Schönhausen Palace

Schloss Schönhausen began as a Baroque residence for Prussian royalty in the 18th century before taking on a very different role after 1949, when it became the official seat of the East German head of state and later a government guesthouse where visiting dignitaries were received. Exhibits inside now trace both eras, from royal portraiture to the GDR's use of the palace to project a certain image to foreign visitors during the Cold War. Reviewers enjoy the quiet, uncrowded atmosphere even on weekends and note the palace's surrounding gardens as a calm counterpoint to central Berlin's more heavily visited sites. With a 4.5 rating and a notably high local-visitor score, it suits travelers looking for a lesser-known royal and Cold War history combined in one stop.