Our Guides

About me:

After finishing his studies in Art History, Wouter decided to see what life was like in one of Europe's most interesting and exciting contemporary creative cities: Berlin. He brought his passion for hard work to Original Berlin Walks, and learnt to lead lots of our in-depth tours. When you come to Berlin you'll see him all over town, showing guests the Brandenburg Gate on our Discover Berlin tour, reflecting on the deep impact of the Nazi party on our Hitler's Germany and Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp Memorial tours, and even taking groups to see beautiful UNESCO World Heritage Sites in our neighbouring city of Potsdam.

If you're interested in booking a private tour with Wouter then don't hesitate to get in touch with us!

About me:

Guests joining Tobi's tours will surely feel lucky when they hear the gripping, candid stories about his childhood growing up East Germany, learning how so many things were different in the former communist nation. Tobi leads tours in both English and German, and is bookable for a wide variety of tours, especially if you want an expert to explore East Berlin with.

About me:

A fluent speaker of four languages (English, French, Spanish, and Portuguese), Xavier shows Berlin to people from all over the world. You'll see him strolling along the Unter den Linden, walking alongside the Berlin Wall, and showing people jewel of Berlin, Museum Island, on our Discover Berlin tour. If you're interested in booking a private tour, especially if it's in French, with Xavier, then let us know!

About me:

My birth certificate still comes with a hammer and compass on it, but the Wall fell when I was almost two years old and so I grew up in a city that was growing up itself. Berlin has always fascinated me, so becoming a tour guide was the obvious thing to do - I live Berlin and I'm very much looking forward to welcoming you here!

Don't miss:

Have a drink along the river. When the sun is out, there’s no better place to be. One of my favorite spots is the YAAM beach, right next to the East Side Gallery by Ostbahnhof station. The “Young African Art Market” is more than just a beach bar. You will find food, music, sports and an actual beach right in the city!

Also, I have to promote the neighborhood I grew up in. Take the M4 tram from Alexanderplatz and get off at Albertinenstraße. You will find yourself in the district of Weißensee. Here, you can follow the signs to the biggest Jewish cemetery in Europe. This was one of the few cemeteries not destroyed by the Nazis. It’s a truly beautiful place, loaded with history, and not many people find their way up here.

Restaurant Recommendation:

I often eat with my colleagues at “Matreshka”, a little Russian restaurant in Friedrichshain (Boxhagener Straße 60, near Ostkreuz). It’s a rather plain little place, but the food is amazing and cheap. If you’re lucky, you will maybe even get a free vodka shot from the owner. Try this for a good East Berlin food experience.

If you want burgers, check out “The Bird” (Am Falkplatz 5, near Schönhauser Allee). They make some of the best burgers in Europe and the place is pretty cool. It is quite a popular restaurant though, so you might want to reserve a table.

About me:

I never thought of returning to Germany any time soon after leaving for university in England and Denmark, but perhaps it was just a matter of time. Having wider family relations here as well, I came to Berlin for its archives and libraries so that I could write up my PhD thesis in history. Of course, the city has more to offer than dusty books and documents! After successfully defending my thesis and a semester of teaching at the Free University, I decided to get some hands-on experience to learn more about this fascinating city. By now, I hope I can share some of this with people from all over the world and give them a sense of just how welcoming Berlin can be to anyone.

Don't miss:

... our tours! When walking tours became popular across Europe, I was sceptical of their worth, but having grown up I find that these are the best way to get to know any city. Particularly, the all-in-one main sights tour will give you an overview of Berlin and help you decide what you want to check out on your own. Berlin has tons of fantastic museums, the German Historical Museum being among the finest. The most gripping, the Jewish Museum and particularly the Axes of Continuity, Exile and Holocaust will leave a profound impression on you. To relax, get a sense of a wonderful Berlin pastime: brunch! This is best served by cafés and restaurants on the weekends. My favourite: Potemkin at Viktoria-Luise-Platz, one of the most beautiful spots in West Berlin.

