Berlin’s name alone conjures up thoughts of conflict and harmony, war and peace, a somber past and a promising future. Berlin is one of the most visited cities in Europe and Germany. It might be difficult to plan a vacation to Berlin in just 72 hours, particularly if you’ve never been there before. Don’t put in too much effort, though, because it’s one of those places where you’ll probably return to see more of its amazing attractions.
Dividing the city into sectors and touring each one separately throughout your three days in Berlin is one of the simplest methods to avoid wasting too much time. An planned Berlin Walking Tour is another option for seeing the city’s landmarks and discovering its past—as well as perhaps discovering some undiscovered treasures.
As an alternative, you can hire a bike for about €9 per day, which will save you a ton of time and money while also helping you maintain your fitness level as you ride about Berlin, which is a great city for safe riding.
Purchasing a city pass is a smart way to save some money. The Berlin Pass, Berlin Welcome Card, and Berlin City Tour card are the three choices. You can readily get information about each of them online to choose which one best fits your needs.
Additionally, if you have a strong interest in art and museums, you may get a “museum pass” that grants you entry to several museums across the city.
Day 1: Checkpoint Charlie and the Berlin Wall
Although your first two days in Berlin have been enjoyable, your journey is finally coming to an end. But first, let’s have a lovely, large lunch beside the Landwehr Canal to start the day before going to the first sight of the third day.
Morning at the Berlin Wall Memorial/Cold War Walking Tour
The remains of the ancient wall, which is covered with fascinating graffiti, are now housed at the Berlin Wall Memorial, where the real Berlin Wall once stood.
As an alternative, you may reserve in advance a guided walking tour that shows you the key Cold War landmarks and sights. Expect to see the Berlin Wall Memorial, Oberbaumbrücke, the East Side Gallery, and, of course, Checkpoint Charlie, the well-known checkpoint that divided East Berlin from the West during the Cold War.
The afternoon in the heart of the Cold War
By now, you’re exhausted from learning about Berlin’s past; relax and eat something delicious to refuel. There are a ton of eateries and fast-food chains in the vicinity of Checkpoint Charlie. So select your favorite and have a filling German meal.
The remainder of your afternoon may be spent at the Checkpoint Charlie Gallery, which has some heartbreaking and astounding images captured during the protracted Cold War.
After that, relax by spending some time at the well-known West Berlin Coffee Shop in the city, where you may sip on your preferred cup of coffee and take in the sights of Berlin.
Evening at the TIPI am Kanzleramt
In addition to its history, Berlin is well-known for its live music and nightlife. Given that this is your final night in the city, it makes sense to spend it at the Tipi am Kanzleramt Theater, which is among the greatest places to see live performances throughout the year. Don’t let the circus-like appearance deceive you; the theater has received excellent reviews for its dinners, cabaret performances, and charming terrace bar.
Day 2: Taking a stroll in Mitte
Discovering Mitte, the city’s first and most central district, in the morning is the ideal way to begin your first day in Berlin. The borough is home to some of Berlin’s most ancient landmarks and is genuinely the city’s historic center.
Alexanderplatz with Berlin Cathedral in the morning
Head to Alexanderplatz to see the enormous World Clock to start your day. After taking a minute to absorb your surroundings, proceed to the TV Tower, where you may purchase cheap entrance tickets with a Berlin Welcome Card. The Restaurant Sphere, which is 200 meters (660 feet) above the city, is a great place to have breakfast or lunch at this time.
After your feast, proceed via Berlin’s oldest neighborhood, the Nikolaiviertel, and the Rotes Rathaus, the mayor’s office. Spend some time taking a leisurely walk about the area and stopping at St. Nicholas’ Church, which is free to enter if you have a Berlin museum pass but otherwise costs €5.
You may also visit the Berlin Cathedral, which is something you shouldn’t miss, in place of the Church. The Berlin Cathedral, the city’s most important Protestant church, is mainly known for its recognizable dome. If you have a pass, you may enter for €7 and receive discounts.
