At first glance, Berlin is not one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. But on the latter, you’ll find that it offers a lot – interesting architecture, places full of history, a multicultural atmosphere and delicious cuisine from all corners of the world. In this article we take a look at the complete 3-day itinerary of Berlin.
A route map for each day is also included, making it quick and easy to plan your trip to Berlin.
3 days in Berlin itinerary – route map
Below you’ll find a map of where to go in Berlin in 3 days – places are colour-coded and linked for each day to help you navigate your planning.
The first two days cover mainly the centre of Berlin and the surrounding area. We will visit iconic landmarks such as the Brandenburg Gate, the TV Tower, Museum Island and Potsdam Square.
Berlin has a long history and a very strong story behind it, which is mapped out in detail in several places in the itinerary.
The third day will be more open and we will show several options so that everyone can choose according to their preferences.
HOW TO USE THIS MAP: Above you will find a detailed map of 3 days in Berlin itinerary Click at the top left of the map to see separate layers with highlighted locations. You can hide and show the different layers or click on the icons on the map to see the names of the places I mention in the itinerary for 3 days in Berlin, Germany. If you want to save the map, star it. For a larger version, click on the icon in the upper right corner.
Quick Guide to Berlin
How to save money: Berlin WelcomeCard is a tourist card that allows you to travel around Berlin without restrictions and get discounts on sights and attractions in the city. It includes almost all the well-known attractions, including the TV Tower, AquaDom & SEA LIFE Berlin and Charlottenburg Castle.
Where to stay: Hotel AMANO (stylish hotel near the train station), Hotel Schulz (popular hotel at a good price), Ibis budget Berlin Potsdamer Platz (budget hotel)
How to get around the city: Berlin is well served by the U-Bahn, S-Bahn, buses and trams. You can buy tickets easily via the BVG app or take advantage of unlimited free transport with Berlin WelcomeCard.
3 DAYS IN BERLIN ITINERARY
3 DAYS IN BERLIN – ITINERARY FOR 1ST DAY
On the first day we will be in the northern part of the centre. The itinerary for the first day includes Brandenburg Gate, Reichstag, Jewish Memorial, Museum Island and TV Tower. The sites are easily walkable or you can use the local public transport, which runs at short intervals throughout the day.
Morning: Brandenburg Gate
You can’t start your visit to Berlin any other way than at the Brandenburg Gate, the symbol of Germany, where the locals celebrated after reunification.
The Brandenburg Gate is very popular and can be enjoyed in the morning with just a few other visitors. Behind it is the vast Tiergarten, which is part of the itinerary for the second day in Berlin.
Reichstag
From the Brandenburg Gate we continue northwards to the Reichstag, the seat of the German Parliament. The building is historic with a distinctive glass dome. It was built as a symbol of government transparency.
The dome is open to visitors daily from 8:00 am until evening. You’ll enjoy a great view of Berlin, only it’s advance reservation required (book well in advance in high season). They won’t let you in without a reservation.
Walk past the Reichstag to the River Spree, which is flanked by a landscaped embankment and the modern Chancellery buildings. You can walk all the way to the back and spend hours admiring the modern architecture from the other side, take a bike ride or visit Bellevue Castle. The ideal place on days when you need a break from the busy city.
After visiting the Reichstag, we head back to the Brandenburg Gate and head south. A few minutes away is a place full of emotions that make you think about the horrors of the last century – the Jewish Memorial.
It consists of variously sized rectangles representing Jews who perished during World War II. The place is freely accessible.
Morning: Unter den Linden
From the Jewish Memorial, continue along the main street Unter den Linden. It is beautifully landscaped and lined with historic buildings. It connects the Brandenburg Gate and Museum Island and takes about half an hour (or you can take the U-Bahn and shorten the journey).
On the way, make a detour to Gendarmenmarkt, considered the most beautiful square in Berlin. Moreover, it is perfectly symmetrical – in the middle stands the concert hall, flanked by the French and German cathedrals.
