Lustgarten
The Lustgarten (which means Pleasure Garden in English) is a pleasant neoclassical park on Museum Island. It is smack dab in the midst of several iconic landmarks.
The rectangular park faces the spectacular Berliner Dom and Altes Museum. It is across the street from the Berlin Palace, across the Spree River from the German Historical Museum. You can easily see the Fernsehturm TV tower from here.
The central location makes this a popular people space to show up and relax on the green grass or benches. You can enjoy music played by buskers, sit and read a good book, or simply people watch. It is close enough to the museums that you can connect with their free WiFi too.
A water fountain forms a focal point near the center of the garden.
Closer to the Altes Museum stands a giant solid granite bowl weighing in at 70 tonnes. A primary attraction in 19th century Berlin, it was transported up the River Spree in 1828 and inaugurated in 1834. Berliner’s often refer to it as the Berlin soup bowl.
History
Lustgarten had a lengthy and turbulent history.
It appeared in the 16th century as a vegetable garden for the adjacent City Palace. Friedrich Wilhelm converted it to a Dutch style royal garden featuring flower gardens, aviaries, fountains, and sculptures.
In the 18th century, Friedrich Wilhelm I had other ideas. He paved it over to create a military parade square. It wasn’t until 1790 that green lawns were planted again.
When the Altes Museum opened in 1830, the garden was further enhanced to present a pleasing landscape in front.
But that was not going to last. Military aspirations of the Nazis led to the park being paved again in 1934. With opposition to the regime now outlawed, Hitler addressed mass rallies of nearly one million people here. Immediately following WWII the park was nothing but a bombed wasteland.
Stuck in East Germany following the war, it wasn’t until after the reunification of Germany in the late 1990s that the park was at last restored to closely match its design prior to the WWII.
There are good bus connections to the Lustgarten with a stop right in front. The U-Bahn and S-Bahn are only a short walk.
Facts For Your Visit
Fee: NoLustgarten Hours:
Opening hours may differ on holidays
- Monday: Open 24 hours
- Tuesday: Open 24 hours
- Wednesday: Open 24 hours
- Thursday: Open 24 hours
- Friday: Open 24 hours
- Saturday: Open 24 hours
- Sunday: Open 24 hours
Address: Unter den Linden 1, 10178 Berlin, Germany
Phone: 030 250025
Official Website: Lustgarten
Lustgarten Reviews
Rated out of 5
Am Lustgarten is one of the most beautiful and relaxing places in the heart of Berlin. Surrounded by world-famous landmarks such as Berlin Cathedral (Berliner Dom) and the Altes Museum, it offers a perfect combination of history, architecture, and peaceful green space.
During my visit in 2018, I spent time walking through the gardens, relaxing by the fountain, and admiring the magnificent buildings around the square. The atmosphere was lively yet peaceful, with visitors from all over the world enjoying the open lawns and taking photographs.
This is an ideal place to take a break while exploring Museum Island. Whether you're interested in history, architecture, or simply want to enjoy a pleasant walk, Am Lustgarten is a must-visit destination. The beautifully maintained gardens, stunning views, and central location make it one of Berlin's most iconic public spaces.
Highly recommended for anyone visiting Berlin. Don't forget your camera—the views are spectacular!
Joseph Lenin - 2 months ago
Spacious, historic public park located directly in front of the Altes Museum on Museum Island. Featuring a large central fountain and broad lawns, it is framed by the impressive facades of the museum and the Berlin Cathedral
cdakingtamudo - 2 weeks ago
Nice square right by the museum and cathedral. I feel like they could add more to it as it’s just a big open square with a basic fountain in the center.
Charles Budman - 3 weeks ago
This small but beautiful garden is located opposite Berlin Cathedral and provides an amazing opportunity to capture the beauty of the cathedral with park as its added attraction.
Ravindra Vangipuram - 4 months ago
Lustgarten on a sunny afternoon the trees still holding their last leaves, benches empty, long shadows across the ground. Everyone moving through like they had somewhere to be.
Daren Ng - 5 months ago
Directions
How to get to Lustgarten by U-Bahn, S-Bahn
Nearest U-Bahn, S-Bahn Line(s): S1, S2, S3, S5, S7, S9, S25, S26, S75, U6
Nearest U-Bahn, S-Bahn Station(s): S+U Berlin Friedrichstraße
Exit from Friedrichstraße Station. Walk one block south on Fredrichstrasse and go left (east) onto Dorotheenstrasse. When you get to the river, go right onto Am Kupfergraben and cross the bridge just ahead. Lustgarten is on your right.
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Accommodations near Lustgarten:
Photo Gallery
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Photo Credit: dalbera - cc license via Flickr
