Are you planning a trip to Berlin, Germany’s vibrant capital city? If you’re looking to explore the rich history, iconic landmarks, and hidden stories that make Berlin so fascinating, then a free walking tour is an absolute must for you. In this blog post, we’ll dive into the reasons why you should consider joining a free walking tour in Berlin and how it can enhance your overall travel experience.
The advantages of a Free Walking Tour
- Historical Insights: Berlin is a city with rich history beginning with the Second World War up to the division of Germany into east and west. The best thing about a free walking tour, therefore, is the ability to be privy to these events as narrated by professional tour guides with lore-filled understanding of the area. By so doing, you will understand Berlin’s history and the influence that led to the current developed city.
- Explore Iconic Landmarks: In this regard, a walking tour enables you to visit and familiarize with some of the most famous places in Berlin; from the Brandenburg Gate to the remaining part of the Berlin Wall. Your guide will then escort you to these places and serve to explain the history behind them and make them more meaningful. On foot there is a possibility to personally feel the atmosphere and energy of Berlin, and also to notice great architecture that would be impossible in a car or a bus for example.
- Discover Hidden Gems: Berlin is widespread for its street art, districts, and places which are not so typical or obvious for the tourists’ visiting. You will get a chance to visit these sites when attending a free walking tour since some areas may not necessarily be seen. A local guide for instance might physically escort you to obscure parts of the city and give you an insight of what he or she believes are the hidden features of the city. These places, which are not so well known make the tour a very genuine Berlin experience.
Guidelines to Follow when Selecting Free Walking Tour
Now that you’re convinced to join a free walking tour in Berlin, here are some tips to help you choose the right one:
1. Explore Various Tour Operators
Look onto the internet and see what different tour companies have to offer. Fortnight is usually a good source for checking their ratings, reviews, and the itineraries they set and determining the one that will suit your interests. It is preferred when the companies have friendly guide who are experienced and who love their city which is Berlin.
2. It is also good to check the duration and the time table in existence.
Think of the time and frequency of the walking tour. Some tours may cover a few hours on the road while others may be exhausting for half a day tour. Select a tour that is within your availability and ensure that you allocate enough time with the tour to make the best of each unknown destination on the tour.
3. Check on the fact that as proposed the tour operation plan is free.
It is useful to ask how ‘free’ tours really are, what do they expect in form of tips or donations at the end of the tour. There are some organizations that work on the modality of ‘Freemium’, that is, you choose how much you are willing to pay depending on your level of satisfaction. It is recommended to make sure that the tour has a clear financial policy to reduce all risks that are connected with money.
4. Consider Group Size
Consider the social interaction you prefer; a group of individuals or a large group of people. While some people like to be with many people during the event since they want to socialize with other people, others like to be in small groups in order to intimate with other people. This means that depending on ones preferences, he or she may select a certain tour company that he or she feels comfortable with the number of people in that company.
Some Things To Expect During A Free Walking Tour In Berlin
During the tour, you can expect the following:
- An individual with good speaking English skills and basic knowledge about the area they are guiding tourists around.
- Factual about the history of Berlin and entertaining and in some cases informative narratives.
- The discovery of the famous and not very popular places.
- The interaction as well as questioning and answering rights given to a specific guide.
- An opportunity to make friends who are in the same traveling journey as you.
In Summary
A free walking tour is an amazing opportunity to peel the veil of Berlin’s mysteries, learn its incredible history, and feel its young but pulsing heartbeat. Free walking tours also give you information you wouldn’t otherwise get, take you to amazing places, and give you a much richer experience than going to tourist traps and boring locations. Therefore, put on your comfortable pair of shoes and prepare for an amazing journey of following the history of Berlin!
Table of Contents