8 Iconic Photo Spots in Berlin to Photograph During Your Next Trip
Undoubtedly, Berlin is an exciting city full of interesting photo spots. You’ll find different architectural styles, huge parks, impressive structures and even abandoned places.
I’m well aware that there are more photo spots in Berlin than those I listed here, but these iconic photo spots should get you started on your visit to Berlin.
- Abandoned Listening station at the Teufelsberg
- The abandoned Spreepark
- Berlin Radio Tower
- Berlin Victory Column
- German Chancellery
- Brandenburger Tor
- Berlin Cathedral
- Waterfall at the Victoria Park
- Summary
Abandoned Listening station at the Teufelsberg
At the top of the Teufelsberg, you’ll find a former NSA listening station. It was in use from 1961 until the fall of the Berlin Wall to spy on East Germany and other states of the Warsaw Pact.
The area is accessible through guided tours. Check the Teufelsberg Berlin Web-Site for more details. I’ve written a more detailed blog post about my visit to the abandoned listening 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.
The abandoned Spreepark
Spreepark is a former amusement park in the north of Berlin. Opened in 1969 it was abandoned in 2001 due to large debts.
If you want to see and experience the now abandoned 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.
During weekends, you can book guided tours that last around 75 minutes and will take you to the most iconic photo spots in the abandoned amusement park, like the famous Dragonhead of the Spreeblitz Rollercoaster.
Dragonhead at an abandoned amusement park in Berlin
To see more photos, head over to the blog post about my visit to the abandoned amusement park in Berlin in 2022.
Berlin Radio Tower
At the city center, you’ll find the old radio tower of Berlin. It was built between 1924 and 1926 and used until 1973. Most notably about the Berlin 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
Berlin Victory Column
The Victory Column monument was inaugurated in 1873 to commemorate the Prussian victory in the Second Schleswig War.
From a photographers' perspective, there are two excellent photo spots at the Berlin Victory Column. 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.
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.
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 German Chancellery at sunset during his stay in Berlin.
German Chancellery. Shot on iPhone 7 Plus
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 plenty of signs and streetlamps that will work well as a foreground. 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.
Berlin Cathedral
While many people flock to the Berlin Cathedral to take pictures, I suggest photographing 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
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 the time.
Also, if you want to dig deeper into the different options of how to take a long exposure with iPhone, you'll find that in the blog, too.
Summary
Berlin is a city steeped in history. Thus, you’ll find many photo spots in Berlin ranging from monuments, modern architecture to abandoned places you can visit legally. If you’re into lost places photography like I am, check my blog post about Lost Places in Berlin you can visit legally.
