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Topography of Terror
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Topography of Terror

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See all things to do
Topography of Terror
4.5
19,303
#4 of 1,179 things to do in Berlin
Speciality Museums
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10:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 8:00 PM
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About
Since 1987 a permanent exhibition at the site where the headquarters of the Secret State Police, the SS and the Reich Security Main Office were located during the “Third Reich” has been providing information to the public about the most important institutions of National Socialist persecution and terror. The documentary exhibition conveys the European dimensions of the Nazi reign of terror.
Suggested duration
More than 3 hours
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The area
Address
Neighborhood: Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg (Borough)
How to get there
  • Anhalter Bahnhof • 4 min walk
  • Kochstraße • 6 min walk
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
19,303 reviews
Excellent
11,864
Very good
5,813
Average
1,333
Poor
225
Terrible
70
Chas M
Stubbington, UK260 contributions
History laid bare
A detailed history of the rise and fall of the Third Reich, with photos bringing home the misery faced by local people over two decades.
Apart from the voices of group leaders explaining the back story to their charges, there was a contemplative and hushed air as we went around the indoor part of the museum.
Allow at least 2 hours to see all that is available.
Written September 16, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
R K L
Seattle, WA2,301 contributions
Extremely worthwhile, sobering exhibition...
As tourists, we have been fortunate to have visited Berlin numerous times and have taken in the many landmarks and famous sights. However, for some unknown reason, the Topography of Terror Museum had never previously come up as an attraction. Much to our surprise, it was an extremely worthwhile, sobering exhibition. The museum was quite crowded (in part because there is no admission fee and we were there on a weekend), but the ability to easily navigate from exhibit to exhibit allowed for excellent viewing. We found it advantageous to leisurely appreciate the photos and explanations and to be able to spend as much time as we desired. This museum is definitely a "must see" when in Berlin.
Written February 28, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Eyekaytoo
Leverkusen, Germany2,338 contributions
A very sobering experience
I walked over to this special museum from Checkpoint Charlie one sunny Saturday back in August. Entry is free and there is a lot to see in the form of posters, photos and narrative from the Nazi years, essentially from 1933 until 1945.

I walked slowly around the indoor exhibition on my own and then, fortuitously joined a guided tour with a very informative lady who brought things even further to life. It was a fascinating tour, thoughtfully and sensitively explained in quite some (horrific) detail. Any parallels to modern day politics in some countries are surely coincidental!

Anyway, for anybody who wants to learn how the Nazis were able to dominate such a critical period of the last century then this place is certainly worth a visit. But it's not for the faint hearted...
Written September 13, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Rachel S
8 contributions
Excellent museum
This is one of the best museums we've visited for understanding the horror of the Holocaust. Through film, recordings, and black and photos from WWII, it told the story and named names. Painful subject matter, well-presented.
Written May 3, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
PierreLuigi
Old Sarum35 contributions
Reflection...
I can some this place up very easily.

My 13 year old son is does not enjoy museums, art galleries and the like spent well over an hour on his own reading, watching and reflecting. A genuine testimony that reminds us why the past is so important for the future.
Written August 19, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Paul J
Todmorden, UK26 contributions
shocking
Its a bit ready, so take your glasses and give yourself plenty of time.... The displays start at the beginning and take the viewer on the journey of Terror that the Nazis inflicted across Europe. If you didnt understand what the ideology meant to many peoples in Europe you will by the end. Country after Country, City after City was stripped and ''ethnically cleansed'' by the Nazis, No stones are left unturned here, its all out in the raw as the Nazis swept through Europe and the atrocities became worse and worse the displays follow it right upto the end and touches on the aftermath too. A must see musuem in Berlin if you want to understand the horrors of the 2nd WW.
Written March 21, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Travelling Europe
Alken, Germany678 contributions
Should be mandatory to visit
We spent a lot of time in this museum, most likely more than 3 hours and we only went out because we were starving. It's complete and detailed, it goes through all the steps to explain "how can it be possible?". We learned a lot. We also cringed a lot while recognizing some first signs in a lot of today world reality...
Written August 9, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
On R
19 contributions
Good but a bit confusing
Family
Museum was on the whole a bit confusing and probably overrated. You start outside at a series of oversimplified boards regarding German 20th century history which oftentimes don't contain enough text to clearly make their point. Outside boards had limited information about treatment of Jews given the name and idea of the museum. Inside was more detailed and it is probably better to almost entirely skip outside and spend more time inside (especially if it is winter as well), however even inside a little bit more clarity would have been nice. And good luck getting a look at anything if it is busy. Stretch of Berlin wall out the front was probably the biggest draw for most people, as well as free entry and good location.
Written December 26, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Akshay Sharma
New Delhi, India9,825 contributions
Relive the history on display
This place relives the history of the Berlin wall, the consequences, the way it was demolished, and the lives before, during and after. Inside there are audio/ video clips and outside is a glass display of photographs. Very heart touching.
Written September 27, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
R&R
Langley, Canada90 contributions
Our favourite site in Berlin
This is such an impressive exhibition. We were lucky to take part in both the inside and outdoor grounds guided tours. Both tours and entry into the exhibition are free, you must register at the front desk as they allow groups of up to 10 at a time. We highly recommend the tours and will definitely return the next time we are in Berlin. There is so much to see and learn, they have done a great job laying it all out.
Written August 4, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Topography of Terror (Berlin) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go

Frequently Asked Questions about Topography of Terror
Topography of Terror is open:
  • Sun - Sat 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Buy tickets in advance on Tripadvisor. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel at least 24 hours before the start date of your tour for a full refund.
We recommend booking Topography of Terror tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 86 Topography of Terror tours on Tripadvisor
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