Berlin, holidays, city tours, Germany

Berlin is the capital city of Germany and one of the 16 states (Länder) of the Federal Republic of Germany. Berlin is the largest city in Germany and has a population of 4.5 million within its metropolitan area and 3.4 million from 190 countries within the city limits. Berlin is best known for its historical associations as the German capital, for its internationality and tolerance, for its lively nightlife, for its many cafes, clubs, and bars, for its street art, and for its numerous museums, palaces, and other sites of historic interest. Berlin's architecture is quite varied. Although badly damaged in the final years of World War II and broken apart during the Cold War, Berlin has reconstructed itself greatly, especially with the reunification push after the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989. It is now possible to see representatives of many different historic periods in a short time within the city center, from a few surviving medieval buildings near Alexanderplatz, to the ultramodern glass and steel structures in Potsdamer Platz. Because of its tumultuous history, Berlin remains a city with many distinctive neighborhoods.

 

Berlin is a huge city. You can make use of the excellent bus, tram, train and underground services to get around. Taxi services are also easy to use and a bit less expensive than in many other big Central European cities. You can hail a cab (the yellow light on the top shows the cab is available), or find a taxi rank (Taxistand). Taxi drivers are in general able to speak English. If you ask for a short trip (Kurzstrecke), as long as it's under 2km and before the taxi driver starts the meter running, the trip normally is cheaper, €4. This only applies if you flag the taxi down on the street, not if you get in at a taxi rank.

 

Berlin has a vast array of museums. Most museums charge admission for people 16 years of age or older - usually €6 to €8 (a day ticket with which one can also visit the other state museums is the only thing available and doesn't count for special exhibitions) for the big museums. Discounts (usually 50%) are available for students and disabled people with identification. However, the state-run museums grant free entrance four hours before closing every Thursday. A nice offer for museum addicts is the three day pass 'Museumspass' SchauLUST-MuseenBERLIN for €19 (reduced €9.50), which grants entrance to all the normal exhibitions of the approximately 70 state-run museums and public foundations. Most museums are closed on Mondays; notable exceptions include the Altes Museum and the Deutsches Historisches Museum, which are open daily. Museumsportal Berlin, a collective web initiative, offers easy access to information on all museums, memorials, castles and collections and on current and upcoming exhibitions.

 

While Berlin has relatively few high-rise buildings, there are several monuments with observation decks. Probably the most famous of all is the TV Tower near Alexanderplatz, the tallest tower in Germany and second largest in Europe, which has a rotating café at the top spinning 360 degrees in just 30 minutes! 40 seconds is all it takes to reach the top by lift. But there are also other great observation desks for more info on Berlin please follow the EXTRA INFO.

 

City tours of Berlin and day trips nearby Berlin:

 

1. Highlights of the capital (3 hours) - TO BOOK/ ENQUIRE

This tour will show you the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church, Europe-Centre, Bauhaus Museum, New National Gallery, Philharmonic Hall, Potsdam Square/Sony Center, Jewish Museum, Gendarmenmarkt, Alexander Square, Nicolai Quarter, City Hall, TV Tower, Berlin Cathedral, Zeughaus, State Opera, Boulevard Unter den Linden, Brandenburg Gate, Reichstag, Government Area Chancellery, Tiergarten, Bellevue Palace, Siegessäule, Charlottenburg Palace, Olympic Stadium and Grunewald Forest.

Services included: Guide in any language for the whole tour. Bus/private car transportation.

Costs: upon request.

2. Excursion to Potsdam / Sanssouci (4 hours)- TO BOOK/ ENQUIRE

The old garrison and residence town of Potsdam, situated just a stone’s throw away from Berlin, has become famous for its splendid palaces and gardens. The Palace of Sanssouci in Potsdam turned into a favourite refuge of the great Prussian king Frederic II. Here the “philosopher of Sanssouci“, as he was called, entertained some of the most educated men of this time, among them the French philosopher Voltaire, who was a permanent guest for a long time. The excursion includes an extensive guided tour of Sanssouci Palace, a stroll in the magnificent park and a city tour of Potsdam where you will discover among other sights the Dutch Quarter and the Russian Colony Alexandrovka.

Services included: Guide in any language for the whole tour.  Additional service: Entrance tickets to Sanssouci Palace & Park.

Costs: upon request.

3. Charlottenburg Palace & Berlin by boat (8 hours)- TO BOOK/ ENQUIRE

The Charlottenburg Palace is a splendid example of Berlin’s baroque and rococo architecture, followed by a stroll in the adjoining park, which is no less attractive: beautifully landscaped and full of small architectural jewels like the Mausoleum or the Tea House. After lunch Berlin is discovered from the water side starting from Schlossbrücke at Charlottenburg Palace and passing by Hansa Quarter, Spreebogen Center, Bellevue Palace, House of World Cultures, Reichstag, Friedrichstrasse, Museum Island, Berlin Cathedral, TV Tower, City Hall, Nicolai Quarter, Mühlendamm Lock, Jannowitz bridge and centre, Eastside Gallery, Oberbaum bridge, Treptowers with the molecule man and back to Schlossbrücke.

Services included: Guide in any language for the whole tour.
Bus transportation hotel – Charlottenburg palace – hotel.

Additional services: Entrances and guided visit Charlottenburg Palace & Park (2 hours, min 10, max 30 pax).

Costs: upon request.

4. Berlin & Potsdam / Sanssouci (8 hours)- TO BOOK/ ENQUIRE

This tour will show you the highlights of the capital such as Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church, Europe-Centre, Bauhaus Museum, New National Gallery, Philharmonic Hall, Potsdam Square / Sony Center, Jewish Museum, Gendarmenmarkt, Alexander Square, Nicolai Quarter, City Hall,
TV Tower, Berlin Cathedral, Zeughaus, State Opera, Boulevard Unter den Linden, Brandenburg Gate, Reichstag, Government Area Chancellery, Tiergarten, Bellevue Palace, Siegessäule and Charlottenburg Palace. The Berlin tour is followed by an excursion to Potsdam where lunch is served. The old garrison and residence town, situated just a stone’s throw away from Berlin, has become famous for its splendid palaces and gardens. The excursion includes an extensive guided tour of Sanssouci Palace, a stroll in the magnificent park and a city tour of Potsdam where you will discover among other sights the Dutch Quarter and the Russian Colony Alexandrovka.

Services included: Guide for the whole tour
Bus/car transportation.

Costs: upon request.