Berlin is a city steeped in history, particularly marked by the dark events of WW2. The city has seen more than its fair share of turmoil, making it a fascinating place to explore the past. From historical sites to museums and walking tours, here are all the best WW2 sites in Berlin!
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I love exploring the historical sites in Berlin. There are so many Berlin WWII sites, memorials and different museums, ensuring the atrocities of its past are remembered and never repeated. Here are all my recommendations for where to go!
Must see WW2 sites in Berlin: All you need to know
What you need to know
- Are there any WWII museums in Berlin? There are lots of great WWII museums in Berlin! I’ve outlined a few of them below.
- What are some of the best places to visit in Berlin for those interested in the history of WWII? There’s no shortage of great museums, memorials and historic sites for you to visit depending on which part of the war you’re most interested in. Most memorial sites are located within walking distance of each other in central Berlin making them easy to travel between.
Historical places
Brandenburg Gate
The Brandenburg Gate, once a major political symbol throughout Germany, has seen its share of history. During the Nazi era, it served as a rallying point and a prominent feature in propaganda, as well as a site for grand celebrations by the party. Today, the Gate stands as a powerful symbol of unity and peace, while also serving as a poignant reminder of both Berlin and Germany’s turbulent past.
The Reichstag
The Reichstag building, home of the German government, is a cornerstone of Germany’s political history and one of the most fascinating WW2 sites in Berlin to visit. The building was once used for Nazi activity but after it was set on fire in 1933 the group moved elsewhere. Hitler exploited the fire to fuel his agenda, falsely accusing the communists of causing the blaze to incite fear and spread further hatred.
The Reichstag is open to visit, walk around the dome and even peer into the debating chambers below. Be sure to reserve your spot well in advance as places fill up quickly!
Bebelplatz
Another of the most intriguing WW2 sites in Berlin is Bebelplatz, the infamous location of the 1933 book burning. On that night members of the Nazi German Student Union burnt around 25,000 books that were considered as being ‘Un-German’ after Joseph Goebbels set out to bring German culture in line with Nazi values.
Today, a poignant memorial lies sunken into the floor beneath a square glass panel. Through this window, you can see empty library shelves, serving as a haunting reminder of that night.
Soviet War Memorial in Tiergarten
The Soviet War Memorial in Tiergarten honours the 80,000 troops who lost their lives in the battle to take Berlin. It features replicas of the tanks used in battle as well as statues of a soldier and the names of the fallen. Adjacent to the memorial lies a cemetery where approximately 2,000 soldiers are laid to rest, serving as a solemn tribute to their bravery and sacrifice.
Soviet War Memorial in Treptower Park
Another of the WW2 sites in Berlin that honours the soldiers who fought in the Battle of Berlin can be found in Treptower Park. The centrepiece of this memorial is a striking statue of a soldier carrying a child and a sword, resting on a broken swastika. The site also includes the graves of around 7,000 Soviet soldiers, serving as a solemn tribute to their sacrifice.
Memorials within Tiergarten
As well as the Soviet War Memorial, there are a few other WW2 memorial sites in Tiergarten. You’ll also find the Sinti and Roma Memorial, a round water basin surrounded by triangular slabs as well as the Memorial for persecuted homosexuals, a solid cube with viewing holes to see a video playing inside. Both of these sites are intended to remember the minorities also persecuted by the Nazis.
Hitler’s Bunker
In the dying days of the Nazi regime in January 1945, Adolf Hitler, along with Eva Braun and other high-ranking officials, took up residence in a bunker that served as their headquarters. Hitler and Braun were married in April 1945 and committed suicide at the site less than two days later.
Today the bunker itself is inaccessible and a car park stands on top of it. It does have a great information board detailing the site’s history and significance.
Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe – The Holocaust Memorial
Imposing, unique and somewhat intimidating, the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe is one of the most harrowing WW2 sites in Berlin. Made up of over 2,700 concrete slabs on the uneven surfacing, the memorial has no official explanation but stands as a site of reflection and remembrance.
Head to the middle to find a free visitors centre beneath the memorial. I found this to be one of the most moving museums dedicated to this period of history. It’s filled with stories, photos and personal items belonging to victims of the Holocaust and is a difficult but important visit.
Anhalter Bahnhof – Anhalter Train station
Once one of the city’s largest train stations, Anhalter Bahnhof is another of the most significant WW2 sites in Berlin. This station played a tragic role in history, as it was used to transport Jews to the Theresienstadt Ghetto in Czechoslovakia. From there they were then sent on to different concentration camps. Around 9000 Jews are believed to have been processed and sent away through this station.
