Germany · HISTORICAL TOURS
This is the shortlist to send to whoever is planning the trip: 15 historical tours worth the money, each with its price, its verdict and the one thing to know before you commit.
A 70-minute Leipzig motorboat canal tour, from Baedeker villas to Plagwitz industry, with live German commentary and great city views.
“Very nice trip, the guide was fabulous. It was a cozy sailing trip, nice area but also a little bit the same all the way.”
Skip-the-line timed entry to Berlin's Museum für Naturkunde with an audio guide, dinosaur hall, wet collection, and biodiversity wall.
“Such a fascinating museum just for the dinosaur part. Doesn’t like the real animals which have been killed to be stored there.”
1.5-hour German Leipzig walking tour for $17, led by certified guides with quirky legends at Mädler Passage, Old Town Hall, St Thomas.
3-hour Havel River cruise from Wannsee to Potsdam. UNESCO sights, German-English commentary, and a calm way to see Prussia. From $25.
“Take the train out to Wannsee and then just walk a few minutes across the road and you will find the boat ready to take you on a lovely trip around the different lakes. Plenty of space to move around indoors or outside and very good service from the hardworking team serving drinks, food, ice cream etc - not over-priced (or bring your own). Clean toilets - even at the end of the day. Pretty views around the lakes, interesting commentary in German and English.”
A 1.5-hour Night Watchman walking adventure through Heidelberg’s Market Square, lanes, castle ruins, Holländer Hof, and the old town bridge.
“Nachtwächterin Marie hat uns tolle Geschichten erzählt! Informativ und unterhaltsam zugleich. Die Tour hat sich definitiv gelohnt und wir würden es jederzeit weiterempfehlen.”
Small-group English walking tour of Hamburg Historic Centre with 7 landmark stops, free entries, and pay-what-you-feel pricing plus a $3 fee.
“Fantastic tour guide and fantastic tour. Hamburg was my second favourite city in Germany and this tour was great. Took us through the warehouse district and all the other amazing sights in Hamburg. Very well informed tour guide.”
A 2 hour German walking tour through Dresden’s Baroque core, following Augustus the Strong from Dresden Castle to the Zwinger and Theater Square.
“Our Guide was the best in my whole life. Sooo many Information. Really nice. I would recommend to everyone comes to Dresden.”
2-hour Berlin walk through Nazi power sites, Luftwaffe HQ, Goebbels’ ministry, SS/Gestapo HQ, Soviet memorial, and Hitler’s bunker.
“Good tour with an excellent guide who was both articulate passionate and well educated on the subject matter”
1.5-hour guided Bamberg beer history tour with UNESCO sights, Frankish customs, and optional tasting. From $21 per person.
“Pünktlich, sehr netter Guide mit viel Fachwissen, toll erklärt!”
1.5-hour guided walk in Trier covering Roman Trier, Porta Nigra, Trier Cathedral, the Main Market, and Karl Marx, with local tips.
“Patrick hat uns unterhaltsam an seinem großen Wissen teilhaben lassen.”
Walk Potsdamer Platz to the Humboldt Forum with a small-group guide, hitting Brandenburg Gate, Checkpoint Charlie, and the Holocaust Memorial.
“Tour molto ben curato da Paolo nonostante la bufera di neve, ha gestito la situazione nella maniera migliore, persona molto preparata e disponibile.Consigliato”
Quiet 1-hour Spree cruise on the historic HEMINGWAY, powered silently with snacks and smart commentary by the Reichstag.
“Unfortunately our trip on Hemingway had to be cancelled due to a technical issue 2 days before departure……but…..we were offered an alternative cruise on Fitzgerald at the same time instead……..which was BRILLIANT! On arrival the welcome was warm and friendly and we only had to wait a few minutes before we boarded the motor yacht Fitzgerald. What a grand vessel……although it seated 35 there were just the 11 onboard, so we felt like royalty! The drinks service was good and prices were reasonable and the free nibbles were an added bonus! Other boats that we saw on the river were 3/4 times the size with over 100 passengers and all…”
Ride Erfurt’s historic electric tram in 90 minutes, see major sights and Art Nouveau streets with a live German guide, from $25.
A private 6-hour Berlin walking tour packed with World War II and Cold War landmarks, from Brandenburg Gate to Alexanderplatz.
“We had a fantastic day. Learned a lot. Paul was very knowledgeable, fun, engaging. Showed us a lot and even had a lunch break. Would highly recommend.”
2-hour walking food and beer tour in Bamberg, Bavaria. Taste smoked beer, Bamberger Hörnla, Zwetschgenbames, learn brewing history. $29.
Germany broken up by the kind of day it makes — pick one and the full list is underneath.
