Alternative Berlin Tour: Street Art and Counterculture in Kreuzberg
The story of Berlin’s alternative scene and street art. We explore Mitte, Kreuzberg, and the Spree riverfront, stopping at Haus Schwarzenberg, the Treehouse at the Wall, Holzmarkt, and YAAM, while tracing the rise of squats, the music scene, and the city’s multicultural communities.
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Basic Information
Total time
2h 45m
Language
English, Spanish, German (check the calendar for availability)
Price
Our “Pay What You Wish” tours don’t have a fixed price — you decide how much the experience was worth. At the end of the tour, please make a fair contribution that reflects your satisfaction and appreciation for your guide’s work. Most guests give between €10 and €50 per person.
Meeting point
In front of Red Town Hall (Rotes Rathaus) Nearest public transport: Rotes Rathaus metro station; Klosterstraße metro station
Additional info
☂︎ This tour is organised by Walkative Berlin guides. Look for the guide with the yellow umbrella.
❗Requires an AB Single ticket.
♿️ Tour not suitable for people with reduced mobility or strollers
❗Our tours run in all weather conditions. High or low temperatures, rain, or snow are never a reason for us to cancel. We’re always here for you! The only reasons for cancellation are extreme weather conditions (such as heavy storms), a guide’s sudden illness, or if there are fewer than 5 registered participants. In such cases, we will always notify you using the contact information you provided when booking the tour.Booking rules
Booking is obligatory. Our “Pay What You Wish” tours are meant for individual travellers and small groups. Large groups (8 or more people) cannot join these tours, as they significantly affect the experience for others and the guide. For school trips, organised tours, or groups of friends, please book our paid option (18€ per person) or arrange a Private Tour. For more information or to schedule a group visit, please contact us directly.
About the tour
Big beautiful churches, nice Baroque palaces, grand theatre buildings, and many other places… that you will NOT see on this tour! 😉 Why? Because Berlin is way more than that. Berlin is a European capital of alternative lifestyle and street art! So on this tour, you will explore very different aspects of the German capital. You will be taken to various corners and nooks where most tourists never go.
After this 3-hour tour, you will discover a new city of Berlin. You will know why it is called a “cultural melting pot”. You will learn about the impact of Berlin’s music scene. Furthermore, you will be able to decipher some hidden messages of different graffiti and murals around the city. You will witness squat life very close to the centre of Berlin.
Our Alternative Berlin tour will allow you to feel the true vibe of Berlin!
Attention! An AB Single ticket is needed for this tour!
Please be informed that the exact tour can vary, depending on the guide.
Highlights
- 1
Haus Schwarzenberg
A unique courtyard showcasing independent art, studios, and vibrant alternative culture.
- 2
Street Art & Graffiti
Learn to decipher hidden messages within Berlin's world-famous murals and urban art scene.
- 3
Treehouse at the Wall
A quirky, self-built house on a former no-man's land strip of the Berlin Wall.
- 4
Kreuzberg District
A vibrant, multicultural area known for its alternative scene, street art, and lively atmosphere.
- 5
YAAM
Young African Arts Market, a cultural hub with music, art, and food on the Spree river.
- 6
Holzmarkt
An urban creative village on the Spree with clubs, restaurants, art spaces, and a community garden.
Map
In front of Red Town Hall (Rotes Rathaus) Nearest public transport: Rotes Rathaus metro station; Klosterstraße metro station
Our customers said about us
Berlin
5.0Gal
Tina was so good
Tina was amazing, very informative but not boring at all! She knew so much about every piece of art in Kreuzberg
Berlin
5.0Nassim
JR the best tour guide
Even if he is from the states he knows the city by heard and has a good sense of humor🙏🏾🙏🏾
Berlin
5.0Marie and Carl
Thanks for a fantastic tour, Cam!
The tour was great but it was really our guide, Cam, who made it something extra. We had both travelled to Berlin several times so this alternative tour turned out to be a great option for us, to get some new perspectives of the city and learn about some things we would not have came across otherwise. However, making a good time out of the parts that are not the most visited really takes a good guide. Cam turned out to be just the guy for the job. His commitment shone through and you felt he was truly passionate about Berlin and the life and history here. He was genuine and personal and generous with sharing tips and own experiences in Berlin, which gave us a great afternoon.
Berlin
4.0Thommy Eriksson
Very interesting and fun
Very interesting, fun and well-organized tour. Cozy and relaxing.
Berlin
5.0Ela
Captures the essence of the city!
Definitely helps to see Berlin from a more interesting and fun perspective. Compared to other historical city tours, this tour really makes you understand why Berlin is truly one of the most interesting cities for young people all around the world. Our guide Chris was very knowledgeable and his love for the city shone through as he walked and talked us through the city's different parts. As someone already living in Berlin, I can highly recommend!
Berlin
5.0Jason
East and west Street art and things in betwen
The tour with JR is great. I enjoyed the alternative tour and a bit more of a local-like perspective. I happen to be a fan of street art and this was great. Some insights on some of the local culture and how things were in the 90s was enjoyable. The theme of: making something with nothing, resonated with me. And also the theme of: how the walls may have gone down but there still lie some separation between philosophies of consumerism and public art
Berlin
5.0Ross Isla
Informative and entertaining tour with JR
Excellent alternative tour. The tour took us to some great sites and our guide, JR, was very knowledgeable and spoke with passion about the city. Would definitely recommend.
Berlin
5.0Ellie
Great tour!
Thanks to Dara for a great walking tour! I got to see a side of Berlin I would not otherwise have seen and learned lots about street art and the music scene along the way! As usual everyone on the tour was very friendly, and a few of us visited the East Side Gallery at the end which is very close by. Danke schön Dara!
Berlin
5.0Erdinc
Great experience
Great tour with JR. you will learn lots of things. Don’t miss the opportunity.
Berlin
5.0Suditi
Great walk with JR
This was a super fun tour, you could tell that JR was really immersed in the arts movement in berlin. Very interesting, helps you zoom in on the otherwise overwhelming landscape of berlin’s street art.
