Cold War, Berlin Wall, Spies and the East Side Gallery
Recommended by 99% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
Berlin, Germany
- 3 hours (approx.)
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
Explore our promoted experiences
Overview
Discover Berlin as the frontier of the Cold War on this guided historical walking tour. After World War II, Berlin changed from the capital city of Nazi Germany into the pivotal city in a struggle to control war-torn Europe. Retrace the trail of the “death strip” and the Berlin Wall. Visit some of Berlin’s most popular Cold War attractions, like the Berlin Wall Memorial, underground "ghost stations," and more. Learn about the history of Berlin, from its founding to this divided city of the Cold War.
- See the Berlin Wall, the Palace of Tears (Traenenpalast) and hidden areas of the Death Strip
- Learn about the military tension between the United States and its NATO allies and the Soviet Union and its allies
- Hear about the CIA, KGB and Stasi surveillance techniques
- Learn about daily life for Berlin's citizens during the Cold War
What's Included
- Local Expert Guide
- Berlin Transport daypass AB Zone ticket which can be purchased from meeting point€10.00 per person
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Gratuities
- Food and drinks
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- Reichstagufer 17, 10117 Berlin, Germany
Meeting point: outside FRIEDRICHSTRASSE TRAIN STATION, on the square beside the 'Traenenpalast' (Palace of Tears), Reichstagufer 17, 10117 Berlin. Our guides will be wearing a blue lanyard with a yellow name tag, holding yellow umbrellas!
End point
- East Side GalleryMühlenstraße, 10243 Berlin, Germany
The tour concludes at a strategic location surrounded by a multitude of transportation options, offering you seamless and convenient choices for your onward journey.
Operating hours.10:00 am
Itinerary
Begin this walking tour with a meet and greet outside Friedrichstrasse train station with an expert local guide, who will provide a detailed account of Berlin’s fascinating and oftentimes troubled history — specifically its place in the Cold War. After World War II, Berlin turned from its role as the capital city of Nazi Germany into the pivotal city in a struggle to control war-torn Europe. Berlin became the centerpiece of the Cold War, where the two superpowers collided.
Discover this divided city and retrace the trail of the “death strip” and the Berlin Wall. Walk along Bernauer Strasse, the site of many remarkable escape attempts, and the remains of the wall at the Berlin Wall Memorial and Former Stasi (DDR secret police). Walk under the famous Brandenburg Gate, one of Berlin’s most important monuments. It was a symbol of division between Berlin and Germany during the war, but it’s now a national symbol of peace and unity.
Learn about the history of Berlin, from its founding to this divided city of the Cold War, and get a fascinating insight into what it meant to live in the German Democratic Republic, the Eastern Bloc’s most heavily policed state. Find out what it was like to live behind the Berlin Wall.
Discover this divided city and retrace the trail of the “death strip” and the Berlin Wall. Walk along Bernauer Strasse, the site of many remarkable escape attempts, and the remains of the wall at the Berlin Wall Memorial and Former Stasi (DDR secret police). Walk under the famous Brandenburg Gate, one of Berlin’s most important monuments. It was a symbol of division between Berlin and Germany during the war, but it’s now a national symbol of peace and unity.
Learn about the history of Berlin, from its founding to this divided city of the Cold War, and get a fascinating insight into what it meant to live in the German Democratic Republic, the Eastern Bloc’s most heavily policed state. Find out what it was like to live behind the Berlin Wall.
1
Berlin Friedrichstrasse Station
15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
2
Admiralspalast Berlin
5 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included
3
Palace of Tears
20 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
4
Alexanderplatz
15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
5
Karl-Marx-Allee
20 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included
6
East Side Gallery
25 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Stroller accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Near public transportation
- Most travelers can participate
- Zone AB transportation ticket required
- IMPORTANT; Please be at meeting point 15 minutes before tour begins
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 22 travelers
Supplied by
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Reviews
4.9
based on 1,049 reviews
Alan_S, Apr 2026
Great tour, excellent and knowledgeable tour guide. Detailed information insights into the culture and complex social dynamics of both sides
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Thanks for your amazing review. We’re happy to hear the tour stood out for you. It’s always great to get such positive feedback. We hope to see you again. Safe travels, Insider Tour
Steve_P, Apr 2026
Jamie G is an excellent tour guide. Great tour and you will see areas not on other Berlin tours. Very informative.