After there, head to Museum Island, the day’s next destination. The island has five museums, all of which are equally well-known and well-liked, making it a prominent destination for art and museum enthusiasts.To really appreciate the grandeur of what the museums have to offer, explore them all or pay a visit to a few.
The Holocaust Memorial, a Brandenburg Gate, and Gendarmenmarkt in the afternoon
After all of the walking and bicycling, you must be exhausted, so it’s time for a delicious German lunch. For a true Berlin specialty, we suggest the German sausages. Next, proceed to Gendarmenmarkt, Berlin’s unquestionably best public plaza.There are many restaurants, retail malls, and architecturally stunning buildings all over the place. It’s a terrific destination to come during the holiday season because the area is also well-known for its beautiful Christmas market.
After exploring the neighborhood for a while, head to the Holocaust Memorial. Try not to get lost as you navigate the 2,711 concrete pillars that resemble a maze! It’s also critical to keep in mind the thousands of lives lost throughout this terrible historical period.
Berlin’s most important landmark, Brandenburg Gate, is only a short stroll (or a short bike ride) away from here. Admire Victory Column in the distance as you take your time taking in the structure’s immensity.
The historic Reichstag, the seat of the German parliament, is nearby and should not be missed.The building’s glass dome at the top offers a stunning view over Berlin. Remember that you must register online ahead of time for a certain time to enter it.
Evening at Hackescher Market
It’s typical to be overwhelmed by the amount of history and architecture you’ve seen over the day at this point. You may conclude your first day at the bustling streets of Hackescher Market by taking a bus, walking, or riding your bike back towards the opposite side of the Spree, depending on how worn out you are.
While you’re there, buy some food, try a German beer (you just must try the vast selection of German beers), and perhaps even practice speaking German with the amiable locals.
Day 3: Visiting City West’s Commercial District
Even if you saw a lot of the major attractions on your first day in Berlin, there is always more to see.
Charlottenburg Palace in the morning
You start your day in true German royalty fashion at Charlottenburg Palace after enjoying a hearty breakfast and a cup of coffee. The stunning grounds that encircle the property, which was once a summer castle, contribute to its reputation as one of Berlin’s most beautiful palaces. Enjoy a leisurely stroll through the Prussian Kingdom’s history.
Kurfürstendamm and Zoologischer Garten in the afternoon
Kurfürstendamm, Berlin’s most renowned retail area, is ten minutes away by bicycle.In addition to being a terrific place to buy for branded luxury goods and souvenirs, this is also a great place to have lunch at one of the numerous restaurants that are available.
The Memorial Church, also known as the Kaiser-WilhelmGedächtniskirche, is located at the end of the street. The compound is made up of the church’s ruins, which were destroyed during the conflict and rebuilt as a representation of peace and harmony thereafter. The Europa Centre, the city’s oldest retail district, is located next to the church; if you think you’ve already done enough shopping in Ku’damm, you may avoid this.
Take a ten-minute walk (or five minutes by bicycle) to the Berlin Zoo and Aquarium, which is regarded as the biggest public aquarium in the world. Admire the aquarium’s enormous variety of aquatic animals or watch the cute pandas wander around the Chinese music pavilion.
Remember that the Zoo shuts at 4:30 PM in the winter, while the Aquarium is open daily until 6:00 PM.
Evening at leisure
The greatest way to see Berlin is to spend the day sightseeing and save the nights for dining, drinking, and mingling. Let’s make the most of your second night while you’re in City West.
The well-known Monkey Bar, which serves beer and cocktails and is a fantastic place to meet new people, is located directly outside the zoo. The Bar would be a wonderful way to cap off a wonderful day and offers stunning views of the Tiergarten neighborhood. As an alternative, visit Tiergarten’s Schleusenkrug Beer Garden, which is situated atop the Landwehr Canal.
