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In this travel blog, I will provide a detailed itinerary for Berlin, including the main sights, tips for getting around, and recommendations for food and drink.
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Table of Contents
Berlin is the capital and largest city of Germany. It is located in the northeastern part of the country and is home to over 3.7 million people. Berlin has a rich history, having been the capital of Germany during both World War I and World War II.
After the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, the city underwent a period of rapid transformation and is now known for its vibrant culture, diverse neighbourhoods, and world-class museums.
If you ask me, there are gorgeous cities in Europe such as Prague, and Paris or cities with thousands of years of history such as Athens or Rome. Berlin isn’t that.
But Berlin is a unique and fascinating place with historical events that happened in our lifetime (well for some). I didn’t love Berlin the first time I visited on a cold November day, because I had no plan or itinerary and frankly I didn’t know anything about the city. After returning to Berlin over the years I saw Berlin in a different light. I wrote this Berlin itinerary for 2 days to help you have the best time in Berlin during your visit.
So let’s get started with this Berlin Itinerary so you can start planning.
Here is your itinerary recap of all the places visited during your time in Berlin.
Day 1 of your Berlin Itinerary:
Branderburg Gate – Reichstag – Tiergarten – Memorial to the Murdered Jews – Topography of Terrors – Checkpoint Charlie – Friedrichstrasse – Ritter Sport Chocolate World Berlin – Pranzlaure Berg
Day 2 of your Berlin Itinerary:
Friedrichshain – East Side Gallery – Alexander Platz & TV Tower – Museum Island – Bebelplatz – Kreuzberg
This itinerary is created so that you can do it on your own and independently, but I highly recommend starting the day with this 3rd Reich Walking Tour of Berlin.
Not only will it cover some of the places mentioned below, but you will also get a much better understanding of Berlin’s history, the Berlin Wall, and WW2 events that shaped the city.
Start your day by visiting the Brandenburg Gate, which is one of the most iconic symbols of Berlin. This neoclassical monument was built in the 18th century and has played a significant role in the history of Berlin. The gate was originally designed to be a part of a larger wall that surrounded the city of Berlin, but it was never completed.
When Berlin was a divided city by the Berlin Wall (1962-1989), the Brandenburg Gate stood in the no-mans land and didn’t belong to East or West Berlin.
It naturally became a symbol of reunification. It was also the site of the famous “Ich bin ein Berliner” speech by President John F. Kennedy in 1963.
It stands at the heart of Berlin and it is easy to get to via public transport or if you are staying in the city centre, simply walk here.
As you walk under the Brandenburg Gate, on one side will be West Berlin dominated by a huge avenue and the green park known as Tiergarten. On the other side, the main avenue of the former East Berlin, a street called Unter den Linden, translates to “Under the Lime Trees”.
The street is lined with beautiful trees and is home to some of Berlin’s most famous landmarks, including the Berlin State Opera, the Humboldt University, and the Neue Wache. You might walk this on the second day of your 2 days in the Berlin Itinerary.
From the Brandenburg Gate, you can take a short walk to the nearby Reichstag building, which is home to the German parliament since 1999.
In 1933, the building was severely damaged in a fire that was blamed on the communists. The Nazi party used the fire as a pretext to pass the Enabling Act, which gave Hitler dictatorial powers.
This event virtually changed European (and World) history forever.
After World War II, the Reichstag fell into disrepair and was largely abandoned until a major renovation project in the ’90s to restore the building made it the home of the German parliament once again.
One of the most striking features of the modern Reichstag is the glass dome, which was added during the renovation. Visitors can take a spiral ramp to the top of the dome, where they can enjoy panoramic views of Berlin.
Visiting the Reichstag is free, but you need to book your visit in advance through the official website of the German parliament. You also need to bring your passport with you.
When you finish at the Reichstag, walk through the Tiergarten. The park was originally created in the 16th century as a hunting ground for the Rulers of Brandenburg.
Over the years, it evolved into a public park and was named the “Tiergarten” (German for “animal garden”) in the 18th century, when it became home to a menagerie of exotic animals. It still houses Berlin Zoo.
This park is huge, but I do recommend walking toward the Soviet Memorial from where you can also see the Victory Monument in the distance.
The Soviet Memorial is a large war memorial. The focus is a large statue of a Soviet soldier holding a child, with a raised sword in his other hand.
The monument was built by the Soviet Union to commemorate their victory over Nazi Germany in World War II.
Not far from here is the Memorial to Murdered Jews.
The Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe, is a large-scale memorial dedicated to the memory of the approximately six million Jews who were murdered by the Nazis during World War II.
It was designed by the architect Peter Eisenman and was opened to the public in 2005.
The memorial consists of 2,711 concrete slabs arranged in a grid pattern over an area of 19,000 square metres.
The slabs are of varying heights, ranging from just a few centimetres to over four metres tall, and they create a sense of disorientation and confusion as visitors walk through the maze-like structure.
It serves as a reminder of the atrocities committed by the Nazis during World War II and as a warning against the dangers of prejudice, hatred, and intolerance. An important place to visit as you continue to the next place.
The Topography of Terrors is an outdoor museum that documents the history of the Nazi regime and its atrocities during World War II.
The museum is situated on the site of the former Gestapo headquarters and provides a detailed account of the events that took place in Germany during the Nazi era. Admission is free.
There is also a large section of the original Berlin Wall here.
The Topography of Terrors museum is focused on the history of the Nazi regime, with exhibits covering topics such as the rise of Hitler and the Nazi party, the persecution and murder of Jews and other minorities, the use of concentration camps, and the activities of the Gestapo, the SS, and other Nazi organizations.
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Only a short walk later, you’ll arrive at Checkpoint Charlie. After learning about the atrocities of the Second World War at the previous sights, we are back to the fascinating history of divided Berlin.
Checkpoint Charlie was a border crossing point between East Berlin and West Berlin during the Cold War. It was located here in the Friedrichstraße and served as a symbol of the division between the communist East and the democratic West.
A little bit of a background on the division of Berlin and the Berlin Wall:
After World War II, Germany was divided into four occupation zones controlled by the United States, Great Britain, France, and the Soviet Union.
Berlin, located deep in the Soviet zone, was also divided into four sectors.
In 1961, the East German government built the Berlin Wall to prevent East Germans from fleeing to the West, and Checkpoint Charlie became one of the few places where people could cross the border.
Checkpoint Charlie was heavily guarded by US and Soviet troops and was the site of several tense standoffs during the Cold War.
In October 1961, Soviet tanks faced off against US tanks at the checkpoint, creating a potentially explosive situation.
In 1989, following the fall of the Berlin Wall, the checkpoint was dismantled, and the border was opened.
Today, Checkpoint Charlie is a popular tourist attraction in Berlin, with a replica of the original checkpoint building and a museum dedicated to the history of the checkpoint and the Berlin Wall.
The museum features exhibits and artifacts related to the Cold War and the division of Germany, including photographs, documents, and equipment used by border guards.
However, you can also see several outdoor exhibits, including a section of the Berlin Wall, a memorial to those who died trying to cross the border, and a row of flags representing the countries that were involved in the division of Germany.
You can read through the information at your own pace and the photographs bring it to life.
Walk up the main shopping avenue of Berlin. There are a few cafes and bakeries where you can grab lunch or baked goods. Do try the Berliner at some point which is a typical German doughnut.
And if you are after some Bavarian food, you can get a hearty lunch at Restaurant Maximilians Berlin.
For any chocolate lover, the next stop is a must. But I also think it is an important part of German culture. You ask any German and they will most likely tell you that they love Ritter Sport Chocolate, a popular German chocolate brand known for its distinctive square-shaped bars.
Ritter Sport Colourful Chocolate World Berlin is a museum and interactive experience located in the heart of Berlin, dedicated to the history and production of Ritter Sport chocolate.
One of the highlights of the museum is the interactive exhibits, which allow you to create your own customised chocolate bars, choosing from a range of flavours and ingredients to make a unique and personalised treatment.
There is also a cafe where you can sample a range of Ritter Sport chocolate products, including exclusive flavours and limited-edition bars. The gift shop sells a variety of Ritter Sports products, including special edition bars and merchandise.
Near the Ritter Sports World, you will also find Gendarmenmarkt square.
This square gives you an idea of how lavish the city must have been back in the 18th century. There are two main cathedrals here:
French Cathedral and the New Church which is usually referred to as the German Cathedral. The names come from the language spoken by the church’s community. You can visit both for free.
In the evening, head to Prenzlauer Berg, which is a trendy neighbourhood known for its vibrant nightlife. You can enjoy a meal at one of the many restaurants in the area, followed by a drink at one of the bars or clubs.
Be sure to try the local specialty, currywurst, which is a sausage served with curry ketchup.
