Private tour in Berlin Matthew R

Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp Memorial - The Invention Of Hell Tour | 5 Hours - Day Trip from Berlin

5.0

(3) reviews

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Hours icon 5 hours
Private transportation
Private tour for 1-6 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 5 hours
Private transportation
Private tour for 1-6 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

Matthew R.

5.0

Guide rating

83

Reviews

Tours delivered

3 hrs

Avg. response time

A chance encounter with a Cold War spy in Berlin led me to stumble into tour guiding 19 years ago after moving to the German capital as an aspiring writer from my native England. Assured that not only did I. . . "know a lot about German history" but also. . . "didn't mind embarassing myself in front of large groups of people" - the basic requirements for a Berlin tour guide at the time - I was hired by a local tour company and began what has since turned into my passion and profession. Over the years I have introduced thousands of visitors to Berlin: from independent travellers, families, companies and schools - to Holocaust survivors rediscovering the streets they once called home and the relatives of Nazi perpetrators seeking answers to the crimes within their families. Although due to my professional background I specialise in Berlin's 'heavy history' of the 20th century (the era of Adolf Hitler's so-called 'Third Reich' and 'Cold War' period), I also understand it would be impossible to understand the big picture when it comes to Berlin without the context of previous chapters in say Prussian and early medieval history - and the city's more uplifting contemporary realities. Adding context to Berlin's history is, for me, one of the most rewarding aspects of being a tour guide. As such, although I do offer historical experiences of Berlin exploring the distinct periods in the city's past, I always tailor my tours to my clients wishes, expectations, and previous knowledge. Of course, we can visit the major places in the city - the Brandenburg Gate, the Berlin Wall, Checkpoint Charlie etc - but the quirky, comical, and often secret details are what many people will remember beyond these sights. As Berlin is a city that is more than the simple sum of its landmarks, and is best experienced that way. There is something for everyone here; and the stories of this city echo across the world. Come explore and find your Berlin. 20 years experience (Berlin guide since 2005) President Emeritus - Berlin Guides Association (BBS) 2018-2020 Rick Steves Partner Guide 2023-25 Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp Memorial License Former East German Secret Police Headquarters - Stasi Museum Historical Consultant BA Journalism (Hons) First Aid Certified I am not a driver, but can arrange for a vehicle and driver at an additional cost - upon request.

Have a question or want to customize this tour? Message Matthew R.

Overview of your Berlin tour

Despite the passage of time, the Tower A entrance to the Sachsenhausen Camp Memorial - emblazoned with its infamous "Arbeit Macht Frei" lettering - still stands as a threshold to another domain. Missing are the sights, sounds, and smells of casual brutality. Instead of the cramped suffocating architecture of totalitarianism, a vast open field graced with rows of stone markers - where barracks houses once stood - exists in its place. Constructed by the Nazis, inherited by the Soviet authorities, and transformed into a memorial by the East German government - Sachsenhausen now is a place to pay respects, to reflect, and to bear witness. To observe the preservation of memory as a vital tool against the tyranny of forgetting. On this five-hour tour, we will leave Berlin to explore the Sachsenhausen Camp Memorial, its history and its significance. Experience one of the most notorious locations from the Third Reich period.

Recent Reviews

Malin F.Sweden
December 2022

Matt was a very professional but at the same time personal guide. He was interested in sharing his knowledge and he did it in an interesting way. Thank you again Matt!

Jackie H.United States
December 2022

Yet again, we had another fantastic tour with Matt!. High emotions, sorrow, but very informative! Seeing the camp up close was surreal for all of our group. We think everyone should experience this tour! Thank you Matt, we will have all these experiences too share and discuss with our families at home in Illinois. Hearing the story of his friend escaping from East Germany to the West was so interesting. Happy ending for the 4 of them!

James G.United States
November 2022

We would highly recommend this tour to anyone who wants to experience the Sachsenhausen concentration camp. Our guide Matthew was brilliant - super friendly, helpful, considerate and extremely knowledgeable. He had a special way that he presented this dark and heavy material that kept us engaged throughout the tour. We were able to learn and process everything in our own way and in our own time. Thank you again Matthew we wouldn't have wanted anybody else to show us around!

Your Berlin tour itinerary

This five-hour Sachsenhausen private tour starts in Berlin, before heading north (45-minute drive) Sites: - The Tower A Entrance - The New Museum (constructed by the East German government) - The 'Green Monster' canteen building used by the SS - The infamous "Arbeit Macht Frei" gate - The Appelplatz roll call area - The Jewish barracks - The special SS/Gestapo prison - The isolation barracks - The former kitchen barrack - The execution yard - The industrial yard/foundations of Station Z execution facility - The site of the Sachsenhausen gas chamber - The crematorium site - The remains of the Soviet-era NKVD/KGB camp - The pathology building - The hospital building - The site of the camp brothel - The international memorials & graves I am more than willing to customize this tour according to your preferences, please contact me.

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: Private Transportation / Category: Van

The tour will be both with private transportation and on foot (as we exit the vehicle to explore some of the sites). I only use German vehicles (unless specified) such as Mercedes Benz Vito/Viano and Volkswagen Caravelle through reputable professional private transportation companies - with separate chauffeur included. All vehicles are air-conditioned and can hold 6 people.

What's included
Private Guide
Private Transportation
Tickets: Entrance to the Sachsenhausen Memorial
What's not included
Other: Personal expenses.
Food Drinks Snacks
Meeting location

Berlin, Berlin, Germany

Airport: ,Cruise: ,ByGuide:

  • You can request a specific meeting location (for example, your hotel) during the checkout.
Other details
Tour categories
History
City Highlights
Architecture
Religious Sites
Tour reference number
556118
Languages
German
English
Activity level
Minimal
Accessibility
Kid Friendly
Wheelchair Accessible

Traveller reviews

5.0

FAQs

Who is this private tour in Berlin best suited for?

This private tour is ideal for history enthusiasts and those interested in World War II and Holocaust history. It's also suitable for families and travellers with mobility needs, as it is both kid-friendly and wheelchair accessible. With Matthew R. as your guide, you'll gain deep insights into the historical significance of Sachsenhausen.

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?

AI-generated. Please confirm details with your guide

-
Hours icon 5 hours
Private transportation
Private tour for 1-6 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 5 hours
Private transportation
Private tour for 1-6 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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