DDR Museum
Location
Essentials
- Interactive exhibitions & games
- Learn about the wall & Stasi in an entertaining way
- Experience with all your senses the everyday life in the DR
Practical info
Children
Child ticket for 6-17 year olds
Free for children from 0-5 years
Opening hours
Monday – Sunday: 9.00 – 21.00
Ticket information
Animals are not permitted. Exceptions are made for registered guide or assistance dogs which will have to be proved at the museum
If you are travelling in a wheelchair please contact the museum before your visit so that they can make any necessary arrangement since the museum is not completely accessible for the disabled
Ticket directly available on smartphone
Tickets can be rescheduled or cancelled up to 24 hours in advance
More information
For questions about the product, please contact [email protected]
Accessibility
Getting there
Public Transport
Nearest stops to the DDR Museum are Museumsinsel (U-Bahn U5), Spandauer Straße (Bus 100 and 200, Tram M4, M5, M6) and Lustgarten (Bus 300).
About
The DDR Museum
This museum has the largest exhibition on the German Democratic Republic (GDR, or in German DDR) in Berlin. Through an innovative and interactive exhibition design, the museum invites visitors to expand their knowledge and experience history up close. The idea is to be there with all your senses and gain experience in the process in a fun way, which is suitable and interesting for all age groups.
The permanent exhibition draws attention to 16 central areas of East German life, where topics such as work, leisure, fashion, and culture are to be explored. More than 300 former East German citizens contributed to the collection, resulting in an authentic portfolio of memorabilia thus exposing visitors to the everyday life behind the Iron Curtain.
An interactive journey through time
The exhibits displayed in the museum are not locked away in cabinets as usual, but are instead ready to be fully appreciated and deliver a tangible experience through history. You can open drawers, cabinets, turn on the television and explore many more things in an authentically furnished and decorated DDR flat.
Many authentic donations such as an Erika Typewriter, the Karat Schrankwand, the Stern radio, photographs and clothing facilitate an incredible experience that brings the visitor face to face with the reality of the everyday life during the Soviet-era. The five most popular highlights at the museum are sitting in an original Trabant, a typical east German car, the authentic Plattenbau living room, a school satchel with school material including school reports and children’s exercise books, a cupboard full of authentic GDR clothing and an area dedicated to the Stasi.
Participate in an exciting interactive journey through the pre-built districts and immerse yourself with all your senses to the German Democratic Republic.
Get your tickets now!
This unique Museum is a must when visiting Berlin. Nominated as the European Museum of the Year, the DDR Museum really does not disappoint and proves that history can be interesting and fun for kids as well as adults. Avoid long waiting queues by securing a ticket online.
Reviews
81 reviews
A mixed bag but a must for history fans
A tricky one to review as it is a really interesting period in German history and as a history fan I am glad we went. But I can see the reasons why it doesn’t review as well as other Berlin attractions - it can get crowded; the layout can be a bit confusing; and some of the interactive elements can feel a bit gimmicky (lots are just flaps with writing inside). This museum isn’t sure what it wants to be and is trying too hard to appeal to families and kids when the text content is clearly aimed at adults (perhaps teens and students as well, but not young children). The highlights for me are the recreated rooms in the East Germany style, and the plethora of items and artefacts from the era.
Really interesting and fun museum
This is a really interesting and quite fun museum to visit. There is a lot of information available about life in the DDR and how it compared to life in the rest of Berlin & Germany. There are some really fun mock-ups of sitting rooms, kitchens, bedrooms, bathrooms etc in a typical apartment in the DDR and you can listen to music from the period. The museum is quite big and there is a lot to take in, but the information is presented really clearly and is very easy to follow. I had a really good time visiting this museum and I would definitely recommend it to others!
Explore Berlin before the wall came down
This is a great way to start your visit to Berlin where you can compare life before the wall came down. Really great detail and lots of artifacts to see and explore.
Everything you need to know about the DDR
This museum documents the life and times of people who lived in the DDR. As you progress through the museum it tells how the country came into existence and gives an insight into how the people lived there. It covers all aspects of life; employment, housing, health, social, political…quite literally everything to do with life in the DDR The museum is very interactive with a huge amount of information to absorb. There is also a vast amount of genuine artefacts on display. We spent around 2 hours visiting the museum. The shop at the end was fantastic, it has a lot of niche items on sale that I didn’t see in any other places that I visited in Berlin. Even if you don’t have time to visit the museum, I’d recommend a trip to the shop.
