Reichstag Building

The Reichstag building in Berlin is the seat of Germany's federal parliament, the Bundestag, and its glass dome is one of the most popular things to do in Berlin. You can walk a spiral ramp right above the debating chamber and enjoy a 360-degree view across the government quarter, the Tiergarten park and the city skyline. Visiting the dome and roof terrace is free, but you must register in advance. Few buildings tell the story of modern Germany as vividly.

Where it is and how to get there

The Reichstag stands on Platz der Republik in central Berlin, at the edge of the Tiergarten and a five-minute walk north of the Brandenburg Gate.

• Subway: take the U5 to "Bundestag", or the S-Bahn or U5 to "Brandenburger Tor".
• From Berlin Hauptbahnhof (central station): about a ten-minute walk.
• From BER airport: take a train to the central station, then walk or ride the U5 one stop.

There is no visitor parking at the building, so public transportation is the way to go.

A building that mirrors German history

Architect Paul Wallot built the Reichstag between 1884 and 1894 for the parliament of the German Empire. The famous inscription "Dem deutschen Volke" (To the German People) was added in 1916. In February 1933 a fire gutted the chamber, and the Nazis used the blaze as a pretext to suspend civil liberties. In 1945 the building was fought over in the final days of World War II, and the photo of a Soviet flag on its roof became iconic.

During the Cold War the Reichstag sat right next to the Berlin Wall. After reunification, the all-German parliament first met here on October 4, 1990. In 1995 the artists Christo and Jeanne-Claude wrapped the entire building in silver fabric, drawing around five million visitors in two weeks. British architect Norman Foster then redesigned it, adding the glass dome, and the Bundestag moved in on April 19, 1999. Today it welcomes nearly three million visitors a year.

What you will see

• The dome: 23.5 m (77 ft) high, with two spiral ramps, each about 230 m (755 ft) long, leading to a viewing platform.
• The mirror cone: 360 mirrors channel daylight into the chamber below, and you can look down into it, a deliberate symbol of transparent democracy.
• The roof terrace: views of the Chancellery, the Brandenburg Gate and the TV Tower.

A free audio guide of about 20 minutes is available in 12 languages, including English, Chinese, Spanish and French, plus a children's version.

Tickets, registration and opening hours

As of October 2026:

• Admission is free, but you must book in advance using the Bundestag's online form, giving the name and date of birth of each visitor. Phone bookings are not possible.
• Same-day spots may be available at the service center on Platz der Republik, for visits at least two hours later.
• Bring your passport: everyone 16 and older needs an original passport or national ID. Expect an airport-style security check.
• Hours: the dome and terrace open daily, according to the Bundestag generally from 8 am to midnight with last entry at 9:45 pm.
• Closures: the dome is closed for maintenance from October 19 to 30, 2026 (the terrace stays open). Everything is closed on December 24, and from 4 pm on December 31. Extreme heat can also close the dome.

The rooftop restaurant requires a reservation. You can also register to watch a plenary session from the public gallery.

Is it worth visiting?

Definitely, and it costs nothing. Allow about one hour including security. Sunset and evening slots are especially beautiful but book up fast in summer, so register a few weeks ahead. Visitors who use wheelchairs reach the roof by elevator, and the dome uses ramps instead of stairs. Combine your visit with the Brandenburg Gate and the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe nearby.