Checkpoint Charlie. Next to the Brandenburg Gate, this has got to be the 2nd most famous site to see in Berlin. No, there's not much to it, but if you are a history buff, this is a must-see. Unfortunately, since the wall came down, commercialism has taken over the area and shops of all kinds have been built up surrounding it, including a McDonald's which will almost always show up in photos. This landmark is now in the middle of the street. Another unfortunate thing is that, at certain times, there are people dressed as soldiers from the US and USSR who will take photos with you for a fee. When I was there, it was my understanding that you couldn't get a good photo (behind the sandbags) with out paying this fee. Lucky for us, on the day we visited, these guys were nowhere to be seen, so a bunch of tourists just took pictures for each other, and it was actually orderly! Not one squabble, and it does get crowded. Check out the checkpoint. It's not a waste of time. 85/2025 read more

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This is the crossing point divide between west and east Berlin. We came here with our tour guide and he explained the US vs the Russian side. This was an interesting part of history and to see the photos explaining some big points in the history where there was conduct between both sides. It is free with limited parking. read more

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Will echo what prior reviews have said about this famous crossing checkpoint point from East to West Berlin: - look before crossing the street and beware of traffic, this is a regular street with a good number of cars, buses, motorcycles, etc, so be considerate and safe! - the monument itself is outdoors so technically open 24/7, though is pretty much a place to snap a few pics if you want. The museum along the street has more detailed history and exhibits. - the original larger checkpoint booth is now displayed in the Allied Museum in Berlin. read more

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Historically significant and worthy of checking out. You only need a few minutes to take it in and it's walking distance from most of the other local tourist attractions. read more

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After the Berlin Wall fell, they kept the checkpoint where you had to go to get back and forth between East and West Berlin. That is Checkpoint Charlie in a nutshell, and it is nothing more than the booth and some signage. Tourists line up to take a few pics with their loved ones. But face it, you're gonna go. It's like the Empire State Building or Statue of Liberty in NYC. And like NYC, the area around the simple border gate remaining has morphed into Berlin's equivalent of Times Square without the smelly dangerous people in costumes. All the restaurants and bars around it reference Checkpoint Charlie in their names or menu items. The stores all sell touristy tchotchkes. But, hey, it's history, and it only takes a couple minutes. Check it out! read more

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Total tourist trap, there's a small display in the middle of the road that looks like a hollywood set more than anything. One gets zero feel for what it actually must have looked like. Skip it unless you enjoy seeing people almost get hit by cars. Some good souvenir shops is about it. read more

Checkpoint Charlie is one of the best known sites in Berlin. It became a symbol of the Cold War itself, representing the separation of East and West. The checkpoint itself is very small and there's not much to see, rather it's just a photo opportunity. As many other reviews have mentioned this is a very busy street and there will be cars coming and going on both sides of it. Make sure to check both ways when you cross the street to get in front of it and also be aware that this area is extremely crowded and you will see tons of tourists. It's not the most exciting thing to do in Berlin nor will it take a lot of time, but I feel that everyone should see it at least once. Especially if you are from the West. I'm glad that it is still here, although it was not the most exciting part of our Berlin trip. read more

Checkpoint Charlie - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Berlin, BE

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Great display and explanation of a terrible Cold War. Be very careful around women carrying petitions to sign as they will aggressively pursue as they are pickpockets. One managed to get a zippered pocket open but I stopped it. Apparently the museum posts warnings about it. read more

This seems like a weird thing to review but I'm going to go with it so people know what to expect if they want to visit Checkpoint Charlie. First thing to note is it is in the middle of the street, you have to run across the street if you would like to see the booth so please look both ways. Second thing to note is this is the the original Checkpoint Charlie booth- the original is in a museum and is much larger. This is honestly a poorly done recreation, I saw poorly based on size- but again it is in the middle of the street. Third thing to note is that it's not all 100% done like it was years ago, the addition of sandbags.... why? If you look at any photos of the real Checkpoint Charlie there are no sandbags, I'm confused why we added them. What is real is that right there is where thousands of people crossed, you can't deny that despite slight gimmicky recreation. In my opinion- do your research so you can appreciate the location and less about taking a photo of the booth. There's a museum next door with a pretty nice gift shop if you're looking for more information. read more

Checkpoint Charlie is a landmark that you can experience in under 10 minutes. There's not a lot to see. Most people stand in line to get their photo and go on their way. It's definitely worth checking out once. read more

Touristy but interesting to be there. Easy to find using maps so worth a visit to check it out. read more

Checkpoint Charlie - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Berlin, BE

