Cool Destinations
Top Berlin activities
Top Berlin landmarks
Beyond Berlin
Berlin trip ideas
  • Tours by category
  • Tours by accessibility
  • Tours by feature
  • Top Berlin landmark tours
  • Tours in nearby places
  • Explore Germany tours
  • Berlin travel guides
  • Berlin travel calendar
Rewards
Rewards
Wishlist
Login / Sign up
Bookings
Bookings
Cool Rewards My Rewards
$0.00
Cool Rewards My Rewards
$0.00
Wishlists
Wishlists
Profile
Help Center
Language
Log out
Start your search
Change your search
Place or activity
Select Dates

Cold War, Berlin Wall, Spies and the East Side Gallery

1,040 Reviews 4.92 out of 5 stars Based on 1,040 traveler reviews collected by Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor |
Recommended by 99% of reviewers
99% of reviewers gave this experience a rating of 4 or higher.
|
Badge of Excellence |Badge of Excellence This experience is highly rated by travelers and has met our top quality standards. Berlin, Germany
Book online or call us
Chat now

from $22.35 per person

Lowest Price Guarantee
The East Side Gallery fantatsic graffiti on the Berlin Wall
The most famous Berlin bridge and old border crossing between east and west Berlin
The interior of the museum, "The Palace of Tears" Don't look now, but YOU are being watched
The "House of Teachers" and the biggest Mosaic in Europe, East German social realism at its finest!
The East Germans "peoples car" the iconic Trabants

Loading Options
Don't miss out!
On average, this is booked 33 (0) days in advance.
Add to Wishlist
3 hours (approx.)
Mobile ticket
Instant confirmation
Offered in: English

Overview

Step into Cold War Berlin on this immersive, stress-free, award winning walking tour led by an expert local guide. Discover a city once divided by ideology, concrete, and fear, where spies, surveillance, and resistance shaped everyday life.

Explore East Germany through unique perspectives as you uncover the reality of life under the Stasi secret police. Walk along Karl-Marx-Allee, visit Alexanderplatz, stand where the 1953 workers’ uprising began, and experience the East Side Gallery — the largest remaining section of the Berlin Wall.

Follow real escape routes and hear remarkable stories of those who risked everything to flee from East to West. Along the way, gain a deeper understanding of how Berlin became one of the most important frontlines of the Cold War.

More than just sightseeing, this award-winning tour brings Berlin’s divided past vividly to life through expert storytelling and an easy-paced exploration of the city’s Cold War history. Don't forget to bring that camera!

What's Included

  • Local Expert Guide
  • Berlin Transport daypass AB Zone ticket which can be purchased from meeting point
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
  • Gratuities
See 1 moreSee 4 more

Meeting Location

Meeting point

Reichstagufer 17
10117 Berlin, Germany

Show on Google Maps

Detailed check-in instructions, including the exact address, are provided with your booking confirmation.

End point

Mühlenstraße
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.

What To Expect

Book Online

Our secure website provides real-time availability, instant confirmation, and free, no-hassle cancellations up to 24 hours before your tour begins.
Read more

Safe & secure • Easy breezy • Hassle-free

Berlin Friedrichstrasse Station

The meeting point for your Cold War tour is at Friedrichstrasse Train Station, a historic location at the heart of Berlin’s division. Here, your expert guide will give you an overview of the fascinating three-hour journey ahead, outlining the key sites and stories you'll explore. From there, you'll embark on a unique experience aboard the "ghost train" — an underground route that once connected East and West Berlin during the Cold War. This will set the stage for a deeper understanding of the city's dramatic history, the tension of the divided years, and the personal stories that shaped Berlin's past.
Read more

15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Admiralspalast Berlin

See the location where the East German Political Party (SED) was founded in 1946
Read more

5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Palace of Tears

The Place of Tears (Tränenpalast) is a poignant site in Berlin, located at Friedrichstrasse Station. This former border crossing was the emotional heart of the city's division during the Cold War, where East and West Berliners were forced to say tearful goodbyes as they were separated by the Berlin Wall. Officially known as the "Palace of Tears," it became a symbol of the heartache caused by the division of families and loved ones.Today, the Tränenpalast houses a museum that tells the story of the emotional and physical toll the Wall took on the lives of Berliners, featuring exhibits about escape attempts, the harsh separation between East and West, and the reunification that followed. As part of your walking tour, you’ll visit this deeply moving site and reflect on the personal stories of loss, longing, and resilience that marked this dramatic chapter of Berlin's history.
Read more

20 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Alexanderplatz

Alexanderplatz was the beating heart of East Berlin — a stage for communist power, mass rallies, and daily life under surveillance. Surrounded by stark GDR architecture and socialist symbols, it was where propaganda met reality, and where the Cold War was lived, not just imagined.
Read more

15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Karl-Marx-Allee

Karl-Marx-Allee was East Germany’s showcase boulevard — a monumental socialist dream built to impress the world. Lined with grand Stalinist architecture, it symbolized power, control, and ideology, masking the everyday reality of life behind the Iron Curtain.
Read more

20 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

East Side Gallery

The East Side Gallery is the longest permanent graffiti wall in the world and the largest remaining section of the Berlin Wall — once a deadly border, now a powerful symbol of freedom. Its iconic murals transform concrete oppression into bold art, telling stories of resistance, hope, and the fall of the Cold War’s most infamous divide.
Read more

25 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Show 5 more stops

Additional Info

  • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • 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

Frequently Asked Questions

(6)

Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Cold War, Berlin Wall, Spies and the East Side Gallery?

