In Berlin, a city full of historical memories and modern art, whether you are a professional photographer or a traveler who loves to capture light and shadow, you can always find your own scenery. There are old towns full of vicissitudes of life, as well as new landmarks where avant-garde architecture and natural scenery blend together.
Sunrise and sunset are the “magic moments” that photographers love the most – soft light falls between the stone pillars of the Brandenburg Gate, or golden waves appear on the surface of the Spree River, and each frame seems to have its own filter.
The Berlin Wall ruins, which are silent in the morning light, and the Museum Island, which is lit up at dusk, each tell different city rhythms and emotions, allowing everyone holding a camera to capture not only light and shadow, but also a memory of time that resonates with Berlin.
Ⅰ. Recommended attractions
1. Berlin Victory Column (Siegessäule) – the intersection of morning light and city lines
Location: Großer Stern, 10557 Berlin
Opening hours: 09:30–18:30 daily (extended to 19:30 in summer)
Suggested time to visit: 30 minutes before sunrise to one hour after sunrise
Transportation route: Take bus No. 100 to Großer Stern station and walk for 3 minutes
Booking platform: GetYourGuide, Tiqets, Berlin WelcomeCard can all buy tickets for the viewing platform
Cost: about 4 euros for adults, about 2.5 euros for children, Berlin WelcomeCard holders can enjoy a 20% discount
The Victory Column is located in the center of Tiergarten Park. It is an excellent location for photographing the outline of Berlin city and the first rays of light in the morning. After climbing up to the viewing platform, you can have a panoramic view of Unter den Linden, Brandenburg Gate and the Berlin TV Tower in the distance. The sunrise time in summer is relatively early, so it is recommended to check the location one day in advance and choose a clear and cloudless morning. The morning mist often adds a touch of poetry to the photos.
Shooting tips: Wide-angle lenses are suitable for panoramic storage, and using neutral gray filters (ND Filters) to shoot time-lapse light is more dreamy.
2. Berlin TV Tower (Fernsehturm Berlin) – Golden sky at sunset
Location: Panoramastraße 1A, 10178 Berlin
Opening hours: 10:00–22:00 daily (may be adjusted depending on the season)
Suggested time to visit: 45 minutes before sunset until it is completely dark
Transportation route: S-Bahn to Alexanderplatz station, 5 minutes walk
Booking platform: Klook, Tiqets, GetYourGuide all provide free-line tickets and restaurant packages
Cost: Ordinary tickets to the tower are about 20–25 euros. It is recommended to make an appointment in advance during sunset, and the cost is slightly higher
As one of the landmark buildings in Berlin, the Berlin TV Tower’s 360-degree viewing platform is undoubtedly the preferred high point for shooting sunsets. Especially in summer, the sun shines obliquely on the red roofs and modern high-rise buildings, and the contrasting light forms a very layered picture. It is recommended to choose a window facing southwest, so that you can shoot the Brandenburg Gate and Berlin’s main road at the same time.
Tips for shooting: Glass has strong reflections, and using a polarizing filter (CPL) can reduce interference; the sunset time needs to be checked in advance with astronomical forecasts accurate to the minute.
3. Spreeufer Riverside (Spreeufer) – Water reflections at night
Location: Near the Museum Island area, along the Spree River promenade
Opening hours: Open all day
Suggested play time: From 18:00 in the evening to around 21:00 at night
Transportation route: Take the U-Bahn to Friedrichstraße Station and walk there
Booking platform: Klook and GetYourGuide provide photography guided tours and dusk cruise packages
Expense: The dusk cruise ticket price is about 20-30 euros, and the photography guided tour is about 50-60 euros per person, including explanations
The scenery along the Spree River is one of the most romantic street scenes in Berlin. Walking east from Museum Island, you can take pictures of the reflection of the museum facade in the golden sunset, or capture the charming color temperature change from dusk to night at the bridge head. The river surface is shimmering, and the time when the lights are just coming on is especially suitable for long exposure shots of the city waterscape.
Shooting tips: A tripod is indispensable, use a small aperture (f/11-f/16) and ISO100 to ensure image quality; be aware that the wind on the river bank is strong, so please keep warm.