Restaurant Recommendation:

The good thing about Berlin is that good food does not have to be expensive. First off, one can be sober and eat a Döner Kebap in Germany! One of the most popular places is Mustafas at Mehringdamm, just off Curry 36, in turn legendary for the typical Berlin Currywurst. Visit Mehringdamm and Bergmannstrasse to find wonderful cafes, restaurants, bars, clubs etc. in a uniquely alternative and informal part of town. For hearty German food, Max und Moritz on Oranienstrasse and the Treff-Punkt Berlin pub near Friedrichstrasse and Dussmann's amazing book and music store are fantastic.

About me:

Being bilingual and having been raised by a German mother and an American father, I am often asked which country - Germany or the United States - I call home. The short answer is both, although friends accuse me of picking one or the other on an ad hoc basis ("We Germans are very punctual," "You Germans have no sense of humor"). If it were only so easy! Should the duration of my university studies bea any indication, I am really very German. But then, living in a fascinating city like Berlin is hardly conducive to speeding through college - not even (or should I say especially not?) for someone who grew up on Long Island, New York. Berlin, let it be said, is wonderful. Now if only baseball would take off here… Don't those Germans know what's good for them?

Don't miss:

The 1936 Olympic Stadium in Charlottenburg where the finals of the 2006 Soccer World Championship were also played. In the summer, you can swim in the very pool where races were held in the infamous 1936 games, although of course it has been modernised and there is a pool for toddlers too.

Restaurant Recommendation:

Weihenstephaner at the S-Bahn station Hackescher Markt!

About me:

I am originally from Long Island, but grew up around Raleigh, North Carolina. I completed my BA at East Carolina University in History and German Studies, while also studying in Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen from 2008-2009. After finishing an internship upon my arrival in Berlin in 2010, I began connecting my academic background to this wonderful city and have been giving tours ever since. In continuing my studies, I am studying my Masters in Global History with a focus on the contemporary cosmopolitan Berlin.

Don't miss:

In summer do as the Berliners do and check out the numerous lakes and parks. Volkspark Friedrichshain and Mauerpark are great on the weekends (bring a grill) and if the weather is really holding out, head off to Krumme Lanke or Weißensee, two beautifully famous lakes. In winter check out the Soviet War Memorial in Treptower Park and go café hopping in Kreuzberg along the Maybachufer.

Restaurant Recommendation:

For an authentic crêpe and some nice wine try Creperie Manouche on Grimmstraße. But if you are looking for something a bit heavier, I suggest my favorite restaurant Kimchi Princess on Skalitzerstraße. Amazing Korean barbecue with a nice snack bar attached, in case you are in a bit of a rush.

About me:

Having grown up with a profound curiosity for what may lie beyond the borders of the United States, I made it my mission to go abroad once I finished my undergraduate degree. After an unsuccessful attempt to achieve this via the US Peacecorps program, I ended up studying for a Master's degree in the small German city of Erfurt, in a program that included around sixty students from over thirty different countries, which really was an idyllic setting for someone attempting to gain insight into the nature of 'international relations'.

The first time I ever visited Berlin was on the 20th anniversary of the 'fall' of the Berlin Wall, and the cliche of 'love at first sight' definitely applies when it comes to my relationship with this city. Initially taken aback by its sheer size, it is the immediately palpable diversity of lifestyles and the unquestioning embrace which they each receive that remains my favorite feature of life here in Germany's capital.

It would be impossible for me to pinpoint my favorite aspect of being a tour guide in Berlin. The job combines my passion for history, my love of the outdoors, and my appreciation for getting to meet and learn from new people all into one. My attitude toward history is best summed up in the following quote:

"History is the sequence of events that led to the lives we lead today. It is the story of how we came to be ourselves." (Chris Harman)

Getting to walk around the city with new people everyday, as we discuss the sequence of events that comprise the story of how this city came to be the extraordinary place that is today is something I enjoy doing so much that I find myself reluctant to refer to it as 'work.' And for that, I feel very lucky.

