Private Tours in Berlin

Do you wish you knew somebody in Berlin who could help you decide where to stay and what to see? Whether you travel alone, with family, or in a group, I will help you plan your trip and show you around once you get here: On foot, by car, or by bus. Get the support you would get from a friend or relative! I’ll also suggest restaurants and help purchase concert tickets. If I am not available, one of my guides will be.

My name is Jo Eckardt.
I lived in New York for 19 years teaching German at NYU and working for the UN. In 2001 I returned to Berlin. Even though I still miss New York, I don’t regret the move. Berlin is a great place and I’d love to show it to you!

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Now you can book your tour directly. Just click on the green Book-now-button! However, if you’re interested in a completely customized tour, or if you have questions, please feel free to send me an e-mail. I’d be happy to answer your questions, and book a tour that fits your needs perfectly. Also if your group is more than 6 people, please contact me directly!
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What’s new

Audio-tours of Berlin and Potsdam

I have created a few audio-tours for you to do on your own. All you need is a cell-phone and the app. This is a great way to explore Berlin (or Potsdam) on your own. You will be guided step by step and I will tell you about the sights you’ll see and the stories behind them. Try one out! Each tour is about one hour, but if you visit places or take some suggested detours, they may be longer. You can do just one, or do them consequetively: one starts where the other one stopped.

More Languages: In addition to Spanish, French and Italian tours, we now also offer tours in Hebrew, Portuguese, Thai, Chinese, Russian, Greek, Dutch and Polish!

Concerts: When in Berlin, check out the free Philharmonie lunch concerts every Tuesday!

Boat tours through Berlin: You may not know this, but Berlin has more water ways, canals, rivers, and lakes, then almost any other city in the world. A tour in a small private motor boat will be the highlight of your stay!

Frequently Asked Questions

Why should I book a tour with A Friend in Berlin?

All our tours are private and customized, so you'll get to see exactly those parts of Berlin that interest you most. Our guides are extremely knowledgeable and friendly, and get consistently rave reviews. It's like exploring Berlin with a friend who happens to be the expert on the city.

What's the best way to get a first impression of Berlin?

You can get a wonderful overview in just 3 hours, but be aware that this includes a lot of walking! The major attractions are in the center of town, so you'll come away with a great first impression of Berlin! However, if you want to see some of the sights a bit further from downtown, you may want to consider a car tour. Again, 3 hours is enough for a great introduction, but to gain a bit of depth, you may consider a 5-hour tour. The 5-hour car tour of Berlin is A Friend in Berlin's most popular tour.

I have already seen many of Berlin's attractions. Does it make sense to book another tour?

Even if you're quite familiar with Berlin, there are so many interesting facets, sites and stories of Berlin, that we'll guarantee that you'll come away impressed! Just let us know early what you've already covered, or what special interests you have, and A Friend in Berlin will customize your tour so you'll see new things.

Are your tours wheelchair accessible?

Yes, of course. If you're using a collapsible wheelchair we can easily transport it. For bigger ones, we can use a special van. Just let us know in advance!

Can we do a tour with kids?

Of course. Our guides are very kid-friendly. Bear in mind your kid's capacity to concentrate. A 3-hour tour may be all they can take. Also let us know in advance so that we can plan for special stops, and bring booster seats for the car tours.

Do the car tours include stops and inside visits? Are there additional fees?

You get as many stops as you like. Some people want to see as much as possible and hardly want to leave the car. Others want to get out at every stop to take pictures and get a feel for the site. So, it's up to you. We usually do not visit museums or other places that charge entrance fees, unless you specifically want that. There is so much to see that's freely accessible that you can do the museum visits on your own at a later time.

Does your walking tour include a visit to the Reichstag?

We can include a visit, if you like, and if you give us enough time in advance to get a reservation. Please note that we need to have everybody's date of birth for that. We can also help you get a time slot on your own and drop you off at the end of the tour in front of the visitor's entrance to the Reichstag.

How many days should I plan for Berlin?

If you just have one day, then let us know so that we can help you make the most of your time in Berlin. If you have more time, plan at least three days. There is so much to see and the more time you spend the greater your understanding of the city will be. Plus there are wonderful museums, parks, restaurants, and also opportunities for excursions to Potsdam or even Dresden, that time will not seem enough, no matter how long you'll end up staying.

Are there any type of customers you will deny service to?

We will not tour with people who are intoxicated or high, or who express extreme views (such as adoration for Nazi Germany or racist views). Also if people start mistreating the cars they travel in we reserve the right to continue the tour on foot.

Which other cities or places outside of Berlin are worth a visit?

There are lots of places you may want to check out: Dresden, Hamburg, Stralsund, the Spreewald region, the Harz mountains, and much more. Let us know what your special interests are (cities, hiking, kajaking, museums, history?) and A Friend in Berlin will suggest places for you. We also do guided tours in Dresden and Munich.