Berlin is a fascinating, world-class European capital city that sometimes gets overshadowed by its glitzier sister cites: Paris, London, and Rome. However, Berlin is a star city in its own right and should be on your travel bucket list. Berlin offers a combination of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, a unique convergence of World War 2 and Cold War historical events, world class museums, iconic monuments, beautiful green spaces, and blend of urban hi-tech meets gritty techo culture. This is a city that offers it all.
To fully experience Berlin, three days may not be enough time to discover all the gems this city has to offer, but with careful planning, three days will provide you with time to check off the quintessential “must see and do” Berlin attractions. While the city is large, and not all attractions are conveniently located next to each other, Berlin has excellent public transportation allowing you to group attractions into areas/zones making the best of the best easier to explore.
Our sample itinerary was tested out during our most recent trip to Berlin. It gave us plenty of flexibility for last minute discoveries, and to adjust our pace when we wanted to take strategic breaks, recharge, or pop into a few cool boutiques on our journey.
The biggest take away is there is no right or wrong way to explore Berlin. Use our itinerary as a basic guide and adjust it according to your pace and particular interests.
Day One – A Peek Into East Berlin’s Storied Past
We stayed at the Classik Hotel Alexander Plaza, conveniently located two blocks from the Spree River, two blocks from the Hackescher Markt, and a short 5-10 minute walk to the bustling Alexanderplatz. It made strategic sense for us to begin our sightseeing on the East side of Berlin. If your hotel is located elsewhere, feel free to adjust the itinerary to make it more convenient to your location.
Morning:
1| Alexanderplatz: Our first stop was Alexanderplatz to check out the World Time Clock. Be forewarned, Alexanderplatz is one of Berlin’s busiest transportation hubs with many popular routes crossing through the area. If you are a fan of the “Jason Bourne” series, like I am, then Alexanderplatz will look familiar as it was one of the filming locations.
While the famous clock is a tourist draw, it also attracts pickpockets and other tourist scammers, so being aware of your surroundings is a must. I felt extremely safe during the day, as Alexanderplatz has the vibe that can be compared to New York City’s Time Square, London’s Piccadilly Circus, or Venice’s St. Mark’s Square. Take the same safety precautions as you would do elsewhere in a touristy location – and don’t engage with strangers asking you to sign petitions, or ones that push papers in your direction.
2| Berlin TV Tower: A quick 5 minute walk brought us to the iconic Berlin TV Tower. Opened in 1969, this building offers the best panoramic views of the city and is a popular tourist attraction. There is a fee to visit the observation deck, but is it well worth the admission price. You can also purchase a ticket to dine in their revolving restaurant which serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
3| Red Town Hall (Rotes Rathaus): Another quick 3 minute walk and you will be at the Red Town Hall. This historic red brick building is one of Berlin’s most famous landmark buildings and the seat of the Governing Mayor. Upon entering the building, visitors are greeted by a stunning staircase with cathedral style ceilings leading to a second floor exhibition area. During our visit we were able to view a model of the building made out of Legos. Posters lining the walls provided a history of the importance of the building. While there is not much to do here, the interior and historic nature of the building should not be missed. FREE admission.
4| Nikolaiviertel: The next place we visited was a quiet hidden gem and located a short 2 minute walk from the Red Town Hall. The Nikolaiviertel area is best known as “Old Berlin”, the epicenter of medieval Berlin, and has been painstakingly restored showcasing pastel colored buildings, cobblestoned streets, cute little boutiques and restaurants. The quiet charm of the area makes you feel as if you are in an entirely different city. If you have time, be sure to visit the St. Nicholas Church Museum, which is the oldest church in Berlin. If you’re hungry, this is a great place to stop for lunch.
Afternoon:
5| East Side Gallery (Berlin Wall): To get to the next location on the itinerary, you will need to walk back towards Alexanderplatz and take a 14-15 minute tram or bus ride. You can always opt for a taxi service for a little bit more money.
Billed as the longest open air gallery in the world, this section of the Berlin wall is adorned with colorful art murals. It is a top attraction that visitors to Berlin flock to. If you are a street art lover, then you will be in heaven with mural after mural stretching 1316 meters in length. Immediately after the Berlin Wall came down in 1989, artists from 21 countries began painting the East Side Gallery. This is a FREE attraction, although you could book a tour that goes into the history and provides an in-depth description of the various art pieces.
6| Cruise the Spree River: After spending time marveling at the East Side Gallery art murals, make your way back to Alexanderplatz and then on towards the Spree River for our next activity.