BEST GUIDED TOURS
Start your second day in Berlin by visiting Friedrichshain, an area in East Berlin that has become trendy in early 2000. Think bars, cafes, and nightclubs including the famous Berghain nightclub.
It is also home to the East Side Gallery but you can start your day here with a great brunch at Café Datscha Friedrichshain or maybe coffee at one of the best coffee roasters in Berlin with brunch at Silo Coffee.
After you refuel with breakfast, walk down to the East Side Gallery. The East Side Gallery is a section of the Berlin Wall that has been transformed into an open-air gallery featuring murals and graffiti art near the Spree River.
The East Side Gallery is the longest remaining section of the Berlin Wall, stretching for 1.3 kilometres (0.8 miles).
It was created in 1990, shortly after the fall of the wall, as a way to commemorate the reunification of East and West Germany.
More than 100 artists from around the world were invited to paint murals on the wall, creating a colourful and powerful tribute to freedom and democracy.
The murals on the East Side Gallery cover a variety of themes, from political and social commentary to abstract designs.
Some of the most famous murals include “My God, Help Me to Survive This Deadly Love,” also known as the “Fraternal Kiss,” which depicts a kiss between Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev and East German leader Erich Honecker.
Walk the length of the wall to see all the artwork.
From the East Side Gallery, you can walk all the way toward Alexanderplatz or hop on the metro. In the distance you’ll see the TV Tower, this is the heart of the square where we are heading to.
Alexanderplatz is a public square and a significant transport hub. The square is named after the Russian Emperor Alexander I, who visited Berlin in 1805 and it was the main centre for East Berlin before the fall of the Berlin wall.
One of the most recognised landmarks of Alexanderplatz is the Fernsehturm or TV Tower, a 368-metre (1,207-foot) tower that was built in the 1960s by the German Democratic Republic (East Germany) as a symbol of communist power and technological progress.
It is the tallest structure in Germany and the fourth-tallest freestanding structure in Europe.
The best part of it? You can take the lift to the top of the viewing platform at a height of 203 metres (666 feet), providing a panoramic view of Berlin. It also houses a revolving restaurant, which takes about an hour to make a full rotation.
You can pre-purchase your ticket for the TV Tower here.
There are plenty of shops and places to eat near here if you need to grab lunch.
Time to walk towards the Berliner Dom, a stunning cathedral on Museum Island. This is a protestant church and the exterior of the Berliner Dom features an impressive dome and several ornate spires, while the interior is decorated with mosaics, frescoes, and stained-glass windows.
You can climb to the top of the dome for a breathtaking view of the city. There is an admission fee of EUR 7.
Now that you are on Museum Island, there are a few places to consider.
Here you’ll find the Old Museum, New Museum, the Old National Gallery, Bode Museum, and the famous Pergamon Museum. I would suggest visiting Neues Museum or Pergamon Museum.
The Neues museum is home to the famous bust of Queen Nefertiti, as well as many other ancient artifacts.
The Pergamon Museum is known for its impressive collection of ancient artifacts from the Near East, including the famous Pergamon Altar, the Ishtar Gate of Babylon, and the Market Gate of Miletus.
Recommendation: If you are planning to visit a few museums it might be worth getting a Berlin Museum Pass. With the Museum Pass, you get free 3-day entry to over 30 museums in Berlin. A must for any museum enthusiast.
Since you are very close to the Humboldt University, Neue Wache Memorial, and Bebalplatz, if you have the time and the energy I suggest walking along the Unter den Linden towards the Bebelplatz.
The Bebelplatz or Bebel Square is right next to the Opera House.
The square is also infamous for an event that took place on May 10, 1933, when the Nazis burned books by Jewish and other authors as part of their campaign to control and censor information.
When you walk across Bebelplatz you often come across people staring at the same spot on the ground. As you get closer, you see a glass container set in the stones, and below it an underground room with empty bookshelves. This empty library is a memorial to what happened here.
Time to head back to the hotel maybe for a little freshen-up or push on into the evening.
In the evening, head to the lively neighbourhood of Kreuzberg, which is known for its international cuisine. Be sure to try a Döner kebab, which is a popular Turkish street food. Or try the infamous burger at Burgermeister.
After dinner, you can enjoy a drink at one of the many bars in the area, or attend a concert or show at one of the local venues.
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BEST GUIDED TOURS
Getting around Berlin on public transport is relatively easy and affordable. The city has an extensive network of buses, trams, and trains that run throughout the city.
The best way to get around is by using the Berlin Welcome Card, which provides unlimited travel on public transport and discounts at many attractions. The prices for the Welcome Card range from 48 hours to 6 days and vary depending on the zones you want to travel in.
