As the capital of Germany, Berlin has survived World War II and the Cold War to become one of the most cosmopolitan and inclusive cities in the world. The city is known as a hub of alternative culture, filled with graffiti-decorated streets and world-class electronic music clubs.
A great way to see this vibrant and multicultural metropolis is on a guided tour. Whether your interests are history, culture or nightlife, Berlin has a wide variety of options.
These are the 15 best tours you can take in Berlin.
1. Berlin Red Metropolis Walking Tour
This is a great tour for those interested in the history of Berlin during the Cold War. You will be taken to the important monuments and sights of the former East Berlin region.
A knowledgeable guide will take you through the history of the region from the last battle of World War II to the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989.
You’ll be able to see the communist-style buildings that remain in the city and learn about the lasting impact of this divide on life in Berlin. The tour ends at the largest anti-fascist monument in the world.
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2. Brandenburg Gate and Reichstag Dome Foreign Language Tour
This is a short tour that takes you to two of Berlin’s most enduring symbols – the Brandenburg Gate and the Reichstag.
You will have the opportunity to go directly to the Reichstag dome, where you can enjoy uninterrupted views of the city of Berlin. With a licensed guide, you will learn about the history of the Reichstag and gain insight into the heart of German politics.
The tour is offered in multiple languages, but will only take place if at least six people are in attendance. If you are visiting as a smaller group, your best chance is a tour in English, French or Spanish.
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3. Sachsenhausen Memorial Walking Tour
One of the worst atrocities in human history, the Sachsenhausen Memorial, located in a former concentration camp, is a humbling experience.
This tour gives you the opportunity to learn about the Holocaust and gain insight into the daily lives of those who were the most victims of the Nazi regime.
For up to six hours, you’ll get a wealth of information and opportunities to learn about the events that led to the Holocaust and how it ended.
The tour is fully guided and includes a short train ride through the forests north of Berlin.
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4. Berlin Free Walking Tour (with reservation fee)
Free walking tours are a great way to get to know a new city. This 2.5-hour tour will take you to all of the city’s most popular sights, including the Brandenburg Gate, the TV Tower, and the River Spree.
Despite the short tour time, your knowledgeable guide will provide you with a wealth of information on the basics of German history and the vast culture of Berlin.
While this is a free walking tour, guests are encouraged to tip the guide at the end of the tour based on the price they see fit.
There is a small booking fee for online bookings, but it does guarantee you have a limited spot on your trip.
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5. 1-hour city cruise with guaranteed seats
For an easier trip, you can choose to take a boat down the River Spree from Friedrichstraße to Nikola Vettel.
You’ll see some of Berlin’s most famous sights, including the Reichstag and Berlin Cathedral. With only an hour left, this is a great option to learn more about the city while also taking a short break from the hustle and bustle of the city.
Live guides are available in German, and those in other languages (including English) will receive an audio guide.
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6. Berlin Tempelhof Airport: The Legend of Tempelhof
Tempelhof Airport is an abandoned airport located in the center of Berlin with important historical significance. Built in the Nazi era, the building’s exterior is an interesting example of WWII architecture.
It was also an important airport during the Berlin Airlift and throughout the Cold War. This tour will take you into the airport, where you can see the abandoned passenger area as well as the former quarters of the US military.
After the tour, you are free to enjoy the large park designed around the former running track.
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7. Classic Volkswagen Bus 2-Hour Sightseeing Tour
Get a taste of Berlin in style on this tour on a classic bus designed by the legendary German car company Volkswagen.
In two hours, your driver will take you on a tour of more than 40 Berlin landmarks and sights, complete with a photo book to give you more information. Due to the size of the bus, tours are limited to seven, allowing for a more intimate and personalized experience.
The bus will also take you to some of the lesser-known sights in the city, giving you a wide variety of attractions to add to your itinerary in the city.
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8. Anti-Pub Crawl: Alternative Berlin Tour
Berlin is world-famous for its alternative nightlife scene, and this tour is a great opportunity to experience some lesser-known sights.
You’ll be taken to speakeasy bars and clubs across the city in limited groups for a more personalized experience. All bars and clubs visited on the tour offer free admission, with at least one free shoot at each location.
Your local guide will also discuss with you the many subcultures that call Berlin home and make sure you get to and from the various locations safely.
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9. Hop-on hop-off bus ticket (with boat option)
If you’re only in Berlin for a short time, the hop-on hop-off bus is a great way to get to and from all the main attractions in a short amount of time.
This ticket also includes the option of a boat trip along the Spree River. Audio guides are available on the bus and on board, providing important historical and cultural information in several major languages.
There are two ticketing options that allow you to use the service as many times as you want within a 24 or 48 hour period. Your time starts when you first get in the car. There are 18 stops along the way.
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10. Hitler Documents in the Story Bunker
The Story Bunker is a unique and comprehensive WWII museum focusing on the rise and fall of Adolf Hitler.
This museum gives you an insight into the causes and effects of Nazism in Germany and lets you learn more about the fascist regime.
A scale replica of the Führerbunker – which Hitler hid at the end of the war and eventually committed suicide – can also be visited on site. Audio guides are available in German and English.
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11. Third Reich Half-Day Walking Tour
This is another great tour to learn about Berlin’s dark past as the capital of the Third Reich. You’ll be transported to a few surviving examples from the Nazi era – from architectural sights to the former government headquarters.
With a local guide well-informed on Germany’s wartime history, you’ll learn about authoritarian government institutions and how fascism became a dominant force in German politics in the 1930s.
The tour ends above the bunker where Hitler hid and committed suicide in the last days of the war.
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12. Berlin Olympic Stadium Self-Guided Tour with Free Audio Guide
The Berlin Olympic Stadium is an important historical landmark in Berlin and the centerpiece of one of the most controversial Olympic Games in history.
Since it was built for the 1936 Olympics, the stadium has hosted the World Cup, UEFA Championship Finals and the Women’s World Cup, marking its enduring importance to German sport.
Multilingual audio guides are available to help you better understand the stadium’s historical and modern significance. There is also a short documentary at the beginning of the tour.
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13. Berlin Street Art and Graffiti Tour and Workshop
A hub of alternative culture, Berlin is home to some of the world’s most famous street artists.
This tour will take you through some of the city’s most famous examples of graffiti and give you the chance to try it out for yourself.
Your insider guide will tell you the unwritten code of ethics that all Berlin street artists follow, and explain how the city has become such a popular destination for graffitiers.
You can also take home your own artwork from the studio.
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14. Alternative Berlin Experience
The tour includes not only the chance to see graffiti, but also discusses other aspects of alternative culture throughout Berlin.
It focuses on the Neukölln, Kreuzberg and Friedrichshain regions, where you can experience the city’s multicultural atmosphere. There are plenty of great photo opportunities, and an expert guide will take you through Berlin’s alternative history.
The tour ends in the Jamaican Community District near the East Side Gallery. You will need to buy a public transport ticket before joining the tour, but your guide can help you.
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15. 3-Hour Beer Tasting Tour
Germany is known for high-quality beer, and there’s no better experience than the capital.
This three-hour tour lets you sample four different beers from across the city. You’ll be taken to some of the best breweries and breweries away from the main tourist routes.
Your local guide will discuss the history of German brewing with you and end the tour with a visit to a typical beer garden. It also includes a traditional snack.
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