Berlin wears its history openly—from Prussian grandeur and Cold War scars to today’s creative surge. In three energetic days, you’ll trace the Berlin Wall, drift along the Spree, sip third-wave coffee, and tap into a craft beer scene that’s as inventive as its art.

Expect big-ticket sights like the Brandenburg Gate, Museum Island, and the East Side Gallery, alongside insider-loved corners: canal-side strolls in Kreuzberg, rooftop sunsets, and independent boutiques in Mitte. Food ranges from traditional currywurst and döner to modern farm-to-table and casual wine bars.

Practical notes: Berlin’s public transport is excellent and cashless-friendly, though some small spots remain cash-preferred. Reserve ahead for popular restaurants and the Reichstag dome. Dress for walking—this is a city best explored on foot and by U-Bahn.

Berlin

Germany’s capital is a collage of eras and neighborhoods. In Mitte, stately boulevards meet cutting-edge galleries; Kreuzberg hums with street food, vinyl shops, and bars; Prenzlauer Berg’s leafy avenues hide superb bakeries and brunch spots. You’ll find world-class museums, open-air history lessons, and a nightlife that starts late and ends whenever you want it to.

• Top sights: Brandenburg Gate, Reichstag, Museum Island, East Side Gallery, Berlin Wall Memorial, Gendarmenmarkt, Tempelhofer Feld.
• Food & drink: From currywurst at Konnopke’s to seasonal plates at Lokal and slow-smoked meats at BRLO Brwhouse, plus third-wave coffee at The Barn, Bonanza, and Five Elephant.
• Fun facts: Berlin has more bridges than Venice, a vast park on a former airport runway (Tempelhofer Feld), and a thriving craft beer scene once overshadowed by pilsners.

Where to stay (Hotels.com and VRBO): For a central, walkable base, book in Mitte, Prenzlauer Berg, or Friedrichshain.

• Hotel Adlon Kempinski – Historic address by Brandenburg Gate; refined rooms, classic service.
• Scandic Berlin Potsdamer Platz – Eco-minded, bright Scandinavian design; easy U-Bahn access.
• Novotel Berlin Mitte – Reliable mid-range comfort between Museum Island and Alexanderplatz.
• Motel One Berlin–Hackescher Markt – Stylish, budget-friendly, perfect for shopping and nightlife.
• Motel One Berlin–Alexanderplatz – Great transport connections and solid value.
• Motel One Berlin–Hauptbahnhof – Convenient near the main station, quiet rooms.
• MEININGER Hotel Berlin Hauptbahnhof – Budget-friendly, clean, and central.
• The Circus Hostel – Social vibe in Rosenthaler Platz; great café and bar on-site.

• See more stays on Hotels.com (Berlin)
• Apartments and homes on VRBO (Berlin)

Getting to Berlin (time and cost estimates): Fly into BER (Berlin Brandenburg) or arrive by high-speed ICE train.

• Flights (Europe-wide search): Compare routes and deals on Omio (Flights). Many EU hubs have nonstop flights to BER; typical fares run ~€40–€150 each way when booked in advance.
• Trains: Use Omio (Trains) to find ICE connections. Examples: Hamburg–Berlin ~1h45 (~€20–€50 advance), Munich–Berlin ~4h (~€25–€70), Prague–Berlin ~4h20 (~€20–€60).
• Buses: Budget-friendly long-distance options via Omio (Buses), often €10–€35.

Local transport: A Berlin AB 24-hour ticket is about €10–11; 72-hour passes and the Berlin WelcomeCard (from ~€30–€40 for AB) can save money if you ride often. Most rides combine U-Bahn, S-Bahn, trams, and buses seamlessly.

Day 1: Museum Island, Spree Views, Craft Beer & Nightlife

Afternoon (arrival): Check in and stretch your legs with a walk down Unter den Linden to the Brandenburg Gate and Pariser Platz. If time allows, admire Museum Island’s grand facades and pop into the Lustgarten for a quick photo of the Berlin Cathedral. Coffee break: The Barn (Hackbarthstraße/Alte Schönhauser) for meticulous single-origin brews, or Father Carpenter for flat whites in a leafy courtyard.

Afternoon activity (relaxing start): See the city from the water on a 1-hour Spree cruise with live commentary—perfect for orientation and photos.

Berlin: 1-hr Boat Tour with Bilingual Live Guide (DE/EN)

Dinner: Choose between Lokal (seasonal German plates; try the venison or river fish) near Torstraße, or Mogg in the former Jewish girls’ school for towering pastrami and pickles. Craving market vibes? Markthalle Neun in Kreuzberg buzzes nightly; on Thursdays its “Street Food Thursday” showcases tacos, handmade pasta, and Heidenpeters’ house beers.

