Berlin Cathedral: Ticket prices, opening hours & visitor guide

First time visiting Berlin Cathedral in Berlin, Germany? This guide covers opening hours, ticket prices, accessibility, and the building’s history.

Berlin Cathedral – or Berliner Dom – is impossible to miss when you’re exploring Museum Island. That massive green dome rises up like it’s trying to compete with every other building in central Berlin, which was exactly the point when Kaiser Wilhelm II commissioned this grand European cathedral. He wanted a Protestant answer to St. Peter’s in Rome and St. Paul’s in London, and he got a Neo-Baroque monster that’s 114 metres long, 73 metres wide, and reaches 116 metres at its highest point.

When I first saw it, I was struck by how over-the-top it looks compared to the more austere Protestant churches you find elsewhere in northern Europe. But that’s the Prussian monarchy for you – never knowingly understated.

Built for an emperor who never got to rest there

The current cathedral was constructed between 1894 and 1905 under Kaiser Wilhelm II’s orders. Architect Julius Carl Raschdorff had to submit three different designs before Wilhelm was satisfied – the emperor kept demanding something grander and more imposing. The state paid the entire 11.5 million Marks construction cost, which tells you something about the cathedral’s role as a symbol of imperial power.

Ironically, Wilhelm II – the man who commissioned this enormous dynastic tomb complex – never got buried here. He abdicated in 1918 after Germany’s defeat in World War I, fled to the Netherlands, and died in exile in 1941. He’s buried at his Dutch home, not in the family crypt he helped create.

The cathedral sits on a site that’s been used for Hohenzollern churches since the 15th century. There was a Baroque cathedral here from 1747 to 1750, which Karl Friedrich Schinkel remodelled in Neoclassical style in the 1820s. They demolished that one to build the current structure.

Bombing, neglect, and reconstruction

World War II nearly finished the cathedral. In May 1944, a firebomb hit the dome and the resulting fire couldn’t be extinguished. The cupola lantern collapsed through the floor into the main church, smashing into the Hohenzollern Crypt below and damaging some of the coffins. They managed to put a temporary roof on by 1953, but serious restoration didn’t begin until 1975.

The East German government demolished the north wing (the Memorial Church) in 1975 for ideological reasons – they didn’t fancy maintaining a hall honouring the Prussian monarchy. The reconstruction simplified the original design and reduced the height of the dome and corner towers by 16 metres. The cathedral wasn’t fully restored until 1993, four years after the Berlin Wall fell.

Inside the cathedral

The interior is as opulent as you’d expect from an imperial church. The main Sermon Church (Predigtkirche) dominates the centre with its massive dome covered in golden mosaics. The decorative scheme includes extensive New Testament imagery and references to the Protestant Reformation.

The Hohenzollern Crypt in the basement is one of the most important dynastic burial sites in Germany. It contains about 90 sarcophagi and burial monuments spanning five centuries, from the late 16th century to the early 20th. King Frederick I and Queen Sophie Charlotte have particularly elaborate Baroque sarcophagi designed by Andreas Schlüter. The crypt was closed for major renovation from 2020 and is scheduled to reopen in spring 2026 with a new layout and visitor information area.

The Baptismal and Matrimonial Church (Tauf- und Traukirche) on the south side is simpler and more intimate – worth visiting if you want a moment of quiet.

The massive Sauer organ contains 7,269 pipes and is the largest late-Romantic organ surviving in original condition. The original pipes were melted down for scrap during World War I but have since been replaced.

You can also climb the 270 steps to the dome walkway for panoramic views across Berlin’s Mitte district, taking in the TV Tower, the Spree River, and Museum Island below.

Ticket prices for Berlin Cathedral

The pricing at Berlin Cathedral is relatively straightforward when I checked in December 2025, though there are a few quirks worth noting.

Standard admission

Normal ticket:

• €10.00

Berlin WelcomeCard holders:

• €7.00

Reduced ticket:

• €7.50

Family ticket:

• €10.00 (1 adult + up to 3 children under 18)
• Only available at the cathedral ticket desk, not online

Reduced family ticket:

• €7.50 (1 adult + up to 3 children under 18, where the adult qualifies for reduction)
• Only available at the cathedral ticket desk, not online

Who qualifies for reduced tickets?

You’ll need to show proof at the entrance:

• Students
• Pupils and trainees
• Recipients of Bürgergeld (unemployment benefit)
• Severely disabled persons (with or without accompanying person)
• Holders of Berlin’s Ehrenamtskarte (volunteer card)
• Holders of the Berliner FamilienPass
• Holders of the berlinpass
• Federal Volunteer Service participants
• Voluntary Social Year or Voluntary Ecological Year participants

Audio guide

Standard audio guide:

• €5.00 per person
• €3.50 reduced

Available in German, English, French, Spanish, Italian, Russian, and Polish.

