Reichstag Dome Guide

The Reichstag is the seat of the German parliament, the Bundestag, and the glass dome on its roof is open to the public. Entry is free, but you must register in advance with the Bundestag, and that is the one thing that catches visitors out. Do it as soon as your dates are fixed, through the Bundestag's official site, and keep the confirmation with you.

Why the building matters

Paul Wallot's stone palace was completed in 1894, burned in 1933 in a fire the Nazis used to tighten their grip, and was left damaged by the war. Soviet soldiers raised their flag over it in 1945, and reunification was celebrated in front of it in 1990. Norman Foster then redesigned the interior, and the dome was added in 1999. The idea is symbolic: citizens walk above the debating chamber, so the people are literally over their representatives' heads.

What you see

Two spiral ramps wind up the inside of the glass dome, around a cone of mirrors that pulls daylight down into the chamber below. As you climb, the view opens across the government quarter, the Spree, the Brandenburg Gate and the green mass of Tiergarten. An audio guide usually points out the buildings by name, but check what is on offer when you book. There is also a roof terrace at the base of the dome, which is the better spot for photographs.

Booking and security

Expect an airport-style security check, and bring the identification the Bundestag asks for in your confirmation. Large bags are not accepted, so travel light. Slots are limited, so ask for one early, especially for weekends and summer evenings. The dome can close at short notice for parliamentary events, so check the official site again before you set off.

Pair it with

The Reichstag stands on Platz der Republik, a few minutes' walk from the Brandenburg Gate and close to the Holocaust memorial. The glass-and-concrete Chancellery and the parliament offices sit along the river to the east. If you only have one free slot, we would take a late-afternoon booking in clear weather, when the light lifts the whole skyline. In rain or low cloud the view is flat, and you can book a different day without losing much.

Skip the idea of turning up unregistered and hoping for a place: plan the booking first and the walk second.