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Family Tour in Berlin

Hello everyone!

My family and I will be visiting Berlin this summer, and now that our hotel and travel plans are sorted, I’m starting to organize some memorable experiences in the city. We’re hoping to find a knowledgeable private tour guide for around half a day who can really bring Berlin’s history and culture to life.

We’re especially interested in WWII history, the Cold War, and stories connected to Berlin’s past, but we’d also love someone who can make the tour interesting and interactive for our children (ages 12 and 15). A guide who is friendly, engaging, and good with families would be ideal.

If anyone has had a great experience with a private Berlin guide or tour company, I’d really appreciate your recommendations. Thanks so much in advance!

Posted by
4722 posts

Independent from any guide I recommend the multi-awarded Berlin History app.

Use the search function of the forum to find last 2 years entries' for Berlin guide.

Posted by
469 posts

I can help!
I connected with Robert Sommer:
http://thetrueberliner.com/
Because he grew up in Berlin his shared personal experiences (i.e. his memories from an East Berlin day care, being a teen at-and on- the wall) would engage your teens. He showed me where he sat to study at the university :) He has an excellent sense of humor.

I walked with him my first day, which helped provide context for the rest of the week on my own.
I have previously suggested Trabi Tours on the Forum:
http://www.trabi-safari.de/index.php?language=en
It's not far from Checkpoint Charlie (that museum is small and also a must-see) and looks kitschy and like a "tourist trap" but your family will love it. I did! The lead driver was knowledgeable and very funny at the same time and driving past the famous landmarks (with people taking your car's photo) was unique. A highlight was the stretch of road still filled with Communist-era apartments and it was a memorable experience.
Have a wonderful trip!

Posted by
12170 posts
Posted by
4653 posts

I'm the guy who always writes about Robert Sommer. He's very good. And he was 15 years old when the wall fell... you have 12 and 15 year old? Maybe they can imagine themselves in his stories?

Also... if your kids would be willing to watch a film with subtitles... the 2018 film Balloon, based on the true story of two families (outside Berlin) that came up with the idea to escape from East Germany to West Germany via a hot-air balloon, is quite good. Part of the film is shot in Berlin.