A fascinating tour with an entertaining and charismatic guide. Not the normal paradigm. A trip to KaDaWe, the u-Bahn a hint of Cold War, the Wall and the highlight David’s apartment at the end. Must do tour. Thank you!
David Bowie & the End of the World
3-Hour Tour
Discover West Berlin’s Cold War Decadence
Gain Insight into Bowie’s Creative Peak
When David Bowie moved to Berlin in 1976, he found an island of Cold War angst, “Cut off from its world, art, and culture, dying with no hope of retribution.” This Bowie in Berlin tour takes you back to the decadent city that inspired Bowie’s classic Berlin trilogy albums: Low, Heroes, and Lodger. Bowie’s Berlin was a kaleidoscope of creativity and a break from the public eye that he had grown tired of in Los Angeles, while also undergoing various legal battles with his management.
Starting at West Berlin’s Cold War opulent heart, Zoo Station, we follow Bowie’s trail including the flat he shared with Iggy Pop in Schöneberg, a neighborhood once known for its acceptance of outsiders and minorities. Then we’ll pass by the clubs the duo partied in. Despite seeking stability from his own party habits, Bowie was inspired by Berlin’s underground electronic music scene. Discover how this all contributed to what many consider to be Bowie’s creative peak at the legendary Hansa recording studios overlooking the Berlin Wall.
Sites Include:
Bahnhof Zoo
Former Dschungel Club
KaDeWe, Potsdamer Platz
Hansa Studios, Berlin Wall
Bowie’s former home
Neues Ufer Café
Topographie des Terrors (Topography of Terrors)
Tour Details
Price
Private tours – $360 USD (1-10 persons)
*your guide all to yourself
Small groups – $95 USD per person
*still intimate with 8 persons or less
Departure time
Private tours daily at 10 AM and 2 PM
Small groups
- Monday 2 PM
- Wednesday 5 PM
- Friday 2 PM
- Saturday 5 PM
Meeting point
Private tours include a pick-up at your central hotel or flat
Small groups: Ständige Vertretung, a memorabilia-filled cafe. Schiffbauerdamm 8, 10117 Berlin
Availability
Year-round
Duration
3 hours
Group size
Private tours: 1-10 persons
Groups of over 10 should contact us at info@insightcities.com in order to get a special rate for their party.
Small groups: 2-8 persons
Participation requirements
As this is a walking tour, please contact us if you have any mobility issues or concerns
Not included
Metro fare: You will need to use public transport a few times since the distances between some key sites are too far to walk. If you do not have a multi-day visitor’s transit pass to Berlin already, we suggest that you purchase the day metro pass. If you cannot purchase it in advance, your guide will help you purchase it at the first metro station on the tour.
What to bring
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Cash or credit card for the metro fare
About your guide
Read about our Berlin guides
Cancellation policy
For cancellations 48 hours prior to your scheduled tour, Insight Cities offers a full refund. We cannot refund cancellations within 48 hours of a scheduled tour as we need to pay our guide.
See Our FAQs for More Information
See What Our Guests are Saying
The Bowie tour was a exploration of the city and cultural influences that inspired Bowie’s works. A must for any Bowie fan who wants to know more about the rich intertwining history of Berlin and Bowie.
Darrell, our guide was great. Throughout the tour, you can really experience Bowie’s life in this amazing city. We had a great time!