4. Tempelhofer Feld – Sunset on the wide horizon
Location: Tempelhofer Damm, 12101 Berlin
Opening hours: 06:00–21:00 (extended to 22:00 in summer)
Suggested time to visit: 18:30 to 20:30 in the evening
Transportation route: Get off at U-Bahn Tempelhof station or Platz der Luftbrücke station and walk for 5–10 minutes
Booking platform: Berlin WelcomeCard users can enter directly; Klook and GetYourGuide have guided tours
Expense: Free in public open areas, professional photography guided tours are about 30–50 euros
Tempelhof Feld is not only a witness to the history of the Cold War, but also a rare “wide-angle horizon” in Berlin. The wide airport runway without high-rise buildings is an excellent place to shoot large-scale sunsets and silhouettes. It is very suitable for parent-child photography, couples’ portraits or drone aerial photography. In the summer evening, cyclists and people walking in the sunset form a warm picture.
Shooting tips: The space here is wide, you can try different composition methods, including symmetrical perspective and upward shooting; using a zoom lens is easier to capture the details of the characters and the fusion of the distant view.
5. Gleisdreieck Park – Golden Dusk in the City’s Green Lung
Location: Möckernstraße 26, 10963 Berlin
Opening hours: Open all day
Suggested time to visit: Around 19:00 in summer; sunset time around 17:00 in autumn
Transportation route: Get off the U-Bahn Gleisdreieck station
Booking platform: Photography classes and grass picnic bags can be booked on Klook and GetYourGuide; Berlin WelcomeCard holders enjoy discounts on some projects
Expenses: Free admission, photography experience ranges from about 15-40 euros, including teaching and props support
Gleisdreieck Park is built on the remains of the old railway and is the most modern and natural urban park in Berlin. In autumn, maple leaves fall and golden light shines through the gaps between the rails, creating a unique photography background. This place attracts photography enthusiasts to take portraits or record life all year round, and it is also a gathering place for local families and couples on weekends.
Shooting tips: Use the rails to create a guiding line effect; low-angle shooting of fallen leaves or silhouettes is also very artistic.
Berlin, this multicultural city, is not only suitable for measuring with footsteps, but also for capturing with the camera. Whether it is the Victory Column in the morning mist, the TV Tower in the sunset, or the water surface reflected by the lights on the riverside, the light and shadow of Berlin always have something to say.
By choosing the right camera position, arranging the itinerary reasonably, and cooperating with third-party booking platforms such as GetYourGuide, Klook, Tiqets and Berlin WelcomeCard, your photography journey will be more relaxed and efficient. These platforms not only provide convenient ticketing services, but some also include advanced projects such as photography theme groups, private guide services, and drone licenses, which are suitable for photographers of different levels.
Next time you come to Berlin, you might as well slow down and record every ray of light and shadow with your camera. This city is worth your stop and take a closer look at the edge of light and shadow.
Ⅱ. Notes on photo-taking and travel: make your photography journey smoother
1. Pay attention to time selection and light changes
When photographing sunrise and sunset in Berlin, the most important thing is to grasp the “golden hour” and “blue hour”. It is recommended to check the sunrise and sunset time of the day in advance, and use photography apps such as “PhotoPills” or “SunSurveyor” for planning. The sunset time varies greatly in different seasons. In summer, the sunset may be after 21:30, and in winter, it may be advanced to around 16:00. Be sure to arrange your itinerary according to the season.
2. Prepare your shooting equipment well
Bring your camera, spare batteries, memory cards and tripod, especially when shooting night scenes or long exposures, stability is the key. If you plan to use a drone, be sure to check Berlin’s drone flight regulations in advance and avoid no-fly zones, such as Museum Island and near government buildings.
3. Respect others and venue rules
When taking photos at public attractions, be careful to avoid peak traffic and respect the privacy of others, especially when taking portraits, avoid taking photos of strangers without permission. Some attractions, such as the TV tower and memorial buildings, do not allow large photographic equipment. Please confirm the relevant regulations in advance.
Explore Berlin with respect and enthusiasm, and you will gain not only beautiful photos, but also a deep cultural and sensory journey.