Grunewald Station Platform 17 Memorial
Another train station used to transport Jews out of the city is home to the Platform 17 memorial. The memorial does well not to forget what happened here. It consists of 186 metal plates set into the floor along the platform’s edge. Each plate chronologically marks a transport that left Berlin, along with its destination and the number of Jews on board.
The platform is no longer in use and has been allowed to become overgrown, symbolizing that no trains will ever leave from this platform again.
Olympic Stadium
Another one of the historical WW2 sites in Berlin is the Olympic Stadium. The stadium was ordered to be built by Hitler after his party rose to power. Initially designed to showcase Nazi ideology during the 1936 Summer Games, the stadium later became a hub for ongoing Nazi propaganda efforts. You’re able to visit the stadium and take a tour to learn more about its history.
Museums
Nazi Forced Labour Documentation Centre
The Nazi Forced Labour Documentation Centre is located in a formed forced labour camp. It tells the story of those who were made to work there and what their lives would have been like. The original barracks remain intact, with many interiors preserved, offering a sombre glimpse into the harsh realities of their lives.
Berlin story bunker
Inside a 6,500-square-metre WWII bunker, you’ll find the Berlin Story Bunker. This extensive exhibition offers a chronological journey through Hitler’s life, meticulously documenting his rise and fall in incredible detail. There’s a tremendous amount of interesting information to take in here so save some time for it – it took me around 2 hours to get around the whole place. Toward the end, there’s also a recreation of Hitler’s own bunker.
If you’re really into history, this is one of the best WW2 sites in Berlin for you!
Topographie des Terrors – Topography of Terror
Located on the former site of the Gestapo headquarters, the Topography of Terror is one of the most visited WW2 sites in Berlin. This powerful exhibition documents the horrors inflicted by the National Socialists on those who didn’t fit their ideology, detailing the numerous crimes committed during their reign. The site, which is free to visit, also features the longest remaining section of the Berlin Wall.
Museum Otto Weidt’s Workshop for the Blind
Hidden away down an alleyway, one of my favourite museums in Berlin tells the inspiring story of Otto Weidt. This extraordinary man bravely fought to protect his Jewish workers from the Nazis. The museum is located on the original site of Otto’s workshop, and visitors can even see the back room where he hid his workers. The exhibition features many of Otto’s personal artefacts, including letters and photos, offering a poignant glimpse into his incredible life.
I can’t recommend this place enough; Otto Weidt was a kind and courageous individual whose life should be celebrated and remembered.
Museum Berlin-Karlshorst
With a focus on German-Russian relations, Museum Berlin-Karlshorst is another one of the best WW2 sites in Berlin. The museum particularly focuses on what life was like for soldiers fighting on both sides. Located on the site of the German surrender, the exhibitions also detail this day as well as the consequences of WW2.
German Resistance Memorial Center
Set on another one of the historic WW2 sites in Berlin, the German Resistance Memorial Center documents opposition to the Nazi regime. This site marks where those involved in the 20 July Plot, an attempt to assassinate Hitler, were executed. The exhibition highlights the efforts of individuals and groups who bravely resisted the socialist regime.
Tours
Berliner Unterwelten – Berlin Underworld tours
Going on a Berlin Unterwelten tour is hands down one of my favourite things I’ve done in Berlin. They offer 8 different tours, taking you underground in the city to explore its dark past. Here are a few of the tours, I went on the Dark Worlds tour and can’t recommend it enough!
- Dark Worlds: Head down into a real underground WW2 bunker located in an abandoned subway station.
- From Flak Towers to Mountains of Debris: Visit an anti-aircraft tower and go down into one of the city’s biggest bunkers.
Walking tours
There are plenty of walking tours which take you around the WW2 sites in Berlin. Learn all about the history of these extraordinary places from knowledgeable guides and get to know the layout of the city! There are so many great options, here are just a few:
- Hitler’s Germany: Berlin During the Third Reich & WWII: Visit all the pivotal sites that played a role in Hitler’s rise and fall.
- WW2 & Third Reich tour: See all the most well-known WW2 sites in Berlin and learn their history.
Summary
If you’re interested in the Second World War, Berlin offers many incredible historical war sites to visit. The city has built and maintained amazing memorials and museums to ensure we don’t forget the past.