Is it lunchtime? There are plenty of places to eat around the square. Traditional German cuisine can be enjoyed at Augustiner am Gendarmenmarkt, and for something sweet you can visit the Rausch Schokoladenhaus, where you will feel like you are in chocolate heaven.
For more tips on where to eat in Berlin, see our previous article.
HOTELS IN BERLIN 😴
Afternoon: Museum Island
No Berlin itinerary can be complete without a visit to Museum Island. You can imagine it as an island in its own right, home to Berlin Cathedral and several important art and history museums. It is rightfully listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
You won’t be able to visit all the museums in 3 days in Berlin, but you can safely include one or two. Plus, it’s really worth it.
The most popular museum was the Pergamon Museum, but it is currently closed until 2027 for extensive renovations.
We really liked Neues Museum, where you can find an extensive Egyptian collection and especially the bust of Nefertiti and the scrolls of the Book of the Dead. And the premises themselves are beautiful.
Admission to Neues Museum is €14. It is open daily except Mondays from 10:00-18:00. The collection is spread over several floors, so you can spend a good part of the afternoon here. Refreshments and toilets are provided.
If you book a ticket in advance, there’s a staff member outside who will just scan the QR code and you can go straight in. If you do not book your ticket in advance, waiting for a member of staff to let you in is not out of the question.
Also worth seeing is Alte Nationalgalerie, which covers the period from 18th century to the beginning of the 20th century, especially German art. Key works include famous German artists, such as Caspar David Friedrich, Adolph Menzel and Max Liebermann, along with international artists (Édouard Manet and Claude Monet).
Admission to Altes Museum is €12. It is open daily except Mondays from 10:00-18:00. Book your tickets in advance and skip the line.
Berlin Cathedral
Berlin Cathedral is unmissable. A magnificent building, which inside hides marble and onyx decorations with organs and royal sarcophagi.
In front of it is a small landscaped park with a fountain and benches.
Admission to the Berlin Cathedral is 9 € and you can also go up to the terrace for an extra fee.
Promenade around the river Spree
The rest of the afternoon can be spent on a relaxing walk around the river Spree. At the north end of Museum Island, there is a bridge by the Bode Museum that leads to a promenade with benches and cafes. One of the best views of Museum Island is from here.
If you still have time, head south around the river. The small medieval quarter of Nikolaiviertel is a few minutes’ walk away. It may only look medieval, but it is a pleasant and different walk through Berlin. In addition, there are several excellent restaurants serving traditional German cuisine.
From the Nikolaiviertel, it’s just a few steps to the TV Tower, behind which lies Alexanderplatz.
Evening: Alexanderplatz and TV Tower
Alexanderplatz is the most famous square in Berlin and an important transport hub. In reality, there’s not much to see here. A lot of homeless people congregate here, but it’s safe and locals gather here too (the police station is right on the square).
Don’t miss the view of the TV Tower from the World Clock, which has been there since the 1960s. The clocks date back to the 1700s and show the time at 24 locations across the world.
TV Tower (Berliner Fernsehturm)
From Alexanderplatz, continue to the TV Tower, which is already towering over the surrounding houses. Its height of 368 metres makes it one of the tallest buildings in Europe.
The entrance is on the Alexanderplatz side (not from the town hall, although it may look like it at first glance – see photo below).
A glass elevator takes you to the top of the TV Tower. There is a restaurant and 360 degree views, which are a little different thanks to the shape of the tower. The ticket price is higher, but here you pay for the experience. It is open until late in the evening.
How to skip the lines for the TV Tower in Berlin:
Tickets are more expensive on site – there are machines where you can buy them. The wait may be even longer, as many people are hesitant to choose a ticket. Plus, buying a ticket doesn’t automatically mean you get in – when we were there (at the end of the season in the middle of the week), people had to arrive 2 hours after buying the ticket because all the earlier dates were sold out.
On the other side of the TV Tower is a pleasant park where locals meet. Its dominant feature is the beautiful brick town hall and the fountain in the middle.
