Hackesche Höfe: Our most recommended tours and activities

Berlin: 1-Hour City Tour by Boat with Guaranteed Seating

1. Berlin: 1-Hour City Tour by Boat with Guaranteed Seating

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.

Berlin: Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour with Live Commentary

2. Berlin: Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour with Live Commentary

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. If, for example, you start your tour at Kurfürstendamm, you will pass the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church and reach KaDeWe, one of Europe’s largest shopping centers, through Tauentzienstraße. Next you continue on to Lützowplatz and the embassy district at the Tiergarten and over to the Philarmonic and the West Berlin Kulturforum. The next stop 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. From there you drive on to Checkpoint Charlie, one of the former border crossings between East and West Berlin. A permanent exhibition looks back at the Cold War period. On Friedrichstraße you come across one of the nicest spots in Berlin, the Gendarmenmarkt, with two similar buildings, the German and French Cathedrals. The Konzerthaus Berlin is in the middle of the square. 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. Also, the Aquadom, Sealife Berlin and the Berlin Dungeon are located at this stop, as well as the Berlin Cathedral, which holds the sarcophagi of the Hohenzollern family. 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. On the way back to Kurfürstendamm you will see, for example, the old Hauptbahnhof of former West Berlin, the Technical University and much more. The stops: 01 - Kurfürstendamm 231 (in front of Karstadt) 02 - KaDeWe (main entrance) 03 - Lützowplatz (opposite Hotel Berlin) 04 - Philharmonic / Kulturforum 05 - Potsdamer Platz (at Kolhoff-Tower) 06 - Potsdamer Platz / Linkstraße 07 - Topography of Terror 08 - Checkpoint Charlie (at the Checkpoint Charlie Museum) 09 - Gendarmenmarkt, Markgrafen- / Taubenstraße 10 - Alexanderplatz, Red City Hall, Neptunbrunnen (not in service during the Christmas market from Nov.- Jan.) 11 - Karl-Liebknecht Str. 5, (to the boat) 12 - Museumsinsel 13 - Humboldt University 14 - Unter den Linden 36 / Friedrichstraße 15 - Unter den Linden 74, Madame Tussauds Berlin 16 - Brandenburg Gate, Ebertstraße 17 - Reichstag, Scheidemannstr. 18 - Hauptbahnhof, exit Rahel-Hirsch-Straße 19 - Haus der Kulturen der Welt 20 - Bellevue Palace 21 - Bikini Haus, Budapester Straße 22 - U-/S-Bahn station Zoologischer Garten

Berlin: Hidden Backyards Guided Walking Tour

3. Berlin: Hidden Backyards Guided Walking Tour

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 Scheunenviertel 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 dark alleys 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.

Berlin: 2.5-Hour East Side Boat Cruise with Commentary

4. Berlin: 2.5-Hour East Side Boat Cruise with Commentary

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.

Berlin: Mitte Culinary Food Tour

5. Berlin: Mitte Culinary Food Tour

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.

Berlin Combo Package: City Tour & Spree Boat Tour

6. Berlin Combo Package: City Tour & Spree Boat Tour

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 Shuttle to Charlottenburg Palace:• Kurfürstendamm• Charlottenburg Palace• Exhibition grounds

Berlin: Historic Backyards Self-guided Neighbourhood Walk

7. Berlin: Historic Backyards Self-guided Neighbourhood Walk

Discover the highlights and hidden secrets of Berlin's historic Mitte, the "Spandauer Vorstadt", on this neighborhood walk with your smartphone. Follow the route taking in the backyards, like Hackesche Höfe, the KunstHof, the Heckmann- and Sophienhöfe and more. On the way between the Oranienburger Straße S-Bahn station and Hackescher Markt, you will find hidden backyards, idyllic gems and listed buildings in the narrow streets of the old town that tell of a lively past. At the stops, there are entertaining tasks to solve and fun questions to answer. Who knows, for example, what led to Martin Luther King wanting to preach in what was then East Berlin? Or where Alexander von Humboldt lived during his last years? You do, if you've taken the tour! The tour is a great way to get outside and discover new things with family, friends or on your own. It's like being shown Berlin by a good friend. Many anecdotes will enrich your walk through the city. You can start the tour at any time and as often as you like in the browser of a smartphone. On site or even from the comfort of your sofa. Enjoy your time in Berlin! *** Good to know *** You will receive the link to start the tour in an email directly after booking.

