How to Spend 3 Amazing Days in Berlin, Germany

on Nov 01, 2024

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The historic city of Berlin, Germany, is an easy entry point for a Northern European vacation. With so much to see and do, you’ll want to spend at least a few days exploring before you move on to your next adventure.

As the current capital of Germany, Berlin is central to politics and at the forefront of modern life, creating a wildly fascinating city that juxtaposes history and war with a thriving cultural arts scene.

View of Pariser Platz sign with the Brandenburg Gate in the background on a partly cloudy day. People walk and gather around the area.

While one could spend weeks poring through its streets, a long weekend in Berlin will be enough time to explore and leave you wanting to plan a return trip.

It’s a great place to start (or end) a Baltic Cruise.

Day 1 – Check-in and Explore

Whether you arrive via air, train, or car, your first stop will be to check in at your hotel. If you arrive early in the day, most hotels will hold your luggage before check-in so you can start your adventure.

A yellow tram travels through a busy intersection in an urban area with multiple buildings, cars, and pedestrians. — View from our window at the Circus Hotel. Across the street, they have a hostel for budget-conscious travelers.

We chose the Circus Hotel in the Mitte area (city center). We loved the hotel and the location, which offers apartments, hotels, and a hostel across the street for budget travelers.

They even had a rooftop honor bar stocked with cold beer, and a lovely view of the city. A welcome sight after the long journey.

Get Familiar with Your Surroundings

Find the nearest rooftop (at your hotel or otherwise) for a German beer and take in the sights from above for an excellent overview of the city. Fresh air after a long trip is always a good idea!

View of Berlin's skyline featuring the Fernsehturm tower, under a partly cloudy sky. — View of the TV Tower

Then, wander the neighborhood near your hotel to get a feel for the area. You’ll spot many incredible restaurants to try and note their locations. Be sure to watch for bakeries and coffee shops, too. Your day two self will thank you.

Visit the Berlin Wall

Before or after dinner, depending on your time, head to the Berlin Wall Memorial and take in the beauty, sadness, and history of a divided Germany.

Stroll through the outdoor exhibition to learn about life on either side of the wall and the struggles of those who lived through this historic time. And be sure to bring your camera.

Section of the Berlin Wall with colorful graffiti, situated on green grass and under a cloudy sky, adjacent to urban buildings and trees. — Berlin Wall Memorial

If you want to check out the nightlife scene, Berlin always has a party going somewhere.

Check visitBerlin for current shows, bars, and clubs to dance the night away. Then, return to your hotel and rest up for day two!

What to Eat in Berlin

One thing to note about Berlin is how diverse the food choices are. You’ll find people from all over the world living in Berlin, and with them, some fantastic cuisine from all over the world.

Brunch dishes on a table in an outdoor cafe setting with lush greenery and bicycles in the background. — Breakfast outside at the Circus Hotel.

Currywurst is a Berlin street food mainstay. Mediterranean and Asian options are plentiful and quite tasty. And if you can get your hands on a Berliner donut, you won’t be sorry.

Two donuts on pink plates, a cup of coffee, and an iced drink on an outdoor table. A street scene with parked cars and people in the background. A sign reads "Stop & Try The Best Homemade Donuts In Town.

Day 2 – Getting Around

Berlin is a large city that is quite walkable. That said, there may be times when you want to take public transportation to save time during such a short visit. The great news is that buses and trains run around the clock, so you should be able to find your way quickly.

You can also rent scooters or bikes in many places throughout the city. Before renting, be aware of the zones you can use and park the rentals. The scooters actually stop working outside designated zones.

Start Early at Brandenburg Gate

Grab a coffee and a donut on your way to the Brandenburg Gate. Early morning is a great way to see this monument with lighter crowds.

The image shows the iconic Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, Germany, featuring its large pillars and a quadriga on top, under a partly cloudy sky. Numerous people are gathered around the monument.

Linger in the plaza and enjoy its history, making sure to view it from all sides. The carvings are incredible.

There are a few souvenir shops around this area if you want to browse for gifts.

Travel Tip

If you need a public restroom, ensure you have a few euros’ worth of coins, as many facilities require entry payment.

Tiergarten Park and Victory Column

Tiergarten Park, Germany’s largest inner city park, is west of the Brandenburg Gate. It’s a beautiful oasis in the middle of the city. One could spend the whole day here exploring and enjoying nature.

Aerial view of a straight road lined with dense green trees leading to a cityscape in the distance, featuring a prominent TV tower and buildings under a cloudy sky. — View of Berlin from Victory Column.

Take a walk or scooter ride through the park to Victory Column near the park’s center. For a small fee, you can climb the 285 steps to the top of the tower for incredible views in all directions.

Plus, you’ll see the beautifully detailed column mosaics up close.

A spiral staircase viewed from above, with stone steps and a green metal railing winding downward. — Spiral staircase inside Victory Column.

Grab a Snack in a Beer Garden

You’ll likely be hungry by now, so head back into the park for a bite to eat at one of the many beer gardens nearby. When crossing the busy street from the Victory Column to Tiergarten, look for underground crosswalks to avoid traffic.

A woman smiles and holds up a tall glass of beer in a bar setting.

We were delighted to have a musician serenading us with the violin as we walked. You never know who you might see.

Tour the American Sector

Rest at your hotel if needed, or head to the American Sector to see the infamous Checkpoint Charlie, a well-known landmark crossing point between East and West Berlin during the Cold War. You can take a photo here if you want to. There is usually a line of people waiting, but it goes quickly.

Historic checkpoint booth on a city street surrounded by modern buildings; people walking nearby under a blue sky with scattered clouds.

Wander the shops in the American sector, and if you are hungry, dine on traditional Bavarian cuisine and draft beer at Maximillian’s Restaurant nearby.

Get the pretzel as an appetizer, and thank me later.

A wooden table with a plate of sausage and mashed potatoes, a pretzel, salads, a glass of beer, and a restaurant menu. — Lunch at Maximillians in the American Sector.

Day 3 – Museum Island

Start the morning at Museum Island with a delicious breakfast to fuel up for a day full of art, antiquities, sculpture, and architecture. Simply walking along the Spree River in this area is a visual feast. And the restaurants here will not disappoint.

Five museums are on this small island in the middle of the river, and you could easily spend multiple days exploring.

Boat on a river in front of a historic building with a dome, surrounded by trees, under a clear sky. A tall tower is visible in the background. — Museum Island in Berlin.

Spend a relaxing day perusing the extensive collections at each museum, or choose one and get lost in the moment.

Watch the Sunset over Berlin

To cap off your Berlin adventure, enjoy a sunset river cruise or ascend to the top of the TV Tower, Germany’s tallest structure, for a bird’s eye view from the observation deck or restaurant.

We recommend reservations if you plan to dine at the Sphere Restaurant, as it is a top-rated attraction.

Person in a hat and summer dress stands on a cobblestone street lined with parked cars and buildings. — Andrea enjoying a summer day in Berlin.

By now, you know Berlin is a vibrant city with a storied past and a promising future. Hopefully, this itinerary will help you fall in love with Germany’s capital city as much as we did, and you’ll be planning your next visit before you know it.