Berlin in 3 Days

Berlin is a city with a rich history and many attractions. If you're planning a trip here, you might be wondering how to best utilize your time to visit the most important sights. This blog post provides a suggestion for a program for a weekend in Berlin. By following this guide, you'll be able to explore the key highlights of the city!

We have taken into account all the major attractions that you should see on your first visit to the German capital. Everything there is to see in Berlin definitely cannot be viewed in just one weekend.

Best time to visit: Year-round, summer (June-August very hot, but these months are very popular). My tip: Spring (March to May) or autumn (September to November). In December for great Christmas markets.

Guidebook: DuMont Direct Berlin (compact with everything you need to know) Arriving: Book train tickets/Bus and train (Flixbus or Flixtrain) Book accommodation: booking.com Reserve activities & tickets in advance: Get Your Guide Culinary tours: EatWith

Before your city trip, you should first consider how many days you want to spend in Berlin. Next, I suggest thinking about whether you want to spend the time only in Berlin or also take a day trip outside the city center (Gardens of the World in Marzahn, Teufelsberg (Grunewald)).

How you decide is up to you. Each of these options is valid. There's a lot to see, especially because there is plenty to do in Berlin. Therefore, I advise you to wake up early in the morning to get the most out of your stay. We tend to fill our days as much as possible because we're curious and want to see as many attractions as possible. However, many cafés only open at 10 AM.

Here is our program suggestion with a route for 3 days in Berlin:

There is no limit to what you can do in Berlin. I could also create a program for a week without running out of things to do. But I presume you're probably visiting Berlin on a shorter trip. Therefore, I have put together this 3-day Berlin itinerary for you. I personally visit Berlin multiple times a year. I'm no longer just a tourist, but I still discover new sights and attractions on every visit. There are always new interesting things to see (like the recently reopened Humboldt Forum), or others might be closed due to renovations.

My personal recommendation is to plan at least 3 days in Berlin. That's the minimum to discover the key highlights and a bit of culture (and also the nightlife). You'll want to return often because there's simply too much to see.

There's always a lot going on in Berlin, so make sure to buy tickets without queues in advance (especially for the TV Tower and the Reichstag).

If you have 3 days in Berlin, it's the ideal duration to experience the city's main attractions and even discover places off the well-trodden tourist paths. The German capital is rich in culture and highlights, so you will definitely return.

Getting to Berlin varies depending on where you're coming from. Berlin is located in the northeast of Germany, making it well accessible by car or train (train or Flixtrain). If you are traveling from within Germany, you can comfortably arrive by train.

There are also flights from various airports in Germany and Europe that land daily at Berlin's main airport, BER. Due to climate change, we recommend avoiding flights within Germany.

Alternatively, you can also travel to Berlin by bus. However, the highways are often so congested that the journey may take longer. The ZOB in Berlin is located right next to the exhibition grounds.

You can often have a weekend in Berlin very cheaply, under $100. This includes accommodation, food, and travel expenses! We are long past the age of booking the cheapest accommodations (often a noisy hostel away from the tourist hotspots).

Therefore, we prefer a Motel One hotel or (if we want to treat ourselves) the 25h Bikini Hotel and the Meininger Hotel on Warschauer Straße. Both hotels are very modernly furnished and we really like them.

Since Dom and Chris both live in Berlin, I only occasionally sleep in a hotel.

Alternatives to a hotel are Airbnb and FeWo Direkt. Generally, prices for an Airbnb stay range from $50 to $150 per night. However, this depends on the season and whether you are traveling alone or with someone. For a city trip, we love recommending Airbnb because you are 'closer' to good restaurants and of course you can design your travel style more individually!

For those who prefer something cheaper or are not Airbnb fans, hostels are the best option. You can get beds for under $30 a night - although you usually have to share with other travelers (and their snoring).

Cost breakdown:

2 nights at Motel One Alexanderplatz: $186

Train ticket round trip (Flixtrain): $60

Tickets & entries; Berlin Welcome Card all-inclusive for 3 days: $89

Food and drink: $200 (including breakfast, which we didn't book at the hotel due to excellent options nearby)

In total, I would budget around $500 per person for Berlin. Depending on whether you eat in restaurants or quick-service places, you can keep your budget low or increase it. There are no limits.