Where to eat around Alexanderplatz
There are plenty of great places to eat around Alexanderplatz, from traditional restaurants and cafés to street food stalls. Here are some tips depending on what you fancy:
- Brauhaus GEORGBRAEU (German cuisine in the Nikolaiviertel district)
- Zur Gerichtslaube (German restaurant with a medieval atmosphere)
- Dolores Mitte (Mexican cuisine, delicious burritos, nachos, fun interior)
- Hofbräu Wirtshaus (the best Bavarian cuisine with a rustic interior)
All tips can be found in the map at the beginning of this article. The map can be downloaded, copied and modified as needed.
Just one S-Bahn stop from Alexanderplatz is Hackescher Markt, which is also a good place to eat. Currywurst in Curry 61 in particular is renowned and there are queues for it.
When you’re here and have time, take a stroll through Hackeschen Höfe, several interconnected courtyards with cafes, shops and galleries.
If you want to experience more of the alternative Berlin, head to Haus Schwarzenberg, which you’ll see right next door. The small courtyard features an underground, a bar and a gallery. You can visit the courtyard free of charge. But if you have no time left, come back here on the third day.
3 DAYS IN BERLIN – ITINERARY FOR 2ND DAY
On the first part of the second day we will visit places that will tell the story of Berlin during the Second World War and the post-war period – East Side Gallery, Checkpoint Charlie, Topographie des Terrors.
The afternoon will be more relaxed, when we will admire the modern architecture of Potsdamer Platz and relax in the Tiergarten. Here we go.
Morning: East Side Gallery
The East Side Gallery is a preserved section of the Berlin Wall that has been transformed into a free outdoor street art gallery. These paintings are renewed every 10 years.
The gallery is freely accessible. Early in the morning you can walk through it with almost no people.
An interesting place in the vicinity of the Easy Side Gallery is the Oberbaumbrücke.
It is a two-storey red brick bridge connecting the districts of Friedrichshain and Kreuzberg. They used to be divided by the Berlin Wall.
Checkpoint Charlie
When mapping Berlin’s history, you can’t miss Checkpoint Charlie. This is a former border crossing where the American and Soviet sectors of the city were connected in the last century, i.e. western and eastern part of the city.
Today it represents a symbolic place. There used to be soldiers here that you could take a picture with, but that is now forbidden.
Next door is the Mauermuseum, where you can learn more about Checkpoint Charlie. Full admission is €17.50, €11.50 for students and €9.50 for children aged 7-18. Book online or pay on the spot by card (no cash). Open daily 10:00-20:00.
Tip: If you head north from Checkpoint Charlie, you’ll see the entrance to the garden with food trucks and stalls on your right. There is a seating area and in nice weather you can relax in the sand on the sun loungers. But the main reason to visit is the House of Burgerz, where they have some of the best burgers in Berlin (and probably not only in Berlin).
HOTELS IN BERLIN 😴
Topographie des Terrors
From Checkpoint Charlie turn left and continue to Topographie des Terrors.
The exhibition “Topography of Terror” is built on the site where the main instruments of Nazi persecution and terror were located between 1933 and 1945. It was the headquarters of the Gestapo, the supreme command and security service of the SS and, from 1939, the main office of the Reich Security Service.
If you want to learn more about the horrors of World War II, this is the perfect place to do it. Everything is very well processed and the exposition is divided into outdoor and indoor parts.
Everything is free of charge with the possibility of renting an audio guide. It is open daily from 10:00-20:00.
☞ Check out the best hotels and accommodation in Berlin for every budget.
Afternoon: Potsdam Square
A busy morning needs to be lightened. Potsdamer Platz is my favourite square in Berlin, contrasting with the historic city centre around Unter den Linden.
Potsdamer Platz is a modern square with a distinctive Sony Center roof, shops and restaurants…and a great view from the Panoramapunkt.
Panoramapunkt is a relatively new vantage point from which you can enjoy views of the city skyline, including the TV Tower.
In addition to the view, the Panoramapunkt attracts the fastest elevator in Europe – it takes you up to 24 in 20 seconds. floor, where, in addition to the viewpoint, there is also a café and toilets.
