A 3 Days in Berlin Itinerary You’ll Want to Steal
Last Updated on 1st November 2024 by Sophie Nadeau
This post may contain affiliate links. Please check out my privacy policy and disclosure for more information.
Germany’s capital city has come to be known as the “Grey City”, but despite its gloomy connotations, its name has derived from the significant historical, cultural and geographical factors that have shaped Berlin over time. There’s nowhere quite like this unique city! Here’s your guide to 3 days in Berlin, an itinerary you’ll want to steal!
Contents
Getting around Berlin
Berlin is huge, so you’ll need to take public transport at least a few times during your stay to facilitate getting around. The beloved Berliner U-Bahn is a symbol of the city, a network of 9 different lines and 175 stations that run almost every 5 – 10 minutes during the day and 15-20 minutes by night, it can take you to almost every corner of the city.
Tickets for the U-Bahn can be purchased at the multilingual ticket machines that are located on the platforms of each station.
Is 3 days enough time in Berlin?
As the capital of Germany, Berlin is a rather large city with plenty of attractions, over 170 museums and even more. Moreover, the city is so spread out that much of your time will be spent travelling between different areas on public transportation.
However, 3 days is an idyllic amount of time to see many of Berlin’s major attractions, some of its more unique hidden spots, test out food spots, and still leave you wanting to come back another time to explore again!
Although you won’t be able to cover everything that there is to do in Berlin, we have created a packed full itinerary so that you can get your fill of the German capital. If you’re looking for even more information about Berlin, check out our guide to how much a trip to Berlin costs.
Day 1 in Berlin suggested itinerary
All of the stops on this day can be seen on foot. You should therefore wear comfortable shoes as it’s a fairly long walk between the TV Tower and the Brandenburg Gate. Of course, if you are visiting when it’s raining in Berlin, these spots are all well connected by the U-Bahn.
Berlin TV Tower
Start your day by taking in views of the German capital from its symbol and most unique point in the city’s skyline, the Berlin TV Tower. A top tourist attraction that allows visitors to go up to a height of 203 metres onto the covered observation deck and enjoy 360 panoramic views of Berlin. Find more details here.
Alexanderplatz
Then, just a 4-minute walk from the TV tower is one of the most bustling squares of the city, Alexanderplatz. This large public square is considered to be one of the most important transport hubs of Berlin and is named after the Russian Tsar Alexander I, it’s situated in the city’s eastern centre.
World Time Clock
Situated on Alexanderplatz you’ll see the World Time Clock, which is also known as the Urania World Clock, a turret-style clock that was erected in 1969 and is so-called because it shows the times in 148 major and important cities from around the world.
Beyond Ramen Vegan
Grab lunch nearby! There are several different eateries in the area, we personally went to Beyond Ramen Vegan as they serve up tasty and fast vegan ramen bowls, which made for the perfect food fuel to quickly have before continuing our exploring.
St Mary’s Church
Just a 6-minute walk from Alexanderplatz is the oldest parish church of the city, which is known in German as Marienkirche. Although the exact date of the church’s origins isn’t known, it’s believed to date back earlier than the 13th century, though much of the architecture seen today is renovation work that has been completed more recently in the 19th century and post-war period to maintain the church.
Rotes Rathaus
Next, you’ll want to walk through the small green square by the church and head to the town hall of Berlin, Rotes Rathaus. Home to the governing mayor and the government of the state of Berlin, the name translates to ‘Red City Hall’ after the iconic red bricks it was built from.
Drawing inspiration from the style of the Northern Italy High Renaissance and modelled on an old town hall in Poland, this landmark building was built sometime between 1861 and 1869. However, it was severely damaged during the world war bombings, so much of what is seen today is rebuilt.
An impressive 74-meter-high clock tower caps the red brick building, and the interior is even more stunning than the facade. Ornately decorated and home to huge staircases, entrance to the town hall is free and visitors are welcome to take a peek inside!
Berlin Cathedral
A 10-minute walk from the town hall you’ll find The Berliner Dom, as it’s called in German. Northern Germany isn’t very religious nowadays, but the cathedral still stands testament to Protestant architecture, and it’s the largest Protestant church in the country.
There has been a church on the site since 1400, although there was originally a Castle Chapel for Berlin Palace here. The present church dates back to 1894 when it was constructed in Renaissance and Baroque Revival Styles. However, like much of the city, the cathedral was severely damaged during the Second World War and went under extensive renovation work in the 20th century.