About me:

I graduated from the University of Glasgow with a degree in History and Literature in 2004 before returning to complete a Masters (M.Litt) in Modernities in 2006. During the later course, which was based in the English Literature Department, I was exposed to a wide variety of disciplines, from art history and architecture to sociology and theatre. My realisation that of all of the cities that I had visited up to that point, Berlin was the one that had the most dramatic relationship with all these aspects of modernity led to me settling here soon after.

I have lived in Berlin for a little over five years, having been drawn here in equal measure by Berlin's past and present. I came here as a tourist whilst living in Munich nine years ago and decided to move to Berlin one day after spending less than a day here. My background in Third Reich history and interest in the Modernist period means that the city continues to dazzle me as much as it ever did.

About me:

I first came to Berlin in 2010 on my way to somewhere else. My only expectation was to kill time for three or four days and then get out. Two months later I’d moved my life from England to the German Capital. I couldn’t - and still can’t - get enough of Berlin. It’s a place that I find fascinating not just for the effect it’s had on world history, but for the city it is in the 21st century, too. A place where people are so much more free to do what they want, and my job is to show people how fantastic it all is!

Don't miss:

One of my favourite places to show people in Berlin is Oranienstrasse. It epitomises Kreuzberg. The narrow street filled with independent shops and bars doubles for me as a great place for people watching and street photography.

Restaurant Recommendation:

My top recommendation for a good meal in Berlin, though, is Clärchen’s Ballhaus. There you can try traditional German food in gourmet style, without the gourmet price tag and serving size! You’ll find yourself in a ball room that’s been running for more than 100 years, and after dinner (and a few drinks) you’ll be able to get up and dance, too. I recommend the Käsespätzle.

If you’re looking for a bar then get yourself down to ‘Das Hotel’ in Mariannenstrasse, nearby to Kottbusser Tor. It’s got a quite trendy feel, a fairly busy atmosphere, but most importantly of all it has a deadly cocktail list.

About me:

I grew up in Dorset, which is very pretty but a little bit boring. After my studies, I lived in London and worked in universities. I first visited Berlin 10 years ago as an art student and have lived in Berlin on-and-off since 2009 (I also spent time in Estonia). My interest in Berlin's history started from watching the amazing scenes on the Berlin wall falling in 1989 as a child, and now enjoy continually learning about the different eras of Berlin's history. As well as the history, the atmosphere and culture of contemporary Berlin is incredible, with so many galleries and cafes to experience. I believe Berlin is one of the most interesting and enjoyable cities in Europe, and love doing a job where I get to tell people about it everyday!

Don't miss:

In the summer the flea market in Mauerpark on a sunday is great, and also all the lakes around Berlin are good to cool down in (Schlachtensee is lovely a clean, and right by the Grunewald). Also, a visit to the Reichstag dome gives you a great view of the city.

Restaurant Recommendation:

Pasternak or its sister restaurant Masel Topf are in Prenzlauer Berg and serve fantastic Russian and Jewish food, and are beautifully decorated too.

About me:

I was Captain of the US Army and stationed in Germany from 1961 til 1964! I live in Berlin since 2000 and have been leading tours for Berlin Walks dealing with Hitler's Germany and the history of the Third Reich for over 15 years. Together with my German co-author, I have written three historical novels; I do portraiture of people I meet in Berlin; and I am passionate sailor.

About me:

I came to Berlin 3 years ago on a research trip to gather information for my PhD. I was only meant to stay for two months, but ended up moving my life over here. And thanks to the wonders of the internet, my university was ok with the move. The city has such an incredible cultural scene and a history that I simply couldn’t bring myself to leave. It really is unlike any other European capital. In fact, I sometimes think that it’s not a capital city at all, such is its atmosphere.

Don't miss:

Having a beer in Treptower Park on a sunny day.