Admission to Panoramapunkt Berlin is €9. It is open daily from 10:00-18:00. Book your tickets here.
Potsdamer Platz is home to one of Berlin’s largest shopping centres, the Mall of Berlin.
Where to eat around Potsdamer Platz
- Döner Kebab Restaurant TERAS (kebab)
- Brammibal’s Donuts (traditional donuts)
- Vedang (vegan fast food in the Mall of Berlin, will taste in non-vegan)
Tiergarten
After Potsdam’s bustling Potsdamer Platz, a stroll in the Tiergarten will come in handy. The park is literally interwoven with trails, with lots of attractions, lakes and the Victory Column in the middle.
You can set off directly from Potsdamer Platz or take a bus ride that passes through the entire park. You can find current connections on Google Maps. Or stroll along the Tiergarten along the river, which is bordered by a landscaped embankment.
If you like views, visit the Victory Column (Siegessäule). Admission is only 4 €. There are a lot of stairs, but the view of the park and Berlin is worth it.
The Tiergarten is also home to Germany’s oldest zoo – Zoologischer Garten Berlin, where they keep, among other things, giant pandas. However, you need more time to visit it, so you can include it in your itinerary for your third day in Berlin.
Kurfürstendamm
Do you prefer the hustle and bustle of the city? Head to the tree-lined Kurfürstendamm shopping street, which is lined with shops and restaurants.
Its dominant feature is the memorial cauldron of Emperor Wilhelm, which was damaged during the war and later connected with a modern extension. Open daily 10:00-18:00. Admission is free.
Evening: Kreuzberg
For the evening we move to the Kreuzberg district, one of the most interesting districts in Berlin. There is a strong Turkish community here, which is reflected in the cuisine.
Here are some tips for great places to eat in Kreuzberg (but there are many more):
- Lasan Restaurant (Middle East)
- Maroush (bistro with Lebanese cuisine and a small seating area)
- clánndestino | Tapasbar & Weinhandel (cosy tapas bar with an authentic atmosphere)
- Klas Bäckerei (delicious breakfasts, soups, pastries, gözleme)
- Baraka – Moroccan Restaurant (Moroccan cuisine in an authentic setting)
- Mano Cafe (stylish cafe open until late)
- Kimchi Princess (Korean cuisine)
- Forty Years (a cosy café perfect for breakfast or brunch)
Or visit the Markthalle Neun, an indoor market where you can sample different cuisines in one place.
You can find all the places marked in the map at the beginning of the article.
3 DAYS IN BERLIN – ITINERARY FOR 3RD DAY
We have had two days in Berlin, when we managed to visit all the important points. So you can leave the third day open and show more variations.
OPTION 1: BERLIN
Morning and morning: Charlottenburg Castle
Charlottenburg Castle is a magnificent Baroque palace that was built at the end of the 17th century as the summer residence of Sophie Charlotte, the first Queen of Prussia. Thanks to its magnificent rooms and beautiful park, the castle is nicknamed “the German Versailles”.
During the tour you can visit the old and new wings. Ticket prices start at €14 for adults. The French Gardens are open daily from 08:00 until dusk and are free to use. More information can be found on the official website.
Charlottenburg Castle is really big. Take half a day to visit it.
How to get to Charlottenburg Castle: the castle is easily accessible from central Berlin. The U-Bahn (station U Richard-Wagner-Platz), the S-Bahn (station Westend) and several bus lines stop right by the castle. From the centre you can be here in 35-40 minutes.
Afternoon: Gardens of the World
The Gardens of the World (Gärten der Welt) is a park that takes you to different parts of the world through gardens – a Korean tea ceremony, a Japanese cherry blossom festival, a tropical paradise in Bali and other places that literally immerse you in the culture.
Children will also be thrilled, as there is a playground, rest areas and refreshments.
Full admission starts at €7 (lower in winter) – can also be bought in combination with cable car etc. You can buy tickets online. It is open all year round from 9:00.
From the gardens, it is just a short walk to the Wolkenhain auf dem Kienberg viewpoint, which can be visited daily from 09:00-20:00.
