Exploring Berlin by bike is by far the best way to discover Germany’s vibrant capital. Berlin’s bike culture is a cornerstone of its identity, and cycling through Berlin is an immersive experience. Even if you are for just three days in Berlin, renting a bike will show you hidden city corners. After using a bike for several years in Berlin, I decided to share a Berlin-by-bike guide to help you see as much as possible during your stay.
Specifically, you will find a suggested bike itinerary in the following lines, including several points of interest in downtown Berlin. The itinerary is great for first-time and returning visitors to the city. Moreover, you’ll find a map with the bike route, and I’ll share some helpful tips for cycling in the city. Additionally, I’ll write about the best bike rentals in town and the top cycling tours you can book if you don’t feel like riding on your own.
So, let’s see how you can discover Berlin by bike and make the most of your stay.
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Berlin by bike: Suggested Itinerary
Although you can rent a bike in Berlin and pedal wherever the roads take you, having an itinerary will help you in sightseeing. I included loads of famous city locations in this cycling itinerary so you won’t miss any key attractions. You can easily conclude the route in one day, but if you feel like taking it easier or need more time for some attractions, you can split it into two or even three days. As a final note, I entered as a starting point the famous Alexanderplatz; apparently, you can start from any other point.
And here’s what to see while riding through downtown Berlin by bike.
Alexanderplatz
Home to the iconic TV Tower (Fernsehturm), the Red City Hall (Rotes Rathaus), and the World Clock, Alexanderplatz is among the city’s biggest squares. It doesn’t matter if it’s your first time in town or the tenth: the chances are that you’ll stop at least once at Alexanderplatz. The square is also one of the biggest transportation hubs in the city, and its proximity to places of interest makes it an ideal starting point.
Renting a bike at Alexanderplatz is easy, and as you’ll read later in the guide, it’s probably the best starting point for your bike tours.
Alexanderplatz tip
On a sunny day, don’t miss the opportunity to take the elevator to the top of the TV Tower. The city views are stunning, and you’ll get a good impression of how extended Berlin is. You can book a TV Tower ticket here.
Museum’s island
After leaving Alexanderplatz behind, follow the Karl Liebknecht Strasse toward the Berliner Dom, the city’s famous Cathedral. It will be on your right hand, and exactly opposite, you’ll see the newly built Humboldt Forum. History and art lovers will find paradise on the Museum Island (Museumsinsel). It consists of five museums and even if you aren’t interested in the arts, you should see at least the impressive buildings.
The Museum Island consists of five museums: the Altes Museum, the Neues Museum, the Alte Nationalgalerie, the Bode-Museum, and the Pergamonmuseum. In late 2019, the James Simon Gallery was added to the complex. You can easily spend a whole day on the location, but if you don’t have enough time, visit at least one of them for a glimpse into the city’s history and art tradition.
Museum’s island tip
If you plan to visit two or more museums, consider buying the Museum’s Island pass. It gives you free access to every collection in the complex for a day. You can purchase your Museum’s Island pass here.
The Brandenburg Gate
After visiting the Museum’s island, ride through Unten der Linden, the most famous boulevard of former East Berlin. After a few minutes, you will reach the Pariser Platz, the square where the Brandenburg Gate (Brandenburger Tor) stands. This neoclassical monument has been a city landmark since the 18th century. That’s actually the spot where Berliners celebrated the Fall of the Wall in 1989. Today, it’s one of the most-visited locations in town.
Straight after crossing the Gate, on your left hand, you’ll see the US Embassy. Straight next to it, you’ll find the impressive Holocaust Memorial commemorating the murdered Jews of Europe. After visiting it, return to the Brandenburg Gate to continue your itinerary.
Brandenburg Gate tip
If you have an interest in wax figures, shortly before the Brandenburg Gate, you’ll come across the Madame Tussauds Museum. The queues are usually long, even off-season, so if visiting it is a must, make sure to pre-book a ticket. You can buy your Madame Tussauds ticket here.
Reichstag & the Government Quarter
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With the Brandenburg Gate to your back, turn right toward the Reichstag -you can see it already on your right-hand side. Known for its glass dome, the Reichstag hosts the German Federal Parliament and is among the most well-known buildings of the German capital. The vast area next to it is nowadays home to various modern administrative buildings, and it’s called Regierungsviertel or Government Quarter.
