About this experience
Respectable mansions of professors and Nobel laureates, urban villas of the Third Reich elite, brutal church architecture of the National Socialist era, Norman Foster-designed university campus, picturesque cycling paths through Prussian parks, the only fully preserved medieval church in Berlin, and a Renaissance castle with original works by both Cranachs - did you know that all this can be seen in one place on a tiny patch of land? I have designed a convenient route to show you the most important things in just a few hours. And why "German Oxford"? I will tell you!
What awaits you
Dahlem-Dorf - a new look at Berlin
In just 25 minutes of leisurely bike ride from the center of Berlin, the rebellious community of tiny Dahlem long resisted being merged with the sprawling capital of the empire and opposed colonization by Berlin celebrities. What came out of this, you will see with your own eyes. You will learn where Albert Einstein and Max Planck lived and worked, where in 1938 the first successful fission of the uranium atom nucleus was carried out, what traditional Berlin beer gardens look like, and much more. Our route to Dahlem and back will pass through the Berlin districts of Charlottenburg, Wilmersdorf, Schoeneberg, Friedenau, Steglitz, Grunewald, and as a bonus will provide additional impressions of Berlin's urban architecture of the 19th-21st centuries.
Main points of the trip
- A colony of villas where the 'elite' of the Third Reich settled next to famous people, aristocrats, and industrialists: Heinrich Himmler, Joachim von Ribbentrop, Martin Bormann, Leni Riefenstahl, Arno Breker, Wilhelm Keitel, Friedrich Paulus, Heinz Guderian, Karl Dönitz, and many others.
- The hunting castle Grunewald (1542) with a collection of paintings by Lucas Cranach the Elder and his son.
- The most popular place among well-to-do townspeople and professional dog walkers for walking dogs in Berlin with its own beach and beer garden.
- A small but world-famous museum of the 'Die Brücke' art group with works by German Impressionists.
- Lutheran church and Catholic chapel built during the National Socialist era and becoming the prototype for the future German Christian Church.
- One of the oldest and most beautiful branches of the Berlin metro.
- The official residence villa of the President of Germany.
- The village church from the 1300s and a residential building from the 16th century - the oldest undamaged buildings in Berlin, survived during World War II.
- The Allies' museum with evidence of the tragedy of Berlin's division and artifacts from the Cold War.
- The most interesting corners of the Free University campus, although... today it is hard to find a place in Dahlem not connected to the university.
Optimal tour format
The German capital is one of the world's leading cycling cities. The metropolis is tightly woven with cycling infrastructure, so you will be able to see significantly more than an average pedestrian. During the bike ride, you will find yourself in non-touristy places, where not only the bourgeois life hidden from prying eyes flows, but also interesting landscapes, architecture, and history are revealed. Of course, we will not rush non-stop all this time: short and long rides will alternate with stops to explore the sights. You will travel the optimal route, and I will show you all the most interesting things and at the end, I will gladly share what I know about the trip, answering your questions.
Bike rental
Most hotels in Berlin will be happy to offer you bike rental right in the hotel (recommended) or somewhere nearby within walking distance. In addition, there are popular scattered around Berlin so-called mobile bikes. The most common options are Donkey Republic, nextbike, Call a Bike, but there are others, including electric bikes JUMP, Tier, and Lime-E. You can come to the meeting point by bike, bring it with you on the U-Bahn (underground metro) or S-Bahn (overground metro). If you arrive at the meeting point without a bike and have not used the rental, you can find a bike via a mobile app nearby.
Renting a bike is usually very simple. After booking, you will receive detailed instructions and addresses of rental places near the meeting point.
Six hours of rental on average cost ≈ 6-10 EUR; a day ≈ 12-20 EUR. Carrying one bike on the metro - 2.00 EUR. In the metro, use the elevator and the bike car. Please take care of choosing a bike in advance before the start of the bike tour.
The bike season in Berlin lasts all year round, except for a few weeks in winter if it snows - but don't worry! The tour will definitely take place in a reasonably shortened walking format.
Who is the tour suitable for
Participants over 16 years old, ready for aerobic workouts and pleasant impressions. You must be confident in riding a bike and have average physical fitness. If you haven't sat in the saddle for a long time, you may feel a slight leg fatigue in the morning after the trip.
Organizational details
How the tour goes
- Start: at Bundesplatz square (S+U - Bahnhof Bundesplatz). Finish: Königin-Luise-Straße (U - Bahnhof Dahlem-Dorf)
- Total route length: 23 km. About 25 stops. Movement/pause time ratio: approximately 40/60.
- The bike tour format does not include visits to museums or shops, restaurants, snack bars, etc.
- At the halfway point, in Grunewald Castle, a short stop for a coffee/tea break is planned.
Additional expenses
Bike rental and, if necessary, its transportation on public transport to the meeting point
