Hackesche Höfe

Discover some of the key landmarks of Berlin on a sightseeing boat tour. Enjoy a relaxing river cruise on the Spree to take in the sights at the heart of this bustling city.   Depart from Friedrichstraße or Nikolaiviertel. Your 1-hour sightseeing tour will take you past the Reichstag (German Parliament Building), through the new Regierungsviertel (Government Quarter), all the way to the Haus der Kulturen der Welt (House of World Cultures). After turning at the Lutherbrücke (Luther Bridge), keep a look out for Schloss Bellevue (Bellevue Palace), the "Beamtenschlange" (civil servant housing), and the Siegessäule (Victory Column). Marvel at Hauptbahnhof (Central Station), Berliner Dom (Berlin Cathedral), Museumsinsel (Museum Island), and the Nikolaiviertal, the oldest residential area in Berlin. Arrive back either Friedrichstraße or Nikolaiviertel to finish the tour.

Explore Berlin's top sights on a convenient hop-on hop-off bus ticket. Listen to facinating stories about the city with live commentary. Have the freedom to jump on or off throughout the validity of your ticket. Visit top areas like Tiergarten, Gendarmenmarkt, and Potsdamer. One of the stops is the historically significant Potsdamer Platz. In the 1930s, it was one of the most public squares in Berlin. After the Second World War, this was no man’s land, where the Berlin Wall divided the city. Today, seeing the vibrant life and the newly erected towers reminiscent of New York’s urban canyons, you will hardly believe that for years there was nothing here other than the Berlin Wall, spring-guns and GDR soldiers. Also, the Legoland Discovery Center is on Potsdamer Platz. From there, continue to Berlin’s other important historical sites. In the Niederkirchner Straße you can find the city parliament, the Martin-Gropius-Bau, a museum with changing exhibitions, the Topography of Terror, which exhibits the history of the Nazis and of the Jews’ suffering under the Nazis, as well as the Ministry of Finance, which was once the Nazi Ministry of Aviation. After the Gendarmenmarkt it’s on to Alexanderplatz and the TV Tower. The stop for these sights is the Neptune Fountain. This used to be the Berlin City Palace. Here you will also have the opportunity to go shopping. The next stop is Karl-Liebknecht-Straße, in front of the Radisson Hotel. From here you can transfer on to a boat if you wish to experience Berlin by boat as well as bus. From here you can also admire the golden dome of the New Synagogue on Oranienburger Straße. The “Hackeschen Höfe” are only a few minutes away. Next you'll go over the glamorous street Unter den Linden to the Museum Island, Bebelplatz, Humboldt University and to the stops Unter den Linden 36 (Friedrichstrasse) at ZDF Capital City Studios and Unter den Linden 74, where one of Berlin’s most important attractions is located: Madame Tussauds Berlin. From here the ride continues to the Brandenburg Gate. On the way you will see the UK, Russia, France and US embassies, followed by the Holocaust Memorial. The stop there is at Platz des 18. März. The road leads on past the Reichstag and the government district. You will soon reach the new Hauptbahnhof. From here you have the world-famous view of the German Chancellery, the Reichstag and – as a special surprise – Berlin’s “Fujiyama”. Finally you will cross Berlin’s ‘green lung’, the Tiergarten. This park is bigger than New York’s Central Park. The tour then brings you past the Congress Hall to the stop at Bellevue Palace, the official residence of the President of Germany. From here you can also see the Siegessäule with the golden Victoria statue at the top.

Discover Berlin's hidden back alleys and courtyards on a guided walking tour. Enjoy a guided visit to some of the most iconic spots that showcase the typical urban Berlin atmosphere. See how people live, work, create, and have fun in these hidden spaces. Meet your guide and stroll through the Spandauer Vorstadt in Berlin-Mitte. Learn about the history of the development of this quarter and its transformation into the center of Jewish life around the New Synagogue. Find out how it became the trendy, colorful, and international area that it is today. Go off the beaten path and discover lesser-known areas that many visitors miss during their stay in the city. Make your way through courtyards and passageways which reveal thriving cultural spaces that are popular with the locals. One such example is the Schwarzenberg House, a relic of a bygone era, now home to art studios and creative spaces. Admire the walls of the yard which are adorned with street art, and the historic buildings which have had many different functions over the years. Head to the buzzing courtyard of the Heckmann-Höfe, illuminated with vibrant colors in the shadow of trees and ivy-lined buildings. Relax in this 19th-century courtyard, a hidden oasis from the busy streets of Berlin. With your expert guide, you will also discover other hidden courtyards and spaces that are often missed by passers-by. Enjoy an in-depth insight into the city away from the tourist hotspots and shopping centers.

