BERLIN EXPERIENCES
unique historical experiences for modern explorers
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WHY BERLIN EXPERIENCES?
Twenty years leading guided tours in Berlin
“Professional curiosity brought me to Berlin. As a trained journalist, I arrived here from England intent on exploring and better understanding this fascinating city that stood centre-stage throughout the tumultuous 20th century.
After a chance encounter with a Cold War-era British spy, I stumbled into the world of tour guiding. Now firm in the belief that it is not only in the classroom, the newspaper, or the history book that we can best learn about the past – but in the places where these events occurred.
Over the last two decades of working as a professional guide, I have introduced thousands of visitors to Berlin; from independent travellers, families, companies, and schools – to Holocaust survivors rediscovering the streets they once called home and the relatives of Nazi perpetrators seeking answers to the crimes within their familes.
For three years, I served as the President of the Berlin Guides Association (2019-2022), representing some of the most inspiring and internationally regarded storytellers in the world. I also spent several years working at the former East German secret police headquarters as a historical consultant and am a licensed guide at the Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp Memorial.
Berlin Experiences is my platform for channeling years of research and exploration – introducing visitors to this unique city to what is hidden beyond the surface – the sights, the secrets, & the stories that are just waiting to be discovered – if only you know where to look!”
Berlin Experiences
Founder and Guide
Berlin Guides Association
President Emeritus
2018-2020
Tours By Locals
Official Partner
2019-2025
OUR PROFESSIONAL CLIENTS
EDUCATIONAL & ENTERTAINING
Taking history out of the classroom
& back onto the streets
Multimedia experiences showcasing historical photos & archive video footage
See, eat, and explore Berlin like a local – longer tours include coffee/snack/lunch breaks
All tours tailored to suit your personal interests and time constraints
Private transportation tours with Mercedes V-class or Volkswagen Caravelle vans & chauffeurs
UNIQUE HISTORICAL EXPERIENCES
Expert-led private guided tours of Berlin
This curated collection of tours is for anyone who wants to explore Berlin’s not-so-distant past and uncover what evidence remains of the grand – and often tragic – events that have taken place in this unique city.
From Berlin’s time as the capital of Prussia and Imperial Germany, to the catastrophe of the First World War; the rise and fall of Hitler’s Third Reich; the Cold War division and occupation of Berlin, and its eventual reunification following the ‘Fall of the Wall’.
Anyone remotely familiar with Berlin’s history will have heard of its monuments & historical sites – the Brandenburg Gate, the Hohenzollern royal palace, Checkpoint Charlie, the Berlin Wall, the site of Adolf Hitler’s Führerbunker. Beyond simply visiting these locations, we endeavour to answer the questions these places still pose – simple and often profound. Who, for instance, built the Berlin Wall? What remains of Prussia? Who was really responsible for the Reichstag fire in 1933? And our most popular blog post – did Adolf Hitler escape to Argentina in 1945?
Our tours are for individuals, groups, schools, companies, and simply anyone interested in exploring Berlin’s hypnotising history.
TOUR TYPE
Walk/Van
TOUR Size (MAX)
TOUR LENGTH
TOUR LOCATION
TOUR THEME
THE SHOWCASE STREET OF THE DDR
1 HOUR PRIVATE GUIDED WALKING TOUR
includes professional guide
Step back in time to the height of post-WWII Socialist Utopianism and explore the showcase ‘Stalin Street’ of East Germany – behold the palaces of the people lining this wedding-cake style ‘boulevard of broken dreams’.
INSIDE THE STASI HEADQUARTERS
1 HOUR PRIVATE GUIDED WALKING TOUR
includes professional guide
Visit the East German secret police (Stasi) headquarters and learn about the war of surveillance the East German state waged on its citizens, about the ordinary people turned into informers and the tools of Cold War spycraft.
THE RISE AND THE RESURRECTION
1 HOUR PRIVATE GUIDED WALKING TOUR
includes professional guide
Consider the history of Jewish life in Berlin in light of and beyond the Shoa; exploring antisemitism and assimilation in the heart of what was once – and now is again – one of the world’s most important Jewish communities.
THE HISTORY OF BERLIN AT YOUR FEET
4 HOUR PRIVATE GUIDED WALKING TOUR
includes professional guide
Explore the squares and boulevards of Berlin’s historic central Mitte district on foot. Travel slow and feast on the sights, sounds, and stories of Berlin’s fascinating history – all while digesting the city at a leisurely pace.
