Checkpoint Charlie was the main crossing point of the Berlin Wall for soldiers, foreigners and diplomats on the Allied side. The famous sign, “You are now leaving the American sector,” still stands, a relic of the Cold War that divided Berlin between 1961 and 1989. There is also a replica guardhouse, a sobering reminder of the fear and anxiety Berliners lived with on a daily basis. The site is on Friedrichstrasse, a major street in central Berlin.
In 1961, to stem the massive exodus of its citizens, a desperate East German government built the Berlin Wall. At first it was a basic barbed wire fence, but later became a 96-mile (155-kilometre) long, solid wall of concrete. Checkpoint Charlie was a main crossing and the focal point for a tense stand-off involving Russian and American tanks in 1961. The guards at Checkpoint Charlie today, however, are not checking passports, and they're not soldiers, but actors, posing for photographs.
Pick up imitation Russian military caps and other Cold War souvenirs at the nearby stalls. To learn more about the checkpoint and the wall, visit the Museum Haus Am Checkpoint Charlie. Opened just a year after the wall was erected, it’s been documenting the stories and social implications of the “great divider” ever since. Through personal stories and evocative photographs it documents the many escape attempts over the wall. There are artifacts from some of the more daring plans, including cars with secret compartments and a hollowed-out surfboard.
The museum includes a café, though given Checkpoint Charlie sits on Friedrichstrasse, one of Berlin's main thoroughfares, finding a bite to eat nearby is not difficult. There’s also a museum shop that sells every Cold War-themed souvenir imaginable, including small chunks of the wall.
Checkpoint Charlie is easily reached via the Kochstrasse U-Bahn station.
Checkpoint Charlie Museum
Visit Checkpoint Charlie Museum
Tours & day trips
See all 385 activitiesOpens in new tabCity Sightseeing Berlin Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour
Private & custom tours
See all 150 activitiesOpens in new tabIndividual City Tour - Rickshaw Sightseeing in Berlin
Food, drink & nightlife
See all 62 activitiesOpens in new tabBerlin: Breakfast at Café Wintergarten
Adventure & outdoor
See all 35 activitiesOpens in new tabIndividual City Tour - Rickshaw Sightseeing in Berlin
Classes & workshops
See all 14 activitiesOpens in new tabBerlin: Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp and Potsdam Tour
Reviews of Checkpoint Charlie Museum
4/5 - Good
A little tired and needs a refresh but the exhibits tell the very moving human story of how the wall spilt Berlin/Families and the sad stories of those who died trying to escape the communist Eastern bloc.
3/5 - Okay
It's phony but fun.
1/5 - Terrible
Beware the shell game. I got scammed in this place.
3/5 - Okay
too expensive for entry and over touristy but open air walk around area was informative and free
3/5 - Okay
It was rather small and need some investment and exhibits so so
Popular places to visit
Checkpoint Charlie
You can learn about the history of Berlin with a visit to Checkpoint Charlie. Discover the entertainment choices and shops in this vibrant area.
Topography of Terror
You can study the exhibits at Topography of Terror, a museum with a storied past, during your travels to Berlin. Experience the acclaimed art galleries and entertainment choices in this vibrant area.
Martin-Gropius Bau
You can study the exhibits at Martin-Gropius Bau, a museum with a storied past, during your holiday in Berlin. Discover the fascinating museums and notable monuments in this vibrant area.
Berlinische Galerie
You can browse the exhibits at Berlinische Galerie, a museum with a storied past, during your trip to Berlin. Discover the acclaimed art galleries and shops in this vibrant area.
Jewish Museum Berlin
You can study the exhibits at Jewish Museum Berlin, a museum with a storied past, during your travels to Berlin. Visit the notable monuments and shops in this vibrant area.
German Cathedral
Learn about the local history of Berlin when you spend time at German Cathedral. Visit the notable monuments and shops in this vibrant area.
Top Hotel Deals
Check availability on hotels close to Checkpoint Charlie Museum
- Holidays and getaways similar to Checkpoint Charlie Museum
- Hotels Near Checkpoint Charlie Museum, Kreuzberg
- Hotels near popular Berlin Attractions
- Expedia's Latest Trends