Berlin has an excellent public transport system, but sometimes the best means of transport for exploring the city is simply to put your best foot forward and walk. We have put together four DIY walking tours that start and end at Rosenthaler Platz. You can download the tours below as pdfs, and each set of tours comes with a map and a description of some of the things you will see along the way.
TOURS 1 & 2
Tour 1: Scheunenviertel – The shortest tour takes you around our immediate neighbourhood, and the area known as the Scheunenviertel. Historically this was the centre of Jewish life in the city, and since the fall of the Berlin Wall has become home to many art galleries, nice little bars, and some cool shops.
Tour2: Back the DDR – this tour takes you from the Circus and around some of the sights relating to the socialist era, when East Berlin was capital of the German Democratic Republic, including the Berlin Wall, the Soviet Embassy, Alexanderplatz, and some examples of the socialist-era architecture that shaped the east of the city.
Download Tours 1 & 2 (PDF file, 3.2mb)
TOURS 3 & 4
Tour 3: Prenzlauer Berg – Our neighbours to the north. Prenzlauer Berg was traditionally a working class district north of the city centre, that was badly damaged during WWII. During East German times it was home to many artists, writers and dissidents against the regime. In the years since the wall came down, it has become a very popular neighbourhood full of interesting bars and cafes, fleamarkets and independent shops and leafy streets that are great for a wander.
Tour 4: The Grand Tour – An epic wander through the heart of Berlin, past all of those sights that your guidebook told you about, including the Reischstag, Tiergarten, Brandenburg Gate, the Museum’s Island, Alexanderplatz and much more.
Download Tours 3 & 4 (PDF file, 4.3mb)
Of course, the one problem with a DIY tour is that your downloadable guide will not be able to answer any questions you might have along the way. If you would like to see Berlin with expert guides who will give you a wealth of information, we can heartily recommend Brewers Berlin Tours, which pick up daily from the reception of the Circus Hostel and Hotel.
Happy exploring!