THE BERLIN HIGHLIGHTS EXPERIENCE
3 HOUR PRIVATE GUIDED VAN TOUR
includes guide, private transportation & driver
If you’re eager to get to grips with Berlin and its unique history – our Bitesize Berlin tour hits the major and many of the minor sites. Utilising private van transportation we can travel further and see more – in less time – than walking.
THE SUNSET SIDE OF THE GERMAN CAPITAL
3 HOUR PRIVATE GUIDED WALKING TOUR
includes professional guide
See the splendid facades of the city illuminated when the streets empty out and the lullaby hum of the evening warms the exploration of the major historical sights in the central Mitte district on our Berlin At Night Tour.
TRACING THE RACE ROUTE THROUGH BERLIN
4 HOUR PRIVATE GUIDED VAN TOUR
includes guide, private transportation & driver
Ideally suited for anyone set on conquering the streets of Berlin – or simply beating their personal best – our Berlin Marathon Tour will help set the stage for a mad dash past the city’s historic landmarks as part of any annual event.
THE FLYING START TO THE CITY
4 HOUR PRIVATE GUIDED VAN TOUR
includes guide, private transportation & driver
Make the most of your trip with our Berlin Airport Transfer tour – starting as soon as you clear arrivals we’ll get you acquainted with the city & its history before landing safely at your accomodation with both feet firmly on the ground.
The BERLIN EXPERIENCES Team
World class private guides
Joining Matt is a team of the most experienced and knowledgable professional guides in the world. Each fluent in English, German, and other languages – university educated and qualified in their respective fields (historians, journalists, archaeologists, anthropologists) – whilse also registered as members of the Berlin Guides Association.
HISTORICAL ARTICLES
Mythbusting Berlin
One of the great advantages of a private guided tour in Berlin is the chance to go beyond the obvious. In a city with such complex and significant history, settling for a surface-level experience—what I call ‘fridge magnet tourism’—feels like a wasted opportunity. A private tour allows time for the bigger questions, the ones that don’t fit neatly onto a plaque or a postcard, and the space for proper discussion.
To give you a sense of the depth and detail we bring to our tours, take a look at our Mythbusting Berlin series. These articles tackle the most common—and often most misunderstood—questions we hear from our clients. History isn’t a distant, exclusive club. It belongs to everyone and is there to be understood.
Did Frederick The Great Introduce The Potato To Germany? – Mythbusting Berlin
One of the more bizarre claims to fame attributed to the first King of Prussia is that the man who would go down in history known as Frederick the Great introduced the potato to Germany during his reign back in the 1700s. This starchy root vegetable has undoubtedly become a staple part of German cuisine – an essential addition to any plate of Schnitzel, Schweinshaxn, and Königsberger Klopse – however, whether Frederick the Great is
Did Hitler Escape To Argentina In 1945? – Mythbusting Berlin
Although Nazi leader, Adolf Hitler, certainly remains an inescapable figure, could there be any truth to the story of his escape to Argentina in 1945? That the most wanted man on earth could simply vanish, to spend the rest of his life peacefully in South American obscurity captivates imaginations. Yet, despite numerous investigations, this tale persists primarily as myth—fueled by speculation, hearsay, and conspiracy theories.
Did The Nazis Invent Decaf Coffee? – Mythbusting Berlin
Persistent rumors claim that Nazis preferred their coffee anything but pure, leading some to wonder if they might have influenced the development of decaffeinated coffee. Although decaf was already widely available across Europe by the mid-20th century, speculation continues: could the Nazis really have played a role in popularizing—or even discovering—this caffeine-free alternative, or is this simply another caffeinated conspiracy cooked up to sensationalize an ordinary historical detail?
Did The Nazis Invent The Bicycle Reflector? – Mythbusting Berlin
The fruits of wartime ingenuity are plenty – so many, in-fact, that it has become somewhat of a worn cliche that as the guns start firing the innovators get to work, often solving problems while providing more problems for the enemy to overcome.The kind of progress that results in the production of newer improved, more lethal weapons, such as to increase the chances of victory.