Restaurant Recommendation:

Any of the cities numerous Lebanese Restaurants

About me:

I am originally from Merseyside, after studying History at the University of Liverpool, I went on to do a Masters degree in Gender History at the University of Edinburgh. After finishing studying I stayed in Edinburgh for three years working in a specialist ladies shoe and boot shop and am still able to measure a ladies calf on sight from up to ten paces away! I then went on to work in a Royal Scottish Palace. After a trip over to Berlin I was smitten with this vibrant and unique capital city and decided to leave the U.K and make a break for it over here and have never regretted it, even when faced with nightmare inducing German bureaucracy. Working as a guide in Berlin has given me the opportunity to explore my passion for History and communicate it with people from all over the world.

I offer the Discover Berlin, Hitler's Germany, Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp Memorial, and East Berlin tours both publicly and privately. Get in touch with the Original Berlin Walks office team if you want to book a private tour.

Don't miss:

A dip in one of Berlin’s many lakes in the summer! On Sundays you should also try wandering round some of the great markets with beautiful vintage furniture and great food!

Restaurant Recommendation:

One of Berlin’s many great burger places, Rebel Room in Wedding, U-Bahn, Seestr. Schiller Burger Friedrichshain, S-bahn Ostkreuz.

About me:

I originally came to Berlin on a backpacking trip through Europe after finishing my BA. The plan was to stay for the summer then go home and go study Law. Once the summer was over I found myself not wanting to leave because I had already fallen in love with the city. After spending several months learning German I decided to pursue my passion for History and apply for a Master’s at the Humboldt University which I’m currently in the middle of. It’s basically impossible to be bored in Berlin and the fact that the city has such a rich and layered history spanning over a thousand years really hooked me in and drove me to try to learn as much about the city as possible and to impart that knowledge to visitors.

Don't miss:

Treptower Park! By far my favorite park in the city. It’s right on the River Spree and features some really beautiful greenery as well as a monumental Soviet War Memorial.

Restaurant Recommendation:

BBI (Berlin Burger International) in Neukölln makes some of the best burgers I’ve ever had. They have your standard cheeseburgers, bbq burgers, etc. but also some other really wild combinations as well as vegetarian options that are delicious.

About me:

I initially moved over to Berlin with the intension of only staying for a short period. I was hoping to learn some German, do a little bit of English teaching, and then make my way back to Scotland. But after only three months I had fallen in love with the city. I spent the next year teaching three and four year old German children how to talk (and sing!) in English, but upon realising I didn’t have the patience for such a job, I turned my attention to tour guiding. I’ve always been fascinated by history, and its effect on shaping the future. I’m truly lucky to have a job where I get to share this passion, as well as my enthusiasm for this wonderful city.

Don't miss:

Berlin is full of unique and interesting places to visit. I love the Turkish market that takes place every Tuesday and Friday on Maybachufer. Just make sure you don’t eat anything before you go – there’s so much delicious food on offer! If you’re looking for some little boutique shops, check out Bergmannstrasse. There are also lots of lovely little cafes and some great spots for Sunday brunch!

Restaurant Recommendation:

Whenever I have friends or family visiting I always take them to Max und Moritz – a traditional German restaurant on Oranienstrasse. Or if you fancy something a bit lighter, make sure you try Bar Ravel – a fantastic tapas restaurant owned by Daniel Brühl. Also worth a visit is Markthalle Neun on a Thursday evening. You’ll find lots of different street food stalls, offering cheap and tasty food. It’s normally pretty busy so get there nice and early (around 5pm) to secure a table!

About me:

I grew up in Devon, but spent much of my twenties studying in Glasgow, which is a vibrant city with great nightlife, an interesting counterculture and a strong left-wing political tradition. Berlin is very similar in those respects, so I decided to move here in 2013 after completing my PhD. Initially I came to teach at the University of Potsdam, where I work as an adjunct lecturer, but I became so fascinated by Berlin's tumultuous history that I decided to work as a tour guide alongside my academic work. I find these two vocations complement each other: my teaching has developed because of skills and knowledge I've picked up in my guide work, and vice-versa. I love sharing and discussing the bewildering history of this city with others.

