By Vicky · Published Jan. 31st, 2024
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Follow this free self-guided tour around Schloss Charlottenburg and the palace ground, to the museums nearby and down to Kurfürstendamm.
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How to get to Schloss Charlottenburg
There are many ways to reach Schloss Charlottenburg on public transport from the centre of Berlin. One way is to take the underground U2 line to Sophie-Charlotte-Platz. To get to Schloss Charlottenburg from here, simply head north for 1 km up the tree-lined avenue that leads directly to the palace.
Alternatively, the Hop-On, Hop-Off Bus* comes here, as does a boat cruise from central Berlin*.
Schloss Charlottenburg Walking Tour Map
Tips
- While the grounds of the palace are open daily, the palace itself is closed on Mondays.
- All shops are closed on Sundays, so it’s not the best time to visit Kurfürstendamm shopping street or Kaufhaus des Westens.
- Check out other walks and city guides on our Germany Hiking Page.
Top Things to Do at Schloss Charlottenburg
Discover the best things to do in and around Schloss Charlottenburg, plus nearby museums and the famous shopping street of Kurfürstendamm.
- Charlottenburg Palace
- New Pavilion
- Palace Gardens Walk
- Belvedere: Porcelain Collection
- Mausoleum Charlottenburg
- Käthe Kollwitz Museum
- Nearby Museums
- Kurfürstendamm
Schloss Charlottenburg Walking Tour Route
This walking tour starts from the front of Schloss Charlottenburg.
1-6. Schloss Charlottenburg
Key Information: Grounds open daily from 8am until dark. Palace open Tue-Sun, 10am-4:30pm in winter, 10am-5:30pm in summer.
Schloss Charlottenburg is a historic palace and one of the few surviving royal residences that reflect the grandeur of the Prussian kings. The palace was originally built at the end of the 17th century as a summer residence for Sophie Charlotte, the wife of Elector Frederick III, who later became King Frederick I of Prussia. The palace expanded over the years, with additional wings and structures added by later rulers.
Today you can visit the New and Old wings of the palace, explore the palace gardens, and discover several smaller exhibitions in historic buildings that dot the grounds.
CHARLOTTENBURG+ TICKET
The CHARLOTTENBURG+ TICKET includes all exhibits and buildings within the palace grounds. These are the Charlottenburg Palace, New Pavilion, Belvedere, and Mausoleum. Bear in mind that some of the buildings are closed in Winter. Tickets cost €19/14 per adult/reduction or €25 for a family. If you want to visit both wings of the Palace, it’s worth getting the CHARLOTTENBURG+ TICKET.
Charlottenburg Palace – Old & New Wings
Key Information: Open Tue-Sun, 10am-4:30pm in winter, 10am-5:30pm in summer. Tickets are €12/8 for each wing.
The palace interiors are adorned with sumptuous furnishings and art collections, reflecting the opulence of Prussian royal life. Visitors can explore rooms such as the Golden Gallery, the White Hall, and the Porcelain Cabinet. The State Apartments include lavishly decorated ceremonial rooms that were used for official functions and events.
The Old Wing is from the 17th century, while the New Wing is from the 18th century. The former has more of a Baroque and Rococo style, while the latter is more Neoclassical.
Directions: Just around the back of the long, right wing is the New Pavilion.
New Pavilion
Key Information: Open Tue-Sun, 1-3:30pm in winter, 1-5pm in summer. Tickets are €4/3.
The New Pavilion, built around 1824, is meant to look like a neoclassical Italian Villa (though it mainly fails). Inside are some artworks and sculptures, with some rooms decorated with traditional furniture.
Directions: Just around the back of the long, right wind is the New Pavilion.
Palace Gardens Walk
Key Information: Grounds open daily from 8am until dark.
The palace is surrounded by extensive gardens that feature French and English landscaping styles, including flower beds, sculptures, and a lake. Take a walk around the grounds, first heading away from the palace through the central formal gardens. Then head right, around the lake, to reach the Belvedere. Continue around to cross a small bridge and keep left to reach the Mausoleum. From here, head back to the formal gardens and then right around the palace to the Käthe Kollwitz Museum. The Grand Orangerie opposite houses a lovely cafe.
Belvedere: Porcelain Collection
Key Information: Closed until further notice.
This pavilion houses a large collection of porcelain made nearby in Berlin.
Mausoleum Charlottenburg
Key Information: Open only in April-October, Tue-Sun, 10-5:30pm. Tickets are €3/4.
The Mausoleum, built in the style of an Ancient Greek temple, houses the tombs of several members of the Prussian family that lived here.
Käthe Kollwitz Museum
Key Information: Open daily 11-6pm. Tickets are €7/4.
The Käthe Kollwitz Museum is located in the old theatre building of the palace. The museum showcases the artist’s work, while also giving insights into her life and the historical context of her pieces.
Directions: Just outside Schloss Charlottenburg are three art museums.
7. Museums near Schloss Charlottenburg
Sammlung Scharf-Gerstenberg
Key Information: Open Tue-Fri from 10-6pm and Sat-Sun 11-6pm. Tickets cost €12/6.
The Sammlung Scharf-Gerstenberg houses a collection focused on Surrealism and Fantastic Realism. It includes works by prominent Surrealist artists such as Salvador Dalí, René Magritte and Max Ernst.
Bröhan Museum
Key Information: Open Tue-Sun from 10-6pm. Tickets cost €8/5.
The Bröhan Museum is an art and design museum known for its collection of decorative arts, design, and fine arts from the late 19th century to the 1930s, including Art Nouveau and Art Deco styles.
Berggruen Museum
Key Information: Closed until 2025.
The Berggruen Museum focuses on modern art and has a Picasso Collection as well as works by Paul Klee, Georges Braque, Alberto Giacometti, and Henri Matisse.
Directions: Kurfürstendamm is a pleasant walk or a short bus ride from Schloss Charlottenburg. If you walk, it’s 2.8 km down a tree-lined avenue and then a pedestrianised shopping street. If you take the bus, there’s a stop just to the left of the schloss as you leave, and it heads straight down to Adenauerplatz on Kurfürstendamm. Turn left from here to reach all the shops.
8. Kurfürstendamm
Kurfürstendamm is the most famous shopping street in Berlin, where you’ll find all the designer brands such as Chanel, Gucci, and many, many more. There are also some more affordable shops here, along with Kaufhaus des Westens (KaDeWe, open 10am-8pm, until 9pm on Friday and closed on Sunday), one of the largest and most renowned department stores in Europe. In particular, the food department on the sixth floor is worth a visit.
At the corner just before KaDeWe, you’ll see the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church. This church was built around 1895 in honor of Kaiser Wilhelm I, the first German Emperor. During an air raid in 1943, the church was heavily damaged and the spire collapsed. After the war, the decision was made not to completely rebuild the church but to preserve it as a memorial and today it’s a symbol of peace.
Guidebooks to explore more of Germany
For more walking tours and hikes in Germany, see our Germany hiking page.
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