Tours & activities in Berlin

Communist Berlin and Berlin Wall Free Tour

A look at life behind the Berlin Wall, the Red Berlin and the divided city during the Cold War

ABOUT THE Communist Berlin and Berlin Wall Free Tour

On this 2-hour walking tour, an experienced local guide gives you a true and accurate account of life in Berlin on the Eastern side of the Berlin Wall under the GDR – the good as well as the bad. Learn about the East German secret police (the Stasi), hear about the spying between the Americans, the British and the Soviets, and discover what life was like for the families who were divided by the Berlin Wall.

 

Your Communist Berlin and Berlin Wall Tour meets in front of the Starbucks at the Brandenburg Gate (S/U-Bahn Brandenburger Tor). We never cancel; tours run rain, hail or shine.

 

A city divided

This 2-hour tour starts at the Brandenburg Gate, which stood alone between East and West Berlin during the time the years of 1961 – 1989, when the city was divided. From there, you’ll head deeper into East Berlin, stopping to see what was the Soviet (and is now the Russian) embassy – only a stone’s throw from where the American Embassy in East Berlin once stood.

Cold War spying

You’ll learn not only about the Cold War-era spying between the East and the West (complete with tunnels, double agents, and even gadgets like poison-tipped umbrellas), but also the spying that took place by the East German government on its own people, with the Stasi collecting thousands of records, imprisoning and interrogating their citizens, and even collecting smell jars with their people’s scents.

The Berlin Wall and families kept apart

From there, you’ll visit the Tränenpalast (Palace of Tears) to hear about how families in the West and East were suddenly divided when the Berlin Wall went up in 1961, and their limited reunions in the 28 years that followed. Your expert local guide will then take you to see the most historically accurate piece of the Berlin Wall, explaining to you how the two-wall system (with the Death Strip in the middle) functioned, and telling you about some of the people who tragically died trying to go over the Wall.

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TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
Image for meeting point

The Communist Berlin and Berlin Wall Tour starts in front of the Starbucks at the Brandenburg Gate (S/U-Bahn Brandenburger Tor)

  • Hear about the Cold War spying between the Americans, the British and the Soviets
  • Discover the Palace of Tears and the heart-breaking division of Berlin families
  • Visit the piece of the Berlin Wall with both walls and the Death Strip still in tact
  • Learn about the Stasi, the feared East German secret police, who relentlessly spied on their citizens
  • Remember those people who lost their lives trying to go over the Berlin Wall
  • Get a deeper understanding of life for citizens of the GDR

TOUR SCHEDULES

Today

This tour doesn‘t run today

Next departure in Spanish : Friday 7th Jun 20242:00 PM
Next departure in English : Sunday 9th Jun 20242:00 PM
PHOTOS
Inclusions & exclusions
What’s included
  • Local English-language expert guide
What’s not included
  • Train ticket (AB day pass required)
  • Food and drinks at break
Additional Information
  • You will need to purchase an AB day transport ticket for this tour
  • Children up to 13 years old may join free, however, please note that some content may not be suitable for younger guests
  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Our business is connecting great guides and smart travelers, and we're proud to help so many local guides welcome travelers like you on their journey through some of the world's best cities. No two tours are alike, and the sites, stories, and length of the tour will vary depending on what your guide decides is best. That's why the tours we promote never get stale or feel scripted, and why savvy travelers prefer SANDEMANs
MAP
Communist Berlin and Berlin Wall Tour start point in front of the Starbucks at the Brandenburg Gate
The Communist Berlin and Berlin Wall Tour starts in front of the Starbucks at the Brandenburg Gate Open in Google Maps
Tour start Tour starts here
End start Tour usually ends here
Tour usually covers

Customer reviews

What is a Free Tour?

 

The Free Tour is the best introduction to Berlin! A general overview tour including many of the highlights of the city, the Free Tour usually lasts around 2 hours and is led by a superb local tour leader, so tour content can vary depending on your tour leader’s particular area of interest and expertise.

The Free Tour is a walking tour with no need for public transport and is designed for independent travelers, not groups. You can book your spot in advance online or simply show up at the start point on the day. There is no payment necessary at the start of the tour but you are welcome to tip your guide at the end!

We believe in supporting local communities and are committed to giving a voice to some of Berlin's best local freelance tour leaders, who passionately share the city's history and culture with their own unique and always-entertaining style. They'll never pressure you to tip; we believe that, if money is given, it should be voluntary and in direct proportion to the quality of the tour and the budget of the traveller.

Why join the SANDEMANs FREE Tour?

  • The route covers many of Berlin's major landmarks
  • The meeting point is centrally located in the Brandenburg Gate
  • The Free Tour is guaranteed to fit within your budget
  • The guides performing tips-based Free Tours are incentivized to perform every time

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Participation in tours promoted by SANDEMANs NEW Europe is strictly on a voluntary basis. Neither SANDEMANs NEW Europe, its staff members, nor any of the freelance guides we work with will be held responsible in any way for injuries to body or property incurred during tours. The tour guides and tour leaders reserve the right to deny participation in any tour, to any person, for any reason. Thank you for your understanding.

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