Charlottenburg Palace

Charlottenburg Palace (Schloss Charlottenburg) is the largest and most important palace complex of the Prussian kings and German emperors in Berlin. With its green dome, lavish baroque and rococo rooms and a sprawling palace garden, it is one of the top things to do in Berlin for anyone interested in Prussian history, art or simply a beautiful park. It makes an easy half-day trip from the city center.

Where it is and how to get there

The palace stands in the western district of Charlottenburg at Spandauer Damm 10–22. Buses such as the M45 and 109 stop at the "Schloss Charlottenburg" stop right outside; from Berlin Hauptbahnhof or Zoologischer Garten station the ride is short. Berlin's public transit is covered by the Deutschlandticket. There is paid parking next to the palace, but public transit is usually easier in Berlin.

A palace for a queen

In 1695, Elector Frederick III, later King Frederick I of Prussia, gave his wife Sophie Charlotte a village west of Berlin. A small summer palace, first called Lietzenburg, was inaugurated there on July 11, 1699. After the queen died in 1705, the palace and the surrounding town were renamed Charlottenburg in her honor. The complex kept growing until 1791: architect Eosander added the 48-meter dome topped by a golden Fortuna weathervane, and Knobelsdorff built the New Wing for Frederick the Great. An air raid on November 23, 1943, left much of the palace in ruins; reconstruction began in 1948, and the dome was restored by 1957.

What you will see

• The Old Palace, with baroque state apartments, the dazzling Porcelain Cabinet, the palace chapel and an introduction to the Hohenzollern dynasty
• The New Wing, home to the White Hall and the Golden Gallery, two of Europe's finest rococo interiors according to the palace foundation, plus a major collection of 18th-century French painting including works by Watteau
• The equestrian statue of the Great Elector by Andreas Schlüter in the courtyard
• The palace garden (about 55 hectares), a baroque garden later extended into a landscape park, with the Belvedere, the Mausoleum of Queen Luise and Schinkel's New Pavilion

Tickets and opening hours

As of October 2026, according to the Prussian Palaces and Gardens Foundation (SPSG):

• April to October: Tuesday to Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; closed Mondays.
• November and December: Tuesday to Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; closed December 24 and 25. Last entry 30 minutes before closing.
• Old Palace: €12, reduced €8. New Wing: €12, reduced €8.
• charlottenburg+ ticket for all palace buildings in the garden on one day: €19, reduced €14; family ticket €45.
• The palace garden is open daily from 8 a.m. until dusk and is free.

Is it worth visiting?

Yes, especially if you do not have time for Potsdam's palaces. Plan two to three hours for both palace buildings, plus time for the garden. The free "SANSSOUCI" app offers multimedia tours in many languages, including English, so bring your own headphones; guided tours are available in German and English. Strollers are not allowed inside, and the Old Palace is only partly wheelchair accessible. If you want to see both palace buildings, the charlottenburg+ ticket is cheaper than two single tickets, and weekday mornings are the quietest time to visit.

Christmas market 2026

From 23 November to 27 December 2026 the Christmas market in front of Charlottenburg Palace sets up against the illuminated facade; it is closed on Christmas Eve. Opening hours are Monday to Thursday 1 pm to 10 pm and Friday to Sunday 12 noon to 10 pm, also 12 noon to 10 pm on 25 and 26 December. Entry is free. More markets across the city are in our guide Berlin Christmas markets 2026.