Great museum
Great museum. Lots of interactive exhibits, incredible amount of detailed information and statistics. Very creative and vivid.
Interesting quirky museum of what real life was behind the wall
Small quirky museum at the Spree and Unter den Linden in Berlin. They have recreated some of the lives of East Germans in this one level museum with examples of homes people live in and what day to day life was like including the risks of falling under suspicion from the Stasi.
The DDR Museum is a retro mind trip of East German Life
The DDR (Deutsche Democratic Republic - East German) Museum is a retro mind trip!! It shows what life was like for the typical East German. The housing, living standards, sample of a typical flat, youth camps, equality for woman at the work place, Stasi (secret police) monitoring, etc, etc. The government tried to control the message via publications, news casts, & work announcements. The purpose was to sell the Communist manifesto (with limited success). If you failed to tow the line, there were consequences!! The museum is just to the west of the Museum Island on the Main Street of Berlin. Most Hop-On business have a nearby stop. Also, close to the Museum Island U-Bahn train stop. Alexanderplatz is just a 10 minute walk to the west and the Brandenburg Gate is just to the east. A must See for Cold War history buffs.
Worth a visit
This was one of our favourite museums in Berlin. It gave a very good idea of what life was like in the DDR, even showing the interior of an apartment. There was lots of information and many interactive exhibits.
A quirky museum about life in East Germany
Certainly a little unusual. Multiple themes are presented, such as sports in the DDR, what an apartment looked like, life in the military, spying on the citizens, and so on. A suggested route to follow would have helped, as there are a large number of exhibits and they aren’t in any particular order. A Trabant is on display and includes a driver simulation. I felt I understood how East Germans lived better after my visit.
Great exhibition- at a quiet time
Firstly follow the advice of many reviewers and go at very start or end of day. We went at 6pm and bit busy at start but soon cleared out and we were able to look at all the exhibition very easily. In busy times you are going to struggle with this. Enjoyed all the information very much- flat decorated, car driving, sports section, prison cell etc.
A must-visit in Berlin
If anyone has the slightest interest in the German Democratic Republic, then DDR museum is the place to go. Visitors there are provided with a very insightful picture regarding history, politics and social life in East Germany. There are also many interactive points that add to the whole experience. I would also recommend to buy the official book of the exhibition. I have to note, however, that the museum space is rather limited. When there are many visitors, the place becomes really crowded.
informative and interactive
Just returned for this museum. Was packed full of information and very interactive. Unfortunately the interactive layout does make the museum feel cramped at times (especially on a windy sunday morning in August). I’d recommend going early or during the week for a quieter experience. There’s something for everyone here and you could easily spend a good couple of hours here. I study history at university and found it all super interesting. I will likely return when next in Berlin!
Very educational, excellent presentation.
Very educational museum, with excellent presentation. The mock apartments etc really bring the old East to life. There is a lot of detail here and you could learn a lot if you are prepared to spend some time here. Good facilities, with a small shop and friendly staff. The location is also good, very central with lots to see and do in the locality, and places to eat. Don't forget to watch the German language series "Kleo' to get in the zone. Another plus is that unlike the old East Germany you can actually leave when you have had enough! Paul Jonsson, Woking, UK.
Well worth a visit
A great way to see/remember how it was under communism. Lots of information and some great exhibits. Don't miss the recipe printouts in the kitchen!
The RDA museum
This museum is exceptional ! It is both attractive to children and interesting ! I highly recommend it. The only downside is that, the museum is in German and does not offer several translations ! Thank you for the experience spent in the museum ! 🤩
A good experience
My family and I spend a couple of hours at the DDR museum. We had a very good time there! although the place was a bit crowded, people were patience and waited for their turn peacefully. There is much to see and read, but you don't have to read it in a certain order. The museum shows different aspects of the historic period.
DDR Museum Floor Plan
I want to provide the floor plan map of DDR Museums. During my trip planning, I realised that the museum floor plan of this popular museum is not available online. Hence I am posting the floor plan map for the benefit of one and all.
Amazing museum
So glad we made it to this museum! There are so many artefacts and exhibits speaking to the life of East Berlin sector residents during the Cold War. You can touch and feel and experience so much. The information and presentations are very well curated throughout!
