Berlin: Reichstag & Government Quarter Guided Tour

Inside the Reichstag: Where German Politics Actually Happens

You'll walk through Berlin's government district, enter the Reichstag's working plenary chamber, and climb into the glass dome for rooftop views across the city. Your guide explains the building's political history and Foster's architectural choices. The tour includes security entry and takes you through spaces that require a guide to access. Book ahead to skip the confusion of trying to arrange this on your own.

Step-by-step itinerary

Tour government district and Reichstag

• Start in front of Paul Löbe House
• Walk through government district
• Enter Reichstag building and visit Chamber
• Visit roof terrace and dome

The experience

You'll need to clear security at the entrance (nothing dramatic, just the standard bag check you'd expect at any government building), but once you're through, the scale of the Reichstag hits different. The tour starts in front of the Paul Löbe House, where your guide walks you into the government district itself, past the working offices and into the actual plenary chamber where the Bundestag meets. It's one thing to read about German politics. It's another to stand in the room where it happens, looking at the seats where representatives sit during sessions.

The Reichstag building itself is a study in contradiction. It's 19th-century neoclassical architecture wrapped around a 1990s glass dome designed by Lord Foster, and your guide explains how that design choice was deliberate, a statement about transparency in government. You walk through the chamber first, then climb to the rooftop terrace inside the dome, where the views open up across Berlin. On a clear day you can see the Brandenburg Gate, the TV tower, the whole skyline spreading out. The dome's glass and mirror system is engineered so you can see down into the chamber from above while the light floods in. It's the kind of detail that makes sense once someone points it out, and then you can't unsee it.

The walk through the government district itself is quieter than you might expect. Modern government buildings, some older ones, the architecture telling the story of Berlin's division and reunification without needing much narration. Your guide handles the political history (what the Bundestag actually does, how the building transformed after German reunification, why Foster's design matters), so you're not just walking past facades. By the time you reach the rooftop terrace, you've got context for what you're looking at. The whole tour moves at a steady pace. You're on your feet the whole time, but nothing feels rushed.

Booking means you don't have to figure out the security process yourself or wonder which parts of the building are actually open to visitors. The guide handles the logistics, and you get access to spaces most tourists only see in photos. If you're interested in how government actually works, or just want to see Berlin from a vantage point most people miss, this is the way to do it.

What’s included

• Your tour includes a guided walk through the government district starting at Paul Löbe House, entry into the Reichstag building, access to the plenary chamber where the Bundestag meets, and a climb to the rooftop terrace inside the glass dome with panoramic views across Berlin.
• The guide provides context on German political history, the Bundestag's role, and Lord Foster's architectural design.
• Security screening is included as part of the entry process.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day10 departure times: the first at 08:50, the last at 17:50

Book up to2d before

AgesAdult (7 and older) · Infant (under 7): free

GroupUp to 25

Live guideGerman

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends at a different place from where it starts.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Moderate physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Paassens & Kniestedt Berlin kompakt GmbH

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to understand how German government actually works and see Berlin from inside one of its most significant buildings: the guide and advance access handle the security and logistics that would otherwise eat up your morning.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Infant (under 7): free.

Do I need to book in advance or can I just show up?

You need to book ahead. Security clearance for the Reichstag requires advance registration, and the tour operates on a set schedule.

Is the dome accessible if I use a wheelchair?

Yes. The tour is wheelchair accessible, and all areas including surfaces are accessible. Elevators serve the dome level.

Can I visit the Reichstag without a guide?

You can register for self-guided dome visits on some days, but this tour includes a guide who explains the political history and architecture, which most visitors find valuable.

Do I need to speak German?

The tour is guided, so language depends on which guide is assigned. Confirm the language when you book.

Are service animals allowed?

Yes, service animals are allowed on the tour.