So much more than just sightseeing: Energetic, Vibrant Berlin Adventures
Tina offers tours for English speaking guests which are rich with history and packed with energy. When touring with Tina you don’t just hear Berlin’s best stories and visit its most important sights, you also connect with the city’s spirit and uncover its real soul.
Reviews
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Tina is an amazing guide! I live in Berlin and booked a private tour for visiting family. After a quick chat, she created a custom experience that was fun, insightful, and full of local gems. My family still says it was a highlight of their Europe trip. Highly recommend—and I’m already thinking about the next one
Rupert Storey
June 6, 2025Cinzia Gaggeri
May 28, 2025We took the Third Reich tour with Tina and even though we lived in Berlin for 2 years, we still learned so so much! Tina is truly passionate about history and her continuous research around the history of Berlin really shines in her tour. She's also super attentive about the guests' needs and makes sure we are all confortable at all times, which is highly appreciated. You can book with your eyes closed!
Laura de Rohan
May 28, 2025My wife and I were visiting Berlin and upon the recommendation of friends, we booked a public 'Berlin Highlights' 3 hour tour with Tina. Wow. What a good decision that was. Tina's style, personality and knowledge of the city are a winning combination. We learned so much from someone who really knows the history and culture of this marvelous city. She has done so much research on the area and is very well-prepared. Our only wish is that we could have stayed in the city longer to take advantage of some of her other tours on lots of other topics. We'll be back some day and when we do, we will sign up for those. We can't wait! Thank you Tina
David Robertson
May 21, 2025Tina is a great tour guide she has a fountain of information and explains the dark history of the city in a respectful and truthful way. I would definitely recommend her for small or big groups.
Veronica Damian
May 21, 2025This is the second year we have utilized Tina, and her wealth of knowledge, as part of a study abroad tour. Not only is she great with our college students, but her ability to make changes to her standard tours to accommodate what we need/have already seen (or because of weather) is top notch. We are already looking forward to booking her again for next year!
Jason Lantzer
May 21, 2025I'm so glad I found Tina ahead of our visit to Berlin. We booked a private sunset tour and loved every minute of the experience. Tina helped plan an interesting, informative and fun few hours of exploration around Berlin, focusing on the WW2 and Cold War history. Tina is charismatic, friendly and incredibly knowledgeable. I also appreciated Tina's recommendations for restaurants and willingness to plan a route that ended on track for our dinner destination. I'd highly recommend Tina for a personalised and memorable Berlin tour experience. Thanks again Tina x
Michelle Cresswell
May 21, 2025We took the Alternative Berlin tour with Tina and it was fantastic! A knowledgeable and passionate guide, she helped us to understand the social context of Berlin's counterculture and art scenes. Highly recommend!
Aiden McKenzie
May 14, 2025 -
Tina was amazing!
Jeff Lucas
May 11, 2025Tina has a plethora of knowledge that she willingly shares with everyone. She is also a very passionate person which makes the tour even more enjoyable.
shokhi shah
May 11, 2025Tina is the best! She has a really broad knowledge on art, history and the society. It was great fun to walk around with her and explore the city. I can definitely recommend her tours - thank you very much!
Max Hofer
May 11, 2025We went on a tour with Tina in April 2025. Tina is an amazing guide who tailored the tour exactly to our wishes and interests. Tina knows everything there is to know about Berlin and has a great way of sharing fun and interesting stories. We totally recommend doing a tour with her, and we’re sure we’ll see her again in Berlin as we keep exploring and learning more about this amazing city. Thanks for everything, Tina!
Bjarki Már Baxter
May 11, 2025Tina led through a tour of Sachsenhausen concentration camp. Her ability to engage us was impressive and her knowledge of the history was amazing. She incorporated her own conviction (s) and they could be described as visceral in their delivery. A difficult place to visit but yet we can say, “Thanks a lot Tina!”
Gerald Kodde
March 11, 2025Tina was amazing! We toured Sachsenhausen concentration camp. She did a wonderful job of keeping us engaged and interested. She answered all our questions and had a lovely kind personality:) Thank you Tina!!
