Palace of Tears (Tränenpalast) Tours & Attractions

Embark on a captivating 3-hour journey through Berlin, delving deep into the city's soul with an Insider's perspective! Led by our expert local guide, you'll explore not only the iconic landmarks like the Berlin Wall, Brandenburg Gate, Reichstag parliament building, and Checkpoint Charlie but also discover the hidden gems often overlooked by conventional tours. Immerse yourself in the untold stories of Berlin during World War II and the Cold War, gaining profound insights into the lived experiences of the city's residents during those tumultuous times. Get ready for a tour that goes beyond the surface, revealing the heart and history of this dynamic city.
Duration: 3 hours.

For over 10 years I have been offering completely individual city tours in Berlin. My mission is to summarise the complexity of the capital with different and fascinating perspectives.
With me you get impressions about the development of the city: from its foundation, through the Kingdom of Prussia, the Nazi era, the GDR to the modern Berlin of today.
Whether a journey through history, a relaxed drive through the green Berlin (Tiergarten, Park Gleisdreieck, etc.) or capturing many beautiful photo motifs in well-known and hidden places. Everything is possible!

This is an individual tour.
The route can be personalised as desired.

This tour is also available for bigger groups (2 adults and 1 child per cab).

The guided tour can be in German, English, Italian, Spanish or French.

It is possible to order drinks separately.
Duration: 1 to 3 hours.

34 years after the fall of the Berlin Wall, the BWSG is offering a boat tour that traces part of the border in what is now East Berlin. In addition to the many changes that can be discovered from the water in the old and new center of the city, the EAST-SIDE-TOUR shows above all the latest developments in the shadow of the "East-Side-Gallery" - this 1.3 km long concrete remnant of the Berlin Wall, whose post-reunification pictures are currently being lovingly restored and whose name was the inspiration for this tour. With the Oberbaumbrücke, the redesigned Osthafen, the Molecule Men and the passage through the MÜhlendammschleuse, Berlin's cradle of urban development, this tour offers very special highlights. This city tour on the Spree is rounded off with a trip through the parliament and government district, with the Reichstag building and the Federal Chancellery.
Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes.

This guided Berlin walking tour will show you the battleground of the military conflict between the western world and the communist world. With your expert guide, see the Berlin Wall and hidden areas of the Death Strip, a former guard tower and travel through underground 'Ghost Stations'. Stand above the most famous escape tunnels, hear about the people who created them. Listen to stories about espionage, how the CIA and KGB faced off in this geopolitical hotspot. Learn about the leaders of the time and the events that kept the world on the brink of a nuclear war for 40 years. Your guide will expertly inform you on what life was like for Berlin's citizens during the almost 45 years of conflict and the ramifications we are still dealing with today.
Duration: 3 hours.

Explore Berlin past and present on this private 4-hour sightseeing tour. Learn about all the city’s dark secrets of past with a visit to the Brandenburg Gate, the Holocaust Memorial, and Hitler’s Bunker. And wander around the vibrant neighborhood of Mitte; admire architectural highlights such as Museum Island and the Gendarmenmarkt; and taste a delicious Currywurst. Discover the history and romance of Germany.

• Find out about the past and present of Berlin in a 4-hour private tour
• Discover more about Berlin’s WWII and Cold War history from a historic expert
• Visit the Brandenburg Gate, the Holocaust Memorial, the Palace of Tears, and Hitler’s Bunker
• Try a yummy Currywurst, Berlin’s most famous street food
• Immerse yourself in wonders of Museum Island and the Gendarmenmarkt
• Attend less-known attractions and local haunts in Mitte
• This private walking tour can be customized to all of you preferences and receive an undivided attention from your guide
Duration: 4 hours.

This private walking tour brings you to the places, where famous events of the Cold War happened and history was written. On this tour you will also see original pieces of the Wall, one of the last remaining guard towers and Checkpoint Charlie.

The tour starts at the Berlin Wall Documentation Center in the street "Bernauer Strasse", where many of the dramatic escape attempts took place, successful and tragic ones. You will ride one of the subways that were called "ghost trains" during the division of the city, so-called because of the gloomy atmosphere in the underground stations close to the wall. The tour also covers Checkpoint Charlie, the former military checkpoint and hot spot of the Cold War. This is the site where the fate of mankind was hanging by a thread in 1961 when US and Soviet tanks confronted each other.
Duration: 2 hours.

