Discover Berlin
Walking Tour
Berlin's best first tour: see the city's essential landmarks and hear the stories that connect Prussia, Nazism, the Cold War, and reunification — all with an expert local guide.
Meeting point: Outside Starbucks, Hackescher Markt (Neue Promenade 3), Berlin.
What you'll see & discover
Berlin’s essential landmarks in one half-day introduction — from imperial grandeur to the city’s darkest chapter and Cold War division.
Museum Island
A UNESCO World Heritage Site at the heart of historic Berlin, surrounded by some of the city’s most important institutions.
Unter den Linden
Berlin’s grand historic boulevard, lined with institutions that connect royal, cultural, and political history.
Berlin Cathedral
One of the city’s most striking landmarks, revealing imperial ambition and Berlin’s monumental center.
Checkpoint Charlie
The most famous crossing point between East and West Berlin and one of the defining sites of the Cold War.
Also on the tour
Tip: This tour is designed as the best first overview of Berlin, so you see the city’s most important landmarks while understanding how they connect across different periods of history.
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.
- “Berlin Museumsinsel Fernsehturm” by Thomas Wolf, via Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
- “Unter den Linden boulevard Berlin, Germany” by Jorge Royan, via Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
- “2023 Berliner Dom - Westfassade -- 01” by Chainwit., via Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY 4.0.
- “Checkpoint Charlie (5945843990)” by Alen Watkin, via Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.
Good to know
Everything you need before the tour starts — straightforward, practical, and easy to plan around.
- Coffee & bathroom break included during the tour
- Walking only — no public transport required
- Wheelchair accessible with a step-free route throughout
- Runs in all weathers — please dress for the conditions
- No minimum group size — the tour runs regardless of numbers
- Expert English-speaking guides lead every tour
Meeting point
Starbucks, Hackescher Markt
Neue Promenade 3, 10178 Berlin
Near Hackescher Markt S-Bahn station
Everything you need to know before you go
Practical answers about walking distance, breaks, weather, flexibility, and what makes this one of the best first tours of Berlin.
Is the Discover Berlin tour good for first-time visitors?
Yes. This tour is designed as one of the best introductions to Berlin for first-time visitors. It combines the city’s most important landmarks with the historical background needed to understand Prussia, the Nazi period, World War II, the Cold War, and reunification in one clear route.
How much walking is involved?
Expect roughly 5 km of walking over the course of the tour. The pace is relaxed, with regular stops for explanations, stories, and photos. No public transport is required, so comfortable shoes are recommended.
Does the tour run in bad weather?
Yes. The tour runs in all weather conditions. Berlin weather can change quickly, so we recommend bringing suitable layers and rain protection when needed.
What makes this tour different from other Berlin walking tours?
Original Berlin Walks has been guiding visitors through Berlin since 1993. What makes this tour stand out is the way it connects the city’s landmarks into one clear historical narrative rather than treating each stop in isolation. It is both a city overview and a Berlin history tour, which makes it especially valuable at the start of a visit.
Are breaks included during the tour?
Yes. A short coffee and restroom break is included during the route. Your guide also pauses regularly for explanations, questions, and photos, so the tour remains comfortable and easy to follow.
What happens if my plans change after booking?
Travel plans can change. For public tours, you can cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. If you would prefer to move your booking to another date, contact us and we will do our best to help, subject to availability.
About the Discover Berlin Walking Tour
The Discover Berlin Walking Tour is a guided Berlin city tour that combines the city’s most important landmarks with the history needed to understand them. Starting near Hackescher Markt, the route introduces the historic centre of Berlin and traces the city’s development from its Prussian foundations through dictatorship, war, division, and reunification.
Ideal for first-time visitors, this Berlin walking tour offers both orientation and historical depth. Rather than simply showing famous sights, it explains how Berlin’s streets, monuments, memorials, and government buildings reflect centuries of political change — helping you see the city with much more context for the rest of your stay.