It’s no secret that Berlin is becoming home to more and more creatives. The city’s ‘poor but sexy’ vibe is now a haven for all sorts of visual artists, photographers, and filmmakers. At Beazy, we also like to share insights and experiences (not just gear). We decided to share our favourite spots to take photos in Berlin, from the best angles capturing the city's landmarks to the most stunning street art, architectural buildings and gardens.
1. Berliner Philharmonie
Address: Herbert-von-Karajan-Str. 1, 10785 Berlin Germany
The Berliner Philharmonie, located in the new urban centre of Potsdamer Platz, was built in 1963 by the german architect Hans Scharoun. Its extraordinary tent-like shape and its remarkable yellow colour made the Philharmonic one of the most popular locations for photographers and visual artists. The Philharmonie's asymmetric lines, angles and bright yellow facades will make each one of your shots stand out.
"People facing one another, ranged in circles in powerful floating arcs around a soaring crystal pyramid."
That's Hans Scharoun's vision of the perfect theatre.
2. Tempodrom
Address: Möckernstraße 10, 10963 Kreuzberg
Very close to the Berliner Philharmonie, you will easily spot the Tempodrom: a beautiful and unique multi-purpose event venue, founded by Irene Moessinger in 1980.
Wondering why Tempodrom would be great for your next shoot? Its white tent-shaped roof creates a thrilling symmetric architectural background. Your model will stand out in the foreground in the most unique way.
3. Gärten der Welt
Address: Blumberger Damm 44, 12685 Berlin, Marzahn-Hellersdorf
The stunning international “Gardens of the world” are located in the recreation park in Berlin’s eastern district Marzahn (which is by the way famous for its prefabricated buildings, also named “Plattenbauromantik” in German). You can get there anytime between the 1st March and 31st October, the ticket price is 7€.
Secret tip: From the Gardens of World, you can take a trip with the IGA Cable Car, the only Berlin Cableway. It’s a 1.6km long gondola lift line crossing the districts Marzahn and Hellersdorf.
This huge 250-acre location includes a slew of stunning gardens inspired from around the globe: Chinese, Japanese, Balinese, Korean, Italian and other traditional gardens will take your breath away.
Without any doubt, the major photogenic highlight of this spot is the mirror installation in the centre of the garden, which allows photographers to create beautiful light & shadow compositions. The stunning oriental garden will also allow you to find a piece of heaven and escape the city jungle for a while.
4. Wolkenhain auf dem Kienbergpark
Address: Hellersdorfer Str. 159, 12619 Berlin
After a 20minutes near the Gardens of the World, you will finally discover this location, composed of a perfect match of architectural urban landscape and nature vibes. The highlight of the park is the 110-metre-high Kienberg with the so-called “Wolkenhain” at its top. Wolkenhain is an impressive 30-metre-high lookout tower, which looks like a walk-in floating cloud and ensures an incredible view over all of Berlin.
5. HKW - Haus der Kulturen der Welt
Address: John-Foster-Dulles-Allee 10, 10557 Berlin
In the heart of the new government district of Berlin and Tiergarten, you will fall in love with the impressive Congress Hall and its surrounding park. HKW was founded in 1989 because of the increasingly important role culture played in international relations. Nowadays, it offers access to exhibitions, workshops, dance and theatre performances as well as films and festivals. Its curved lines and stunning colours will make all your photos stand out while offering an impressive array of backgrounds and spots.
6. Teufelsberg (the Devil's Mountain)
Address: Teufelsberg, 14055 Berlin
Previously used as a listening station during the cold war, Teufelsberg was originally built out of ruins and debris of the second world war. This incredible location offers access to stunning street art, amazing abandoned buildings to explore and the purest "poor but sexy" vibe you can find. Beware! You will have to get a special ticket for entering the area with a camera, worth around 10€. If you decide to explore the area, you should also go on a hike on Drachenberg (the Dragon’s mountain), which will give you the best point of view over Teufelsberg.
7. Oscar Niemeyer Haus
Address: Altonauer Str.12, 10557 Berlin
Introducing the Oscar Niemeyer Haus, an outstanding 8-floor block on Altonaer Straße in Berlin’s Hansaviertel district. The building is one of the 35 constructions of the famous urban renewal Project of West Berlin, the International Building Exhibition (IBA). The IBA is based on two principles, “careful urban renewal" and “critical reconstruction”. The Oscar Niemeyer Haus is a very powerful, colourful architecture treasure for fans of symmetric and colour composition shots.
8. Olympiastadion Berlin
Address: Olympischer Platz 3, 14053 Berlin
This huge sports stadium inside Olympiapark is located on the outskirts of Berlin, north of Grünewald. Originally built by Werner March for the 1936 Summer Olympics under the influence of the Nazi Regime, the monumental power of the Stadium can still be felt in the unique building architecture. The entrance ticket starts at 6€.
If you find time to go to Olympiastadion at night, your camera will get through with an interplay of symmetry, modern architecture and antique gloss.
9. Le Corbusier Haus
Address: Flatowallee 16, 14055 Berlin
Close to the Olympiastadion, “Le Corbusier Haus” will inspire you with its fascinating mosaic of colours and its brutalist architecture. Le Corbusier Haus was designed 1957 by Charles-Édouard Jeanneret, better known as Le Corbusier. After many buildings were destroyed after World War II, radical design started dominating Berlin. Bring your camera and get your best architecture shots!
10. ICC - International Congress Centrum Berlin
Address: Messedamm 22, 14057 Berlin
Called “spaceship”, “Noah's Ark” or even “aluminium monster” - the International Congress Centrum stands in the western part of Berlin. This giant High-Tech complex from the 1970s will offer you unique opportunities to play with high contrast, intense shadows and highlights thanks to its powerful concrete blocks. Don't forget to check the parks!
11. The Washing Machine - Bundeskanzleramt
Address: Adele-Schreiber-Krieger-Straße 1, 10117 Berlin
In the heart of Berlin’s new government district, the Bundeskanzleramt (Federal Chancellery) is home to the parliamentary library. The Paul-Löbe-Haus and Marie-Elisabeth-Lüders-Haus buildings are linked to each other through a steel bridge, symbolising the reunification. The central part of the Bundeskanzleramt is cube-shaped. Even if the “Washing machine” is not really a secret location, you can use its breathtaking shapes to create stunning portraits and minimalistic shots.
really
12. The Berlin-Dahlem Botanical Garden
Address: Königin-Luise-Straße 6-8, 14195 Berlin
More than 100 years old, the Botanical Garden (Botanischer Garden) is one of the largest and most influential gardens of its kind. Once described as “The World in One Garden”, Adolf Engler put his idea into action by building it in 1907. Nowadays, the 43-hectare garden gathers around 20.000 plants and counts 15 greenhouses, including the Great Tropical House. A short-day trip to Dahlem with your camera has to be on your bucket list! If you are a fan of plant photography or portraits with exotic backgrounds, then you’re at the right place. However, if you plan a proper commercial shooting, it is absolutelymandatory to send a shooting request to the botanical garden.
13. RAW-Gelände
Address: Revaler Str. 99, 10245 Berlin
RAW-Gelände stands a few meters away from the busy Warschauer Straße, one of the most vibrant streets in Berlin connecting the hip districts Kreuzberg and Friedrichshain. It’s an open space with a lot of graffiti, urban arts, cafes, and hip places to grab lunch. At the same time, it provides spaces for intercultural projects, exhibitions, and flea markets and is also home to many lively clubs. Street photographers will absoltely love this colourful open space.
