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Private Walking Tour: Berlin Wall, Cold War and Checkpoint Charlie

5 (28)
Berlin, DE
5 (28)
Berlin, DE
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Experience the captivating history of the Cold War and the Berlin Wall on this private walking tour. Immerse yourself in the dramatic events that shaped the world as you visit the Berlin Wall Documentation Center and the last remaining original pieces of the Wall. Feel the weight of history as you explore the former ghost train subway, where the gloomy atmosphere still lingers. Witness the emotional goodbyes at the Palace of Tears, where families bid farewell at the checkpoint. Finally, uncover the secrets of Checkpoint Charlie, the iconic military checkpoint that once held the fate of mankind in its grasp. With a knowledgeable guide leading the way, this tour will transport you back in time, allowing you to uncover the stories and events that defined the Cold War era. Don't miss this unique opportunity to walk in the footsteps of history.

About this experience

  • Free Cancellation For a full refund cancel at least before the start of your booking
  • 2 hours
  • Suitable for 1-15 Participants
  • Private Tour
  • Guided Experience
  • Walk along the former death strip in Berlin
  • See the last remaining original pieces of the Wall
  • Ride on a former "ghost train" subway
  • Visit the "Palace of Tears" checkpoint
  • Experience Checkpoint Charlie, a hot spot of the Cold War
  • Private tour
  • Professional guide
  • Tickets for public transportation

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More about this experience

Introduction

Experience the historical significance of the Cold War in an immersive and informative private walking tour of Berlin. This captivating tour takes you to the very places where famous events unfolded and history was written. Uncover the stories behind the Berlin Wall, the Cold War, and Checkpoint Charlie as your knowledgeable guide leads you through a journey of the past.

What to Expect?

During this 2-hour tour, you can expect to witness original pieces of the Berlin Wall, one of the last remaining guard towers, and the iconic Checkpoint Charlie. Walk along the former death strip in the city center, where dramatic escape attempts took place, both successful and tragic. Gain insight into the lives of Berliners during the division of the city through maps and open-air exhibitions. Ride on the hauntingly-called "ghost trains" that once operated close to the wall, exploring underground stations with a gloomy atmosphere.

Who is this for?

This private walking tour is perfect for history enthusiasts, culture seekers, and anyone with an eagerness to delve into the captivating narrative of the Cold War era. Ideal for travelers of all ages, this tour provides an opportunity to connect with Berlin's rich history and gain a deeper understanding of the city's past.

Why book this?

Book this private walking tour if you want a truly immersive experience of Berlin's Cold War history. With your expert local guide, you'll receive a personalized and in-depth perspective on the events that shaped this iconic period. This tour takes you beyond the surface-level attractions, allowing you to delve into the lesser-known stories of the Cold War, giving you a sense of the palpable tension and historic significance of each location. By the end of the tour, you'll feel connected to the fascinating history of Berlin and gain valuable insights that guidebooks simply can't provide.

Good to Know

This private walking tour lasts for 2 hours and covers multiple key locations related to the Cold War. Make sure to wear comfortable shoes, as you'll be walking throughout the tour. Please note that the tour starts at the Berlin Wall Documentation Center in "Bernauer Strasse" and ends at the Wall Museum, which you can visit afterwards if desired. Gain a profound understanding of Berlin's divided past, and leave with a fresh perspective on the enduring impacts of the Cold War.

Reviews

Previous participants have commended this private walking tour for its in-depth exploration of Berlin's Cold War history. They praised the knowledgeable guides who brought the past to life and provided fascinating insights into the city's rich history. Travelers remarked that this tour was the highlight of their visit, as it allowed them to witness firsthand the remains of the Berlin Wall and experience the profound impact of the Cold War era. Overall, participants were highly satisfied with the comprehensive nature of the tour and the opportunity to engage with such a significant period in history.

How long before the event do I need to book?

  • You can book at any time before the event

Vouchers accepted in the following formats

  • Mobile

Your Itinerary

Memorial of the Berlin Wall

Your guide will take you on a walk along the former death strip in the city center of Berlin and to a visit of the authentic sites and documentation centers. The tour starts at the Berlin Wall Documentation Center north of downtown Berlin. Here, in "Bernauer Strasse", many of the dramatic escape attempts took place, successful and tragic ones. See, where famous events of the Cold War happened, like the young East German soldier jumping over the barbed wire or where people died after jumping out of the windows into the West because the front of their houses formed the Berlin Wall. Maps and an open-air exhibition will help you to understand what it meant to live in the divided Berlin.