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Interesting sight with many people. There's not much to see though. We were already in the area so we went to go check it out. It feels a bit unsafe because the roads surrounding the sight are busy with cars and tour buses and stuff. And there's ton of people trying to get pictures and are walking in the street. Maybe worth going to if you like history and in the area. read more

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Not much to say about this site other than that it is a must see. You'll only be there a couple of minutes and most of that will be spent standing in line. read more

Checkpoint Charlie - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Berlin, BE

Such a historic site in Berlin. Finding the checkpoint was really easy. Parking was simple as well. I was able to find a spot on the street. Walking up to the checkpoint they have information on the walls that describe the history of the checkpoint. I only stayed for a few minutes, took some pics, and then left. It's worth checking out if you have time. read more

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It's a famous place to stop by and see. Since it's free, there's not much to say. My only tip is that it's not worth going out of your way for. If you are in the area stop by for a few minutes. read more

Checkpoint Charlie - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Berlin, BE

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I like it because of the alliteration and it definitely wouldn't be as cool if it were Checkpoint Other-NATO-Phonetic-Alphabet letter. Checkpoint Alpha, Bravo, Delta--just doesn't have the same ring to it. If you've been looking forward to checking this place out, it will indeed be very interesting, but then you'll realize how commercialized it is right next door. I mean, when you're taking a picture with this site, you will also get a good picture with the golden arches of McDonald's . So, aside from the busy street which does take away some charm, Checkpoint Charlie is cool for what it is and is worth a visit if you're into this history about the Berlin Wall. Check it out in the morning when it's not as busy and then grab some coffee at Einstein Kaffee right next to it. read more

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6/25/24 - take the subway straight there. It's free and a quick line for a photograph. On the corner is an open museum with 2 Berlin Wall sections. Do a quick photograph over there as well. There is no graphite or gum in the wall like other locations. read more

The actual checkpoint is just the booth on the road that was left behind after the American occupation left. The line for photos is pretty long- if you want one you'll have to suffer through a lot of shenanigans by other people taking photos. Sure, stand in line for a photo if you want but skip all the tourist-trap shops right nearby. Instead, be sure to check out the small courtyard with signs detailing the occupation and more about WWII. We found that far more interesting and worth a stop. read more

The literal crossing between old east and West Berlin. You put note today that they used to be a wall between the two parts of the city. Which of the walls have been taken down. There's been some sections left up as a relic and reminder of the past history of Berlin. The checkpoints off isn't much to look at. It's a small gate with a couple soldiers on Watch still. The best part of checkpoint Charlie in the vicinity are all the remaining walls. Just to see the fortress that was built around the east and west Berlin wall. You could easily spend a couple hours or even longer walking around and checking out all the graffiti on the wall. And seeing the little cracks in the walls that were created by residents on either side trying to see the world on the other side. I do recall seeing rerun of the videos on TV of the wall coming down, it was a historical moment in Germany and Berlin's history. read more

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There is historical significance to this location so that's why it gets three stars. Unfortunately now it is more like Times Square with costumed (uniformed?) people dressed like soldiers asking for money for you to take pictures of them standing in front of the guardhouse, much like the numerous Minnie Mouse and Elmo characters in Times Square. It's also distracting that there is a giant KFC right beside the place! Definitely worth a visit but then go check out some of the nearby museums to get more of a historic than touristic feel for the place. read more

Checkpoint Charlie - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Berlin, BE

Checkpoint Charlie is a very popular tourist site in Berlin, and was the best known border crossing between east and west Berlin in the Cold War. Before my visit, I was curious to know where the name came from. It turns out that the name Checkpoint Charlie comes from the NATO phonetic alphabet. The first border crossing opened was known as 'Alpha'. The 2nd 'Bravo' and 'Charlie ' was used for this one. The photographs on the poster are very interesting: An American Soldier on one side, and a Russian soldier on the other. IMO, this is a must see while in Berlin. read more

Something of a must for visitors, Checkpoint Charlie was the best-known Berlin Wall crossing point between East and West Berlin during the Cold War. Featured in films the area offers lots of photo ops and signage that can be accomplished in approximately 1 hour. read more

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Five stars for the history, one star for the crass commercialism. If you're in Berlin you sort of have to see Checkpoint Charlie, the barrier and checkpoint booth (now a replica) that separated the borders of East and West Berlin during the Cold War. It's chilling to think about how life used to be in this city. The barrier, booth, flags and sandbags are all based on the original site (although they aren't original themselves). It's free to visit and open 24 hours a day. During the busy daytime hours when the street is bustling with tourists, there will be guys dressed as guards that will pose in your photos -- for a price, of course. If you want to avoid them, just go late at night. There's an easy subway stop that's steps away from the checkpoint. What irritates me the most about it is that it is impossible to get a photo without capturing the McDonald's in the background. Nothing ruins the moment like the golden arches. read more

