Alexanderplatz

Alexanderplatz in Berlin Mitte is one of the best-known public squares in Berlin – and it’s certainly the biggest. Named after Tsar Alexander I, who visited the Prussian capital in 1805, most people simply call it Alex. 

Eastern centre of Berlin and transport hub

Alexanderplatz is Berlin’s eastern centre and is an important transport junction – for the S-Bahn, U-Bahn, regional trains, trams and buses. It also has a great many great tourist attractions within walking distance, making it the ideal starting point for a sightseeing tour of Berlin.

Berlin Alexanderplatz in the 19th century 

Up to the 1850s, Alexanderplatz was a military parade and exercise ground, as well as a place where local farmers sold their produce. It became a major transport junction when the railway station opened in 1882.

The construction of the central market hall in 1886 and the Tietz department store between 1904 and 1911 made the square the city’s main shopping centre. It gained literary fame around the world with Alfred Döblin’s 1929 novel Berlin Alexanderplatz.

Alexanderplatz is also popular as a film location. Many scenes of the series Babylon Berlin are set at Alexanderplatz Berlin Germany. In The Bourne Supremacy Bourne meets an agent under the world clock at Alexanderplatz.

Scene of historical events

Alexanderplatz is not only a major transport junction, but also a historic site. There was street fighting in the square during the March Revolution of 1848, and in November 1989 – just before the fall of the Berlin wall – the peaceful demonstrations against the East German regime culminated here.

Did you know that in the 1920s a huge roundabout and skyscrapers were planned on Alexanderplatz?

The story behind the new development of Alexanderplatz and many other exciting stories about Berlin's history are presented in our app ABOUT BERLIN. 

Download here for free

Alexanderplatz now and in the future

Largely destroyed in the Second World War, Alexanderplatz did not take its current shape until the 1960s. With the square converted to a pedestrian zone, it is surrounded by busy multiple-lane roads. It was during this time that the big department store then known as Centrum was built, along with the adjacent Alex-Passagen, the Weltzeituhr (world clock), the Brunnen der Völkerfreundschaft (Fountain of International Friendship) and the Fernsehturm – East Berlin’s famous television tower. After the square was completed in 1971, it was often the venue for large events such as the celebrations for the 25th anniversary of the GDR.

Since reunification, Alexanderplatz has been in a constant state of change: a shopping centre, a multiplex cinema, a department store, shops, hotels – more and more facilities are being built, yet there are still gaps. There are plans for several high-rise buildings around the square, but whether and in what form this project takes place has not yet been decided. Only one thing’s for certain: Alexanderplatz is still the biggest public square in any city in Germany.

The Weltzeituhr at Alexanderplatz

The Weltzeituhr on Alexanderplatz is a real eye-catcher and at the same time a reminder of GDR times. It was designed in the course of the socialist redesign of Alexanderplatz and was installed in September 1969. After the reunification the clock was restored. Some mistakes were corrected, because some cities were assigned to wrong time zones during GDR times. Since 2015, the World Time Clock has been a listed building and is still a popular meeting place for Berliners and tourists alike.

Nearby attractions

Around Alexanderplatz there are numerous sights that you can reach on foot, including the Museum Island, the Berliner Rathaus or the Berlin Cathedral. The Brandenburg Gate is also not far away. Visit Berlin's historic district, the Nikolaiviertel. The Hackesche Höfe invite you to a relaxed shopping spree. Take a walk Unter den Linden. And from the Berlin TV Tower you enjoy a great view over the whole city.

Shopping at Alexanderplatz

Next to Alexa Shopping Mall there are many big department stores and shops around Berlin Alexanderplatz. Find more information about shopping at Alexanderplatz.

Hotels near Alexanderplatz

Sleep in the centre of the city and wake up in pole position for a sightseeing tour. Click here for hotels near Alexanderplatz, or book your train journey and hotel together.  

Parking at Alexanderplatz

Alexanderplatz is a pedestrian zone that is busy day and night. There is hardly anywhere to park so we recommend coming by public transport.

Berlin Alexanderplatz station

Berlin Alexanderplatz station is an important traffic junction in the city. The German Railway, regional trains stop here, but you can also change directly to S- and U-Bahn, buses or trams. You will also find numerous shops for your daily needs as well as a large travel centre and an exchange office.

Christmas markets at and around Alexanderplatz

In the winter you will find several Christmas markets at Alexanderplatz: Visit the Berliner Weihnachtszeit at Rotes Rathaus, or get in the mood for Christmas at the Christmas market around around the world clock and Alexa shopping centre. Enjoy Berlin in winter.