Cold War Walking Tour of Berlin: Discover the History of Geopolitical Conflict

Embark on a captivating Cold War walking tour of Berlin and delve into the history of geopolitical conflict. Explore the Berlin Wall, hidden areas of the Death Strip, and underground ‘Ghost Stations’. Learn about espionage, escape tunnels, and the leaders who shaped this geopolitical hotspot.

Duration: 3 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Berlin Friedrichstrasse Station - Take a ghost train ride from our meeting point through the old Cold War ghost stations
  • Admiralspalast Berlin - See the location where the East German Political Party (SED) was founded in 1946
  • Palace of Tears - A former East German transit exit building, now a sensational museum that speaks to the importance of the building during the Cold War.
  • Bernauer Straße - Take a ghost train ride up to Nordbahnhof. Learn about what happened in a divided city with the underground which went historically from East to West.
  • Memorial of the Berlin Wall - Death strip area, East German guard tower, Tunnel 57 (longest and most successful escape tunnel), Chapel of Reconciliation, first death at the Berlin Wall, where people jumped out of windows to escape the oppression of socialistic East Germany
  • Chapel of Reconciliation - See this symbolic church, once blown up by East Germans in 1985. Now rebuilt, it unites architectural and ecological modernity with remembrance, standing as a triumph against its predecessor’s destruction
What's Included
  • Local Expert Guide
What's Not Included
  • Berlin Transport AB Zone ticket
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
  • Gratuities
  • Food and drinks
Additional Information

This structured walking tour of Berlin will guide you through the theater of warfare between the Western and Communist blocs. Guided by an expert, you’ll see the remnants of the Berlin Wall and the concealed sections of the Death Strip, exploring a historic guard tower and venturing through subterranean ‘Ghost Stations.’ You will stand over notable escape tunnels, gaining insight into those who took part in their creation. Hear narratives about Cold War spying activities, and how the CIA and KGB played their parts in this global flashpoint. Comprehend the roles of significant leaders of the period and the circumstances that teetered the world on the verge of a nuclear conflict for four decades. Your guide will educate you about the Berlin citizen’s existence during the protracted conflict of roughly 45 years and the lingering implications we face today.

  • Please bring a Berlin Transport AB Zone ticket
  • As a good amount of walking is involved, comfortable shoes are recommended
Location
Reichstagufer 17
Reichstagufer
Meeting point: outside FRIEDRICHSTRASSE TRAIN STATION, on the square beside the 'Traenenpalast' (Palace of Tears), Reichstagufer 17, 10117 Berlin. Our guides will be wearing a blue lanyard with a yellow name tag, holding yellow umbrellas!
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.9
(684 Ratings)
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Wendy_g
Aug 19, 2024
Fantastic!! - Georgia was amazing!!!! She was incredibly knowledgeable, and really brought everything to life with very powerful stories. Really loved the tour and would highly recommend it, especially with her! Thanks Georgia, I learnt so much!!
Review provided by Viator
David
Aug 8, 2024
Cold War and Saschenhausen tours - We were in Berlin 8 years ago, and our tours then with Insider Berlin were amongst our most memorable experiences in many years of city breaks across Europe so it was an obvious choice again on this visit. We did the Cold War tour with Glen, from Liverpool, England. The tour takes place in the main at The Berlin Wall Memorial and Glen has the knowledge, talent and humour to really explain what, why and how events happened from the creation of the split country of Germany after WW2 to the reunification of Germany after the fall of The Wall in 1989. We also did the tour to Saschenhausen Concentration Camp with Daniel, and again, he was a great guide, really knew his subject and was very caring towards his group. The subject, naturally, is a sobering experience and not for everyone, but it is a vital history lesson to ensure nothing exactly like 1939-1945 happens again. Thank you again, Glen and Daniel, for making this trip to Berlin so special.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Corinn_b
Aug 6, 2024
Tina was an amazing guide... - Tina was an amazing guide - personable and very knowledgeable. I learned so much and she made me want to know more. She has immense curiosity about the subject - and recommended some very good books so I can satisfy my own curiosity.
Review provided by Viator
Fabiocu5327ds
Aug 2, 2024
Crossing the wall - Interesting tour of Cold War sites, even the lesser known ones. Everything is enriched by the friendly and competent guide Filippo who also dispenses curious anecdotes little known to the general public.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Q1292duhannahb
Aug 1, 2024
Incredible tour of Berlin history, highly recommend! - This was the most AMAZING tour. We covered so much history in two hours and got to see many of the crucial sights. Hannah, my tour guide, was incredible: knowledgeable, charismatic, enthusiastic and kind. Could not recommend this tour enough, especially at the start of your trip in Berlin!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Olga_c
Jul 31, 2024
Great tour - Great tour. Our tour guide Maria was very engaging & shared many great stories. Tour was a good length.
Review provided by Viator
Raxina20
Jul 24, 2024
Good tour , more knowledge!!! - Tina was an amazing and well known guide. She really likes what she does and share her thoughts and experiences 100% recommended her. It was blowing my mind with all the information that someone can have and share… Unbelievable and amazing at the same time!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Vb4859
Jul 7, 2024
Berlin during the Cold War - Hannah, the guide, was excellent!! She really knew her history, clearly loved Berlin and her enthusiasm was infectious. With every penny paid for the trip!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Stephen_k
Jul 5, 2024
The crossing of no man’s... - The crossing of no man’s land and a better understanding of what “the wall” really was. I did not grasp that it was a wide series of walls, spikes, sand, and booby traps.
Review provided by Viator
Carolyn_f
Aug 30, 2024
Interesting and Thought Provoking - Eran was a fantastic guide. Thoughtful content, clearly presented. He really brought the history to life.
Review provided by Viator
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up to 15 guests
1 Adult
September 2024
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