Discover Berlin Express
WWII & Cold War
A 2-hour walking tour in English with Original Berlin Walks. Explore the Brandenburg Gate, the Holocaust Memorial, the site of Hitler’s bunker and Checkpoint Charlie with an expert guide connecting WWII and Cold War history.
Reduced €18 · Children (3–11) €5
Welcome Card holders €15 · Prices include VAT.
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure.
Meeting point: Tourist Information at the Brandenburg Gate (Pariser Platz 1), Berlin.
Choose your date & time
Select an available departure, then choose your tickets. The tour lasts 2 hours and is led in English.
Adult €20 · Reduced €18 · Children €5
Welcome Card holders €15 · Prices include VAT.
Meet at the Tourist Information at Brandenburg Gate, Pariser Platz 1, 10117 Berlin. Please arrive 10 minutes early.
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure. Cancellation terms.
Calendar unavailable? Open the public tour booking calendar or contact our team.
Why choose the Discover Berlin Express walking tour?
The Discover Berlin Express is a focused 2-hour walking tour through central Berlin — built for first-time visitors, cruise day-trippers, and anyone with a packed itinerary who still wants real historical depth. You get the context of a half-day tour, condensed into a single coherent route on foot.
Rather than ticking off landmarks in isolation, your guide follows one continuous narrative: the Nazi seizure of power, the devastation of the Second World War, four decades of Cold War division, and reunification after 1989. Each stop adds a chapter to the story of modern Germany.
Because the route stays entirely in the historic city centre, you spend your time learning — not navigating transport or crossing town. It is the most efficient way to understand why Berlin looks and feels the way it does today.
Planning a short visit? Read what you can realistically see in Berlin in two hours and what to expect at Checkpoint Charlie before choosing your tour.
What is included in the Express tour?
Your ticket includes a public 2-hour walking tour with a professional English-speaking guide. The group has a maximum of 25 participants and no minimum participant number.
- Bring along
- Weather-appropriate clothing and comfortable shoes.
- Not included
- Gratuities. Interior visits to buildings and museums are not included.
- Getting around
- Walking only; no public transport ticket is required. The tour is wheelchair accessible.
Questions before booking? Email info@berlinwalks.de.
What you'll see on this tour
Follow a connected route through central Berlin — each stop below forms part of one story spanning Nazi rule, wartime destruction, Cold War division, and reunification.
The Brandenburg Gate
Walk through Berlin's most famous landmark and learn how this symbol of Prussian power became a stage for Nazi rallies, Cold War division, and German reunification.
Holocaust Memorial
Visit the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe and understand how Berlin commemorates the victims of the Holocaust in the heart of the city.
Checkpoint Charlie
Cross the Cold War frontier at the most famous border crossing between East and West Berlin and hear the secret stories that make the past come to life.
The Reichstag
See the Reichstag and learn how the fire of 1933, Nazi rule, wartime destruction, and reunification shaped Germany's parliament building.
Also on the tour
Please note: This is an outdoor walking tour. Interior visits to buildings, museums, and memorial exhibitions are not included, but your guide will explain the historical significance of each site in context.
Ready to walk through Berlin's history?
Check available dates and reserve your place on the next tour.
Photo credits
- "Berlin - Brandenburger Tor" by Pierre-Selim Huard, via Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY 4.0.
- "Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe above" by Alexander Blum, via Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- "Checkpoint Charlie (5945843990)" by Alen Watkin, via Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY 2.0.
- "Reichstag berlin.jpg" by Siekermann / Christoph F. Siekermann, via Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Good to know
Everything you need before the tour starts — straightforward, practical, and easy to plan around.
- 120 minutes — fixed duration, easy to plan around the rest of your day
- Walking only — no public transport ticket required
- Runs in all weathers — please dress accordingly
- No minimum group size — the tour runs regardless of numbers
- Wheelchair accessible — suitable for guests with mobility needs
Meeting point
Tourist Information, Brandenburg Gate
Pariser Platz 1, 10117 Berlin
Look for our blue meeting point sign and a guide with a blue Original Berlin Walks name badge and umbrella.
Want this tour with your own private guide?
Book this tour as a private walk with your own expert guide, at your own pace and tailored to your group. For larger groups, you can book additional whisper audio headsets to ensure everyone hears clearly throughout the tour.
- Go at your own pace
- Ask deeper historical questions
- Ideal for families, schools, and groups
- Flexible start times on request
Make the most of your time in Berlin.
A private tour is best if you want a more personal, flexible experience tailored to your group.
Learn more about private toursSuitable for families, schools, companies, and private groups.
Discover Berlin Express Tour FAQ
Practical answers about the route, booking, accessibility, and what to expect before you join the tour.
How much does the Discover Berlin Express tour cost?
Adult tickets cost €20, reduced tickets €18, children aged 3–11 €5, and Welcome Card discount tickets €15. Prices include VAT. Select a date to see the ticket categories and eligibility information in the booking calendar. Welcome Card holders must present a valid card with their ticket.
Is the Discover Berlin Express tour in English?
Yes. This 2-hour public walking tour is led by a professional English-speaking guide.
Where does the Discover Berlin Express tour start?
Meet at the Tourist Information at Brandenburg Gate, Pariser Platz 1, 10117 Berlin. Please arrive 10 minutes before departure and look for the blue Original Berlin Walks meeting point sign and your guide’s blue name badge and umbrella.
When does the Express tour depart?
Current departure dates, times and ticket availability are shown in the booking calendar above. Choose a date to see the available departure. All times are local Berlin time.
Can I cancel my Express tour booking?
For direct public tour bookings, you can cancel or request a change by email up to 24 hours before the tour starts at no additional cost. Cancellation or rescheduling must be confirmed by our team by email. For bookings through a third-party seller, contact that seller. See our cancellation terms for details.
What does the Discover Berlin Express tour cover?
The tour traces Berlin's twentieth-century history — from the Nazi rise to power and the Second World War, through the city's Cold War division, to the opening of the Berlin Wall on 9 November 1989 and German reunification on 3 October 1990. Your guide explains the events behind each landmark, not just the dates.
Which sites are included on the express tour?
The tour includes the Brandenburg Gate, Pariser Platz, the Holocaust Memorial, Checkpoint Charlie, the Reichstag, the Topography of Terror exhibit, the former Luftwaffe HQ, Hitler's Bunker, and remains of the Berlin Wall.
How is this different from the Discover Berlin tour?
This is a shorter "express" version of our classic 3.5–4 hr Discover Berlin tour, with a focus on Berlin's contemporary history. Some sites overlap, so it is not recommended to book both tours.
Do I need a public transport ticket?
No. This is a walking-only tour with no transport required. A public transport ticket is not needed.
Is the tour wheelchair accessible?
Yes. The Discover Berlin Express tour is wheelchair accessible and suitable for guests with mobility needs.
Who is the Discover Berlin Express best suited for?
First-time visitors, cruise passengers, and anyone with a half-day or less in Berlin who wants a structured introduction to the city's modern history — without the time commitment of a longer walk.
Can I book this tour as a private walk?
Yes. You can book this tour as a private walk with your own expert guide, at your own pace and tailored to your group. Whisper audio headsets are available at €5 per person — for larger groups, send inquiries to info@berlinwalks.de.