Berlin’s story is epic: a Prussian capital, crucible of modernism, a city divided by a wall, and today a creative powerhouse. You’ll see layers of history in its urban fabric—Neoclassical boulevards, Cold War relics, and cutting-edge galleries—often within a single block.

Expect big icons like Brandenburg Gate, Checkpoint Charlie, and Museum Island, but also cozy courtyards, riverside promenades, and markets where Berlin’s multicultural food scene shines. Fun fact: Berlin has more bridges than Venice and nearly a third of the city is parks, lakes, and forests.

Practical notes: public transport is excellent (use the BVG app for tickets), many shops are closed Sundays, and card payments are widely accepted. Reserve popular spots (Reichstag dome, top restaurants) in advance, and pack for changeable weather.

Berlin

Berlin rewards curiosity. Wander Unter den Linden for grandeur, slip into Hackesche Höfe for Art Nouveau courtyards, and follow the Berlin Wall’s traces from Bernauer Straße to the open-air East Side Gallery. Along the Spree, stately museums face lively beach bars—a perfect mirror of past and present.

Food-wise, pair classics like currywurst and schnitzel with contemporary, local-first menus and stellar coffee. Doner kebab became an institution here; so did high-caliber bakeries turning out loaves and cinnamon buns worth a queue.

How to get there and around

• Flights and trains within Europe: search and compare on Omio (flights) and Omio (trains). Buses and ferries: Omio (buses), Omio (ferries).
• Long-haul flights from outside Europe: compare on Trip.com (flights) or Kiwi.com.
• From BER Airport to the center: FEX/RE trains or S-Bahn reach Hauptbahnhof/Alexanderplatz in about 25–35 minutes. A taxi typically takes 35–45 minutes depending on traffic.
• Local tips: Buy a 24-hour AB ticket in the BVG app for unlimited U/S-Bahn, tram, and bus within the city core. Validate paper tickets in the platform machines.

Where to stay

• Iconic luxury next to Brandenburg Gate: Hotel Adlon Kempinski Berlin.
• Smart mid-range by Potsdamer Platz, excellent transport: Scandic Berlin Potsdamer Platz.
• Family-friendly near Museumsinsel and Nikolaiviertel: Novotel Berlin Mitte.
• Design on a budget near Alexanderplatz: Motel One Berlin-Alexanderplatz.
• Great value steps from the central station: MEININGER Hotel Berlin Hauptbahnhof or Motel One Berlin-Hauptbahnhof.
• Hip and social in Mitte: The Circus Hostel.
• Browse more stays: Hotels.com — Berlin or apartment-style lodging on VRBO — Berlin.

Day 1: First look at Mitte — Brandenburg Gate, Reichstag, and Berlin’s 20th-century history

Morning: Travel into the city and drop your bags. If you’re early, grab a flat white and a cardamom bun at Father Carpenter (a serene courtyard cafe off Münzstraße) or a cinnamon roll at Zeit für Brot on Alte Schönhauser Straße—both beloved for excellent roasting and baking. Stretch your legs with a quick stroll through Hackesche Höfe’s interlinked courtyards.

Afternoon: Start at Brandenburg Gate, the city’s emblem since 1791, then walk to the Reichstag. If you reserved in advance, ascend the glass dome for a spiral walk with views over the government quarter. Cross to the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe for a reflective pause, then join a focused history walk highlighting the Third Reich and the Cold War (about 2 hours) to orient the city’s fractured 20th century.

Recommended tour: Berlin Third Reich and Cold War 2-Hour Walking Tour

Evening: Dine near the historic core. For Berlin’s oldest tavern (since 1621), book Zur letzten Instanz for crispy pork knuckle and potato dumplings in wood-paneled rooms. Prefer seasonal modern German? Lokal near Museumsinsel serves a tight menu of local produce—think pike-perch, beetroot, and house-baked bread. For a drink, slip into Buck and Breck (a speakeasy with stellar classics and just 14 seats) or watch the zoo treetops glow from Monkey Bar atop Bikini Berlin, pairing small plates with sunset views.

