City Tours in Berlin

Berlin is a city you can easily explore independently, thanks to the excellent public transport network. Yet if you’re looking for a richer experience, guided city tours in Berlin are the way forward.

You’ll learn far more with a local expert in tow and discover places that you’d have missed by going it alone. Berlin city tours are immersive – they’re the best way to get to know Germany’s vibrant capital.

Here's all you need to know about city tours, some of the most remarkable sightseeing tours in Berlin.

What are the best city tours in Berlin?

Berlin city tour by boat

One of the most popular ways to explore Berlin is on a boat cruise. It’s a relaxing way to travel, and you’ll be able to check out many of the key tourist spots along the way. Audio guides are provided to help you understand what you’re seeing.

After boarding the vessel, your cruise will commence – try to arrive early so you can bag a window seat. If it’s a warm day you can sit out on the open-top deck for 360-degree views.

The tour takes you past the Reichstag before continuing through the Government Quarter and on to the Haus der Kulturen der Welt. You’ll also cruise by Bellevue Palace, Berlin Cathedral and Museum Island.

Boat trips can also be combined with Berlin hop-on hop-off bus tours for a comprehensive day out.

Sightseeing city tour in Berlin

These convivial Berlin city excursions are a great way to make a dent in your sightseeing hit list. You’ll visit some of the most famous landmarks during a leisurely walking tour. Your guide will spill the beans on Berlin’s colorful history, from the Prussian Empire through to Nazi Germany and the Cold War.

Itineraries usually begin with the Government District, passing by the Reichstag and the Chancellery. You’ll also see the famous Brandenburg Gate and the Holocaust Memorial before continuing along the line of the former Berlin Wall.

Further on, you can admire the architecture in the Gendarmenmarkt square where the Berlin Concert Hall watches over proceedings. The excursions finish on a high note with sightings of the cathedral and Museum Island.

Private Berlin city tour

For a more exclusive experience, book a private city tour and have the guide all to yourself. You can enjoy everything from walking excursions in Berlin to sightseeing by vintage van, depending on how much ground you want to cover.

The itinerary follows a similar format to the ones above, but as this is a private trip, you’ll have more say in the schedule. Tours can focus on historical landmarks or modern architecture, with some routes designed especially for families.

For something a bit more niche, you can opt for a visit to the Jewish Quarter or the graffitied backstreets of eastern Berlin. There are also excursions centered on the criminal underworld, where tales of gangsters and crooks set the scene.

Segway, rickshaw and BedBike city tours

Fancy exploring the capital in a unique way? Then Berlin Segway tours, rickshaw rides and BedBike excursions tick all the boxes. These trips take you around the city on unusual forms of transport, so you’ll be sure to turn heads wherever you go.

On these quirky city tours in Berlin, you’ll be accompanied by a guide, so you know you’re in safe hands. There will be a practice session on the Segway excursions so you can roll around the streets with confidence.

Meanwhile, on the rickshaw and BedBike trips, which are unique alternatives to Berlin bike tours, all you have to do is sit back and enjoy the ride. You’ll take in the scenery as you trundle around the center, stopping at key sites for photos.

Which places are visited?

Reichstag

Most Berlin city tours will take you past the Reichstag, as it lies at the heart of the Government District. This historic building is home to the German parliament and is famed for its eye-catching modern architecture.

You can walk up the spiral ramp beneath the dramatic glass dome and enjoy a wander on the roof terrace. The views across the city are well worth the climb to the top on a sunny day.

Berlin Wall

The Berlin Wall was erected in the 1960s to divide the city during the Cold War. It has long been a symbol of political tension and was only knocked down in 1989. Today, there are still a few sections of the wall that remain standing, as a reminder of past oppression.

The East Side Gallery is the most famous stretch of wall and is renowned for its colorful murals. This is a popular spot on many free Berlin walking tours and street art excursions. You’ll also get to see Checkpoint Charlie which was the main crossing point along the wall.

Brandenburg Gate

Built in the 18th century to celebrate the restoration of power by the Prussian king, the Brandenburg Gate is one of Berlin’s most imposing sights. Topped by ornate horse statues, the gate makes a great photo stop on city tours in Berlin.

Formerly seen as a symbol of division during the Cold War, today the Brandenburg Gate is an icon of reunification. There’s no vehicle access under the arches so you’ll be able to admire it from all angles.

Tiergarten

The Tiergarten is the most-visited urban park in Berlin. It’s a leafy space, with avenues of trees and green lawns bringing a breath of fresh air to the capital. Known as the city’s green lung, the forested Tiergarten is the heart of outdoor life here in the city.

This former royal hunting ground is a fashionable place for walks and is home to some of the city’s most important memorials. You’ll also come across the Siegessäul (Victory Column) which can be climbed – the views from the top are epic!