A fascinating insight into life under a socialist state
Excellent museum with interactive and entertaining displays explaining everything you need to know about the former East German state and the joys of socialism.
This is must visit
This is interactive museum, with a lot of historical information. It is very interesting. It's not crowded so you don't need to buy tickets in advance.
Smaller than I expected bit with tons of information
I always wanted to visit this Museum so it was the first places I went after I arrived. It was a lot smaller than I expected but nevertheless very informative and easy to follow. It basically follows the history of the formation and eventual collapse of the DDR with a lot of detail as to what life was like during those times. Having visited similar museums in other Eastern European countries not a lot of it came as a surprise. but each country is of course unique and has their own history and they all suffered equally. You can only begin to imagine the level of fear and suppression that they lived under, knowing that things could and should be different but feeling and indeed being powerless and too afraid to even try and change things. Its quite sobering really and a real eye opener.
Excellent interractive museum experience. Try and avoid at busy times if you can.
This is likely one of many museums in Berlin focusing on the cold war. There is quite an emphasis here on what it was like to live through the period of history, as opposed to focus on the politics and personalities that led to the cold war and its impact on Berlin in particular. There is a 'model' of a german flat as it would have been during the 60s that you can walk around. Overall this was very good. There is an admission price of 14(?) euros which seemed reasonable to me by the time I had finished. There is a lot of information to get through. My one recommendation would be to try and visit when there are few visitors. The surface area covered by the museum isnt that big and if it is busy this can more difficult to get around easily.
Gives an insight into life as an East German post WW2
I visited here with my wife for the afternoon. It's situated next to the cathedral by Museum Island, just down a flight of stairs. Inside you get a real feel of what it was like to live as an East German under Russian control. Every part of your life was scrutinised and if you belonged to the party ups received lots of benefits. However, if you didn't belong you had to drive a Trabant or a Wartburg which took many years to deliver and didn't improve in over 30 years. Really interesting to find out what it was like to live as a German under Russian control and not knowing who was spying on who. The sad reality is that it's not surprising so may people tried to escape after the war.
Spectacular place
Outstanding museum. With that being said, if you don’t know what GDR/DDR/FRG mean, you might not enjoy the place to the fullest. I was born and raised in the Soviet Union, so, for me this museum was like a trip down the memory lane. Back to my childhood. So many objects that we owned, that we used in every day life, realities from back in the days. I absolutely enjoyed it. My American husband didn’t quite get the whole buzz. So, unless you lived through the Cold War period, you might not find this museum too interesting. It’s located right across Berlin Dome, so you can visit 2 locations in one set
Interactive, interesting
The museum has recently been renoved and expanded. I very much enjoyed the interactive nature of the museum, in particular the DDR - furnished apartment you could visit. We spent great 90 minutes here, my kids liked it too.
Interesting, interactive and a little bit unusual
This museum provides a surprisingly interactive look at life on the other side of the wall. There’s plenty of interesting exhibits crammed in so it’s definitely worth spending a few hours here. We thoroughly enjoyed it and found it very educational.
Life in East Germany, interesting and informative......
A really interesting museum covering life in East Berlin and a world of 40+ years ago. Quite enjoyable and well worth a visit if you have time. Use of Berlin card to reduce cost was also helpful.
Interesting and interactive learning experience.
Real interesting and loved the interactive. Learnt a lot about life in the DDR and wished I’d had long to look around. Didn’t manage to read everything, but that was mainly because I am learning German, so I tested myself by reading the German sections. Would definitely recommend a visit, it’s a nice spot down by the river, with a great view of the Berlin Dom as you come out the main doors.
Fun
Well, this was fun! Lots of thinigs to 'play' with, and exhibits to interact with. We did think it was rather expensive though, but good fun
Small fact filled museum.
Enjoyable fact filled small museum about life in the DDR. Located not far from Alexander Platz, easily completed in 1.5 hrs. Fun room reconstructions from the 1970s. Different to the Stasi Museum and easier for children to engage with.
A glimpse into the recent past
This well-organized, compact museum may be more interesting for younger Germans looking to get an idea of how their grandparents and parents lived, but I found it interesting as an American as well. The recreation of the ideal socialist apartment reminded me of seeing models of homes in the US from the 50s, 60s and 70s. The exhibits are well-presented with lots of interactivity, and the descriptions are are quick to read. I'd include this spot with a tour of the German Espionage Museum, as well as a guided tour of the wall sights.