For easy-going cycling, that’s a perfect spot for pedaling around stress-free, as there will be no cars around.
Reichstag tip
It’s possible to visit the glass dome of the Reichstag and enjoy panoramic city views. However, you should first enroll with the German authorities and pre-book a narrow time slot for your visit. You can book your Reichstag visit here.
The former West Berlin and the Zoo
After leaving the Reichstag building behind, it’s time to head toward the heart of former West Berlin. Take the Schneidemann Strasse and decide if you’d like to cycle through a park or a main street. For both options, you’ll have to turn left to Tiergarten, one of the biggest metropolitan parks in Europe. The bike lanes will take you all the way to the Berlin Zoo. On the other hand, if you’d rather cycle on the asphalt, the 17 Juni Strasse is a straight, long avenue that’ll bring you to the same location.
The area around the Berlin Zoo is home to famous art institutions, like the Museum for Photography and the c/o Berlin, but also next to the iconic Kurfürstendamm Avenue. Although Kurfürstendamm (or just Ku’damm) has no bike lanes, it’s a fun bike ride, so make sure to see part of it while riding.
As for its most famous landmark, that’s hands down the Gedächtniskirche, the renowned church that is left partly ruined on purpose, as a reminder of World War II.
Berlin Zoo tip
The Zoo of Berlin is one of the largest in Europe, and next to it, you’ll also find an Aquarium. It’s a nice spot to unwind and stroll around; you can book a ticket for the Zoo here.
Potsdamer Platz & Checkpoint Charlie
After getting a good impression of West Berlin’s historic center, it’s time to start cycling again. This time, follow the Tiergarten Strasse and head to Potsdamer Platz. That’s one of Berlin’s commercial centers and the neighborhood of skyscrapers. Don’t imagine anything like New York, but it’s a unique -even a tad faceless- city area. From there, continue to the iconic Checkpoint Charlie, the most famous border-crossing point during the Wall era.
Close to it, you’ll find the Topography of Terror and the Jewish Museum.
Checkpoint Charlie tip
Next to Checkpoint Charlie, you’ll see the Asisi Wall Panorama. That’s a 360-degree art installation created by artist Yadegar Asisi. It depicts an autumn day in West Berlin in the 1980s with a view of the barracks and fortifications of the Wall era. I wrote a separate post about it, and you can read more about the Asisi Wall Panorama here.
Kreuzberg and Neukölln
Berlin has twelve boroughs, and if you are searching for the famous alternative Berlin, it’s time to cycle towards Kreuzberg and Neukölln. It was Kreuzberg that once created Berlin’s identity as a hub for artists and alternative lifestyle -and nowadays, Neukölln is following its steps. The two neighborhoods lie next to each other, and cycling through them will expose you to Berlin’s easygoing rhythms.
The Oranienstrasse serves as an introduction to Kreuzberg, but all the side streets are full of cafes, bars, and creative shops. Ride across the Admiralbrücke and explore the smaller streets of Berlin. Keep in mind that the last stop of this bike tour itinerary is the East Side Gallery, so don’t drive too south!
Kreuzberg and Neukölln tip
Close to both neighborhoods, you can visit the former Tempelhof Airport. A civilian airport for decades, the so-called Tempelhofer Feld has been converted into the city’s biggest open space. You can cycle around the airport, picnic, and enjoy your free time. On a sunny day, everybody seems to have the same idea, so make sure to visit for a break.
The East Side Gallery
So, after exploring the alternative neighborhoods of Berlin, it’s time to head to the last stop of this Berlin bike tour. You’ll drive toward the famous East Side Gallery, the 1.3 km remaining part of the Berlin Wall covered with paintings by international artists. The East Side Gallery is a Berlin landmark and serves as a monument for peace. You can cycle across it, but I recommend locking your bike and strolling along the murals.
After spending time at the East Side Gallery, unlock your bike and drive to Alexanderplatz -or, of course, any other place you want.
East Side Gallery Extra
I’m fond of Polaroids and shot a film roll at East Side Gallery. If you want to see extra impressions from the location in analog format, see my Polaroids from East Side Gallery here.
Berlin by bike: A map for the itinerary
Here, you can find the map for this Berlin bike itinerary. The route described in the previous lines is 21 km long (13 miles) to some of the most iconic spots of Berlin. I suggest you discover the city at your own cycling rhythm and make frequent stops to rest and do sightseeing.
