13 Beautiful Castles in Berlin – Famous and Hidden Gems in Berlin

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Germany is very famous for its palaces and castles in Europe. The exact number of castles and palaces in Germany is unknown but it might be around 20.000 castles, palaces or royal buildings there. If you’re visiting Germany, you are probably never far away from a castle. You can choose between 13 beautiful castles in Berlin. Some are bigger, some are smaller, some are hidden, and some are very grand. Charlottenburg Palace is probably the most famous palace in Berlin, but there are 12 other stunning castles and palaces to visit. We show you 13 beautiful castles in Berlin and the hidden gems and how to get there.

Schloss Charlottenburg

Schloss Charlottenburg or Charlottenburg Palace is the largest Baroque palace in Berlin and is located in the district of Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf. The palace was built at the end of the 17th century and expanded in the 18th century. During World War II, the palace was badly damaged, but it got rebuilt to the former, original condition. During your visit, you will see their large porcelain collection and grand ballrooms, which will take your breath away. An audio guide is included on your tour.

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Today, you can visit the gardens free of charge, and it’s one of the best free things to do in Berlin. During Christmas time, they held one of our favourite Christmas Markets in front of the palace. Check out their webpage for concerts in the Orangery. From summer 2021, they will also have an outdoor cinema in front of one of the most beautiful castles in Berlin.

Highlights

• Mirror Hall and Golden Gallery in the New Wing
• New Pavilion
• Mausoleum of Queen Luise
• Belvedere Charlottenburg – a collection of porcelain

Before you go – How to visit Charlottenburg Palace

• Ticket price: 12€, reduced 8€
• Mondays closed
• Opening hours Charlottenburg Palace: Tuesday – Sunday: 10:00 – 17:30
  • On public holidays: weekend opening hours apply unless otherwise stated.
• Visit by public transport: S41, S42, S26 to Westend and walk ca 800m along Spandauer Damm to the palace
• Or take bus 309 or M45 to stop Schloss Charlottenburg
• Address: Schloss Charlottenburg, Spandauer Damm 10-22, 14059 Berlin

Schloss Britz

Once this neo-Renaissance building was the residence for Prussian ministers and high-ranking officials, but today it is open for visitors. When you visit this 18th-century country estate, you will get an idea, of how it looked during this time. The well-reconstructed rooms show the interior of the Gründerzeit era. It won´t take too long to go through the rooms, but you get a nice demonstration of how glamorous it was at this time.

After the visit to the castle, you can enjoy some time in the extraordinary garden which is almost 300 years old. They have a huge amount of different plants and trees. If you visit Schloss Britz in summer bring your own food for a picnic in this beautiful park. Check out their program for concerts. Next to the palace, you can find the estate, which now houses a farm, a music school, the Neukölln Museum and a restaurant.

TIP: Read our post on Best Museums in Berlin to get more out of your visit

Highlights

• Take a walk in the beautiful park
• Find the Milkmaid, a copy of a sculpture in Tsarkoye Selo Palace in Saint Petersburg, Russia, made by Pavel Sokolov

Before you go – How to visit Schloss Britz

• Ticket price: 3€, reduced 2€
• Mondays closed
• Opening hours Schloss Britz: Tuesday – Sunday: 12:00 – 18:00
  • On public holidays, weekend opening hours apply unless otherwise stated.
• Visit by public transport: U-Bahn U7 to Parchimer Allee or bus M44 Britzer Damm/Tempelhofer Weg or bus M46 Fulhamer Allee or bus 181 Britzer Damm/Mohriner Allee
• Address: Kulturstiftung Schloss Britz, Alt – Britz 73, 12359 Berlin

TIP: Read our post about Schwerin castle, one of Germany’s most beautiful castles.