Lots to explore but go out of school hours!
This is a fun museum with loads of information and great interaction. I would agree it can be packed with school kids so if I went again I would go later in the day to avoid the kids. There was so much to see that you had to keep track of which bits you had done. Spent around an hour there. Worth a visit and can get a discount with the Berlin welcome card.
Gut
Gute Ausstellung aber viel zu voll. Man hatte zum Teil keine Chance sich Sachen in Ruhe oder überhaupt anzuschauen. Gerade bei schlechtem Wetter sollte die Besucheranzahl beschränkt werden.
Spannend und interaktiv
Wir waren vom DDR-Museum begeistert. Obwohl ich schon einiges über den Staat gewusst hatte, konnte ich mein Wissen hier noch vertiefen. Auch für Museumsmuffel und Kinder lohnt sich der Besuch, da es viel zum Anfassen resp. Ausprobieren gibt. Besonders gefallen haben uns der Trabi-Simulator und die nachgebaute Wohnung im DDR-Stil. Zeitbedarf: 1-2 Stunden je nach Interesse.
Eine Zeitreise zum Anfassen – Bewegende Einblicke in den Alltag der DDR
Das DDR-Museum in Berlin, idyllisch im Museumsviertel direkt an der Spree gelegen, gehört zu den spannendsten und lebendigsten Museen der Stadt. Schon beim Betreten wird klar: Hier geht es nicht nur ums Anschauen, sondern ums Erleben. Besonders beeindruckend ist die vollständig eingerichtete DDR-Wohnung, in der man Zimmer für Zimmer erkunden kann. Die originalgetreue Möblierung, Haushaltsgeräte und Alltagsgegenstände vermitteln ein sehr authentisches Bild davon, wie Menschen in der DDR tatsächlich gelebt haben. Man fühlt sich fast, als wäre man zu Besuch bei einer Familie der 1970er oder 1980er Jahre. Ein echtes Highlight ist der Trabbi-Simulator, in dem man selbst hinter dem Steuer des legendären Fahrzeugs Platz nehmen kann — ein Erlebnis, das sowohl Spaß macht als auch Geschichte greifbar werden lässt. Überhaupt überzeugt das Museum durch seine vielen interaktiven Stationen: Schubladen öffnen, Dinge anfassen, hören, ausprobieren — hier wird Geschichte lebendig statt nur ausgestellt. Darüber hinaus beleuchtet das Museum nicht nur das private Leben, sondern auch Themen wie Schule, Arbeit, Freizeit, Überwachung durch die Staatssicherheit und den Alltag im sozialistischen System. Diese Mischung aus persönlichen Einblicken und politischem Kontext macht den Besuch besonders informativ und berührend. Unser heutiger Besuch hat sich absolut gelohnt. Das Museum vermittelt auf eindrucksvolle Weise, wie das Leben in der DDR wirklich war — jenseits von Klischees, nah am Menschen und verständlich für jede Generation. Sowohl für Zeitzeugen als auch für jüngere Besucher ist es ein faszinierender Ort, der Geschichte begreifbar macht. Es wird auch ein Eintrittsgeld erhoben. Für Schwerbehinderte Personen ist eine Ermäßigung auf den Eintrittspreis verfügbar. Kreditkartenzahlung ist auch möglich. Das Personal war sehr nett und freundlich sowie auch hilfsbereit. Ein Besuch im DDR-Museum ist daher uneingeschränkt zu empfehlen — spannend, lehrreich und überraschend unterhaltsam zugleich.
Sehr interessantes Museum
Ein wirklich sehr gut aufbereitetes Museum über die Geschichte der DDR mit spannenden Exponaten. Vor allem die Nachbildungen der Stasi Verhörräume und der Räume aus der Platte. Nicht zu vergessen ein Originaltrabant.
Museo con aspetti molto interessanti
Questo museo è molto ricco di cimeli utilizzati nella DDR, che, associati alle descrizioni fanno comprendere lo stile di vita in quella ex repubblica. Molto divertente la parte interattiva e simpatica la parte che ricostruisce le case di allora.
Visite intéressante.
