This post is a guide to visiting the Reichstag in Berlin.
We include how to get tickets to the dome as well as tours of the building.
- How to get Dome Tickets
- Plan Your Visit
- Guided Tours
- Nearby Attractions
- Berlin Bus Tours
- Free Tours by Foot
HOW TO GET TICKETS TO THE REICHSTAG DOME
First, the good news: It is free to go to the Dome! You will need tickets, however.
There are 4 ways to get tickets:
- advanced reserved
- same-day tickets
- tickets as part of a guided tour (this last one isn't always free).
- reserve a table at the terrace restaurant
Tip: To save more money during your time in Berlin, you might consider a tourist discount pass.
There are several and we compare them in our detailed post, Berlin Pass vs Welcome Card vs City Tour Card?
Advanced Reserved
The fastest and easiest way to register is online on the Bundestag website.
You will need the full names and birthdays of everybody who joins you, as well as your email address.
You will submit your preferred dates and someone will email you back.
Bring your booking confirmation and your government-issued ID and be prepared to go through a security check.
Note: Requests to visit the Dome can only be submitted for the current month and the following month.
Same-Day Tickets
You can register in person at the Service Center near the Reichstag building on the south side of Scheidemannstraße (See the map above in the red circle).
The Service Center is open from 8:00 am to 18:00 (6 pm) daily in winter (1 November - 31 March) and from 8.00 am to 20:00 (8 pm) daily in summer (1 April - 31 October).
The same-day option does not guarantee that there any free places available at the time of your visit.
If there are, tickets have to be issued a minimum of 2 hours ahead and only a maximum of 2 days before your visit.
For that reason, we highly recommend you reserve in advance.
Make a Reservation at Käfer, the Rooftop Restaurant
You can also access the dome of the Reichstag when you make a reservation for a table at Käfer.
The same rules apply here as with a reservation for the dome only, full name and dates of birth of all guests, and must be made at least 48 hours before your desired date.
You will also need government issued photo ID to enter. Book directly through the restaurant.
PLAN YOUR VISIT
In this section, we provide a brief introduction, give directions, advise on the best time to visit and let you know about nearby attractions.
The Reichstag, designed by Paul Wallot in 1894, is the seat of the constitutional and legislative body of Germany, the Bundestag.
The dome and rooftop terrace of the Reichstag building is not only designed to offer visitors spectacular views across the city.
Its energy-efficient structure also funnels natural light via numerous mirrors as well as fresh air into the parliamentary chamber.
Not only will you be able to get a nice view of Berlin and its surroundings, the 20-minute motion-censored audio guide even tells you what you are looking at while you circle the 230 meters up and down the dome.
You can pick up the audio guides on the roof terrace.
Days: The Dome is open most days of the year.
Visiting hours: 8 a.m. to midnight. The last admission to the Dome is 20:00 (10 pm).
Note: Admission slots are every quarter of the hour, ex: 10:00, 10:15, 10:30, 10:45, etc.).
On the dates when the dome is closed, you can still enjoy views from the roof terrace.
Dates of closure change every year, so be sure to check their website to know about closed dates.
Best Days to Visit
The best days to visit are good weather days so your view will be best.
Also, try to go on weekdays as weekends and holidays are peak times and it can get quite crowded and you will have to plan in some extra waiting time.
Nighttime is also relatively uncrowded. In fact, visiting the Reichstag is one of the top 10 things to do at night in Berlin.
GETTING TO THE REICHSTAG BUILDING
The Reichstag Building is located on the western end of Berlin's city center, just south of Hauptbahnhof and just north of Tiergarten and the Brandenburg Gate.
Use this Google map to get exact directions from your departure point.
The closest public transportation hubs are U5-station Bundestag, the S-bahn station Brandenburger Tor, or the 100 bus to the Reichstag/Bundestag stop.
Tip: If you are new to Berlin transportation see our post tips on public transportation in Berlin.
Also, if you are considering a hop-on-hop-off bus ticket, then know that all companies have a stop right at the entrance to the Reichstag.
Reichstag Hotels
The Reichstag's central location means that there are numerous hotels in the area that would give you easy access to other popular Berlin sites.
You can view the top-rated hotels according to TripAdvisor to see if any suit your needs or budget.
The Reichstag is in walking distance from the Brandenburg Gate, the Holocaust Memorial, and the big park Tiergarten.
You might also be interested in our self-guided tours on Mitte West and Mitte East.
Spree River cruise departures are just 10 minutes walk from the Reichstag.
Walk northwestwards from the Reichstag towards the main train station (do you see the red DB sign?) to the River Spree.
The boat cruises depart near the Moltkebrücke, the reddish bridge.
Click here for more information on these boat tours.
GUIDED TOURS THAT INCLUDE REICHSTAG TICKETS
Tours offered at the Reichstag
Various free 90-minute tours are available when Parliament is not sitting.
When you book your tickets you will have the option to book a tour along with a visit to the Dome afterward.
- Tours that explain the functions, working methods and composition of the Parliament are offered daily at 9.00 hrs, 10.30 hrs, 12.00 hrs, 13.30 hrs, 15.30 hrs, 17.00 hrs,18.30 hrs, 20.00 hrs
- Tour of the Reichstag Building for families is tailored for children aged six to 14, traveling with their family. These are offered on Saturdays at 10.00 hrs, 12.30 hrs and 14.30 hrs and Sundays and certain public holidays at 10.00 hrs and 12.30 hrs
- Art and architecture tours of the Reichstag Building are offered on Saturdays, Sundays and certain public holidays at 11.30 am.
If you want the ability to skip the line, you can opt to take a tour with a private company.
There are several tours available that include the Dome and these tours range from approximately €14 for a 2-hour tour to €50.
There are too many guided tours to list. You can see the full list here (Affiliate Disclosure).
Here are some of the tours out there that will save you time when visiting the Dome.
- Hop-on Hop-off Tour with Coffee & Cake at the Reichstag (Affiliate Disclosure)
- Berlin: Brandenburg Gate and Reichstag Dome Tour (Affiliate Disclosure)
- Berlin WelcomeCard all inclusive Skip the Line Dome
To find out about Berlin tourist passes such as the Berlin City Pass, the Berlin Welcome Card, and several others, be sure to check out our post, Berlin Pass vs Welcome Card vs City Tour Card?
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