Don't miss:

The huge flea market at Mauerpark in Prenzlauer Berg is always fun, especially in summer when you can see karaoke performances in front of a huge crowd! The nearby Berlin Wall memorial (a preserved stretch with lots of information provided) is also well worth a visit. Two huge Nazi-era buildings which I find fascinating are the Tempelhof Airport (the runway area is now used as a huge public park) and the Olympic complex. It's best to buy a travel pass for one or several days, depending on how long you're here, so you'll have complete freedom to use the excellent public transport network - many of the best sights of Berlin are very spread out.

Restaurant Recommendation:

For traditional Berlin food and a great atmosphere, you can't beat Max and Moritz in Kreuzberg; for steaks and burgers, The Bird is great (there's one in Prenzlauer Berg and one in Kreuzberg); and for Lebanese, my personal favourite is the oddly-named Falafel in Berlin.de at Gorlitzer Bahnhof (but there are loads of great places). For currywurst I recommend Curry 61 on Oranienburgerstrasse, near Hackescher Markt.

PS:

Meat Mallet are now sadly defunct, due to irreconcilable creative differences.

About me:

I moved to Berlin from rainy England four years ago much like any other expat does - with absolutely no plan whatsoever in a million years to stay longer than a couple of months. However, life and a deep love for the city got in the way of that and I find myself years later still here, and preaching on the lectern about Berlin in all its glory. At University I studied up until masters a degree in Ancient History, which naturally led me to tour guiding in modern history. I am also an avid Berlin History blogger and co host a podcast all about Berlin as well. It seems I can’t really get enough.

About me:

I was born in Berlin two months before the fall of the Wall and I grew up here. However, after finishing school I decided to study Art history in Kiel, a small town in the north of Germany, which was fun, but also made me realize once more that I am a city boy. Thus I continued my studies here in Berlin. This city still manages to amaze me since you will never be able to know every corner. And though I love to travel, it´s always nice to return to this melting pot of cultures. I always found it interesting to discuss art, movies, music, history. Which is part of my job now!

You can join me on the Discover Berlin and Sachsenhausen tours, or even book a private street art tour with me if you like! Book your public tour online, or email the office for more information about booking your own private tour.

Don't miss:

Release your anger in Berlins first „Crash Room“ and give in to the dark side! It´s quite therapeutic. Or visit the „SO36“ club and see if you can survive a concert without oxygen. You should also watch the sunset on top of the old flak towers at the Humboldthain Park. It´s a little bit of a walk, but it´s worth it!

Restaurant Recommendation:

Grab an Onigiri at the „RiCE UP“ along the way. It´s located right in the subway station „Schönlein Straße“, which is another Must See, if you want to get to know the real Berlin…. „Ron Telesky Canadian Pizza“ is also not far away.

About me:

My joy for tour guiding came out of being immersed in the Berliner life, with its daily chaos, its overwhelming cultural scene and its wild nightlife. It all came together after finishing my masters, as I realized the power of words, discourse and propaganda had deeply influenced the city’s past.

Since I can remember I’ve always been curious and open to understanding all kinds of cultures. Food, language, music, art, lifestyle and world politics play a big role in my daily life. This probably has to do with my family’s origins. Most of them emigrated several times from one country to another, either for political or personal reasons. That has also been my case, both professionally and privately. I’ve lived in Caracas, Panama, NYC, Virginia, Bonn and Berlin, and my family is spread out in Spain, Venezuela, Israel and Germany.

In my tours you’ll quickly realize I’m passionate about bringing contrasting periods of time together through the lens of history, architecture, propaganda and lifestyle. In the long run, my idea is to show you how this incredible city ticks, and why. You’ll also notice I’m keen on turning our tour more into a conversation than a lecture, welcoming your thoughts and questions and understanding where they’re coming from. After all, it is your curiosity that has brought me to new places and discoveries!

PS:

I get to show you my ‘own personal garden’, the Lustgarten, like my last name. Well, it’s not really my own, but close enough...!

