3 Days in Berlin (The Perfect Itinerary and Travel Tips)

By Lina Stock on August 8, 2019 • Last updated October 22, 2020 • 3 Comments
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Berlin is one of the most interesting cities that you can visit in Europe, as the German capital is full of different districts and areas that each have their own unique character.

In Berlin, you can spend your day sightseeing through historic streets, visiting classic sights such as the Brandenburg Gate and the Berlin Wall before then spending your evenings in the lively and loud alternative parts of the city.

There are museums to see, Cold War relics to discover and colorful street art to find. Pay your respects at the Holocaust Memorial, visit abandoned airfields that have been turned into public parks, and explore the Reichstag, the center of German history and politics.

There’s a lot to do in the German capital, but 3 days in Berlin will give you enough time to see the best sights and to get a real feel for the history and culture of the city.

The capital is easy to travel around, with an extensive public transport system that will enable you to get across the city quickly during your 3 days in Berlin, while you can also join walking tours or even catch a hop on hop off bus.

You can get some great passes to allow you to access different museums and attractions for a great price during the course of your stay, and of course, there’s plenty of great German beer and food to dine on too. To inspire your trip here’s the best way to spend 3 days in Berlin!

Don’t leave home without: Lonely Planet Germany (Travel Guide)

3 Days in Berlin: Day 1

Start your 3 days in Berlin by exploring some of the most historic sights within Mitte, the city center. Here you can find Berlin’s most iconic landmarks, such as the Brandenburg Gate and the Reichstag.

You’ll get a real feel for the heart of Berlin and the capital of Germany, and you’ll want to spend the day walking from sight to sight to enjoy the city.

Brandenburg Gate

The Brandenburg Gate is the most well-known sight in Berlin, a grand, neo-classical structure that was originally built by the Prussians in the 18th century.

It’s long been a symbol of Berlin and of Germany, and somehow survived the destruction of World War II.

Our top recommended tours of Brandenburg Gate:

Tiergarten

The Brandenburg Gate leads into the beautiful Tiergarten, and you can walk under the arches and into the pleasant climes of this historic public park. This is one of the largest city parks in the country and you can spend hours strolling along the paths, uncovering hidden monuments and statues.

Our top recommended tours of Tiergarten:

The Reichstag

Don’t spend too long though in Tiergarten – you can always return later during your 3 days in Berlin to soak up the garden atmosphere – because next, you’re heading to the historic Reichstag.

The German parliament building has long played a central role in the country’s history and you can take a tour through the modern, glass-domed structure to learn more about the tumultuous decisions and events that have taken place here.

Our top recommended tours of The Reichstag:

Berlin Itinerary: Day 2

Day 2 of your 3 days in Berlin will see you delve deeper into the country’s history, as you explore the important sights and attractions of the city, which have played a huge role in modern Germany and shaped the country that you see today.

From Checkpoint Charlie to the Berlin Wall, today will be an action-packed day of sightseeing.

Holocaust Memorial

It will be a somber start to the day, but one of the necessary places to visit in Berlin is the Holocaust Memorial, officially known as the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe.

In an effort to come to terms with their own guilt and to ensure that the events of World War II are not forgotten, the German people created this vast memorial dedicated to all those who died during the Holocaust.

Our top recommended tours of the Holocaust Memorial:

Checkpoint Charlie

After World War II, Berlin was divided amongst the Allied countries, into different occupation zones. This divide still shapes the city in many ways today, as it has had a lasting effect on the people and the economy in different districts.

At Checkpoint Charlie, you can see a recreation of the checkpoint that acted as the main crossing between east and west Berlin during the Cold War. Close to the checkpoint itself, where you’ll find ‘guards’ in full period uniform, you can visit the Checkpoint Charlie Museum to learn more.

Our top recommended tours of Checkpoint Charlie:

The Berlin Wall

Continue your day of historic sightseeing by visiting some of the remaining sections of the Berlin Wall. The infamous divide separated East and West Berlin during the Cold War until it was finally pulled down in 1989.

There are several places where you can see the concrete structure, but one of the best spots is along the River Spree, where you can find the East Side Gallery.

This long section of the wall has been turned into an open-air art gallery and museum, and you can find some of Germany’s most iconic artwork painted on the concrete.

Our top recommended tours of The Berlin Wall:

River Spree Cruise

Finish the day with a cruise along the River Spree itself. Take a boat ride along the river that cuts through the German capital, and enjoy the skyline from a different angle on the water.

