Berlin, Germany’s capital city, is a fascinating place and one of Europe’s most intriguing cities. Its rather turbulent past century has ironically created one of the most open, accepting and free major cities anywhere in the world. Until 1991, Berlin’s East and West halves were separated by a physical wall that epitomized the Iron Curtain in both its creation and destruction. There are great museums, globally significant memorials, some of Europe’s finest cultural centres and wide boulevards and parks. Meanwhile the eastern side of the Spree River retains much of its Eastern European, post-Soviet flavour.
One of the most popular ways to explore Berlin is on a private tour, which comes with many benefits including greater comfort, customizable itineraries, bespoke advice, and the ability to choose how much time you’d like to spend in each location. There is a surprising array of private Berlin tours on offer, including from two wheels, four wheels or on two legs. We have explored all the options to bring you the best five tours, taking factors like price, duration and the reviews of previous guests into account.
FROM: €23/per person
For first-time visitors or anybody who has not been to Berlin for some time, this great tour with a local guide is the ideal way to get acquainted with the city’s highlights. These include Museum Island, the Holocaust Memorial and Hitler’s Bunker, although you can also use your hour and a half to gain some local insight beyond the hotspots as well. Ask your guide for tips on the best places to eat and go out, plus any hidden places that could easily be overlooked. It’s a great opportunity to get personal recommendations and get a great overview of the city at the same time.
From €55/ per person
Berlin’s underground scene is legendary, with numerous districts duking it out for hippest locale in Germany. Starting out in Hackescher Markt, your tour guide will unveil the debonair cafe culture, the celebrated street art, like the Pink Man mural by Blu, and you’ll learn about the backdrop of ongoing socioeconomic struggles and historical pressures that have shaped these neighbourhoods into what they are today. You’ll also drop by a surviving shard of the Berlin Wall covered in the tags of various artists at the East Side Gallery. This is also a great tour to learn about the best new places to hang out, party or simply enjoy a relaxed drink at the heart of the Berlin creative scene.
From €78/ per person
Berlin was one of the focal points during the Cold War, split down the middle as it was by the Berlin Wall, symbolically separating the two rival ideologies. This excellent four-hour walking tour takes guests to the key sites in Berlin linked to the wall and the Cold War. These include sections of remaining wall at the Berlin Wall Memorial, Check Point Charlie – a key crossing point between the two sides – and there’s a chance to ascend one of the watchtowers used to prevent anybody from crossing the wall illegally. This tour ends at Potsdamer Platz, a lively entertainment neighbourhood that has sprung up since the fall of the wall. All admissions tickets are provided in the tour price.
From €85/ per person
Krautrock and techno are two strands of electronic music that have been perfected in Germany, and particularly in Berlin. Techno nights are particularly common events and people flock from all around to party until dawn. If you’re one of those people, you’ll likely appreciate the 2pm start time of this tour. Hop on a bicycle for a three-hour tour that unlocks the best of the Berlin clubbing scene, with insider knowledge about the best unsung spots and the history behind it all from your local guide. TRESOR club, KitKatClub and Berghain are just some of the renown names in clubbing that you’ll discover along the way. The price listed is per person, but is only available if two people attend.
From €260/ per group
There’s so much more to see in Berlin than what can be reached in one day by bike or on foot. That’s why this three-hour tour is particularly good for groups. Transport by minivan or sedan is provided to whisk you to a series of sights, such as the Brandenburg Gate, Bellevue Palace, Museum Island and the Reichstag. You can also customize the itinerary to add a few sights of your preference within the city as well. If you’re travelling with a larger group, this tour is one of the best value for money options. The listed price is for a group of up to eight people.
