The capital of Germany, Berlin is undoubtedly one of the most popular and busiest metropolises in the world. The city has so much to offer, from rich history and vibrant culture to a diverse art scene and UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
For an unforgettable time in the city, we’ve created this 3 day Berlin itinerary for your trip.
Also included in this post is important information about visiting Berlin to help make your time in the city smooth and hassle-free.
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Berlin 3 Day Itinerary
Berlin is the perfect place to go in Germany for a city break. It has it all, a fascinating history, amazing food, and a vibrant beer culture like no other in the world. In this guide, we will discuss the best time to go to Berlin as well as the following:
Table of Contents
Are 3-Days Enough in Berlin?
Berlin definitely has a lot to see but 3 Days will give you ample time to explore the city and see the key attractions.
Planning Your Trip
We use the below booking platforms to plan our trips. We hope you find them useful too!
Where to Stay in Berlin
No matter what your style of accommodation is, Berlin has the perfect place for you. We have put together a list of the best places to stay in Berlin, ranging all price ranges, to make your trip a little less stressful.
Luxury – Hotel Adlon Kempinski Berlin is a 5 star hotel situated in ’s Mitte, beside the . Soak up your experience in the city in a luxury central location.
You can book your stay at Hotel Adlon Kempinski Berlin here.
Mid-Range – Hotel California Kurfürstendamm 35 is located in the heart of Berlin and features a terrace on the Kurfürstendamm Boulevard.
You can book your stay at Hotel California Kurfürstendamm 35 here.
Budget – Teikyo Berlin – Hotel und Jugendgästehaus am Zeuthener See is directly located on Lake Zeuthen and is a peaceful place to stay in south-east Berlin. There is even the option to hire a rowing boat to allow you to explore the surrounding nature on the lake.
You can book your stay at Teikyo Berlin – Hotel und Jugendgästehaus am Zeuthener See here.
For all other choices of accommodation in Berlin, click here.
Day 1
Brandenburg Gate
There can’t be a better attraction to start your Berlin tour than Brandenburg Gate – the most famous Berlin landmark. Built in 1791, the gate was Berlin’s first ‘Greek revival’ building. Beautifully adorned with a horse-drawn chariot carrying Victoria, the gate is an early example of a neo-classical building in Germany.
The gate consists of six columns and used to separate West and East Berlin during the cold war. However, with the fall of the Berlin wall, the monument was re-opened in November 1989 as a symbol of unity and peace to bring the two parts of the city together.
Berlin Cathedral
The next stop on your tour is Berlin Cathedral. Situated on Museum Island, Berlin Cathedral is one of the top tourist attractions in Berlin. It is also one of the oldest constructions in Berlin.
The cathedral was initially built as a parish church in the 15th century, however, today it serves as a protestant cathedral. This incredible building has witnessed both the rise and fall of empires.
The church boasts a stunning New Baroque style and is divided into three sections – the Baptismal and Nuptial Church, the Memorial Church, and the Parish Church.
Hohenzollern Crypt is another key highlight of Berlin Cathedral which is known to house close to 100 sarcophagi, monuments, and coffins that date from the 16th to 20th centuries. Make sure to climb up to the Dome to capture the stunning views over Museum Island.
Berlin TV Tower
One of the more surreal experiences in Berlin is visiting the renowned Berlin TV Tower.
Towering 368 meters above Alexanderplatz, Berlin TV Tower is the highest edifice in the city. There is an observation deck which is known to offer exquisite views of the city.
East Side Gallery
A unique art gallery that will take you through the country’s history is East Side Gallery. This is an open-air art exhibition, displayed on the longest remaining part of the Berlin Wall.
The wall was built to stop the emigration of people from East Germany to West Germany.
East Side Gallery displays more than 1000 paintings and other significant artworks by artists from across the globe. The gallery is an interesting tourist attraction and a must on the list of places to visit in Berlin in 3 days.
Spree Riverfront
Sunset is the perfect time to visit Spree Riverfront. Spree River flows through the city of Berlin and has a significant presence in the city.
To fully capture the beauty of the river, visit the Ebertbrucke area. It is the perfect setting for a stroll along the river near the TV Tower.
You can either walk along the banks or hop on a river cruise (which is very frequent here) to soak up the vibe. There are also flea markets to peruse as you meander along the banks.
Day 2
Museum Island
Museum Island is a charming place to visit in Berlin that you will find mentioned in almost all articles about Berlin. Museum Island is located on the banks of River Spree and is a tourist attraction in itself.
The island houses many of Berlin’s attractions and, as the name suggests, they are mainly museums.
There are so many museums ere that you wouldn’t be able to visit them all in one day. If we were to make some suggestions, New Museum, Old Museum, Old National Gallery, Bode Museum, and Pergamon Museum are great choices to visit.