It costs €7.00 to enter and look around and is open from 9:00 am to 8:00 pm every day, with a guided tour or audio guide options in multiple languages available.
Museum island
Situated on the same piece of land as the cathedral, this island is so-called because it’s home to several museums (5 to be precise) and as such, is a listed UNESCO World Heritage Site for its cultural significance.
- The Pergamon Museum
- The Bode Museum
- The Neues Museum
- The Alte Nationalgalerie
- The Altes Museum
Neue Wache
Built entirely in the Neoclassical style, the Neue Wache is a listed building and memorial site for the victims of war and tyranny. The remains of an unknown victim and soil from the concentration camps were brought here, and today it remains a quiet but firm reminder of the horrors that war brings.
One of the most moving things to see while visiting Neue Wache is a statue by artist Käthe Kollwitz. The bronze sculpture portrays a mother cradling her dead son in an empty room, positioned perfectly so that the sun makes a spotlight directly onto this striking image.
Neue Wache is completely free to visit, it goes without saying, that this is a memorial site so be sure to be respectful when taking photographs and while walking around.
Brandenburg Gate
A 20-minute walk from Museum Island (but almost all in one direct line) head to one of the most historical attractions in Berlin, Brandenburg Gate. Constructed between 1788 and 1791 in the Greek Revival style, the gate is the only remaining historical structure of the city that was built at the behest of Prussian king Frederick William II.
The gate also came to be symbolic when it came to Berlin’s Cold War division into East and West, that was until the fall of the wall in 1989 which saw thousands of people gather near Brandenburg Gate and the crossing was reopened, reunifying Germany.
Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe
An 8-minute walk from the gate is an important memorial that everyone who visits Berlin should try to make a priority to see.
The Holocaust Memorial (which is also known as the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe) comprises 2,711 concrete slabs erected on a grid pattern on a sloping hill. Be sure to conduct yourself with respect when visiting the Memorial and do not take inappropriate photos.
Day 2 in Berlin suggested itinerary
BLOOM brunch
Start the day right by fuelling up on a hearty brunch and speciality coffee at this trendy brunch spot.
Berlin Wall Memorial Bernauer Strasse
Then, hop on the subway to reach the Berlin Wall Memorial at Bernauer Strasse. You may well be familiar with the darker history of the wall, which was a concrete barrier built to prevent people from escaping to the West from East Berlin, not wanting to reside in a communist country.
Today, the Berlin Wall Memorial serves to commemorate the deaths that occurred there, at least 140 people were killed because of the border regime. The fall of the Berlin Wall was a triumph for liberation, today a visit to this important sight allows visitors to recognise the struggles and impact the war had on the people of Berlin.
A visit to the Berlin Wall Memorial is free, but there are self-guided audio tours or guided tours available for a small fee if you wish to learn more in-depth about the history from an expert. Book a self-guided audio tour here.
Computer Games Museum
Hop on the subway again to reach the Computerspielemuseum, one of the most fun and interesting museums in Berlin. The first museum of its kind, it is completely dedicated to the history of computer games. Founded in 1997, the museum showcases a display of over 60 years of the developmental history of gaming.
The museum’s motto is ‘homo ludens digitalis‘ (the playing human in the digital age), and offers visitors the opportunity to experience recent and exciting developments in virtual reality, as well as play all of your childhood games on old consoles. Book tickets here.
Shakespeare and Sons
You can either get the tram (and I recommend doing this if it’s raining) or walk from the Computerspielemuseum, which takes around 16 minutes.
Then you’ll reach this independent English language bookshop that doesn’t just sell books, but also operates as a café where you can enjoy piping hot coffees with freshly baked bagels, making it the perfect spot for lunch!
East Side gallery
Either hop on the U-bahn or walk for 20 minutes to reach the East Side Gallery. This is an open-air activity and comprises 105 paintings which were painted in 1990 on the East Side of the Berlin Wall.
One of the most iconic (and most photographed) murals is of two men kissing, capturing the symbolic moment of political unity between the Soviet Union and GDR, it is often referred to as a Fraternal Kiss.
Checkpoint Charlie
Next, you’ll want to get back on the U-Bahn as it takes 20 minutes via the subway. Checkpoint Charlie is a historical landmark that refers to a crossing point between East Berlin and West Berlin during the Cold War.