About me:

Hi there, My name is Kai and I was born and raised on Germanys northwestern coast. I visited Berlin from 1992 on, and after school I decided to make it my hometown- the perfect playground for a history geek like me. From 1998 to 2003 I studied History and German Literature at the Freie Universität Berlin with special focus on early 20th century Germany and the rise of fascism. After that I got a degree in dramatic arts and music, working as a playwriter, dramaturgist and actor. In recent years I have been working with refugees, organising food and teaching them German and History. Oh - and i run my own bar. I love Berlin because all the dramatic, barbaric and beautiful facettes of German history are still visible in the face of the city. Everything's out in the open, as on the tongue of its population. I'd be happy to see you on one of my tours, either in English or German.

Don't miss:

My favourite places are Neukölln and Kreuzberg with their multi-ethnic streets. Been living here for 15 years and I just love the vibrant life around Kottbusser Tor and Herrmannplatz, with hundreds of small shops and cafes. Commuting to Brandenburg every weekend, I got a certain thing going on for the rural side of this landscape, too, especially the century-old interconnection between Russia, Poland and Germany.

About me:

I first visited Berlin in Summer 2014 as a tourist and fell in love right away. As I continued my travels, I always had Berlin on my mind until I moved here full time in Spring 2016 to learn the city, the language, and to explore family history. Working as a tour guide combines my love of history and politics with important and historical backdrops to share with travellers on our tours.

Don't miss:

...the Soviet War Memorial in Treptower Park

Restaurant Recommendation:

Boulevard Friedrichstraße

About me:

Dave is passionate about history, and it really shows on his tours. If you want to book a private tour with Dave just get in touch with the Original Berlin Walks office, and we can organise a great walk through Berlin's historic centre, Mitte, or even an excursion to the memorial site of the former concentration camp, Sachsenhausen, just north of Berlin.

Don't miss:

My favourite part of Berlin is the Tiergarten, the massive park situated just West of the Brandenburg Gate. It’s so enourmous that there’s even some sections in the middle where you can’t hear the city moving around you. These quite sections are perfect for warm Summer days with friends and a case of ice cold beer! If the weather is not so great outside, especially during the Winter months, then I recommend losing yourself in some of the amazing museums inside Berlin. The German Historical Museum is my favourite for learning a little bit about every major period in German history.

Restaurant Recommendation:

My favourite areas for restaurants are around the U-Bahn stations Rosenthaler Platz and Rosa-Luxemburg Platz. Try some great Vietnamese food at Monsieur Vuong’s on Alte-Schönhauser Straße, some amazing burgers at Shiso Burger on Auguststraße, or have a liquid dinner with some Scandanavian and German craft-beers at Kaschk just next to Rosa-Luxemburg Platz station.

About me:

I’m Georgia and I had German forced upon me in high school because Spanish and French were oversubscribed. And I’m glad they were! After six years studying the language (and a year teaching English in Thailand) I moved to Glasgow, where I got really into German literature and film in university. I first came to Berlin as a student for six weeks in 2008 and was totally overwhelmed by the rich cultural scene here, falling madly for the Hauptstadt. When I came back for another six months to study at the Goethe Institut in 2010, I started working as a tour guide and loved sharing my passion for this utterly unique city. I returned to Scotland to complete my degree and finally moved back to Berlin in summer 2015. Since then, I’ve worked full-time as a guide and honestly don’t think I’ll ever stop being fascinated by the place. I love it here. I hope you will too!

Don't miss:

Spring/Summer: Pack a picnic and go exploring the street art at Teufelsberg, swimming in the lakes (Schlachtensee/Krumme Lanke) or- on a Sunday- check out the famous Mauerpark flea market and numerous open-air parties. Autumn/Winter: Wrap up warm to walk along the Landwehr canal or wander around the Soviet Memorial at Treptower Park. If it really is too cold for that, go gallery-hopping and be sure to book in advance for the Boros Collection.

Restaurant Recommendation:

Claerchens Ballhaus for schnitzel and dancing in a unique setting; 1990 in Friedrichshain for amazing Vietnamese (which happens to be 100% vegan); Markthalle Neun on a Thursday for all things street food and, of course, the famous Burgermeister!