Schloss Bellevue

Schloss Bellevue or Bellevue Palace is the official residence seat for the German President. It is located in the district of Tiergarten and next to the Spree River. They started building in 1785 and completed the complex in 1786. Prince August Ferdinand of Prussia lived there first. After his death, his son took it over till 1843. in 1843, King Frederick William IV of Prussia acquired Bellevue and in 1865, it became the residence of his niece Princess Alexandrine. It served as a royal residence till the German Revolution in 1918/1919.

During World War II, it was badly damaged. Afterwards, it was reconstructed and refurbished several times. After the German Reunification, it is now the president’s primary official seat, not including the living quarters. The presidents live in a government-owned villa in Dahlem.

TIP: Read our post on the Royal Thai Palace in Bangkok if you want to know how it is to visit a royal palace in Asia

Highlights

• Open only once a year for an open-house day with concerts, guided tours through the palace and cultural entertainment. Be aware to line up for a long time to enter. It is very popular and one of the few possibilities to visit the palace and park.
• Visit the adjacent Tierpark and the Siegesäule
• A walk along River Spree

Before you go – How to visit Schloss Bellevue

• Open only for an open-house day which is once a year
• Apply on their webpage for a guided tour, but the process can take up to 9 months
• Visit by public transport: S5, S7 and S75 stop directly at S-Bahnhof Bellevue, and bus 100 and Bus 187 stop at Bellevue too. You only need to walk a few minutes to get to the palace.
• Address: Schloss Bellevue, Spreeweg 1, 10557 Berlin

Pfaueninsel

Pfaueninsel (Peacock Island) is an island in the river Havel and is located in the district of Steglitz-Zehlendorf. At the end of the 18th century, King Frederick William II commanded to build a summer residence and dairy complex for his mistress Wilhelmine Encke and himself. The architectural models were based on English, French and ancient Roman styles.

They also brought exotic trees and plants to the island, because 20 years before the construction of this palace, South Pacific Islands were discovered. The wallpapers, decorations and interior were also inspired by these Pacific Islands, too. And of course then also colourful peacocks were brought to this island and gave it the name which is still in use today. You only can visit this UNESCO World Heritage and nature-protected habitat by taking the ferry.

Highlights

• Of course the peacocks
• Peacock Island House
• Dairy House
• Enjoy nature and wildlife

Before you go – How to visit Pfaueninsel

• Ticket price: 4€, reduced 3€ (Ferry)
• Opening hours Pfauninsel: Monday – Sunday: 10:00 – 18:00
• The palace and dairy is currently closed due to renovations
• Visit by public transport: take S-Bahn and bus to stop at Pfaueninsel to take the ferry over to the island
• Address: Pfaueninsel, Nikolskoer Weg, 14109 Berlin

Schloss Schönhausen

This baroque castle in Berlin is located in the borough of Niederschönhausen in Pankow and experienced a lot of changes in over 300 years. It was built in 1664 by Countess Sophie Theodore. In 1691 Elector Frederick III of Brandenburg bought this manor house and changed it into a palace. His successors didn’t take care of this building though. Under King Frederick II of Prussia, this palace was renovated again into a royal summer residence for his wife Elisabeth Christine of Brunswick-Bevern. She lived there for over 50 years and never got visited by her husband there.

During the nazi era, the palace was used as art storage for the so-called degenerate art. It suffered some damage but was repaired almost immediately afterwards by an art collective.

After WWII, the palace was in use by the president of the GDR, Wilhelm Pieck. After his death, it served at first as the seat of the newly established East German State Council. After they moved to Mitte, it was used as an official guest house for state visitors, eg Indira Gandhi or Fidel Castro.

Schloss Schönhausen was owned by the State of Berlin in 1991, after the German reunification. In 2005 the palace was transferred to the Prussian Palaces and Gardens Foundation Berlin-Brandenburg and opened to the public in 2009.

