Runners pass through the Brandenburg Gate only in the final meters. Before that, the Berlin Marathon route covers 42.195 flat kilometers, starting from Straße des 17. Juni and passing through Moabit, Mitte, Kreuzberg, Neukölln, Schöneberg, and Ku’damm. Here, you’ll find the course divided into five sections with kilometer markers, great spectator spots, reasons for its reputation as a fast course, and key info for a 2027 start. And if you crossed the finish line on September 27: at the end, we show you how to turn your route into a 3D wall relief.
Key Facts About the Route at a Glance
- Start and Finish: both on Straße des 17. Juni in Tiergarten, with the finish just past the Brandenburg Gate.
- Profile: flat; the course is considered one of the fastest in the world.
- Time limit: 6:15 hours from the start line, also for walkers.
- Aid stations: in 2026, the first water station was at kilometer 5, followed by regular stations up to kilometer 40.
- Date and size: in 2026, the main field started on September 27 at 8:45 AM in six waves. According to the city of Berlin, organizers expected over 56,000 participants.
- Map and GPX: An interactive course map and GPX file for your watch are available on the event’s website.
Course Overview: The Berlin Marathon Route in Five Sections
The streets are based on the 2026 course published by the Berlin Senate (press release on berlin.de). Kilometer markers are approximate, based on the organizer’s map and GPX file.
Start to Moabit: Victory Column and Ernst-Reuter-Platz
From the start in Tiergarten, the field first heads west, passing the Victory Column at Großer Stern before kilometer 1, then continues to Ernst-Reuter-Platz. From there, the route turns into Moabit, running along Alt-Moabit (around kilometers 4 to 6) back toward the city center.
Government District and Mitte: to Strausberger Platz
At kilometer 7, the field passes the Chancellery in the government district. Via Otto-von-Bismarck-Allee, Reinhardtstraße, and Torstraße, the route cuts through Mitte. Karl-Liebknecht-Straße and Alexanderstraße bring you near Alexanderplatz, with the TV Tower just a few hundred meters away. On the wide Karl-Marx-Allee, the field runs to Strausberger Platz.
By the way, the TV Tower is also available as a 3D relief in the City Tile Berlin.
Kreuzberg and Neukölln: from Moritzplatz to Hermannplatz
At Strausberger Platz, the route turns south. Via Lichtenberger Straße and Heinrich-Heine-Straße, it reaches Moritzplatz, then Kottbusser Tor, and continues along Kottbusser Damm to Hermannplatz in Neukölln (just before kilometer 17).
Schöneberg to Schmargendorf: the long arc in the southwest
Past Hasenheide, the course heads west: Yorckstraße, Grunewaldstraße, Martin-Luther-Straße, then past Schöneberg Town Hall (kilometer 23), where John F. Kennedy delivered his famous Berlin speech in 1963. The route then continues through Friedenau to Schmargendorf.
At kilometer 28, the field reaches Platz am Wilden Eber, traditionally a high-energy spot, according to the organizer. This long arc falls in the second half of the race, when legs grow heavier.
Ku’damm, Potsdamer Platz, Brandenburg Gate: the finale
Via Hohenzollerndamm (from around kilometer 29.5) and Konstanzer Straße, the route heads back into the city on Kurfürstendamm (from kilometer 33). At kilometer 35, you pass the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church, shortly followed by Wittenbergplatz. Then come Kleiststraße and Potsdamer Straße, passing the Philharmonie and National Gallery (kilometer 38) to Potsdamer Platz. The final four kilometers lead via Leipziger Straße to Gendarmenmarkt, then along Unter den Linden (just after kilometer 41) through the Brandenburg Gate, with the finish on Straße des 17. Juni just beyond it.
The Gate has marathon history: the field first ran through it on September 30, 1990, three days before German reunification. Since 2003, the start and finish have been between the Brandenburg Gate and Victory Column.
Here’s how this loop looks as a 3D relief, as shown in the Editorial Marathon Poster: a raised black line on a light background, framed for the wall.
Berlin Marathon Route for Spectators: Best Cheering Spots
Since the course forms a large loop, you can experience multiple sections of the Berlin Marathon in different districts. Use the U-Bahn and S-Bahn to switch between spots.
- Victory Column (before kilometer 1): From the north side of Straße des 17. Juni, you can see the field right after the start.
- Hermannplatz (just before kilometer 17): Easily accessible, with the U-Bahn stopping directly at the square.
- Platz am Wilden Eber (kilometer 28): traditionally a high-energy spot, right where it gets tough for many.
- Kurfürstendamm (kilometers 33 to 35): This boulevard traditionally attracts many spectators.
- Potsdamer Platz and Unter den Linden (kilometers 38.5 and 41): Here, the finale toward the Brandenburg Gate begins.
A feasible tour: After the start at the Victory Column, walk to Hansaplatz U-Bahn station and take U9 and U7 to Hermannplatz. From there, U7 takes you directly to Konstanzer Straße (around kilometer 32.5) while the field covers nearly 16 kilometers. Finally, take the U-Bahn and S-Bahn to the Brandenburg Gate. After the finish, the family and friends meeting point in front of the Paul-Löbe-Haus helps: signs with letters A to Z are set up for easy coordination.
