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Berlin Classics: free self-guided audio tour of Berlin
Berlin Classics is a free self-guided audio walking tour of Berlin, Germany: 5 stops in about 1 h 40. The Itinerarly app walks you from one stop to the next and plays a short narrated story when you arrive, in English, French, Spanish, Italian and Chinese.
| Stops | 5 |
|---|---|
| Duration | about 1 h 40, including time at each stop |
| Difficulty | Moderate |
| Distance | about 5.2 km in straight lines between the stops (a little more on foot) |
| Start | Brandenburg Gate |
| Finish | Checkpoint Charlie |
| Price | Free (some sights charge their own entry ticket) |
| Languages | English, French, Spanish, Italian and Chinese |
Mitte and Cold War history
The stops, in order
- Brandenburg GateWelcome to the Brandenburg Gate, Berlin's most iconic landmark and the universal symbol of German unity. Erected in 1791 in a neoclassical style inspired by the Acropolis in Athens, this monumental gate has been a privileged witness to the darkest and most glorious hours of Germanic history. Long isolated in the 'no man's land' during the city's partition by the Wall, it became the rallying point when the Iron Curtain fell in 1989.
- ReichstagHere is the Reichstag, the historical seat of the German parliament, the Bundestag. This massive building, completed in 1894, has survived fires, bombings, and decades of neglect before becoming the beating heart of German political life again in 1999. Its most spectacular transformation is undoubtedly the transparent glass dome designed by British architect Norman Foster.
- Museum IslandYou are entering Museum Island, a globally unique complex and UNESCO World Heritage site. Located on the Spree River, this island houses five prestigious museums tracing 6,000 years of human history. From the imposing Pergamon Museum with its ancient altar and Ishtar Gate, to the Neues Museum—home of the world-famous bust of Queen Nefertiti—each building is a sanctuary of global culture.
- AlexanderplatzWelcome to Alexanderplatz, the vibrant and popular heart of former East Berlin. Dominated by the impressive 368-meter TV Tower (Fernsehturm), the square is a fascinating blend of socialist modernist architecture and contemporary commercial dynamism. Look for the World Clock, which indicates the time for dozens of metropolises across the globe—a legendary meeting point for Berliners.
- Checkpoint CharlieHere is Checkpoint Charlie, the world's most famous border crossing and an iconic remnant of the Cold War. For nearly thirty years, this narrow passage between the American and Soviet sectors symbolized the division not only of Berlin but of the entire world. It was here that tanks faced each other in 1961 and many daring escape attempts occurred.
How to take this tour
- Install the free Itinerarly app on iPhone or Android and create a free account.
- Open Guided tours, choose Berlin, then Berlin Classics.
- Start whenever you like: the app guides you to Brandenburg Gate and the story plays when you arrive at each stop.
Other audio tours of Berlin
Planning a whole day? See one day in Berlin.
Frequently asked questions
- Is the Berlin Classics tour in Berlin free?
- Yes. It is one of 3 free self-guided audio tours of Berlin in the Itinerarly app. Some sights charge their own entry ticket.
- How long does the Berlin Classics tour take?
- About 1 h 40 for 5 stops, including time at each stop.
- Where does the Berlin Classics tour start and finish?
- It starts at Brandenburg Gate and finishes at Checkpoint Charlie.
- Which languages is the narration in?
- English, French, Spanish, Italian and Chinese, with natural-sounding synthetic voices.