A polestar of the art and design world, an art school trip to Berlin lets students explore everything from the architecture and sculpture of classical antiquity to futuristic multimedia installations.
Berlin - Art & Design School Trip
- 4 days
- +1 hrs (UTC)
- Germany
- Approx. 2hrs
- East Side Gallery
- Reichstag
- Artpark Tegel
- Berlin Museum Island
- TV Tower
- Khroma
For the latest travel advice, including passport and visa information, visit the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office website
Sample itinerary
This sample itinerary is offered as a guideline. The trip focus, length and itinerary/activities can be tailored to meet your learning objectives.
- Day
Day 1 - Fly to Berlin, Artpark Tegel, Museum Island, TV Tower
Arrive at Berlin airport and launch straight into your educational art and design trip with a coach to Artpark Tegel - Berlin’s tallest open air gallery with murals visible from a distance at 42 meters high. This urban art installation covers eight high rise buildings with the work of both Berlin- based and international street artists including “the London Police”, and “Australian Banksy” Fintan Magee.
Head to your accommodation and from here get ready to explore Berlin’s famous Museum Island. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Spreeinsel (Spree Island) hosts 5 world-famous museum buildings built by Prussian rulers and ideal for exploring architecture and design. Students can explore the area, taking in the Altes Museum (Old Museum) with its Greek, Etruscan and Roman art, Neues Museum (New Museum) dedicated to classical antiquities, the Alte Nationalgalerie (Old National Gallery) with its paintings and sculptures from Classicism, Romanticism and Impressionism, the Bode Museum with its unique sculpture collection, and the Pergamon Museum’s 360-degree panorama.
This evening, take in spectacular 360 degree panoramic views of Berlin from 203 metres high TV Tower. Students can see Berlin’s iconic landmarks including the Brandenburg gate, the Reichstag and Spreeinsel.
Day 2 - Walking tour, East Side Gallery, Holocaust Memorial
Begin today with a Berlin street art walking tour. A guide-led exploration of Berlin can take students through the ‘top 11 instagrammable murals’ of Berlin. The capital becomes an open air gallery as students are exposed to the variety and complexity of urban art across the city. Propagandistic socialist realism, murals and tags make up some of the art scene. Students can continue to explore further with a visit to The URBAN NATION Museum for Contemporary Art.
Grab a lunch in Alexanderplatz before heading off to explore the importance of the Berlin Wall. At the East Side Gallery, a 1.3km section of the wall has been transformed to include spectacles such as a Trabant appearing to burst through the wall by Birgit Kinder, and East German leader Erich Honecker kissing USSR’s Brezhnev in a “Fraternal Kiss”. This is the longest continuous section of the wall still standing and features the work of 118 artists from 21 countries in more than 100 paintings all exploring the impact of the political changes of 1989. From here quickly cross to Oberbaumbrücke, a former pedestrian border crossing that now connects two halves of the district Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg. While a popular site for taking photos, the bridge also features two giant hands playing rock-paper-scissors.
Finish at the Holocaust Memorial for poignant impact on the last legacy of WW2.
Day 3 - Reichstag, Khroma media arts centre
No trip to Berlin would be complete without a visit to the Reichstag. An architectural triumph, its transparent glass dome and roof terrace offer spectacular views of the Reichstag in action and the city itself. Consider how the city, once divided and silenced with restrictions on freedom of speech and expression, has flourished and rebounded artistically.
From here, spend an afternoon exploring contemporary art and design at Khroma, the new media arts centre. Khroma has 12 installations by 12 international new media artists, all interested in the interaction between art and visitors who invite you to “experience art physically and sensually.”
After an evening meal in your accommodation, continue the cinema experience with a visit to the IMAX.
Day 4 - Museum visit
Finish your Berlin visit with a museum that matches your learning objectives. This could include The Gemäldegalerie with its spectacular Renaissance paintings by Caravaggio and Rembrandt. Architecture lovers can see landmarks like Charlottenburg Palace and the Gendarmenmarkt for diverse styles of architecture. Or finish with a view to the future, travelling to the Hamburger Bahnhof. Once a railway terminus, today it is packed with contemporary art.
Travel home inspired after a brilliant trip to Berlin.