Subway and tram: The fastest and easiest way to get around Berlin. Save money with a day ticket AB or get the Berlin Welcome Card for discounts and free local public transport in area ABC.

Taxis: In Berlin, you have UBER, Free Now, Miles, or Bolt. You can use regular taxis, but I advise against it, since they are expensive and there's always a lot of traffic on the roads. UBER drivers often cancel rides, so we avoid this app in Berlin.

Bicycle: There are bicycles from various providers all around Berlin. Take a guided bike tour or unlock one through a mobile app. I honestly didn't think I would enjoy it, but I tried it and was impressed. Berlin is often more bike-friendly than you think.

Hop-On Hop-Off bus: Okay, these buses are touristy. But for a first short trip, they are ideal for a quick overview.

Get the Berlin Welcome Card for 3 days in Berlin ($89). This includes all trains, subways, trams, and buses. You also receive discounts at attractions. Alternatively, the all-inclusive Berlin Welcome Card is worthwhile.

I have summarized all mytravel tips for Berlin here: from getting there and public transport to hotels found locally.

Since you'll only be in the hotel room to sleep, the Motel One at Alexanderplatz is ideal. If you like modern hotels, I recommend the 25hours Hotel Bikini Berlin (Zoo, Ku'damm) or the Michelberger Hotel (Friedrichshain), both with good access to S- and U-Bahn as well as great bars, restaurants, and cafés.

Check our detailed guide for our Berlin hotel tips and where to stay here.

If you've read several of our travel reports, you may have noticed that we like to fill our days with sightseeing and activities from morning until night.

So here's my suggestion for a weekend in Berlin with sightseeing, great food (from places we've tested), and visits to bars and restaurants in the evening. We plan for arrival on Friday afternoon and departure on Sunday late in the afternoon. If you have time, you should travel on Thursday evening or stay until Monday.

Just one look at the city's offerings makes it clear that there is a lot to see in Berlin. Whether you want to visit classic sights in the historical center or explore modern districts - with our program, you definitely won't miss anything! You don't have to follow these tips, but they serve as a guide for what you can stress-free visit in a day.

Day 1: Arrive, first exploration with bike tour or hop-on hop-off bus tour, KaDeWe and Tiergarten

Day 2: Berlin-Mitte with government district and Brandenburg Gate

Day 3: Museum Island to Alexanderplatz, East Side Gallery and Memorial for the Wall

Today, you will probably arrive in Berlin in the afternoon. Check into your hotel and get your first impressions of the city.

If you don't have a hotel yet, check out our hotel tips for accommodations in Berlin.

To get a first impression of a city, I recommend participating in a walking or bike tour. I can recommend the Berlin Bike bike tour, which I have already participated in twice.

Most tours start in the morning at 10 AM. If you can arrive the evening before: perfect.

The tour I recommend is the Bike Tour along the Berlin Wall. This tour starts at 3 PM and lasts about 3.5 hours.

Bike tour to Berlin's highlights (also starts at 3 PM on weekends)

On this walking tour to the highlights of the city, you have an option for 1 hour or also 4 hours, with only the 1-hour tour starting at 4 PM in the afternoon.

By boat, the half-day Spree & Landwehr Canal boat tour starts at 2:20 PM (ideal in good weather)

If you're not very mobile, you can also do a tour with the hop-on hop-off buses.

Walking tours or bike tours are my preferred way to start a city trip. The guides are knowledgeable, giving you a good first impression and some insider tips for Berlin.

If you've been to Berlin before, you can take specific tours on themes like the Third Reich, street art, or a culinary tour in a specific district (including the culinary tour in Kreuzberg).

If you don't feel like joining a city tour, then take a stroll along Kurfürstendamm before eating at KaDeWe (next tip). Shop at Bikini Berlin, visit the Museum of Photography with the Helmut Newton Foundation, or C/O Berlin for stunning photography exhibitions. These places are especially good for rainy weather.

You'll also pass the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church, and if you wish, you can visit the Zoological Garden (one of the most species-rich zoos in the world, not a must for your first visit to Berlin). Close by is the Tiergarten, the green lung of Berlin. It's best explored by bike.

Tip: Are you staying at the 25 Hours Hotel Bikini Berlin? As a hotel guest, you can borrow bikes for free.

Are you like me and into street art? Then visit Urban Nation, the Museum of Urban Contemporary Art. The latter is free, but you can certainly donate a few Euros. Street art, graffiti, and urban art are accessible to all here.

