Private tour in Berlin Rafael K

Jewish Stories and Places in Berlin

5.0

(7) reviews

-
Hours icon 3 hours 30 minutes
Walking
Private tour for 1-5 people
Your party size

1

Tour date
View our cancellation policiesUpgrade for total flexibility with Any Reason Cancellation
Book with a depositSecure your tour today and pay your balance later
-
Hours icon 3 hours 30 minutes
Walking
Private tour for 1-5 people
Your party size

1

View our cancellation policiesUpgrade for total flexibility with Any Reason Cancellation
Book with a depositSecure your tour today and pay your balance later

Rafael K.

5.0

Guide rating

74

Reviews

Tours delivered

3 hrs

Avg. response time

Hello! Berlin is a physical space and a human artifact - nature and polis. Its present is shaped by its past, and its daily life stumbles upon history. Berlin is also my object of study. For my M.A. and PhD research, I investigated Berlin-related events and figures: from the rise of nationalism in the 19th century to the culmination of Nazi racism in the 20th; from the arrival of the first Jewish families in the 17th century to the assimilation of thousands of Jews into Germanness; from Heinrich Heine to Hannah Arendt; from Karl Marx to Karl Liebknecht. Berlin is also home for me. I’ve lived in Neukölln, Friedrichshain, Prenzlauer Berg, and Mitte. Its parks, streets, and memorials are sources of meaning and triggers of imagination. Born in Brazil, and having lived in Spain, I’ve chosen Berlin for these reasons. Here, I combine my academic formation - PhD (Philosophy), M.A. (Political Philosophy), and B.A. (Social Communications) - with my passion for a city of multiple faces and meanings. It oddly combines its Slavic, French, and Prussian heritage; the "Golden Twenties" and the tragic vibrancy of the Weimar years; the counter-cultural impulses from the 1960s to the 2000s; the Nazi destruction; the traces of the Cold War; and the lively, present contradictions of this reunified city. I invite you to think of and experience Berlin with me. Dr. in political philosophy - CAPES Fellowship M.A. in political philosophy - CAPES Fellowship Short-listed for a fellowship in European-Jewish studies Official guide at the Jewish Museum Berlin (JMB) I am not a driver, but I can arrange for a separate car and driver if the traveller wants it.

Have a question or want to customize this tour? Message Rafael K.

Overview of your Berlin tour

In this tour, you'll explore the topic I studied in my PhD: the history of modern Jews in Europe. As a Brazilian citizen with German and Jewish background, I invite you to walk and see how the Jewish experience became part of Berlin's identity: German Jews have risen to unimaginable peaks and fallen into a dark abyss. They lived in German territories as complete strangers inhabiting ghettos (before the 19th century), they became emancipated citizens and enjoyed social assimilation (19th century and early 20th), and finally, they faced an unprecedented form of persecution, attack, and destruction (after 1933). The history of Jews in modern Germany started with Moses Mendelssohn, the "German Socrates", admired by his peers and readers, and ended with the anonymous death of millions in centers of annihilation. How was it possible? We are going to explore this question (defined by Hannah Arendt as the "burden of our times"), walking and thinking in the historical district of Mitte

Recent Reviews

Jackie P.United States
May 2026

Rafael was so nice and so interesting. Constant flow of facts of what we were seeing in a relaxed, interesting way. We never felt rushed and Rafael was always happy to offer easy to follow stories with historical facts. Thoroughly enjoyed our time!!

Jennifer F.
April 2025

Rafael was a great tour guide. The tour was personalized to our interests and we were really able to cover a lot of ground and engage in interesting discussions about the pre and post-war history of Jews in Europe up to today. Highly recommend.

Joan G.United States
October 2024

We had such a great tour with Rafael. He is a true expert on this subject area, and provided rich historical — and philosophical — context to everything we saw. We learned a lot and found him super engaging (and helpful). Fantastic!

Andre U.Brazil
June 2023

Special tour about a very rich past. Rafael is very knowledgeable and showed us unique places in Berlin's Jewish history. A great learning.

Debbie L.United States
January 2022

Rafael was a very informative tour guide. He was able to tailor each stop to our needs and kept the tour at a good pace. He also provided recommendations for us to visit during our stay in Berlin that made our trip even more special. Bravo!

Your Berlin tour itinerary

- Alexanderplatz: the 50 families from Viena and the notion of the "protected" Jew - Moses Mendelssohn's House - the merging of Judaism and Enlightenment - Block of Women - resisting Nazi racial laws - Haus Schwarzenberg - doing right in dark times: the example of Otto Weidt - Moses Mendelssohn School - an education that goes beyond the "ghetto" - Old Jewish Cemetery - the destruction of life and death - Neue Synagogue - assimilation, integration, or difference? - The Room Left Behind - end and new beginnings of German-Jewish life; I am more than willing to customize this tour according to your preferences. Please contact me for a customized tour

Want to customize this tour?

Tell your guide which places matter to you, skip what doesn't, and tailor the experience for your group's needs. Not finding what you want? Message your guide to build something unique.

Transport details
Type: Walking

Walking tour. (subway, only if the traveller asks to be picked up in an alternative starting point)

What's included
Other: - coffee or water + snack
Private Guide
What's not included
Other: Personal expenses.
Meeting location

Berlin, Berlin, Germany

Airport: ,Cruise: ,ByGuide: Alexanderplatz, in front the Tk Maxx store, facing the entrance to the TV Tower

  • You can request a specific meeting location (for example, your hotel) during the checkout.
Other details
Tour categories
Off The Beaten Path
Religious Sites
Architecture
Tour reference number
536702
Languages
English
Portuguese
Spanish
Activity level
Light
Accessibility
Kid Friendly
Wheelchair Accessible

Traveller reviews

5.0

FAQs

Who is this private tour in Berlin best suited for?

This private tour in Berlin is ideal for travellers interested in Jewish history and culture, as well as those who want to explore the historical district of Mitte with a knowledgeable guide. It's perfect for anyone looking to understand how German-Jewish history is interwoven with the broader story of Germany and Europe. The tour is also suitable for families, seniors, and travellers with mobility concerns, as it is kid-friendly and wheelchair accessible.

What should I bring or wear?

Can this private tour in Berlin be customized to focus on what I want to see and skip places I've already visited?

How long is the tour, and can the start time or duration be adjusted?

Where does the tour start and end?

Is transportation included?

How much walking is involved, and is it suitable for kids, seniors, or travellers with mobility concerns?

What languages is this tour offered in?

What's included in this private tour, and what should I budget for separately?

Is this a private tour? What is the maximum group size and the starting price?

AI-generated. Please confirm details with your guide

-
Hours icon 3 hours 30 minutes
Walking
Private tour for 1-5 people
Your party size

1

Tour date
View our cancellation policiesUpgrade for total flexibility with Any Reason Cancellation
Book with a depositSecure your tour today and pay your balance later
-
Hours icon 3 hours 30 minutes
Walking
Private tour for 1-5 people
Your party size

1

Tour date
View our cancellation policiesUpgrade for total flexibility with Any Reason Cancellation
Book with a depositSecure your tour today and pay your balance later
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