GDR Watch Tower

On the tour you will also see the last remaining original pieces of the Wall and also one of the last remaining Watch Towers built on the "Death Strip" that once divided the city.

Palace of Tears

You will ride on one of the subways that were called "ghost trains" during the division of the city. So-called because of the gloomy atmosphere in the underground stations close to the wall. Using one of those former ghost-lines we will reach the "Palace of Tears". See where Germans from West Berlin could travel to the East and visit their relatives. When they had to go back, they had to say goodbye to each other at this checkpoint. That is why this former checkpoint is called "Palace of Tears". See the building and the inside documentation center.

Checkpoint Charlie

The tour also covers Checkpoint Charlie, the former military checkpoint and hot spot of the Cold War. This is the site where the fate of mankind was hanging by a thread in 1961 when US and Soviet tanks confronted each other. The tour ends at the Wall Museum which you may visit afterwards.

Reviews

(28)

5 (28)

Pauric T

Stefan was the perfect guide - informative, knowledgable, humorous and friendly. The tour was a real eye-opener evoking the lived experience of ordinary Berliners in a traumatic period.

Nicole_B

Tankred was a wonderful guide and made the history and locations come alive. My 12 year old son who is always cynical of tours, loved it. He also provided a wonderful recommendation for a restaurant.

JCEGGENBERGER

Stefan was an excellent tour guide. Not only was he well versed in the complex politics of the Cold War (and was easily able to explain it) he actually lived it! Thoroughly enjoyable. Highly recommend!

Voyage63296327591

The guide was very experienced. He showed us some nice buildings and explained a bit of history. I definitely will recommend him

LoveHistoryMaki

Awesome experience with a dedicated guide! We learned about Berlin's history and received a lot background info! Our guide was also very accommodating in terms of timetable and sights we wanted to learn more about.

Audrey P

We enjoyed our first time touring Berlin. Stefan, our knowledgeable guide, gave us a brief overview of Berlin and how it is the most pupulous city in the EU and Germany with 3.6 million people. He also showed us maps of where the Berlin Wall existed during the Cold War and how Berlin was divided within East Germany. His teaching aids (laminated cards) were quite helpful and showed preparedness on his part. Charlottenburg gardens, Brandenburg Gate, checkpoint Charlie, sites where the Berlin Wall once was, and in one place, still is ever present. Visiting an area where the wall exists and seeing the towers and electrical fences made it more possible to envision the fear and struggle of families torn apart and loved ones lost. We also learned from Stefan about the ideas behind the Holocaust Memorial in its design, layout and undulating paths. All quite moving. Stefan pointed out where some of the more popular Christmas markets are held so with his pointers we’re looking forward to shopping the markets on Monday!

Jennifer M

Fantastic tour with Stefan today. We were all engaged, even 3 kids (ages 15, 14, and 10). Stefan was extremely knowledgeable and showed us so many things that we never would have noticed if we tried to navigate it on our own. Highly recommend!

skap225

Great experience! Axel is a wonderful tour guide. We saw Brandenburg gate, the Berlin Wall, all the major attractions.

Henrik B

Alex was knowing, clear speaking and focused on everybody in the group. We walked at a suitable pace and there were time for questions. All-in-all: Alex is the best!

Christine T

We were a group of 7 for this walking tour. We had 5 adults and two children age 14. Our guide's name was Horst. We highly recommend this tour. We were met by Horst exactly on time at our hotel. He was able to discuss topics that the adults were interested in and made sure to include topics that the younger children would be interested in. We found it even more interesting that he was born in Germany, had family locally and shared stories of history prior to the Wall and after. He always asked us our opinion on the topics we were he most interested. We took the public metro and he helped us with purchasing the tickets and guiding us on navigating the train system. This was extremely useful for our trip. His knowledge on the history was amazing and he shared many stories so we could have a comprehensive understanding of the time period. We would take this tour again when we revisit.
Collected by Evendo, Tripadvisor & Viator
2024-05-20 10:35