If you only plan to travel in the central area of the city, you can purchase the AB ticket for 24 hours, which costs €8.80 for a day pass.
You can buy tickets at ticket machines at stations or directly from bus drivers. It’s important to remember to validate your ticket before boarding, as inspectors do check tickets regularly.
If you are staying in the city centre and don’t mind walking, then you might need to only purchase a single metro ride when you need it.
An AB ticket costs € 3 or a short trip costs € 2.
Recommendation: To save time and money we recommend you purchase the Berlin WelcomeCard. The card not only allows you to travel for free with Berlin’s public transport (including to and from the airport) but also gives you up to 50% discount at more than 200 sights and attractions. Worth every penny!
There are many popular guided tours to do in Berlin for first-time visitors that can provide a great introduction to the city’s history, culture, and attractions. Here are a few of the most popular options:
No matter what your interests or schedule, many guided tours in Berlin can help you get the most out of your visit and would be a great addition to your 2 days in Berlin itinerary. View more things to do in Berlin here.
For first-time visitors to Berlin, there are several districts you might choose to stay, depending on your interests and budget. Here are some of the best districts to consider:
No matter which neighbourhood you choose, Berlin has excellent public transportation, so it’s easy to get around the city and explore all the different areas.
Berlin has many great restaurants that serve traditional German cuisine. Here are some of the best restaurants for visitors to try:
Be sure to try some traditional German dishes such as Schnitzel, Sauerkraut, and Bratwurst. And don’t forget to wash it all down with a cold German beer or a glass of Riesling!
Berlin is known for its excellent coffee scene, with many independent coffee roasters and cafes throughout the city. You must try one of these during your 2 days in Berlin Itinerary.
Here are three of the best coffee roasters in Berlin:
No matter which coffee roaster you choose, you can be sure that you’ll find high-quality and unique coffee in Berlin.
The best time to visit Berlin depends on your personal preferences and what you want to do during your trip. Here is some information to help you decide:
You might consider these points when planning your 2 days in Berlin.
Here are five suggested hotels to stay at in Berlin, including options for luxury, mid-range, budget, and a great hostel:
If you’re looking for luxury, the Hotel Adlon Kempinski is one of the best hotels in Berlin. This iconic hotel is located next to the Brandenburg Gate and offers elegant rooms, fine dining, and a luxurious spa.
NH Collection Berlin Mitte Friedrichstrasse
For a mid-range option, the NH Collection Berlin Mitte Friedrichstrasse is a great choice. This stylish hotel is located in the heart of Berlin, just a few minutes walk from major attractions like Checkpoint Charlie and the Berlin Wall Memorial.
Meininger Hotel Berlin Alexanderplatz
The Meininger Hotel Berlin Alexanderplatz is a great choice if you’re on a budget. This modern hostel/hotel is located in the trendy Friedrichshain neighbourhood and offers affordable rooms, a shared kitchen, and a rooftop terrace with great city views.
Another great mid-range option is the Aletto Hotel Kudamm. Located in the popular Charlottenburg neighbourhood, this hotel offers comfortable rooms, a fitness centre, and a rooftop terrace with city views.
If you’re looking for a great hostel, the EastSeven Berlin Hostel is a highly-rated option. Located in the trendy Prenzlauer Berg neighbourhood, this hostel offers comfortable and affordable dorms and private rooms, as well as a communal kitchen, free Wi-Fi, and a cosy lounge area.
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How many days do you need to see Berlin? I think 2 days in Berlin is the perfect amount of days to see the main highlights of Berlin. Furthermore, it’s long enough to get a little taste of the different neighbourhoods of Berlin too.
This itinerary was created specifically for people who are looking for a Berlin itinerary for two days. If you are looking for inspiration for a Berlin itinerary 3 days, simply follow this itinerary and spend the last day visiting Charlottenburg or visiting Postdam on a day trip.
If you made it to the end, thank you!
I wrote this Itinerary for Berlin as it took me a few times to visit Berlin to get under its skin. Since my first visit was during a cold overcast November day with no itinerary and knowledge of the city, it makes sense that I didn’t love it.
But Berlin has also changed a lot in the past 20 years. It is vibrant, alternative, modern and old, and quirky at times.
And once you learn more about the history of the Berlin wall and WW2, it is a fascinating city to explore. So happy travels and I hope your 2 days in Berlin will also make you appreciate this city as much as I do now.
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