There are a few companies that offer boat tours lasting approximately 1 hour. This is the perfect opportunity to sit back, relax, and enjoy a different view of Berlin.
7| DDR Museum: From the river boat tour, walk north along the river for approximately 5 minutes and you will reach the DDR Museum. Note that the museum’s entrance in on the river bank and if you walk at street level look for signs leading you down the stairs to the entrance.
Unlike traditional art and history museums, the DDR Museum is a more unique history museum set up as an interactive immersive style museum. It’s perfect for all ages. Visitor’s will follow the stories of what life was like under German soviet rule — they even have a replica East German apartment you can explore. This is one of the museums that should be on your Berlin itinerary. There is a nominal entrance fee to visit, but worth every penny/Euro.
8| Dinner/Hackescher Markt: After an exciting first day in Berlin, head over to the Hackescher Markt area for dinner. This is a vibrant area is known for its nightlife and eclectic mix of shops and cafes. Day 3 of our itinerary will have us exploring this area in more detail.
Day 2 – Berlin’s Top Attractions
Morning:
Grab a hearty breakfast and a good pair of walking shoes, because Day 2 is all about seeing Berlin’s biggest top attractions.
1| The Reichstag Building: The seat of the German Parliament was heavily destroyed during WW2, but has since been restored. If you would like to tour the glass dome and enjoy panoramic views of Berlin, be sure to book tickets in advance.
2| Weisse Kreuze Memorial: As you make your way from the Reichstag Building towards Brandenburg Gate, you will pass a memorial dedicated to those who lost their lives fleeing from East Germany to the west. It is a haunting reminder of the tragedies from the Cold War.
3| Brandenburg Gate: The next stop of the day is at Berlin’s most iconic landmark, the Brandenburg Gate. Built in the late 1700’s to serve as an entry point to the city, the gate was originally called the “Peace Gate”. The Brandenburg Gate has been the site of several historical events including U.S. President Ronald Reagan’s most famous line, “Mr. Gorbachev, Tear Down This Wall”.
4| Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe: Just a few minutes walk from the Brandenburg Gate, is where one of the most sad and haunting memorials in Berlin is located — a place of remembrance for the 6 million Jewish lives lost during the Holocaust. Designed by Peter Eisenman, the memorial was opened in May 2005. The varying heights of the concrete pillars, and the uneven pavement are designed to evoke a feeling of unsteadiness as you walk deeper into the exhibit. Admission is FREE.
5| Checkpoint Charlie: It will take approximately 20 minutes to walk to Checkpoint Charlie, the most famous border crossing between East and West Berlin during the Cold War. While Checkpoint Charlie might seem to be a bit overrun with tourists trying to get that Instagram shot of themselves in front of the guardhouse, it is a must see and do attraction. Nearby are several museums that will provide visitors with an education on the history of Checkpoint Charlie. Our next stop is the Asisi Panorama located just behind the Soviet side of Checkpoint Charlie.
6| Asisi 360 Panorama “Die Mauer”: This unique exhibition transports visitors to what life was like living in Berlin during the Cold War years. The exhibition designed by Yadegar Asisi showcases his firsthand experience of what it was like living in East and West Berlin during the 1980s.
7| Jewish Museum Berlin: From the Checkpoint Charlie area, the Jewish Museum Berlin is a quick 10 minute walk. Opened in 2001, this is the largest Jewish museum in Europe. The museum documents the history of Germany’s Jewish people from the Middle Ages to present day. Admission is FREE.
8| Topography of Terror: This next stop is another short 15 minute walk, but well worth it. The Topography of Terror is a free open air exhibition and indoor history museum, located on the former Gestapo headquarters, documenting the propaganda and terror during the years of 1933-1945. The exhibition is housed in the remains of the basement wall in the excavation trench. The site also contains the longest surviving section of the outer portion of the Berlin Wall in the center of Berlin.
9| German Spy Museum: This interactive museum dedicated to the history of spies is a fascinating look into the world of espionage. Visitors will have fun exploring the hands-on interactive exhibits which lets you experience taking a lie detector machine, writing with invisible ink, and even taking photos in the James Bond exhibit. It was one of the most interesting museum experiences I’ve had in a long time.
Feel free to stop for lunch or a quick snack during any portion of this morning’s sightseeing activities. If you want to add on a few more attractions, the Deutschland Museum is next to the German Spy Museum, and the Berlin Mall is across the street should you wish to do a little shopping.