Salome Kodde
March 11, 2025AILIN GABRIELA GONZALES SAMAME
March 11, 2025Esther DeBoer
March 11, 2025 -
Our walking tour of Berlin with Tina was absolutely outstanding! From start to finish, she impressed us with her incredible depth of knowledge and engaging storytelling. Her ability to bring Berlin’s complex history to life made the tour both educational and deeply compelling. Tina has a wonderful style of presentation—clear, insightful, and full of fascinating details that made even the most well-known landmarks feel fresh and new. She has a real talent for weaving historical facts with personal anecdotes, making everything feel more relatable and vivid. It was evident that she is truly passionate about the city and its history, and that enthusiasm was contagious. Whether you’re a history buff or just curious about Berlin, this tour is an absolute must. We left with a much deeper appreciation of the city, thanks to Tina’s expertise and engaging approach. Highly recommended!
drdetim
March 8, 2025Our walking tour of Berlin with Tina was absolutely outstanding! From start to finish, she impressed us with her incredible depth of knowledge and engaging storytelling. Her ability to bring Berlin’s complex history to life made the tour both educational and deeply compelling. Tina has a wonderful style of presentation—clear, insightful, and full of fascinating details that made even the most well-known landmarks feel fresh and new. She has a real talent for weaving historical facts with personal anecdotes, making everything feel more relatable and vivid. It was evident that she is truly passionate about the city and its history, and that enthusiasm was contagious. Whether you’re a history buff or just curious about Berlin, this tour is an absolute must. We left with a much deeper appreciation of the city, thanks to Tina’s expertise and engaging approach. Highly recommended!
February 28, 2025Tina was the best tour guide ever! She show us so many interesting things and gave us a really unique insight into Berlin!
Niek Wiltjer
February 24, 2025Tina was a fantastic guide - both in leading us through some of the historical highlights of Berlin as well as taking us on a very meaningful visit to a concentration camp outside the city - Sachsenhausen. Her knowledge of her subject matter is broad and detailed, and her passion for history, culture, and human stories is palpable. She is smart, quick-witted, funny and personable - and was the perfect guide for my young adult children and me. Tina was truly one of the highlights of our trip to Germany. We highly recommend her services.
Terri Hawkes
February 3, 2025My wife and I spent 3 hours with Tina. It was a cold and rainy Berlin afternoon, but we really enjoyed the time. Tina is very professional and super well informed. On the rare occasions she didn’t know the answer to one of our many questions, she quickly looked up the correct response. Her enthusiasm for Berlin and its history was terrific. Highly recommend.
Matthew Carpenter
January 3, 2025Tina is not only an exceptional guide and street art aficionado - she is a wonderful person who went beyond the extra mile for our tour. Having asked for unique support as part of a wedding proposal, she designed a new tour and went far to the outskirts of Berlin to make our experience unique. We learned tons about street art, with breaks to enjoy coffee and street art-related shopping in key spots. Throughout all my interactions with her, she was incredibly respectful and warm, and it felt like gaining a friend more than a guide. She’s a rare gem - if you’re in doubt, just go for it.
Ida Svenonius
January 3, 2025Tina is an amazing tour guide! Very knowledgable and friendly while sprinkling in humor on our tour. She has a wealth of knowledge for the rest of your trip too. Highly recommend her!
Aaron Tang
January 3, 2025On our first full day in Berlin we went on a 3 hour tour with Tina. It was the perfect way to start our stay. Tina is funny, warm and engaging with a wealth of knowledge about Berlin's culture and history. I was travelling with my 17 and 19 year old daughters and they were completely engrossed in everything we saw and discussed. The 3 hours flew by and we were sad when it ended, however Tina also sent us tips for the rest of our stay and the sights we should defiantly see before we go. You can tell Tina has a deep love of Berlin and all it has to offer. If we are ever back, booking Tina will be the first thing I do.
