8 Photo Spots not to miss in Berlin, Germany
Without a doubt, Berlin is an exciting and beautiful city. It has lots of different architectural styles, huge parks, and impressive structures.
I‘m well aware that there are more photo spots in Berlin than those I listed here, but these should get you started for your visit to Berlin.
I‘ve added Apple Maps links to each of the spots so you can save these photo spots in a collection, a new feature for Apple Maps in iOS13.
So, here are my favorite photo spots in Berlin. Let's start with a lost place.
Abandoned surveillance station
It‘s a former NSA surveillance station that was in operation from 1961 until the fall of the Berlin Wall. The area is accessible through guided tours. Check the Teufelsberg Berlin Web-Site for more details and here's how to find Teufelsberg on Apple Maps
I‘ve written a more detailed blog post about the abandoned surveillance station at Teufelsberg in the blog.
Abandoned listening outpost in Berlin. Shot on iPhone 7 Plus
Aside from the abandoned buildings, you‘ll be able to see a vast gallery of street art here.
Spreepark: an abandoned amusement park
If you want to see and experience the former and now abandoned amusement park named Spreepark, you better hurry. The park is currently beefing revitalized as a recreation area and will be reopened to the public in several waves until 2026. The Spreepark is located in a woody area named Plänterwald in East Berlin.
During weekends, you can book guides tours that last around 75 minutes that will take you to the most iconic photo spots in the park like the famous dragonhead of the Spreeblitz rollercoaster.
Dragonhead at an abandoned amusement park in Berlin
To see more photos of Spreepark, head over to the blog post about my visit to the abandoned amusement park in Berlin in 2022.
The old radio tower („Alter Funkturm“)
From the abandoned surveillance station towards the city center is the old radio tower („Funkturm“) of Berlin. It was built between 1924 and 1926 and used until 1973.
Most notably about this radio tower is that in 1935, the first worldwide regular TV program was transmitted.
Old Radio Tower in Berlin. Shot on iPhone XS
The tower is beautiful to photograph at night, and you‘ll get a great view of the city from the observation platform. If you‘re hungry, you'll also find a restaurant up there.
If you plan to photograph it at night, I've collected some tips about how to take photos at night with iPhone on a dedicated page
Here‘s the exact location of the old radio tower in Berlin on Apple Maps.
Victory Column
From a photographers perspective, there are two excellent photo spots here. The first one is to take a photo from one of the underpasses where you can use the stairs and walls as leading lines to capture the entire column.
You may need either a Moment Wide Lens to fit the entire column inside the frame or the new iPhone 11 with the ultra-wide lens.
Victory Column Berlin. Shot on iPhone 7 Plus
The second photo spot is at the top of the column. You‘ll get to enjoy a great view over the city center of Berlin.
As always, I recommend being there early. Only a limited number of people are allowed on the column at a given time, and if you arrive late, you may have to wait a while.
Also, there is no elevator. Be prepared to climb 285 stairs.
Find your way to the Victory Volumn Berlin with Apple Maps.
German Chancellery
I got this photo during a photo walk with Trey „the master of HDR“ Ratcliff, who runs the photoblog StuckinCustoms. We visited the photo spot during his stay in Berlin.
German Chancellery. Shot on iPhone 7 Plus
The building is the German Chancellery, and it‘s particularly beautiful when photographed during the sunset.
Here‘s how to find the German Chancellery on Apple Maps.
Brandenburger Tor
Do I have to say anything about the Brandenburger Tor?
Probably not as it‘s one of the most famous spots in Berlin. When you‘re there, unlike all the other tourists, try a different perspective this time.
18th of March Square. Shot on iPhone 6 Plus
There are a lot of signs and streetlamps that will work well as a foreground. This way please to the Brandenburger Tor on Apple Maps.
Also, it‘s a great photo spot during the blue hour. You can quickly determine when the blue hour stars using a blue hour calculators.
Berliner Dom
While many people flock to the Berlin Dome to take pictures, I suggest to photograph it from a little further away. For example, I got this photo from across the river right near the German historical museum.
Berlin Dome. Shot on iPhone 7 Plus
You can find your way from the Brandenburger to the Berliner Dome on Apple Maps.
Waterfall at the Victoria Park
You can find a real gem at the Victoria Park in the south of Berlin. It‘s a beautiful park that contains a human-made waterfall. Here‘s a little help on how to find the waterfall in Victoria Park on Apple Maps.
Waterfall at Victoria Park in Berlin. Shot on iPhone 7 Plus
I took this photo using Slow Shutter Cam App and the small Gorillapod for iPhone that I carry almost all time.
Also, if you want to dig deeper into the different options of how to take a long exposure with iPhone, the blog has you covered.
For more inspiration, check out other blog posts about photo spots in Germany or all blog posts about photo spots.
Where to stay in Berlin
If you've been following a while, you know that I choose hotels because of their location and because of an affordable price. I prefer hotels that are located in the city center and near a major public transportation stop. If you're looking for a decent boutique hotel, I'm the wrong person to ask.
So, here are two hotel recommendations for Berlin where I already stayed that are conveniently located.
One of my favorite hotels in Berlin is the NH Berlin Mitte near Checkpoint Charlie. I stayed three times so far because it's affordable and in the heart of Berlin. Many spots like the Checkpoint Charlie, Brandenburger Gate, Berlin Dome, and the famous "Unter den Linden" boulevard are within 20 minutes of walking distance. Plus, you have a bus line and three metro stations within minutes from the hotel.
Another hotel where I stayed in is the Arcotel John F Berlin. It's a little closer to the Berlin Dom, Checkpoint Charlie, and the famous Alexander tower. Here, you have two bus lines and a metro stop within minutes from the hotel.
- Check prices and availability of the NH Berlin Mitte near Checkpoint Charly on Booking.com
- Check prices and availability of the Arcotel John F Berlin on Booking.com
- Check all offers for Hotels in Berlin on Booking.com
