Alternative Berlin Tours in Berlin

Berlin is a city of contrasts. With its complex history, this once-divided city has become a multicultural and dynamic destination, where an alternative, eclectic culture exists alongside the traditional Berlin with its monuments and galleries.

If you are curious to learn more about the Alternative Berlin tours available: a free walking tour, comprehensive guided tour or guided bike tour may be perfect for you.

You will find all you need to know about alternative Berlin tours, one of the best ways for sightseeing tours in Berlin.

What are the best Alternative Berlin tours?

Depending on your budget and the time you have available, there are several options if you are a visitor looking for an Alternative Berlin tour.

If you enjoy a tour that is more active, consider a sightseeing bicycle tour or one of many walking tours. Otherwise, several tours make use of public transport and short walks between points of interest.

Free walking tour of Alternative Berlin

Free walking tours are based on a “pay as you wish” basis, which means that you can reserve space on a tour at no cost. You tip the guide for their services at the end of your tour.

If you are a group of more than five people, you may be asked to pay an upfront fee in the region of €10 to €15 per person. Where the use of public transport is required or if there are entrance fees payable, these will be for your own expense.

A typical free walking tour of Alternative Berlin includes some history around the evolution of alternative lifestyles in Berlin in the 1990s and focuses on urban art, music and graffiti.

The tours usually begin in the city center before using public transport to reach the Kreutzberg district – one of the city’s most alternative neighborhoods. Hause Schwarzenberg provides a time capsule of 80’s Berlin, while sites like the Tresor Club grant a glimpse of the pioneering Techno scene in Berlin.

Alternative Berlin bike tour

A small group bike tour is the perfect way to experience Berlin’s alternative side. With an experienced local guide, you depart the bike depot and pass through Volkspark, the first municipal green area in Berlin.

In the East-Berlin district of Friedrichshain, you’ll cycle past political graffiti at the East Side Gallery and see the Soviet-era buildings along the Karl-Marx-Allee. Crossing the Oberbaum Bridge, you’ll enter the Kreutzberg district, passing the Kunstlerhaus Bethanien, a center for modern visual arts.

Görlitzer Park, a transformed trainyard, is one of the last points on your tour before returning to your starting point.

Alternative Berlin group or private tour

A group or private Alternative Berlin tour will take you on a journey into the fascinating city,  as it has been shaped first by the Cold War and the fall of the Berlin Wall, followed by the gentrification and commercialization of the area.

Your guide will lead you through the multicultural quarters of the city, including Friedrichshain, Kreuzberg and Neukölln. You will have the opportunity to walk through café and shopping districts in Prenzlauerberg and Mitte before admiring the architecture of both East and West Berlin.

On your tour, you will learn about the city’s street art and visit both contemporary and underground galleries. You will have a greater understanding of Berlin’s countercultural history, as you explore the cultural landscape from a local’s perspective.

Your final stop is the Turkish Market, an outdoor bazaar on the banks of the Landwehr canal that has grown to represent Berlin’s diverse population. Public transport is utilized to keep tour costs low.

How much do Alternative Berlin tours cost?

Free walking tours of Alternative Berlin do not have upfront or fixed costs, you will tip your guide at the end of your tour based on your experience.

Tips range between €5 and €50, and most people tip their guide between €10 and €15 per person. For a group, your guide may request an upfront fee of around €10 per person.

A small-group bike tour of Alternative Berlin costs around €30 per person. Some tours do accommodate children, and they pay a discounted rate of between €15 and €25 depending on their age.

Standard tours of Alternative Berlin start at around €20 per person. Students and seniors can expect discounted rates of approximately €15 per person. Some tours do not allow children, but those that do may allow children free of charge.

A private tour of Alternative Berlin charges a flat rate of €250 for a group of up to 10 people.

What is included in an Alternative Berlin tour?

Alternative Berlin tours are usually exclusive of all transport, food and drink costs. If public transport is used, you will need to pay for this on the day of your tour, although your guide may help you purchase the ticket. Some tours, especially private tours, may collect you from your hotel.

Where do Alternative Berlin tours start?

Alternative Berlin bike tours usually start at the bike depot at Kulturbrauerei on Knaakstrasse.

The Red Town Hall or Rotes Rathaus is a popular starting point for free walking tours. A central point such as the Alexanderplatz TV Tower is usually suggested for a standard Alternative Berlin tour.

How long do Alternative Berlin tours last?

Most Alternative Berlin tours, including private, standard and free walking tours in Berlin, last between 2.5 and 3 hours long. Bike tours typically take about 3.5 hours.

When is the best time for an Alternative Berlin tour?

The months of May to September are best for Alternative Berlin tours, as the weather best suits outdoor activities. It can get very cold in the winter months.

Berlin experiences rainfall throughout the year, and most Alternative Berlin tours take place in all weather conditions.

Is it safe to take an Alternative Berlin tour?

Alternative Berlin tours are safe, however, certain tours are not suitable for people with mobility impairments or for wheelchair users. Bicycle helmets are a requirement for bike tours, and are provided by the tour company.

Are children allowed on an Alternative Berlin tour?

Some Alternative Berlin tours in Berlin do allow children to join, but others don’t because several of the tours include venues that are unsuitable for children.  Some tours discuss topics of an adult nature and, as such, do not permit children.

It is best to check your selected tour to see whether children are permitted or not.

Travel tips

• Remember to book your tour in advance to guarantee a spot.
• Wear comfortable walking shoes.
• If you are a student, remember to carry your student accreditation to qualify for discounts.
• Let your guide know if you have any mobility issues.
• Carry some cash to tip your guide at the end of your tour.