9 awesome Berlin Instagram spots you have to visit.
A city which is rich in history, for the better or worse…
But also a front runner as a modern metropolis, with as much edge to it as efficiency...
There are some awesome Berlin Instagram spots for you to discover!
The German capital is abundant with quirky street art and aesthetically pleasing areas for you to explore. I found the city to be fascinating, and discovered some really cool places to share with you.
The history of Berlin can’t be matched in many places though, so I have also included some important landmarks which paint a picture of their own!
This blog will explore 9 Berlin Instagram spots that I discovered on my short stay in the city, and I also pick my winner.
Let’s start at an iconic checkpoint in the city.
Walking past the East Side Gallery.
Checkpoint Charlie.
As the most famous crossing point between East and West Germany for over six decades.
Checkpoint Charlie has to take its place on the list.
The area looks considerably different to what it would have back then, with modern buildings now flanking the street, however, remnants of the past are displayed throughout the checkpoint zone, to ensure locals and visitors don’t forget its history.
Posing at the iconic Checkpoint Charlie.
The most popular photo spot is in front of the checkpoint in the middle of the road, which can get crowded, so you should visit at quieter times, or be prepared to wait for your Instagram shot.
The McDonald’s and KFC which are located either side of the checkpoint demonstrate the tourist trap which it has now become.
You only need a short time to see the checkpoint, however, plan for longer if you want to visit the museum and learn more about the history of the checkpoint from the surrounding descriptive walls.
There remnants of the past throughout the area.
Television Tower.
One thing is guaranteed in Berlin.
The Television Tower will keep peeking through gaps in the city as you wander around.
Fernsehturm Berlin was first built in the 1960’s by East Germany as a functioning broadcast tower.
The tower was also a symbol of communist power to the East of the city, so still offers Berliners a reminder of a previous reality in the German capital.
Located right by Alexanderplatz station, the TV Tower is an iconic symbol in the city and a must visit.
I enjoyed capturing Insta-worthy shots from various points of the city.
The Television Tower stand stands high above the city.
While exploring the city, I enjoyed framing the tower with modern graffiti, bridges and long roads, which lead up to the tower.
The tower is unique next to the other the buildings.
Graffiti near the tower.
Climbing to the top of the Berliner Fernsehturm offers visitors an awesome panoramic view of the city from 200 metres high.
This perspective of Berlin is unique and shows the architectural design of the city.
I found it to be an interesting activity in the summertime.
You will capture some incredible Instagram shots up there!
St Mary’s Church is right next to the Television Tower.
East Side Gallery.
As the longest remaining section of the Berlin Wall, the East Side Gallery offers visitors creative graffiti murals for over 1.3km, making it the largest open air gallery in the world.
Over 100 artists, from over 20 different countries have contributed to the East Side Gallery, and it has had memorial protective status for over 30 years.
I felt similar importance with the street art in Mostar in Bosnia & Herzegovina, which also offers such historical significance.
There are many different themes at the East Side Gallery.
I noticed most of the themes of art were centred around peace and opposing war and politics.
This is done through serious murals, cartoon style ones, and several which I detected a sense of sarcasm on.
This famous piece below was created by ‘Günther Schaefer’ and titled ‘Vaterland’, marking both the 50th anniversary of the night of the pogroms, along with the fall of the wall.
The mural depicts a peaceful reconciliation with Israel, but it is very polarising, with it being defaced and restored 60 times over the years.
This spot of the city is both aesthetically interesting and historically important, so the East Side Gallery should be a must on your travel itinerary.
You will learn so much through the beautiful art!
A mural depicting peace.
Dead Chicken Alley.
If edgy and offbeat is on your agenda for Berlin, then here is another spot you will enjoy!
Dead Chicken Alley, which is also known as ‘Rosenthaler Strasse 39’ is abundant with street art, which feels more of an underground style.
Maybe that is just the vibe I felt when I visited?
However, it is an interesting spot in Berlin to capture some Instagram photos.
I visited in the day time and evening time, with different vibes each time.
Through the day the alley is more quiet, so better to grab some awesome shots of the street art.
At night, the alley comes alive with bars open, playing music and offering outdoor seating.
I recommend a day time visit to capture better photos!
Dead Chicken Alley is another great spot for graffiti.
My favourite graffiti art in Dead Chicken Alley is the mural of ‘Otto Weidt’.
I researched the story behind the extraordinary businessman while I enjoyed a coffee in the nearby cafe.
Otto risked his life to protect his Jewish employees from deportation during the Holocaust.
His mural is said to symbolise courage and heroism and the ability of one man to make a change.
The mural is painted on the original wall where he owned a business, but it is now a museum dedicated to him.
There are other murals in the alley with very important stories of their own, but I will let you find them for yourself.
Otto Weidt is displayed in the alley.
This photo spot doesn’t cost to enter and explore, which makes it a great free Berlin activity to add to your plans.
If you do want to spend more time enjoying this area of Berlin, the Anne Frank Centre is located in the alley, and showcases exhibitions all about Anne’s life.
You can expect to spend an hour or two enjoying the museum.
There is also a cafe open later in the day.
Brandenburg Gate.
Now for a display of German unity.
Brandenburg Gate is one of the most important, and recognisable landmarks in Berlin.
During the Cold War, the Gate was inaccessible to both sides of the city, however, when the fall of the wall occurred, it became the symbol of unity, and opened up for the whole city to enjoy.
Located in one of the most beautiful places in Berlin, the gate boasts Neoclassical architecture, making it an awesome backdrop for visitors looking for the perfect camera shot.
I found the open space around the gate makes it look even more impressive, as it towers over the surrounding area.
Walking through the gate is surreal, knowing that some of the most famous, and infamous historical people have made the same walk.
