Bowie's Berlin Tour: Cold War Music Inspiration

Explore how the Cold War influenced David Bowie’s iconic Berlin albums on a 3-hour guided tour. Follow in the footsteps of Bowie and discover the historical sites that inspired his music.

Duration: 3 hours
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights

When David Bowie moved to Berlin in 1976, he found an island of Cold War angst, “cut off from its world, art and culture, dying with no hope of retribution.” This tour takes you back to the decadent 1970’s city that inspired Bowie’s classic Berlin albums Low, Heroes and Lodger. Starting at Cold War West Berlin’s decadent heart, Zoo Station, we follow…

What's Included
  • Tour guide expertise provided by historian, professor, doctoral student, journalist, or published author
What's Not Included
  • Food and drinks
  • Transportation to/from attractions: You will need to use public transport a few times, since the distances between some key sites would be too far to walk. If you will not have a few days visitor’s transit pass to Berlin already, we suggest that you purchase the day metro pass. If you cannot purchase it in advance, your guide will help you purchase it at the first metro station on the tour
Additional Information

Uncover how the Cold War era of the 1970s instigated the creation of Bowie’s renowned Berlin records. Embark on a 3-hour journey around Berlin, a city Bowie referred to as “isolated from its world, art and culture, perishing with no chance of recompense,” guided by an expert. Trace Bowie’s footsteps to the building he lived in with Iggy Pop, and saunter…

Location
Schiffbauerdamm 8
Schiffbauerdamm
Please meet your guide in front of Ständige Vertretung, a memorabilia-filled cafe. Schiffbauerdamm 8, 10117 Berlin.
Cancellation Policy

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

Customer Ratings
4.9
(116 Ratings)
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Martin_r
Apr 29, 2025
Bowie in Berlin walking tour - A superb afternoon visiting lots of David Bowie sites along the way. Lots of detail both biographical and focussed on interpretation of the lyrics in key songs in Bowles career. Rohen is well versed in the legacy and significance of this artist yo Berlin. A must for fans!
Review provided by Viator
Jamescv1392iy
Apr 17, 2025
A Brilliantly Contextualized Tour – A Must for Bowie Fans and History Enthusiasts Alike - As a professor of history, I approached the David Bowie tour in Berlin with both curiosity and cautious optimism. What I experienced far exceeded my expectations — this tour is a masterclass in cultural contextualization, narrative engagement, and historical sensitivity. The guide's ability to weave David Bowie's time in Berlin (1976–1978) into the broader cultural and political fabric of the city was nothing short of impressive. We didn’t just walk in Bowie’s footsteps — we walked through the post-war reconstruction of West Berlin, the Cold War tensions that defined its streets, and the vibrant, often rebellious countercultures that made the city a natural refuge for an artist seeking reinvention. The guide’s grasp of both Bowie’s personal artistic evolution and the historical conditions that influenced his Berlin Trilogy — Low, "Heroes", and Lodger — was deeply nuanced. They spoke of Bowie not as an isolated figure, but as someone intrinsically linked to the avant-garde art scenes of Schöneberg, the divided psychology of a walled city, and the underground movements that pulsed through neighborhoods like Kreuzberg. What stood out most to me was the way the tour honored both the man and the metropolis. I came away with a deeper appreciation for how Berlin shaped Bowie’s sound and spirit — and how, in turn, Bowie left his mark on the city’s cultural legacy. Highly recommended for anyone with a love of music, history, or Berlin itself. This is not your typical fan-tour; it’s an intellectually rich journey through one of the most fascinating intersections of place and persona I’ve ever encountered.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Alisont61
Mar 12, 2025
Wonderful afternoon of Bowie’s Berlin Years. - Really enjoyable afternoon with Lee and another equally enthusiastic couple from the USA. Great knowledge of not only Bowie, but also the fascinating historical context of a divided city in the 1970s. Afternoon passed very quickly and finished in the ideal way with a few drinks in Bowie’s favourite pub. Highly recommend this tour.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Suzanne_s
Dec 14, 2024
David Bowie Berlin Walking Tour - Personal walking tour with our guide Dan. A wealth of knowledge on Bowie in Berlin and a whole myriad of other related interesting information. Thoroughly enjoyed our time with Dan.
Review provided by Viator
Carocozze
Nov 12, 2024
Berlin from a unique perspective - Dan was such a great guide and he knew the answer to every question we threw at him. We saw all the highlights of David Bowie's life in Berlin. I would recommend this tour to anyone visiting. We had three generations in our group and each one enjoyed it. Thank you Dan!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Caroline_c
Nov 11, 2024
Cool, Unique Experience - Dan was such a great guide and he knew the answer to every question we threw at him. We saw all the highlights of David Bowie’s life in Berlin. I would recommend this tour to anyone visiting. We had three generations in our group and each one enjoyed it. Thank you Dan!
Review provided by Viator
Bigtraveller1
Oct 17, 2024
A must for Bowie fans! - I am a big David Bowie fan so I was really looking forward to this tour. Our guide, Dan Borden, was excellent. As a fan, I wanted to see Bowie’s Berlin and learn some things I didn’t know. Dan was very personable and a great guide and speaker. He wove all the elements of Bowie’s time in Berlin into a fascinating narrative as he led us through the various sites playing selections of the Berlin Trilogy. I enjoyed every minute. My wife, who was not a Bowie fan said at the end: “I’m now a Bowie fan.” Very enjoyable and highly recommended!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Neilmb2753rb
Oct 17, 2024
The best walking tour ever - An absolutely fascinating experience that brought 1970s Berlin to life. Not only did we talk about Bowie and his music, but also the state of the city, art, history and the context of his decisions and lifestyle. Our guide Lee's passion and knowledge came through from the first minute to the last. I had goosebumps as we followed in the footsteps of the great man. A bit more expensive than other tours, but absolutely worth it.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jennifer_l
Oct 13, 2024
Great Bowie walking tour in Berlin! - Dan is a great guide, very knowledgeable, friendly and interactive. The tour covered lots of different areas and sights in Berlin with specific zoom-ins on a given period or part of Bowie's career. Music was also provided as we walked along, and there was time for pictures and all the logistical stuff. Highly recommended.
Review provided by Viator
David_h
Feb 19, 2025
Bowie in Berlin - After a slightly delayed start due to meeting point confusion we had a very informative and pleasant walk around Bowie related locations in Berlin. Rachel was a good host and helped us understand plenty about the city.
Review provided by Viator
From $115
up to 8 guests
1 - Adult
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience (local time).