Highlights

• Staircase of Schloss Schönhausen
• Rooms of the Prussian Queen and the GDR president
• Park of Schloss Schönhausen

Before you go – How to visit Schloss Schönhausen

• Ticket price: 6€, reduced 5€
• You only can buy tickets at the counter in the building
• Mondays closed
• Opening hours Schloss Schönhausen: Tuesday – Sunday: 10:00 – 17:30
  • On public holidays: weekend opening hours apply unless otherwise stated.
• Visit by public transport: tram M1 Hermann-Hesse-Straße/ Waldstraße
• Address: Schloss Schönhausen, Tschaikowskistraße 1, 13156 Berlin

TIP: Read our post about where to find the best coffee in Berlin for when you need a break

Schloss Tegel

Schloss Tegel, also known as Humboldt Schloss, is located in the borough of Reinickendorf. The original Rennaisance palace was remodelled into a hunting lodge and built into a classical palace between 1820 and 1824 by Wilhelm von Humboldt. The park of the palace extends almost to Lake Tegel. The brothers Wilhelm and Alexander von Humboldt spent much of their childhood there. It still belongs to descendants of the Humboldt family (now the Heinz family).

You can visit the museum only in summer times. The palace is still a privately owned residence. Despite this closing, the park is usually open daily all year and a donation is appreciated.

Highlights

• Guided Tour of the palace
• a walk in the park
• find the Dicke Marie, maybe the oldest tree in Berlin
• Humboldt family burial site
• walk along Lake Tegel

Before you go – How to visit Schloss Tegel

• Ticket price: 12€, reduced 0€
• You only can buy tickets on the phone: 030 886 71 50
• Tours only on Mondays from May to September
• Opening hours Schloss Tegel: Tuesday – Sunday: 10:00 – 17:30
  • On public holidays: weekend opening hours apply unless otherwise stated.
• Visit by public transport: tram M1 Hermann-Hesse-Straße/ Waldstraße
• Address: Schloss Tegel, Adelheidallee 19, 13507 Berlin

Zitadelle Spandau

Zitadelle Spandau or Spandau Citadel is a fortress in Berlin-Spandau and one of the best-preserved Renaissance military structures of Europe. It was built from 1559 – 1594 on an island where the rivers of the Havel and the Spree meet, to protect the city of Spandau, which is now a part of Berlin.

Today, it’s in use of several museums and exhibitions. In the summertime, the courtyard holds open-air concerts. Don’t forget to climb up all 153 steps of the Julius Tower! You will be rewarded with an amazing view of the citadel and the river Havel.

Highlights

• Climb up Julius Tower
• The Palas including Gothic Hall
• Guardhouse

Before you go – How to visit Spandau Citadel

• Ticket price: 4,50€, reduced 2,50€
• The admission includes the museums, the Juliusturm and the exhibitions.
• Opening hours Spandau Citadel: Friday to Wednesday 10:00 – 17:00
  • Thursday 13:00 – 20:00
  • On public holidays: weekend opening hours apply unless otherwise stated.
• Visit by public transport: U-Bahn U7 or bus X33 to stop at Zitadelle
• Address: Zitadelle, Am Juliusturm 64, 13599 Berlin

Jagdschloss Grunewald

The Jagdschloss Grunewald is a hunting lodge and the oldest preserved castle in Berlin. It is located next to Lake Grunewald in Dahlem in the district of Steglitz-Zehlendorf. This hunting lodge was built in Renaissance style in 1542/43 and between 1705 and 1708 it got its Baroque design.

You cannot only visit the hunting exhibition in the castle. You’ll also find top-class paintings on display by the Cranachs. During the year, you can attend several cultural events, such as classical concerts, theatre shows and a very popular Christmas market on specific dates in December.