A visit to the Kaufhaus des Westens on Kurfürstendamm is Germany's most famous department store. Covering 60,000 square meters, it is also the largest department store on the European mainland. Did you know that?

The department store has a moving history that spans over 100 years. However, the concept has never changed: luxury and exotic food. An absolute highlight is the gourmet food department along with its restaurants and bars on the sixth floor "The Sixth at KaDeWe". Here you can purchase international delicacies, sweets, or wines and choose between the best bars and restaurants for foodies.

Our favorites are the Oyster Bar, Champagne Bar, and the Truffle Restaurant. Admittedly, you have to dig a little deeper into your wallet for this. But let me tell you: it's worth it. The perfect start to a weekend in Berlin.

If you're not in the mood for The Sixth at KaDeWe, there are numerous alternatives: from snack bars to restaurants. Just take a look at our map.

I hope you're wearing comfortable shoes today. The aim is to visit the most important sights in Berlin.

Start the day with a hearty breakfast in one of the many cafes and restaurants in Berlin. Strengthen yourself for a day filled with sightseeing and explorations! Our tip for a hearty breakfast can be found at the end of the article under "Food and Drink". If you've booked breakfast at the hotel, that's fine too.

After that, you'll be on a full day of sightseeing at Berlin's well-known landmarks:

1. Reichstag in Berlin with dome

2. Government district

3. Brandenburg Gate

4. Holocaust Memorial for murdered Jews of Europe

5. Unter den Linden

6. Gendarmenmarkt

7. Checkpoint Charlie

8. Potsdamer Platz

For your first full day, you should see the key sights in Berlin. It's best to start early in the morning with a visit to the Reichstag with its dome. Admission is free, but only with a reservation in advance, so make sure to arrange your ticket before your trip.

The Reichstag building is one of the most significant landmarks of the capital. From the rooftop terrace of the dome, you get a great view of the parliamentary and government district, as well as many of Berlin's attractions.

You can only visit the building with prior arrangements:

In a 90-minute tour

Attend a session in the plenary chamber

Or the most popular option: visit the Reichstag dome and rooftop terrace for free (only with registration)

Here you need to register for your online appointment with the Bundestag to visit the dome: The form and all information can be found here. Our tip: Visit the dome and the Reichstag during the week or right after opening (8 AM) since the number of visitors is limited.

There is also a restaurant on the rooftop terrace. A reservation in advance is also required for that.

If you want to visit the plenary chamber too, you can do so as part of a guided tour (10:30 or 12:30 PM).

You can book this tour here: Reichstag Tour with Plenary Chamber and Dome in German

For detailed opening hours, please refer to the article on the top sights in Berlin or the website of the Bundestag.

Directly adjacent to the Reichstag are several architecturally interesting buildings. To the north of the Reichstag (seat of the Bundestag), the most important new government buildings were built in the 1990s, collectively known as the "Band des Bundes".

In what was the eastern part of Berlin is the Marie-Elisabeth-Lüders-House with the parliamentary library, connected by a bridge over the Spree to the Paul-Löbe-Haus (House of Representatives) on the west side. West of that is the Federal Chancellery, known as the Washing Machine of Berlin. Here Olaf Scholz receives state guests.

Approaching the building from either the north or south, it truly looks like a giant washing machine. Presumably, a lot of dirty laundry is washed here.

Just a few meters away is the only surviving city gate in Berlin (there used to be 18): the Brandenburg Gate, Berlin's most famous landmark. Once a symbol of division between East and West, since 1989 it has symbolized the reunification of Germany. The structure, 26 meters high and 65.60 meters wide, completes the boulevard Unter den Linden with five passages leading east to Pariser Platz. If you look west, you see the greenery of the Tiergarten and the shining Victory Column (Goldelse) on the Straße des 17. Juni.

Directly at Pariser Platz is the American Embassy.

In the immediate vicinity are the Holocaust Memorial, Tiergarten, and Potsdamer Platz, which we will address later.

The Memorial for the murdered Jews of Europe is one of the most important (but poignant) sights in Berlin. Near the Brandenburg Gate, a 19,000-square-meter field of stelae made of 2,711 concrete slabs and the information center beneath it (free entry) commemorates the murdered Jews in Europe. The free information center is often overlooked by visitors, as the entrance is rather inconspicuous.