You can capture your Instagram shot in both the day and night, as the benefits of sunshine and blue skies in the daytime are matched by a beautiful lit gate, glowing on dark nights.
The iconic Brandenburg Gate in Berlin.
Berlin Cathedral.
Another picture perfect and imposing structure in the centre of Berlin is the cathedral.
I noticed its grand green dome dominating the skyline as I crossed over the river.
It is another visually appealing landmark in Berlin with a very rich history after it was heavily damaged during World War 2. The original construction of the cathedral first began in 1894, but significant restoration work was required to bring it up to its current condition.
I found the Berliner Dom fascinating to capture as it is one of those Berlin photography spots which can be enjoyed from different angles to create very different shots!
As you can see below, the grand structure commands the background in a distant city shot, and makes for a unique juxtaposition, as it is surrounded by modern buildings.
If you prefer to snap intricate architectural details, you can walk around the cathedral and snap zoomed in photos also.
I preferred some of the other Instagram spots, however, I could not leave out one of Berlin’s most significant landmarks, especially, when it is so grand!
You will enjoy a different experience of the beauty of the cathedral depending on which season you visit, with the lush summer greenery turning colourful in the autumn and snow covering the dome on some winter days.
Berlin Cathedral can be pictured from many spots in the city.
Berlin Story Bunker.
Photographing Berlin isn’t complete without a wander down the dark history of the city!
The Berlin Story Bunker Museum is an authentic location to learn about the infamous past of Nazi Germany.
It also makes a great spot to picture what a real bunker was like in yesteryear.
From my visit, I would class the exterior of the Bunker Museum to be one of the most Instagrammable places in Berlin.
The recreation of the infamous Führerbunker, where Adolf Hitler spent his final days is authentic, and is inside an original air-raid shelter which was built during World War II.
The museum does a brilliant job of showcasing the history of the rise and fall of Berlin, along with its most famous leader.
Berlin Story Bunker is a must visit for historians and makes for some great shots.
This Berlin Instagram spot offers a different perspective to the others as it is an underground structure.
To experience some of the eeriness of the past first hand, you should head to the very bottom of the museum to the empty bunker.
I visited down there and had the room to myself, so it felt very creepy!
The Memorial of the Murdered Jews.
Another very important landmark which should be on your list to visit in Berlin is The Memorial of the Murdered Jews.
This is a bit different to the other Instagram spots as your time at this landmark should be spent learning and respecting the victims of a tragic event, rather than capturing the perfect selfie.
Taking photographs is a good way of spreading the history and keeping the victims in our thoughts though.
In total there are 2711 concrete slabs, all of which differ in height, creating a unique maze-like area.
A very important location in Berlin.
You can wander in between the concrete slabs after you have entered from any of the four sides.
The landmark was designed as a central spatial memorial for visitors to come and pay their respects in their own way.
A guided tour may be your best option if you want to learn about the past from a knowledgeable guide.
Wandering down the memorials and pyaing my respects.
An iconic Berlin photo.
As you explore Berlin, you will see this interesting photo dotted around the city.
The photo which shows two gentlemen kissing is known as the ‘socialist fraternal kiss’, which was a unique greeting practiced by leaders of socialist states during the Cold War era.
As it was a perceived difference to the Western capitalist nations, it was the equivalent to a hand shake greeting.
The two men in the iconic photo are ‘Brezhnev’ and ‘Honecker’, and the photo was taken in East Berlin during the Cold War.
The socialist fraternal kiss can be seen across the city.
As a visitor to the German capital, you will find relics from different bygone era, and the Cold War is one of the most significant.
This is the most visually appealing reminder of the Cold War for Instagrammers, and it can help to spark conversations, along with the desire to research an important topic.
The East Side Gallery is the most popular Berlin spot to find the socialist fraternal kiss, however, you may find it in the districts of ‘Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg’ or ‘Prenzlauer Berg’.
These areas are known for artwork with Cold War themes!
A tour is a great way to explore the city.
If you are on a shorter visit to Berlin, or really want to find the hidden spots in the city with a professional, then here is a great tour for you to consider:
Private Berlin Photography Walking Tour with a Professional Photographer.
Just imagine exploring some spots of Berlin, which have historic significance worldwide, while learning some awesome photography tricks and tips.
3 hours will offer ample time to strike a rapport with your guide and to visit the most iconic places in the city.
A 5/5 rating from reviews demonstrate the level of detail which the locals use to help you capture the perfect photos.
You can also tailor your tour around your chosen travel itinerary.
Secure your spot now and go and capture them perfect Instagram photos.
Checkpoint Charlie is a popular place for tours.
Which is my favourite Instagram spot in Berlin?
My clear winner is the East Side Gallery.
One of my favourite travelling activities is finding street art in new locations, but not many of the murals I find have the same historical significance as the Berlin Wall.
Walking along the 1.3km stretch is like a history lesson through art!
When I visited the weather wasn’t great which shortened my stay at the iconic wall, however, I could spend hours researching the meaning behind every mural, as they all offer a deep meaning.
There are some awesome designs to grab that perfect profile picture also!
More graffiti at East Side Gallery in Berlin.
Here are some other great Instagram locations.
Finding picture perfect settings is one of my favourite things to do when travelling. Here are some other great Instagram spots for you to consider visiting next.
Ancient Landmarks.
When it comes to ancient sites, I struggle to think of anywhere as significant as Egypt. The ancient lands are abundant with photo spots, including the Pyramids of Giza and the popular temples.
Jordan is also a very photogenic country, with beautiful nature, a capital which is being modernised with quirky street art, and colourful streets, and of course, Petra is Instagram-worthy.
Natural Beauty.
The two countries which come to mind for beautiful nature are Costa Rica and Cyprus, both of which are awesome year round destinations, and perfect to catch Insta-worthy sunsets.
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