Day 2: Museum Island, a Spree river cruise, and Kreuzberg after dark

Morning: Fuel up with filter coffee at Five Elephant (noted for its cheesecake) or The Barn on Auguststraße, then eat your way through the city’s flavors on a small-group food tour (around 3 hours, 8+ tastings). You’ll sample a snapshot of Berlin—market bites, artisanal breads, perhaps currywurst and Turkish-inspired plates—while walking neighborhoods locals love.

Recommended tour: Berlin Center Food Tour with 8+ Authentic Local Tastings

Afternoon: Explore Museum Island. The Neues Museum (home to the Nefertiti Bust) and the Altes Museum (Classical antiquities) are standout stops; note the Pergamon’s main building is closed for renovation, while the Pergamon Panorama offers an immersive alternative. Afterwards, see Berlin from the water on a one-hour narrated cruise—glide past the Reichstag, the Chancellery, and the Berliner Dom as stories of old and new Berlin unfold.

Recommended cruise: 1-Hour River Cruise with Tour Guide. Bilingual (Ger/Engl)

Evening: Head to Kreuzberg. Walk the East Side Gallery at golden hour to see murals painted on a preserved stretch of the Berlin Wall. For dinner, browse Markthalle Neun’s independent vendors (excellent pasta at Mani in Pasta, Swabian käsespätzle, and natural wines) or opt for Turkish grills at Hasir Ocakbaşı (flagship on Adalbertstraße). Post-dinner, sample German craft ales under reclaimed cranes at BRLO Brwhouse in Gleisdreieck Park or catch a rooftop sunset with DJs and city views at Klunkerkranich in Neukölln.

Day 3: Wall stories, bike the highlights, and a stylish send-off

Morning: Start at the Berlin Wall Memorial on Bernauer Straße, the most moving open-air site to understand the border’s impact on daily life—look for preserved segments, a guard tower, and the “death strip.” Grab breakfast nearby at Bonanza Coffee Roasters (roastery-café in a former Kreuzberg garage) or a hearty plate at Factory Girl! if you’re closer to Mitte.

Then cover serious ground on a relaxed, guided bike tour (about 3 hours). It’s a great way to connect the dots—Brandenburg Gate, Checkpoint Charlie, Gendarmenmarkt, and remnants of the Wall—with context you’ll remember.

Recommended tour: Berlin Highlights 3-Hour Bike Tour

Afternoon: Savor a last meal before your departure. For a classic Berlin lunch, try Konnopke’s Imbiss under the U2 in Prenzlauer Berg (currywurst since 1930) or the original Burgermeister at Schlesisches Tor for a juicy burger in an old U-Bahn toilet-turned-stand. If you prefer something upscale and central, the KaDeWe food hall’s sixth floor offers oysters, schnitzel counters, and patisserie with views over Wittenbergplatz.

Evening: Most travelers depart this afternoon. If you have extra time, enjoy an early dinner: Henne (legendary buttermilk fried chicken since 1908) or a sweet finale at CODA Dessert Dining in Neukölln (a two-Michelin-star dessert-led tasting menu—book ahead). For a refined last toast, Bar am Steinplatz crafts seasonal cocktails with a light, elegant touch.

Optional add-ons if you extend to a fourth day: Day trip to Potsdam for palaces and gardens (Sanssouci and the Dutch Quarter), or a deeper dive into history at Sachsenhausen Memorial; both are straightforward by train via Omio (trains).

Good to know: Tipping is appreciated—round up or add ~10% at restaurants. Carry a light scarf for breezy evenings, and always check museum closing days when planning your sequence.

In three days, you’ll trace Berlin’s sweep from imperial avenues to Cold War scars and today’s creative pulse, with great coffee, markets, and riverside views in between. You’ll leave oriented, well-fed, and already plotting a return for Potsdam’s palaces or a deep museum day.