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Thank you for your kind comments. We’re glad the tour met your expectations. It’s always rewarding to hear this. Your feedback is valued. Safe travels, Insider Tour
Karen_B, Apr 2026
Maria was our guide and she was a brilliant guide who knew her knowledge. We both enjoyed the tour and the places we visited. Does Maria do a film tour? If not she should 😁.
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Thank you for your wonderful review. We’re happy you had a great experience. Our team is committed to quality tours. Your support means a lot. Safe travels, Insider Tour
Russ_Y, Apr 2026
Well, we didn't make the Cold War Wall tour due to our own mistake. However, the tour group was very understanding and allowed us to take the Third Reich tour that afternoon. Will was a great guide so knowable on the subject. We learned a lot and enjoyed our time. Thanks to Will and the tour company for a great day.
Response from Host, Apr 2026
We truly value your feedback. It’s great to know you enjoyed the tour. Our team is committed to excellence. We hope to see you again soon. Safe travels, Insider Tour
Elizabeth_M, Apr 2026
Very informative. Tina was a fantastic and extremely knowledgeable guide. She could answer every question with thoughtful responses. She is very passionate about Berlin and its history.
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Thank you for your lovely review. We’re happy you had such a great time. Our guides aim to create unforgettable experiences. We appreciate your support. Thanks and all the best Insider Tour
Donna_L, Apr 2026
Campbell was great! He made the complicated history of the Cold War make sense. He made seamless transitions from one location to another. He answered all of our questions. I even loved his Trump impression!
Response from Host, Apr 2026
We truly appreciate your kind feedback! It’s great to know you had a memorable experience. Our guides love what they do. We’re glad you joined us.
Safe travels, Insider Tour
Sarah_S, Mar 2026
Ariel was a great guide! He was so patient with our children and full of interesting facts that we were still talking about days later.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thank you for your generous feedback. We’re so pleased the tour was such a success for you. It’s great to hear.
All the best.
Insider Tour
gregg_w, Mar 2026
Super !! Worth every penny !!Tour guide Klaus was very l knowledgeable .i learned so much about east and West Berlin . Recommend with tour to all history buffs
Response from Host, Mar 2026
We appreciate your lovely review and are so pleased you enjoyed the tour with us.
All the best,
Insider Tour
Rebecca_S, Feb 2026
Paul was an excellent guide well informed throughout the tour. Presented well with a variety of stories.
Response from Host, Feb 2026
Thank you for your kind feedback. We’re delighted to hear that Paul’s knowledge and storytelling made the tour such an engaging experience. We’ll be sure to pass on your lovely comments to him.
All the best,
Insider Tour
Rebekah_G, Jan 2026
This tour is a must-do, mostly because our guide, Klaus, was fantastic. They had an encyclopedic knowledge of the Cold War era but presented it in a way that was engaging and easy to digest. He took the time to answer everyone’s questions.
Response from Host, Jan 2026
Thank you for your wonderful feedback. We’re delighted to hear that Klaus’s encyclopaedic knowledge and engaging, approachable style made the tour such a must-do experience, and that he took the time to answer everyone’s questions.
All the best,
Insider Tour
AUGUSTO_C, Dec 2025
It was a wonderful guided tour through the recent history of the Soviet occupation of East Berlin. Maria (the guide) gave us a real lesson, teaching and informing us a great deal about the subject.
Response from Host, Dec 2025
Thank you for your thoughtful feedback. We’re delighted to hear that you found the tour through the history of Soviet-occupied East Berlin so rewarding. It’s wonderful to know that Maria delivered such a clear and informative experience, turning the tour into a real lesson that deepened your understanding of this important period.
All the best Insider
Aislinn_E, Dec 2025
We had a great tour guide, Ariel. He spoke about the history, gave accounts of life in Berlin and stories of escape. Very engaging!
Response from Host, Dec 2025
Thank you for your kind review. We’re delighted to hear that Ariel’s insights into Berlin’s history, daily life and escape stories made the tour so engaging and memorable.
All the best
Insider Tour
Jason_L, Dec 2025
Nickolai was a great guide, very entertaining and informative. I highly recommend this tour, it was great
Response from Host, Dec 2025
Thank you for sharing your kind words with us. We are very pleased to hear that Nickolai made the tour both entertaining and informative, and that you enjoyed the experience so much. Your recommendation means a great deal to us and to our guides, who take great pride in delivering memorable tours.
