School History Trips to Berlin

FAQs about this tour

Find the answers to some of our most frequently asked questions.

• Is Berlin suitable for both GCSE and A-Level students?

  Absolutely. The benefit of having a History Tour Guide to accompany your tour, is that they can add a more intense focus to your students learning experience.

• What is the best time of year to visit Berlin on school history trip?

  For a history school trip to Berlin, the great news is that you can pretty much travel all year round – but bear in mind it can be cold in winter!

• Does the Berlin trip work well as a two centre tour when combined with Krakow?

  Absolutely yes. Your students will be able to focus on the Final Solution In Berlin and the consequences that followed in Krakow.

• Is Berlin only suitable for History trips?

  Berlin is a great destination for all kinds of trips! As the beating heart of Germany, Berlin is a unique mix of urban edge, cultural expression and palpable history. Aside from the city’s rich history, students can practice their language skills or around Christmas time, explore the city squares lined with garland-bedecked stalls and the aroma of marzipan and fried doughnuts!

• How can I prepare my students for the content we will explore on the trip?

  Being tailor-made, our trips are designed to align with your curriculum and class’s interests. We have a wealth of FREE resources and fun games to utilise, and insightful blogs. Check out… ‘Brilliant Things You Can Do to Enhance Your WW1 and WW2 History Tour’.

• Are there any opportunities for alternative activities to provide a break from hard-hitting history topics?

  Absolutely! We recognise the importance of a well-rounded experience and strive to engage students in the world of history while also allowing them time to decompress. Our tours can offer a variety of activities, so students can achieve the right balance between immersive learning and chill time.

• What should students pack for school history trips to Berlin?

  Here are some of the essentials that students should bring on Berlin history school trip (please note that some items are seasonal):

  Travel documents: 

  • Passport 
  • Visa (if required) 
  • GHIC card 

  Clothing: 

  • Socks 
  • Underwear 
  • Tshirts 
  • Shorts/trousers 
  • Waterproof coat 
  • Jumper 
  • Pyjamas 
  • Outfits for downtime/ evening meal 
  • Appropriate footwear 

  Personal care 

  • Toiletries- shampoo, bodywash, deodorant, toothbrush, toothpaste, hairbrush, sanitary products 
  • Medication  

  Environmental protection items 

  • SPF 
  • Hat/cap 
  • Lip balm 
  • Insect repellent 
  • Woolly hat  
  • Scarf 
  • Gloves 
  • Thermal layers 

  Other 

  • Chargers for electrical devices 
  • Plug adapters 
  • Card games 
  • Book 
  • Portable gaming device  
• Is Berlin more suited to WW2 learning than Munich?

  Both Berlin and Munich are excellent options for WW2 learning as each city has it’s place in the war. Munich is where the Nazi party rose to power through rallies and propaganda, whereas Berlin is the capital city of Germany and played a crucial role throughout the war. Both cities offers unique perspectives and develops students understanding of how the Nazi’s came to power and how this affected life in Germany pre and post WW2.

• What are the top educational attractions in Berlin?

  Berlin is absolutely packed with educational attractions. Depending on your interests (WWII, Cold War, Jewish history, Prussian era, etc.), some will appeal more than others. Here are some of the top ones, especially those steeped in history, with what makes them important:

  Topographie des Terrors (Topography of Terror Documentary Centre)

  • • Located on the site of the Gestapo / SS / Reich Security Main Office, this shows how Nazi terror was organised and practiced.

    • Both indoor and outdoor parts; good for understanding the infrastructure of the Third Reich.

   

  Sachsenhausen Memorial and Museum

  • Located in Oranienburg, it’s the site of one of the major Nazi concentration camps.

  • The memorial preserves the original camp grounds, barracks, etc., and has exhibitions + guided tours.

  Jewish Museum Berlin (Jüdisches Museum Berlin)

  • • One of the largest Jewish museums in Europe. Documents Jewish history in Germany from the Middle Ages to the present.

    • Architecturally striking; often used to reflect on memory, identity, culture.

  The Reichstag Building & Dome

  • • Historic seat of German government, with layers of history: Imperial Germany, the Weimar Republic, the Nazis, Cold War neglect, then reunification.

    • The glass dome offers symbolic transparency, and the guided tours explain how Germany’s political system works now, as well as its past.

• What are the best museums for students in Berlin?

  Berlin is famous for its abundance of museums – discover more about several of them below!

  German Historical Museum (Deutsches Historisches Museum, DHM)

  This is Germany’s national museum – its permanent exhibition uses over 8,000 objects to trace German history over the past two millennia, in its broader European context. It’s strong on both older history (Middle Ages, Reformation, Prussia, WWI) and more recent (Nazism, WWII, Cold War, reunification). The building itself (the Zeughaus plus the Pei-Bau extension) is also historically interesting.

  Allied Museum (AlliiertenMuseum)

  Focuses on the Western Allies’ role in Berlin after WWII: the occupation zones, the Berlin Airlift, Cold War tension, and eventual reunification. This is a fantastic museum for understanding how international politics played out locally.

  Museum Berlin-Karlshorst (German-Russian Museum)

  This is where the German Wehrmacht surrendered in May 1945 – the museum’s exhibitions explore the war between Germany and the Soviet Union, including both German aggression and Soviet experiences. Explore both sides of one story!

  Berlin Story Bunker (Historiale / Berlin Story Museum) 

  The Berlin Story Bunker, housed in a massive WWII air raid bunker near Anhalter Bahnhof, offers one of Berlin’s most powerful history exhibitions. Its main display, “Hitler – How Could It Happen?”, explores the rise of Nazism through documents, artifacts, and multimedia, asking how Germany descended into dictatorship and war. Alongside this, the Berlin Story Museum traces 800 years of Berlin’s history, from medieval origins to reunification. The authentic bunker setting adds impact, making it a thought-provoking and immersive stop for students and history enthusiasts.

  Spandau Citadel (Zitadelle Spandau)

  The Spandau Citadel (Zitadelle Spandau) is one of the best-preserved Renaissance fortresses in Europe and a fascinating site for students of history. Built in the 16th century to defend Berlin at the junction of the Havel and Spree rivers, it showcases centuries of military architecture and strategy. Over time, the citadel served as a fortress, garrison, and later even a prison — with its most notorious inmate being Nazi official Rudolf Hess after WWII. Today, it functions as both a museum complex and cultural venue, with exhibitions on Berlin’s military history, the fortress’s construction, and the city’s development.
• How can students benefit from a trip to Berlin academically and culturally?

  A trip to Berlin offers students a unique blend of academic and cultural benefits. Academically, the city functions as a living classroom: museums such as the German Historical Museum, DDR Museum, and the Berlin Story Bunker allow students to engage directly with topics like WWII, the Cold War, and the evolution of German democracy.

  Walking tours of sites like the Berlin Wall Memorial or the Holocaust Memorial turn abstract textbook lessons into tangible experiences, deepening historical understanding and critical thinking. Culturally, Berlin exposes students to a vibrant mix of art, music, and architecture – from Museum Island’s world-class collections to contemporary galleries and street art. Experiencing the city’s diverse neighbourhoods and international food scene also broadens global awareness, whilst encounters with Berlin’s memorial culture encourage reflection on tolerance, remembrance, and civic responsibility. Together, these experiences enrich both academic knowledge and personal growth.