Afternoon
From Postdamer Platz take either the U2 to the Berlin Zoo stop or the N2 Bus for 9 stops to the Europ-Center stop. Both options will take approximately 17 minutes travel time.
10| Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church: A famous landmark situated in what was once the center of West Berlin, serves as a memorial for “Peace between nations”. Originally built in 1895 to honor Kaiser Wilhelm I, the church was heavily destroyed in 1943. Today only the remaining ruins of the tower exists. Admission is FREE.
11| Pick Your Option: Depending on your interests and time, after visiting the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church, pick from the from the following optional afternoon activities:
A. The Berlin Zoological Gardens (Zoo Berlin): Home to the largest variety of species of any zoo in the world, Zoo Berlin is the oldest and most visited zoos in Germany. It’s a perfect afternoon activity for families and for those wanting a break from the fast paced city sightseeing. At the time of publication, admission started at 16 euros pp.
B: Relax in near by Tiergarten Park: This is Berlin’s answer to NYC’s Central Park. The park attracts joggers, cyclists, and walkers, as well as those wanting to unwind in the lush green spaces. Rent a bike and discover various statues honoring well known German residents, the Soviet war memorial, the Victory Column, just to name a few. The park is home to several beer gardens, restaurants, and cafes should you wish to take a break and enjoy a meal.
C: Kurfurstendamm shopping/dining: If shopping is something you would like to do while visiting Berlin, Kurfurstendamm should be on your afternoon itinerary. This legendary avenue is one of Berlin’s most famous shopping districts, with old and new architectural styles blending seamlessly together. This is the home of Berlin’s large department stores, luxury designer boutiques, and numerous cafes. Think NYC’s Fifth Avenue, Paris’ Champs-Elysees, or Beverly Hills’ Rodeo Drive.
Spending time on Kurfurstendamm can be your evening/dinner activity closing out a long sightseeing day.
Day 3 – Hackescher Markt, Jewish History Tour and Museum Island
Morning
1| Berlin’s Jewish History Walk (including Hackescher Markt): Discover Berlin’s rich Jewish history on a self-guided walking tour. To get the most out of this charming and vibrant area located in the Mitte district north of Alexanderplatz and the Spree River, plan on at least 1-1/2 hours to walk and learn about the history of 19 important landmarks and other important historical facts. Click here for a detailed list to do a self-guided tour, or you can join a Berlin guided walking tour.
2| Haus Schwarzenberg Street Art Alley: Part of our walking tour brought us to this whimsical wonderland of street art, but this alley is worth a second look. The street art changes periodically, so visitors can discover new works the next time they are in Berlin. There are two small museums that may be of interest: The Anne Frank Center and the Otto Weidt Museum. Spend the rest of the morning exploring the Hackescher Markt area of Berlin and discovering unique boutiques, galleries, and cafes.
Afternoon:
3| Museum Island: No trip to Berlin is complete without a visit to Berlin’s UNESCO World Heritage Museum Island. Here is where you will find some of the world’s greatest artifacts, artwork, and antiquities, housed in five famous buildings: Altes Museum, Alte Nationalgalerie, Neues Museum, Bode Museum, Pergamon Museum. The Berlin Dom (Berlin Cathedral) is another monumental building to explore.
Exploring Museum Island will take up a lot of your afternoon, especially if you plan to visit all of the island’s museums. We highly recommend if you want to save money, to pick up one of Berlin’s city passes.
If you still have energy following the afternoon on Museum Island, we recommend walking less than 15 minutes to the Gendarmenmarkt, a beautiful square that is home to three impressive Berlin buildings: the German Cathedral, the French Cathedral, and the Konzerthaus. Enjoy a bite to eat at one of the nearby cafes and restaurants. Gendarmenmarkt also hosts an annual Christmas market and the Classic Open Air concert.
___________________________________________________________________________________
While this itinerary covers the most popular Berlin sights first time visitors should experience, Berlin has so many other amazing things to do, should you wish to spend more than 3 days. If you have more time, or want to swap a few places list on our itinerary out, feel free to add Templehofer Feld, a famous former airport turned into a public park, Charlottenburg Palace Gardens, Olympiastadion Grounds, or even take a day trip to Postdam. There is no shortage of activities or things to see in Berlin.
If you’ve been to Berlin, let us know what your favorite experience was, or leave a suggestion of what should be added to our list of Berlin sights for first time visitors in the comment section below. Be sure to “Like”, “Pin”, “Link”, “Share”, or save this post if you are planning a trip to Berlin, Germany.
