When I arrived in Berlin, I hadn’t planned out what to see there. While I had a few places in nearby cities like the Devil’s Bridge and Bastei Bridge on my list, I hadn’t given much thought to Berlin itself. My husband suggested we take the Rick Steves Berlin City Walk tour, and it turned out to be the perfect way to visit some historic landmarks and learn about their significance.
You can easily download the app and the Berlin City Walk tour and listen for free at your own pace. The tour is 87 minutes long and approximately 3.5 kilometers (2.7 miles) long, and it took us about two and a half hours to complete – you can pause the tour for extra time in your favorite locations.
I recommend wearing comfortable shoes and bringing water. You can also purchase water and food along the way. Before the tour, we decided to explore Tiergarten Park, so we walked close to 10 miles that day.
Quick Summary
App: Rick Steves Audio Europe
Tour: Berlin City Walk
Kid Friendly: Yes, if they don’t mind a long walk
Dog Friendly: Yes, if you don’t go inside buildings
Tour length: 87 minutes of audio
Distance: Approximately 3.5 Kilometers (2.7 miles)
Tour sites: Reichstag, White Crosses, Brandenburg Gate, Pariser Platz, Jewish Memorial, Wilhelmstrasse, Hitler’s Bunker, Unter den Linden Boulevard, Brandenburger Tor, Equestrian statue of Frederick the Great, Bebelplatz, New Guardhouse, The Palace Bridge, Museum Island, Marx and Engels Forum, St. Mary’s Church and Luther Monument, TV Tower, Alexanderplatz
What you’ll see on the Berlin City Walk tour
The audio tour starts at the Reichstag Building and ends at Alexanderplatz. Although we didn’t go inside the buildings or museums, it’s a great option if you have the time. You could even spread the tour out over several days.
Reichstag Building
The Reichstag Building is home to the German Parliament, called the Bundestag. It was initially finished in 1894, but it was severely damaged during World War II and left in ruins for many years. After Germany was reunified, it was rebuilt, and a new glass dome was added, symbolizing government openness and transparency.
You can go inside the Reichstag, take a guided tour, and climb the glass dome for incredible views of the whole city.
White Crosses
From the Reichstag, you’ll cross the street and view a display of white crosses on Ebertstrasse that commemorate the many people who lost their lives at the Wall.
Brandenburg Gate and Pariser Platz
The Brandenburg Gate was built in the 18th century. During the Cold War, it symbolized division, but now it symbolizes German Unity.
Exploring the Brandenburg Gate leads to Pariser Platz, a scenic town square. Then, at the edge of the square is Hotel Aldon, where Michael Jackson dangled his baby out the window.
After exploring the square, you’ll pass through the Academy of Arts and visit the Jewish Memorial.
Jewish Memorial
The Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe consists of 2,711 concrete slabs of varying heights arranged in a grid pattern on a sloping field. It serves as a powerful and somber reminder of the six million Jewish victims of the Holocaust.
Wilhelmstrasse and Hitler’s Bunker
Wilhelmstrasse, a well-known street in Berlin, housed many government buildings, including the Reich Chancellery and the offices of various Nazi ministries. It was the center of the German government during the Nazi era and was heavily bombed during the later stages of the war.
During the final stages of World War II, Hitler’s Bunker, also known as the Führerbunker, served as Adolf Hitler’s underground headquarters. It was located near the Reich Chancellery in Berlin, Germany, and was built in 1944 as an air-raid shelter with reinforced concrete walls and ceilings to protect Hitler and his inner circle from Allied bombing raids.
Unter den Linden Boulevard
Unter den Linden is a renowned boulevard that stretches through the heart of Berlin. Lined with Linden trees and an array of stunning buildings, this iconic street is a focal point for locals and visitors alike.
You’ll see several famous landmarks and attractions along Unter den Linden, including the Brandenburg Gate, Berlin State Opera, and Humboldt University.
Brandenburger Tor
As you explore Unter den Linden, this tour will lead you down into the Brandenburger Tor. It’s a U-Bahn station, short for Untergrundbahn, “underground railway.”
The Brandenburger Tor, named after the Brandenburg Gate, is an important transportation hub for locals and tourists. It provides access to various attractions, government buildings, cultural sites, and other parts of the city.
Equestrian statue of Frederick the Great
Continuing along Unter den Linden, you’ll spot the Equestrian statue of Frederick the Great in the center of the boulevard. It stands as a testament to the ongoing legacy of Frederick the Great, a key figure in Prussian and European history.
Bebelplatz
Bebelplatz is a public square located in the central Mitte district. It’s known for the infamous Nazi book-burning ceremony in 1933.
There are many notable buildings surrounding the square, including the Berlin State Opera, St. Hedwig’s Cathedral, and the old Royal Library (now the Law Faculty of Humboldt University).
New Guardhouse
The New Guardhouse (Neue Wache) is at the northern end of the Unter den Linden boulevard. Originally, it was a guardhouse for the Crown Prince of Prussia troops. Today, it’s a memorial to the victims of war and dictatorship.
