Berlin Wall Biking Tour

The flatlands of Berlin are ideal biking terrain, enabling an appreciation for the city's landmarks from the vantage point of a bike seat. Our 3-hour Berlin Wall bike tour follows part of the route of the former Wall with a historian, challenging our imaginations to picture the now-empty and abandoned spaces as they formerly were: part of the structure that once tore a city, and country, in two. Our heightened mobility will enable us to take in a greater portion of the wall than we would otherwise, providing a distinct perspective on one of the defining landmarks of the 20th century. 

Note: If you'd like to see the wall on two feet, try our Berlin Wall tour.

For over a quarter century, the imposing concrete barrier of the Berlin Wall with its notorious “death strip” stood as an ominous reminder of the divide between Western Europe and the Eastern Bloc. Beginning at the Berlin Wall Memorial, the site of some of the most astonishing escape attempts from the communist East, we will explore numerous exhibitions, memorials, artworks, and historical locations. We will see how the Wall was constructed and expanded, the ways in which it operated as a symbol of the Cold War, and how and why it ultimately fell. Finally, we will discuss the irony that Berlin is now deeply associated with a structure that no longer exists.

After the momentous dismantling of the Wall began in 1989, larger issues of national identity in newly unified Germany immediately arose. As we continue our tour and pass the many memorial sites along our route—including the “ghost stations” exhibit at Nordbahnhof—we will consider vital questions about the tension in Germany’s difficult history. On one hand is the desire to move on and leave these troubles in the past; on the other, the need to preserve what remnants of this history remain. Should the divisions of the city be erased completely or etched forever into its memory? The physical barriers of the Berlin Wall have mostly vanished, but the shockwaves caused by its rise and fall—what Germans call the Mauer im Kopf, the “Wall in the Head”—carry on today.

For help on planning your trip, see our guide on how to tour the Berlin Wall. To learn more about the Cold War through architecture, try our Berlin Cold War tour.

Are bikes provided? 
We will make arrangements for bike rentals for your group. Payment for the rental is due on-site and a damage security will be required. Please advise in the Notes section during booking if you will be supplying bikes personally. Also, please note that helmet rentals are limited at many European bike rental facilities; please advise if you would like us to make inquiries in advance about helmets.

I’m a novice rider — is this tour suitable for me?
Absolutely! You don’t need extensive biking experience to enjoy this tour. We typically ride on bike paths or quiet side streets, and your guide will make sure you feel comfortable and safe throughout the journey.

What level of fitness is recommended for this tour? 
Berlin has generally flat terrain, so biking in the city is not physically strenuous. Guests should be of average physical fitness and stamina for a leisurely few hours of urban bicycling.

How should I dress for this tour? 
In any weather, make sure to have good shoes (no flip-flops). In the spring and fall, wear a warm jacket and bring gloves. In the winter, we recommend dressing warmly, including warm shoes, gloves, and a hat.

Will there be opportunities to take a break? 
The pace of the tour is relaxed, and breaks for discussion, conversation, and rest are certainly available. The comfort and safety of our guests are of top importance.

What is the difference between the sites visited on this tour and the Walking the Wall tour? 
The starting point of the two tours is the same, but, naturally, traveling by bike offers the chance to cover more ground within the 3-hour time frame.