Happy festive period Insider Tour
Guilherme_R, Nov 2025
Best tour I had in Germany with Xavier. I highly recommend his job. I regrett not picking up his contact to pass on to my fellow countryman
Response from Host, Nov 2025
Thrilled to hear Xavier made such a strong impression on your visit to Germany! He’ll be pleased to know you highly recommend his work — and we hope you join another tour with him in the future.
Safe travels,
Insider Tour
Barbara_T, Oct 2025
Amazing tour guide Klaus. Excellent historical background with many anecdotal stories. Moderate pace. Much enjoyed. Viewing the west side Berlin Wall from a crack in the East side across the death zone was sobering.
Response from Host, Oct 2025
We’re thrilled to hear you enjoyed the tour with Klaus! It’s wonderful that his historical knowledge and storytelling made the experience engaging, and that the visit left such a memorable impression.
All the best,
Insider Tour
brenda_d, Oct 2025
Fantastic tour with Xavier, very knowledgeable and engaging. He answered lots of questions and was entertaining and enthusiastic throughout
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Thank you for your great feedback. We’re delighted to hear that you enjoyed your tour with Xavier and found him knowledgeable, engaging, and enthusiastic while answering all your questions.
Safe travels,
Insider Tour
Ron_E, Sep 2025
Used address in the meeting point information guide and Uber driver dropped us 1.5km from meeting site 15 minutes before tour. Could not make tour. Company refused refund and blamed it on us. Google can be wrong, but not according to these guys .Not a customer tour company more interested in money than you.
Response from Host, Sep 2025
Hello,
Ah yes, we remember your case — the infamous Uber mix-up! The driver dropped you 1.5km away from the meeting point just 15 minutes before the tour. We did our best to reschedule, which unfortunately didn’t work out. And then, almost immediately, we were threatened with a charge dispute and a negative review — how very kind of you.
We’re a small, family-owned tour company here in Berlin, and we pride ourselves on delivering high-quality experiences every single day while treating our customers with respect and dignity. Very occasionally, we encounter situations like yours — but as my father always said, “It takes all kinds in this world.”
We genuinely wish you all the very best in your endeavours, and we hope you gave your Uber driver as glowing a review as you gave us!
Safe travels,
Insider Tour team
Eileen_H, Sep 2025
Great historic and anecdotal content. Detailed and involving, encouraged questions.
Covered a lot of ground. Stops included palace of tears, wall sights, memorial.
Response from Host, Sep 2025
Thank you for sharing your experience! We’re delighted that the tour’s historical depth, engaging anecdotes, and interactive approach made it so memorable.
– Insider Tour Berlin
Valerie_G, Sep 2025
Paul was very friendly and knowledgeable on the topic. He brought his IPad with numerous photos to enhance the experience.
Response from Host, Sep 2025
Thank you for your kind review. We’re so pleased to hear that Paul’s friendly approach and use of photos helped make the tour even more engaging and informative. We’ll be sure to share your feedback with him.
All the best Insider Tour Berlin
Lori_H, Sep 2025
Grayson was just great and very informative!! We very much enjoyed his presentation. He has done so much research.
Response from Host, Sep 2025
Thank you for your kind feedback! We’re thrilled to hear that Grayson’s presentation and research made the tour so enjoyable and informative.
Safe travels,
Insider Tour Team
Julie_V, Sep 2025
James was our guide. He was well-spoken and articulate, resulting in an amazing educational experience for me.
I loved every minute, and the time flew by.
I highly recommend the tour with James.
Response from Host, Sep 2025
Thank you for your kind words! We’re thrilled to hear that James made your tour such an engaging and educational experience. It’s wonderful to know that you enjoyed every minute and would highly recommend the tour.
All the best,
The Insider Tour Team
Scott_J, Sep 2025
Fantastic tour. Very Interesting and learnt so much about the cold war. Tour Guide was very informative. Highly recommended.
Response from Host, Sep 2025
Thank you for your kind review! We’re delighted to hear that you enjoyed the tour and learned so much about the Cold War. We’ll be sure to share your compliments with your guide.
All the best,
The Insider Tour Team
David_H, Sep 2025
Jasper was a great guide who made the tour come alive for the group. He was very informative and very responsive to our questions.
