The Story of Berlin – Time Travel through Berlin's Turbulent Past

May 24th, 2015 Sonja BERLIN, DESTINATIONS, EUROPE, GERMANY

(Last Updated On: 6th August 2018)

If you'd like to know more about the capital of Germany's turbulent past, you won't get past this interactive museum…

How do I get there?

The Story of Berlin is right next to the famous Ku'damm (Kurfürstendamm), which has been West Berlin's epicentre for decades. The closest U‑Bahn stop is "Uhlandstraße".

What’s there to see?

Time Travel through the history of Berlin

The Story of Berlin guides you chronologically through 800 years of Berlin's history. Your interactive tour starts in a typical Berlin backyard. You will then get to know how Berlin and its various districts got to their names in the Middle Ages and learn about Jewish life in the capital, the construction of the Brandenburg Gate, Prussia's powerhouse, the Industrial Age, the dark Nazi régime, the two Berlins and two Germanys, the Berlin Wall etc. etc… The usual historical facts, but brought to life in a really cool, interactive way.

The trabi, a famous "east side car"

A unique Nuclear Bomb Shelter experience

At the end of the permanent exhibition you have the option to join a tour of the nuclear bomb shelter underneath the museum. It's a free tour already included in the admission price. The museum offers English and German speaking tours, so just check the times for the kick-off in your language.

I did enjoy this tour even though the atmosphere there was really dreary and intimidating. Built in the 1970s at the height of the Cold War in case of an nuclear disaster, the bunker could only take in 3,592 people. That really gets you thinking. Luckily, it was never used for such a purpose, but it's definitely an unusual and very educational place to visit.

How much is it?

The normal entrance price is 10 € for an adult. If you get yourself a Berlin Welcome Card you will get a discount of 25 %, so the adult price would be 8 € instead of 12. Public transport travel is already included in the card as well as a range of discounts for attractions, tours and restaurants.

A good deal if you ask me. I've used the Welcome Card two times before when I was in Berlin as a tourist. As I went to several museums and also used some food and drink discounts, it turned out to be good value for money.

If you crave even more historical facts…

Still haven't digged deeply enough into Berlin's past? Then check out the German Historical Museum, Deutsches Historisches Museum (S‑BAHN Hackescher Markt, Friedrichstraße, U‑BAHN Französische Straße, Friedrichstraße, Hausvogteiplatz) situated right next to the famous Museum Island. Regular entry is 8 € (4 € with the Berlin Welcome Card)

Famous Berlin Faces

In addition to giving you an insight into Berlin's past, it also offers a unique glimpse into the history of Germany itself – from its Teuton beginnings through some dark and some prospering times until the present day.