Review: East Side Gallery

We find ourselves back at the Berlin Wall. What do we find here?
This 0.8-mile stretch of the Berlin Wall runs parallel to the Spree River and once trapped East Germans inside. But when the rest of the Wall came crumbling down in 1989, this stretch remained and became a concrete canvas for international artists, who splashed it with murals between February and June of 1990. With more than 100 paintings, today it's the world's largest (and longest) open-air art gallery.

So what can we expect from the art at East Side Gallery?
The fall of the Berlin Wall represented a political and cultural revolution—not just for Berliners, but for much of Europe. Shortly after Berliners swarmed the Wall with hammers, artists converged on this stretch of the barrier with paint to translate the spirit of the era's politically charged optimism and rebellion into works of art. As such, many of the more than 100 murals you see today are oozing with anti-establishment messages and pointed critiques of oppressive regimes and corrupt politicians.

Will we need some guidance navigating the space?
While there are many paid walking tours along the East Side Gallery, you'll be fine if you go it solo.

Who comes here?
You won’t find many Berliners wandering the East Side Gallery—it’s swarming with groups and camera-toting tourists. It’s a bit quieter at night, though the dimly lit murals are a bit hard to see. Come early in the morning to avoid the bulk of the crowds.

How does East Side Gallery fit into a wider survey of Berlin's historic sites?
Compared to other iconic Cold War sites in Berlin—like Checkpoint Charlie—the East Side Gallery is well worth a visit. That said, if you’re strictly hoping to admire world-class street art or learn about the history of the Berlin Wall and are short on time, there are other sites you should visit instead (such as Haus Schwarzenberg and the Gedenkstätte Berliner Mauer, respectively).

So, then, what do you think it’s best for?
If you’re short on time and want to experience two things that Berlin is known for—the Berlin Wall and street art—the East Side Gallery is a must-see. It’s at its most photogenic at its easternmost point, where the Oberbaumbrücke, Berlin’s prettiest bridge, arches over the Spree.