Berlin Wall Bike Tour: Explore Historical Sites of the Cold War
4.8
73 Ratings
Berlin
Join this engaging six-hour bike tour in Berlin to explore the historical sites of the Cold War, including the Berlin Wall, East Side Gallery, Soviet War Memorial, and more. Gain insight into life during the Cold War and how it shaped present-day Berlin.
Duration: 6 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Fat Tire Tours Berlin - This tour meets at our office at Panoramastraße 1a, directly at the base of the TV Tower on the northside. Here you can check-in, use the bathroom, purchase any drinks and meet your guide before heading out on tour.
  • World Time Clock - Stop to admire the clock and learn about its history.
  • Alexanderplatz - One of the best-known public squares in Berlin the center of the East Berlin and East German Government.
  • Berliner Fernsehturm - See the TV tower, stop for pictures and explanation
  • Palace of Tears - Called the Palace of Tears because it was often the setting for emotional family goodbyes (possibly forever), as from 1962, it was used as a departure terminal for those returning to West Germany.
  • Karl-Marx-Allee - A great place to end the tour with a light discussion of modern day Berlin, built in and around many East German architectural sites.
  • East Side Gallery - Take some time to walk along the wall and explore the various street art.
  • DDR Watch Tower - Stand along a former Death Strip
  • Soviet War Memorial Treptow - Explore Treptower Park and see the massive Soviet War Memorial.
  • Luftgarten - Enjoy a stop at one of our favorite beer gardens to get to know your guide and the other group members, ask a few questions, and tuck into some traditional German fare (cost of lunch not included).
  • Tempelhof Airport - Explore this abandoned airport located within the Berlin city-limits.
  • Checkpoint Charlie - See the famous checkpoint during East & West Berlin and learn about this crucial crossing.
  • Berlin Nordbahnhof - Discuss the notion of “Ghost Stations” (of which Norbahnhof was one) as part of the defenses of the Wall
  • Friedrichstrasse - Former checkpoint of those entering East Berlin. Now a bustling train station.
  • Rixdorfer Schmiede - Discover this quaint part of Berlin and learn about its history during East & West Berlin.
  • Spree - Get a lovely view of Berlin’s main river.
  • Marx-Engels-Forum - See the monument dedicated to Marx and Engels
What's Included
  • Brand-new beach cruiser bicycle and helmet provided
  • Expert guidance from a professional tour guide
  • Scenic bike tour exploring Berlin’s landmarks
What's Not Included
  • Gratuities
  • Food and drinks, unless specified
  • Hotel pickup and drop off
Additional Information

Take part in this richly informative six-hour excursion, highlighting the history of the Berlin Wall. Your journey kicks off near Alexanderplatz, where you’ll traverse the area previously recognized as East Berlin, marking a visit to the Wall and numerous locations that contribute to Berlin’s distinct character today. In the Berlin Wall Bike Tour, you’ll make stops at the East Side Gallery, get a glimpse of an erstwhile watchtower, observe the Soviet War Memorial in Treptower Park, scrutinize the Templehof Airport, and understand escape endeavors exactly where they unfolded. Additionally, we’ll pause for a relaxed lunch in one of our preferred beer gardens.

As you journey, your guide will share information about phantom train stations, spying, and global incidents that were all influenced by the Wall. You’ll acquire a deeper understanding of what life represented in the shadow of the Wall and how present-day Berlin continues to deal with its split history. Throughout the tour, your guide will be on hand to address any inquiries you may have about the Cold War and its impact on contemporary Berlin.