Elizabeth
January 3, 2025 -
Tina led our group of 6 over 2 afternoons in Berlin. Her knowledge and enthusiasm were just what we needed on a rainy day in Berlin! She also took us out one evening to a district of Berlin that we would never have known about. We did a two hour "pub tour" followed by a meal at a authentic German restaurant. Nothing was a problem for her and her wealth of knowledge and information that she passes on is incredible We all had an amazing time with Tina and would not hesitate to recommend her ro anyone.
Lisa Calabria
January 3, 2025Tina was full of wonderful information and tailored our walking tour to what we wanted to see and do. If you want to see Berlin book a tour with Tina.
Maureen Read
December 3, 2024If you think a five-hour walking tour with a group of 20 people sounds like a nightmare, you’d be correct … unless Tina is leading the group. From the moment she started speaking, all of us were completely riveted. Her vast knowledge of the history of Berlin was not only impressive, but it was conveyed in a clear, humorous, and thoughtful way, with anecdotes that brought the history alive. If you have time for only one tour in Berlin, make sure Tina is leading it. (She also leads tours that are shorter than five hours.) It was definitely one of the highlights of my time in Berlin.
wromary
December 3, 2024Tina was a superb guide. She not only has an outstanding knowledge of history, but also an appreciation of the significance of that history to visitors like my wife and me. Tina is extremely personable, and it was fun spending four hours with her. She also knows about all there is to know about contemporary Berlin, so she can be your personal concierge if you are new to the city.
Jim Fiffer
November 3, 2024Tinas tours was amazing! We were with the Legendary Movie Orchestra from the Netherlands on tour in Berlin, and Tina sure made our trip unforgettable. Shes very knowledgeable and is an interesting and enthusiastic guide, answering all your questions. She shows you around all interesting spot without getting bored or tired 🙂 Would definately recommend this tour and even do it again when im back in Berlin. THANK YOU TINA!!
Chloe De Vries
November 3, 2024Highly recommend. Tina customized the itinerary to fit our interests and actively offered suggestions for sites of interest that had not occurred to us. Tina knows a lot of German history and stories, making the sites more interesting than reading a placard at the site or a website summary. Tina navigated the city with ease, and offered suggestions to us for meals and sites to consider for the rest of our time in Berlin. I’ve never booked a private tour like this before, I felt the price was worth it, and would consider doing similar in the future because of this positive experience..
Kim D
October 11, 2024Highly recommend. Tina customized the itinerary to fit our interests and actively offered suggestions for sites of interest that had not occurred to us. Tina knows a lot of German history and stories, making the sites more interesting than reading a placard at the site or a website summary. Tina navigated the city with ease, and offered suggestions to us for meals and sites to consider for the rest of our time in Berlin. I’ve never booked a private tour like this before, I felt the price was worth it, and would consider doing similar in the future because of this positive experience..
October 3, 2024One of the best walking tours I’ve been on! Let her take you around Berlin!!
Eshaan Gandhi
October 3, 2024
Who is Tina?
I am a storyteller, a passionate nerd for modern history, a psychology graduate, a curious observer and lover of mankind.
Born and raised in Queensland Australia, English is my native language. I have Italian family heritage, so my real name is Ernestina, after my great grandmother. I am proudly now also fluent in German, for my sins!
Growing up in a house where the walls were lined with history books and the corners crammed with boxes of newspapers, my parents ignited my fascination with modern history and what it can teach us about humanity.
I came to Berlin in 2017 for a 10 day nerdy history vacation of tours, museums and historical sites. I had not expected to encounter such a free, fierce, bold and unapologetic city. I made it home.
I've run an underground music venue, performed hula hoop dance at festivals and clubs and been both accepted and rejected by Berghain. Curious about what this is to do with history? This is why you need to tour with me.
I bring Berlin's history to life, make it accessible and help people to connect with it on an empathetic level. My passion for the city energises my tours. Passion is contagious - so prepare yourself to be captivated by Berlin.
I have been a member of the Berlin Guides Association (Bündnis Berliner Stadtführer) since 2021.
