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Guide to the Unter den Linden Boulevard in Berlin

Guide to the Unter den Linden Boulevard in Berlin

Unter den Linden boulevard is not only one of the oldest, but also one of the most beautiful promenades in Berlin.

It connects the Brandenburg Gate with the Schlossbrücke, which leads to the Museum Island and is home to numerous historic buildings and attractions worth seeing.

In this guide, you will find out about all the important sights that line the boulevard, how to get there and the history of the avenue.

Let's start!

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Things to Do on Unter den Linden Boulevard

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The historic Unter den Linden boulevard is an important traffic axis in the heart of Berlin. Important landmarks of the German capital line the eastern end of the avenue in particular.

See below some of the top things to do:

1. Take a Stroll

What could be nicer than taking a leisurely stroll along the approximately 1.5 kilometer long promenade. Wander from the Humboldt Forum to the Brandenburg Gate and discover not only many of the city's highlights, but also the old heart of the former Prussian metropolis.

Part of the boulevard is graced with the famous, namesake linden trees and makes for a particularly beautiful stroll.

2. Attractions along the Boulevard

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On the walk along the boulevard Unter den Linden you will pass quite a few sights.

Here is an overview:

Equestrian Statue of Frederick the Great: This monumental equestrian statue, built between 1839 and 1851, is one of the most important works of the Berlin School of Sculpture. It marks the transition from classicism to realism. The 13.50-meter-high bronze statue shows "Old Fritz" dressed in uniform, ermine and tricorn and riding high on horseback.
Staatsbibliothek Unter den Linden: This monument, built in 1914, is now one of the two main buildings of the Berlin State Library and home to parts of the library and the Berlin-Brandenburg Academy of Sciences and Humanities. It is one of the most important libraries in the world.
Prinz-Heinrich-Palais: The Palace of Prince Heinrich was a palace of the House of Hohenzollern and part of the Forum Fridericianum. It was built in the Baroque style between 1748 and 1753 and was converted into a university building in 1809. Today it serves as the main building of the Humboldt University of Berlin.
Neue Wache: This elegant building, built by Schinkel in the 1810s, served as a guardhouse for the Royal Palace and as a memorial to the German campaign of 1813. Since 1993 it has been the Central Memorial of the Federal Republic of Germany for the victims of war and tyranny. It is among the major works of German classicism.
Schlossbrücke: In a prominent position, this architectural monument marks the eastern beginning of the boulevard Unter den Linden and is one of the most beautiful bridges in Berlin. The marble statues on the 56-meter-long Schlossbrücke represent figures from Greek mythology and were created from 1842 to 1857 in commemoration of the Wars of Liberation.
Kronprinzenpalais (Crown Prince Palace): The building was built in 1663 and first served as a private residence. From 1732 to 1918, with few interruptions, it was the residence of the Crown Princes of the House of Hohenzollern. In 1990, the Palais was the signing place of the Unification Treaty and since then has served as a venue for events.
Altes Palais: The Altes Palais, formerly the Kaiser-Wilhelm-Palais, was built between 1834 and 1837 in the classicist style as a winter residence for the Prussian Prince Wilhelm and later German Emperor Wilhelm I. Today it is home to the Law Faculty of the Humboldt University of Berlin.

3. Bebelplatz

Be sure to take some time to explore Bebelplatz, located just off the Unter den Linden boulevard.

The square witnessed German history from the Enlightenment to the Nazi Book Burning and is home to quite a few important buildings, including the Memorial to the Book Burning on May 10, 1933 and the Berlin State Opera, which is the focal point. Other monuments include the Prinzessinnenpalais, St. Hedwig's Cathedral, the Old Library and the posh Hotel de Rome.

Read more details about this sight in our complete guide to Bebelplatz.

4. Deutsches Historisches Museum

Along the promenade you will find the Deutsches Historisches Museum or German Historical Museum. If you are interested in German history, then the museum is just the right address for you.

Furthermore, the museum sees itself as a place of "enlightenment and understanding about the common history of Germans and Europeans." Housed in the former armory for the Brandenburg-Prussian Army, which was built in the Baroque style from 1695 to 1706, the German Historical Museum is one of the most visited exhibition houses in the city.

5. Cafés & Souvenirs

In addition to the many monuments, the boulevard offers numerous stores, which are ideal for finding the perfect Berlin souvenir.

Several restaurants and cafés are also lined up along the lovely avenue, inviting you to linger and enjoy a relaxing cup of coffee. A favorite is the café-restaurant Einstein Unter den Linden, which stands out with its Viennese charm and historic ambience.

6. Nearby Attractions

Many of Berlin's top attractions are waiting not only on the magnificent boulevard Unter den Linden, but also in the immediate vicinity. These include the Brandenburg Gate, the beautiful Gendarmenmarkt, the DDR Museum and the famous Museum Island with the Berlin Cathedral and the Humboldt Forum.

Tip: With a self-guided audio tour, you can explore the most important sights of the city quite flexibly on your own. We recommend the audio guide app Best of Berlin from our partner YourMobileGuide, which guides you with exciting background information to the best attractions in the center of Berlin.

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How to get to the Unter den Linden Boulevard?

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From Alexanderplatz: Take the U-Bahn U 5 for three stops and get off at "U Unter den Linden".
From Potsdamer Platz: Take the S-Bahn S2 and go two stops to the "Bahnhof Berlin Friedrichstraße" stop. From there, it is only a few minutes to the boulevard Unter den Linden.

FAQ about the Unter den Linden Boulevard

WHERE IS UNTER DEN LINDEN?

The magnificent Unter den Linden Boulevard is located in the heart of Berlin, in the Mitte district. The street connects the Brandenburg Gate with the Schlossbrücke, which leads to the Museum Island.

HOW DO I GET TO UNTER DEN LINDEN?

From Alexanderplatz, the easiest way to reach the Unter den Linden Boulevard is to take the U-Bahn U 5 and get off at the "U Unter den Linden" stop.

From Potsdamer Platz, it's best to take the S-Bahn S2 and get off at the "Bahnhof Berlin Friedrichstraße" stop. From there it is only a few minutes to the Unter den Linden Boulevard.

WHY IS THE STREET CALLED "UNTER DEN LINDEN"?

Responsible for the name of the boulevard are the imposing linden trees, which were first planted in 1647 and still adorn part of the street today.

WAS UNTER DEN LINDEN IN EAST OR WEST BERLIN?

During the inner German division, the Unter den Linden Boulevard was located in East Berlin.

History & Facts about the Unter den Linden Boulevard

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The Unter den Linden Boulevard was initially only a bridle path. The first linden trees were planted in 1647. From 1701, at the behest of Frederick the Great, the linden trees were expanded into an avenue in order to add splendor.

During the time of the German Empire, the street changed from a residential to a shopping mile with a variety of hotels and restaurants.

During the Second World War, the street and a large part of the buildings were completely destroyed and then had to be gradually rebuilt. Today, the boulevard is one of Berlin's most popular attractions.