It’s the history that made the city today. During this private tour, it’s time to discover Berlin through WWII Private Tour.
Embark on a storytelling journey that will keep you entertained while at the same time giving you insights you can’t find in a history book.

Delve deep into the subject with highlights and landmarks like Reichstag building, Checkpoint Charlie and Museum Island Connect their relevance to this historical event and the effects it had from past to present in Berlin. Thanks to your local guide, it will be as if you just took a trip back in time!

Withlocals History City Tour™ is one of Withlocals' signature tours available in major cities worldwide. We work with passionate local guides who earn a fair fee. We support local economies by only offering local products and prevent over-tourism with only small non-intrusive groups. Our tours are carbon-neutral and away from the standard tourist routes.
Duration: 4 hours.

Learn everything you need to know from an expert Berlin guide on a 2-hour walking tour! Discover how Germany was divided into the capitalist West and the communist East after World War Two. See where Berlin was ripped in two, literally overnight, by the Berlin Wall. Follow the path of the Wall and discover tragic stories of loss, daring escapes, and the nefarious East German secret police, the Stasi.
Duration: 2 hours.

Your host will curate a truly blended Berlin history experience for you at entirely your own pace. We wish our history lessons could have been as immersive and exciting as exploring a city with one of our friendly hosts is. As a city that wears its past on its sleeve, particularly with regards to WW2, there is much more to Berlin’s unflinching urban facade should you decide to venture beyond the tourist trail. Take in significant landmarks like Tränenpalast and Checkpoint Charlie and grab some food along the way while you chat and enjoy!

Within 24 hours after booking you'll receive a short questionnaire about your personality and interests. Based on your responses, you'll be assigned a like-minded host. Your host will communicate with you directly to suggest an itinerary to help you discover what makes the city unique. You will also agree on a meeting time and place. Your itinerary is flexible, so during the experience, you can always change your mind about what you want to do.

Duration: 4 hours.

Experience the history of the Berlin Wall in a 3.5-hour bike tour. What happened in Berlin after World War II? How come that they built a wall and what does it meant to the Berliners on both sides? On a bike tour along the former Berlin Wall we will give you an idea of how life was like and how Berlin became once again in the last years.
Duration: 3 hours 30 minutes.

Experience Berlin from the water on our lounge trip! No matter what time of year, we offer you an unparalleled view of the city and its fascinating sights.

In summer you can sit on the roof and enjoy the warm sun. Relax in comfortable lounge furniture, listen to the music and treat yourself to cool drinks or a refreshing ice cream. While you sit comfortably on the upper deck, we pass the television tower, the Berlin Cathedral, the Museum Island and Charlottenburg Palace. But we offer you comfort even in unstable weather, because in our heated interior you can admire the breathtaking scenery through the large panoramic windows.

In winter we serve delicious, steaming soups and offer a selection of pastries and hot mulled wine. Berlin's impressive sights shine in their winter splendor and will amaze you.
Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes.

Together with our local host, you’ll discover the history of East Berlin, weaving together its past and present identity by visiting profound landmarks like Tränenpalast, Checkpoint Charlie, and more contemporary spaces like the East Side Gallery. You’ll explore the historic landmarks of this famous area, see where the Berlin Wall fell and discover some secret spots like local flea markets and independent bookstores which have all contributed to the reshaping of an area once characterized only by the scars of WWII.

Within 24 hours after booking you'll receive a short questionnaire about your personality and interests. Based on your responses, you'll be assigned a like-minded host. Your host will communicate with you directly to suggest an itinerary to help you discover what makes the city unique. You will also agree on a meeting time and place. Your itinerary is flexible, so during the experience, you can always change your mind about what you want to do.

Duration: 3 hours.

There is no better way to explore the German capital than a guided bike tour! Opt for an alternative sightseeing experience on a half-day bike tour of Berlin. This tour will focus on the history of the Berlin Wall and the Third Reich.

With your guide, you’ll pedal along a cycle path parallel to the Berlin Wall and stop at significant points such as Checkpoint Charlie and the East Side Gallery. Explore the different neighborhoods while making your life healthier. And a big plus that you have chance to choose any departure time between 9am and 6pm.

