Day 1
Mitte & the big sights
Start at the Brandenburg Gate and Reichstag, then walk past the Holocaust Memorial and along Unter den Linden to Museum Island. Finish at Alexanderplatz with a view from the TV Tower.
Berlin is a city of contradictions: Prussian grand boulevards next to squatted buildings, war scars beside techno temples, world-class museums beside leafy canals. Germany's capital wears its history openly, yet never stops reinventing itself.
Everything here is cheaper, slower and rougher around the edges than most European capitals. Spend your days between memorials and museums, and your nights in pubs, beer gardens and clubs that don't close until morning.
Itinerary
Day 2
Wall history & Kreuzberg
Spend the morning at the East Side Gallery and the Berlin Wall Memorial, then dive into Kreuzberg. Eat a döner, walk along the Landwehrkanal and stay out on Oranienstrasse.
Day 3
The East, flea markets & nightlife
Explore Prenzlauer Berg and the Sunday Mauerpark flea market, then Friedrichshain in the afternoon. Eat dinner in a market hall and throw yourself into Berlin's legendary nightlife.
Highlights
🏛️Landmark
Brandenburg Gate
Berlin's most famous landmark, a neoclassical sandstone gateway that once stood on the Wall between East and West. Come early morning or after dark, when the Quadriga is lit and Pariser Platz is almost empty.
🏛️Landmark
East Side Gallery
The longest surviving stretch of the Berlin Wall, 1.3 kilometres along the Spree, painted by artists from around the world. Look for the famous fraternal kiss and the Trabant bursting through the concrete.
🖼️Museum
Museum Island
A UNESCO-listed cluster of five grand museums on an island in the Spree, from the Pergamon to the bust of Nefertiti in the Neues Museum. Set aside at least half a day and book tickets online in advance.
🍽️Food
Currywurst
Berlin's favourite snack: a sliced fried sausage drowned in tomato sauce and curry powder, with chips on the side. Grab one from a classic Imbiss stand like Konnopke's, tucked under the elevated railway in Prenzlauer Berg.
🏛️Landmark
Reichstag & glass dome
Home of the German parliament, topped by Norman Foster's glass dome with a spiralling ramp and 360-degree views over the city. Entry is free, but you must register online in advance.
🏘️Neighbourhood
Kreuzberg
Berlin's most colourful district, where Turkish markets, street art and late-night kiosks meet canals and wild nights out. Stroll along the Landwehrkanal, grab a döner and end up in a bar on Oranienstrasse.
Neighbourhoods
Mitte
The historic heart, where the Brandenburg Gate, Museum Island and Unter den Linden sit close together. Ideal for a first visit, with most of the big sights within walking distance.
Kreuzberg
Multicultural, alternative and always in motion, with Turkish markets, street art and a legendary nightlife. Best for street food, bars and the city's creative energy.
Prenzlauer Berg
A handsome district of cobbled streets, cafés and the Sunday flea market at Mauerpark. Quieter and more family-friendly, but full of pretty streets to wander.
Friedrichshain
The young, going-out East, home to the East Side Gallery, huge clubs and the bar-lined Simon-Dach-Strasse. The place for long nights and raw Berlin energy.
Where to eat
Currywurst
A sliced fried sausage doused in tomato sauce and curry powder, served with chips or a bread roll. Berlin's default snack — grab one from a stand like Konnopke's.
Döner kebab
Perfected in Berlin by Turkish immigrants and now the city's unofficial dish. Grilled meat, salad and sauce in warm flatbread — a Kreuzberg classic.
Berliner Pfannkuchen
A jam-filled, sugar-dusted doughnut, known simply as 'Pfannkuchen' in Berlin. Buy it fresh from a bakery, especially around New Year.
Berliner Weisse
A sour, fizzy wheat beer, traditionally served with a shot of woodruff or raspberry syrup. Light and refreshing — order it in a beer garden in summer.
Good to know
Best time to visit
Berlin is at its best from May to September: warm days, beer gardens, open-air concerts and long evenings by the canals. December brings Christmas markets and mulled wine, while the rest of winter can be grey and cold.
Getting around
Berlin's U-Bahn and S-Bahn, plus trams and buses, cover everything and run all night at weekends. Buy a day ticket, rent a bike for the flat, cycle-friendly city, and walk to feel each neighbourhood.
- Currency
- EUR €
- Languages
- German
How much does Berlin cost?
A realistic daily budget per person, in three styles.
Backpacker€50per person / day
Mid-range€100per person / day
Comfort€200per person / day
Berlin offers a range of options to suit various budgets.
Local tips
- ✓Register online in advance for the Reichstag — you can't walk in without a booking.
- ✓Always carry some cash, as many pubs, kiosks and food stands don't take cards.
- ✓For clubs, a laid-back look beats dressing up, and go late — little happens before 2am.