Musée intéressant à découvrir. Beaucoup d’objets à voir ou revoir ! Prenez le temps d’y venir notamment pour vous rendre dans les différentes pièces reconstitués de l’époque...incroyable ! Belle boutique également. Merci pour cette visite !
Interattivo
Molto interessante e interattivo. Consiglio di tenersi almeno un paio d'ore per poter vedere tutto. Tutte le spiegazioni erano disponibili in inglese
Musée immersif très intéressant
Le Musée de la RDA est un musée très immersif, situé sur l'Ile des Musées, qui retrace la vie quotidienne des habitants de la RDA.
Prix excessif ( 13,50€/p)
Petit musée qui retrace la vie en RDA des années 50 à 1989. De belles et bonnes explications, très instructives. Mais lors de fortes fréquentations , le musée s'avère trop étroit. Pas de pièces de collection à forte valeur, c'est plus un espace ludique que musée. Mais il faut avoir vu.
Eine interessante Zeitreise
Das Museum hat viel interessante Darstellungen, vor allem, wenn man selber als 14 Jähriger einmal in Berlin zur DDR zeit war erkennt man vieles wieder. Es gibt viel Videoecken, wo man bestimmte Aspekte nochmal anschauen kann. Toll ist auch der Aufzug, und andere Nachbildungen, die sehr realistisch sind.
La RDA comme si vous y étiez!
Je m’attendais à une approche « enfantine » et très instagrammable. Il se trouve que j’ai été agréablement surpris. L’approche est ludique mais le contenu est très pédagogique et renseigne bien sur ce qu’a pu être la RDA. Entre les reconstitutions, les ateliers et la richesse de supports, cela a été une véritable expérience positive et j’encourage à y aller
Great Museum
Klarer "Eye-Opener". Schön gemachtes und interaktives Museum, wo man selber erfahren kann, was es hiess in der DDR zu leben. Jedoch auch beängstigend zu sehen, wie manipulativ der Mensch sein kann...
Interesante
No es un gran museo, no es ninguna joya, oculta, ni mucho menos, pero es un recordatorio de Alemania oriental, es muy entretenido y vas a encontrar artículos originales de esa época
Sehr guter Einblick in das Leben in der Ostzone
Ich hatte keinerlei Kontakte in die DDR und kenne daher nur wenige Details über das Leben dort. Ich glaube aber das man hier eine sehr realistischen Eindruck bekommt. Wir fanden es auch sehr neutral gehalten. Also keine subjektiven Bewertungen der Macher. Sehr gut auch das man über was drücken darf, Schubladen öffnen kann usw. Das Highlight ist der Trabbi den man "fahren" darf
Piccolo ma denso e molto interattivo questo museo ci trasporta nella DDR: molto interessante
Piccolo ma densissimo, il DDR Museum è tra i più interattivi di Berlino. Qui non si guarda soltanto: si tocca, si apre, si prova. Puoi sederti su un divano tipico degli anni ’70 della Germania Est, sfogliare vecchi giornali, o persino infilarti in una vera Trabant, la celebre auto della DDR. Il museo ha ricostruito un intero appartamento-tipo dell’epoca socialista, e tra gli oggetti originali si trovano anche prodotti contraffatti usati per imitare quelli dell’Ovest. È un tuffo autentico in un mondo che non esiste più, ma che ha segnato profondamente la storia tedesca.
Toller Einblick in eine vergangene Zeit
Super interessant uns spannend aufgemacht. Nicht sonderlich groß, aber trotzdem sehr informativ. Vor allem der Trabbi zum Einsteigen hat uns gut gefallen wie auch dir voll eingerichtete Wohnung.
Mais non c’était comme ça que les gens vivaient ?
Musée super intéressant. Avec plein d’information! N’hésitez pas à le visiter. Cela nous replonge dans la période de la guerre froide. Les informations sont très visuelles et il est facile de les comprendre , autant pour les petits que pour les grands. PS: prenez l’ascenseur ;)
Leerzaam en interactief
Ik vond het een leerzaam museum dat op toegankelijke wijze een inkijkje biedt in het bizarre dagelijkse leven in Oost-Duitsland, van de grauwe blokkendozen tot de indoctrinatie op school en de nogal eenzijdig gevulde keukenkastjes. Zeker voor mensen die die tijd meegemaakt vanuit het westen heel interessant