The checkpoint is simply a hut, so it doesn’t take long to see, but there is more information on the Berlin Wall and its history. It’s a super popular spot and a significant part of Western history, making it worth stopping by!
Topography of terror
A 5-minute walk from the checkpoint is another historical sight which takes its name for the fact that it’s a place of remembrance and warning from history.
Once serving as a base for the Nazi party, where instruments of persecution and terror occurred, today, the site has been transformed into a museum where visitors can learn from the past, so that history may never repeat itself.
Hallesches Haus coffee
Stop here for a quick coffee and cake…or if you’re in the mood for wine, they also serve a selection of natural wines! This café is also an exhibition space, so while you sit back and relax you can see artworks by local artists at the same time.
Markthalle Neun
(This spot is only suggested if you happen to be visiting on a Thursday) Every Thursday this market hall opens till late, making it the perfect spot to grab dinner. The indoor market is filled with international food vendors and some shops, here you can try a wide variety of cuisine and drink German beer!
If you happen to not be visiting on a Thursday… the market is situated in the vibrant neighbourhood of Kreuzberg. If there’s one place I can suggest firmly, it’s 1001 Falafel, specifically in the district of Kreuzberg it seems you can get falafel on every street, and if you look at the menu you’ll realise there are falafel kinds you didn’t even know existed!
Day 3 in Berlin suggested itinerary
Tempelhof
Start your final day by heading to south-central Berlin, where one of the most interesting places to visit in Berlin lies, and has since become a symbol of freedom in the city. Home to Tempelhof Airport, an abandoned airport which today, is used as a sprawling park where people can exercise their dogs, hold events, and even go kitesurfing (in designated spots).
The name Tempelhof comes from the fact that the land belonged to the Knights Templar during the Middle Ages. The airport itself opened in 1923 and was widely considered to be one of the most important airports in Europe before WWII. However, during the Second World War, the space was used as a weapons production factory by the Nazis.
After the construction of the Berlin Wall, the only way to get food and supplies in and out of Western Berlin was by air and so Tempelhof essentially became the lifeblood of the city. Even now, some planes have been left behind and can be seen next to the airport terminal building, a reminder of the past.
Urban Nation
As you’ll have probably noticed while exploring Berlin, the city is brimming with street art, which is one of the things that makes it such a unique place. Visit Urban Nation, which is a museum showcasing contemporary art, street art and graffiti. The museum is free to visit and closed on Mondays.
Kaiser Willhelm church
Yet another ecclesiastical building which was heavily destroyed during the World War bombings was the Kaiser Wilhelm Church. All that remains is the central tower, which has been left in a charred state and was not rebuilt, serving as a reminder of the war.
Entrance into the base of the tower is free and operates as a small museum documenting the history of the church and its surroundings. The church itself was rebuilt, as was a modern looking belfry, using pieces of stained glass inlays which were taken from the destroyed church.
Charlottenburg Palace
End your trip in style with a visit to the Baroque Charlottenburg Palace. The palace takes its name from the first Queen consort in Prussia, Sophie Charlotte, and until her untimely death at age 36, it was her summer home.
Today, Charlottenburg Palace is one of the most popular sights of Berlin and one of its biggest draws is the beautiful gardens that surround it. Entrance to the gardens is free, and for a small fee, you can take a tour of the historic palace and see the ornately decorated interior, The Golden Gallery being a particular highlight.
Where to stay in Berlin
Berlin has a wide variety of accommodation, meaning there’s something for everyone! Choosing where to stay is completely dependant on what style of travelling/how cost-friendly you need to be etc. Here are a few suggestions of where to stay (based on web reviews):
Eastern & Western Comfort Hostelboat Berlin – This hostel/ hotel is situated by the water, next to the East Side Gallery. Choose from a private or dorm room, and enjoy the experience of staying right on the River Spree! Check prices and availability here.
The Niu Hide – Located in East Berlin, this funky hotel has quirky art in each room, clean and comfortable rooms, and there’s a fun bar for guests to socialise. Check prices and availability here.
Pullman Berlin Schweizerhof – For those seeking a more luxurious hotel, offering a spa with a heated pool, elegant chic rooms and situates just a 5-minute walk from the Kurfürstendamm shopping street. Check prices and availability here.
Enjoyed reading about how to spend 3 days in Berlin? Pin this article now, read it again later:
