History Trip to Berlin (Cold War)

About this trip

Steeped with historical significance, Berlin is a superb choice to aid students’ historical understanding. Visits to the memorials and museums of Berlin will be sure to give the students memorable and moving experiences that they will bring back with them, and reflect in their continuing studies.

Sample Itinerary

Day 1 Find out more

Arrival day

Day 2 Find out more

Cold War Walking Tour
Checkpoint Charlie Museum
DDR Museum

Day 3 Find out more

Stasi Museum
Hohenschonhausen Memorial

Day 4 Find out more

East Side Gallery
Travel home
The Wall Museum (alternative)
German Spy Museum (alternative)

Day 5 Find out more

Day 6 Find out more

Day 7 Find out more

Day 8 Find out more

Excursion Ideas

Brandenburg Gate Find out more

Brandenburg Gate

Subject Range: Cultural, History, Art & Design

What you’ll experience: The only remaining city gate of Berlin, it formerly represented the separation of the city between East and West. Since the Wall came down in 1989, the Brandenburg Gate has come to symbolise German unity.

Select Says: The gate is made of sandstone and is one of the finest examples of German classicism.

Topography of Terror Find out more

Topography of Terror

Subject Range: History

What you’ll experience: This is an exhibition centre on the site where, between 1933 and 1945, the centres of national-socialist terror, namely the Gestapo, the SS headquarters, the SS Security Service (SD) and the Reichssicherheitshauptamt (Main Office for State Security), were located.

Select Says: Two tour types are possible – the main indoor exhibition and the open air historic site.

Jewish Museum Find out more

Jewish Museum

Subject Range: Art & Design, History

What you’ll experience: Permanent exhibitions at the museum are dedicated to the history and life of German Jews. A variety of artefacts from both past and more recent history can be viewed, and students will get a sense of how Jews in Germany have reacted to their history through art. In addition the interior features a windowless Holocaust Tower. It is possible for school groups to take themed tours.

Select Says: Outside there is a Garden of Exile, designed to reflect the isolation and disorientation of life in exile. Find out lots more about the Jewish Museum here.

Sachsenhausen Memorial and Museum Find out more

Sachsenhausen Memorial and Museum

Subject Range: History

What you’ll experience: Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp was one of the most notorious labour camps of the Nazi regime. It is located just north of Berlin and contains a museum, open air exhibition, Station Z memorial and a visitor’s information centre.

Select Says: Guided tours are available.

Holocaust Memorial Find out more

Holocaust Memorial

Subject Range: Art & Design, History

What you’ll experience: Situated just south of the Brandenburg Gate the evocative Holocaust Memorial, has 2711 grey concrete slabs, or stelae. They are identical in their horizontal dimensions, differing vertically from 8 eight inches to more than 15 feet tall.

Select Says: The information centre is at the site’s eastern edge and is divided into rooms dedicated to personal aspects of the tragedy, for example the letters thrown from the trains that transported people to the death camps.

The Reichstag Find out more

The Reichstag

Subject Range: Art & Design, History

What you’ll experience: The Reichstag is the most famous landmark in Berlin and seat of the German Parliament. Between 1994 and 1999 it was redesigned and expanded by the British architect Sir Norman Foster as a modern Parliament building while retaining its historical dimensions. Guided tours suitable for children are available on request. The glass dome has spectacular views of the parliamentary district and Berlin’s sights.

Select Says: The dome and the roof terrace are only open for registered visitors (minimum 2 days in advance).

Obozow Jenieckich Museum – Stalag Luft 3 Find out more

Obozow Jenieckich Museum – Stalag Luft 3

Subject Range: History

What you’ll experience: The site of the former POW camp is now the ‘Stalag Luft III Prisoner Camp Museum’. Famously known as the site where ‘The Great Escape’ happened back in 1944, a fictionalised version of the escape was depicted in the film The Great Escape (1963), which was based on a book by former prisoner Paul Brickhill. The camp was liberated by Soviet forces in January 1945. Please note, Museum is located approx. 2.5 hours drive from Berlin.

Stasi Museum Find out more

Stasi Museum

Subject Range: History

What you’ll experience: In former East Berlin, set in a preserved building, this museum offers an insight into the reality of East Germany before the events of 1989. Guided tour.

Hohenschonhausen Memorial Find out more

Hohenschonhausen Memorial

Subject Range: History

What you’ll experience: Set in a former prison in East Berlin, groups will be shown the reality of repression during the Cold War and the fate of thousands who faced political persecution. Information: Transport required.

Deutschland Museum Find out more

Deutschland Museum

Subject Range: History, Cultural

What you’ll experience: An interactive, ‘4D’ attraction aiming to give an insight into German history and culture. Cover 2000 years in one hour – 12 rooms recreate many eras of history using sounds, smells and interactive exhibits! Combine with the German Spy Museum.

The Wall Museum at East Side Gallery Find out more

The Wall Museum at East Side Gallery

Subject Range: Cultural, History

What you’ll experience: Learn about the eventful history of Germany, the GDR and the Cold War through this new multimedia exhibit across 13 rooms, including original exhibits and contributions by famous personalities. 100 screens, films and projectors bring the experience to life for the visitor.

German Spy Museum Find out more

German Spy Museum

Subject Range: History, Cultural

What you’ll experience: The German Spy Museum Berlin gives visitors an insight into the underworld of the spy using interactive multimedia. Time travel, crack codes and navigate the laser maze while learning about German history and how it has evolved. Combine with the Deutschland Museum.

Accommodation Options

A&O Berlin Mitte Find out more

A&O Berlin Mitte

Our Rating:

Capacity: 1600

Location: Berlin

What you’ll experience: Located centrally in the Mitte district of Berlin, a great base from which to discover the city! Rooms: All rooms have en-suite facilities. Facilities: Buffet breakfast, lounge area, Internet access, games room.

A&O Friedrichshain Find out more

A&O Friedrichshain

Our Rating:

Capacity: 851

Location: Berlin

What you’ll experience: Situated in Friedrichshain on the edge of the city centre, and close to public transport links. Rooms: All rooms have en-suite facilities. Facilities: Buffet breakfast, lounge area, Internet access, games room.

Acama Kreuzberg Youth Hotel Find out more

Acama Kreuzberg Youth Hotel

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Our Rating:

Capacity: 599

Location: Berlin

What you’ll experience: Located in the popular Kreuzberg District, this youth hotel is 4km from both Alexanderplatz central square and the Berlin Zoological Garden. Rooms: All rooms have en-suite facilities. Facilities: Restaurant, communal areas, 24 hour reception, Wi-Fi.

aletto Hotel Kudamm Find out more

aletto Hotel Kudamm

Our Rating:

Capacity: 850

Location: Berlin

What you’ll experience: Located a 2 minute walk from Berlin Zoological Garden, and 4km from the Brandenburg Gate. This contemporary hotel has great facilities and is well recommended. Rooms: All rooms have en-suite facilities and Wi-Fi. Facilities: Restaurant, communal areas, rooftop terrace, 24 hour reception.

Hotel Transit Loft Find out more

Hotel Transit Loft

Our Rating:

Capacity: 313

Location: Prenzlauer Berg, Berlin

What you’ll experience: The Transit Loft is a modern hotel situated in a converted old factory building in the Prenzlauer Berg area of Berlin, just a few minutes away from Alexanderplatz, Hackescher Markt, the Museums Island and Kollwitzplatz. This hotel offers bright, friendly and functionally furnished accommodation for your school trip to Berlin. Rooms: Multi-bedded with en-suite bathrooms. Facilities: Buffet breakfast, Wi-Fi, 24 hour reception.

Meininger Hotel Berlin Mitte Humboldthaus Find out more

Meininger Hotel Berlin Mitte Humboldthaus

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Our Rating:

Capacity: 242

Location: Berlin City Centre

What you’ll experience: This superb and modern accommodation in Berlin Mitte is on the doorstep of the main sightseeing hotspots. Hackescher Markt, the Museum Island, and Brandenburger Tor can all be reached by foot within a few minutes. Rooms: En-suite bathroom, Bed linen & towels, Heating, Toiletries & Lockers Facilities: Free WiFi

Steps Hotel Find out more

Steps Hotel

Our Rating:

Capacity: 96

Location: Berlin

What you’ll experience: In a convenient location in the district of Mitte in Berlin, situated in central yet quiet area. A 6 minute walk from Nauener Platz U-Bahn station, 3km from the Berlin Wall memorial and 5km from the Brandenburg Gate. Rooms: Mixture of shared facilities and en-suite. Facilities: Restaurant, free Wi-Fi, 24 hour reception, outdoor terrace area.

Accommodation 15 Find out more

Curriculum Links

KS4 (GCSE)
AQA: Conflict and Tension between East and West, 1945–1972
Edexcel: Superpower Relations and the Cold War, 1941–1991
OCR: The Cold War, 1945–1989

KS5 (A-Level)
AQA: The Cold War, 1945–1991
Edexcel: Superpower Relations and the Cold War, 1941–1991 / Germany and West Germany, 1918–1989
OCR: The Cold War in Europe, 1941–1995