Checkpoint Charlie - Pretty chilling stuff...oh, hai McDonald's! Grrrrr. - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Berlin, BE

It is a tourist trap and there were other crossing points, but this was the main point where one crossed between East and West Berlin during the Cold War. The history is worth a stop though you can probably avoid the 3€ photo ops with dressed up soldiers. Besides the spot itself there's a related museum and gallery to fill up your time in this area. Amidst all this are eateries and shops to rest and refresh worthy of any tourist traps. read more

Checkpoint Charlie - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Berlin, BE

If you're the kind of person who stands at Four Corners in the US and thinks "OK, now what" (like Gary A), yeah, this is a boring exhibit. To you, Four Corners is merely a cement slab, and Checkpoint Charlie looks like an abandoned Fotomat preparing for a flood. But if you're the kind of history-appreciating person who understands the significance of what Checkpoint Charlie now symbolizes (or if you think selfies are kEwL), then you will like it. Besides, it's all part of an integrated concept to the Berlin Wall remembrance, including the East Side Gallery, History Trail, Brandenburg Gate, Parliament of Trees, and other memorials. I especially liked it because it's next to a Subway, and for eight days in Europe, I had not found a place with free soda refills. It was like America again! O Beautiful, for spacious skies... read more

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Another awesome tourist attraction in Berlin. It's setup just like the original times with the guard shack and all. Great for souvenirs and photo ops. read more

Checkpoint Charlie - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Berlin, BE

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Historical line to stroll through! What could have been WWIII, was prevented at Checkpoint Charlie. It was heavy tension at the borderline and the right choices were made. It can be very touristy by taking a picture with the dressed up soldiers, but besides that, it's pretty neat! read more

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The last time I was at Checkpoint Charlie, there was a wall and serious cold war realities. And one day I I exchanged my Deutsche Marks for Ostmarks at a 1:1 ratio and took a day long stroll in the Old East Berlin, with money in my pocket but nothing really to spend it on. I also remember taking the train to Berlin and waking up in time for the East German Border guards to board the train and check my passport. There were the ghost subway stations in East Berlin, but on the West's train line. And I still remember the no mans land called Potsdamer platz. I've kept up with the transformation of Berlin and I'm sure I'll marvel some day on how things have completely transformed. Two excellent movies regarding this period of history are: The Lives of Others and Good Bye, Lenin! read more

This is difficult to review. Being American it is an automatic 5 stars. It's awesome seeing this piece of history and imaging what it would have been like when this check point was functioning. However when I arrived here and turned the corner I was surprised. This checkpoint (little house) is on an island in the middle of a busy highway. Nostalgic but odd. Then you see actors/soldiers at the check point but quickly notice they're caricatures working for tips. Across the from the checkpoint is a museum/gift shop selling merchandises. I'm thankful the location is still here and maintained. I just wasn't thrilled how it is now represented. With that being said if you're in Berlin it's a must visit and down the road from the Berlin Wall. read more

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I understand is a must in Berlin, the place itself it's disappointing but the energy, the neighbourhood and it's story were awesome! Entiendo que es un must en Berlín, el sitio en si mismo es decepcionante pero su energía, El Barrio y la historia fue impresionante! read more

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Been there, done that, didn't buy the t-shirt. This had much more significance during our first visit to Berlin in 1991. Now it all just seems ridiculously commercialized and sad. There are guys in WW2 uniforms happy to have their photo taken with you in a replica hat for a few Euros. I suppose as a first timer, you still need to "see" it, but I wouldn't plan your day around this photo op. read more

Checkpoint Charlie - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Berlin, BE

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It's cool. It's touristy but it's significance to modern Germany history is profound. It's just not that much to look at to be honest. It is a little closed off street with a small gate. I mean that is just about it, some sandbags. What is the cool part is the sections of the wall, the museum next to it, and the information around the area. You could spend a good hour here and really check it off the list. The plaques with information and the history will get you there. The museum on the Cold War is a nice way to dive deeper but unless you are really into it, you could skip it. Worth checking out for a little while. And its really walk-able from most parts of Berlin. read more

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It's really more of a pass-thru but definitely a bucket list item if you're in Berlin. The museum is worth checking out to learn the history. It's tiny but packed with a lot of displays and information. A great start before you head out to check out the Berlin Wall. read more

