About this experience
A bike tour at sunset - a chance to see the famous postcard views of Berlin and hidden amazing places away from prying eyes at a time when the 'neon lights' come on, and there are fewer cars and people around the main attractions. You will cross the line dividing the city into the western and eastern sectors several times. Ride along the banks of the Spree and canals, over bridges and through parks, points reminding of Berlin's terrible past and vibrant squares. Bring a good camera with you! New experiences and a great mood are guaranteed.
What to expect
Relics of the Cold War - the Berlin Wall near the ruins of the Gestapo basement. Impressive modern architecture of the 'Bundestag Ribbon' in the new Government Quarter, where the 'Leap over the Spree' bridge unites the Paul-Löbe-Haus symbolizing government control and openness and the Marie-Elisabeth-Lüders-Haus symbolizing liberalism and knowledge. You will see old rural windmills of the German Technical Museum and two modern architectural wonders, reminiscent of the passage of time - the Tempodrom dome and the Sony Center. I will show you typical examples of Berlin's architecture from the imperial era and the place where the metro line broke through a tenement house.
Main highlights of the trip
- Nollendorfplatz - the location of the iconic Bob Fosse movie 'Cabaret' with Liza Minnelli and Michael York in the bustling night neighborhoods for adults.
- Gleisdreieck - a paradise for graffiti and street athletes: the famous 'turning triangle, praised by Boris Pasternak, forgotten and overgrown with forest after World War II but transformed into a park in the early 21st century.
- The most complex urban engineering structure of the late 19th - early 20th century - the six-level interchange above and below the Landwehr Canal - a popular postcard view 'Greetings from Berlin' from the 1900s.
- Anhalterbahnhof - ruins of Europe's largest railway station, built in 1841 with a dome of undulating steel and glass, where Hitler met Mussolini, and Ribbentrop met Molotov.
- Skyscrapers and the glowing tent-like roof at Potsdamer Platz. The square that moved in the minds of people from West Berlin to the East.
- The Reichstag building and the Federal Chancellery - new symbols of power embodied in new architecture, and the palace of Ferdinand of Prussia 'Bellevue' in the early classicism style of the second half of the 18th century - the official residence of the President of the FRG.
- Postcard view of the main symbol of West Berlin - the semi-destroyed Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church.
- The largest kitsch of Berlin and beer gardens in parks and along the Spree embankments.
Along the way, you will see the so-called 'Führer's Bunker' and the New Reich Chancellery of 1939, about which Molotov did not dare to tell Stalin upon returning from Berlin, as well as the Brandenburg Gate, the 'Pregnant Oyster' that scared the GDR authorities, the Hansa Quarter, the Bauhaus Archive, and other recognizable symbols of the German capital in the light of the night lights.
If you are interested and time allows, as an addition to the bike tour, I will gladly show you the Embassy Quarter and the Bendlerblock - the courtyard of the General Staff during the National Socialist period, where in 1933 Hitler spoke about the eradication of Marxism and the annexation of eastern territories. And in 1944, Stauffenberg was shot here after the assassination attempt on the Führer in the 'Wolf's Lair' - the famous Operation 'Valkyrie'.
Optimal tour format
The German capital is one of the world's major cycling cities. The metropolis is densely woven with cycling infrastructure, meaning you will be able to see much more than an average pedestrian. During the bike ride, you will find yourself in off-the-tourist-path places, where not only hidden bourgeois life flows but also interesting landscapes, architecture, and history are revealed. Of course, we won't be racing non-stop all this time: short and long rides are interspersed with stops to explore the sights. You will take the optimal route, and I will show you all the most interesting things and, at the end, gladly share what I know about the trip, answering your questions.
Bike Rental
Most hotels in Berlin will be happy to offer you bike rentals right at the hotel (recommended) or nearby within walking distance. In addition, scattered around Berlin are so-called mobile bikes. The most common options are Donkey Republic, nextbike, Call a Bike, but there are others, including electric bikes like JUMP, Tier, and Lime-E. You can come to the meeting place by bike, bring it with you on the U-Bahn (subway) or S-Bahn (overground metro). If you arrive at the meeting place without a bike and did not use a rental, you can find a bike through a mobile app nearby.
It is usually very easy to rent a bike. After booking, you will receive detailed instructions and addresses of rentals near the meeting place.
Six hours of rental on average cost ≈ 6-10 EUR; a day ≈ 12-20 EUR. Carrying one bike on the metro - 2.00 EUR. Use the elevator and bike car in the metro. Please make sure to choose your bike in advance before the bike tour begins.
The bike season in Berlin lasts all year round, except for a few weeks in winter if it snows - do not be upset! The tour will definitely take place in a reasonably shortened pedestrian format.
Who is the tour suitable for
For participants over 18 years old, ready for aerobic stress and pleasant experiences. You must be confident in riding a bike; if you haven't been in the saddle for a long time, you may feel a slight leg fatigue the morning after the ride.
Organizational details
How the tour goes
- Start and finish: at the square of the Wittenbergplatz station (U-Bahnhof Wittenbergplatz)
- Total route length: 19 km. Approx. 20 stops. Movement/rest time ratio: approximately 40/60.
- The bike tour format does not include visits to shops, restaurants, snack bars, etc.
Additional expenses
Bike rental and, if necessary, its carriage on public transport to the meeting place
