Bellevue Palace

Bellevue Palace (Schloss Bellevue) in Berlin is the official residence and workplace of the German Federal President and one of the capital's best-known neoclassical buildings. The white palace stands on Spreeweg on the northern edge of the Tiergarten, a favorite photo stop between the Victory Column and the Reichstag. Be aware that you cannot simply walk in: the building is closed to regular visitors, but you can see it from outside and visit on special open days.

From pleasure palace to presidential seat

Prince August Ferdinand of Prussia, the youngest brother of Frederick the Great, had the palace built in 1785 to 1787 by architect Michael Philipp Boumann, in a style blending late Baroque and early Neoclassicism. Sources give slightly different construction dates and, for the architect, sometimes the first name Philipp Daniel. The name refers to the fine view over the surrounding park.

From 1935, the building housed the Museum of German Folklore, and in 1938 it was converted into a guesthouse for the Reich. In 1941, incendiary bombs destroyed the palace almost entirely. Reconstruction started in 1954 and ended in 1959, after which it served as a second residence for the Federal President in Bonn. Since 1994, Bellevue has been the main residence and office of the president in Berlin.

What to see

• The front facade with its central pavilion and pediment, best photographed from Spreeweg across the lawn
• The park around the palace, part of the Tiergarten
• Flagpoles in front of the palace, which frame the facade in many photos
• Interiors: accessible only on special dates such as the open day, when the historic salons and the banquet hall can be seen

Planning your visit

There is no regular tour. The palace is the president's workplace and is closed to the public. You can usually visit only on the open day, held in late summer, typically late August or early September, or at events such as the citizens' festival, when guided tours of the palace and park are offered. One travel site mentions that a free online time slot is required in 2026; this is not officially confirmed, so check the Federal President's website for dates. Without an event, plan 15 to 30 minutes for a look at the palace and a stroll in the adjoining park.

Getting there

The palace is at Spreeweg 1, 10557 Berlin. The nearest S-Bahn station is Bellevue, a few minutes' walk through the Tiergarten. From Berlin Hauptbahnhof and the Reichstag, it is roughly a 15 to 20-minute walk. A single ticket in Berlin's AB fare zone covers the trip, and the Deutschlandticket is valid on local transport. Parking nearby is scarce, so plan to arrive without a car.

Nearby

• Großer Tiergarten with the Neuer See lake and the rose garden
• Victory Column at the Großer Stern
• House of World Cultures at the Spree bend
• Reichstag and Brandenburg Gate within walking distance