A: You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund. For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (CEST). Read more Apr 2025

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.

Still have questions?

We're here to help.
Activity code: C-5560COLDWAR

Traveler Photos

See more
See more

Reviews

4.92
1,040 reviews

Average 4.92 out of 5 stars based on 1,040 traveler reviews collected by Cool Destinations and partner sites such as Trustpilot, Viator, and TripAdvisor

5 stars
980
4 stars
49
3 stars
5
2 stars
2
1 star
4

Loading Options
Don't miss out!
On average, this is booked 33 (0) days in advance.
Berlin Tours
Attractions
Guides
Calendar
View more

Similar Tours & Activities

Explore Berlin History and Highlights Sightseeing Walking Tour

Explore Berlin History and Highlights Sightseeing Walking Tour

3 hours 30 minutes • Free Cancellation
3 hours 30 minutes • Free Cancellation
5.0 (89)
from
$33.36
Private Berlin Top Historical Sites Tour with Black Van

Private Berlin Top Historical Sites Tour with Black Van

4 hours • Hotel pickup offered • Free Cancellation
4 hours • Hotel pickup offered • Free Cancellation
5.0 (4)
from
$674.67
Hitler's Berlin - the Rise & Fall (Small Group Third Reich Tour)
Likely to Sell Out
Likely to Sell Out

Hitler's Berlin - the Rise & Fall (Small Group Third Reich Tour)

2 to 5 hours • Free Cancellation
2 to 5 hours • Free Cancellation
4.9 (179)
from
$57.19
WWII & 3rd Reich Private Walking Tour

WWII & 3rd Reich Private Walking Tour

2 hours 30 minutes • Free Cancellation
2 hours 30 minutes • Free Cancellation
5.0 (2)
from
$289.63

Travelers Who Bought This Tour Also Bought

Third Reich Berlin: Hitler and WWII Walking Tour

Third Reich Berlin: Hitler and WWII Walking Tour

3 hours • Free Cancellation
3 hours • Free Cancellation
5.0 (3,376)
from
$25.12
Berlin Highlights Sightseeing Bike Tour 3.5h in Small Groups
Likely to Sell Out
Likely to Sell Out

Berlin Highlights Sightseeing Bike Tour 3.5h in Small Groups

3 hours 30 minutes • Free Cancellation
3 hours 30 minutes • Free Cancellation
4.9 (535)
from
$42.59
Berlin City Tour in a Mini Hotrod
Likely to Sell Out
Likely to Sell Out

Berlin City Tour in a Mini Hotrod

1 hour 30 minutes • Free Cancellation
1 hour 30 minutes • Free Cancellation
4.9 (221)
from
$133.97
Berlin Icebar Experience Including 3 drinks

Berlin Icebar Experience Including 3 drinks

1 hour • Free Cancellation
1 hour • Free Cancellation
4.7 (1,305)
from
$26.01

Frequently Asked Questions (6)

Activity name

The answers provided below were previously given in response to questions from Cool Destinations customers.

Filter by:

Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Cold War, Berlin Wall, Spies and the East Side Gallery?
A:
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.
  • For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.
  • If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
  • Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.
  • Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (CEST).
Apr 2025
Q: What's included in the price?
A:
The following is included:
  • Local Expert Guide.
The following is NOT included:
  • Berlin Transport daypass AB Zone ticket which can be purchased from meeting point.
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off.
  • Gratuities.
  • Food and drinks.
Apr 2025
Q: What is the minimum age for this tour?
A:

There is no minimum age for this tour, so bring your wee one along for an adventure. This tour requires at least one adult to accompany children..

Apr 2025
Q: My date is not available in the calendar, I am just checking to see if it is available?
A:

If a date or time is not listed on the calendar, it’s sold out or unavailable for another reason. Support cannot assist further if a date or time is not on the calendar.

If you find a date and time that works for you, book it NOW because things always sell out at this time of year.

Apr 2025
Q: Is this an accessible tour?
A:

Accessibility information for the Cold War, Berlin Wall, Spies and the East Side Gallery is as follows:

  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Apr 2025
Q: Where is the meeting point for this activity?
A:

Detailed check-in instructions – including meeting point address, Google map, and parking information – for Cold War, Berlin Wall, Spies and the East Side Gallery will be included in your confirmation email from Cool Destinations. Please be sure to double and triple check your email address is correct at checkout so this important email makes its way to you!

