Visit Berlin, one of Europe’s most exciting cities, and witness the renaissance of Jewish life in Germany’s capital. From the iconic golden dome of the reconstructed New Synagogue of Berlin, to architect Daniel Libeskind’s impressive Jewish Museum, our Berlin tour brings you closer to the stories behind Berlin’s landmarks.
No other major European city has re-defined, re-created, and re-built itself to such an extent as Berlin in the past decades. Until 1989, the city was divided in half by a wall. The main historic Jewish sites were on the eastern side of the city, the part of Berlin that was behind the Iron Curtain.
With the fall of the Berlin Wall, the city has sought to re-weave its two halves together. In the process, world-renowned architects like Frank O. Gehry and I. M. Pei contributed their spectacular new designs to the changing landscape. This period of reconstruction produced a blossoming Berlin tourism industry, booming business development, and a sophisticated art scene. However, perhaps the most significant change is that the once diminished Jewish Community of Berlin is becoming the fastest-growing Jewish community in Europe.
Jewish life in Berlin is even more prevalent than one might realize at a first glance, and our Jewish Berlin tour reveals little-known stories of Jewish interest behind major Berlin highlights, like the Reichstag and the Brandenburg Gate.
There have been several Golden Ages of Judaism in Berlin. The 18th century welcomed the Jewish Enlightenment heralded by Moses Mendelssohn, and the 19th century gave birth to Reform Judaism through the contributions of scholars like Abraham Geiger. The early 20th century saw outstanding personalities such as Leo Baeck, Kurt Weill, and Albert Einstein further increase the community’s prestige.
The inspiring periods of Jewish heritage in Berlin are shadowed by the overwhelming losses of the Holocaust. These are keenly felt and stringently remembered in numerous moving memorial sites, including the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe, next to the Brandenburg Gate.
Despite the years of division, there was a post-war Jewish cultural identity in Berlin that formed the bedrock of today’s thriving community. Berlin boasts two Jewish newspapers, a Jewish theater, Jewish educational institutions and nine synagogues.
Experience Berlin’s Jewish heritage from the inside with one of our top-ranked guides!
Berlin is also one of our many port destinations. If you plan to come to your guided tour(s) by cruise ship, we would be more than happy to arrange for your transfer
and arrival for a perfect Berlin shore excursion!
I still can’t believe I let my foot fall onto German soil, and I credit the positive experience to you, your expertise and mostly to your warmth and enthusiasm. There are so many things that are just now filtering into my consciousness and a million things I’d like to see again or explore more...perhaps, someday. Right now, I talk about you and your assistants, the memorials and absences, the museums...and the creativity and competitions that have formed the new Berlin. It’s enough!
Paula and Lou Silver
I am writing to say how good it was to spend time with you in Berlin. My experience was so varied and complicated. Being able to talk with you and share some of the emotional impact was of tremendous value to me.
Your thoughtful planning and knowledge showed me things I would not have learned about and your openness and honesty allowed me to speak honestly, which was a great relief. I was experiencing distress that I could not otherwise discuss. So thank you for the many ways you offered a safe harbor. With best wishes and my gratitude,
Alison Schwarz
Culinary Berlin: German Cuisine Between Tradition and Innovation
Alongside German chef and M&H Tours culinary advisor Gaby Baum, we have closely examined classical German food tradition and it's innovative twists to curate this new tour with the cultured traveler in mind. Explore the real Berlin culinary districts – away from the hipster-oriented pop-up restaurants – where urban coffeehoues, authentic beer halls, Southern German wine bars, and Butterbrot are waiting for you.
Art & Architecture
A trip to Berlin is not complete without dedicating time to KW, Hamburger Bahnhof or one of the gallery districts. Artists and art historians amongst or guides have created their favorite paths
into the hub of the European scene.
Milk & Honey Tours GmbH