Personalised Tours
Whether you are a local wanting to better understand your home, a first-time visitor to Berlin or a business looking for an inspiring team-building event, Berlin has plenty to “wow” you.
Pick from one of my favourite topics listed below or let me design your own, personalised Berlin adventure.
I particularly love designing a “Best Day Ever”: a full-day Berlin adventure combining history, sightseeing, art, culture, food, drinks, people-watching and whatever else Berlin throws at us along the way!
Yes, I do accept multiple-day bookings.
Below are some of my favourite tours, which can be tailored to your likes and interests:
Berlin Highlights
Let’s do the “must sees”, but more importantly, let’s bring them to life with their incredible, fascinating and sometimes surprising stories.
Highlights include the Brandenburg Gate, Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe, site of Hitler’s bunker, the Berlin Wall, Checkpoint Charlie, Museum Island and many more. East Side Gallery tours also available.
Socialist East Germany and the Berlin Wall, the Cold War era
Up until 1990, much of Berlin stood in a completely different country: the socialist German Democratic Republic (GDR). What was life like in the GDR and what marks has it left on Berlin and the German people?
We will see some remnants of the Berlin Wall, check-out some communist art and architecture and visit some of the most important sites from the Cold War.
GDR tours could also include sights like the former Stasi headquarters, East Side Gallery, escape sites, memorials and former ghost tunnels.
Hitler's Berlin: The Nazi Years
Let's tour the scars of Adolf Hitler's "Third Reich", which reigned from 1933-1945. The Nazis built intimidating buildings, drew-up plans to develop Berlin into a megalomaniac global capital, purged art and literature which they deemed "degenerate", horribly persecuted and murdered people who they deemed "Ungerman" and dragged the globe into World War II. By the end of their 12 year dictatorship, the Nazis had devastated humanity and reduced Berlin to rubble.
Let's tour what's left of their architecture, envision how their planned capital would have looked, trace the stories of some of the top Nazis and also those of their victims. Sites might include former Nazi government buildings, exhibitions, the site of Hitler's Bunker, war damage (bullet holes etc), air raid bunkers, stumbling stones, sites of resistance acts, the Reichstag building, memorials to Nazis victims e.g. the Memorial to the Murdered Jews or Europe or Memorial to Homosexuals Persecuted under Nazism etc.
Counter-culture and street art
Street art, squats, alternative living projects, LGBTIQ culture, demonstrations, clubs, techno, punk… Berlin emerged from its oppressive history to value freedom and LIFE above all and to revel in both through art, parties and politics.
How did Berlin’s WWII bomb damage give birth to some of the world’s most famous (and notorious) street artists? How did the Berlin Wall lead to new styles of rock music and a wave of occupied houses? Why were artists like David Bowie and Nick Cave so inspired by this city? Why are Berlin locals locked in a fierce battle to remain masters over their own city and what does this have to do with an anarchist- queer- feminine housing project? How did the fall of the Berlin Wall transform the city into a “temple of techno”, why is it so hard to get into the city’s clubs and why are they so important to Berlin? What is Berghain and what does it take to get in?
Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp
The concentration camps of the Nazi era continue to appal and horrify the world. These were places of forced labour, medical abuse, torture and mass murder.
Many diverse people suffered in Sachsenhausen, from homosexuals to pacifists, priests to artists, journalists to Jews, resisters to ethnic minorities slandered as “gypsies”.
In this tour of Sachsenhausen’s former prisoner area, we will share some of their stories. We will build an image of life inside a concentration camp, explain how this hideous episode of history escalated and address Sachsenhausen's specific role in the Holocaust. A tour here is an emotionally challenging experience, but also extremely worthwhile.
Vintage/ Second Hand Shopping
Berlin has great second hand and vintage shopping scenes! I'm afraid that I'm absolutely useless where brands and fashion are concerned, but I know where to find the best deals and unique collections! For several years, I've been trying to only buy second hand textiles for environmental and human rights' reasons. Let me show you my favourite spots!
Local bar experience with Tina and an original Berliner
Let's show you some of Berlin's best bars!
