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Activity Berlin, Germany

Berlin: Then and Now Walking Tour with Archive Photos

2 h 30 min Free cancellation
Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

Berlin: Then and Now Walking Tour with Archive Photos

About this activity

St. Mary's Church stands in a large open space near Alexanderplatz. Archive photos show a different scene: houses and narrow streets pressed around the church. On this walk, I use photographs of the places along the route to help you see the Berlin that disappeared.

I'm Yusuf, your guide. We start at the World Clock on Alexanderplatz and walk through the historic centre of former East Berlin. Along the way, I hold up archive prints so you can compare the old views with what stands in front of you: the missing streets around St. Mary's Church, the Neptune Fountain that once stood before the royal palace, the palace site at the Humboldt Forum and the war damage and rebuilding on Museum Island.

My advice: hold your phone beside my print and photograph the comparison.

The walk takes about 2.5 hours and covers about 3 km, with no more than 10 guests. It ends at Hackescher Markt, close to food and public transport.

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At a glance

Duration
2 h 30 min
Confirmation
Instant confirmation
Ticket
Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group
Up to 10 people
People per booking
1–10
Guide
English
Operated by
Walk of Berlin

Ages: Adults (0–99 years)

What is included

Included

  • Included: Guided walk with a local guide
  • Included: Archive photograph comparisons along the route

Not included

  • Not included: Admission to museums, the TV Tower and other attractions (we view them from outside)
  • Not included: Food and drinks
  • Not included: Public transport tickets
  • Not included: Hotel pickup and drop-off

Itinerary

  1. Alexanderplatz

    10 min

    We meet at the World Clock on Alexanderplatz. I introduce the walk and show you how this square looked before it was rebuilt as the centre of East Berlin.

  2. Berliner Fernsehturm

    Passing by

    We look up at the TV Tower and talk about why East Berlin built it here in the 1960s. We stay outside for 10 minutes; going up the tower is not included.

  3. Rotes Rathaus

    15 min

    At Berlin's red city hall and the Neptune Fountain, I show you how the fountain once stood in front of the royal palace before it was moved here.

  4. Neptunbrunnen

    Passing by

    Right beside the city hall. An archive photo shows the fountain in its first place, in front of the royal palace.

  5. St. Mary's Church

    15 min

    St. Mary's Church now stands in a wide open space. Archive photos show the houses and narrow streets that once surrounded it.

  6. Marx-Engels-Forum

    10 min

    At the Marx and Engels statues we talk about GDR memory and the old streets that disappeared from this area.

  7. Humboldt Forum

    25 min

    We pass the Sanchi Gate replica beside the building, then compare the palace site with the Palast der Republik and today's rebuilt facade. We take a 10-minute break here.

  8. Lustgarten

    Passing by

    We cross the Lustgarten, the garden between Berlin Cathedral and the Altes Museum.

  9. Berliner Dom

    Passing by

    From the Lustgarten we look at Berlin Cathedral and the Altes Museum beside the Spree. We stay outside for 20 minutes; admission is not included.

  10. Altes Museum

    Passing by

    We look at the Altes Museum's colonnade from the Lustgarten; admission is not included.

  11. Museum Island

    Passing by

    On Museum Island we look at the Neues Museum, the Alte Nationalgalerie and the Pergamon Museum from outside for 20 minutes. Archive photos help explain the war damage and the restoration behind what you see today. Museum admission is not included.

  12. Neues Museum

    Passing by

    Seen from outside; admission is not included.

  13. Alte Nationalgalerie

    Passing by

    Seen from outside; admission is not included.

  14. Pergamonmuseum

    Passing by

    Seen from outside; admission is not included.

  15. Friedrichsbrucke

    5 min

    We cross Friedrichsbrücke from Museum Island towards Hackescher Markt.

  16. Hackescher Markt

    10 min

    The walk ends at Hackescher Markt, close to food options and public transport.

Meeting point and pickup

Everyone meets at the meeting point.

Meeting point

  • Meet me beside the World Clock (Weltzeituhr) on Alexanderplatz at 12:25, five minutes before the 12:30 start. Look for my green umbrella.

End point

  • The walk ends at Hackescher Markt S-Bahn station, close to food options and public transport.

Using your ticket

Show your ticket on your phone or on paper at the World Clock on Alexanderplatz. Look for my green umbrella.

Cancellation

Free cancellation

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

If you cancel You get back
At least one day before 100%
Less than a day before 0%
  • The operator may cancel if too few people book; you then get another date or your money back.

Good to know

  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller

  • Service animals allowed

  • Public transportation options are available nearby

  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels

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Berlin: Then and Now Walking Tour with Archive Photos

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