If you have planned for visiting Berlin soon- you have chosen the right place. Being the capital of Germany, Berlin is a lively city with rich history and that gives touch of classical and modern style. Traveling around the city as well as enjoying its special aer can be done easily with a help of free walking tours. In this guide we want to show you why it is smart to do free walking tours and give you advice about what to see and do in Berlin with a free walking tour. Let’s get started!
Why Choose a Free Walking Tour?
Free walking tours of cities have emerged over the recent past as one of the most sought after tourist activities and for Berlin it is not an exception. Here’s why you should consider joining a free walking tour during your visit:
Affordability: That is why the very term ‘free’ means that these tours do not cost any certain amount of money. But it’s meant that during the tour you do not tip the tour guide, instead, at the end you tip them depending on the level of satisfaction. This makes it a good choice for those in a tight budget, those on a low budget travelling, those on a budget being in hostels or camping i.e. backpackers.
Local Insights: The free walking tours are generally offered by experienced and rather enthusiastic guides who want to tell their guests about their city. It’s good to note that they can give you relevant information, familiar history and unique suggestions that the travel guides may not.Moreover they are strongly associated with your own experiences that will create fond and unpleasant memories when visiting certain places.
Orientation: Germany’s capital city is one of the largest cities of the continent spread across 9 square kilometers and has large numbers of districts and attractions. A good method is to start a free walking tour of the city as it allows to get acquainted with the location of all the main attractions.
Flexibility: Although most free walking tours are without a fixed starting time and guide, you are able to spontaneously decide a tour on the fly according to your own reference point and thus be a part of it. Furthermore, a variety of tours are available with multiple tour times and route options to choose from will be available.
Tips for Getting the Most Out of Your Free Walking Tour
While joining a free walking tour is a great way to explore Berlin, these tips will help you maximize your experience:
1. Research Different Tour Companies
Spend a few minutes to explore some of the many free walking tour companies in Berlin available today. I pulled out reviews, compared different routes and their themes and chose the one that seemed to suit my interests. For your safety it is advisable to look for those companies that employ experienced guides that can speak your desired language.
2. Use the Departure Points and Times
All free walking tours must be taken at a fixed location, and at fixed times. It is therefore advisable to visit their websites, or get in touch with them to get updated information. It is recommended to get there a few minutes before time to book your spot especially when many tourist are around .
3. Dress Comfortably
Great tip number two is to make sure that you get dressed properly for the occasion you intend to go for a walk and wear proper comfortable shoes. Due to unpredictable conditions, sometimes it gets a little cold in Berlin during the evening so it’s advisable to carry a jacket or an umbrella in case it rained.
4. Listen and Answer the Questions as Well as Interact with the Guide
Feel free to ask questions when you are being toured around. They are there to educate and enrich your experience with your knowledge about the city. Converse with them, and, within the people taking the tour, it is only right that they maximize the experience.
5. Take Notes and Snap Photos
Carry pen and paper and write worthwhile information that could be useful later or areas of interest. Photography is also a good ways through which you can make photo-realistic images of the memories and prominent features that you come across in the course of the tour.
6. Tip the Guide Appropriately
During the tour you are expected to pay your guide depending on how you preferred the tour to be. Even though the tour is completely free, it is the main source of income for the guides and other people that conduct the tours. Based on the prices that you paid, the knowledge offered by the guide and your wallet in the end, one should choose the right tip.
Conclusion
A free walking tour is definitely fun and economical when compared to other standard New Berlin sightseeing toils. With a good tour company and preparation, answering your guide, you will make the best out of your Berlin vacation and learn more about the history and culture of the city. Well, put on your walking shoes, pack your camera and this is the time you should brace yourself for the best time in Berlin!
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