The exhibition is visited annually by over 500,000 people from around the world.

Our tip: Pay €3 for an audio guide to receive emotional and supplemental audio comments. We found the guide very helpful and well done.

Note: Please do not climb on the stelae, as it is inappropriate.

According to flyers, it is not recommended to bring children under 14 years old into the exhibition.

Public tours take place on Saturdays and Sundays at 3 PM.

For lunch today, keep it light: veggie döner or typically Berlin, a currywurst (or check our map for nearby options).

After so much sightseeing and culture, take a small break. Are you recharged? Then continue back past Pariser Platz and along Unter den Linden to Gendarmenmarkt.

Gendarmenmarkt is one of the most beautiful squares in the city for us. The German Dome, the French Dome, and the concert hall in Berlin-Mitte beautifully frame the square. The two domes are identically built churches, with the term 'Dome' being attributed only to the shape of the dome.

Are you in Berlin during winter? Then you must not miss the Christmas market, which is one of the most beautiful in the city.

Once the most important border crossing between East and West Berlin, Checkpoint Charlie is one of the most touristic places in Berlin. The wall is now gone, but a colored line indicates where it used to be.

Here (for a fee), you can pose alongside actors dressed as American soldiers next to the guardhouses. There are caps available to buy (from USSR to GDR to USA). Very touristy and personally, I find it not worth the money. You should still visit Checkpoint Charlie at least once in your life. It is an important place in our German history.

Also, the former control huts are very popular photo motifs. Therefore, it can be quite challenging to capture the location without tourists.

Tip: The Wall Museum must be really great. I haven't made it inside yet.You can find info about the museum on its website.

The "Topography of Terror" documentation center is one of the most visited places in Berlin with over 1.3 million visitors each year. During the Third Reich, this was the site of the headquarters of the Secret State Police, the SS, and the Reich Security Main Office.

Admission is free

More info is available on the official website

Opening hours: Daily 10 AM to 8 PM

Outside areas until dusk (in summer until 8 PM)

Closed on December 24, 31, and January 1

Potsdamer Platz is not just a square but more of an entire area filled with glass new buildings. One could think that there was a competition among architects. Especially the Sony Center with its impressive tent roof construction attracts many tourists.

The area was mostly wasteland before reunification. After the fall, it underwent a complete makeover, so you won't find many signs of older buildings.

I admit I'm rarely here since the place has little charm and (for me) little to offer.

To conclude the evening, there are always many options. In Berlin-Mitte, we can recommend the Bar Freundschaft (Austrian cuisine) or the well-known Grill Royal. Both are somewhat upscale, but the food is delicious.

Not far from here is the currently trendiest bar in Berlin: Bellboy Bar Berlin. On a weekend, you'll need to reserve your spot long in advance and pay a deposit (which will be deducted). But it's worth it.

On your last day, it depends on when your return journey starts. Set your alarm clock, as there are a few important places you should still visit today.

Are you interested in museums? Start today directly at Museum Island. For the time being, we recommend focusing on one museum, as there likely won't be enough time for more.

In the heart of the bustling city, you'll find Museum Island on a peninsula in the Spree. Here, you'll find five different museums that are among the most important archaeological collections, as well as collections of 19th-century art in Berlin. It's no wonder that the entire Museum Island was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1999.

Pergamon Museum

Bode Museum

Altes Museum

Neues Museum

Old National Gallery

Humboldt Forum

The recently reopened Humboldt Forum is on everyone's lips. The exhibition includes ethnological and non-European collections. However, the museum is very controversial since it is said to display war trophies (mainly from Africa).

You can find information about the Humboldt Forum on the officialwebsite

The two most popular museums are the Bode Museum and the Pergamon Museum. I can really recommend both.

There is a museum pass for the museums. With this, you save time in lines if you order it in advance.

Across the way, you will also find the German Historical Museum, which I truly recommend.

In the heart of the metropolis lies Alexanderplatz with the famous world clock and another landmark of Berlin: the TV Tower, which at 368 meters is Germany's tallest building! You can enjoy one of the best views of Berlin from the observation deck at 203 meters high.

Opening hours: 10 AM - 10 PM

Tickets cost $24.50 (adults) and $14.50 (youth).

