How to visit Berlin’s main attractions in a fun way and without much effort? Choosing the best tour to get a first good impression of Germany’s capital is not easy, mainly because of the vast choice you’re faced with.
When visiting the city, you want to explore Berlin’s top attractions. The cheapest way is of course a self-guided walking tour, but you might need to use the public transport to get around. You might also want an introduction to the capital from a professional guide. Use these ideas to help you choose the best tour option for you.
Berlin Welcome Card
Brandenburg Gate, one of Berlin’s iconic landmarks
The Berlin Welcome Card is an excellent option to travel around the city and visit its main sights.
The card is available in two variants: classic, which includes free public transport (buses, trains and trams in Berlin) and discounts on 200 attractions, and all inclusive, which includes free admission in 30 attractions and a hop-on hop-off bus tour. The Berlin Welcome Card is valid for 48h, 72h, 4, 5 or 6 days, with prices starting at €19.90.
Hop on Hop off Bus Tour
The double-decker buses offer a great way to explore Berlin, especially if you don’t have much time to to do it. A ticket is valid for 24 or 48 hours, and you can hop on and off as many times as you want on the 30 stops across 3 different routes (Berlin City Circle Sightseeing).
The bus runs through Berlin’s most iconic landmarks: Cathedral, Brandenburg Gate, Charlottenburg Palace, Pergamon Museum, some sections of the Berlin Wall, Gendarmenmarkt, Checkpoint Charlie, and more.
Berlin by Bike
Berlin is a great city to explore by bike, since there’s a developed bike lane system. You can either hire a bike tour or create your own bike ride around the city.
If you are looking for inspiration, here’s a simple bike tour that goes through Alexanderplatz, Museum Island, Berlin City Palace, Berlin Wall, Potsdamer Platz, Tiergarten Park, Siegessaeule (Victory Column).
Where to hire bikes in Berlin: There are several places across the city, but most shops are located in Mitte (namely in the Friedrichstrasse station), Kreuzberg, Friedrichshain or close to the Zoologischer Garten station. Hiring a bike costs from €12 a day. Another option is to use Belin’s public bicycle scheme – for example Lidl-Bike or Lime Bike. Just grab a bike and ride.
Walking Tour
Experience Berlin as a Berliner with a half-day walking tour by a specialized guide. Get an introduction to the capital and take in its main attractions, including the Berlin Wall, the Brandenburg Gate, the Reichstag, the Holocaust Memorial, Unter den Linden, and some places known only to locals. The guide can also provide a more in-depth look at the city during World War II and the Cold War.
Boat Tour
Berlin river cruise
Enjoy beautiful views of Berlin on board of a River Spree cruise. This tour gives you the freedom to explore popular attractions in the city such as the Reichstag, Berlin Cathedral and Museum Island, go further to Tiergarten park, or even take a trip to Potsdam. There are also night cruises.
For more information or to book a tour, check out the official Berlin Tourism website.