Did The Spanish Flu Pandemic Help The Nazis Take Power? – Mythbusting Berlin
The devastating Spanish Flu pandemic of 1918-1919 struck amid Germany’s post-war turmoil, compounding social instability, economic hardship, and widespread political disillusionment. Could this catastrophic health crisis have indirectly paved the way for Nazi ascension? While often overshadowed by war and revolution, the pandemic’s profound psychological and societal impacts arguably contributed to the perfect storm, enabling extremist ideologies—including Nazism—to gain popularity and ultimately seize power in a fractured Germany.
Was Adolf Hitler A Drug Addict? – Mythbusting Berlin
Solving the enigma of the ‘Führer’ has become a preoccupation for many, since the arrival of the Austrian-German onto the world stage – although moving beyond the mythology without falling into the trap of prejudically extrapolating on the psychopathography of Hitler or demonising so as to excuse his actions has proven problematic. What to make of the man who became more than the sum of his masks? The painter; the military dilettante, the mass murderer,
Was Currywurst Invented In Berlin? – Mythbusting Berlin
Explore the story behind what many consider Berlin’s most iconic snack—the ever-so-humble Currywurst. Often hailed as an enduring symbol of culinary creativity amid Cold War scarcity, this humble dish has inspired fierce debate about its true origin. But was it genuinely invented here in Berlin, or have proud locals simply adopted and elevated this spicy street-food favorite into legendary status all their own?
Was The Colour Blue Invented In Berlin? – Mythbusting Berlin
Tracing the true history of blue—from ancient Egyptian dyes to the accidental discovery of Prussian Blue in a Berlin lab. We’ll debunk myths about seeing blue, explore colonial indigo plantations, scale mountains with a cyanometer, and trace Van Gogh’s starry skies—all to answer one question: how did Berlin shape our understanding of the world’s rarest color?
Was The Döner Kebab Invented In Berlin? – Mythbusting Berlin
Unlikely icon of immigrant success; fast food symbol of the working class; over-hyped midnight disco eat; or culturally appropriated cuisine? Its influence goes far beyond layers of seasoned meat and fresh vegetables stuffed into pita bread. But does Berlin deserve credit as the Döner Kebab’s true birthplace, or has the city merely refined and popularized a culinary tradition imported from elsewhere?
Was The Fall Of The Berlin Wall An Accident? – Mythbusting Berlin
On a seasonally crisp night in November 1989, one of the most astonishing events of the 20th century occurred. After twenty eight years, three months, and twenty eight days of defining and dividing the German capital, the Berlin Wall ceased to exist – at least in an abstract sense. Although the removal of this symbol of the failure of the East German system would take some time, its purpose – as a border fortification erected
What Happened To Adolf Hitler’s Alligator? – Mythbusting Berlin
It is often said that you can tell a lot about a person by their relationship with animals; that owners often come to look and behave like their pets. Or is it perhaps more that people choose their pets to correspond to their personality? Nazi leader Adolf Hitler’s love of dogs, for example, is well documented but what is there to make of his relationship with reptiles?
What Was Checkpoint Charlie? – Mythbusting Berlin
Checkpoint Charlie remains among Berlin’s most visited historical sites, famed worldwide for its significance during the Cold War. Originally established as a modest border-crossing point, it evolved dramatically over the decades into an international symbol of freedom, espionage, and intrigue. Today, critics and locals often dismiss it as little more than a tourist trap—Berlin’s Disneyland—but how exactly did Checkpoint Charlie get its peculiar name, and what truths hide behind its popularity?
What Was Prussia? – Mythbusting Berlin
Prussia’s legacy is both remarkable and contentious—once a minor duchy, it rose dramatically to shape modern European history. Renowned for military discipline, administrative efficiency, and cultural sophistication, Prussia was instrumental in uniting the German states, laying foundations for a unified Germany. But how did this kingdom, with its roots in Baltic territories, achieve such prominence, and why does its complex history continue to evoke admiration, debate, and occasional discomfort in Germany today?
Who Built The Berlin Wall? – Mythbusting Berlin
One of the most common questions I have encountered from people curious about Berlin, and often so cryptically phrased. Who built the Berlin Wall? A simple five-word query, yet one that can be read one of two ways. More than thirty years since the ‘Fall of the Wall’, the story of its construction continues to baffle many who are mainly familiar with its existence through knowledge of its importance…
Who Really Raised The Soviet Flag On The Reichstag? – Mythbusting Berlin
One iconic photograph symbolizes the Red Army’s victory over Nazi Germany in 1945—the Soviet flag waving triumphantly above Berlin’s battered Reichstag building. Yet behind this enduring image lies controversy, confusion, and political manipulation. Who truly raised the Soviet banner atop the Reichstag? Was it a spontaneous act of heroism or carefully staged Soviet propaganda? Decades later, unraveling the truth reveals surprising layers beneath the mythologized symbol of Soviet triumph.
