—perfect for a break. It also has a fountain that, if you catch it in the right light, throws little rainbows into the air.
Museum Island is a UNESCO World Heritage Site packed with five major museums.
Take a walk along the Spree and watch the cruise boats slide under the bridges, with reflections of the buildings shimmering in the water.
From there, stroll down Unter den Linden, and you’ll run into a string of museums and historic buildings:
Humboldt Forum is a massive museum complex inside the reconstructed Berlin Palace.
For 3 euros, you can take the elevator to the roof. It has 360-degree views and a restaurant. I wouldn’t call it the best view in Berlin. It’s only four floors up, and there’s a lot of roof in the way, but it does give you a nice angle on the cathedral and the Altes Museum.
Humboldt University is one of Germany’s top universities. Einstein and Marx both taught here.
Neue Wache is a powerful memorial to victims of war and tyranny, with a sculpture of a grieving mother holding her son.
PalaisPopulaire is a smaller museum space blending contemporary art with historic architecture.
German Historical Museum, which walks you through Germany’s history from medieval times to today.
The Old Commandancy (Alte Kommandantur)was once a military headquarters, but is now restored.
And finally, the Crown Prince’s Palace (Kronprinzenpalais), a former royal residence turned exhibition space.
Just behind the Humboldt Forum, along the Spree, is Nikolaiviertel (St. Nicholas Church Quarter). It’s a small neighborhood clustered around the church, with pastel-colored buildings, cobblestone streets, old-style lamps and lanterns, little sculptures, and lots of shops and cafés.
Yes, it’s touristy and a bit crowded, but it’s also fun to wander through and feels completely different from the rest of Berlin.
If you can, go to Alexanderplatz on a nice weekend day in spring or summer. It’s a completely different place. Lively, crowded, and full of energy.
Street musicians are everywhere, and in some spots, music just blares out over speakers.
The fountains in Alexanderplatz and Lustgarten are on, and when the sun’s out, the whole area warms up quickly. People lounge along the edges of the fountains, in the parks, or on those weird, colorful plastic loungers scattered around the forum courtyard.
Starting in spring, you’ll also find the Berlin Art Market. Booths line the Spree near Museum Island, and it reminded me a bit of browsing booths along the Seine in Paris. Since Berlin is known as an art hub, it’s worth taking a stroll to see what’s on offer.
Overall, East Berlin… isn’t horrible. Just different. The apartment blocks have that uniform, older look. I heard a lot of police sirens. There’s some graffiti, but not as much as in parts of West Berlin, and it didn’t feel quite as run-down in places. One thing I noticed: East Berlin doesn’t seem as train-heavy. There are trams and buses, but the train lines seem to funnel into Alexanderplatz and stop there.
But Alexanderplatz and the surrounding area have a lot to see and do. You won’t get bored, even on multiple visits. Whether you’re passing through on your way to a museum or just exploring, it’s a lively spot that gives you a real feel for Berlin’s past and present.
Let me know in the comments what your favorite area is of Berlin, or your favorite site in the Alexanderplatz area!