Did you watch that Tom Hank's movie? Bridge of Spies was recently released here, so naturally it's worth a visit. It's a place you should not drive to. When you finish the board facing the street, go inside, There was a piece of wall turned into an art installation, there were food and drinks, and museum to wander into. It's a really great place to grab some amazing shots if you ask me. I did not care for the chachkies, which was sold all over this tourist place. Before the fall of Berlin, Americans would be able to wander into and out of this Checkpoint Charlie, and there would not be any advertising or any color on the east side of Germany. It was dreary to say the least. I'm not a history buff but I'm fascinated by anything cold war and WWII related, so this was worth spending an hour or two in. If you don't know about this period of German history, you should do a wiki of Berlin Wall. Heck, even if you do, read it anyhow because there were so much to it than the general knowledge stuff. Then come here. It'll make more sense if you read ahead. One of my favorite movies is Barbara, a German movie about an East German era. My last two German movies were A Coffee in Berlin and Victoria (my name sake movie), I caught both of them at the Berlin and Beyond Film festival in San Francisco. You can imagine why this place and Berlin has special meaning to me. I'm a fan, even though this is a touristy place, it's well worth it. read more

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This is basically the location of the main crossing between East and West Berlin back in the days when there happened to be a massive wall surrounding the western part of the city. Honestly, it seems like half a life time ago when that particular wall came down which, in my experience it actually was (which is basically giving away my age somewhat). This has basically become a tourist attraction, though the actual checkpoint has been movie, a replaca still stands here, along with numerous other tributes to a time long past. read more

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Since you came all the way to Berlin to see the Wall, why not take a peek? It's a guard post with hired men dressed in uniforms for entertainment purposes. The surrounding area is loaded with vendors hocking souvenirs. OVERALL: It's chocked full of tourists, crowded, and not that impressive to see. Next! read more

Checkpoint Charlie - The place - VN - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Berlin, BE

This historical landmark was definitely a must see for me and the first stop on my tourist list. However, once you get there you realize quickly that there is not much left so-- there is not much to see unfortunately. There is a museum in the area that offers a bit more history but I wouldnt plan to spend alot of time in this area. There are uniformed officers in the area but they only take photos for a fee. I learned this the hard way when i attempted to take a photo of the officer and he immediately turned his back to me. Then after speaking to him I learned that he was just working for tips. In nice weather, walking through this area and then to Brandenburg can be plasant and educational. read more

Obviously a must-see for your first visit to Berlin, but you don't need to allot more than few minutes to see this. You can stand in a long line to pay to take a picture with the "guards", or, you can stand just off to the side and take a picture of the checkpoint for free. I recommend the latter. It's very touristy and crowded in this area, so I don't recommend lingering long (watch out for pickpockets, too). There is a little courtyard museum you can duck into, which we did enjoy. The museum offers passport stamps and I cannot tell you strongly enough not to do it if you're American as it can invalidate your passport! Grab a postcard and have them stamp that if you really need to have it. After you've taken a few photos of the checkpoint and the signs, head down to Topography of Terror, just a few blocks away, to see the wall and learn some history. read more

My mom really wanted to see this spot so we walked from our hotel and dinner spot here. We passed several old beautiful buildings and main shopping malls and chocolate shops on the way - so that was nice. The spot itself, is very touristy and built up, with a large Hard Rock Hotel going in across the street and a KFC and McDonald's visible in the same frame as all the historic signs. There are two actors dressed as Army Soldiers who will take a photo with you for a fee - they are standing directly in front of the Checkpoint and if you simply want a photo of that spot - they are snarky about it because they want you to pay. Frankly, I wasn't trying to get anything for free and they could've moved the hell outta my photo and I'd have been just fine, so that was irritating. Nearby there is a museum where you can purchase some things like pieces of the Berlin Wall and other items. Nearby is a large portion of the wall you can have a photo with and you can read more about the historical context of the wall, what life was like, and how it began to change until the final destruction of it. That was my favorite part - not the actual Checkpoint Itself which is small and overly touristy. Still, I suppose if you've made it all the way to Berlin, this is a spot you can stop by and snap your photo. read more

Ok...If you're a history buff no need to make a specific stop just for this landmark. Read about it and note it's significance. Yes! Read all the other reviews too but I personally left disgusted just because of the men parading as "American Soldiers" panhandling photos with any tourist willing to pay for their fee for a photo op with them in front of the checkpoint shack. I just wonder how a true American veteran who fought and served in any war would feel about this kind of depiction. Distasteful and completely out of character for any American soldier to act the way these men were. No American soldier would ever be depicted in this manner (dancing, laughing and waving the American flag) in any American institution or facility! These "American soldiers" are a poor representation of the past with their long hair and unshaven faces and don't even appear to be American!! Quite an embarassment IMHO. read more