Located on northern Friedrichstraße, the Friedrichstadt-Palast features one of the world's largest theater stages with an approximately 24-meter-wide portal, along with 1,899 seats and a retractable water basin holding about 160,000 liters. Since 2020, the 1984 building has been a protected monument in all its aspects, attracting over 700,000 guests annually.
Last Representative Building of the GDR in the Spandauer Vorstadt Quarter
The Friedrichstadt-Palast is located on northern Friedrichstraße at the corner of Reinhardtstraße, right in the historic Spandauer Vorstadt quarter. In front of the building, Friedrichstraße and Torstraße intersect at Oranienburger Tor, where the U6 and tram lines M1 and 12 stop; the side entrance is on Johannisstraße, and Friedrichstraße S-Bahn station is just a few minutes’ walk away. The history of the site dates back a long way: in 1868, Berlin’s first market hall was built here, which became a market hall circus in 1873, and in 1919, Max Reinhardt opened his Großes Schauspielhaus (Great Playhouse) at this very spot. It was closed in 1933, followed by expropriation and its current name in 1947. Due to failing foundations, the old building had to close in 1980 and was demolished starting in 1985. The current building dates back to a groundbreaking ceremony on June 26, 1981, and was opened on April 27, 1984, after 39 months of construction; the Walter Schwarz collective with Manfred Prasser and Dieter Bankert were responsible. The building measures 110 meters in length, 80 meters in width, and 32 meters in height, with approximately 18,000 cubic meters of reinforced concrete used. On March 3, 2020, the State Monuments Office placed all areas under protection.
Water Basin, Show Deck, and 240 Children in the Young Ensemble
The hall of the Friedrichstadt-Palast has 1,899 seats, four of which are for wheelchair users, plus a Sky Lounge above the stalls with six leather armchairs and its own bar. The usable stage area is 2,854 square meters, the portal, at around 24 meters, is one of the widest in Europe, and the stage tower rises 32 meters high. The main stage features an 18-meter-diameter turntable, the forestage another one of twelve meters, and the show deck consists of 552 standard and 140 special platforms. Submerged in the floor is a ten-meter-diameter water basin holding about 160,000 liters, which can be replaced by an ice surface if needed; sound is provided by over 160 loudspeakers. Around 300 people work here, the ballet consists of 60 dancers from 26 countries, and the show band has 18 musicians. The Young Ensemble features approximately 240 Berlin children and teenagers aged between six and 17 on stage. The in-house workshops produce over 1,000 costumes per year, and over 700,000 guests visit the house annually. The current Grand Show with costumes by Jeremy Scott is running, with tickets starting from 19.80 Euros.
Top10 Redaktion
Erfahrungsbericht vom 29.10.2026
Price Level
The Grand Show starts at 19.80 Euros, premium seats from 99.90 Euros, VIP seats from 134.90 Euros. The Sky Lounge above the stalls costs from 199.90 Euros for up to six guests. Prices are demand-dependent.
Discounts
20 percent for students, pupils, apprentices, children and young people up to 16 years old, unemployed, and recipients of citizen's allowance (Bürgergeld). 10 percent for guests aged 65 and over. A Young Ticket for under 25s costs 25 Euros, maximum four per booking.
Groups and Schools
Special conditions for groups of ten or more. School groups pay between 9.80 and 25 Euros per ticket depending on the category; one free ticket for accompanying persons per ten children.
Seats
1,899 seats, including four wheelchair spaces. Additionally, a Sky Lounge with six leather armchairs and its own bar is located above the auditorium.
The Stage
Usable stage area 2,854 square meters, portal width around 24 meters, stage tower 32 meters. The main stage features an 18-meter-diameter turntable, the forestage one of twelve meters.
Show Deck and Water Basin
The show deck consists of 552 standard and 140 special platforms. A retractable water basin, ten meters in diameter, holds approximately 160,000 liters and can be replaced by an ice surface if needed.
The Building
Opened on April 27, 1984, after 39 months of construction, designed by the Walter Schwarz collective with Manfred Prasser and Dieter Bankert. 110 meters long, 80 meters wide, 32 meters high, approx. 18,000 cubic meters of reinforced concrete.
Monument Protection
The Berlin State Monuments Office placed all areas of the building under monument protection on March 3, 2020.
The Company
Around 300 employees, a ballet with 60 dancers from 26 countries, a show band with 18 musicians. The Young Ensemble features approximately 240 Berlin children and teenagers aged six to 17 on stage.
Accessibility
Four wheelchair spaces in price category 5, access via the Johannisstraße side entrance, elevator to the auditorium and all foyer levels, accessible restroom on the ground floor. Induction loop for hearing-impaired guests, live audio description via headphones, and a tactile stage model.
Food and Drink
Lounge areas and illuminated bars in the foyers with table service during the intermission, plus an in-house restaurant. Most foyer bars only accept card or smartphone; cash payments can be made at the Palast Bar on the first floor.
Transport and Contact
Oranienburger Tor U-Bahn station on the U6 is directly in front of the building, as are tram lines M1 and 12 and bus line 147. Friedrichstraße S-Bahn station is a few minutes' walk away. Friedrichstraße 107, 10117 Berlin.
Opening Hours
- Daily: 13:00 – 18:30