Evening (breweries/nightlife): Sip inventive Berlin-brewed styles at BRLO Brwhouse by Gleisdreieck Park (their Helles and Pale Ale pair well with smoked brisket and seasonal veg). For a late drink with views, head to Monkey Bar above the zoo, or drift to Watergate for electronic music over the Spree. Concert watchers: check lineups at Mercedes-Benz Arena or the Philharmonie; it’s easy to hop U-Bahn/S-Bahn to shows.

Day 2: Berlin Wall Stories, Unique Ride, and a Foodie Deep Dive

Morning: Start with espresso at Bonanza Roastery (Kreuzberg) or Five Elephant (famed cheesecake) and walk the Berlin Wall Memorial on Bernauer Straße—still the clearest look at the border’s grim reality. Continue to the East Side Gallery to admire 1.3 km of murals on surviving Wall slabs; grab a photo at the Oberbaum Bridge’s twin towers.

Late morning (unique activity): Strap into a street-legal mini hotrod and zip past major sights—part adrenaline rush, part drive-by city tour, guaranteed grins and great photos.

Berlin City Tour in a Mini Hotrod

Lunch: Classic choices: Konnopke’s Imbiss (under Eberswalder Str. U-Bahn) for currywurst with crispy fries, or a vegetable-stuffed döner at Rü yam in Neukölln. Prefer sit-down? Zur letzten Instanz (dating to 1621) serves robust German mains—schnitzel, Königsberger Klopse—in a historic tavern setting.

Afternoon to early evening (food tour): Explore Berlin’s tastes on a guided food tour around Mitte: multiple stops, stories of migration and new-wave dining, and plenty to eat and drink—it doubles as dinner for moderate budgets.

Berlin Food Tour with Full Meal & Drinks by Do Eat Better

Night (bars, breweries, clubs): Taste small-batch ales at Vagabund Brauerei & Taproom in Wedding, then choose your vibe: Klunkerkranich (Neukölln rooftop garden) for sunset cityscapes, Buck & Breck (intimate speakeasy) for refined cocktails, or Tresor for legendary techno. Tip: Dress simple, be patient in queues, and avoid large groups at the door.

Day 3: Culture, Shopping Sprees, and a Cool-Temperature Nightcap

Morning: Fuel up with cardamom buns at Zeit für Brot or sourdough and labneh at Sofi Bakery. Dive into the Topography of Terror documentation center for sober context on the Nazi era, then continue to Checkpoint Charlie for Cold War narratives (the outdoor panels are informative and free). If art calls, swap in the Pergamon/Neues Museum combo on Museum Island—book timed entries when possible.

Afternoon (shopping & neighborhoods): Browse indie fashion and design in the Hackesche Höfe courtyards and along Alte/Neue Schönhauser Straße; concept shopping awaits at Bikini Berlin near the zoo. For classic department-store grandeur, KaDeWe’s gourmet floor is a feast of regional cheeses, pastries, and chocolates—great edible souvenirs.

Late afternoon snack: Grab a kaffee and cheesecake at Five Elephant Mitte or a silky cappuccino at Father Carpenter; if the sun’s out, stroll the Landwehrkanal in Kreuzberg or bike across Tempelhofer Feld’s runways.

Evening (unique bar experience): Cap your trip at the city’s frostiest bar—your ticket includes a welcome drink in the warm lounge and two more inside the ice chamber. It’s theatrical, playful, and a fun pre-dinner stop.

Berlin Icebar Experience Including 3 drinks

Dinner: Book a table at Katz Orange (slow-cooked pork neck, seasonal veg, low-lit brick ambiance), or go plant-forward at Cookies Cream (creative vegetarian fine dining). Budget-friendly alternative: Markthalle Neun vendors or Mauerpark-area spots if it’s a Sunday, then finish with a local lager at Prater Garten, Berlin’s oldest beer garden.

Night (concert option): If you’ve got energy, check last-minute tickets at Columbiahalle, Astra Kulturhaus, or Verti Music Hall—Berlin’s live music scene spans indie, hip-hop, and orchestral. Otherwise, toast your last night with a dessert wine at Freundschaft, a welcoming wine bar known for thoughtful pours.

Good to know (budget-minded tips): With a mid-range budget, aim for one sit-down meal per day and one market/fast-casual stop; splurge on a signature experience (food tour or hotrod ride). Many museums are clustered—pair them to save transit time. Always validate paper tickets on trains/trams.

Optional add-ons if you extend: Day trip to Potsdam’s Sanssouci Palace gardens; Teufelsberg’s former spy station for views and street art; Sunday flea market at Mauerpark with live music.

Other vetted activities you may like (swap in as needed):

• Big Bus Berlin Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Tour & Currywurst – Easy way to cover highlights with audio guide and a currywurst stop.

This 3-day Berlin itinerary blends headline sights with coffee culture, markets, breweries, and nightlife, all paced for easy transit and plenty of spontaneity. You’ll leave with a deeper feel for the city’s past—and a taste for its delicious present.