Tour Details
- Duration
- 1.5 hours
- Product Type
- Tour
- Venues
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- Brandenburg Gate
- Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe
- Gendarmenmarkt
- Berliner Dom
- Marienkirche
- Memorial to May 10, 1933 Nazi Book Burning
Photos & Highlights
- Join an engaging local expert as you explore the must-see sights on this condensed route of the city
- Unique, personal tours for the intentional traveler. A low-cost small group tour option with up 15 other travellers
Tour Description
You will begin your condensed introduction to Berlin’s highlights in front of the Marienkirche. The 13th-century church was once at the center of the medieval city and today stands on a square in front of the iconic TV tower, a perfect representation of how Berlin’s various political rulers have all shaped the modern city. From here, you will head westwards to Museum Island, where you will stop in front of the Alte Nationalgalerie to discuss the cultural importance of the UNESCO-recognized museum complex. You will also have time to admire the monumental edifice that is the Berliner Dom, a Cathedral which was an unlikely survivor of the Communist redesign of the city center.
Crossing the Spree River, you will take a moment in front of two significant memorials: first the Neue Wache, a memorial to the victims of war and tyranny. Next, we'll visit The Empty Library, a poignant remembrance of the Nazi book burnings on May 10th, 1933 in Berlin. After passing in front of the Gendarmenmarkt and taking short stops at the Georg Elser Memorial and the site of Hitler’s Bunker, you will arrive at The Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe, also known as the Holocaust Memorial, a striking landmark with its 2711 concrete blocks.
You will end your 90-minute introduction in front of the most iconic of Berlin sites, the Brandenburg Gate - once the edge of both the early modern and Communist city and today a representation of reunification at the heart of the modern city. This condensed walking tour ensures you leave with a newfound appreciation for the city, ready to further explore Berlin's fascinating past and present on your own.
Crossing the Spree River, you will take a moment in front of two significant memorials: first the Neue Wache, a memorial to the victims of war and tyranny. Next, we'll visit The Empty Library, a poignant remembrance of the Nazi book burnings on May 10th, 1933 in Berlin. After passing in front of the Gendarmenmarkt and taking short stops at the Georg Elser Memorial and the site of Hitler’s Bunker, you will arrive at The Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe, also known as the Holocaust Memorial, a striking landmark with its 2711 concrete blocks.
You will end your 90-minute introduction in front of the most iconic of Berlin sites, the Brandenburg Gate - once the edge of both the early modern and Communist city and today a representation of reunification at the heart of the modern city. This condensed walking tour ensures you leave with a newfound appreciation for the city, ready to further explore Berlin's fascinating past and present on your own.
- You want to make the most of your time in Berlin with this curated initiation to the main highlights of the city center and gain insight into the heart of the city in just 90 minutes.
- You are a solo curious traveler, a duo, or a group.
- If you’re traveling with children under the age of 12, we recommend our family-oriented Berlin Wall History Tour for Kids.
- Marienkirche – St. Mary's Church (exterior only) – A striking medieval church located in Berlin, Germany, known for its impressive red-brick architecture and a distinct blend of Gothic and Romanesque styles.
- Berliner Dom, also known as Berlin Cathedral (exterior only) – An iconic Protestant cathedral in Berlin, Germany, boasting an impressive Baroque facade and a majestic dome that dominates the city's skyline.
- Book Burning Memorial – Located in Bebelplatz, Berlin, this somber memorial pays tribute to the infamous Nazi book burning that took place on May 10, 1933, with an underground library visible through a glass plate, symbolizing intellectual resistance.
- Hitler's Bunker (exterior only) – The site where Adolf Hitler's underground bunker was located during World War II in Berlin, Germany, now marked by an unassuming information board, preserving history's reminder of the bunker's dark significance.
- Holocaust Memorial – Also known as the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe, this poignant monument in Berlin consists of 2,711 concrete slabs of varying heights, creating a haunting and powerful representation of the Holocaust's magnitude and tragedy.
- Brandenburg Gate – An iconic neoclassical gate in Berlin, Germany, symbolizing unity and peace, and witnessing significant historical events, including the fall of the Berlin Wall, making it a significant national symbol.
Meeting and Ending Point
- We meet near the Marienkirche and end at the Brandenburg Gate.
- The exact meeting point and map are communicated in your confirmation email.
Resources
- If you are looking to learn more about Berlin prior to a visit, check out our online lectures at Context Learning.
Itinerary
- The tour covers 2.5-3 miles of ground over the course of 90 minutes. The route is relatively flat and does not involve many cobblestone roads or stairs, but the pace will be fairly brisk.
Wheelchair accessibility
- This tour does not enter any venues. Berlin sidewalks are wide and generally wheelchair accessible. This tour is appropriate for both hand-operated and motor-powered wheelchairs.
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Where You'll Start
4 Reviews
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Reviews can only be left by Context customers after they have completed a tour. For more information about our reviews, please see our FAQ.
Jasmine was spectacular . She was so knowledgeable about Berlin that we learned a great deal abou it’s history and architecture on a short time.
Margaret
Jul. 15, 2023
John was excellent! So nice and knowledgeable. He knows a ton about history and everything about Berlin. He was able to answer every question I asked. I learned so much on this tour. It's a lot to squeeze into 90 minutes. I think 2 hours would be better...
Kim
Jul. 8, 2023
This was an exhilarating experience, I’ve lived in this city for more than 5 years yet never have I been as moved by this city’s history as during this tour. We discovered so many stories behind seemingly ordinary and insignificant places. John is a talented storyteller, and his eloquence and true understanding of the history of this place are bound to impress you
Mats
Jun. 15, 2023
Intro to Berlin Tour in 90 Minutes
Take a closer look at this intro tour and get a sense for what 90-minutes in Berlin with a local guide looks like.
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