I thought about walking around Berlin and taking snapshots of graffiti art. I love street art. There’s many undiscovered works of art in the streets. Regardless of city, I’m always on the lookout for great graffiti art. However, on this particular tip, I stumbled upon a graffiti art tour. It’s free! The group calls themselves the Alternative Berlin Tours and they do more than just graffiti art. Unfortunately, I didn’t do the other amazing things they offer, like the graffiti workshop. Next time I’m in Berlin, I def want to make a masterpiece I can take home.

Alternative Berlin Tours meets everyday near the Starbucks

at AlexanderPlatz. They have multiple tours

a day. Check their website for times. To be honest, I thought I was going to have trouble finding their meeting point. I even thought I would be the only person attending. This is not the case. They’re very well-known.

I head over to Starbucks and wait. I’m early. As usual. The giant group gathers and we get an introduction to what the next few hours will be like. The tour lasts about three hours. Although, it sounds like a lot, it really wasn’t that bad. I didn’t feel like a trapped animal like I usually do when I go on a tour.

The First Part of the Alternative Berlin Tour

The first part of the tour is a walk through nearby areas covered in graffiti. I’ve previously discovered these areas. They’re great. However, the tour guide pointed out significant pieces of art that make a political statement. He also talked about certain artists that mainly draw one character throughout the city.

My favorite artist at this point is the guy who sneaks pictures of people dancing, makes them ginormous and plasters it all over the city with lots of glitter and confetti. In other words, one day you’re at a club, dancing like nobody’s watching, but someone is… Actually some unknown artist is taking your picture and using you as his next graffiti street art project. I think it’s brilliant.

He gives us the brilliant history of street art versus graffiti art around the globe and in Berlin. Afterwards we walk on over to Haus Schwarzenberg. Although Haus Schwarzenberg definitely deserves its own post, I’ve made a previous one of what to expect. It’s an amazing place for sure!

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Former West Berlin

After “ohhing and ahhing” at Haus Schwarzenberg we hit the metro and headed towards former West Berlin. I learned a lot. Mind you, I believe there’s tons to learn in Berlin, you may have to live here for a while before you learn it all.

The tour guide pointed out the major differences between former West Berlin versus former East Berlin. To my surprise the area formerly known as East Berlin is now more modern. It has lots of brand name stores and malls. As opposed to the area formerly known as West Berlin. This area is covered in graffiti. It has a Turkish population that rivals Turkey. They also keep corporations and brand name stores out. This part of Berlin thrives in its originality and ‘edginess.’

If you’re looking for a great educational vacation with many edgy punk bars and graffiti covered streets, you might want to stay in this area.

David Bowie and Equality for All

Alternative Berlin Tours took us to David Bowie and Iggy Pop’s neighborhood. They pointed us in the direction of their favorite bar. We saw a historical treehouse located in a weird gray zone between East and West Berlin.

One of the finer moments (in my opinion) is when Alternative Berlin Tours pointed out an old church that is now an artist commune. This commune is next to a homeless camp. Directly in front of these two is a playground with families and kids thriving and playing. Only in Berlin is everyone treated as equally as possible. The homeless are not shunned from society. They’re not considered a danger. They’re people who deserve respect. Their lives are valued.

In Berlin, the artists, the homeless, the families can be together without worry of clashing. The eccentric, the nudist, the gays can walk around without anyone being afraid of rape, or serial killers, or homophobes. I’m not saying Berlin is a utopia where nothing bad ever happens but I love that a place like this can show the world how it should be done. When I say a place like this, I mean a place that’s learned from its WWII mistakes. They thrive in their knowledge of what has been and take an approach of equality and freedom towards its future. I think the world can learn from Berlin.

Alternative Berlin Tours Ends With a YAAM!

Alternative Berlin Tours last stop is YAAM! YAAM stands for Youth African Art Market. This place is amazing!

It’s a beer garden of sorts. There’s an entrance fee, although with Alternative Berlin Tours our entrance was guaranteed free. This place is covered in street art and beautiful murals from young African refugees. YAAM also has some great African food for purchase. Apart from it all, it’s situated near the river. The back-end is a thriving bar that plays the best Reggae. The floor is covered in sand. It makes a great beach club for anyone looking for something different.

They have some areas to lounge and eat. There’s an African clothing store and there’s even a bar and food trucks!

I know I’m totally making love to this place but I seriously think it’s amazing. To make matters even better, YAAM helps African Refugees.

Don’t read the Google reviews. They’re filled with people bashing this place for becoming too commercial. What people should be doing is supporting this great organization for what it is… It’s great place to hang out and support.

The sad thing is YAAM is in danger of being dismantled. A developer next door just bought the rights to build a giant hotel. Guess what he doesn’t want his guests to see when they look out their window? A beach club with African Refugees.

I was only there for a bit. I wish I could have stayed long. However, I seriously hope this place is around for years to come.

Let Me Break It Down For You:

Alternative Tours is the organization

Their graffiti tour is free

They have other graffiti tours that are not free

They have nightlife/bar crawl tours (also not free)

The free tour is great, I recommend it

Check out their website for more info: http://alternativeberlin.com

For all things YAAM check out their website: https://www.yaam.de/