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Modern Architecture Tour in Berlin & Switzerland

9 days2 cities
GermanySwitzerland2 countries
Tour rating: 4 / 5, Based on 41 Reviews
Private tour to Germany, Switzerland

Discover numerous architectural wonders in Germany and Switzerland as you explore the monumental heritage on an 8-day private tour curated by the founder of USModernist® George Smart. Make your way from Berlin to Zurich and experience the joy of traveling while marveling at some of the most picturesque cityscapes in Europe.

9 days2 cities
GermanySwitzerland2 countries
From
 $6,535 
Berlin, Germany
4
days
Germany

Berlin is both the capital and the largest city in Germany best known for its nightlife, street art, historical sights, tolerant and international inhabitants.

Day by day
Hotel
Day-by-day program
1
day
Arrival to Berlin

Welcome to Berlin, the capital and the biggest city in Germany! Upon arrival, you are transferred to your centrally located hotel for check-in.

The rest of the day is free, so you can relax in your room or start exploring the city on your own.

No meals included.

2
day
Berlin Top Architecture Sights

In the morning you meet your private guide in the hotel lobby and start a tour around famous architectural landmarks of the capital. To travel between the landmarks you take advantage of a 3-day pass for Berlin public transport.

Your first stop is the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church (Gedächtniskirche). Continue to Haus der Kulturen der Welt which hosts art events from all over the world, and historic sights of Reichstag and Brandenburg Gate. You then pay a visit to the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe, also known as the Holocaust Memorial.

Next, you see the building of Ottobock Science Center, with facade modeled on the structure of muscle fibers, and Potsdamer Platz Sony Center, a Sony-sponsored building complex designed by Helmut Jahn.

You also take a walk through the Daimler Quartier before finally returning to your hotel. You have the evening at leisure.

Breakfast is included.

3
day
Berlin Modern Architecture Tour

Following breakfast, you meet your private guide and start a 6-hour tour dedicated to the modern architecture of Berlin.

Today you explore the areas outside the city center. You see the building of Sauerbruch Hutton Architects and the spectacular Nhow Hotel remarkable for its huge cantilevered structure. Also, you visit the famous East-Side Gallery, once the Berlin Wall, it is now the longest open-air gallery in the world.

The next on your list are Oberbaum City skyscraper of 63 m (207 ft) height and Jewish Museum complex made up of the various buildings dating back to different periods. The tour finishes at the sauna complex Tempodrom & Liquidrom. Its futuristic building looks like something straight out of a science fiction novel.

After the tour, you return to your hotel and have the rest of the day at leisure.

Breakfast is included.

4
day
Exploring the Berlin Wall & Flight to Zurich

Today after breakfast you check out, leave your luggage at the hotel luggage room and together with your guide travel to the Berlin Wall - the famous separation line of the German capital. 

Berlin Wall Memorial was created in 1998 to commemorate the division of Berlin. During the tour, you explore the memorial grounds and an open-air exhibition, as well as have an inside visit to the documentation center*.

You continue with discovering the other famous sights located in Berlin Mitte District. Hacke's Market, Museum Island, the Humboldt Forum - a large-scale museum project, and boulevard Unter Den Linden named after lime trees.

Then you proceed to the German Historical Museum where you enjoy an inside visit to the fantastic exhibition hall of Ieoh Ming Pei. You see the Lafayette shopping mall and walk along Friedrichstrasse before you finally stop at Gendarmenmarkt. 

Please note: the documentation center is closed on Mondays.

Following the tour you return to your hotel, meet your driver and head for the airport.

Breakfast is included.

Your choice of hotels

We carefully select hotels to ensure your amazing stay. We will recommend the best available properties for your travel dates.

Cosmo Hotel Berlin Mitte, Berlin
Stay in the heart of Berlin at a stylish and modern hotel - Cosmo Hotel Berlin Mitte. The hotel is highly praised for the comfort of the beds, its location, and stylish decor. During your stay, make sure to take advantage of great on-site facilities like a fitness center, restaurant, and bar.
plane
Berlin
Zurich
1 hr 30 min

Hop on a flight taking you from Berlin to Zurich and enjoy a quick and comfortable journey to the upcoming adventures in your next European destination.

Zurich, Switzerland
5
days
Switzerland

Zurich is the largest city in Switzerland, wealthiest in Europe, with the best quality of life in the world. Its history goes back to its founding by the Romans in 15 BC and has a rich medieval background.

Day by day
Hotel
Day-by-day program
5
day
Zurich Modern Architecture Tour

In the morning you meet your guide and embark on a tour around the most interesting modern architecture landmarks. For your comfort, we have booked a day pass so that you can take full advantage of the Zurich transport system.

Today's tour does not only present you the most actual architectural activities in Zurich but invites you to experience the life of locals within the landscape of bricks, concrete and glass, monumental factories, railways, restaurants, and bars.

You start from Zurich West which is an impressive example of successful urban revitalization. Then you visit the Toni-Areal Light rail station and see the Löwenbräu-Areal which combines an old brewery with modern architecture.

Next, you explore Zurich North. MFO-Park, 'Mehr als Wohnen' neighborhood and Schule Leutschenbach are also on your list.