How much do city tours in Berlin cost?

Sightseeing tours on foot are one of the cheapest ways to see the city. Prices start at €20 per person for 2 hours, rising to €80 for a more comprehensive 3-hour jaunt. Boat cruises are also cost-effective – it costs €20 per person for an hour-long trip. These are all group tours.

The combination bus and boat tour is priced at €40 for a 2-day pass. This covers 48 hours on the hop-on hop-off bus plus a 1-hour boat trip. You can explore at your own pace but there will be other passengers on board both the bus and the boat.

Hour-long trips by Segway cost €50 per rider, with a maximum of 15 people on the tour. Meanwhile, the 1-hour BedBike experience is €70 for two passengers. It will just be you on this excursion. The rickshaw ride costs more at €190, but this is for a 2-hour trip with up to two passengers.

Private city tours in Berlin cost around €200 for a 4-hour walking excursion. This is for up to 20 people so you can bring along your family and friends. The exclusive vintage van trip is more expensive at €500 for up to eight passengers.

What is included?

Inclusions on city tours in Berlin vary according to the type of trip you have booked. You can expect to have a local guide on sightseeing excursions. You will have an exclusive guide and hotel pickups on a private walking tour.

Boat cruises and bus tours include audio guide commentary in multiple languages. You will be able to purchase food and drink on board the boat.

Segway tours include the use of segway and helmet, instruction session, a guide and insurance.

Rickshaw rides include a sightseeing tour by rickshaw, alcoholic drinks, blankets in winter, music on request and a photographer to document your adventure. Hotel transfers are also included.

BedBike trips include a ride in a bicycle-powered bed, a tour guide, blankets and seat heaters in winter or sunshades in summer.

Private vehicle excursions include transport by vintage van, a private guide, hotel transfers and soft drinks.

Hotel pickups are not generally offered by providers of Berlin city tours, so you’ll have to travel independently to the meeting points. Private excursions are the exception.

Note that entrance fees to attractions are not included. These tours usually pass the attractions mentioned in the itinerary rather than going inside for a visit.

Where does it start?

City excursions in Berlin have many different starting points, depending on the type of tour. All are near to metro, train or bus stations so they’re easy to access.

Berlin walking tours often begin outside Friedrichstrasse Station next to the Tränenpalast (Palace of Tears). Boat cruises start at either Friedrichstrasse or Nikolaiviertel, so check your joining instructions carefully before heading out.

For segway excursions, you’ll need to meet on Krausnickstrasse, across the road from the Monbijoupark. Meanwhile, rickshaw rides depart from Brandenburger Tor station and the BedBike trips leave from the World Time Clock in Alexanderplatz.

How long does it last?

The length of city tours in Berlin depends on which experience you book. Some trips last just an hour while others will have you out and about for 6 hours.

Most excursions are between 1 and 3 hours long. This is ample time to take in the sights and get a feel for the city. If you want a bit more flexibility with start time and trip length, it’s best to book a private Berlin tour.

Boat cruises usually last an hour and can easily be combined with a bus tour to make the most of your day.

When is the best time for a city tour in Berlin?

Berlin city excursions are scheduled throughout the day, so just pick one that fits in with your plans.

The streets are generally quieter in the mornings while the afternoons are warmer. Full-day tours depart after breakfast and finish in the early evening.

City tours are a great introduction to Berlin, so try and arrange one for your first day in the capital. You’ll come away with some insider tips from your guide to help the rest of your visit run smoothly too.

Are there any combos available with city tours in Berlin?

Berlin city tour plus boat cruise on the River Spree

If you have limited time and want to see as much as possible, these combination Berlin city tours are just the thing. You’ll get to independently explore the center with a hop-on hop-off bus ride. Tickets are valid for 24 or 48 hours, and you can spend as long as you like at each location.

Then it’s time to head out on the water with a boat trip on the River Spree. You’ll experience the city from a new angle while enjoying audio guide commentary as you cruise past the famous landmarks.

What are the other sightseeing tours in Berlin?

• Free walking tours in Berlin
• Kreuzberg guided visits in Berlin
• Alternative Berlin tours
• Street art tours in Berlin
• Berlin scooter tours

Travel tips

• Most city tours in Berlin involve quite a bit of walking so comfortable clothing and footwear are recommended.
• Pack water and sunscreen if you’re visiting during summer as you’ll be outdoors for much of the time. Take a waterproof jacket if rain is forecast – tours run in most weather.
• To avoid the crowds, try to visit outside of July and August. The shoulder seasons of spring and fall are a good bet.
• If your tour involves a bus ride, make sure you arrive early to bag the best seats on the top deck.