Experience a special East Side boat cruise, 25 years after the fall of the Berlin Wall. Besides numerous sights in the old and new center of Berlin, see also the recent changes in the area surrounding the East Side Gallery. The roundtrip boat cruise starts at the pier by the old stock exchange building, near the Hackersche Höfe. Relax onboard the boat as you listen to detailed information in English and German and enjoy a delicious food service (own expense). After passing by the cradle of Berlin – Mühlendamm Lock – the tour continues on past Radialsystem V, an energy forum, Berlin Ostbahnhof and the Mercedes Benz Arena. Pass under the Oberbaum Bridge into the east harbor with its many new residents including Universal Music, MTV, Coca Cola, and Label 1 and 2. You will also pass by the Badeschiff at Arena Treptow and the Molecule Man sculpture. Journey back to Berlin-Mitte and see the Nikolaiviertel, the palace construction site, and the Humboldt Forum. The famous Museum Island begins at the Berlin Cathedral. Pass under the Weidendammer Bridge to reach the area around Friedrichstrasse with the Schiffbauerdamm, the Tränenpalast (Palace of Tears), and Friedrichstrasse station. Cruise past the government district where you will see the Reichstag building and the Federal Chancellery. You will also see the most modern railway stations in Europe from the water – Berlin Central Station. Pass by Bellevue Palace – the seat of the Federal President – before heading back to the starting point, the old stock exchange building.

Suggestion from the Crew: If this activity is sold-out, check one of our other tours. Explore the landmarks along the Spree in Berlin aboard an all-electric motor yacht named Fitzgerald. Have the opportunity to purchase refreshments along the way like chilled drinks, coffee specialties, and snacks from a crew that is happy to take care of your well-being. Be welcomed onboard the boat by a uniformed crew at the jetty that is conveniently located next to the german parliament ("Bundestag"). Choose to sit on comfortable lounge furniture on the sundeck, in a cool shaded area on the aft deck, or in the first row on the foredeck. Have a spacious salon to retreat to in case of rain. Cruise throughout the government district while listening to fascinating commentary. Pass the new Berlin Palace, the Nikolaiviertel, the Tränenpalast (Palace of Tears), the Bundestag, and the German Chancellery. Take in water views of the House of the World´s Cultures and the Bellevue Palace before reaching the Moabit Bridge. Listen to chill lounge music as you continue your journey.

Embark on an enchanting evening cruise with nice music along the River Spree and admire Berlin's landmarks as the night comes in. Please note, that this is not a guided sightseeing-tour, but a relaxing tour to start your evening in Berlin. The tour begins at the boat jetty directly at the Berlin Cathedral. There you will be welcomed on board by our uniformed crew. You then have a free choice of seats: comfortable lounge furniture awaits you on the sundeck, there are cool shaded areas on the aft deck, while you discover Berlin from the first row on the foredeck. Should it rain, the salon offers enough space. Take in the sights with an aperitif of sparkling wine, a longdrink or a non-alcoholic drink from our menu in hand and have the option to include a 4-course dinner on certain dates. Immerse yourself in the tranquillity of the Spree as the water gently laps against the boat and see a vibrant and colorful atmosphere come alive on the riverbanks. If you choose to include dinner, you enjoy your aperitif on a one way tour aboard the FITZGERALD to your final destination - the Patio Restaurant Ship, where you are indulged with a delicious 4-course menu and where this evening ends. Arriving in the enchanting ambiance of the PATIO Restaurant, an unforgettable culinary experience awaits you: an exquisite four-course menu, prepared by our professional kitchen team, which will delight your taste buds. Sample Menu for the 4-course Dinner on the PATIO Ship Restaurant: (which can spontaneously change depending on availability and offer) *** Scottish label rouge salmon | Hash brown | Sour cream Asparagus from Brandenburg | Hash brown | Sour cream *** Baked artichoke | herb espuma | Époisses *** Catch of the Day | Summer vegetables | Couscous Slow cooked veal | Summer vegetables | Couscous Grilled celeriac | Summer vegetables | Couscous *** Yogurt ice cream | Olive cake | Lime This evening will remain in your memory for a long time!