After a break for lunch, you proceed to Swarovski Headquarter overlooking Zurich Lake. On the way, you stop to view Flexhouse  - a 173 sq meter (1,862sq ft) house of the future, and Cocoon office building which forms an opening spiral.

Following the tour, you have the evening at leisure.

Breakfast is included.

6
day
Modern Architecture in Basel

In the morning you proceed to the train station to take a 1-hour train ride to Basel - the Swiss capital of art and culture.

Upon arrival, you meet your local guide and start a walking tour around the architectural gems of Basel. 

You walk to Basel Messe, an exhibition and trade center, and Roche Tower - 178 m (584 ft) skyscraper also known as "Building 1". You then reach Werkraum Warteck pp - an old brewery which reflects the industrial architectural style. Here you explore the eccentric outdoor staircase designed by Stefan Eisele and Fabian Nichele.

You also see Kunstmuseum Basel from the outside and explore the unique architecture of Dreispitz Area.

After the tour, you return to Zurich by train and have the evening at leisure.

Breakfast is included.

7
day
Walter Maria Cross Church in Chur

In the morning you proceed to the station and take a 1.5-hour train to Chur - a famous mountain city of Switzerland, and a surprising home to some of the very interesting modern architecture projects. 

Upon arrival, you meet your private guide and together you walk to the Holy Cross Church. Designed by Basel born Swiss architect Walter Förderer, the church is arguably one of the most futuristic religious buildings in the world. 

You then explore the building of Graubünden Art Museum located in an elegant 19th-century villa & modern annex.

During the tour, you also walk through the modern center, stroll along the narrow streets of the Old Town and admire the 800-year old Cathedral of the Assumption of Mary. Town Hall, St. Martin Kirche and Arcas Square are among the sights that you see today. 

After the tour, you return to Zurich by train and have the rest of the day at leisure.

Breakfast is included.

8
day
Exploring Lucerne Region & Lucerne Sightseeing

Following breakfast, you head to the railway station and take a train to Lucerne. In about 50 minutes you meet your guide at the station.

At first, you have a sightseeing walk through historical center of Lucerne. Then you are invited to take an unforgettable trip with your private guide who shows you the magnificent views of Mount Pilatus and the Lucerne region. The tour starts with a cruise across the Lake Lucerne to Alpnachstad. There you board the famous cogwheel train that takes you across the world's steepest railway passing through lush Alpine meadows, spectacular rocks and sparkling mountain streams to the top of Mt Pilatus, the altitude of which is 2,132 m (6,995 ft).

For the return journey, you ride a cable car to enjoy the fantastic scenery once again. As the last part of your magnificent tour, you take a 20-minute bus from Kriens to Lucerne. Tickets* for a public boat cruise, cogwheel train, cable car and bus are included.

After the tour, you take a train back to Zurich. The rest of the evening is free.

*Please note: boat and cogwheel train are available only from mid-May to September. The rest of the year they are replaced with cable car and bus.

Breakfast is included.

9
day
Departure from Zurich

This is the last day of your adventure! After breakfast, you check out from your hotel, and your driver transfers you to the airport for your flight back home. We wish you a safe flight and hope to work on your future trips!

Breakfast is included.

Your choice of hotels

We carefully select hotels to ensure your amazing stay. We will recommend the best available properties for your travel dates.

25hours Hotel Zurich West, Zurich

The unique hotel is settled within a walking distance from the Swiss Prime Tower and offers modern rooms. They are decorated in bright colors and feature contemporary design furniture. During your stay, you will have access to a great fitness center with a sauna.

What's included

  • Accommodation at remarkable hotels in Berlin and Zurich;
  • Breakfasts at the hotels;
  • Airport transfers and all transportation according to the itinerary;
  • Breathtaking sightseeing tours according to the itinerary with professional English-speaking guides;
  • 3-day pass for Berlin public transport and 1-day pass for Zurich;
  • Economy class flight from Berlin to Zurich;
  • Regular class return train rides Zurich - Basel, Zurich - Chur;
  • Entrance tickets to German Historical Museum,
  • Annual Mod Squad Membership, granting its holders invitations to dynamic social gatherings as well as the annual ModStruck Gala, reduced event admissions and special discounts on other Modernist tours.
  • All tourist fees & taxes, including tourist city taxes;
  • Support line during the trip.

Note: we include 1 vehicle for your arrival and departure transfers. If multiple vehicles are required additional transfer costs will apply.

Not included: international flights, multiple arrival/departure transfers, other meals not mentioned in the program, optional tours and services, all personal expenses.

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Tour Highlights

  • Berlin Top Architecture Sights
  • Berlin Modern Architecture Tour
  • Exploring Berlin Wall & Mitte District
  • Zurich Modern Architecture Tour
  • Day Trip to Basel & Modern Architecture Tour
  • Day Trip to Chur & Architecture Tour
  • Exploring Lucerne Region & Lucerne Sightseeing

What To Know

  • It's always best to bring some cash in local currency for your trip. You will need Euros for your time in Germany
  • You will be walking quite a bit during your sightseeing tours, so make sure to bring comfortable shoes

Please note: hotels availability is subject to change. In case current hotels are booked out we will provide alternative hotels of an equal value for you.