You can save the itinerary to your Google Maps account by clicking on the star and retrieve it anytime.
Organized bike tours in Berlin, Germany
Since the city is so popular for cyclists, it’s not a surprise that several companies offer guided bike tours in Berlin. That said, if cycling on your own is nothing for you, or if you feel like belonging to a group when riding a bike, there are several options for you.
Therefore, in this section of this Berlin by bike guide, I’ll share the best group tours for cyclists visiting Berlin. As you will see, there are plenty of tours to choose from, and they are thematically organized. Most tours start from as little as 32 euros per person, and, of course, the bike is included.
So, here are the top Berlin bike tours you can book right now.
The Sights and Highlights tour will take you to the most important locations in downtown Berlin, including Museum’s Island.
The Berlin Wall and Third Reich. As its name suggests, this Berlin bike tour will take you to historical locations of 20th-century Berlin.
“Top Secret” Berlin. This 17-kilometer bike ride will take you to lesser-known streets of Berlin, but some famous spots are also included.
Evening food tour. This is the priciest (89 euros) but also the longest tour on this list. You will ride a bike and drive to several eateries where you’ll taste delicious local food.
Where to rent a bike in Berlin
You have two bike rental options in Berlin: a shop or a bike-sharing app.
To put things into perspective, more than 70% of Berliners own a bike. As you can imagine, cycling is extremely popular, translating to hundreds of bike rentals spread around the city. If you are up for this option, search for a bike shop near your hotel (there will be plenty) and visit them to rent a bike. Prices vary and usually start from 20-30 euros per day. Have your passport or ID card with you. Alternatively, if you worry about not finding a bike, you can pre-book a bicycle here and pick it up when you arrive.
A bike-sharing app is the easiest way to rent a bike in Berlin. All you have to do is download an app, enter your personal and credit card (or PayPal) details, and search for a bicycle nearby. In this option, you’ll pay as you go, and most companies charge on a 15-minute basis. However, there’s always a threshold if you decide to keep the bike for a day: you won’t usually pay more than 15 euros per day, even if you keep the bike for 20 hours.
The company I prefer
I always use NextBike for renting bikes in Berlin and (mainly) abroad. Since I own a bike, I don’t usually need to rent one, but I have the NextBike app on my smartphone when I want to be spontaneous. With NextBike, you are charged 1 euro for every 15 minutes of riding. However, if you keep the bike for the whole day, you’ll be charged 15 euros. That’s extremely helpful if you want to stop several times (for a museum visit, a coffee, to rest).
Other companies
There are plenty of companies offering similar services in Berlin. Equally popular is the Donkey Republic and Tier, which specializes in e-bikes.
Berlin by bike: Tips for your cycling tours around the city
In this final section, I’ll add some useful tips for your bike tours in Berlin. Most of these tips are for your safety, but some of them will also inform you of what to expect when riding your bike in Berlin.
- Berlin has an extended network of bike lanes. Whenever it is available, drive to your lane and avoid being directly on the street.
- Drive on the right side of your lane. This allows faster cyclists (or those in a rush) to overtake.
- Respect the traffic lights. Berlin has dedicated traffic lights for the bikes. Always keep an eye on them because some are in big junctions.
- It is always advised to wear a helmet.
- Drive slowly. Cycling in a foreign city can be more challenging than riding in your hometown. Apart from that, a slower pace will allow you to see more things around you.
- Berlin is a flat but windy city. Therefore, cycling is pure joy. Be prepared for some wind, though.
- Raise your hand when you take a turn. Whenever you are ready to turn right or left, show it with your hand. Lift your hand if you plan to stop.
Berlin by bike: conclusion
Berlin is one of the most bike-friendly European cities. Its flat surface and the extended infrastructure make the city a paradise for cyclists. In addition, cycling is probably the most sustainable and eco-friendly way of transportation, and it lets you discover the city at your own pace.
As a cyclist, I always enjoyed riding a bike in Berlin -actually, much more than any other place. Combined with the wealth of sightseeing, a bicycle is actually the sweetest way to explore a city. So, rent a bike, follow this itinerary, and enjoy Berlin’s beauty and fresh air.
More about Berlin: Berlin facts, Berlinale guide, The Palace of Tears, Berlin Wall Memorial guide, Dennewitzstrasse 2
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Last Updated on October 7, 2023 by George Pavlopoulos