• Fun bike tour of the Berlin Wall and Third Reich history
• Stop at significant points such as Checkpoint Charlie and the East Side Gallery Choice of several departures throughout the day
• Opportunity to choose your own itinerary considering all your interests
• Become healthier while travelling around the most beautiful sight of Berlin
Duration: 3 hours 30 minutes.

Join us as we explore Berlin on The Original Berlin World War II Third Reich Tour. This Berlin World War II Tour concentrates on the effects, history, buildings, and stories surrounding Berlin in the Second World War.
- Visits to many World War II historical sights and memorials
- Recount historic events and urban legends
- Explore the effects, history, buildings, and stories surrounding Berlin in the Second World War 2
- Look at the scars and battlefields from left behind during the Battle of Berlin

The Berlin World War II & Third Reich Tour is a 3-hour tour. It features:
- Battle Of Berlin
- The Reichstag
- The Russian-German War Museum
- Flak Tower
- Awesome Local History Guides
- History Of WWII In Berlin
- The Third Reich Capital
- Prenzlauer Berg
- The Site of Hitler’s Bunker
- Eastside Gallery
- Berlin Wall Memorial
- Guard Towers
- Hidden Sections of The Berlin Wall
- Berlin Wall Escape Routes
- Hidden Berlin Wall Effects
- West Berlin & The DDR
- The Berlin Wall Route Today
Duration: 6 hours.

No other city in the world represented the Cold War and the division of Europe like the city of Berlin. In no other place were the Free World and the Communist World so close to one another.
We shall visit the Berlin Wall Memorial with original pieces of the Wall and the No-Man's-Land.
You shall have a chance to visit the most authentic places where history happened and discuss the events with an expert private guide.
The tour can be customized to your interests and adjusted accordingly.
Duration: 3 hours.

Enjoy a 3-hour walking tour in Berlin and learn about the cold war sites of Berlin, including all major site in the center of the clash between America and Russia. See the East Side Gallery, the wall Memorial, the Stasi headquarters, Checkpoint Charlie, the main memorial for the Russian soldiers, Oberbaumbrücke and Bornholmer straße checkpoint.
Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes.

Step Beyond the Wall: Embark on a journey that's more than just a tour. Join us and become a witness to history.

Berlin's streets whisper tales of defiance, resilience, and dreams. Dive deep into the heart of the Cold War era with "On the Front Tours." Experience not just the remnants of the Berlin Wall but the profound narratives that shaped an era.

Feel the tension, celebrate the spirit, and witness the transformation of a divided city into a symbol of hope. Don't just visit; become a part of Berlin's indomitable story.

Tour Highlights:
Begin your journey at the Palace of Tears, a testament to tearful goodbyes during the Cold War.
Walk the grounds where the Berlin Walls once stood.
Discover an underground escape tunnel.
A sanctuary in the death strip, symbolising hope amidst despair.

Learning Outcomes:
Historical Insight
Cultural Immersion
Political Context
Personal Stories

Why Choose Us?
Expertise
Small Group Tour
Experience
Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes.

Enjoy a 4-hour bike tour along the former Berlin border including stops at the Berlin Wall documentation center, Brandenburg Gate, Checkpoint Charlie , Potsdamer Platz , Topography of Terror, Reichstag , "Palace of tears" and many other interesting places related to the Berlin Wall history.
Duration: 4 hours.

Spend the evening hours on the water. On the romantic moonlight trip through Berlin, you can listen to the waves together and enjoy the evening surroundings in the moonlight.

Depending on the season, the captain will take you on the most beautiful routes through Berlin. Whether past the impressive Museum Island, the House of World Cultures or the Tiergarten and the Palace of Tears. By the time Charlottenburg Palace and its large palace garden appear on the night of the full moon, there is no longer any excuse for marriage proposals.

Whether planned or spontaneous, the moonlight trip will be an unforgettable moment. The friendly crew is flexible and is always there for you.

Relaxing music plays during the journey and you can look forward to the best wine and cheese specialties from the on-board kitchen. Make yourself comfortable on the roof terrace with a view of the city in the moonlight or in the heated interior of the ship.
Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes.

