The best locations for street photography in Berlin- The ultimate guide.

Since I’ve been shooting the streets in Berlin for a bunch of years already, and asked many times  what are the places I recommend to shoot in, I decided of making a short guide that summarizes the locations of where  I recommend street photographers to  grab their gear and go shooting in the city.
As we all know, beauty and interest are personal matters, and I also like quite a few places that are not considered “popular” by everyone, so I will try to give you my 2 cents of locations for street photography in Berlin to consider with hope you’ll find and add yourself later on your own top spots. Where to take photos in Berlin than?

Lets start:

1. Alexanderplatz
2. East Side Gallery
3. Karl Marx Allee (Frankfurter Tor)
4. Potsdamer Platz
5. Teufelsberg
6. Kurfürstendamm
7. Kottbusser Tor
8. Bierpinsel (Steglitz)
9. Marie-Elisabeth-Lüders-Haus (Regierungsviertel)
10. Museum Insel
11. Last but not least

1. Alexanderplatz

Alexanderplatz is Berlin’s famous Platz, full with recent east berlin architecture and vibe with small classical touch on the sidewith. a lot of fountains and structures – on top of All the well known Fernsehturm – a great architectural monument that attracts photographer tourists with camera in their hands from all around the world.  with interesting locations and fascinating characters for street photography I consider this location as one of the first choices for successful street photography tour in Berlin.Personally I like to take a place and seat next to the World clock. I always find there interesting people and situations to shoot, and it’s very plausible that you will find some of these too.

2. East Side Gallery

The part which lasts from the Berlin Wall and became a long path with urban graffiti and beautiful artworks.  A few steps from the  spree river,  You can easily combine your shots with random pedestrian or compose your own Ideal frame there, the number of people and tourists adds a lot of colours, emotions and makes it a great location for street photographers in Berlin

3. Karl Marx Allee (Frankfurter Tor)

This location is  beloved specialy on street photographers but  also other genres of photography. The long and very wide street between Frankfurter Tor to Alexander Straße is a very busy point. 

I like specially the area next to Strausberger Platz. an Iconic location that I think holds all the ingredients for a great picture.

4. Potsdamer Platz

Much has  been said about Potsdamer Platz, through my eyes the combination of modern architecture with continuation of the historic street provide an interesting and powerful point of view for self-expression throughout photography. The Ubahn (subway) station and the architecture above with hundreds of metal pillars gives inspiration for compelling photographs.

Potsdamer platz, street shot from Berlin 2021 ©Ishay Lindenberg

5. Teufelsberg

The Devil’s Mountain or as it is called “Teufelsberg”  in German isn’t a classic place for street photography because it is actually a mountain ( Or more likely a hill in European Standards). That was used many years as an American base during the cold war. Since he is really special and very much loved by many street photographers I added him to the list. Its about an hour’s drive from Berlin center, and would take a short walk to get to the top of the hill, but the way is worth it. At the end you arrive at a building in a futuristic style, flooded with the feeling of a set of a science fiction movie from the 80’s. The entrance cost a few euros but it’s also worth going inside and taking pictures with weird radar buildings in the background.

6. Kurfürstendamm

The old “West Berlin” center, that was for decades one of the luxurious shopping location is also a very good area of Berlin to practice your street photography skills. At the central Platz next to the old church and Europa center always something happens.you can also go along the street direction west and find throughout the crowd allot of interesting moments to catch with your camera.

7. Kottbusser Tor

Kotti it’s an iconic and central area of Kreuzberg and it has a street charm that’s hard to explain. The area can seem a bit rough or dirty, but the roughness makes it also so unique and colourful.  I like to go along the central areas, between the communistic buildings and the great wall art, I always find great frames to improve my street photography skills.  I have to add  emphasis on the fact that not everyone in Kottbusser Tor area is very friendly and likes to be photographed . So be as nice as you can when you are walking around with camera and don’t push it to peoples faces. If someone ask to delete his photo or makes you a sign not to shoot respect him and do it.  Thumb rule in kotti area that valid  generally when you do street photography in Germany – be extra thoughtful with the places and the people you shoot, put it in mind -but don’t let it put you down.  Go there to get some great photos.

8. Bierpinsel (Steglitz)

The Steglitz neighborhood is beautiful and pleasant but definitely not the most colorful place in Berlin, although in the center of the neighborhood there is a special structure on a traffic bridge at Schloßstraße, and every picture next to it catches the eye – it called “the Bierpinsel”. It’s 47-meter-high, built in the late seventies.  The building is known from the unusual Futuristic architecture that I find to be great.  Its familiar mostly to real Berliners so it’s my special reccomendation to you  and I’m sure  that it will add a lot of mystery to your street photographes,  specially to those which combines architecture.   

9. Marie-Elisabeth-Lüders-Haus (Regierungsviertel)

The Government District of Berlin is fascinating area that surprisingly sorounded with Street photography objects.  Buildings with Impressive architecture and large dimensions, spactaculer bridges and great  reflections from the water of the Spree river around.  You can walk along the river and catch moments, or Stand in the parallel side of Marie-Elisabeth-Lüders-Haus ( The huge round window) which is very beloved on Street photographers and photos featuring it even won some great awards. And who knows, maybe you’ll be the next one to win a street photography award ) 

10. Museum Insel 

A Great area to explore Berlin touristic scene and maybe also go to a. Museum and gather along some cultural vibes.  My reccomendation is to come in the sunset hours, and walk in the  area called  “the Kolonnaden” unique and beautiful outdoor hallway next to the Pergamon museum. The afternoon hours gives you a  great chance to catch some really good light and shadow frames.  This area is often full of photography enthusiasts and even considered beloved for Berlin fashion photography sessions.

11. Last but not least

Some more locations that certainly worth a paragraph too: Friedrichstraße  S-Bahn Bahnhof, Checkpoint Charlie,Unter den linden and Holocaust memorial ( Street photography yeah? Not posing for IG:) , Wilmersdorfer Straße  Mehringdamm and Bergmann Straße , Schlesisches Tor, Landsberger Allee Marzahn and more.

What are your favorite places of street photography in Berlin? Or maybe you got some in your hometown? Share with me in the comments below.