Berlin Wall Tour: Explore the Cold War Era and Life Behind the Wall

Discover the captivating story of the Berlin Wall on a guided tour. Learn about its construction, fall, and life on both sides. Explore escape spots and understand its relevance today.

Duration: 3 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Memorial of the Berlin Wall - One of the most incredible sites related to the Berlin Wall and the scene of tragic loss and brilliant escapes. The memorial itself is over 1km long and includes the only preserved complete cross-section of the Berlin Wall and Death-Strip.
  • Checkpoint Charlie - The most famous of all the Check Points it was the scene of many failed and successful escapes and also an incredible face-off between the American and Soviet forces in the Autumn of 1961.
  • Topography of Terror - The section on Niederkirchnerstrasse is the only surviving fragment of the wall in this part of Berlin. It is right next to the former-Luftwaffe Headquarters which was used during the East German Period as the House of Ministries. It is also the site of one of the more incredible escapes into West Berlin.
  • GDR Watch Tower - Visit and possibly ascend the last of the “BT - variant” watchtowers that used to surround West Berlin. A rare survival saved thanks to a private initiative.
  • Potsdamer Platz - See how a desolate piece of land in, and also bounding, the death-strip has developed into a high-rise business and entertainment quarter. The rebirth of re-unified Berlin before your very eyes.
What's Included
  • Expert tour guides with in-depth knowledge
What's Not Included
  • Private Transportation
Additional Information

The Berlin Wall may not be the tallest, broadest, or longest, but it certainly claims the prize for the most renowned. No tour of Berlin is complete without a visit to this monumental site and its associated landmarks.

We delve into the intriguing era spanning the end of World War II and the erection of the Berlin Wall, a time when the strain between the Soviets and Western Allies culminated in the birth of the Cold War.

What instigated the building of the wall?

What triggered its collapse?

What was everyday life like on either side of the Berlin Wall?

• Additionally, we examine the diverse and resourceful methods people employed to escape, along with a visit to numerous specific escape locations.
• Having led hundreds of tours on the Berlin Wall and Cold War, our Guides have crafted this tour based on years of experience and personal investigation. Whether you’re a history enthusiast or just a keen tourist, we believe you won’t be let down. The Who, the Why, the When, and the How are all covered, while we also explore the continued relevance of this history today.

  • Confirmation will be received at time of booking
  • Most travelers can participate
  • Near public transportation
  • Service animals allowed
  • Stroller accessible
  • Surfaces are wheelchair accessible
  • This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 15 travelers
  • Transportation is wheelchair accessible
  • Wheelchair accessible
  • You can present either a paper or an electronic voucher for this activity.
Location
Birchys Berlin Tours
Ebertstraße
Ebertstraße 24, 10117 Berlin, Germany
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.9
(75 Ratings)
5 stars
4 stars
3 stars
2 stars
1 star
Lisasusan_g
Jul 29, 2024
Walking the death strip... - Walking the death strip (and seeing it from above), seeing where tunnels were built under the strip, and seeing where escapees were shot for trying to flee communism was very powerful. And Julian, the guide, was extremely knowledgeable and kind… he was the best guide I’ve ever had.
Review provided by Viator
Sadia_r
Jul 27, 2024
Berlin wall tour - Our tour guide was experienced in his knowledge and made sure we understood the explanation as well as answered any questions we had during the tour. I would bring some water and snacks as they aren't provided.
Review provided by Viator
Christine_g
Jul 27, 2024
Educationally sound! - Steve was an excellent guide! He was extremely knowledgeable, kind, funny and he went out of his way to help us out after the tour was over! We really enjoyed our tour with him!
Review provided by Viator
Nicola_c
Jul 25, 2024
Fun and friendly walking tour - Paul was a fantastic guide, he was so friendly and shared lots of interesting facts that we would have missed had we not booked a walking tour. He helped us greatly with our onward journey and that really was appreciated. Highly recommend ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Review provided by Viator
Fabian1boettcher
Jun 4, 2024
Deep Dive into a sad part of history - This tour is a must-do if you want to learn all essential about Berlin's situation during the GDR and if you want to find out about the Berlin Wall. Julian was an outstanding guide who went above and beyond to explain everything to us and look after our group! I can just highly recommend to book with them.
Review provided by Viator
Martell50
Jun 2, 2024
An absolute must! - Kieran was an incredibly knowledgeable guide, made the history of the Berlin Wall come alive. Very engaging, incredibly patient and addressed every question (of which we had many) comprehensively and knowledgeably. One of the best tours I’ve ever done, highly recommended.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Kellect1298
May 30, 2024
GREAT TOUR - the guide was knowledgeable and pleasant. my whole family really enjoyed the tour and learned a lot. this was a fantastic experience
Review provided by Viator
Henry_y
May 24, 2024
Hopefully We Learn from History - Extremely knowledgeable guide led us on a very interesting historical walk through what was once East Berlin before the fall of the wall in 1989. Our tour guide, being Jewish, gave us a perspective into what we were learning that we may not have otherwise received. Much historical value to the tour. As a history buff, would highly recommend.
Review provided by Viator
Hilary
May 20, 2024
Wonderful experience - Cairan is an outstanding guide, engaging, responsive and extremely knowledgeable. The whole experience has left us with a deeper understanding of Berlin’s fraught inheritance.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Moe0823
Jun 22, 2024
Cold War Tour - The tour itself was very informative but the trip advisor description needs updating as no where was it mentioned as a WALKING tour. We had a person in our group who was disabled and had a hard time walking. By the time he would teach the group the guide was done talking. It also says watch tower ticket entry was covered but we only saw watch tower from afar. It would have been helpful to have been told to bring euros for train. Luckily we had some on us when the guide told us we needed to purchase tickets. Once I took the tour I understood why it was walking and why we took the train. Fascinating and informative but update description so people know what they are getting into
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Select Date and Tickets
up to 15 guests
1
Adult
September 2024
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Today