You’ll see the Berlin Wall from the river, as well as famous sights and landmarks, while you watch the sun slowly set over the city.

Our top recommended tours of River Spree Cruise:

Berlin Sightseeing: Day 3

On the last of your 3 days in Berlin, it’s time to head a little further afield from the center of the city, to explore more than the capital has to offer, including the vast public park at Tempelhofer, that used to be one of the first airports in the country.

Tempelhofer Feld

Tempelhofer Feld was once the site of the Tempelhof Airport, a historic airfield on the outskirts of the city. When the airport was discontinued, however, space was opened up as a public park for all to use.

While you can catch public transport out this way, you might want to consider renting a bicycle for the day, as you can cruise along the old runways and roads that formed part of the airfield, and that is now a unique recreational space within the city.

Charlottenburg Palace

Spend the morning at Tempelhofer, before again heading out into a suburb of Berlin, but this time across to the east, to the Charlottenburg-Wilmsdorf area. You can spend the afternoon exploring this charming side of Berlin, which used to be a separate city entirely and consequently has its own unique character.

This is the home of the Charlottenburg Palace, one of the few remaining royal sights to see in Berlin. The palace dates back to the 17th century and although it was severely damaged during the war, it survived.

It has since become a popular tourist attraction for those looking to see a lost part of German history. Tour the palace and the grounds and learn more about the German monarchy that shaped the country in past centuries.

Our top recommended tours of Charlottenburg Palace:

Berlin Travel Tips

Where to Stay in Berlin

Berlin is a huge city, with a huge array of accommodation options to choose from. You’re really spoilt for choice in the German capital, and surprisingly, for a modern European city, prices are incredibly affordable too.

With 3 days in Berlin, you can find accommodation to match any budget and style in the city, and there are some great places to stay, be it budget hostels with excellent facilities, boutique hotels with quirky designs or luxurious 5-star hotels.

Each neighborhood in the city has its own distinct flavor too, but with the city being so large, you’ll want to bed down in one area for your 3 days in Berlin. If you’re looking for central, then stay in Mitte, but expect to pay higher prices than other areas for the convenience.

If you’re looking for nightlife, then head to Kreuzberg or Friedrichshain, where you can find great clubs and bars that are open until the early hours of the morning. Charlottenburg is a great option if you are looking for a bit of peace and quiet away from the action, but still within easy reach of all the sights and attractions.

Read reviews and check prices with our Hotel Search Engine, that gives you the best hotel deals found on the web. Our search engine pulls results from all of the major booking places, including Expedia, Hotels, Booking and more. All the options, all the deals, all in one place and just for you.

Top luxury hotel we recommend in Berlin: The Circus Apartments
Top mid-range hotel we recommend in Berlin: Radisson Blu Hotel Berlin
Top budget hotel we recommend in Berlin: Hotel Gunia
Top hostel we recommend in Berlin: Minimal Hostel

What to Eat in Berlin

Berlin has one of the most multicultural culinary scenes to be found anywhere in Europe. The city is a melting pot of flavors, spices, and tastes, as the city’s different populations from across the world have brought their own cooking styles to the capital.

When spending 3 days in Berlin, you’ll be overwhelmed by the sheer quantity of restaurants, cafes, and bars, serving everything from Asian to Turkish food.

Of course, you need to try some classic German food during your stay in Berlin, and you’ll find some great beer gardens serving huge glasses of local brews alongside hearty meals such as Schnitzels and Bratwursts.

If you need a snack, then grab some Currywurst from the fast-food restaurants, and if you need some good, cheap eating then head to one of the many excellent Turkish Doner Kebab stands that are ubiquitous across the city, and open until late.

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Article by Lina Stock

Lina is an award-winning photographer and writer that has been exploring the world since 2001. She has traveled to 100 countries on all 7 continents.

Member: SATW, NATJA, ATTA, ITWA

Comments

Fani Malik says

August 30, 2019 at 4:20 AM

Excellent article.very interesting to read. I really love to read such a nice article. Thank you so much for providing important information.

Evans says

August 19, 2019 at 2:20 AM

Nice article.The scenery looks amazing! Will visit the place.

- Lina Stock says
  
  August 20, 2019 at 9:24 AM
  
  Berlin is a fascinating city with lots of great green space. Thanks for stopping by!