Who Was Really Responsible For The Reichstag Fire? – Mythbusting Berlin
Various theories have been posited as to who actually set fire to the German parliament in 1933. Was it the opening act in an attempted Communist coup or a calculated false flag operation carried out by elements of the Nazi Party, intended to create the conditions necessary for introducing single-party rule? And what part did the young man from Holland, arrested shirtless inside the building the night of the fire, play in this event?
OUR DAY-BY-DAY SERIES
Historical Long Reads
Explore our in-depth coverage of two defining moments of 1945—the events that not only marked the end of the Second World War but also laid the foundations for a new era of global politics, splitting East from West.
The Battle of Berlin raged for 17 days in April and May 1945. Our day-by-day series of 17 articles unpacks the Soviet Red Army’s relentless advance on the Nazi capital, the desperate final stand of its defenders, and the fate of the civilians trapped in the chaos. With over 70,000 words of original analysis by Berlin Experiences founder Matt Robinson, this is a deep dive into the last days of the Third Reich.
Just weeks later, the Potsdam Conference of July and August 1945 brought the victors of the anti-Hitler coalition together one final time. Over 17 crucial days, they carved up post-war Europe and set the course for the Cold War. Berlin Experiences guide, Jim McDonough, examines the decisions made at Potsdam that would shape the world for decades to come—sealing the fate of millions and redrawing the map of the European continent.
As the largest engagement of the Second World War to take place on German soil, the Battle of Berlin would prove to be the desperate last stand of Hitler’s regime; the bloody coda to a war long lost & ultimately the coup de grâce to National Socialism…
The Potsdam Conference held just outside Berlin following the end of the Second World War in Europe would be the first, and last time, that US President Harry Truman, British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, and Soviet leader Joseph Stalin would meet…
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Booking a tour via our website is simply a matter of navigating to the tour page and choosing the date you would like to tour and starting time via the calendar panel on the page.
You will then be taken to a booking form, where you enter your personal details and can then choose your payment option.
Once you complete your tour booking it will then enter our system as pending until confirmed on our side (this usually takes less than an hour depending when we see the booking request).
Then within the next 24 hours we will contact your directly via the email you supply during the booking process to say hello and confirm the booking.
If you have any special requests or requirements, please add them to your booking during the checkout process and we can finalise these details via email.
Through our booking platform (Rezdy), we accept all major credit cards – VISA, Mastercard, Amex, Discover, and Diners Club card.
If you would prefer to pay via bank transfer or Paypal, we can also arrange this.
Contact us via email (info@berlinexperiences.com) with any payment questions you might have.
We find that as many of our clients are holidaying in Berlin that starting slowly in the morning for our Full Day Experiences is both recommended and most rewarding.
A relaxing 10am start for our five/six hour tours also means that we can integrate a short coffee/snack break or lunch around 12:30pm.
For the Half Day Experiences, we would also recommend the same – although along with the One Hour Experiences there is more flexibility due to the reduced length of the tours.
When booking your tour, you will find the options for starting times in the booking window.
If you don’t find the time you are looking for – get in touch (info@berlinexperiences.com) and we can work something out!
For all of our Full Day Experiences, it is possible start and finish the tour at your hotel/accomodation. Depending on the location in the city and its distance from the areas we will be exploring, it may be more advisable to start at a centrally located landmark (within the Mitte district) such as the Brandenburg Gate or Museum Island.
Our One Hour Experiences are designed with specific starting point and end points in mind – for each of these tours there is a train station nearby which is easy to reach for travellers wishing to arrive by public transportation. Check the description on the tour pages for these One Hour Experiences to see exactly where the meeting points are.
For the Half Day Experiences, it may be possible in some cases (such as the Bitesize Berlin 3 Hour Private Van Tour) to start at your accomodation also. The other tours listed have specific starting points – be they the Berlin Brandenburg Airport for the Airport Transfer Tour or the Brandenburg Gate for the Berlin Explorer Tour.