This guided bike tour (English & German spoken) takes you to Berlin's top sights, through residential areas and beautiful public parks, often on hidden paths and along the River Spree. It´s ideal to get an overview how various Berlin is. For detailed stops information please see the itinerary. We use good conventional bikes but can provide a limited number of E-Bikes as well (reservation & 5 € E-Bike fee is requested). The guide is a local Berlin resident and a German native speaker. He studied history & political science and was a journalist & press spokesman of a Dutch-German company. The starting point is 3 km / 2 mi east of Alexanderplatz / TV Tower, situated near Public Park Friedrichshain and the Velodrom. It's easily accessible by Public Transport with S-Bahn/Metro stop Landsberger Allee (Lines S41/42, S8, S85), Tramway (Lines M5, M6, M8 & M10) & Bus Line 200 (Stop: Conrad-Blenkle-Strasse). The ride offers various insights into the city and its history and shows how quickly the face of Berlin is changing, using "before and now pictures" during stops. Examples include the Berlin Wall | East Side Gallery, City Palace | Humboldt Forum and Victory Column. At the same time, it becomes clear how green, water-rich and bicycle-friendly Germany's capital is. Many stations and landmarks we stop are illustrated in the photo series. Among them are: Berlin Wall | East Side Gallery, Brandenburg Gate, Reichstag & Government area, City Palace, Museum Island, Town Hall, Nicolai Quarter, TV Tower (highest German structure) & famous World Clock/ Alexanderplatz. We ride on most famous Berlin Boulevard "Unter den Linden" and do a stop at almost same famous "Hackesche Höfe". During the ride we enter both beautiful public parks Tiergarten and Friedrichshain. Last one hosts the Grimm Brother´s fairy tale fountain and two hidden bunkers built by the Nazis. The total distance is approximately 20 km / 12 miles flat. Mostly we ride separated from car traffic on bike lanes, inside parks or side streets. Total duration is about 3-3.5 hours. The youngest participant was aged 8, the oldest 77. The use of bicycles is included in the price. Bikes for kids (minimum hight 130 cm / 4.3 ft), child / baby seats are available free of charge, helmets as well (no mandatory in Germany). Maximum number of participants is 10. If you are a bigger private group pls contact me. Thanks

Begin your guided tour at the Hackesche Höfe, where after a welcome and a short introduction, you will be painted with an impression of the eventful history and extraordinary versatility of Berlin's "center.”  Begin your stroll along lively streets, passing historic buildings and courtyards between tasting 5 different delicacies in 5 different restaurants. During this tour, learn about the real lives of the people behind the highly polished façades. Learn of the dramatic fates of crooks, executioners, martyrs, pioneers, artists and politicians, all of which in the course of time made the cobblestones of Berlin-Mitte into what you nowadays appreciate.  Be entertained and informed by your good-humored guides, with questions and comments always welcome. In a family atmosphere, stroll through the districts whilst listening to strange and bizarre stories at every corner. During this tour, expect a colorful selection of delicious food, as you are introduced to the multi-faceted gastronomic scene of the multicultural district of Mitte.  Eat genuine "kiez" originals, along with current and international food trends. This is a tour that will never provide a dull moment for your stomach or mind.

Explore the Hackesche Höfe and learn more about the unusual fate of this revitalized district and its incredible history. Immerse yourself in the colorful multicultural life on Sophienstraße and take a look into the courtyard of the artisan association as well as the interesting Sophie-Gips-Höfe. Große Hamburger Straße has always been a “road of tolerance”. Look behind the scenes of a great Catholic institution, enjoy the views of the most important Baroque church in the city, and learn more about the fate of the Jewish community in Berlin and its first cemetery. On the famous Oranienburger Straße you can learn more about the history of the imposing New Synagogue and the adjacent Postfuhramt. At the end of the tour you will have the opportunity to look into the Heckmann Höfe, one of the most interesting back courtyards of the neighborhood.

Discover Berlin's most interesting sights on this practical hop-on hop-off bus tour combined with a boat trip on the Spree. Simply hop on at the first stop, sit back, and explore the city. Get on and off as often as you like and take as much time as you want at each sight.  Stroll along Kurfürstendamm, learn more about the historical background of Checkpoint Charlie, admire the Brandenburg Gate and enjoy the Gendarmenmarkt. Enjoy a one-hour boat tour on the Spree. Discover Berlin from a different perspective as you glide past the city center's iconic attractions. The buses stop at the following stops:• Kurfürstendamm• KaDeWe• Lützow Square• Cultural Forum• Potsdamer Square• Checkpoint Charlie• Gendarmenmarkt• Neptune Fountain/Red City Hall• Alexanderplatz near Fix Bus Café• Karl-Marx-Allee• East Side Gallery• East Side Gallery/East Station• Neptune Fountain• DomAquarée – change here for boat tour: Pier Nikolaiviertel• Berlin Cathedral/Humboldt Forum• Unter den Linden – change here for boat tour: Pier Friedrichstraße• Brandenburg Gate/Reichstag• Berlin Central Station• Victory Column/Bellevue Palace• Zoo and Aquarium/Elephant Gate entrance• Kurfürstendamm/Memorial Church