Bursting with character and excitement, Berlin is one of the most popular destinations in Germany. While that may not have always been the case, modern Berlin is an international city that caters to all interests. Whether you’re looking for history, culture, nightlife, or an alternative side, Berlin has you covered. No wonder it’s widely considered one of the best places to visit in Europe.
So where do you start with a trip to Berlin? There’s so much to see in a city of this size and significance, but it’s certainly possible to get the full experience in three days. While it’s helpful to know the best things to do in Berlin, it’s even better to be prepared with a detailed Berlin itinerary. In our guide to this great German city, you’ll learn everything you need to know to have a truly memorable three days in Berlin.
Best Time to Visit Berlin
When you visit a destination as popular as Berlin, you should always be strategic with the timing. You certainly don’t want bad weather or huge crowds to ruin your trip. Visiting in the high season not only means more time waiting in line, but also higher prices for accommodation due to the increased demand.
July and August are far from ideal – not just because this is the high season, but also because of the heat and humidity. The other incredibly busy time in Berlin is late September through early October, when the city hosts its own Oktoberfest. You’ll find that the best time to visit Berlin is from mid-May to mid-June and the weeks on either side of Oktoberfest in September and October. As shoulder season, these times of year benefit from good weather and lower prices.
Winters in Berlin are chilly, but the local Christmas markets in December will make you want to brave the cold. The many Christmas markets around Berlin actually make it one of the best German cities to visit in winter. The rest of winter is the low season for Berlin, so this could also be a good time to visit if you don’t mind the cold.
How to Get Around Berlin
It’s hard to grasp just how massive Berlin is from looking at a map. If you always go from one part of the city to another on foot, you’ll spend more time walking than sightseeing. You’ll quickly find that public transport is your friend when visiting Berlin.
Between the U-Bahn metro, the S-Bahn rail, trams, and many bus routes, it’d be hard to find a spot in Berlin you can’t reach by public transport. These modes of transport all use the same tickets, which will be helpful as you switch between them to get to many places on this itinerary. The cheapest fare is a Kurzstrecke ticket, which allows you to go three stops and costs €1.70 (or $1.83). You can find more information on zones and fares here and a map of the U-Bahn and S-Bahn routes here.
Recommendation: To save time and money, purchase the Berlin WelcomeCard. This card allows you to travel for free with Berlin’s public transport (including to and from the airport) and gives you up to 50% off at more than 200 attractions. Worth every penny!
Berlin Brandenburg Airport (formerly Berlin Schönefeld) is currently the city’s only international airport, Berlin Tegel Airport having closed in 2020. If you fly here, the regional train (lines S9 and S45) or the Airport Express can get you into the city center for about €3.30.
Where to Stay in Berlin
Given how large and spread out the city is, figuring out where to stay in Berlin can be daunting for first-time visitors. Much like the attractions, accommodations are scattered all across this major European capital. Berlin attracts all types of tourists, so you’re bound to find somewhere that suits your travel style. While you might score discount rates if you book at the last minute, you’ll generally find better options if you book well in advance.
When it comes to the best places to stay in Berlin, the neighborhood you pick might be even more important than your hotel choice. Berlin is huge and incredibly varied, so you’ll see many accommodations that are over an hour’s walk from the city center. The comprehensive public transport helps a lot with this, but if you want to stay closer to the heart of the city, your best bet is the Mitte neighborhood, which is definitely the most central. Kreuzberg isn’t too far out either and is known for its nightlife, while Prenzlauer Berg and Friedrichshain are both considered cool and creative neighborhoods.
TTo treat yourself during your stay, consider the luxurious Regent by IHG. This five-star hotel in the Gendarmenmarkt square boasts classic, refined decor and huge rooms.
If balancing cost and comfort is important to you, look no further than the IntercityHotel Berlin Hauptbahnhof. With a clean and restrained design, this business-style hotel provides great public transport connections and even a complimentary transit card.
Berlin is a popular backpacker destination, thanks to budget options like the Grand Hostel Berlin Classic in Kreuzberg. This hostel not only has a great vibe but also offers clean rooms and great all-you-can-eat breakfast. For more budget accommodations, take a look at our guide to hostels in Berlin.
You can also find a ton of beautiful apartment rentals on Airbnb. For recommendations, check out our list of the best Berlin Airbnbs.