The Palace Bridge
The Castle Bridge (Schlossbrücke) is a historic bridge connecting Museum Island with Palace Square (Schlossplatz). Built in the 1820s, it features a neoclassical design featuring elegant arches and decorative elements. The bridge offers beautiful views of the Berlin Cathedral and the historic city center.
Museum Island
Museum Island is a unique UNESCO World Heritage Site that’s home to five world-renowned museums:
The island is a cultural and historical treasure trove, showcasing art, artifacts, and archaeological finds from ancient civilizations to modern times. Each museum offers a distinct collection, from Egyptian and prehistoric art to classical antiquities and European paintings.
There’s also a picturesque park with incredible views of the Berlin Cathedral and Altes Museum. It’s a great place to rest before continuing on the tour.
Marx and Engels Forum
Next up on the tour is the Marx and Engels Forum. It’s a public park in the central Mitte district dedicated to Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels, the philosophers and founders of Marxist theory. Within the park are large statues of Marx and Engels, as well as information boards and panels providing historical context about their ideas and impact.
St. Mary’s Church and Luther Monument
St. Mary’s Church, or Marienkirche, is a medieval church in central Berlin. It was built in the 13th century and is the city’s second-oldest church.
A few steps away from St. Mary’s Church is the Luther Monument. It commemorates Martin Luther, a key figure in the Protestant Reformation.
TV Tower
The TV tower in Berlin, also known as the Berliner Fernsehturm, was constructed by the government of the German Democratic Republic (GDR) between 1965 and 1969.
At 368 meters, it is the tallest structure in Germany and one of the tallest in the European Union. We could see the TV Tower throughout most of the walking tour.
If you’re not afraid of heights, like me 😕, you can venture up to the TV tower’s observation deck 203 meters above the ground to see panoramic views of the city. I bet it’s fantastic!
Alexanderplatz
Finally, you made it! Alexanderplatz is the last stop on the walking tour. It’s a large public square and transportation hub that offers a mix of shopping, entertainment, and urban life.
Local shops to see after the tour ends
After the Berlin City Walk tour, we decided to backtrack towards our hotel. Not too far from Alexanderplatz, we came across a couple of local shops selling authentic German souvenirs.
German Design
German Design is a small shop run by the sweetest couple. They sell cuckoo clocks, ornaments, steins, clothing, dolls, and more. I couldn’t resist buying a few German houses for my mom.
Grand Hand
The Grand Hand is a couple of doors down from German Design. They sell chess sets and card games. The chess sets are beautifully crafted and unique.
Our stomachs were starting to growl at this point, so we only window-shopped, but we planned on returning to get a chess set later in our trip. However, we didn’t realize they are closed on Sundays and Mondays. I was bummed because it would’ve been the perfect gift for our son, who loves to play chess.
Where to eat after the Berlin City Walk tour
During the audio tour, we passed by a corner with a bunch of cafes, so we decided to head back to that area to grab a bite to eat.
We ate at Little Italy around 4 p.m., and it was delicious. They have a nice patio, and we enjoyed their bruschetta, minestrone soup, and pizza. It was quiet while we were there, but more people started arriving when we left around 5 p.m.
If you’re not in the mood for Italian cuisine, here are some other places to eat that are in the same area:
Other places to explore in Berlin within walking distance
Potsdamer Platz
On our trek back to the hotel, we walked through Potsdamer Platz. It’s a lively spot with performers and a great place to view East and West Berlin and the remnants of the wall that stood between them.
Tiergarten Park
Before the tour, we checked out Tiergarten Park, which was next to our hotel. Even though we only saw a small fraction of this gigantic park, we loved it. I wish we had more time to explore it. It’s full of bright green trees, statues, and ponds.
If you have the chance, you should definitely walk through this park. It’s also an ideal place for a run or bike ride.
Day trips from Berlin
Are you renting a car? If so, here are some awesome places to visit if you want to venture out of Berlin.
You can also do a loop if you want to leave Berlin for a couple of days. We drove to Erfurt and then to Leipzig and stayed the night there. Then, we explored Dresden and stayed the night before heading to the Bastei Bridge and the Devil’s Bridge and finally back to Berlin. It was a great side trip!
For more details, read Exploring Germany: 7 Amazing Day Trips from Berlin By Car.
| City | Drive Time |
|---|---|
| Potsdam | 30 minutes from Berlin |
| Oranienburg | 35 minutes from Berlin |
| Erfurt | 3.5 hours from Berlin |
| Leipzig | 2.25 hours from Berlin and 1.5 hours from Erfurt |
| Dresden | 2.25 hours from Berlin and 1.25 hours from Leipzig |
| Bastei Bridge | 2.75 hours from Berlin and 45 minutes from Dresden |
| The Devils Bridge | 2 hours from Berlin and 1.5 hours from the Bastei Bridge |
Related posts to help you plan a trip to Berlin
- Exploring Germany: 7 Amazing Day Trips from Berlin By Car
- Bastei Bridge: How to Visit This Stunning Attraction in Germany
- How to Visit The Devil’s Bridge: A Fairytale Adventure in Germany
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