Built by the Nazis for the 1936 Olympic Games, the Olympiastadion Berlin is now an open-air venue for events of all kinds.
During a visit, you can get an idea of today's stadium as well as explore the past of the historic site.
In this guide, you will find out everything you need to know before visiting the Olympiastadion in Berlin, its history, as well as helpful visitor information.
Let's begin!
Things to do at the Olympiastadion Berlin
The Olympiastadion Berlin in the Westend district is a modern yet historic multi-functional arena. With around 300,000 visitors annually, it is one of Berlin's top sightseeing attractions.
1. Guided Tours of the Olympiastadion Berlin
If you want to delve deeper into the history of the Olympiastadion Berlin, you can join a guided tour to take a look behind the scenes and see places that the public doesn't get to see.
Not only will you learn all about the past and architecture of the historic site, but also about the highlights of sports history that were written here, such as the 2006 FIFA World Cup.
A guide will lead you through the Olympiastadion Berlin with expert information, and some tours also include the Olympiapark. Others focus on the Hertha BSC premises or look at the technology of the multifunctional arena.
Tip: A clear recommendation is the 60- to 75-minute highlight tour. The tour includes a visit to the locker rooms, the underground training hall and the VIP lounges.
2. Sightseeing Tour without a Guide
Those who prefer to explore the Olympic Stadium on their own can buy a time slot ticket to visit the stadium without a guide. Climb the stands of the Olympiastadion Berlin and enjoy the view of the empty stadium from the very top.
Head to the surrounding Olympiapark Berlin and follow the walking trail of history, which provides information about the past of the historic site. A total of 45 panels and displays in German and English give detailed information about the former "Reichssportfeld" and other special features.
For a small extra charge, you can rent a multimedia guide at the Olympiastadion Berlin visitor center. It leads through the area in 75 to 100 minutes and is available in German, English, Spanish, French and Italian.
- Important: When visiting without a guide, it is not possible to see the non-public areas, such as the players' cabins or VIP areas.
3. Attractions on the Site of the Olympiastadion Berlin
There are numerous buildings, sculptures and relics on the Olympic grounds that tell of the site's eventful history.
Here is a brief overview:
- (Olympic) Bell Tower: You can easily reach the observation deck of the Bell Tower near the stadium by elevator. For a small fee, it offers a wonderful view from Spandau to Alexanderplatz and, on a clear day, even as far as Potsdam and the Müggelberge mountains.
- Langemarck Hall: A few steps away from the bell tower is this memorial commemorating a World War I battle. The basement houses the exhibition "Historical Site Olympic Grounds 1909 - 1936 - 2006".
- Olympic Bell: The bell of the bell tower, formerly the Olympic Bell Tower, weighing several tons, fell onto the forecourt when the tower was blown up and was later buried by British soldiers. Today, the Olympic Bell, which was recovered in 1956, stands on the south side of the stadium, and the bell tower received a new bell in 1962.
- Waldbühne: The Waldbühne, venue of the 1936 Olympic gymnastics competitions, was inspired by ancient amphitheaters and today serves as an open-air stage for concerts.
- Maifeld: The Maifeld was created by the Nazis as a place for propaganda events.
- DFB Wall & Walk of Fame: The 40-meter-long graffiti presents the most important stages in the history of the Olympiastadion Berlin.
4. Events at Olympiastadion Berlin
Many events are held at the Olympiastadion Berlin every year. These include Hertha BSC home games, sporting events, concerts and many other major events.
Entrance, Tickets & Tours for the Olympiastadion Berlin
- Entrance: Olympiastadion Berlin is open daily. From November to March it is open from 10:00 -16:00; from April to October from 9:00 - 19:00. In August, the opening hours are 9:00 am - 8:00 pm.
- Tickets: Tickets for the self-guided sightseeing are available at the Visitor Center in front of the stadium. Tickets for the Bell Tower can be purchased at the tower ticket office.
- Tour: Since there is limited availability of guided tours, we recommend purchasing tickets online in advance. Online tickets for the Olympiastadion Highlight Tour are available here. Prices and dates for the other themed tours can be found on the official website.
- Travelers' Tip: If you want to discover the top attractions of the German capital in a very flexible way and on your own, we recommend the audio guide app Best of Berlin Tour by YourMobileGuide.
How to get to the Olympiastadion Berlin?
The Olympiastadion Berlin has two entrances: the East Gate entrance and the South Gate entrance.
- From Alexanderplatz: Take the S-Bahn S3 or S9 and get off at the stop "Olympiastadion". You will reach the South Gate entrance via the Flatowallee exit after 200 meters, and the East Gate entrance via the Trakehner Allee exit after 250 meters.
- From Potsdamer Platz: Go 14 stops on the U-Bahn line U2 to the "U Olympia-Stadion" stop. The East Gate entrance is about 500 meters away and the South Gate entrance is 870 meters away.
FAQ about the Olympiastadion Berlin
The Olympiastadion Berlin is located in the district Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf in the Westend neighborhood. The address is: Olympiastadion Berlin, Olympischer Platz 3, 14053 Berlin
The Olympiastadion Berlin has a seating capacity of 74,475, of which 38,020 are on the lower ring and 36,455 on the upper ring.
The height of the Olympiastadion Berlin is 16.37 meters, with attic it is 21.26 meters.
When Berlin was named the site of the 1936 Olympic Games in 1931, the Nazis immediately recognized the prestige value of this international event and arranged for the planning of the Reichssportfeld, now the Olympiastadion. The architect Werner March was commissioned.
The Olympiastadion Berlin was built between 1934 and 1936 according to the plans of the architect Werner March on the occasion of the 1936 Summer Olympic Games. Before that, the "German Stadium" and the "Sports Forum" were located on the site. The opening took place on August 1, 1936.
History & Facts about the Olympiastadion Berlin
The area was once home to a horse racing track, and during the times of the German Reich the "Deutsches Stadion" (German Stadium) and the "Sportforum" (Sports Forum) were built.
After Berlin was named the site of the 1936 Summer Olympics in 1931, the Nazis considered it highly prestigious and arranged for the buildings to be converted into the "Reichssportfeld". It was built from 1934 to 1936 according to the plans of the architect Werner March. By 1936, a symmetrical complex had been created with the Olympic Square, the Olympiastadion for 110,000 spectators, the Maifeld, the Bell Tower, the swimming stadium, the Waldbühne for 25,000 spectators and a parade ground for 500,000 people with a "Führer's Stage".
In the period after the Second World War, the area served the British occupation forces. After the denazification of the stadium in 1957, the former Reichssportfeld was listed as a historic monument a few years later. From 2000 to 2004, the Olympiastadion Berlin was modernized. It received 74,475 covered seats and continuous floodlighting.
Today, the Olympiastadion Berlin is a venue for events, concerts and sporting events as well as the home ground of the Bundesliga soccer team Hertha BSC. In 2006, the World Cup final and in 2015 the Champions League final took place here. Every year, the stadium hosts the final of the DFB Cup.
Contact & Map
- Address: Olympiastadion Berlin, Visitor Center, Olympischer Platz 3, 14053 Berlin.
- Opening Hours: Nov. - March 10am - 4pm; April - Oct. 9am - 7pm, August: 9am - 8pm
- Public Transport: S-Bahn: S5 to "Olympiastadion"; U-Bahn: U2 to "U Olympia-Stadion".
- Website: Olympiastadion.Berlin
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