Where to find the Best View of Checkpoint Charlie (Without the Crowd)

When planning to photograph the iconic Checkpoint Charlie installation in Berlin, most visitors default to ground level. Standing at street level on Friedrichstraße means contending with dense crowds, long queues of tourists, and limited angles if you want to capture the American sector side. However, there is a smarter and quicker alternative.

For the price of a burger, you can head upstairs to the local McDonald's balcony. This elevated spot provides a fabulous, unobstructed view looking down high upon the famous portrait of the Soviet soldier, entirely bypassing the chaotic foot traffic below.

Checkpoint Charlie from Above

The iconic double-sided portraits high above the street are not a relic of the Cold War, but rather a contemporary public art installation created by photographer Frank Thiel. Erected in 1998, the large-scale light boxes feature an American soldier facing east and a Russian soldier facing west. They serve as a modern artistic bridge between the site's tense military past and its current life as a major tourist landmark.

Checkpoint Charlie from the American side

Timing Your Shot for the Best Light

Timing your shot, however, is everything due to the street's north-south orientation. Because Frank Thiel's famous double-sided light box faces specific directions, the sun plays a massive role in your lighting. The western-facing side featuring the Soviet soldier is cast in shadow during the morning hours, making it look dull or backlit. To catch it bathed in direct, natural light, plan your balcony visit for the late afternoon as the sun sweeps around to illuminate the face properly

Your unobstructed view of Checkpoint Charlie

Key Locations

• Checkpoint Charlie: Friedrichstraße 43–45, 10117 Berlin

• McDonald's (Balcony Viewpoint): Friedrichstraße 207, 10969 Berlin