Flat and Fast: Why the Berlin Marathon Course Is a Record-Breaker
Berlin is known for having one of the fastest marathon courses in the world. According to the organizer, 13 world records have been set here. There are clear reasons for this:
- Minimal elevation: The course is flat, with no long climbs to plan for.
- Long straights: Wide streets like Karl-Marx-Allee, Kurfürstendamm, or Leipziger Straße allow for a steady pace.
- Pacemakers: According to the organizer, pacemakers for various target times run in all start waves.
For you, this means: the course forgives little overconfidence. With nothing to slow you down, many go too fast in the first half. Those who pace the first kilometers disciplinedly will still have reserves on Leipziger Straße as the Brandenburg Gate approaches.
Berlin Marathon 2027: How to Plan Your Start
Did you watch this year and want to run in 2027? Entry spots are mainly allocated via a lottery, but the event’s website also lists charity entries and travel package offers. The 2027 lottery will take place in fall 2026, with dates and conditions available on the website.
- Check eligibility: The main requirement is your birth year; in 2026, those born in 2008 or earlier were eligible. For the 42.195 km, you have a maximum of 6:15 hours. Anyone slower must leave the course.
- Plan training backward: Count back your preparation from race day in September; the long training block will then fall in the summer.
Whether the Berlin Marathon course will change for 2027 will be shown in the new course plan. However, the start and finish on Straße des 17. Juni, with the finish line through the Brandenburg Gate, have been set for years.
Your Route on the Wall: The 3D Marathon Poster
If you want to keep your run visible on the wall, a 3D Marathon Poster is an option: upload your run’s GPX file, and it becomes a 3D relief of your exact route, including your personal finish time.
This works not just for Berlin: the GPX file can come from any run, bike ride, or hike. There’s no pre-made Berlin version in stock, as the poster displays the route you’ve recorded yourself.
Three Styles to Choose From
- Editorial: looks like a running magazine cover. In the Berlin example, “Berlin Marathon” and the coordinates 52°30'N 13°21'E are integrated into the design, with your finish time in its own field.
- Mono Marathon Poster: minimalist design; in the Berlin example, the route line is set on a gray city map with district names.
- Classic Marathon Poster: the third style in the collection.
All three are available in A4 (21 × 30 cm) for €55 and in A3 (30 × 40 cm) for €85.
How to Get Your GPX File
- Open your run in your running watch or smartphone app.
- Export the activity as a GPX file; in many apps, this option is in the activity menu.
- Upload the file to your chosen poster.
Berlin as a City Relief: The City Tile to Match Your Poster
If the city itself matters to you as much as the route, the City Tile Berlin is a perfect match: a square, white 3D city relief featuring the TV Tower in a black frame, priced at €69. At around 15 × 15 cm, it’s small enough to fit next to your poster.
If you already have race routes on display, the running poster fits right in. For ideas on arranging the space around such frames—from seating to a bar corner—check out our interior design ideas for motorsport fans.
2026 Finisher: The Route Under the Christmas Tree
Do you know someone who finished the Berlin Marathon this year? The poster makes a great gift that reflects on the race rather than the next training session. The key is the GPX file: discreetly ask for the export or team up with someone who can access the recording.
- The Premium Gift Packaging with silver foil for €9.90 turns the frame into a ready-to-give gift.
- With the Adhesive Hook for €3.99, the frame hangs without leaving marks, so no drilling is needed.
- Ideas beyond the poster: a framed finish line photo or a shared walk from Wild Boar Square to Ku’damm, along the section that may have cost the most energy during the race.
Since each poster is made only after your order, plan some extra time before Christmas.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the Berlin Marathon route and where does it go?
The route is 42.195 kilometers. The start and finish are on Straße des 17. Juni in Tiergarten. In between, the course passes through Moabit, Mitte, Friedrichshain, Kreuzberg, Neukölln, Schöneberg, Friedenau, and Schmargendorf, before heading over Ku’damm and through the Brandenburg Gate to the finish.
Is the Berlin Marathon route flat?
Yes. The course is considered flat and fast; according to the organizers, 13 world records have been set here. Long straights on wide roads also help maintain a steady pace.
What is the time limit for the Berlin Marathon?
The time limit is 6 hours and 15 minutes from the starting line. Anyone slower must leave the course and will be taken to the finish by the sweep bus. Walkers are allowed if they stay within the limit; Nordic walkers are not.
Where do I meet my runner after the finish?
At the meeting point for families and friends in front of the Paul-Löbe-Haus in the government district. There are signs with letters A to Z. Agree on a letter in advance to find each other more easily in the crowd.
How do I get a starting spot for the Berlin Marathon 2027?
Starting spots are mainly allocated by lottery, along with charity spots and offers from travel organizers. The lottery for 2027 will run in autumn 2026; dates and conditions are available on the race’s website. Eligibility for starting is based on the year of birth.
Conclusion: 42.195 kilometers that belong on the wall
A race on the Berlin Marathon route isn’t decided at the Brandenburg Gate but on the long curve in the southwest between Rathaus Schöneberg and Ku’damm. If you want to start in 2027, keep an eye on the lottery. And if you crossed the finish line this year, bring the route home: check out the 3D Marathon Posters and choose the style that fits your wall.