My boyfriend is born and raised in Berlin and I think that I'm humbly able to finally call myself a Berlin expert. We love exploring the city's best nightlife spots and have a huge list of our favourites. We'll take you to a few of our favourite bars, varying from "hip" modern Berlin bars to old Berliner "Eck-Kneipe" (traditional pubs).
This is bookable privately and also occurs regularly in in small, open groups.
Modern Architecture East vs West
"Can you tell whether you are in East or West Berlin based on the buildings?" Is one of the most common question asked by guests. The answer is more complicated than you might think. There are some places in former East Berlin where the architecture is clearly socialist. Along the former Stalin Allee for example, you can trace the journey of socialist architecture from the unexpected classicism of Stalin's time to the later, prefabricated, concrete, high-rises. The socialists did not, however, have the monopoly on utilitarian, practical buildings. Many superstars of modern architecture in the capitalist world, such as Martin Gropius, Le Corbusier and Oscar Niemeyer left their mark on West Berlin with buildings that are often mistaken to be socialist because of their appearance. Let's trace the East vs West, socialist vs capitalist battle as it played out in the modern architecture of Berlin. Sites include the former Stalinallee and Hansaviertal or Kottbusser Tor.
Jewish Berlin
Let's trace the history of Berlin's modern Jewish community. We'll see some of the empty spaces where the Nazis successfully purged sites of Jewish life from Berlin's cityscape, but we'll also visit many survivors.
This tour is around Große Hamburger Straße in the Hackesher Markt area. Sites include the location of the first, "old" Synagogue of Berlin and the grand New Synagogue, the first Jewish cemetery of Berlin, and many memorials. We'll share the history of Berlin'd modern Jewish community and their experience during the devastating years of the Nazi's atrocious Third Reich.
I'll share with you stories of some Berliner Jews who did particularly amazing things in the city's history.
Bavarian Quarter
This tour is particularly good for someone who's visited Berlin many times and would like to go off-the-beaten-path to a neighbourhood that most people never see.
The Bavarian quarter in the Schöneberg district was home to many of Berlin's most famous residents, including Albert Einstein, the writer Alfred Kerr, the sportswoman Lilli Hennoch and the director Billy Walder.
The Bavarian Quarter had a significant Jewish population, meaning that it bore the brunt of the Nazi persecution particularly harshly. A clever art installation around the streets tells the story of the escalation of persecution.
This tour is a combination of elegant pre-war and less elegant modern architecture, Jewish history, Cold War intrigues and stories of celebrities from Berlin's.
The best day ever
Private tours are always tailored to your personal interests. Don't feel that you have to restrict yourself to only one of the topics above: we can mix and match and combine as many as we have time for!
Let’s spend a day or half-day exploring some of the best that Berlin has to offer for you personally.
We can balance sightseeing and history with gastronomy, people watching, art, architecture and whatever else interests you the most. Are you a coffee nerd? Wine lover? Graffiti addict? Let me know and I will tailor our day to your interests.
Want it on wheels?
Please let me know if you'd like me to organise a private vehicle and driver for our tour i.e. bus, minivan or car.
I do offer bicycle tours, but for groups of maximum 6 people, unless you're already confident riders in city traffic.
Dying to tour with Tina!?
Private tours range between 75€ and 120€ per hour (excluding 19% VAT). This is per tour and not per person. If this isn’t in your budget, then get in contact to ask about joining one of my regular, public tours.
Call/ Whatsapp/ SMS/ carrier pigeon me on +4915906391611, e-mail me at ernestina.searle@gmail.com or send me a message on Instagram or Facebook and I will get back to you.
Check-out Tina's Tours on Instagram
Extra Content?
Check-out my interview with Trip101 for tips on visiting Berlin. We discuss everything from how to best reach the city from the airport, to the importance of carrying cash when in Berlin, to tips on what to do in the city:
Podcast Episodes
I’m a regular guest at the Ministry of History podcast in episodes about Berlin. Listen online here:
Or watch us on Youtube:
Impressions