Holocaust Memorial
An important landmark in Berlin is the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe, marking the somber history of Germany. Also known as the Holocaust Memorial, this landmark sprawls over an area of 19000 sq km.
There are more than 27000 slabs in the memorial and right in front, there is a museum which has diaries, letters, and photos of the survivors of the Holocaust.
This memorial commemorates millions of people who lost their lives during the war. Being one of the most important memorials in the world, it is accessible to all and has audio guides available in English.
The German Museum of Technology
The German Museum of Technology is a unique attraction in Berlin that was established in 1983 to celebrate technology and industrial prowess.
The museum offers plenty of fun things to do for both adults and kids. It has a large display related to the industrial revolution as well as a great collection of vehicles from the past, giving an insight in to automobile evolution.
There are also aircrafts on display, including several preserved engines that date back to the mid-19th century. On your tour of the German Museum of Technology, you will also get a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to ride a 1930s vintage train.
Beer Garden
Germany has a vibrant beer culture and there are beer gardens and beer halls all around the country. This is one of the best things to do in Berlin.
When it comes to a beer garden in Berlin, you don’t have to look far. There are many beer gardens in the city including the famous Berliner Beer Garden, located downtown.
Another one well worth a visit is the Biergarten at Potsdamer Platz which is located in Potsdamer Platz. This one is an iconic beer as it doesn’t just treat you to a great selection of beers, but a stunning view of Berlin’s skyline.
Day 3
Charlottenburg Palace and Parks
As well as historical attractions, Berlin is also home to some of the most beautiful parks in the country, Charlottenburg Palace is one of them.
One of the oldest gardens in the city dates back to the 17th century. For decades, the palace served as the residence of German royalty. Today, it is a restored palace with some amazing features including an impressive 50-meter-high central dome.
The rooms at the palace are beautifully adorned with Rococo and Baroque architecture. The key highlight of the palace, however, is its park. This also traces its history from the 17th century and houses the New Pavilion which was built in 1788.
Within the palace vicinity, you will find a Mausoleum that has royal tombs along with the Grand Courtyard. It also houses an effigy of Frederick William, the Great Elector.
If you are visiting Berlin during the winter season, then exploring the Christmas Market at Charlottenburg Palace is a must-do experience. The market displays an opulent collection from more than 250 artisans and vendors.
Checkpoint Charlie
The next stop on your final day is Checkpoint Charlie, once the famous crossing point between West and East Berlin during the Cold War. It was the third checkpoint in Berlin which was established by the Allies.
Today, it serves as one of the most interesting and highly-visited tourist landmarks in the city. The site holds replicas of border crossing and guardhouse signs.
Right next to the guardhouse, there is Charlie Checkpoint Museum which exhibits some intriguing attempts by those trying to escape the communist rule during the Cold War.
Cold War Central
Take a break and enjoy some leisure time at Cold War Central. There are plenty of activities in this part of the city but we recommend you go hunting for food.
The region is dotted with lots of restaurants and fast-food joints so you will be spoilt for choice. After treating yourself with some delectable food, spend the rest of the afternoon exploring the region and capturing amazing pictures.
This area is home to the most popular cafe in the city, West Berlin Coffee Shop. Make sure to drop by and savour one of the best coffees in the city while watching the world go by outside.
Tipi am Kanzleramt
The city of Berlin is not just about rich history, it is also a nightlife destination. Since this is your last evening in the city, there can’t be a better way to end the tour than enjoying the nightlife and live music scene.
Tipi am Kanzleramt theatre is a popular venue for night events, cabaret shows, and music festivals in Berlin. Though the exterior of the theatre looks more like a circus, don’t be fooled by its appearance, it also has a lovely terrace bar.
Before You Leave for Berlin
Before you set off on your trip to Berlin, there are a few things you will need to get sorted to ensure a smooth and unforgettable adventure. Here is everything you need to know before you set off on your journey to Berlin.
How to Get to Berlin
Whether you arrive by plane bus or train, we have the information for you to make it into the city centre of Berlin. If you are interested in purchasing one of the many tourist passes that offer discounts and public transport around the city, then be sure to read on and check what pass will suit you, as some include airport transport.
Schönefeld (SFX) Airport
Schönefeld (SFX) is one of two international airports in Berlin, located in the south eastern side of the city. If you are flying into Berlin on a low-cost budget airline such as EasyJet or Ryanair, then this is the airport you will most likely fly into. The quickest way of getting to Berlin city centre from this airport is the airport express train, which runs every 30 minutes from 4am till 11pm.
Tegal Airport
Train Station
If you arrive into Berlin by train, you will most likely arrive into Berlin Hauptbahnhof, which is the main railway station in Berlin. This is also a regional station and has a link to Berlin’s S-Bahn network. Using the S-Bhan it takes around 10 minutes to get to Alexanderplatz in central Berlin.
