7 Locations
An east-west tour reveals the two halves of a once divided Berlin, tracing the contrasts left by the Cold War. Crossing the former border, an east-west tour here shows how the city grew apart and back together. This overview gathers Berlin locations for exploring the divide.
Tours by bus, bike or on foot cross from the grand boulevards of the former West to the socialist architecture of the East, passing Checkpoint Charlie, the East Side Gallery and Karl Marx Allee. Guides point out the subtle and stark differences that remain, from street lamps to building styles. It is a vivid way to read the city's recent history.
Browse the venues below to plan an east-west tour across Berlin, from Checkpoint Charlie to Karl Marx Allee.
With the Trabi Safari in Mitte, you don't sit in the back of a tour bus, but rather at the wheel of a two-stroke vehicle yourself. Around a hundred Trabis are ready on Zimmerstraße, driven in a convoy of up to six cars, with the guide commenting via radio. For Ostalgie in Berlin, this is the version with a clutch, four-speed gearshift, and the smell of a two-stroke engine.
The Wall Museum East Side Gallery is located in the old mill granary at the Oberbaum Bridge, i.e., in the former death strip. In 13 rooms, over 100 screens, original wall segments, and interviews with contemporary witnesses recount the years from 1945 to 1990. Those looking for 'Ostalgie' in Berlin will find a counter-narrative here: the GDR from the perspective of those who wanted to leave.
A two-hour city tour as a comedy program: In the ComedyBus, stage characters like Edith Schröder take over the microphone and lead through Neukölln, Moabit, and Wedding instead of just past the Reichstag and Victory Column. The tour is conducted in an air-conditioned coach for 60 guests, departing from Nollendorfplatz U-Bahn station; the ticket costs 33 Euros.
Stadt im Ohr produces audio walks featuring figures like Claire Waldoff, Heinrich Zille, and architectural critic Bruno Flierl. Six audio tours lead through Friedrichshain, Mitte, Wedding, Friedenau, and queer Berlin, each for 11.99 Euros. As a special city tour in Berlin, this one requires no appointment and no group.
Top10 Club Perk
Exclusive for Top10 Club members
Value ~ €12
The Berliner Unterwelten e.V. (Berlin Underworlds Association) manages 14 predominantly underground locations and rediscovered the air-raid shelter under Gesundbrunnen station in 1998, which was only preserved because an explosion would have endangered the subway tunnel. This special city tour in Berlin takes you underground for 90 minutes instead of along facades.
City tour in a seven-meter-long Trabant stretch limousine: Up to five guests can ride along, pick-up is available at any desired address in Berlin, and the city guide is simultaneously at the wheel. One hour costs 229 Euros per vehicle, two hours 367 Euros, sparkling wine or non-alcoholic drinks are on board. Tours are conducted in German, and also in English upon request.
In the last years Berlin has turned into a metropolis of fashion. But where to find the hip labels and their designers? The Fashion Tour of artberlin takes you to the creative heart of the city.