 

 

Mar 2024

What's Included

Activity name

  • Local Expert Guide
  • Berlin Transport daypass AB Zone ticket which can be purchased from meeting point
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
  • Gratuities
  • Food and drinks

Additional Info

Activity name

  • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • 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
  • Operated by a business

Protecting you

Activity name

For your protection and stress-free bookings, use our secure platform to pay for bookings. Insider Tour Berlin

Report Product Issue

Activity name

Language
Currency

Site Settings

Activity name

Currency

Activity name

Lowest Price Guarantee

Activity name

We guarantee the lowest price on all the tours available to book on our site. We'll refund the difference if you find the exact tour cheaper online until 48 hours before your tour starts.

We Make It Easy!

Gather your information

Locate your Cool Destinations Booking Number and the proof of the lower price you found.

Send it to us

Email priceguarantee@mybookings.zendesk.com with the documents, your name, and your home address.

We'll review

We'll review your materials and get in touch as soon as possible.

Receive your refund

If everything checks out, we'll refund you the price difference.

Refund Terms & Conditions

The following conditions apply to all lowest price guarantee refund requests:

  • The lowest price guarantee is available to any customer who makes a qualifying purchase through our website. The qualifying purchase must be a minimum of US$20 (or equivalent).
  • The lowest price guarantee covers retail and prepaid rates available to the general public. This does not include discounts or promotions you may receive (or be eligible for) from third-party sites or organizations such as AAA or AARP or special offers made as part of a membership program, corporate discount, daily deal, group, or rewards program.
  • Cool Destinations promotions cannot be combined with the lowest price guarantee.
  • If you find a lower retail or prepaid rate for the same tour, offered on the same date, time and priced in the same currency as your original purchase, on any other website between the time you book on Cool Destinations and 48 hours before your trip starts, we will refund the difference.
  • The lowest price guarantee does not apply where a lower overall price is found by breaking down the purchased tour into one or more parts sold separately.
  • Cool Destinations reserves the right to verify the lower price details. Examples of acceptable forms of verification include a web screenshot or a web address.
  • All refund decisions will be made at the sole discretion of Cool Destinations.
Activity name

Free Cancellation

100% refund
No refund

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.

  • For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.
  • If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
  • Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.
  • Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (CEST).

Sorting, ranking, and search results

Activity name

Cool Destinations wants to make your searches as relevant as possible. That's why we offer many ways to help you find the right experiences for you.

On some pages, you can select how to sort the results we display and also use filter options to see only those search results that meet your chosen preferences. You'll see explanations of what those sort options mean when you select them.

If you see a Badge of Excellence label, the award is based on average review ratings, share of bookings with a review, and number of bookings through Cool Destinations over a 12-month period.

The importance of any one factor over any other in a sort order varies, and the balance is constantly being reviewed and adjusted. We're always updating our systems and testing new ways to refine and improve your results to make them as relevant as possible to meet your needs.

Cool Support

Ask us anything!

Activity name

Cool Robot

Choose an option

Activity name

or

Cool Rewards Terms & Conditions

Activity name

Cool Rewards

  • Cool Rewards is a loyalty program operated by Cool Destinations. Rewards may be earned by any eligible person holding a Cool Destinations account, subject to the Cool Destinations customer Terms of Use.

Earning rewards

  • Rewards can be earned by making bookings on the Cool Destinations website. You will be able to see the value of the rewards you can earn during the booking process.
  • Earned rewards will be issued in a pending state and will move to a confirmed state 24 hours after the start time of the experience.
  • Earned rewards will be available to redeem once they are no longer in a pending state.
  • For bookings that are moved to a different travel date, the rewards will be redeemable after the amended travel date.
  • If a booking where rewards were issued is canceled, the earned rewards will not be redeemable and will be moved to a canceled state.

Redeeming rewards

  • To redeem rewards, you must be logged into your Cool Destinations account.
  • Any available rewards will be automatically applied the next time you make a booking, and their value will be deducted from your order at checkout, unless you choose not to apply them, which requires you to indicate this via the toggle switch. Bookings made using rewards are subject to the standard Cool Destinations Customer Terms of Use.
  • You will not be able to redeem only a portion of your available rewards at checkout. It is only possible to redeem all or none of your available rewards.
  • There is no minimum order value required to redeem your rewards. This means that you can pay for 100% of your order with rewards.
  • Rewards are non-transferable and cannot be redeemed for cash.
  • If rewards are redeemed against a booking that is canceled or refunded, the rewards will be reissued to your account.

Miscellaneous

  • You can check your Cool Destinations account to see the rewards you have collected at any time. You are responsible for ensuring that your rewards balance is correct.
  • We reserve the right to modify these Cool Rewards Terms and Conditions at any time, with or without notice, including the rules for earning and redeeming rewards. Any changes will be reflected in the updated Terms and Conditions.
  • We reserve the right to terminate the Cool Rewards program and cease issuing any further rewards on future bookings. All pending and available rewards balances will be honored.
  • By earning and redeeming rewards, you agree to these Terms and Conditions, as well as any subsequent changes made to them.