If you are in Berlin, one of the must see places is the Berlin wall called “Mauer” in German. From 1961 to 1989, this iconic wall became a symbol of a Cold War, splitting East from West Berlin. Luckily today you can get lost exploring the wall and visiting the various sites that give a glimpse of Berlin’s past. Throughout this massive guide, I will lead you on a tour of my favorite key locations and give you tips on what to see and how to do it so you can have the Mauer experience of your life.

1. Checkpoint Charlie

Your Mauer tour begins at Checkpoint Charlie, which is widely known as one of East and West Berlin’s most famous places to cross when peace wasn’t reigning. Today a replica of the checkpoint exists and you can go and see just some of the stories of people that tried to escape East Germany through here. Other exhibits include a visit to the Checkpoint Charlie Museum, near which the story of the Berlin Wall is better told.

2. East Side Gallery

The Berlin Wall section that makes up the East Side Gallery is an Area of Open air Gallery. If you are a fan of public art, take a walk along this 1.3 kilometer stretch and marvel over the colorful murals painted by artists everywhere. All artworks speak a story, tell a hope and dream about the fall of the wall. Don’t forget the camera, this is where you will snap many iconic pieces, like the ‘Fraternal Kiss’.

3. Berlin Wall Memorial

If you head to the Berlin Wall Memorial, there is a fascinating history of the wall here. Over here you can explore the outdoor exhibition and even see a preserved part of the wall. The memorial also includes an underground Documentation Centre where you can find out about the wall’s construction, life in division Berlin and the lives of those targeted by the wall.

4. Bernauer Strasse

It was a street divided by the Berlin Wall and one of the houses, on the East side and a sidewalk on the West. Today it is a memorial with stories from the lives of those who lived here and stories from their desperate attempts to escape while in the windows of these houses. Detailed information about events steps that took place in this area throughout the division era is made available at the Visitor Center.

5. Topography of Terror

Topography of Terror is an important historical site in modern history in Berlin, far from the Berlin Wall, but related to the Germans SS Headquarters (SS gelaende). Learn about the atrocities perpetrated by Nazi Germany, and the early stages of the wall’s construction here. The exhibition illustrates a sobering tale of Germany’s troubled past and the events that handed over Berlin.

6. Mauerpark

There is Mauerpark a buzzing park occupying the shady former death strip of the Berlin Wall. Go on a Sunday and see the famous Mauerpark building site flea market where you can find special souvenirs or hold vintage clothes. If the locals and tourists are funking up there in the amphitheater, don’t skip the karaoke session!

7. Gedenkstätte Berliner Mauer

Your Mauer tour ends at Berlin’s official Berlin Wall Memorial, Gedenkstätte Berliner Mauer. A memorial site, this offers an outdoor exhibition, preserved sections of the wall and a visitor center. Stop and consider what the wall meant, for the city, for the German people.

Tips for Your Mauer Tour

1. Guided Tours

To get more out of your Mauer experience consider joining in on a guided tour. Detailed information about the wall’s history can be provided by knowledgeable guides that also can share personal stories about the wall.

2. Plan Your Visit

Don’t just keep a copy of the itineraries handy but take the time to plan when you can check out each location because some sites won’t be open during all days of the week or might require advance bookings. To make the best use of your time, ensure that you check with each website and their opening times.

3. Bring a Map

Pack a map of Berlin and mark where along your Mauer tour you hit the key troen locations. It will help you get lost in the city and find offbeat hits.

4. Wear Comfortable Shoes

Given that you’ll be walking from one site to another, you’ll need comfortable shoes. Many places are readily accessible by public transportation, so think about using a day ticket or a Berlin Welcome Card, that offers unlimited travel throughout the city.

5. Capture the Memories

For your Mauer tour, bring your camera or smartphone to take picture the fascinating street art, historical sites and quirky moments. Use the hashtags #MauerTourBerlin to communicate with other travelers and share your experiences on social media.

Mauer tour takes you on a journey through history by going on a tour of the Berlin Wall. Indulge in the stories of division and re-unit, and the power of the human spirit. The wall is down, but will never be forgotten in Berlin or the world.