DDR-Museum

Entrance to the DDR Museum in Berlin
Entrance to the DDR Museum in Berlin cc licensed photo by murdelta

'Surprisingly Fun', 'Quirky', 'A Must See', and 'A Unique Perspective' are some expressions used to characterize the DDR Museum. This museum bills itself ‘one of the most interactive museums in the world’.

One element that makes the DDR museum unique is that it’s the only museum in Berlin that is privately rather than state funded.

What makes it even less typical of other museums is the overall theme. This is not only an art museum, or science museum, or a history museum. It is a museum of everyday life in the German Democratic Republic (East Germany) while it was still part of the Soviet occupation.

Since opening in 2006, the DDR Museum became an overnight success and was nominated for a European Museum of the Year Award in both 2008 and 2012.

The DDR museum aims to deal with the question of what everyday life was like for the East German citizens who were cut off from the outside world by barbed wire, guard towers, and the Berlin Wall. Also, what was it like to live under constant surveillance?

Three themed areas: Public LIfe, State and Ideology, and Life in a Tower Block expands into 47 sub-topics inside the 1000 m2 permanent exhibition.

Popular exhibits include a simulated drive in an original Trabant P601 automobile, an authentic reconstruction of a five-room flat in a high-rise tower block, numerous interactive games suitable for young and old alike, the monumental fresco “In Praise of Communism”, a prison cell and a Socialist Unity Party conference table in the boardroom with a touchscreen.

The interactive, hands-on nature of the museum makes this a fun, memorable, and educational experience for all age groups.

Facts For Your Visit

Fee: Yes

DDR-Museum Hours:
Opening hours may differ on holidays

  • Monday: 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM
  • Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM
  • Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM
  • Thursday: 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM
  • Friday: 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM
  • Saturday: 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM
  • Sunday: 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM

Address: Vera Britain Ufer, Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 1, 10178 Berlin, Germany

Phone: 030 847123730

Official Website: DDR-Museum

DDR-Museum Reviews

Rated 4.3 out of 5 Star Rating

4 Star Rating Great insight into life in East Germany, with lots of hands-on exhibits, recreations, a Trabant driving simulator (that is very fun!) and plenty of historical artifacts for you to enjoy. It is a little bit on the small-size, but it packs a lot into its compact floorspace and there's a lot of history to delve into that will keep you occupied for more than a few hours.
Aidan Gilbert - 3 months ago

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5 Star Rating Maybe the best museums I've been in. It gives a detailed insight on life in the Soviet Union. There is also a recreation of an East German apartment that you can go in interact with. Very good value for money, tickets are cheap and it should keep you busy for a good few hours.
Charlie Whitworth - 2 months ago

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5 Star Rating One of the best museum experiences I’ve ever had. Outstanding design of tour flow and very detailed exhibits.
Marco Tse - in the last week

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4 Star Rating Good museum to learn about Eastern Germany. We spent some time. Right across from Berlin Dome with a discount for Berlin Welcome card. There is a driving simulator and once again hogged by a group tour kids…ticket purchase desk is very slow…
K. Zimm - 2 months ago

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5 Star Rating Very nice museum, not very big, around 30 minutes to explore. There are some expos about how the city was divided, how the regime functioned and the pinnacle - a typical "ddr apartment". I was born in soviet union and it was like a time capsule back - extremely trustworthy, even the wallpapers and the view from the window.
Roman Egorov - a month ago

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Directions

How to get to DDR-Museum by U-Bahn, S-Bahn or MetroTram

Nearest U-Bahn, S-Bahn or MetroTram Line(s): S3, S5, S7, S9, U2, U5, U8
Nearest U-Bahn, S-Bahn or MetroTram Station(s): S Hackescher Markt, U Alexanderplatz

Hackescher Markt on the S-Bahn is about a 7 minute walk to the museum. Alexanderplatz ,served by 3 U-Bahn lines, is about a 10 minute walk to the museum. Alternatively, take a tram to the Spandauer Straße/Marienkirche stop – the M4, M5 and M6 lines bring you almost to the entrance.

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