Explore Berlin’s Vibrant Culture through Alternative Tours

World famous for its divisive wall, lively nightlife, and vibrant street art, there’s a lot to appreciate about Berlin. However, its darker side may hold the most compelling stories.

On the surface, few capital cities are as fascinating as Berlin. It is Germany’s greenest city, boasting numerous urban parks, but it also has the country’s darkest historical elements, reflective of its tumultuous past.

In many ways, Berlin stands as a city of contradictions – a giant Germanic yin and yang. Although the famed wall that divided the city was torn down over 30 years ago, many invisible barriers still linger. While this does not create modern-day tension, it serves as a reminder of the city’s secretive and underground past.

Vibes of Berlin Bike Tour

Riding a bike offers a fantastic way to explore any big city, as it allows you to cover more ground than walking while engaging all of your senses, unlike cars and buses. Of all the alternative tours in Berlin, the Vibes of Berlin tour stands out as one of the best—a living tribute to the city described as “poor but sexy” by former mayor Klaus Wowereit in 2003.

This three-hour tour primarily takes place in East Berlin, showcasing active squatter blocks, high-rise gentrifiers, Soviet graveyards, and the grittier parts of the city, all while ensuring your safety. The tour concludes in West Berlin, along the largest remaining section of the wall, explaining its impact on daily life then and now.

Devil’s Mountain

Sadly, over 80% of Berlin was bombed by the end of World War II, resulting in an overwhelming amount of rubble. The city spent more than 20 years removing it, creating the man-made Devil’s Mountain, located just a 30-minute drive from downtown.

This mountain was home to a US-operated spy station for more than 30 years before it was abandoned after the Cold War. Today, visitors can explore the dilapidated complex, which resembles a scene from a dystopian film—surreal yet beautiful.

Rise of the Third Reich Walking Tour

Nazi tours are a traditional and popular attraction for visitors to Berlin. The rapid rise of the Third Reich in less than six months involved secrecy, murder, subterfuge, book burnings, and deadly concentration camps. This two-hour walking tour sheds light on these historical events, leading you from ground zero to the underground bunker where Hitler met his end.

Starting from the Brandenburg Gate and Reichstag to the Murdered Jews Memorial and Checkpoint Charlie, this tour offers an unparalleled historical perspective.

Drive a Trabant

If you’re looking for a nostalgic experience, driving a Trabant is a must. This iconic two-door car, underpowered yet delightful, was manufactured in East Berlin until 1990. During this 75-minute tour, you can drive one through famous landmarks, guided by a radio navigator.

This fun activity is sure to draw smiles from onlookers and could become the highlight of your trip to this beloved city.

Tempelhof Airport Walking Tour

Berlin remains Germany’s largest city, yet it has one million fewer residents than during its peak in World War II. Consequently, numerous buildings have been abandoned due to population decline.

The historic Tempelhof Airport closed over a decade ago but is now a tourist attraction filled with history. In this two-hour walking tour, you explore the world’s largest underground tunnel system, air raid shelters, and secret archives, learning how they were utilized during the war.

DDR Museum

To understand Berlin fully, one must explore both the East and West sides of this unified city. Although cultural differences have blended over the past 30 years, visually distinguishing between the two sides can be challenging.

For a concentrated view of the past, visit the DDR Museum, showcasing the sights and sounds of East Berlin through reconstructed apartments, original furnishings, and interactive exhibits like retro televisions. Though East Berlin is history, its legacy is still very much alive.