Bowie's Berlin Tour: Cold War Music Inspiration

Explore how the Cold War influenced David Bowie’s iconic Berlin albums on a 3-hour guided tour. Follow in the footsteps of Bowie and discover the historical sites that inspired his music.

Duration: 3 hours
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights

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 tour takes you back to the decadent 1970’s city that inspired Bowie’s classic Berlin albums Low, Heroes and Lodger. Starting at Cold War West Berlin’s decadent heart, Zoo Station, we follow…

What's Included
  • Tour guide expertise provided by historian, professor, doctoral student, journalist, or published author
What's Not Included
  • Food and drinks
  • Transportation to/from attractions: You will need to use public transport a few times, since the distances between some key sites would be too far to walk. If you will not have a few days 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
Additional Information

Uncover how the Cold War era of the 1970s instigated the creation of Bowie’s renowned Berlin records. Embark on a 3-hour journey around Berlin, a city Bowie referred to as “isolated from its world, art and culture, perishing with no chance of recompense,” guided by an expert. Trace Bowie’s footsteps to the building he lived in with Iggy Pop, and saunter…

Location
Schiffbauerdamm 8
Schiffbauerdamm
Please meet your guide in front of Ständige Vertretung, a memorabilia-filled cafe. Schiffbauerdamm 8, 10117 Berlin.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.9
(126 Ratings)
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Heather
Jul 13, 2025
Fun and educational, highly recommend - I visited Berlin with my family of four, including our two teenage boys, and did the David Bowie walking tour with Lee. He was entertaining, super knowledgeable about David Bowie and Iggy Pop and the history of Berlin in the late seventies and eighties, and even shared his first-hand experience from living in Berlin when the wall came down. Lee did a great job painting us a picture of Berlin through Bowie’s lens and gave us a new appreciation of his influence beyond the music. This was an awesome tour and unique perspective (a nice balance to churches and castles) and a definite highlight of our trip to Germany.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Nicola
Jul 1, 2025
A must do for anyone with an interest in pop & rock culture. - Very informative and entertaining tour without too much walking. All of the main sights of interest were covered as well as some interesting facts about Berlin and Bowies German influences.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Cynthiaa_n
Jun 28, 2025
We’ve always enjoyed... - We’ve always enjoyed David Bowie’s music so it was great to see some of his Berlin’s influences. We saw some interesting Berlin history and loved listening to the music as we walked.
Review provided by Viator
640nikkir
Jun 25, 2025
From Iggy to Ziggy in Berlin - We both absolutely loved the Bowie tour with Dan. His storytelling and musical anecdotes kept us entertained for the whole three hours. We saw all the sights, heard the sounds, and really got a sense of what Berlin in the ’70s would have been like for David Bowie and Iggy Pop. I found parts of it very moving. This, combined with the Iggy Pop concert the night before, made for my two favourite experiences in Berlin.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Liz_c
Jun 16, 2025
Excellent Tour - Lee is a friendly knowledgeable guide. He interlinked David Bowies life in Berlin with the city’s post First World War history. He took us to Bowies recording and living locations and the places that influenced his songs. Lee also had photos of places that were destroyed in WW11 to help explain the history of Berlin
Review provided by Viator
Excursion35096205583
Jun 14, 2025
A Great Tour. - First class tour. Lee is a great guide, full of knowledge about David Bowie's times in Berlin. He also provides great information about Berlin's post first world war history, taking you to key sites, linked in with Bowies Berlin influences and locations. Highly recommended.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Anthony_b
Jun 2, 2025
The perfect tour for a Bowie fan. - This guide was knowledgeable and insightful . Also friendly and sociable and all round perfect guide. Dan is superb . Thanks Dan.
Review provided by Viator
R124ukwilliams
May 31, 2025
Best Bowie in Berlin Tour Guide Ever! - Dan is a true font of knowledge on all things Bowie! Playing applicable songs on his wireless speaker while walking between tour stops, Dan provides an energetic and wildly entertaining presentation. While Bowie has been my MainMan for 50 years, I gained new insights into his life and times, and we couldn't have enjoyed this tour more. For anyone thinking of taking this tour, Dan is definitely your man!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jomuckle66
May 20, 2025
A must do - An interesting tour around the places used by Bowie while he was in Berlin. Good links to music history and influences at the time. For myself, a Bowie fan it was a must do trip!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Julie_m
May 16, 2025
Really enjoyed the tour. ... - Really enjoyed the tour. Nice group of eight people and Dan the tour guide was very knowledgeable. Interesting tour
Review provided by Viator
From $115
up to 8 guests
1 - Adult
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience (local time).