Behind the Wall - East Berlin Stories
Berlin, Germany
From USD 82.64
Office phone number: +49 171 28 91 561
Behind the Wall - East Berlin Stories
Berlin, Germany
Culture shock rating
Worried we’re going to shock your senses? Relax! We believe part of the fun of travel is immersing yourself in the destination and its culture, meeting the people, and learning what makes the place tick. We’ve got a wide range of tours with something for everybody. The cultural shock rating ranks how different the experience is from most Western cultures. But no matter the level, don’t worry, you’ll have a local, in-the-know guide with you every step of the way.
Low
Consider these tours your 101 intro to a place. Transportation might be private or a very comfortable public option, and the activities are usually visits to iconic sites and locations that are familiar to most Western cultures – but that will still give you fantastic insight into a destination.
Medium
Expect to rough it for parts of this tour, whether that’s on a packed public bus or in a local market off the tourist trail. There might be a few language barriers or unfamiliar cultural customs, and you’ll get an experience different from what you're used to at home.
High
You're out there in the global community! We’re going to take you down streets you’d rarely explore on your own, introduce you to local customs and languages, and take you for a ride in whatever transport is available. Get ready to take it as it comes, whatever comes. There might be a shock, but oh man, it’s worth it.
Physical rating
Worried our tours are too tough? Relax! From leisurely strolls to muscle-burning treks, we’ve got a wide range of tours with something for everybody. The physical grading gives you an idea of how much huffing and puffing you can expect on the tour.
Low
Slow and steady is all you need here. These tours have very limited physical activity, such as walking relatively flat streets, sites, or markets, and climbing in and out of the transport provided.
Medium
Not too hard, not too soft, these tours are just right! You can expect a bit of physical activity, but nothing overly challenging – perhaps walking up and down hills, riding a bike for up to 30 kilometers along mostly flat terrain, or jumping in a kayak for a gentle paddle on flat water.
High
Get ready for a workout! These tours are our most challenging and involve intense walking, hiking, kayaking, swimming, or bike riding. You could be making steep climbs by foot or pedal, or working your core in the water. We recommend you have a good level of fitness to join this tour.
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Tour snapshot
Discover what the former East Berlin was really like in this unique experience; from cultural traditions and anarchic rebellions, to dividing walls and creative fervour, this tour will take you behind the scenes of the real East Berlin.
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Highlights
- Learn all about the Cold War and East Berlin's dramatic transformation over the last decades
- Explore the history of Berlin's most creative neighbourhoods which were the heart of Berlin subculture in the 90s
- Discover where Martin Luther King gave his famous speech in 1964
- On Sundays only: Be a real 2020 Berliner and pick up a bargain from Mauerpark fleamarket, just five minutes' walk from the end point before strolling through the beautiful leafy neighbourhood of Prenzlauerberg with its stunning architecture and lovingly restored buildings
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Schedule details
- Duration: 4 hours
- Meeting point:
The entrance of the Melia Hotel at Friedrichstraße,103 (Close to the suburban station Friedrichstraße)
- Find the exact meeting point with what3words:
- Starting time: 10.00 AM
- Ending point:
Berlin Wall Memorial at Bernauerstrasse (close to S-Bahn Station Nordbahnhof), located in Berlin Mitte
Language: English
Inclusions: Local, English-speaking guide
Exclusions: Items of a personal nature, tips or gratuities for your guide.
On this Behind the Wall Tour, you will explore and discover the fascinating side to Berlin’s history that has shaped the city into what it is today. After meeting your local tour guide and group, you’ll walk to the ‘Palace of Tears’ and learn about the incredible story behind its name. You’ll follow the fading traces of the Cold War in Berlin to a spot where East and West were divided for decades.
The next part of the tour will give you the opportunity to see some of the major highlights of Berlin, which have lived through the decades and survived the many regimes (WWII, The Cold War, Reunification) such as the world famous Humboldt University's palace-like main building, where the notorious book burning of 1933 took place, before passing the impressive Museum Island, a UNESCO World Heritage site with numerous world-class museums and the majestic Berliner Dom.
Your guide will share the story behind the reconstruction of the new Prussian Palace, which is being rebuilt at the exact location of the former Palace of the Republic (The GDR Government building). Your tour will lead you past the famous DDR Museum (a visit inside is not included in the tour, but is highly recommended if you have time at a later date).
Next you´ll take a leap into life in 90s East Berlin, taking in some of the most well-known squats and punker clubs before exploring the Hackesche Höfe, a stunning building of interconnecting courtyards, and now a buzzing cultural and arts space. You’ll discover the transformation that the neighbourhood has undergone and hear stories of its wild past; it was here that Berlin’s alternative subculture thrived in the 90s and continues to thrive today.
On your way to the final highlight of the tour, you will see where Martin Luther King held his famous speech in 1964 before finishing the tour at the notorious Berlin Wall, where you will see how the Wall divided the city.
Urban Adventures offers you a truly unique insight into the incredible German capital. Your local guide will be full of insider knowledge that they will share with you along the way, giving you an exclusive insight into the transformation of Berlin over the last century.
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Additional information
Inclusions: Local, English-speaking guide
Exclusions: Items of a personal nature, tips or gratuities for your guide.
Dress standard: A good pair of comfortable walking shoes is advisable. Dependent on weather, wet weather gear is useful.
Your Trip: For your Urban Adventure you will be in a small group of a maximum of 12 people.
Confirmation of booking: If you have your voucher, your booking is confirmed. We'll see you at the start point. Get in touch if you have any concerns or require more information via the email address or phone number (business hours only) on your voucher.
Child Policy: This is a child-friendly tour. Children between the ages of 6 and 11 inclusively are permitted on this tour at the rate listed above. Please select ‘child’ above when booking. Children under the age of 6 are permitted to join this tour free of charge. Please inform us at the time of booking if you’ll be bringing a child under the age of 6. You can do so in the special request box on the checkout page.
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Local contact
Office phone number: +49 171 28 91 561
Email address: info@berlinurbanadventures.com
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