Tiergarten, Berlin: Ticket prices, hours & visitor guide (2026)

When I first walked into Berlin‘s Tiergarten from the Brandenburg Gate, I was struck by how quickly the city noise disappeared. Within three minutes you’re surrounded by forest — actual forest, not manicured parkland — and it’s easy to forget you’re in the centre of Berlin. The Victory Column rises above the trees in the distance, gold statue glinting, and joggers and cyclists stream past on gravel paths that criss-cross 210 hectares of woodland. It’s Berlin’s green lung, and unlike many city parks, it genuinely feels wild. A visit will improve most Berlin city breaks, even if for a quick break from the intensity.

Quick overview

The Tiergarten is completely free to visit and open 24 hours a day, every day of the year. There are no entrance fees, no tickets, and no gates that lock. The park covers 210 hectares in central Berlin, stretching from the Brandenburg Gate westward to the Zoo. Parking is available along surrounding streets but can be limited during peak hours. Dogs are welcome throughout the park, and cycling is permitted on designated paths.

At a glance

How much does the Tiergarten cost?

Entry to the Tiergarten is entirely free. There are no admission charges, parking fees within the park itself, or costs for using the walking and cycling paths. The only expense you’ll encounter is if you climb the Victory Column, which charges €4.50 for adults.

The Tiergarten has been a public park since 1740, when Frederick the Great opened it to Berliners. It remains entirely free today — no commercialisation, no entry restrictions.

Is the Tiergarten free to enter?

Yes, completely free. There are no entrance fees, donation requests, or charges for any park facilities. The cafés and restaurants scattered around the edges charge for food and drink, but the park itself costs nothing.

The Victory Column viewing platform is the only paid element within the park boundaries, at €4.50 per person. Berlin Zoo, which sits on the western edge of the Tiergarten, is a separate paid attraction (adult tickets from €16).

What time does the Tiergarten open?

The Tiergarten is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, including public holidays. There are no gates, no closing times, and no restrictions on when you can enter.

That said, the park is safest and most pleasant during daylight hours. Early mornings (6:00am-9:00am) are popular with joggers and dog walkers. Late evenings see fewer visitors, and some areas can feel isolated after dark. Parts of the park are known to have homeless encampments.

The Victory Column viewing platform operates from 9:30am to 7:00pm in summer (April to October) and 9:30am to 5:30pm in winter (November to March). It closes on 24 December.

A brief history

The Tiergarten’s origins date to 1527, when it served as a hunting ground for the Elector of Brandenburg. The name translates to “animal garden” — a polite term for a royal game park where boars and deer were kept for aristocratic hunting parties. In 1530, expansion began, and the grounds grew northward and westward.

Frederick II (Frederick the Great) opened the first public sections in 1740, making it accessible to ordinary Berliners. Between 1833 and 1838, landscape architect Peter Joseph Lenné redesigned the park along English garden principles, creating the winding paths and naturalistic layout that still define it today.

The Second World War devastated the Tiergarten. Fierce fighting in Berlin’s final months destroyed much of the woodland. Then, in the brutal winter of 1945-46, desperate Berliners facing acute coal shortages cut down nearly every remaining tree for fuel. By 1946, the park was almost entirely deforested.

Post-war replanting began immediately, though it took decades to restore. The Victory Column, originally erected near the Reichstag in 1873 to commemorate Prussian victories, was moved to its current central location at Großer Stern (Great Star) roundabout by the Nazis in 1938-39. It survived the war intact and became one of Berlin’s most recognisable landmarks.

During the Cold War, the Tiergarten sat entirely within West Berlin. The Berlin Wall ran along its eastern edge near the Brandenburg Gate. After reunification in 1990, the park was reunited with the rest of the city and underwent further restoration.

What you’ll see in the Tiergarten

The Victory Column dominates the park’s centre. Standing 69 metres tall, it’s topped by a gilded statue of Victoria, goddess of victory. You can climb 285 steps to the viewing platform beneath the statue for panoramic views across Berlin — on clear days you’ll see the Reichstag, Bellevue Palace, and the TV Tower. The column is accessible via underground pedestrian tunnels from the Großer Stern roundabout; crossing the surface roads is dangerous and technically illegal.

Straße des 17. Juni cuts through the park from east to west, connecting the Brandenburg Gate to Charlottenburg. This six-lane road was widened by the Nazis and now hosts major events including the annual Berlin Marathon start line.

Scattered throughout are memorials and monuments. The Soviet War Memorial near the Brandenburg Gate honours Red Army soldiers who died taking Berlin in 1945. Two Soviet tanks flank the monument. Further into the park, you’ll find memorials to Karl Liebknecht and Rosa Luxemburg, both murdered by Freikorps soldiers in January 1919.

Café am Neuen See sits on the shore of a small lake in the southern section. This beer garden operates almost year-round and is hugely popular with locals — it’s where Berliners come to drink in the sun. You can rent rowboats on the lake during summer.