  • Infant and child seats are available
Location
Panoramastraße 1a
Panoramastraße
This tour meets at Fat Tire Tours' Alexanderplatz shop, located near the base of the giant TV Tower (Fernsehturm). The address is Panoramastraße 1a, 10178 Berlin.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.8
(73 Ratings)
5 stars
4 stars
3 stars
2 stars
1 star
M7538aovivianh
Sep 18, 2023
1st Time in Berlin - The tour was impressive, emotional and educational. Rhys, our guide, was funny and knowledgeable of the World War II associated and related it to the landscape; so enjoyable. I highly recommend the tour for anyone that enjoys site seeing, is interested in history and wants to obtain an overview of the city. The terrain is flat and perfect for bike riding with ease!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Annainbham
Aug 17, 2023
Mindblowingly amazing tour. - Just did the tour this morning. This was one of the most amazing tours we have ever done. My whole family including a teen and tween loved it. I’m blown away with all that we saw, and honestly there cannot be a better way to gain a comprehensive overview of Berlin. Take this tour to see important architecture and historical remnants of the East with explained context, and see how spaces have been repurposed to create the beautiful, multicultural, retro-hip and foreward thinking city Berlin has become today. We had wonderful guides. Thor’s depth and breadth of knowledge about the Cold War, politics and world history was mindblowing, and he was also an engaging storyteller and answered our group’s many questions in detail and with wit. He is really an expert at what he does. And on top of it, he and his partner were warm and compassionate, and made sure even this fat, arthritic old woman could keep up with the group and have a safe and enjoyable time over 18 miles! Highly recommended, and thanks again to the guides.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Fan_h
Aug 8, 2023
Great Tour, Much Cycling - Thon was a great guide with extensive knowledge over the topic and patiently answered every question I had. The well-planned tour linked together many wonderful spots that I wouldn't have otherwise visited by myself. The little souvenir and market tips at the end were also highly helpful. Definitely a highlight of my ten-day stay in Berlin. But a bit of a heads-up: It was 5-6 hours of riding, which was still a lot despite the scenic stops and food breaks. And it could be some serious workout cycling against the strong wind at the airport-park... Only for comfortable bikers in a relatively good condition, I'd say.
Review provided by Viator
Dennis
Sep 23, 2022
Terrific tour - Fascinating historical overview of Berlin post-WW II with enchanting bicycle touring. Our guide, Simon, was terrific: erudite and witty. We learned a lot!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Brontebucket
Aug 4, 2022
Cycling the wall in style - Fantastic tour with our guide Ronan who was really super good. He has a good sense of humour, was helpful and extremely knowledgeable, making the history accessible for us and also our teenage girls. We cycled the route of the wall stopping at key points for a history input and photo opportunities. I really felt as thought we saw a lot and I learnt a lot, and would love to do another tour with the company if/when we return to Berlin. The cycling itself was straight forward and largely on the flat and the bikes comfy. Tick!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Lauraleekeow_w
May 24, 2022
Fantastic Tour and not to be missed - Fantastic and great value for money! Alicia is a great guide and made sure we were all safe. Thoroughly enjoyed the ride and seen so much on this bike tour.
Review provided by Viator
Cplmoneill
Sep 9, 2021
Great Way to Cover Ground and the Sights of the Cold War - Though we patronized Fat Tire 2X - this is a separate and unique review from one I wrote on their WWII tour. This tour was a great way to cover ground quickly in Berlin. It's not a small city and the history can be as sprawling as the city itself. Though it's big...it's flat, making a bike a perfect way to travel. The bikes were in good shape and for disclosure - there was one hill...though it's a hill for Berlin...which is a moderate incline. The bikes have 3 gears and if you're a moderately experienced biker - it's easy to get around. The history was good and covered the history of the wall as well as the lead up from WWII and into the cold war. We sequenced our tours chronologically; so this being our second tour with Fat Tire following the prior day's WWII tour - made for a bit of a continuation of a challenging 20th century for the Germans. One point to clarify - the tour doesn't head down to the area of Checkpoint Charlie. While I was slightly disappointed by that - taking a trip down on our own showed that it's not necessarily positioned very historically and it's a very crowded area. We were approached several times by people purporting to be "tour guides" but one guy who approached us we could barely understand because of mumbling and slurred words. We went there and stayed briefly and between the distance from the other sites we visited and the vibe - I could understand why it's not a stop. Felix and Jurgens both did a great job with the tour and keeping us safe and for any city I visit that has Fat Tire - their guides knowledge, enthusiasm, and concern for their patron's safety was solid. Felix was a great guide
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Randya223
Sep 21, 2019
Berlin in wheels....🚴‍♀️🚴🏼‍♂️ - I huge thank you to Claudia for another wonderful and informative bike tour, “Berlin Wall tour “ Its the best way to embrace each city. I got my free t-shirt two years ago here in Berlin after completing your four cities. Paris, Barcelona, London, Berlin. Can’t wait to enjoy your new cities in Italy. I highly recommend all to enjoy the Fat Tire experience.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Ivonnem92
Sep 9, 2019
Berlin Wall & Cold War Review - We had a great day touring Berlin by bike and were fascinated at the facts our guide Felix shared about cold war Germany and life under the Stasi Regime. Stopped at various landmarks along the tour and met other happy travellers. I highly recommend this tour!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Ashleykk2837tm
Aug 23, 2023
Very Thorough Tour! - The tour guides were really kind and thorough. I enjoyed the other tour group members as well. I would recommend giving additional time to walk the art gallery during the Berlin Wall stop. There’s a lot to see!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Select Date and Tickets
up to 9 guests
1 Adult
June 2024
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Today