For more accommodation options in Berlin, check out Booking.com. This site consistently offers the best rates, and its customer service is on point.
The Perfect 3-Day Berlin Itinerary
Berlin being such a major city full of culture and character, you’ll have no problem finding things to do. The real challenge will be fitting everything into just 72 hours in Berlin. The good news is that you’re not alone in planning your trip! You have us to help you see the very best of Berlin.
This itinerary takes you all through the city, showing you many of its neighborhoods and its best attractions. You’ll spend a lot of time in Mitte, Berlin’s central district, but the sights are very spread out, so you’ll also venture into Tiergarten, Kreuzberg, Charlottenburg, and other areas.
However, before we get to our Berlin itinerary, we just wanted to remind you to purchase travel insurance. You never know what will happen and, trust us, you do not want to get stuck with thousands of dollars in medical bills. As a wise man once said, “If you can’t afford travel insurance, you can’t afford to travel.” So don’t leave home without it.
SafetyWing offers travel insurance for only about $10 a week, making it a no-brainer to get. You can get a quick, non-binding quote below:
SafetyWing is, of course, not the only option available. Two other popular alternatives are World Nomads and Heymondo.
With that important note covered, it’s time to look at all the fun things to see and do in this Berlin travel itinerary. Following our guide, you should have no worries about what to do in Berlin in three days.
Berlin Itinerary: Day 1
We’ll waste no time getting to some of the best places to visit in Berlin. To get your bearings, focus on the central district of Mitte for your first day.
Gendarmenmarkt
Start with one of Berlin’s grandest spots, the Gendarmenmarkt. This square in the heart of Berlin gives you a sense of how grand the city must have been in the 18th century. You’ll be surrounded by historic buildings, with the elegant Konzerthaus Berlin (the concert hall) taking pride of place in the middle.
On either side of the Konzerthaus, two mighty churches face each other – the French Cathedral of Friedrichstadt and the New Church, which locals often refer to as “the German Cathedral.” These names come from the native languages spoken by each church’s congregation, adding to the sense of rivalry between the two buildings. You can go inside both churches to enjoy the French Cathedral’s panoramic tower and the New Church’s informative displays on the German Parliament.
Checkpoint Charlie
Of course, Checkpoint Charlie is an essential stop for visitors to Berlin. This was one of the best-known border crossings between East and West Berlin, becoming a symbol of the divided city. Among plenty of other tourists taking photos, you can see a replica of the guardhouse and border crossing signs. On the nearest corner, you’ll find a small open-air display with information boards that take you through the history of Checkpoint Charlie and the Cold War.
Topography of Terror
Just a short walk from Checkpoint Charlie is another spot loaded with history, this time focused on the rise and actions of the Nazi Party in Germany – Topography of Terror. This museum has indoor and outdoor exhibitions on the former site of some of the Nazi regime’s most horrific institutions.
Outside, along a remaining section of the Berlin Wall, you’ll find the “Berlin 1933-1945: Between Propaganda and Terror” exhibition. The informative displays explore how the Nazis came to power and what Berlin was like during World War II. Indoor exhibits cover the institutions the Nazis used to terrorize German citizens, including the Gestapo and the SS. If you’d like to learn more about this dark period, this free museum is well worth your time.
Potsdamer Platz
To see how much Berlin has changed in a relatively short time, cross over to Potsdamer Platz. This square was once divided in two by the Berlin Wall, making it sort of no man’s land. The buildings here remained in the devastated state they were in after WWII for decades. That limbo is done, though: What was a wasteland just 30 years ago is now a thriving commercial area with modern buildings and shops.
Holocaust Memorial
Lingering in Berlin’s troubled past for a bit longer, we come to the most sobering sight in the city – the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe. Across this massive, gently sloping square, 2,711 concrete slabs symbolize the lives lost in the Holocaust. The sense of unease that the stark design evokes is intentional, serving as a powerful reminder of the victims.
Brandenburg Gate
Just up the road from the memorial is one of Berlin’s most enduring monuments, the Brandenburg Gate. This distinguished landmark has been an icon of the city since its completion in 1791. King Frederick William II of Prussia had it built on the site of a former city gate and at one end of the grand Unter den Linden boulevard. Thanks to its impressive size and Neoclassical design, it’s not only a popular tourist attraction but also a European symbol of unity and peace.