Children’s audio guide:

• €3.50

Available in German and English.

What’s included in admission

Your ticket covers:

• Entry to the Sermon Church (Predigtkirche)
• Access to the Baptismal and Matrimonial Church
• Climb to the dome walkway (270 steps – no lift)
• Access to the Hohenzollern Crypt (when open – currently closed for renovation until spring 2026)

Important payment note

Cash is not accepted. You must buy your ticket online in advance or pay by card at the entrance. This caught me off guard on my first visit – don’t turn up expecting to pay with cash in a city that usually likes cash payments.

Opening hours

The cathedral has different opening hours depending on the day of the week.

Monday to Friday:

• 09:00-18:00
• Last admission: 17:00 (60 minutes before closing)

Saturday:

• 09:00-17:00
• Last admission: 16:00

Sunday:

• 12:00-17:00
• Last admission: 16:00

December opening hours: Check the official website, as hours may vary during the Christmas period and between Christmas and New Year.

The cathedral is open for services outside these tourist hours if you want to attend worship (which is free).

Important visitor information

Luggage restrictions: Suitcases, large bags, and rucksacks are not permitted inside. There are lockers in the cathedral arcades where you can store your luggage. This applies to all visits, concerts, and church services – it’s a security measure they enforce strictly.

Accessibility: The cathedral has barrier-free access via the north side entrance (to the left of the main portal). There’s a bell and intercom to alert security staff who will assist you. However, the dome climb obviously isn’t accessible. Call +49 30 20269 136 for more accessibility information.

Self-funding church: Unlike most German churches, Berlin Cathedral Parish has to generate 97% of its annual budget itself – only 3% comes from church taxes and state grants. They need roughly €15,000 per day to maintain the listed building, pay musicians and staff, cover utilities, and fund services. Your admission fee directly supports this.

Nearby attractions

Berlin Cathedral sits right in the heart of Museum Island, surrounded by world-class museums and historic sites:

• Museum Island (immediate area) – Five museums including the Pergamon Museum, Neues Museum (with the bust of Nefertiti), Altes Museum, Alte Nationalgalerie, and Bode Museum. Various admission prices, combination tickets available.
• Lustgarten (directly in front) – The park immediately outside the cathedral, perfect for photos of the dome. Free access.
• Humboldt Forum (3-minute walk) – The reconstructed Berlin Palace housing museums, exhibitions, and cultural spaces. Various admission prices depending on exhibitions.
• Unter den Linden (5-minute walk) – Berlin’s famous boulevard leading to the Brandenburg Gate, lined with historic buildings, cafés, and shops.
• Hackescher Markt (10-minute walk) – Lively area with the famous Hackesche Höfe courtyards, boutiques, galleries, bars, and restaurants in the old Jewish quarter.

Church services

The cathedral holds regular services which are free to attend:

Sundays:

• 10:00 am and 6:00 pm

Weekdays:

• Various services throughout the week

Check the official website for the complete schedule, as special services and concerts are held regularly.

The Hohenzollern legacy

The cathedral’s role as the Hohenzollern family church is impossible to ignore. During the Nazi period, swastika flags flew from the cathedral and the regime used it as a propaganda stage. Hermann Göring had his wedding here in 1935. The cathedral’s relationship with power – both imperial and Nazi – remains a complicated part of its history that’s still being researched by historians at Humboldt University.

FAQs about Berlin Cathedral

• When was Berlin Cathedral built? The current building was constructed from 1894 to 1905 under Kaiser Wilhelm II.
• Is it actually a cathedral? Technically no – despite its name, it has the status of a parish church. It’s officially the Supreme Parish and Collegiate Church.
• Can I pay with cash? No – only card payments or online advance purchase.
• Is the Hohenzollern Crypt open? Currently closed for major renovation. Scheduled to reopen in spring 2026.
• How many steps to the dome? 270 steps. There’s no lift.
• What happened in World War II? The dome was hit by a firebomb in 1944. The cupola lantern collapsed into the church and damaged the crypt below.
• Why is it so ornate for a Protestant church? Kaiser Wilhelm II wanted a structure that could rival Catholic churches like St. Peter’s in Rome – subtlety wasn’t the goal.
• Can I attend a service? Yes, services are free and open to everyone.
• Is there a dress code? Nothing strict, but dress respectfully as it’s an active church.
• When is the organ played? During services and special concerts. Check the website for the concert schedule.

More Berlin travel

Other Berlin travel articles on Planet Whitley include:

• A guide to West Berlin for first time visitors.
• Canoeing along the Berlin Wall.
• Taking on Berlin’s Bearpit Karaoke.
• How the Berlin Wall inspired a boom of creativity.
• How the Ampelmann became a beloved symbol of Berlin.