Highlights

• Masterpieces by the Cranachs (the Older and the Younger)
• Hunting Museum
• A walk around Lake Grunewald and into the woods of Grunewald

Before you go – How to visit Jagdschloss Grunewald

• Ticket price: 6€, reduced 5€
• You only can buy tickets at the counter in the building
• Mondays closed
• Opening hours Jagdschloss Grunewald: Tuesday – Sunday: 10:00 – 17:30
• The castle can be viewed on a guided tour. Check the times on the webpage for the guided tours.
  • On public holidays: weekend opening hours apply unless otherwise stated.
• Visit by public transport: Bus 115, N10, X10, X83 to stop Königin-Luise-Str./Clayallee, then you need to walk for around 1200m to get to the Jagdschloss Grunewald
• Address: Jagdschloss Grunewald, Hüttenweg 100, 14193 Berlin

TIP: Read about 3 easy bike routes from Berlin where you can combine both nature, history and architecture

Schloss Glienicke

Schloss Glienicke is a historic palace located on the peninsula of Berlin-Wannsee. It was designed by Fredrich-Karl Schinkel around 1825 for Prince Carl of Prussia. After his first visit to Italy, he wanted to have his own Italian villa in Brandenburg. You can convince yourself on a walk through the beautiful Mediterranean- inspired park. Also inside the palace, you find antique objects that he brought back from his trips. The villa’s west wing houses the Court Gardener’s Museum which exhibits the knowledge and practices of Prussian Court Gardeners. The Glienicke Casino gives an amazing view of the Havel River.

Not far from this Berliner castle, you find the Glienicker Brücke (Bridge), which got famous in the Cold War for exchanging spies between Potsdam and Berlin. You still can see the two different colours of the bridge which showed the borders of West and East Germany. Schloss Glienicke is one of the castles in Berlin which is far out from the centre, but very close to Pfaueninsel and Schloss Babelsberg (which is already located in Brandenburg).

Highlights

• A visit to Glienicke Park and the palace
• View over Havel River from the casino
• Glienicker Brücke

Before you go – How to visit Schloss Glienicke

• Ticket price: 6€, reduced 6€
• You only can buy tickets at the counter in the building.
• Closed at the moment, check their webpage for special events.
  • On public holidays, weekend opening hours apply unless otherwise stated.
• Visit by public transport: Bus 316 or N16 to stop at Schloss Glienicke
• Address: Schloss Glienicke, Königstraße 36, 14109 Berlin

Schloss Köpenick

Schloss Köpenick or Köpenick Palace is a Baroque palace located in the old town of Köpenick (a district in East Berlin) and next to river Dahme. The palace exhibits decorative arts of the Renaissance, Baroque and Rococo periods in Berlin as a part of the Berlin State Museums.

The castle was originally built in 1558 as a hunting lodge by order of Elector Joachim II Hector of Brandenburg. In 1677, the palace got enlarged and the lodge was rebuilt by Frederick I of Prussia where he lived with his wife Elizabeth Henrietta of Hesse-Kassel. Today, you can visit the small park free of charge. You find a cute cafe next to the Schlosskirche (church).

TIP: Read our post on Castle Hotel Germany if you have a dream of sleeping in a real German castle

Highlights

• Panelled rooms, including the Coat of Arms Hall (Wappensaal)
• A Walk in the Park of Schloss Köpenick
• Visit the Old Town of Köpenick
• Schlosskirche

Before you go – How to visit Schloss Köpenick

• Ticket price: 6€, reduced 3€
• You only can buy tickets at the counter in the building
• Mondays closed
• Opening hours Schloss Köpenick: Tuesday – Sunday: 11:00 – 18:00
  • On public holidays: weekend opening hours apply unless otherwise stated.
• Visit by public transport: trams 27, 37, 60,61,62, 63, 67, 68 or bus 162, 164, 165, N62, N64, N65, N69, and N90 to stop at Schlossplatz Köpenick
• Address: Schloss Köpenick, Schloßinsel 1, 12557 Berlin

TIP: Read about Schleissheim Palace, one of Bavaria’s best castles

Schloss Biesdorf

Schloss Biesdorf or Biesdorf Palace is a neoclassical palace in the district of Mahrzahn-Hellersdorf in Berlin. It was built in 1868. In 1887 Werner Siemens took it over and in 1889 he handed it over to his son, Wilhelm von Siemens. Then, it was also called the Siemens-Villa. Before WWII, the palace was used for police office rooms and during WWII, the building was completely damaged.

