Berlin’s combo of glamour and grit is bound to mesmerise all those keen to explore its vibrant culture, cutting-edge architecture, fabulous food, intense parties and tangible history.
High on History
Bismarck and Marx, Einstein and Hitler, JFK and Bowie, they’ve all shaped – and been shaped by – Berlin, whose richly textured history confronts you at every turn. This is a city that staged a revolution, was headquartered by Nazis, bombed to bits, divided in two and finally reunited – and that was just in the 20th century! Walk along remnants of the Berlin Wall, marvel at the splendour of a Prussian palace, visit Checkpoint Charlie or stand in the very room where the Holocaust was planned. Berlin is like an endlessly fascinating 3D textbook where the past is very much present wherever you go.
Party Paradise
Forget about New York – Berlin is the city that truly never sleeps. Sometimes it seems as though Berliners are the lotus-eaters of Germany, people who love nothing more than a good time. The city’s vast party spectrum caters for every taste, budget and age group. From tiny basement clubs to industrial techno temples, chestnut-canopied beer gardens to fancy cocktail caverns, saucy cabarets to ear-pleasing symphonies – Berlin delivers hot-stepping odysseys, and not just after dark and on weekends but pretty much 24/7. Pack your stamina!
Cultural Trendsetter
When it comes to creativity, the sky’s the limit in Berlin, which is one of Europe’s big start-up capitals. In the last 20 years, the city has become a giant lab of cultural experimentation thanks to a spirit that nurtures and encourages new ideas as well as to once abundant space and cheap rent. Although the last two of these are definitely a thing of the past. Top international performers still grace Berlin’s theatre, concert and opera stages; international art-world stars like Olafur Eliasson and Jonathan Meese make their home here; and Clooney and Hanks shoot blockbusters in the German capital. Highbrow, lowbrow and everything in between – there’s plenty of room for the full gamut of cultural expression.
Laid-back Lifestyle
Berlin is a big multicultural metropolis but deep down it maintains the unpretentious charm of an international village. Locals and expats follow the credo ‘live and let live’ and put greater emphasis on personal freedom and a creative lifestyle than on material wealth and status symbols. Cafes are jammed at all hours, drinking is a religious rite and clubs keep going through the weekend into Monday. Size-wise, Berlin is pretty big but its key areas are wonderfully compact and easily navigated on foot, by bike or with public transport.
Walking tour of Berlin
This free walking tour is highly recommended as an ideal way to get the best out of your time in Berlin. It does really well to manage to get so much into 3 hours, which fly by.
Extremely interesting content is presented by truly knowledgeable guides with enthusiasm and energy and, as they themselves are local Berliners, they take pride in helping you have a very authentic Berlin experience – so do ask them questions and find out more about the German capital from them as you travel through the now contemporary streets which once saw a great deal of very important history.
A fair distanced is covered on this free tour but the route and distance between stops means this is very easily manageable and enjoyable while the main sites are covered, including the likes of the Brandenburg gate and Checkpoint Charlie, as well as little-known oddities and anecdotes. An excellent tour by excellent local guides and well-worth doing for a compelling insight to the world city of Design.
Overview
Delve into it’s intense history of war, dictatorship and see the wall which divided this remarkable city in two. Meet our passionate guides who’ll share with you tales & stories you won’t find in any guidebook. Gain an in-depth experience into this incredible city on our insightful tour.
This activity includes:
Museum Island
Berlin Cathedral
Friedrich the Great
Infamous Berlin Wall
Einstein & Humboldt University
Story of Berlin buddy bear
Luftwaffe HQ
TV Tower
Reichstag & Tiergarten
Topography of Terror
the site of Hitler’s former bunker
Checkpoint Charlie
Fall of the Berlin Wall
Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe
Brandenburg Gate
Gendarmenmarkt
Unter den Linden
On arrival
The closest S-Bahn and U-Bahn stations to Lustgarten are Hackescher Markt (lines S5 and S7) and Alexander Platz (lines S5, S7, U2, U5 and U8). Both of them are within 5-10 minutes walking distance from the meeting point.
If you are coming from Hackescher Markt, once you get off the S-Bahn take Burgstrasse, which becomes Spreepromenade situated along the riverbank. Once you see the bridge on your right, cross it and walk to the Berliner Dom. Congratulations, you have arrived to Lustgarten, the square in front of the Old Museum and the Cathedral! Walk to the middle of the square and look for our guides with light-blue T-shirts and umbrellas at the marble bowl.
Coming from Alexanderplatz take Karl-Liebknecht-Straße, pass St. Mary’s Church on the left, towards Museum Island. Cross the bridge and continue to the Berliner Dom. Once at the Dom make a right onto the Lustgarten. Our guides with light blue T-shirts and umbrellas are waiting for you at the marble bowl in the centre.
Things to note
How do free tours work? It’ simple, you’re free to pay what you feel the tour was worth. Your lovely local guides don’t receive any income other than tips from satisfied customers like you, meaning top quality tours on fair terms. Enjoy!
Booking for this tour is recommended to reserve your space specially during high season. This helps us to guarantee you’ll receive a top quality tour!
Please note that this tour is only available to individual travellers & groups of less than 7 people on a voluntary-tip-basis. Groups of 7+ will incur a set fee and must be booked in advance.
In the heart of Central Berlin – district Friedrichshain – between MTV, Universal, O2 World Arena and the East Side Gallery. Only a few minutes from Alexanderplatz and Museuminsel. No other station is as well connected to Berlin’s airports and train
Property Location Cityhostel Berlin is in the heart of Berlin, walking distance from Galeries Lafayette and Konzerthaus Berlin. This hostel is close to Checkpoint Charlie Museum and Brandenburg Gate.Rooms Make yourself at home in one of the 109 gues
The hostel is located in the trendy district of East Berlin, or Prenzlauer Berg. The area is ideal for shopping and sightseeing. If you’re a sports fan, then the Velodrome hosts many sporting and musical events, and guess what ‘? We are just next doo
