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
See why Claudia Schiffer said 'Berlin is like being abroad in Germany' on this revealing Berlin tour which trades in the tourist traps for the back streets and out-of-the-way places favoured by locals.
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Highlights
- Discover dozens of hidden spots in Berlin that only locals know about
- Learn all about Berlin’s transformation over the last century
- Visit the ‘Palace of Tears’ and explore the meaning behind its name
- Hear local stories against the backdrop of the stunning Humboldt University
- Get insider knowledge about Berlin’s Jewish history and culture
- Sample traditional German treats at the oldest bakery in Berlin
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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: Sample of "Berliner“ (doughnut)
Exclusions: Items of a personal nature, tips or gratuities for your guide.
On this Hidden Berlin 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 amazing 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, as well as pass emotional sites where Jewish children were either rescued or sent to concentration camps.
The next part of your Berlin tour will take you through the city’s university quarter. Take a look behind the dazzling facade of Humboldt University's palace-like main building, see the spot where the notorious book burning of 1933 took place, and learn more about what it’s like to be a student in Berlin today. After that, you’ll take a stop off at Museum Island, a UNESCO World Heritage site with numerous world-class museums, where you’ll hear stories and legends from your local guide about the queens of the island.
You’ll continue on with this Berlin walking tour towards the Jewish Quarter, where you’ll be able to admire the New Synagogue, a stunning building perfect for taking those iconic Berlin photos! Here you’ll learn more about Berlin’s Jewish heritage and discover fascinating tales about the dark history of the Jewish population in Berlin from 1933-1945. You’ll listen to stories about the famous Jewish philosopher Moses Mendelssohn, the brave staff of a hospital who rescued Jewish people from the National Socialists, and the almost forgotten legend of Martin Luther King’s surprise visit to East Berlin in 1964. These are the stories that only the locals know, and this tour will help you dive right into them!
The next stop on your Berlin city tour will take you to one of the oldest bakeries in Berlin and the best place in town to sample a ‘Berliner’, a traditional German delicacy. While you chow down on this delicious treat, you’ll hear all about this family-run bakery, which has stood strong through all the changes Berlin has been part of for the last 80 years.
Next, you’ll follow your local guide through the hidden backstreets of Berlin and get a glimpse into the backyards of Old Berlin’s traditional tenement houses, where thousands of workers once lived under extremely trying conditions. You’ll finish the tour at the infamous Berlin Wall, and take a peek behind the concrete and barbed wire to a spot that’s been hidden for the last 28 years.
This Berlin tour 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 all along the way, giving you an exclusive look into the transformation of Berlin over the last century.
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Additional information
Inclusions: Sample of "Berliner“ (doughnut)
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. Children younger than 6 are permitted at no extra cost, but please make sure you inform our guides of this before you take the tour.
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Local contact
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