Rich in culture, with important historical and political landmarks, lush green parks, Michelin-star cuisine and a vibrant techno scene, Germany’s capital city is certainly a place of extremes. With a tumultuous history and industrial architecture, first impressions of the city can be pretty dark. But in contrast Berlin can be an uplifting place full of adventure and freedom which makes it such an intriguing place to visit.
Nightclubs are known not to close until the last person leaves and the creative scene is thriving. The iconic Brandenburg Gate is undoubtedly the city’s most famous landmark but the impressive glass-domed parliament building (the Reichstag) and the Unesco-protected Museum Island are definitely worth a visit. With two-night or weekend trips a popular option with visitors, here is a sample itinerary to explore the main tourist sights on during your visit, while also soaking up a local neighbourhood.
Day 1
Morning:
Waking up from your accommodation in the excellently-located area of Mitte, you should make Brandenburg Gate your first stop. Arriving early is a wise idea as it can get very busy with tourists wanting their picture in front of the world famous 18th-century 12-pillared structure.
Built in the late 1700s on the orders of Prussian king Frederick William II, it is more than just the city’s only surviving historical city gate. The monument was a symbol of the division of East and West Berlin during the Cold War. But after the wall fell in 1989 it is now a national symbol of unity and peace. Napoleon is even said to have passed through on a victory procession after the Battle of Jena-Auerstedt in 1806.
From here, head next to the nearby Reichstag, one of the city’s most significant buildings and home to the German parliament. The glass-domed roof, which was constructed after the original roof was damaged during World War II, is modern architecture at its finest.
Even though it’s open until midnight, if you are visiting on a weekend you should book ahead due to restricted numbers. There are a few ways you can organise your visit; 1) through the German government directly. Or via an organised tour which we would recommend as this way you will get the most out of your visit.
The rooftop eatery Käfer Dachgarten offers lovely views for a spot of lunch but if you don’t want to sit down for long, why not tuck into the city’s famous currywurst – nearby eatery Curry Mitte comes recommended.
Afternoon:
Move onto the Holocaust Memorial and pause to remember the Jews of Europe in the Second World War. It was built in 2003-2004, the 19,000 square-metre memorial features 2711 concrete slabs and commemorates the 60th anniversary of the end of the war. The names of approximately three million Jewish Holocaust victims are listed too. It’s a pretty moving experience.
Next, you might want to stop by the magnificent 115m tall green-domed Berlin cathedral. If short on time you can simply walk around the outside, but you can also book to climb the stairs to the top of the building if you wish.
Room for more culture? Our next stop is the unique Museum Island, but take time to enjoy a stroll through Tiergarten park en route. With a zoo and an aquarium inside it is the perfect spot for families with little ones to stop off. Or perhaps grab a beer at Café am Neuen See, one of Berlin’s prettiest beer gardens, which overlooks a beautiful lake.
Museum Island is a UNESCO world heritage site in the middle of the River Spree, which is connected by bridges from the main part of the city. As the name indicates the island is home to five brilliant museums – our pick is the Pergamon museum, which includes the Greek Pergamon Altar (extra charge), the Roman Market Gate of Miletus, the Ishtar Gate and Processional Way of Babylon, the stone façade of the caliph’s palace of Mshatta and the Aleppo Room
The Neues museum also has a wonderful Egyptian collection. Don’t be fooled by the museum’s name (which translates as ‘new’) as it features some of the oldest exhibits in Berlin.
Evening:
If you have a head for heights, you can get a 360 degree view of the city at the TV Tower for dinner in Alexanderplatz. There is a revolving restaurant as well as an observation deck if you can stomach a meal. At Christmas time, the streets underneath are lined with beautiful festive markets.
Book a trip to the Berliner Philharmonie afterwards or alternatively watch on in awe at Friedrichstadt-Palast, which hosts many acrobatic shows.
Night owls looking for further action, could then move onto Salon – Zur wilden Renate for music and drinks.
Day 2
Morning:
Start the day off with a Sunday brunch at Steel Vintage Bikes in Mitte ahead of a visit to the Checkpoint Charlie.
The monument was the best-known crossing point for the military on the Berlin Wall between East and West Germany during the Cold War. Afterwards check out the museum for a fascinating look at the history of the Berlin Wall.
Then head by foot through the trendy Kreuzberg neighbourhood en route to the East Side Gallery for some of the best views of the remnants of the Berlin Wall. Due to the large population of Turkish people, you’ll find lots of authentic eateries in Kreuzberg. Grab a coffee or lunch at Mustafa’s Gemüse Kebab; it’s very busy well worth the wait.
Also take time to browse the local bookshops, and vintage and thrift stores. David Bowie used to spend a lot of time in this area and you can see why.
Oberbaumbrücke, an eye-catching double-decker bridge that commonly features in TV shows about Berlin or movies set here, is also worth a picture stop as you move to the East Side Gallery. This famous spot on the river is widely recognised as the best place to see a 1km stretch of the Berlin wall, which has now been painted with colourful murals.
Afternoon:
If you’re up for it, you can then get an alternative view of the city’s complex city by then going on a Berlin Underworld Tour, which explores a maze of 1000 WWII bunkers and air raid shelters that are still intact under the city.
Then, you may wish to hit the shops for some treats to take home.
You’ll find high-end shops like Galeries Lafayette department store on Friedrichstrasse which runs through Mitte and Kreuzberg. Alternatively, go to Kurfürstendamm – one of Berlin’s most famous shopping avenues – to check out the six-floor famous department store KaDeWe.
Afterwards, head to Weidendamm Pier for a historic boat tour to get another view of some of the city’s sights. Did you know Berlin has more bridges than Venice? It’s a very pleasant route.
Evening:
Head to Schnitzelei in Mitte for, as the name suggests, excellent Schnitzel and beer. Another good option is Clärchens Ballhaus which offers classic German and Italian cuisine in a vintage mirrored hall.
If visiting in summer, The Amano Hotel in Mitte is a great option for cocktails with a nice outdoor area offering rooftop views.
Alternatively, head over to the stylish Prinzipal bar and restaurant in Kreuzberg for food and drinks in an ambient setting.
Accommodation options
For luxury travel, try the five-star Hotel Adlon Kempinski, which is located right by the Brandenburg Gate. Prices start £349 per night.
For those on a tighter budget, the A&O Berlin Mitte is another pleasant option with prices starting at £37 per night.
The four-star Novotel, also in the Mitte district, offers a more moderate accommodation option. Prices start at £77 per night.
Things to remember before visiting Berlin
- Be aware that the Covid-19 pandemic means rules and regulations in the city are ever-changing so be sure to check entry requirements and attraction openings before travelling.
- Have your vaccine passport ready as most indoor attractions need proof of double vaccination -or 2G as it’s commonly known – for entry.
- Book the attractions you wish to see in advance to avoid disappointment.
- Consider getting a money-saving Berlin Welcome Card which offers good reductions on public transport and discounts on many attractions
- There are a whopping 170 museums in Berlin so, depending on how many museums you wish to visit, you can buy tailored museum passes to get more value for your money. More information is here: Museum Pass Berlin
- Winters in the city can get very cold so remember to take plenty of layers and an umbrella!
- While the tube (or S-Bahn, U-Bahn) system and buses are simple enough to navigate, we recommend doing as much as you can by bike or by foot. Taxis are also widely available.
