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Wall Museum – Checkpoint Charlie

  • Berlin, Germany

Last updated: 23 April, 2024

With its grim border guards and ominous sign – ‘You Are Now Leaving The American Sector’ – Checkpoint Charlie put the world on edge when Allied and Soviet tanks faced off for a few nail-biting days in October 1961. It was the recognised crossing point for the infamous Berlin Wall, which symbolised more than anything else the West’s ‘Cold War’ with the Soviet Union from 1947-1991. For a small and fairly non-descript site, it has enormous historical significance that will lives long in the realms of history.

Today, a cramped but compelling museum there tells the history of the Wall and the rickety tunnels, home-made aircraft, reinforced cars and mini-subs people used to attempt escape to freedom from East Germany – efforts that more often than not ended in heartbreaking tragedy. There are some good documentary clips too.

For a couple of Euros you can pose with a mock guard at the replica border booth and get your passport stamped with a pre-1989 visa.

Who to go with: organised tours

5

Our selection of the best Viator tours of this attraction or activity

  • Berlin

Join this expertly guided walking tour of Berlin and step into the heart of the Cold War conflict that defined an era. Witness firsthand the powerful remnants of the military standoff between the Western and communist worlds. With your knowledgeable guide, explore the Berlin Wall and hidden sections of the deadly Death Strip, stand beside a preserved guard tower, and delve into the mysterious underground 'Ghost Stations'. Stand above the sites of escape tunnels and hear the gripping tales of those who risked everything to create them. Uncover stories of espionage and the intense face-offs between the CIA and KGB in this geopolitical flashpoint. Learn about the influential leaders and pivotal events that kept the world teetering on the edge of nuclear war for decades. Your guide will bring to life what daily existence was like for Berlin’s residents during nearly 45 years of division and tension, and shed light on the far-reaching consequences that continue to shape our world today.

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Rating 4.89 / 5 [822 ratings]

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  • Berlin

Step into Berlin's history on a private walking tour focused on the city’s WWII and Cold War eras, with photo opportunities at every turn. Led by an expert guide, this immersive experience takes you through Berlin’s most significant sites, from the Berlin Wall and Brandenburg Gate to the Reichstag and Checkpoint Charlie, along with hidden spots tied to the Third Reich and the divided city. As you walk through historic districts and key locations, your guide shares powerful stories of Berlin's dark past under the Nazi regime and the tense years of the Cold War. You’ll capture unforgettable photos at each stop, preserving not only Berlin's architectural beauty but also the profound history woven into each landmark. Whether you're drawn to history, intrigued by Cold War tales, or eager to experience Berlin’s atmosphere, this private tour offers a powerful and picturesque introduction to the city's past and resilience.

Price €160

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Rating 4.94 / 5 [174 ratings]

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  • Berlin

Experience the history of the Berlin Wall in a 3.5-hour bike tour. What happened in Berlin after World War II? How come that they built a wall and what does it meant to the Berliners on both sides? On a bike tour along the former Berlin Wall we will give you an idea of how life was like and how Berlin became once again in the last decades.

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  • Berlin

This private walking tour brings you to the places, where famous events of the Cold War happened and history was written. On this tour you will also see original pieces of the Wall, one of the last remaining guard towers and Checkpoint Charlie. The tour starts at the Berlin Wall Documentation Center in the street "Bernauer Strasse", where many of the dramatic escape attempts took place, successful and tragic ones. You will ride one of the subways that were called "ghost trains" during the division of the city, so-called because of the gloomy atmosphere in the underground stations close to the wall. The tour also covers Checkpoint Charlie, the former military checkpoint and hot spot of the Cold War. This is the site where the fate of mankind was hanging by a thread in 1961 when US and Soviet tanks confronted each other.

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  • Berlin

Walk the Line: Explore Berlin’s Divided Past on the Ultimate Berlin Wall Tour. Join an expert guide on a private walking tour through the pivotal sites of Cold War Berlin and the Berlin Wall. Discover the when, why, and how of the Wall’s construction while visiting key sights. Step into the shadows of the Iron Curtain and relive one of the most dramatic chapters of the 20th century. On this immersive walking tour, you’ll journey along the former “death strip,” uncovering the gripping stories, high-stakes escapes, and everyday realities of life in a city cut in two. Led by one of our expert local historians, you’ll explore: The Berlin Wall Memorial – the most authentic and haunting section of the Wall, with preserved watchtowers and the reconstructed death strip. Checkpoint Charlie – the infamous Cold War checkpoint. The former East German Ministry District A surviving BT Watchtower – one of the last of its kind Potsdamer Platz – a symbol of rebirth Much Much More!

Price €145

Min age 0

Rating 5 / 5 [26 ratings]

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Logistics

Price from: £12
Minimum age: 0
Age suitable: 8+
When: All year around

Getting there & doing it

Take line 6 of the U-Bahn to Kochstrasse and walk 150m north along Friedrichstrasse.

Audio guides are available on site for a small fee. One-hour group and individual guided tours are also possible by prior appointment. There is also a series short films that run in the morning.

When to do it

It’s open all year round, seven days a week.