It's best to book your ticket in advance with fast-track entry so you don't have to wait. On site, you often have to wait 2 hours for the next available slot (the ticket costs the same).

Plan for about 1 hour to check out Berlin from above. Be sure to book your ticket in advance, as the tickets for specific time slots are popular and limited. You often receive a ticket on-site for a slot in 2 hours (if at all).

If you're already here, don't forget to explore the Hackesche Höfe. These historic buildings in Art Nouveau style have beautiful courtyards that invite strolling.

They are accessible every day, but after 10 PM, entry is only for residents allowed, as the upper floors are residential. There are numerous flagship stores of cool fashion labels. Additionally, there's a pretty good gin shop and a lot of street art, which you should explore as part of a street art tour.

With the U8 (toward S+U Wittenau), you can get from Alexanderplatz to the Bernauer Straße subway station.

The memorial on the former border strip is a place where you can still see original parts of the Berlin Wall. It conveys the German division, particularly the division of Berlin.

First, visit the visitor center at Bernauer Straße 119 to get all information about the site. On the upper floor, a film about the history of the Berlin Wall is shown.

In addition to the memorial, the area includes the Chapel of Reconciliation and the Window of Remembrance, as well as a permanent exhibition at the documentation center (Bernauer Straße 111) which provides many backstories related to the history and division of Berlin until reunification.

The wall on Bernauer Straße still retains some original parts. The numerous information panels detail the construction of the Wall in all its details. Look through the slits in the wall and try to understand how Berliners must have felt in their divided city.

On the ground, there are outlines of the demolished houses on the East Side right next to the wall. Escape tunnels are indicated and a section with photos pays tribute to the many victims of the wall.

The exhibition addressing the border and ghost train stations in Berlin is particularly interesting, located in the Nordbahnhof S-Bahn station.

Visitor information:

Admission is free, regular tours are offered for $3.50 (adults)

More information can be found on this website.

It's best to take the M10 tram from here to Warschauer Straße. From here it's just a few meters to the open-air gallery.

Only a few months after the fall of the wall, 118 artists from 21 countries painted a 1.3 km stretch of the wall in Berlin-Friedrichshain. Thus, the largest (free) open-air gallery in the world was created. It extends between Ostbahnhof and Oberbaum Bridge and is of course one of the most well-known sights in Berlin.

Years ago, while on a street art tour, I was told that the brotherly kiss between Honecker (GDR) and Brezhnev (then President of the USSR) is the most famous and most photographed artwork of the wall. I've passed by it several times in recent years. It's quite graffitied by now.

Tours are also offered. Further info can be found on the foundation's website.

Whether you're on a quick city trip or staying longer in Berlin, the capital has something to offer for every taste. With so many options, it is often challenging to decide where to eat, drink or stay. To save you the search, we have compiled the best restaurants, cafés, and hotels in Berlin for you.

It's best to check our Berlin map, which we've created on Google Maps. Here you will find our tips near the route.

Friedrichshain: Brekkie 44 (Brioche), Shakespeare and Sons Bookstore (Bagels) or Silo Café (Bowls, also Vegan)

Prenzlauer Berg: Café Anna Blume (Delicious for multiple persons on tiered plates), Haferkater (Porridge), Zeit für Brot

Kreuzberg: Adana Grill house, Mustafas Gemüse Kebab

Main Station, Mehringdamm, S-Bahn station Warschauer Straße and Zoo Station: Curry 36

Azzam Restaurant (Kebab & Shawarma), Mae Charoen Thai Eatery

Schöneberg: The Hot Dog Shop

Mitte: Classics Borchardt and Grill Royal, Cocodrillo, Joseph (Israeli cuisine), Freundschaft (Austria)

Friedrichshain: Hako Ramen, Il Ritrovo

Kreuzberg: Markthalle Neun (best on weekends)

Prenzlauer Berg: Tossakan (Thai)

Charlottenburg / Schöneberg: 6th floor of KaDeWe (Truffle restaurant, oysters & seafood)

Berlin is an incredible city that is always worth a trip. There are so many great sights and activities that it's hard to know where to start. However, with the right planning, you can explore most of the important sights in 3 days. I hope this blog post has helped you create a plan for your own 3-day trip to Berlin. Enjoy the capital! So pack your bags and off to Berlin!

Click here for all Berlin tips at a glance.

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