Tours & activities in Berlin

The Jewish Berlin Free Walking Tour

This 2-hour Berlin free walking tour takes you though the history of Berlin's Jewish community

ABOUT THE The Jewish Berlin Free Walking Tour

Immerse yourself in the profound history of Berlin's Jewish community. Our experienced guide will lead you through the most significant sights, memorials, and monuments, offering insights into both past and present Jewish life. The guides leading this tour will be Jewish, and their offering of personal experiences living as Jews in Berlin is essential to the impact of this tour experience. We never cancel; tours run rain, hail or shine.

Berlin’s Jewish history begins around 800 years ago, and their contribution to Berlin’s growth as Prussia’s capital proved essential. By the 1800s Berlin would become the center of the Haskalah, or Jewish enlightenment. The freedom and openness of the 1920s Weimar Republic would set the scene for a Golden Age of German Jewry. By 1933, a community of 160,000 Jews called the city home.

Amidst this cultural flourishing, the ominous shadow of anti-Semitism loomed larger and larger. In the years preceding the Nazi rise to power, attacks against Jews intensified, casting a cloud over the once vibrant and diverse capitol. By 1945, only 8,000 Jews remained in what had been arguably the capital for European Jews just 12 years earlier. Thousands of Stoppelsteine or “stumbling stones” dot the city sidewalks, reminding us of the murdered Berliners.

Today, Berlin has seven synagogues, a Chabad educational center, many kosher restaurants and a growing observant Jewish community as well as a growing secular Israeli community. Sadly anti-semitism did not die with the Third Reich, and your guide is sure to speak about their experiences in Germany over the years, both heartwarming and at times shocking.

Our Jewish Berlin tour covers the most significant places and stories  You’ll visit the Hackesche Hofe, the New Synagogue, the Jewish Cemetery, the Otto Weidt House, and the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe.

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TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
Image for meeting point

The Jewish Berlin Free Walking Tour starts in front of Starbucks Cafe at the Hackesche Markt

  • Rosenstrasse - the story of the old synagogue and the ladies protest.
  • Otto Widt Museum - the story of the factory and a short walk inside of the museum.
  • Exploring the Hoffe - back-courtyard explanations, 
  • The Sucka - a Jewish celebration called Sukkot, during which people eat and sleep in the tents. The Sucka is  a place in Berlin with a memorial related to his celebration
  • Jewish Cemetery and the memorial for victims of fascism.
  • The New Synagogue - the story of the place, and the story of Kristal Nacht.

TOUR SCHEDULES

Today

This tour doesn‘t run today

Next departure in English : Friday 7th Jun 20242:00 PM
Inclusions & exclusions
What’s included
  • Local English-language expert guide
What’s not included
  • Gratuities for the guide (optional)
Additional Information
  • 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
The Jewish Berlin Free Walking Tour starts in front of Starbucks Cafe at the Hackesche Markt
Tour start Tour starts here
End start Tour usually ends here

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

WALKING TOURS & ACTIVITIES IN BERLIN

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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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