The museum is located in the former governmental district of East Germany, right on the river Spree, opposite the Berlin Cathedral.

[1] Its exhibition depicts life in the former East Germany (known in German as the Deutsche Demokratische Republik or DDR) in a direct "hands-on" way.

[2] One can also try DDR clothes on in the recreated tower block apartment, change TV channels or use an original typewriter.

A total of 35 modules illustrate these three themes: Media, literature, music, culture, family, private niche, health, equality, diet, childhood, youth, partnership, fashion, border, Berlin, tra c, education, work, consumption, construction, living, free time, vacation, environment, party, Ministry for State Security, economy, state, ideology, army, brother states, wall, opposition, penal system and authority.

The visitor can open doors, hatches and drawers and will gain detailed insights behind the facade of the socialist dictatorship.

In the third part of the permanent exhibition, a completely furnished Plattenbau apartment shows the private life in the GDR.

The German National Tourist Board (DZT) conducted a survey and the DDR Museum came 44th in the ranking of Germany's top 100 attractions in 2015 and 36th in 2016.