The Best 3 Day Berlin Itinerary - A Complete Guide to Visiting Berlin

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:

Is 3 days in Berlin enough?
Where to Stay in Berlin
Brandenburg Gate
Berlin Cathedral
Berlin TV Tower
East Side Gallery
Spree Riverfront
Museum Island
The Holocaust Memorial
The German Museum of Technology
Beer Gardens
Charlottenburg Palace and Parks
Checkpoint Charlie
Cold War Central
Tipi am Kanzleramt
Before you leave for Berlin

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.

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 Berlin’s Mitte, beside the Brandenburg Gate. 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

Tegal airport is closer to the city than Schönefeld, however, there are no direct links to the S- or U-Bahn. Therefore, the quickest way to get into the city is either by catching the Express Bus X9 or the TXL Express Bus, both of which stop outside the terminal.

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.