How to get: Gardens of the World is located outside the city centre. To get here, you need to take the S-Bahn or U-Bahn and then take a bus that will take you directly to the gardens. The time is about 40 minutes from the city centre.
☞ Check out our complete guide to transport in Berlin.
More alternatives for your third day in Berlin:
- Take a walk around the River Spree and visit Treptower Park. It is famous for its huge Soviet monument, beer garden and interesting statues lining the riverbank.
- Go to the zoo, which is located at the south-western tip of the Tiergarten. Berlin Zoo is the oldest zoo in Germany and is definitely worth seeing, and not just for the giant pandas.
- Visit the German Technical Museum – you’ll find everything from locomotives to cars to ships. Everything is thematically divided into two buildings and part of the collection can also be seen outside.
- Learn more about the history of the Berlin Wall – the Gedenkstätte Berliner Mauer is a memorial and another place to learn more about the Berlin Wall and its history. There is a visitor centre and admission is free.
- Go shopping – the best places to shop are Kurfürstendamm, Friedrichstraße and the area around Alexanderplatz. For shopping, visit the Mall of Berlin at Potsdamer Platz or the luxurious KaDeWe shopping centre at Kurfürstendamm. The popular weekend flea markets are held in Mauerpark and Boxhagener Platz.
OPTION 2: POTSDAM
Potsdam is the capital of Brandenburg, located just over half an hour from Berlin. Its accessibility makes it a perfect day trip.
The city is famous for its magnificent palaces and gardens, especially the Sanssouci Palace, which was once the summer residence of King Frederick the Great of Prussia. The Sanssouci Palace is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a perfect example of Rococo architecture. You can walk for hours in the surrounding gardens.
Also explore Potsdam’s historic districts, such as the Brandenburg Gate and the Dutch Quarter with its red-brick buildings.
There is a lot to see in Potsdam. You can easily spend 2-3 days here before you can explore all the palaces and gardens.
How to get to Potsdam
Take the S7 suburban train to Potsdam Station. The train departs from the Hauptbahnhof in Berlin and makes several stops along the way.
Potsdam is in zone C, so you need a ticket for zone ABC. A single ticket costs 4 € (2,90 € for children aged 6-14). It is a transfer and is valid for up to 2 hours.
Alternatively, you can choose a day ticket for 10,70 €, which allows you to travel in all zones. Up to 3 children aged 6-14 years are included.
The last option is the Berlin WelcomeCard, which can be used for the entire duration of your stay in Berlin.
Berlin WelcomeCard is a tourist card that gives you unlimited travel around Berlin and discounts on sights and attractions in the city. It includes almost all the famous attractions including the TV tower, AquaDom & SEA LIFE Berlin or Charlottenburg Castle. The card will arrive in your email after purchase, you don’t have to go anywhere.
Where to stay in Berlin in 3 days?
- aletto Hotel: Design, modern hotel in the city centre with excellent accessibility and a roof terrace
- Hotel Schulz: Popular hotel with superior service next to the East Side Gallery, right next to the S-Bahn station for easy access to the city.
- Hotel AMANO: Stylish accommodation near the main railway station in the city centre
- Ibis budget Berlin Potsdamer Platz: Modern hotel in the city centre at a great price
- Space Night Capsule Hostel: Cheap accommodation in capsule rooms with shared bathroom
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This was our 3-day Berlin itinerary. Do you have a question? We’ll be happy to answer in the comments below. Have a safe journey!
More information about Germany
BERLIN: Get inspiration on things to do in Berlin. You can use the itinerary for 2 days in Berlin to plan your route.
This article tells you all about travelling by car to Berlin. Or do you travel by public transport? Here are the options for getting to Berlin by bus and train.
Here is a detailed guide to transport in Berlin. Check out the best hotels and accommodation in Berlin for every budget.
GERMANY: Check out our article for more inspiration on things to do in Germany.
DRESDEN: Dresden is one of the most beautiful cities in Germany. Get inspired with tips on things to do in Dresden.
