Enrichment school trips to Berlin

One of Berlin’s most iconic sites, the Brandenburg Gate is a neoclassical monument built during the 18th century which holds a wealth of history as a site for major historical events. Now considered as a symbol of unity and peace, the gate is an essential stop on any tour of Berlin – offering an excellent opportunity for students to contemplate the country’s tumultuous history within Europe.

One of the most frequently visited sights in Berlin, the Reichstag is the current home of the German parliament and a global symbol of democracy. An excellent excursion for students to learn about German politics both present and past, the Reichstag also houses a walkway inside its glass dome, which spirals to the top of the Reichstag and boasts spectacular panoramic views of Berlin.

Students can learn all about life in East Germany at this fascinating museum, which encompasses everything from the Berlin Wall and the Stasi to the Cold War. School groups are encouraged to touch, feel and interact with the museum’s interactive features, which we’ve seen boost their understanding of the DDR.

Located in the city’s Museum Island in Berlin’s historic centre, the Pergamon Museum is a listed building that’s famous for the incredible Pergamon Altar, which dates back to the 2nd Century BC. Elsewhere in the museum, students can also find other well-preserved sites from around the world such as the Market Gate of Miletus and the Ishtar Gate – the most impressive of the hundred gates into the ancient city of Babylon.

At the Ritter Sport flagship store, your school group can explore almost 1,000 square metres of chocolate – an opportunity we know they’ll love. As well as the shop’s three floors, where students can view and purchase goods from the German brand, there’s also space for your group to get creative, combine their own flavours and learn about authentic chocolate making.

Once a border dividing the city in two, the remains of the Berlin Wall are now a symbol of peace and remembrance. At the memorial and documentation centre, let your students uncover the story behind the construction of the wall in 1961 during the Cold War era, and the events that led to its fall in 1991.

Students can practise their language skills with a visit to Hackescher Markt, which is held every Thursday and Saturday in the Mitte neighbourhood. With several good restaurants and cafes located nearby, it’s also an excellent area to rest for a bite to eat, while surveying the Art Nouveau architectural features of the courtyards in the adjacent Hackescher Höfe.

Feared throughout Germany for the psychological and physical torture that occurred here, Stasi Prison gained a notorious reputation during the DDR era in East Berlin. Students can learn about Berlin’s dark past as they explore this memorial museum, uncovering tales of the political prisoners that were held here from 1951 to 1989.

Treat your group to a couple of hours on Berlin’s most famous and elegant shopping boulevard, where students can search for souvenirs, explore fashion trends and people-watch in cafes. Marked by KaDeWe department store on its eastern end, and luxury boutiques throughout, the street comprises almost five kilometres of retail paradise – the perfect winding-down activity for students after a day of learning.

Kaufhaus des Westens (Department Store of the West), or KaDeWe, is an excellent option for some retail therapy during your school trip to Berlin, featuring eight floors of merchandise to appeal to every shopping need. The second largest department store in Europe, the retail giant attracts 40,000 to 50,000 visitors daily, and is easily found on the famous shopping street of Tauentzienstraße.

We can’t wait to show you Berlin from the top of the city’s TV Tower, which soars 368 metres above ground level to show you unparalleled views of Germany’s capital. Built during the DDR era, the TV Tower is also an excellent place to teach students about the reunification of the city after the fall of the Berlin Wall – the tower undergoing a significant symbolic transformation to reflect this change.

After the fall of the Berlin Wall, over 100 artists from 21 countries gathered to paint a series of murals on the remains of the wall – depicting former times of pain, struggle and restriction. A popular excursion for history and art students, we’ve seen students inspired as they walk along the East Side Gallery – the longest open-air gallery in the world.

One of the most famous Olympic stadiums in the world, we consider a visit to this former Olympic park a must when learning about the history of Berlin. Here, students can learn about the 1936 Summer Olympics and how the Nazis used the event as a propaganda tool, and also discover how it was used during the FIFA World Cup in 2006.

Located close to Checkpoint Charlie, on the former site of the headquarters of the Gestapo, Topography of Terror is an outdoor history museum that documents the crimes and persecution committed by the Third Reich between 1933 and 1945. With numerous documents, photographs and other material evidence of the terror and crimes that occurred here, we’ve seen school groups stunned by the museum’s permanent exhibition.

Fly through Berlin on a journey that spans nine centuries with the Odyssey VR experience. Taking place in the Berlin TV Tower, this interactive virtual reality headset will show your students how the city has changed from a small settlement to the city that it is today.