While each of our tours have been designed to approach a certain historical theme or aspect of the city, we can always tailor your time in the city further. Berlin is not laid out chronologically, so when exploring it is only natural that we will pass landmarks and locations that are from different periods or are worth mentioning for certain events that have taken place there.
If there is any aspect of Berlin’s history or theme that you would like to explore further we can always work on integrating relevant parts of the city into a tour you book – or suggest another tour that might be more relevant.
Don’t hestitate to get in touch if there is something you would like to explore that you don’t see as part of our catalogue of tours. Send an email to info@berlinexperiences.com and we can discuss how to best make the most of your time in our extraordinary city.
As referenced in the Terms & Conditions page, we do not offer refunds on bookings made closer than one month of the tour date.
For example: if you book a tour on January 1st for July 1st, the same booking cancelled after June 1st is by that point non-refundable.
Bookings cancelled up to one month before the tour date will be refunded at 75% of the cost (100% of the booking cost minus a 25% administration fee).
If you would prefer to amend the tour date for another date this can be done at no additional cost.
As we accepted bookings through credit card payment, any cancellations made last minute due to cancelled/delayed flights or emergencies may be covered by your credit card company.
We do advise our clients to consider travel insurance to cover for unforseen circumstances. Our issued invoices can be then used to receive a refund from your insurance company or banking institution.
Cancellations can be made via email to info@berlinexperiences.com.
Absolutely.
You can do this either by booking tours individually through the booking platform we used or by adding tours to the shopping card system and booking multiple tours together.
Due to the high number of tours we have booked during the high season (April-December), we have a one week limit on our booking platform.
This means that you cannot automatically book any tour that would take place within the next 7 days through the platform.
If you would like to book a last minute tour – just because we do not list availability on our booking platform does not mean that one of our guides is not available – do get in touch via email (info@berlinexperiences.com) and we will see what we can do!
I (Matt) endeavour to lead all the tours I offer, but depending on availability may already be booked with other clients. In which case, I have a team of the best professional guides in Berlin, all with years of experience and dedication to their work, that I work with. All are members of the Berlin Guides Association, an organisation known throughout the world for its guiding excellence.
When you book you will receive a confirmation email within 24hrs to follow up on your booking and present which guides might be available and best suited for your tour/s.
The sights listed in the itinerary sections of our tours are a general guide to what may be covered when booking those particular tours and not necessarily what we may be able to cover during that day.
Particular factors such as official state visits, political demonstrations, reconstruction – and even the odd bomb disposal of Second World War ordnance – can shape & reshape our path through the city.
We appreciate that every guest is different and approaches the city with different expectations and interests – and we tailor our tours accordingly. If you find something in particular that interests you then please do refer to this when contacting us so we can arrange your day accordingly.
Our professional drivers are also available for airport transfers – provided with either Mercedes Benz V-class or Volkswagen Caravelle vans.
This service is for up to 4 people – including a moderate amount of baggage (one large bag and one small bag per person).
You can book directly via the private BER airport transfer item in our booking platform.
If you are looking for a private airport transfer and require a larger vehicle for a bigger group – get in touch via email (info@berlinexperiences.com).
If you are having issues booking through our booking platform – please get in touch via email ASAP (info@berlinexperiences.com) so we can see what we can do to fix the problem.
If you receive a particular error message that might be due to our booking system please do take screenshots (photos of your screen with the error) if possible.
We also accept alternative forms of payment through bank transfer/Paypal or cash on the day for clients who would prefer these methods.
As we are based in Germany, we charge the official 19% VAT (sales tax) – already calculated as part of the cost of our tours and the price that you see when you pay.
Additionally, we include the booking fee, guide fee, admin fee, driver and transportation costs (where applicable), and the mandatory German tourism insurances as part of the costs we present.
We aim to be 100% transparent with our services – offering a fair price for a fantastic day’s exploration!
THE WEATHER
TESTIMONIALS
Hear what previous clients
have to say about our private tours:
SCHOOL & UNIVERSITY CLIENTS
CONTACT FORM
Get in touch and book a tour
If you have any questions about our tours – or Berlin in general – we are here to help.
You can either use the contact form provided or send an email (info@berlinexperiences.com) directly.
For last minute booking and priority requests, we are also available on Whatsapp (+4917624162526).