Berlin: Courtyards Private 2-Hour Tour

8. Berlin: Courtyards Private 2-Hour Tour

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.

Berlin: Dinner Cruise - Fine Dining

9. Berlin: Dinner Cruise - Fine Dining

**PLEASE BE AWARE THAT DURING WINTER SEASON OUR YACHT IS IN THE WINTER STORAGE. FROM NOVEMBER UNTIL APRIL WE OFFER A SLIMMED VERSION THAT EXCLUDES THE BOAT RIDE** A boat trip on the Spree adds a touch of magic to the evening, especially when the sun goes down and the city transforms. With an aperitif from our menu, you cruise aboard the motor yacht FITZGERALD through the government district to the PATIO restaurant ship, which is located directly on the Spree. There, a cozy and unique location, heated by a fireplace, awaits you. The PATIO Shiprestaurant is a well-established institution among Berliners and the go-to location for special dinners on the Spree. There, the crew and master chef Christoph Kümper will spoil you with an exquisite 4-course menu made of regional and seasonal ingredients. The price of €139 includes: * One way boat tour from our pier at the Berlin Cathedral to the Patio * An aperitif of your choice from our menu * A delicious and refined 4-course menu in the Patio Restaurant Ship. During winter months, the price of €99 excludes the precedent boat cruise with the aperitif. This evening will remain in your memory for a long time! The menu: Small snacks from the kitchen | Home-baked bread | Whipped spiced butter *** Smoked Burrata | Fennel Chutney | Apple *** Bouillabaisse | Lobster Oil (fish) |or| Vegetable Broth | Herb Oil (vegetarian) *** Simmental Beef | Forest Mushrooms | Cauliflower Purée (meat) |or| Catch of the Day | Forest Mushrooms | Cauliflower Purée (fish) |or| Potato Mille-Feuille | Forest Mushrooms | Cauliflower Purée (vegetarian) *** Chocolate Parfait | Coconut | Pear

Berlin:Tour of the Jewish Quarter in Spanish+Museo Judío

10. Berlin:Tour of the Jewish Quarter in Spanish+Museo Judío

Explore the most important places in the history of Berlin's Jewish community on this 4-hour tour of the Jewish Quarter with a Spanish-speaking guide and entrance to the jewish museum. The tour takes you round the interesting places in the district, from the Hackesche Höfe and Hackescher Markt to Tacheles, the New Synagogue, Rosenstrasse, and the Museum Otto Weidt. Learn about the infamous “Night of Broken Glass," the Wannsee Conference, and the miracle of the women on Rosenstrasse, and the effect they each had on the Jewish population of Berlin. Learn about the troubled history of the Jewish community in Berlin. Since the founding of the city, there has always been a Jewish presence that has been forced to live through good and bad times. In the times since their expulsion during the Prussian Monarchy, the Jewish population were alternately allowed and disallowed to stay in Berlin, until Nazism wrote the saddest chapter of their history.

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What people are saying about Hackesche Höfe

Overall rating

4.4 / 5

based on 13,652 reviews

We had just taken the Charité tour on Friday so when we strolled up for this one and saw the same tour guide, we knew we were in for another treat. Susanne is such a dynamic presenter and it's crazy how much information she knows and delivers. This is one of the coolest parts of the city so a little behind-the-scenes is worth seeing!

This was easy to book, the driver and guide were friendly, helpful and informative and we had a lovely day out finding out all about Berlin. We'd love to do the trip again and look forward to seeing Berlin in all her glory in the summer.

The driver was very nice and friendly, explained us well the technical side of the trip.

Everything booked was excellent!! Small group walking tour highly recommended

It was most enjoyable tour. I saw so many new parts of Berlin.