The East Side Gallery in Berlin is a must-see attraction for any visitor to the German capital. Located along the longest remaining section of the Berlin Wall, the East Side Gallery is home to over 100 beautiful murals created by artists from all over the world. Keep reading to learn everything you need to know to plan your visit to this iconic Berlin landmark.
What is the East Side Gallery?
The East Side Gallery is an open-air art gallery on the longest remaining section of the Berlin Wall. After the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, this 1.3 kilometre stretch along the River Spree was preserved as a memorial to freedom. In 1990, artists from around the globe were invited to use this section of the Wall as their canvas and paint murals conveying messages of hope and change. Today the East Side Gallery displays colourful murals by over 100 different artists, making it the world’s largest open-air mural collection.
Getting to the East Side Gallery
The East Side Gallery is centrally located along the River Spree in the Friedrichshain area of Berlin. It runs parallel to Mühlenstraße between Oberbaumbrücke bridge and Ostbahnhof railway station.
The easiest way to reach the East Side Gallery is by public transport. Take the U-Bahn line U1 to Warschauer Straße station or the S-Bahn line S5, S7 or S75 to Ostbahnhof station. From either station, it’s just a short 5-10 minute walk to the gallery.
You can also take buses #265 or 300 which stop along Mühlenstraße by the East Side Gallery. A taxi or Uber ride will also get you there quickly.
Opening Times and Prices
The good news is that the East Side Gallery is completely free to visit and open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You can stroll along the open-air gallery and admire the murals at your leisure at any time of day or night.
Guided walking tours of the East Side Gallery are available for those who want to learn more about the history and meaning behind the murals. Tours typically last 1-2 hours and cost around €12 per person. Look up companies like Insider Tour, Brewer’s Berlin Tours or Original Berlin Walks for tour options.
What to See at the East Side Gallery
The main attraction at the East Side Gallery is the massive mural-covered Wall itself. Stretching 1.3 kilometers in length, the Wall displays colorful graffiti, political statements and powerful imagery painted by artists from all corners of the globe.
Some of the most famous murals to look out for include:
- My God, Help Me to Survive This Deadly Love – depicts Leonid Brezhnev and Erich Honecker locked in a “socialist kiss”.
- Test the Rest – shows a Trabi car bursting through the Wall to freedom. This mural quickly became a symbol of the fall of the Wall.
- Gorbachev and Honecker Kissing – another famous mural poking fun at the leaders of the USSR and GDR.
In addition to the murals themselves, information boards along the route give details about the artists and meaning behind each piece. Look closely and you can still see patches of original Berlin Wall graffiti preserved under perspex. The East Side Gallery: Open Air Exhibition is also worth checking out.
The East Side Gallery is constantly evolving with murals being restored and repainted over time. So you’ll likely see scaffolding and artists at work touching up the artworks during your visit.
More Nearby Sights
Aside from the East Side Gallery murals themselves, there are other interesting sights to check out nearby after your stroll along the Wall.
Just across the Oberbaumbrücke bridge lies the lively Kreuzberg area with its trendy cafes, restaurants and boutiques. Take a walk along the Landwehrkanal canal to see another stretch of preserved Berlin Wall known as the Kunstwall or ‘Art Wall’.
The unique Oberbaumbrücke bridge is worth seeing up close for its historic 19th century architecture with Teutonic knights sculptures. On the south side along the Spree lies the upscale O2 World arena and more restaurants and bars to enjoy.
Be sure to also pop into the Documentation Center at Checkpoint Charlie just south of the gallery to learn more about the history of the Berlin Wall and life during its division.
Tips for Visiting the East Side Gallery
To make the most of your time at the East Side Gallery, keep these tips in mind:
- Wear comfortable walking shoes as you’ll be on your feet for 1-2 hours strolling the length of the gallery.
- Bring a fully charged camera to photograph all of the colorful murals.
- Go early in the morning or later in the evening to avoid the crowds and tour groups.
- Pick up a map at the visitor center on Mühlenstraße to locate the different murals.
- Join a guided tour if you want to truly understand the history and symbolism of the artworks.
- Grab lunch or a coffee at one of the cafes along the river after your visit.
Don’t Miss This Iconic Berlin Attraction
A trip to Berlin is not complete without a visit to the iconic East Side Gallery along the open-air art museum that was once part of the Berlin Wall dividing a city. With its powerful political murals painted by artists from around the world, the East Side Gallery serves as a memorial to freedom and a reminder of Germany’s troubled 20th century past.
So be sure to put the East Side Gallery on your itinerary when traveling to Berlin. With its central location, 24/7 access and no admission fee, there’s no excuse to miss out on this must-see attraction!
