Berliner Unterwelten

Beneath the streets of Berlin lies a hidden world of bunkers, tunnels, and subterranean infrastructure that played a crucial role during the Cold War. The Berliner Unterwelten (Berlin Underworlds) association offers guided tours through these underground spaces, including routes that follow the paths of famous escape tunnels dug under the Wall.

Founded in 1997, the Berliner Unterwelten e.V. has become one of Berlin’s most popular tourist attractions. The association has documented over 75 known escape tunnels that were constructed between 1961 and 1989, many of them in the area around Bernauer Straße where the narrow death strip and accessible basements made tunnelling feasible.

The most popular tour for Berlin Wall history is Tour M – “Under the Berlin Wall.” This tour takes visitors through actual tunnel remnants and underground passages near Bernauer Straße, explaining how escape helpers (Fluchthelfer) dug tunnels in secret, often working for months in dangerous conditions. The tour covers the stories of Tunnel 29, Tunnel 57, and other famous escape routes.

Other tours explore World War II air-raid bunkers that later became part of the border infrastructure, and Cold War-era shelters built to protect the population in case of nuclear attack.

Tours depart from the meeting point at Brunnenstraße 105, directly above the Gesundbrunnen S-Bahn and U-Bahn station. Advance booking is strongly recommended, especially during the summer months. Tours are available in both German and English.

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