Explore a city torn in two by the Berlin Wall. Discover life with the Stasi (secret police) in communist East Germany, and hear daring escape stories. Visit an original section of the Berlin Wall and see how & where Berliners dug tunnels to escape communism. Hear how West Berlin trains would travel through "ghost stations" beneath the East, sometimes stopping so that family and friends could have touching reunions and say emotional goodbyes. Trace the path of the Berlin Wall and hear how border guards at the "Death Strip" were trained to shoot to kill if they caught anybody trying to escape!

Choose your end location: either the East Side Gallery, the colourful and most famous section of the Berlin Wall, covered in paintings, or Bornholmer Strasse, the very place where the Wall fell in 1989, leading to the reunification of Germany in 1990!
Duration: 3 hours.

Post-WW2 Berlin was a geopolitical battleground. Socialism and capitalism, dictatorship and democracy, and the United States and the Soviet Union all went head to head in the German capital. The most notorious symbol of the Cold War, the Berlin Wall, stood at the frontier of East and West, and people risked their lives trying to escape across it.

This tour is designed to immerse you in the divided city – a place of ideological extremes, of espionage and intrigue, and of tyranny and heroism – while also considering the legacy of the division in a Germany that reunified in 1990. Your professional, local guide will present the bigger picture of the Cold War in Germany, while also telling the stories of the individuals who risked it all to escape from the East, and also those that died trying.

Duration: 3 hours.

Our tour to Berlin and Potsdam is blend of historical depth (Furherbunker, Check Point Charlie, The Palace of tears, ), cultural richness (Potsdam, Unter den Linden and all the landmarks surrounding it, Brandenburg Gate) and modern dynamism (TV Tower, East Side Gallery) creates a unique and compelling impressions for the traveler.
This is a private tour, tailored to your pace, what you want to see and when you need a break for a delicious local meal or good coffee with a professional guide.
Each tour is unique but it provides a rich tapestry of experiences: immersive in history and vibrant atmosphere of two cities, leaving lasting memories and a deeper appreciation of the Berlin and Potsdam diversity.
Duration: 15 to 16 hours.

Learn about life in the once-divided city of Berlin on this private tour, led by guides who lived through the Cold War.

Visit the Berlin Wall Memorial Center, with the original Berlin Wall, exhibit and observation deck, and the sites of escape tunnels. Take a train ride on the former “ghost train” line and learn about the former ghost stations at Potsdamer Platz.

See iconic Berlin sites like Brandenburg Gate, Checkpoint Charlie, and the East Side Gallery, which is the longest open-air art gallery in the world.
Honor the past at the Berlin Wall Victim Memorial Site and at the Memorial of Peter Fechter, an 18-year-old bricklayer who was shot by East German border guards when he tried to climb the wall and bled out in the “death strip.”

By the end of your private Berlin tour, you’ll have a new understanding of life during the Cold War, from East and West perspectives, told by those who witnessed it first-hand.

Duration: 4 hours.

The Berlin Wall, Kruschev & Kennedy, the Airlift, spies, escapes and “the end of history” – it’s fair to say that Berlin defined the Cold War. This tour is a deep dive into a divided city – a time when it felt like World War Three was just around the corner, when one side of the city lived under Soviet-style communism, and the other was occupied by not one, not two, but three Western powers!

In air-conditioned comfort, in your luxury German car, you'll be taken from West to East across the German capital, criss-crossing where the Berlin Wall once stood, to get the closest possible look at what life was like back when Berlin was the centre of the Cold War. From famous sights like the Brandenburg Gate and Checkpoint Charlie, to lesser-known memorials and stories that you would never find on your own, this tour is far and away the best way to get to know Cold War Berlin.
Duration: 11 hours.

Explore the history of a divided city with an expert. Learn more about the live in a divided city. Explore the hot spots of the cold war in Berlin. Explore the Iron curtain guided by a former citizen of East Berlin.
Duration: 2 hours.

Go on a discovery tour with our E-scavenger hunt in Berlin.

You go on a search for the city's treasures with your family or friends. Use GPS to get to the right locations. At those location you'll play fun assignments and get interesting facts about the location or the city. Will you set the top score in Berlin?

This E-scavenger hunt is a unique way to discover a city. It will give you a fantastic day in Berlin. Decide for yourself when you start, pause and end. The E-scavenger hunt is fun to do and also teaches you about the city. No time limits or age limits!

Instructions for starting the tour will be given after booking. You can do this tour whenever you choose.
Duration: 2 to 3 hours.