Tiergarten
As you admire the Brandenburg Gate, you’ll notice the enormous park dominating its western side. This is the Tiergarten, which covers 210 hectares right on the edge of the city center. Used as hunting grounds in the 16th century, the Tiergarten is now a gorgeous park with trails leading between forests and grass clearings. This is a great place for a quick break from the bustling city.
Reichstag
Another famous landmark in this part of the city is the stately Reichstag. This vast neo-Renaissance building housed the nation’s parliament in the days of the German Empire. It caught fire in 1933, an event that Adolf Hitler used to further his political goals. Through the years of the Nazi regime and the Cold War, the building was simply left as it was after the fire.
With reunification, the Reichstag was reconstructed and the parliament brought back. With the work that finished in 1999, the building now has a large glass dome as part of its rooftop. You can actually walk up the dome to enjoy some superb city views. Just book your spot well in advance, as this free attraction is very popular.
Insider Tip: If you want to visit the Reichstag but can’t get a free slot for your travel dates, there’s another way! Käfer, the Reichstag’s rooftop restaurant, sells table reservations that not only include unlimited coffee and tea (and one cake or torte), but also allow you to tour the Reichstag. You can make table reservations here.
Berlin Itinerary: Day 2
We’ve barely scratched the surface after one day in Berlin! Today, we head to the far side of Mitte to see another piece of the German capital.
Spree Riverfront
The Spree – the river flowing through Berlin – is a constant presence in the city center. Make your way to the Ebert Bridge to appreciate one of the prettiest parts of Berlin. You’ll see the beautiful Bode Museum poised on a corner where the river splits, along with the TV Tower in the distance and trees lining the riverbank.
There are two main ways to enjoy the riverfront. You can simply walk along the banks, of course, taking in the sights at your own pace. Depending on which side of the river you walk along, you can check out the Antique and Book Market by the Bode Museum or unwind with locals at James Simon Park. Your other option is to board one of the frequent river cruises to see Berlin from a different perspective. You can buy tickets to the river cruise here.
Museum Island
Museum Island is arguably one of the densest collections of Berlin attractions. This complex in the northern section of Spree Island features five museums: the Old Museum, New Museum, Bode Museum, Old National Gallery, and Pergamon Museum. Even without the museums, the island is a nice place to explore. Between several of its major sites is the Lustgarten, a beautiful park with fountains and plenty of grass that quickly fills with people in good weather.
Recommendation: Depending on how many museums you plan to visit, it might be worth getting the Berlin Museum Pass. The pass grants free three-day entry to over 30 museums in the city, making it a must for museum buffs.
Pergamon Museum
If you can’t choose between the Museum Island options, we recommend starting with the Pergamon Museum. This in-depth history museum has only a few specific exhibits, but when you see them, you’ll understand why it was created to be so selective. The biggest standout is the Pergamon Altar, a colossal section (33 meters high!) of the ancient Greek acropolis from Pergamon, Turkey.
Other highlights include the beautiful Ishtar Gate from ancient Babylon and the giant Market Gate of Miletus, also out of Turkey. With the displays of various other artifacts from ancient civilizations across Europe and the Middle East, you could easily spend much of your day here. You can buy skip-the-line tickets to the Pergamon Museum here.
Old National Gallery
If you’re in the mood for more amazing historical exhibits, check out the Neues Museum. But if you want to mix it up after exploring the Pergamon, the Alte Nationalgalerie (Old National Gallery) provides a nice change of pace. This eye-catching museum displays art from various periods, including the romanticism, impressionist, and early modernist eras. The exhibits include works from renowned artists such as Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Claude Monet, and Édouard Manet.
Berlin Cathedral
One last landmark to see on Museum Island is the mighty Berlin Cathedral, whose neo-Renaissance architecture makes quite a statement in the Lustgarten square. While different churches have been in this spot since the 15th century, the current Berlin Cathedral was finished in 1905. With a guided tour, you’ll see the church interior, the Hohenzollern family crypt where many royals have been laid to rest, and the panoramic terrace around the exterior of the cathedral’s large dome.