The tour was well paced and Jasper was adept at keeping the group together, which was especially important as it involved travelling on the Berlin u-bahn to visit some of the sites. Although we had visited some of the sites before, Jasper gave us a deeper appreciation of Cold War Berlin.
Response from Host, Sep 2025
Thank you so much for your thoughtful feedback! 🌟 We’re delighted to hear that Jasper made the tour come alive and that his knowledge, responsiveness, and pacing enhanced your experience. It’s wonderful that even revisiting familiar sites gave you a deeper appreciation of Cold War Berlin. Safe travels!
David_R, Sep 2025
Guided by James S. (Jamie), who was knowledgeable and engaging. Tour went a bit over length, but that was a plus, because he was always willing to take questions and add extra info.
Response from Host, Sep 2025
Thank you for your generous reflections on our Cold War berlin tour with Jamie S. We are glad the experience met your expectations.
Insider Tour Berlin
Daniela_M, Aug 2025
Nikolai was an excellent guide and our whole family learned a great deal. We really appreciated the insider’s perspective he offered as his own story brought history to life. We highly recommend this tour to anyone interested in gaining greater context for the history you think you know !!
Response from Host, Aug 2025
Thank you for your warm reflections on our Cold War Berlin walking tour with Nickolai. We are glad the tour enriched your Berlin journey.
Insider Tour Berlin
Abbigail_P, Jul 2025
Our guy was named Tobi and he was in East Berlin or so it was so interesting to get his firsthand account of growing up in communist Germany.
Response from Host, Jul 2025
Thank you so much for your review!
We’re glad you enjoyed your tour with Tobi. It’s always special to hear firsthand experiences like his about life in East Berlin.
Safe travels,
Insider Tour Team
Graham_S, Jul 2025
Tina was excellent…..made the tour with her knowledge and obvious passion for the subject. I would recommend any tour she was on.
Response from Host, Jul 2025
Thank you for your kind words! Tina’s passion and deep knowledge truly make the tours special. We’re glad you enjoyed your experience with her and appreciate your recommendation.
All the best,
Insider Tour Berlin
Riley_N, Jun 2025
We did the tour with Rohan and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. Rohan was extremely knowledgeable and clearly very passionate about German history. I would definitely recommend doing this tour!
Response from Host, Jun 2025
Thank you for your wonderful feedback! We're delighted to hear that Rohan’s knowledge and passion for German history made your tour so enjoyable. We appreciate your recommendation!
All the best,
The Insider Tour Team
Maria_B, May 2025
It’s very interesting tour. Lewis is absolutely good and very friendly. Very knowledgeable and professional. The tour itself was compelling. Lewis is very understanding. It was really cold and I was under dressed but Lewis allowed me to buy a jacket first and let me catched up later.
Response from Host, May 2025
Thank you for sharing your experience! It’s great to hear that Lewis was not only knowledgeable and professional but also very understanding and accommodating, especially given the cold weather. We’re glad you found the tour compelling and enjoyable despite the chill. Your kind words will surely make Lewis proud!
If you ever want to explore more, we’d love to welcome you back on another Insider Tour.
All the best!
Peter_G, May 2025
Excellent tour! Highly recommend! Jamie G was our tour guide and he was absolutely awesome. Very engaged and informative. 5 stars!!!
Response from Host, May 2025
Thank you so much for your glowing review! We're thrilled to hear you had an excellent experience with Jamie G.—we agree, he's awesome!
Safe travels,
The Insider Tour Team
From $26.08
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
Compare Similar Experiences
Current
Cold War, Berlin Wall, Spies and the East Side Gallery
1,049
3 hours
Free Cancellation
From
$26.08
Customers Who Bought This Tour Also Bought
Explore Similar Things to Do
Attractions in Berlin, Germany
- Alexanderplatz Tours & Tickets
- Glienicke Bridge Tours & Tickets
- Friedrichstadt-Palast Tours & Tickets
- Berlin Wall Tours & Tickets
- Humboldt University of Berlin Tours & Tickets
- New Guardhouse (Neue Wache) Tours & Tickets
- Olympic Stadium (Olympiastadion Berlin) Tours & Tickets
- Berlin Zoo and Aquarium Tours & Tickets
- Mitte Tours & Tickets
- Charlottenburg Palace (Schloss Charlottenburg) Tours & Tickets
- German Historical Museum (Deutsches Historisches Museum) Tours & Tickets
More attractions near Berlin, Germany