After the German reunification, the palace was reconstructed, renovated and opened to the public in 2016. Today, the palace holds art exhibitions, literary readings and a cafe. In the park, there is a stage for concerts, shows and outdoor cinema in the summertime.

Highlights

• Walk in the park of Schloss Biesdorf with a pond a fountain
• Biesdorfer Parkbühne for concerts, shows and outdoor cinema
• Visit an art exhibition in Schloss Biesdorf
• Views of the palace from different places in the park

Before you go – How to visit Schloss Biesdorf

• Ticket price: free of charge
• Tuesdays closed
• Opening hours Schloss Biesdorf: Daily: 10:00 – 18:00
  • Fridays: 12.00 – 21:00
  • On public holidays: weekend opening hours apply unless otherwise stated.
• Visit by public transport: S-Bahn S5 to Biesdorf or U-Bahn U5 to Elsterwerdaer Platz
• Address: Schloss Biesdorf, Alt-Biesdorf 55, 12683 Berlin

TIP: Read our post about the beer gardens in Berlin for when you need a cool drink

Schloss Friedrichsfelde

Schloss Friedrichsfelde or Friedrichsfelde Palace was built in 1685 in neoclassical style and is located in the zoo Tierpark in the district of Friedrichsfelde. Over the years, this palace had various owners and went through several changes of building. This palace in Berlin survived WWII relatively undamaged, but after the expropriation in the course of the land reform, both the building and the surrounding park fell into disrepair.

Fortunately, the palace got restored thanks to the initiative of the former management and director of the Tierpark. The exhibition shows now portraits, wallpapers, furniture and decorative arts from the 18th and 19th centuries. Today, the entry is included when you visit the Tierpark. As with some of the other castles in Berlin, sometimes there are concerts too. check their webpage for events.

Highlights

• Ballroom of Schloss Friedrichsfelde
• Original staircase
• Visit the Zoo Tierpark
• Lenné Temple

Before you go – How to visit Schloss Friedrichsfelde

• Ticket price: you need to buy a ticket for the Tierpark
• Opening hours Friedrichsfelde Palace: Monday – Sunday: 10:00 – 18:00 (summer) or 10:00 – 16:30 (winter)
  • On public holidays: weekend opening hours apply unless otherwise stated.
• Visit by public transport: tram 21, 27, 37, M17 or bus 194, M17 to stop at Am Tierpark/A. Kowalke-Straße
• Address: Schloss Friedrichsfelde, Am Tierpark 41, 10319 Berlin

Berliner Schloss

The Berliner Schloss or Berlin Palace is actually Berlin’s newest attraction in city. It was the royal palace and main residence for the Electors of Brandenburg, the Kings of Prussia and the German Kaiser (Emperor). It was the largest building in Berlin and was originally built in 1443. The style of this palace in Berlin was baroque. Partially burned out during World War II in 1945, the castle was completely demolished in 1950 in the German Democratic Republic.

After lots of discussions, it finally was rebuilt from 2013 – 2020 and is now located in its original place, the Museum Island in Berlin Mitte. It serves as a seat ever since for the Humboldt-Forum, collections for the State Museums of Berlin, the City Museum of Berlin and the Humboldt-University in Berlin.

Highlights

• Walk on Museum Island and enjoy Berlin’s newest landmark
• Visit the information centre for the history

Before you go – How to visit Berliner Schloss

• Check online for events, tours, and exhibitions for a (digital) visit
• Visit by public transport: bus 100, 300 and N5 to Lustgarten (Museum Island)
• Address: Berliner Schloss, Schloßplatz 1, 10178 Berlin