What’s included
Full TCBC support from the moment you book until you return home
Full itinerary flexibility to ensure the perfect tour for your students
We'll source the best available flights based on your school's location
You'll have all our necessary contact details to hand should the need arise
Knowledgeable TCBC guide ready to bring your walking tours to life
Detailed itinerary, with all entrance fees included, no hidden costs
Return flights, 1 piece of hold luggage per person, airport taxes and security charges and ATOL Protection Contribution
Airport transfers upon arrival and departure. We can also arrange your UK airport transfers if you wish
Experienced local TCBC guide in Berlin for your included walking tours
We'll include u-bahn tickets for the duration of your tour and use of a coach for 1 day
Hostel or hotel accommodation, with multi rooms for students and single rooms for teachers
Breakfasts and dinners daily at hostel, but we can arrange meals in local restaurants if preferred
Two guided walking tours, Reichstag, Sachsenhausen, Stasi Prison, Topography of Terror, Checkpoint Charlie, DDR museum, Berlin Wall memorial, TV Tower, Story of Berlin
There will be no hidden costs on tour, everything will be clearly explained before departure
24 hour emergency contact details of TCBC's office and your local guide's mobile number
The normal free staff place ratio is 1:10 but this is flexible and we'll work to whichever ratio you require
Please check at school to ensure you are covered by an adequate travel insurance policy which we will need to see a copy of. We can help you source cover if you need
We generally don't include lunches unless requested. We prefer to let the students explore the local options and choose for themselves
If you feel you have received excellent service, then our local guides and drivers will appreciate being tipped. Guidelines will be outlined in your quote
Event availability isn't usually known at the time of booking. We will inform you of options and ticket prices closer to departure
Accommodation
The hostels and hotels we use in Berlin are used to working with our school groups and meet our high standards
Hotel Citylight
A very popular option with our school groups, this superior two star hotel is situated in Berlin's Mitte district and enjoys a great location, just 3 minutes walk from the Gesundbrunnen U-Bahn station and shopping centre. In just a few short stops you can be in Alexanderplatz, at the Berlin Wall Memorial or Brandenburg Gate.
All 90 rooms are modern and comfortable, equipped with a TV, telephone, safe and hairdryers. There is free wifi throughout. The Citylight has a good breakfast selection to start the day and boasts a decent size leisure area to help keep your students occupied, including a pool table, darts and table football.
aletto Kudamm
The Aletto Kudamm is centrally located, on the doorstep of Zoo Station U-bahn, so getting around is very convenient. Housed in a 6 storey building, the multi bed rooms are modern, comfortable and well designed, giving the impression more of a hotel than a hostel.
On ground level, the spacious public areas indoor and outdoor are pleasant with a wide range of entertainment options. There is a football pitch, a basketball court, table tennis tables and even a boules court. Indoor, there is a billiard table and table football. There is also a private room which you can hire to show films or host quizzes.
Breakfasts and dinners are served daily in the canteen and there are always a couple of options to choose from to suit all tastes and dietary requirements.
Singer109
Located in a pleasant area, just a couple of U-bahn stops away from Alexanderplatz, the Singer109 is a very good quality hostel. The inner atrium is impressive and gives a unique ambience - orange brick, bright and very contemporary.
The rooms are spacious, clean and functional. You'll find free wifi throughout and there's a great communal area for students to spend time which includes a pool table, darts, foosball and video games. The buffet style breakfasts and dinners are exceptional and offer something to suit everyone's tastes.
Schulz Hotel Berliner Mauer
Schulz Hotel is located between the Spree and the Berlin Wall, where history and culture meet. Leisure and business travelers, groups and families from all over the world and all age groups come together here.
Schulz combines the best of hotel, apartment and hostel in one and thus creates a special place where cosmopolitanism, diversity, social commitment and sustainability can be lived together.
There is something for every guest: a pleasant atmosphere, quick connections: on foot, by bike or public transport to the special places in the city, fair prices, cozy guest rooms.
Reasons to travel with us
We honestly believe we are the best in what we do. We'd love the opportunity to show you.
Safety & reliability
The safety of all our travellers is our number 1 priority. We have a robust Safety Management System in place to ensure that our tours are run to the high levels you expect.
Experience & expertise
We have years of experience in planning school tours. Our expertise lies in our organisational skills, attention to detail and an understanding of what you need to make your trip a success.
TCBC local guides
Our guides are our greatest assets and consistently lauded. Highly experienced, knowledgeable and trustworthy, most are hand-picked and have worked with us for years.
Complete peace of mind
Our accreditations (ATOL, ABTA, STF, LOtC) provide you with the reliability, assurance and financial security expected from a specialist tour operator.
Customer
service
Our dedicated team is on hand to offer help and advice at every stage. We are positive you will be impressed with the high level of service you receive from us.
Flexibility & customisation
We customise every trip to suit your needs and offer maximum flexibility in planning your itinerary. We won’t rest until we get it right!
The personal touch
Getting to know our clients is very important to us. It’s very likely therefore that you’ll meet one or several of us at some point, either at school before departure or on the tour itself.
Total transparency
We include as much as possible in our quotes and are very transparent about what is and what is not included. There will be no hidden or surprise costs.
Pre-departure support
We understand how much work goes into planning a school trip. You will be dealing with the same people throughout the pre-departure process allowing us to respond quickly and accurately.
Repeat business
99.9% of teachers are so happy with our tours and our service that there is no need to travel with anyone else. We are confident you will feel the same way.
The tour exceeded my expectations. The guides were outstanding, very knowledgeable, and personable. The tour was very well organised, excellent communication with TCBC and good range of activities.