When it comes to attractions, monuments and other interesting sites to visit in Berlin, no visitor will ever get bored. Museums and other places of interest are numerous and therefore it is tiring trying to make arrangements as well as organizing on how to catch a glimpse of this culture. This is where free walking tours come as one of the interesting and perfect solutions!
What is a Free Walking Tour?
Free walking tour is a method of touring on foot where a person is accompanied by an informative and passionate guide of the area. These tours will offer the tourists a marvelous way to see the popular sights in Berlin, giving them an insight into the history of the city, and pointing out such interesting features that may have not seen before from the side of the locals.
The Benefits of a Free Walking Tour
Cheap: Contrary to other tour companies that charge a fee, free walking tour does not require any payment as the name suggests.
Local Knowledge: It is mostly employed with natives or people who live in the city who will be fully aware of the city’s history, crannies, and corners that are unseen or unheard of in a travel guide.
Interactive and freedom: In comparison to the normal walking tours, free walking tours are more participatory compared to haphazard walking tour or bus tours. People can make inquiries, make comments, and be informed about the certain peculiarities of the city.
Availability of time: Most free walking tour services are offered severally in a day where you can choose your desired time of the day depending on other sightseeing.
Most professional tour guides will lead you to parts of the tourist destination that are not so popular and you might never fnd on your own.
What to Expect on a Free Walking Tour
A free walking tour usually takes an average of 2 to 3 hours and it focuses on a particular area or topic in Berlin. There are differences in an itinerary based on the tour company, however, usual stops are the Brandenburg Gate, the Island of Museums, Check Point Charlie, and the Berlin Wall.
As you go round, the guide will make sure he explains the historical background, tells you remarkable stories and gives some trivia about the places that you visit. They may tell their stories, fantastic stories, folkloric stories, and point out historical facts, cultural attraction sites, and hub of buildings.
Tips for a Memorable Free Walking Tour Experience
Get there on time: Free walking tours usually have restricted vacancies and thus make sure you get there on time to book for the tour and get to make some conversations with the guide.
Wear Comfortable Shoes and Appropriate Attire: Since you will be strolling around for several hours, pick a comfortable pair of shoes you will be comfortable in and dress for the prevailing weather conditions.
Carry Water & Snacks: There may be some free intervals in between the tours but it is wise to have a bottle of water and some munching items all through the tour.
Don’t forget sunscreen: this may sound obvious, but when going through the tour during the summer, one can easily forget to apply sunscreen and thus should apply the sunscreen before the tour.
Ask Questions: Don’t be shy! They should be ready to give you a good experience, thus do not hesitate to ask any question that may interest you at any time.
Tip the Guide: You do not expect to pay anything for the services that are rendered in the tours but it is beneficial to give the guide some money to show appreciation and help him or her in his or her work. The amount is up to you and the quality of experience that you want to be offered in the facility you intend to acquire.
Selecting the Best Free Walking Tour
Unfortunately, there are many free walking tour providers in Berlin thus it will require round researching in order to get the most credible one. Therefore, you have to try to locate those which are most recommended by customers, led by professionals, and offer an attractive program to the client.
However, the best thing to do is to go directly to the sites or contact the tour operators for information on whether the sites require or recommend reservations. This is particularly the case during the festive seasons when most of the trips and tours are booked by tourists.
It is advisable to have a map of the area in place or be using a map that is able to navigate to the meeting point which is often in central stations or tourist sites.
Wrap Up
Every tourist is urged to try free walking tour, in this way tourists will receive information that is unique to the optic presentation of Berlin history and culture, in addition to hidden gems. If you are a history lover, architectonic or just traveler who wants to know more about the city, here are the opportunity to get it in cheap price.
Well, what are you waiting for? Dress comfortably, take some water, and let the zeal of walking through the streets of Berlin make you ready for a free walking tour. Happy exploring!
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