Tour Details
Duration
3 hours
Product Type
Tour
Venues
- Brandenburg Gate
- Reichstag exterior
- Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe
- Unter den Linden
- Gendarmenmarkt
Photos & Highlights
- Experience Berlin for the first time, discovering iconic landmarks that help to confidently explore the city beyond the tour.
- Discover how Berlin’s complex history has played a pivotal role in shaping its evolving identity.
Select a date
Tour Description
Today, Berlin is a bustling modern metropolis, but beneath the surface lies a complex, dark history that’s been shaped by centuries of political ambition and upheaval.
As you walk through its streets, a local expert will share how this relatively young capitol emerged from the devastation of war and the deep divisions of the communist period to become the vibrant hub it is today. Along the way, you’ll trace Berlin’s transformation through the eyes of those who tried to define it, from Prussian Kings to Nazi leaders and Cold War ideologues.
Explore the Brandenburg Gate, marvel at the Reichstag building, and witness how history has continually reshaped Berlin. Through these sites, your expert will help you uncover the enduring spirit of both the city and its people.
Choose this tour if…
- You want to gain an expert’s perspective on Berlin’s complex history and how the city has evolved over time.
- You're curious to understand how Berlin remembers its past through key memorials, sites, and landmarks.
- It is your first time in Berlin, and you're keen to learn how to experience and confidently navigate the city.
Experts
"Intelligent and yet informal"
"EXCELLENT! Enthusiastic, entertaining, fact-filled, intelligent and interactive…….and yet informal."
Charles S.
Charles S.
"Crafted to interest each of us"
"Nina was exceptional. She crafted a tour to interest my two teenagers, my wife and myself. We all have drastically different interests and historical knowledge, yet Nina found a way to speak to each of us. Oh, and she did this thru constant rain! 5 Stars!"
Mark S.
Mark S.
"A wonderful ambassador, host, and tour guide"
"Jason knows Berlin and its history as well as any college professor, maybe better. He is a wonderful ambassador, host, and tour guide, putting his all into the job."
Beth G.
Beth G.
Your journey begins at Pariser Platz, by the Brandenburg Gate, one of Berlin’s most recognizable monuments. Here, your expert guide will introduce the sites you’ll explore and discuss how this famous gate, originally built by the Prussians, has served as a powerful symbol for every regime and government that has followed.
From there, you will visit the Holocaust Memorial, a solemn space dedicated to remembering the victims of the Nazi regime. This poignant site offers insight into how Germany has chosen to remember its darkest history and reflect on its national identity. You’ll also visit the Reichstag, with its iconic glass dome, and you’ll gain a deeper understanding of how Germany rebuilt democracy.
Then, you’ll walk the streets of Berlin’s historical city center, seeing evidence first-hand of the relentless bombing that occurred during WWII while discussing significant moments and lesser-known stories with your expert guide. At a historic crossing point of the former East-West border, your expert guide will highlight how ideology shaped daily life and how the fall of the Berlin Wall transformed the city.
By the end of this 3-hour tour, you’ll have a deeper understanding of this remarkable city and how it continues to evolve in the 21st century. Through stories of power, division, and transformation, you’ll finally better understand the power of the city’s enduring spirit–a spirit that you’re now a part of.
Sites Visited
- Brandenburg Gate - Once an emblem of Cold War division, it now symbolizes German unity and freedom.
- Holocaust Memorial - Memorial to the Jewish victims of the Holocaust.
- Reichstag Building - The historic legislative government building, crowned by its famous glass dome.
Logistics
Tickets
No tickets are necessary for this tour.
Transportation
This is an all-outdoor walking tour. We currently offer an optional private transfer service from your hotel to the meeting point.
We understand that some of our valued guests may have mobility concerns, and we want to ensure you have a comfortable and enjoyable experience throughout your tour. If there are any accessibility concerns that your tour guide will need to be aware of, please let our team know at the time of booking.
Wheelchair accessibility
This Berlin city tour is all exterior and therefore can be accessible for certain wheelchair users.
Service dog accommodations
Service dogs are welcome and can be accommodated on this tour.
Does this walk include a visit to the Reichstag Dome?
Reichstag Dome reservations are incredibly difficult to secure, and therefore, we do not currently offer this option.
Which sights or venues are included on this walk?
Our guides have the flexibility to craft their own narrative based on the major sights of Berlin's city center. Locations visited may include: the Brandenburger Tor, Reichstag, Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe, former site of Hitler’s bunker, former Nazi chancellery, Berlin Wall fragments behind the former Reich Ministry of Aviation, Topography of Terror, Friedrichstrasse, Gendarmenmarkt (site of the Französischer Dom, Deutscher Dom and Konzerthaus), Bebelplatz, Opera House, Sankt-Hedwigs-Kathedrale, Unter den Linden, Lustgarten and Museum Island, Nikolaiviertel, Alexanderplatz and Hackescher Markt.
Is there any geographical overlap between the Topography of Terror walk and this walk?
Yes. Because Berlin's city center is filled with important historical sites, especially from the period of World War II, both walks tread over similar ground, but use a different thematic lens.
Can this walk be booked for other times of day? For example, in the late afternoon?
Yes, certainly! This walk can be booked on a private basis for any day, any time. In winter (November - February), it's better not to start later than 1:30-2:00 pm because it gets dark by 3:30-4:00 pm.
Cancellation Policy
Book with confidence — see Context's flexible cancellation policy here.
Where You'll Start
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442 Reviews
Reviews can only be left by Context customers after they have completed a tour. For more information about our reviews, please see our FAQ.
After being on many context tours Finn was by far the best guide I’ve had to date. Unbelievably knowledgeable and a great sense of humor!
Kenneth
Reviewed on:
Oct 6, 2019
The communication about where to meet was excellent. We made a mistake and went to the wrong location. When we realized our error we contacted Context who in turn contacted Sven. Sven generously waited for us to arrive.
Sven is a very engaging and thoughtful tour guide. He led us through the history of Berlin on foot as well as sitting at a table with a portfolio filled with photos and documents that helped us visualize the past and added interest and dimension to his story. He has a deep understanding of the history of Berlin and brings his own current-day perspective to the tour. He kept the tour moving, but was willing to delve into our questions and curiosities.
We would absolutely look forward to taking another tour led by Sven.
Matthew
Reviewed on:
Oct 3, 2019
The tour was excellently conducted by Aaron who clearly has an encyclopaedic knowledge of his subject material and enthusiasm in it. Amendments to the tour were no trouble for Context to arrange and communication with them was easy and fast. We would very happily book with Context again and have no reservations in recommending them.
Laurence
Reviewed on:
Oct 2, 2019