Bellevue Palace, the official residence of the German President, is at the northern edge. You can’t enter, but the building is visible from several paths. Nearby stands the Haus der Kulturen der Welt (House of World Cultures), a striking modernist structure on the Spree riverbank that hosts exhibitions and concerts.

The English Garden in the park’s southern section features more formal landscaping, though many visitors find it underwhelming. The Carillon tower near Haus der Kulturen der Welt houses 68 bells and occasionally hosts concerts — check schedules online.

Berlin Zoo occupies the park’s southwestern corner but requires separate admission. The famous Elephant Gate entrance dates to 1899.

What’s included with your visit?

• Free entry to all 210 hectares of parkland
• Access to walking, jogging, and cycling paths
• Picnic and BBQ areas (bring your own equipment)
• Multiple playgrounds for children
• Views of monuments, memorials, and sculptures
• Boat rentals on Neuer See (summer only, separate fee)
• Public toilets and drinking fountains
• Dog-walking areas (dogs must be on leads)

Separate admission: Victory Column viewing platform (€4.50), Berlin Zoo (€16 adults), cafés and restaurants.

Things to do near the Tiergarten

Berlin Zoo (adjacent, within Tiergarten area) — Germany’s oldest zoo, opened 1844, with over 20,000 animals from 1,000 species. Famous residents include pandas, polar bears, and the historic Elephant Gate entrance.

Brandenburg Gate (400m east, 5-minute walk) — Berlin’s most iconic monument, built 1788-1791. Once divided East and West Berlin during the Cold War. Free to visit, heavily photographed, often crowded.

Reichstag Building (800m east, 10-minute walk) — Home to the German Bundestag (parliament). Norman Foster’s glass dome offers panoramic city views. Free admission but advance booking essential. Book weeks ahead.

Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe (600m southeast, 8-minute walk) — 2,711 concrete stelae forming a haunting maze-like memorial to Holocaust victims. Underground information centre provides historical context.

Potsdamer Platz (1km southeast, 12-minute walk) — Modern square rebuilt after reunification with skyscrapers, cinemas, and shopping centres. Fragments of the Berlin Wall remain on display.

Elsewhere in Berlin, you can enjoy Bearpit Karaoke in the Mauerpark, canoe along the path of the Berlin Wall, imagine life in East Germany at the DDR Museum and admire Berlin Cathedral.

Practical tips

• Location: Straße des 17. Juni, 10785 Berlin (main east-west axis through the park)
• Getting there: S-Bahn to Tiergarten station (western edge) or Brandenburger Tor (eastern edge). U-Bahn to Bundestag (northeast corner). Multiple bus routes stop along Straße des 17. Juni. No parking within the park; street parking on surrounding roads.
• Time needed: 30-45 minutes to walk end to end on main paths. Budget 2-3 hours for leisurely exploration including Victory Column.
• Photography: No restrictions. Victory Column offers best panoramic views. Sunrise and golden hour provide good light through the trees.
• Dress code: None. Comfortable walking shoes recommended — many paths are gravel.
• Accessibility: Main paths are wheelchair accessible, though gravel surfaces can be challenging. Victory Column viewing platform not accessible — 285 steps, no lift.
• Crowds: Mornings and weekdays are quieter. Straße des 17. Juni gets congested during major events (Berlin Marathon, festivals). Café am Neuen See fills up on sunny weekends.
• Dogs: Welcome throughout the park but must remain on leads. Clean up after your dog — bins provided.
• Safety: Generally safe during daylight. Some areas feel isolated after dark. Homeless encampments exist in certain sections. Stick to main paths in evenings.
• Cycling: Permitted on designated paths. Watch for fast-moving cyclists on shared paths. Bike rental available at various locations around the park perimeter.

FAQs

Is the Tiergarten really open 24 hours? Yes, there are no gates or restrictions. However, it’s advisable to visit during daylight hours for safety reasons. Some areas can feel isolated after dark.

Can I have a picnic or BBQ? Absolutely. Bring your own equipment and food. Dispose of rubbish properly — bins are provided throughout the park. Alcohol is permitted.

How long does it take to climb the Victory Column? The 285-step climb takes about 10-15 minutes. There are two small landings where you can rest. The viewing platform is narrow and can get crowded. Allow 30-45 minutes total including time at the top.

Are there toilets in the park? Yes, public toilets are scattered throughout, though they’re not abundant. Some cafés allow toilet use for customers only. The Victory Column has no toilets — nearest facilities are at Café am Neuen See or near Großer Stern.

Can I cycle through the Tiergarten? Yes, cycling is permitted on designated paths. The park is popular with commuters cycling through central Berlin. Watch for pedestrians on shared paths and follow marked cycle routes.

Is it safe to visit alone? Generally yes during daylight hours. The park is well-used by joggers, dog walkers, and families. Some sections feel more isolated, particularly north of Straße des 17. Juni. Evenings and nights are less advisable for solo visitors, especially women.

What’s the difference between Tiergarten and Tierpark? Tiergarten is the central Berlin park (free, no animals). Tierpark Berlin is a zoo in eastern Berlin (paid admission, 160 hectares, separate location). They’re completely different attractions despite similar names.

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