Hackescher Markt
Head over the river to see another part of Berlin and explore Hackescher Markt. While the name refers to the square here, a visit to Hackescher Markt is just as much about the surrounding streets. Offering a break from all the history you’ve absorbed so far, this area is known for its shopping boutiques, nightlife, and street art. The boutiques are particularly interesting, appealing to unusual tastes, but there’s something for everyone here.
TV Tower
This city may not have the most classic skyline, but one building that helps define it is the Berlin TV Tower (Berliner Fernsehturm). This tower just off of Alexanderplatz is the tallest in Germany, standing 368 meters high. Built in what was then East Germany, the tower is now one of the city’s most recognizable landmarks. In fact, you’ll never get lost if you keep an eye on the tower.
Just over 200 meters up the tower is a panoramic deck and revolving restaurant, which both let you see all of Berlin below. While it may not be cheap, you won’t get a more complete view of the city anywhere. Buy your ticket in advance to skip the lines.
Berlin Itinerary: Day 3
We still have plenty to do on your last day here. You’ll have to move around quite a bit, but that means seeing even more of Berlin.
Charlottenburg Palace
Visit the eastern end of the city to see one of its most stunning buildings, the Charlottenburg Palace. This castle and its neighborhood were built in the late 17th century and named posthumously for Prussia’s first queen consort, Sophia Charlotte of Hanover. As the city’s largest palace, Charlottenburg offers many sights to enjoy on a tour. Of its many beautiful rooms, two highlights are the Golden Gallery and Silver Vault.
After exploring inside, go outside to the park, where you can appreciate the palace’s Baroque architecture while strolling through the manicured gardens. The palace park is huge, featuring lawns, lakes, and interesting landmarks. Seek out the lovely Belvedere Tea House and the mausoleum for Queen Louise of Prussia.
Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church
On the far side of the Charlottenburg district is one of Berlin’s more curious buildings, the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church. Part Protestant church and part ruins, this striking sight is a relic of WWII’s impact on Berlin. The church was badly damaged by bombs in 1943, which left the spire and the base a fractured mess. Rather than being fully rebuilt, the ruins were incorporated into a new church, with the broken spire remaining as a memorial for peace.
German Historical Museum
While we’ve looked at several museums so far, none of them focused specifically on German history the way one of the city’s most important museums does. The German Historical Museum tells the country’s story, from the Stone Age to modern day. To fully appreciate the exhibits and artifacts on display, be sure to get an audio guide in English, as translated information signs are limited.
East Side Gallery
Visitors have an understandable interest in seeing the Berlin Wall, and one of the best places to see it is the East Side Gallery. Stretching for over a kilometer, this section of the Berlin Wall is covered in vividly creative murals that provide a snapshot of the period surrounding the fall of the wall. You may be most familiar with the mural of Leonid Brezhnev and Erich Honecker kissing, but you can see loads more street art here. There’s a reason this attraction is so popular, so don’t let the crowds put you off.
Recommendation: Berlin has some amazing street murals, so take a street art tour if you have time. You’ll also get to see city markets, cafe districts, artist quarters, multicultural neighborhoods, and much more on this artistic tour.
Kreuzberg
Rather than experiencing specific attractions, it’s sometimes nice to soak up the atmosphere of an entire district. Kreuzberg is a hip corner of Berlin with loads of character, making it a perfect place to wander around. Progressive and youthful, this neighborhood is known for its LGBTQ community and inclusive environment.
You won’t have to walk far to find street art and cafes here. If you’re feeling peckish, duck into Markthalle Neun, where you’ll have food options from all over the world.
Tempelhof Airport
No, it’s not time to head home just yet – besides, you won’t be taking any flights from this airport. The American military and commercial airlines used Berlin Tempelhof Airport to fly in and out of West Berlin during the Cold War. With East Germany surrounding the city, Tempelhof Airport was a lifeline for West Berlin in 1948-49. You can visit on a guided tour to learn its history and explore parts of this unused airport that visitors don’t normally get to see. This is easily one of the best tours in Berlin!
Before you know it, your time in Berlin is up. You can see an awful lot of Berlin in three days, though, with so much to see and do in this fun European city! Have more than 72 hours in Berlin? Consider venturing outside the city for a day. Here are some of the best day trips from Berlin to inspire you.
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I loved this! Berlin is one of my favorite cities :) I spent half a year living there and absolutely loved my time, so I could relate to everything on this list. Such a great list of things to do!