Bus Station
If you arrive into Berlin Central Bus Station then you will easily be able to catch the S-Bahn or U-Bhan into the city centre of Berlin.
Where to Stay in Berlin
No matter what your style of accommodation is, Berlin has the perfect place for you. We have put together a list of the best places to stay in Berlin, ranging all price ranges, to make your trip a little less stressful.
Luxury – Hotel Adlon Kempinski Berlin is a 5 star hotel situated in ’s Mitte, beside the . Soak up your experience in the city in a luxury central location.
You can book your stay at Hotel Adlon Kempinski Berlin here.
Mid-Range – Hotel California Kurfürstendamm 35 is located in the heart of Berlin and features a terrace on the Kurfürstendamm Boulevard.
You can book your stay at Hotel California Kurfürstendamm 35 here.
Budget – Teikyo Berlin – Hotel und Jugendgästehaus am Zeuthener See is directly located on Lake Zeuthen and is a peaceful place to stay in south-east Berlin. There is even the option to hire a rowing boat to allow you to explore the surrounding nature on the lake.
You can book your stay at Teikyo Berlin – Hotel und Jugendgästehaus am Zeuthener See here.
For all other choices of accommodation in Berlin, click here.
What to Pack for Berlin
What you pack for your trip to Germany’s capital city will depend on what time of year you visit. Berlin experiences all four seasons (sometimes in one day), so it is good to always be prepared. In the winter, temperatures can reach well below freezing, so it is a good idea to pack warm and waterproof clothing. In the summer, it can reach sweltering temperatures, so light and breezy clothing is best.
Overall, during your trip to Berlin you are going to be doing a LOT of walking, so comfy shoes are the most important item to pack. Also bring swimwear and a towel for your visit to the famous thermal baths.
Given the beautiful sights and scenery that you are no doubt going to see around Berlin, we highly recommend packing a good camera for your trip. If you want to read more about the cameras we use and why we love them, check out the link below.
Photography Equipment
Main Photography Camera – Sony A7v Mirrorless Camera and Sony A7iii Mirrorless Camera
Microphone – Sony Mic ECM-B1M
Main Lens – Tamron 17-28mm f/2.8
Zoom Lens – Tamron 70-180mm f/2.8
Camera Tripod – ZOMEI Z669C Camera Tripod
Gorilla Pod – JOBY JB01507-BWW GorillaPod
Action Camera – GoPro Hero 11 and Insta 360 One RS
Drone Camera – DJI Mavic Pro 3
Camera Bag – Wandrd PRVKE 41L and The Nest by Tropicfeel
Phone Tripod – Manfrotto MKPIXICLAMP-BK, Mini Tripod with Universal Smartphone Clamp
Sturdy Phone Tripod & Selfie Stick – ATUMTEK 61″ Selfie Stick Tripod, Sturdy Phone Tripod Stand with Wireless Remote
Hard Drives – LaCie Rugged Mini, 5TB, 2.5″, Portable External Hard Drive
SSD – SanDisk Extreme Pro 1TB Portable NVMe SSD
Travel Adapter –Worldwide Travel Adapter Universal Travel Plug with 4 USB Ports+Universal AC Socke
What is the Best Travel Insurance for Berlin
I know travel insurance is the least enjoyable thing to purchase and look at when you’re planning a trip, however, you wouldn’t want to be without it in the event that something happened. Accidents can happen anywhere and the extortionate medical bills will ruin your trip if you are not covered.
To ensure you have a stress-free trip with no worries about potential medical bills, make sure you cover yourself when you travel. We can recommend using SafetyWing, a backpacker-friendly and cheap insurance company that provides good coverage and support. It is also nomad-friendly, unlike most other insurance companies, meaning you do not need to worry about being out of your home country for too long.
Get a quote for your travel insurance right here and get covered!
So there you have it, a great 3 day itinerary for visting Berlin. If you are visiting this incredible city and have any other questions on what to expect, leave us a comment down below. We love to chat about this stuff! If you have already been, let us know how it was!
Also, remember to share this with your friends and family that you are going to share this amazing experience with. Sharing is caring and we want to ensure that everyone is fully prepared to maximise their experience visiting Berlin.
If you are planning a Germany trip soon then check out our other Germany content right here. Come and find us on social media to see where we are currently exploring. Tag us in your photos from your stay and we will share them with the rest of our community of explorers and backpackers.
Read Now:
- The Ultimate Berlin Itinerary – Two Days in the Capital
- Berlin’s Best Attractions: Top Nine Activities in Berlin
- The Perfect Munich 3-Day Itinerary – A Complete Guide to Visiting Munich
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