Looking for a new book? Then there’s a place in Berlin where you’ll find what you’re looking for in nearly every language, genre, and category. We’re talking about none other than Dussmann, Berlin’s largest bookstore, which has been in business since 1997 and has been considered Germany’s largest media store since its opening. After nearly three decades, it’s finally time for a second location: In mid-October 2026, Dussmann opened a new branch in the famous Kaufhaus des Westens (KaDeWe).
On approximately 1,500 square meters on the fourth floor, visitors can expect a diverse selection of books, music, gift ideas, and cultural events. The official opening ceremony is scheduled for November 21, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
On October 31, 1997, entrepreneur Peter Dussmann opened his cultural department store at Friedrichstraße 90, not far from the Friedrichstraße train station. The idea was extraordinary by the standards of the time: books, music, movies, and other media were to be available under one roof. The concept was complemented by long opening hours and a program of cultural events. The story behind the department store’s creation is particularly interesting. Originally, Peter Dussmann had difficulty finding suitable tenants for the retail spaces in his new building. Instead of leaving the premises vacant, he decided to develop a retail concept himself. This is how the Kulturkaufhaus came into being, and over the following decades, it evolved into a fixture of Berlin’s cultural landscape.
At the time of its opening, the media department store spanned approximately 4,700 to 5,000 square meters across four floors. Even then, the selection included around 120,000 books and 50,000 music CDs, ranging from pop to classical. In addition, there were movies, videos, software, and other cultural media. In 2004, the store was expanded to five sales floors and approximately 6,500 square meters. Today, according to the company, the flagship store spans more than 7,300 square meters across five floors. In addition to its extensive selection, the cultural store is also known for its unusual features. These include, among other things, a vertical garden with more than 6,000 tropical plants. The building also houses an almost 4,000-year-old Egyptian sphinx on permanent loan, as well as an original stone from the Berlin Wall. Regular readings, concerts, and cultural events further make the department store a popular gathering place for culture enthusiasts.
Nearly three decades after the opening of its flagship store on Friedrichstraße, Dussmann is now expanding for the first time with a second branch within Berlin. Since mid-October 2026, the cultural department store has also been represented in City West. Unlike the large location in Berlin-Mitte, the new store is located within an existing luxury department store. For this, Dussmann has chosen a particularly prominent location: the KaDeWe at Tauentzienstraße 21–24.
Spanning approximately 1,500 square meters on the fourth floor, visitors can expect a carefully curated selection that combines books, music, and select gift ideas. The selection includes international new releases, bestsellers, children’s books, and New Adult novels. The concept also features a dedicated BookTok corner. Music lovers will also find vinyl records, sheet music, and a selection of musical instruments.
However, the new location is intended to be much more than a traditional bookstore. Plans include regular readings, concerts, and discussions with cultural figures, for whom a dedicated event stage is also planned. With this, Dussmann aims to create a place where visitors can not only shop but also experience culture and engage in conversation with one another.
