Berlin’s story is written on its streets: imperial grandeur, Weimar creativity, Nazi terror, Cold War standoff, and an exuberant reunification that turned the city into a global capital of culture. Today, you’ll find a metropolis of museums, music, and murals—where a morning spent with Rembrandts can easily become an evening of techno, craft beer, and riverside sunsets.

From Museum Island’s UNESCO-listed treasures to the open-air gallery of the East Side Gallery, Berlin is a playground for photographers. The city’s beer traditions thrive in contemporary brewpubs and historic beer gardens, while international kitchens—from Turkish and Vietnamese to modern German—make eating your way around neighborhoods part of the adventure.

Practical notes: Berlin’s U-Bahn/S-Bahn network is fast and reliable; consider a 48–72-hour transit pass if you’ll ride often. Many museums close on Mondays, and most shops close on Sundays—plan accordingly. For popular spots like the Reichstag Dome or TV Tower, reserve ahead, and carry a debit/credit card (Berlin is largely cashless now, though small kiosks may prefer cash).

Berlin

Dynamic, creative, and surprisingly green, Berlin spreads across distinctive Kieze (neighborhoods) with their own rhythm. Mitte blends big monuments and galleries; Kreuzberg and Friedrichshain bring street art, markets, and edgy nightlife; Prenzlauer Berg offers leafy streets, cafés, and one of the city’s oldest beer gardens.

• Top sights: Brandenburg Gate, Reichstag Dome, Museum Island (Pergamonmuseum collection—note partial closures—plus Neues Museum and Altes Museum), Gendarmenmarkt, East Side Gallery, Berlin Wall Memorial (Bernauer Straße), Tempelhofer Feld.
• Best photo spots: Oberbaumbrücke at sunset, the glass Reichstag Dome, Lustgarten with Berliner Dom, the murals of East Side Gallery, and wide-angle shots on Museum Island’s colonnades.
• Breweries & beer gardens: BRLO Brwhouse (modern German and flights), Vagabund Brauerei (small-batch), Heidenpeters (inside Markthalle Neun), Prater Garten (seasonal classic in Prenzlauer Berg).
• Nightlife: From riverside bars like Klunkerkranich or YAAM to legendary clubs such as Berghain, Watergate, Tresor, and Kater Blau—there’s a scene for every taste. Dress simply, be patient in lines, and avoid big groups at the door.

Where to stay (mid-range friendly): Search apartments on VRBO Berlin or hotels on Hotels.com Berlin. For specific picks that suit a budget “50/100”:

• Motel One Berlin-Hauptbahnhof (clean design, excellent transport links, great price-to-quality).
• Motel One Berlin-Hackescher Markt (walk to Museum Island, café-packed lanes nearby).
• Novotel Berlin Mitte (family-friendly rooms, easy walk to Nikolaiviertel and the Spree).
• Scandic Berlin Potsdamer Platz (eco-minded, plentiful breakfast, close to galleries and Tiergarten).
• The Circus Hostel (boutique hostel with private rooms; café and microbrewery on-site).
• Hotel Adlon Kempinski Berlin (splurge by Brandenburg Gate; old-world service and a storied address).

How to get to Berlin: For intra‑Europe flights or trains, compare on Omio Flights (Europe) and Omio Trains (Europe); buses on Omio Buses. Typical times: Munich–Berlin ICE ~3h50; Hamburg–Berlin ~1h45; Prague–Berlin ~4h30 by train; Amsterdam–Berlin ~6h. Intra‑EU flights from hubs like London/Paris often take 1h45–2h15.

Long-haul to Germany? Check fares via Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com. From Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER), the Airport Express (FEX) and regional trains reach central stations in roughly 30–35 minutes.

Day 1: Land in Berlin, First Sights, and Skyline Sips

Morning: Travel to Berlin and aim for an early afternoon arrival. For flights within Europe, compare times and prices on Omio Flights; if you’re already on the continent, fast ICE trains via Omio Trains are comfortable and scenic. Intercontinental travelers can price-check on Trip.com or Kiwi.com.

Afternoon: Drop bags and get oriented with a classic overview on the Big Bus Berlin Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Tour & Currywurst (2–2.5 hours; from roughly $35–45, currywurst included). It loops past the Brandenburg Gate, Reichstag, Checkpoint Charlie, and the East Side Gallery—ideal for quick photography and notes on where to return later.

Need a caffeine kick? Try Father Carpenter (Mitte) for smooth flat whites and banana bread, or Bonanza Coffee Roasters (Kreuzberg) for meticulously roasted beans. For a quick street bite, Curry 36 (Mehringdamm) remains a local favorite for currywurst.

Evening: Dinner near Potsdamer Platz at BRLO Brwhouse—order a beer flight, house-made pickles, and their smoked cauliflower or pork belly. Prefer something cozy? Katz Orange (Mitte) serves slow-roasted pork and seasonal veggies in a candlelit courtyard. For a view with a nightcap, head to Monkey Bar (Bikini Berlin): sweeping city lights and creative cocktails. If you booked it in advance, the free Reichstag Dome at night is a superb photo spot.

Day 2: Berlin’s History, Museum Island, and Beer & Nightlife

Morning: Start with coffee and a cardamom bun at Zeit für Brot (Mitte), then join the Berlin’s Best Third Reich and Cold War 2 Hour Walking Tour (from about $25–35). A historian guide ties together the Brandenburg Gate, Reichstag, and memorial sites, giving context for what you’ll see the rest of the day.

Afterward, stroll Unter den Linden to Museum Island. If you’re short on time, pick one: the Neues Museum (Nefertiti bust, ancient Egypt) or Altes Museum (classical antiquities). Photograph the colonnades and the Berliner Dom from Lustgarten.

Afternoon: Head to Kreuzberg for lunch at Markthalle Neun—lines form for Käsespätzle, bánh mì, and seasonal German plates; don’t miss a fresh pour from Heidenpeters brewery tucked in the hall. Nearby, the open-air Topography of Terror documents the Nazi apparatus on the former Gestapo grounds (moving, free, and well-curated). If you prefer architecture and skyline shots, the TV Tower (Fernsehturm) is Berlin’s needle on the horizon—book ahead for sunset slots.

Evening: Dive into local flavors and brews on the Berlin City Center Food & Beer Tour with Eating Europe (about 3 hours; from roughly $78–95). Expect a tasty circuit of currywurst, regional plates, and German beers in Mitte with cultural tidbits and neighborhood history.

Nightlife option: join the Alternative Berlin Pub Crawl (from roughly $20–30) to sample creative and underground bars with a local guide—expect drink specials and a mixed international crowd. If clubbing is your scene, try Watergate (riverside house/techno) or Tresor (industrial techno) after midnight.

Day 3: Berlin Wall Stories, Street Art, and Last Bites

Morning: Fuel up at Silo Coffee (Friedrichshain)—flat whites, corn fritters, and excellent sourdough. Walk the East Side Gallery for bold murals on surviving Wall segments; then cross Oberbaumbrücke for iconic Spree photos. If you prefer a more reflective stop, the Berlin Wall Memorial at Bernauer Straße layers exhibitions, preserved border strip, and a viewing tower.

Afternoon: Grab a quick lunch before departure: Burgermeister (under the U1 in Kreuzberg) for griddled burgers and jalapeño poppers, or Mustafa’s Gemüse Kebap (if the line’s short) for the city’s famous veggie-packed döner. Last-minute shopping and people-watching at Hackescher Markt and the courtyards of Hackesche Höfe are great for final shots. Aim to be en route to BER about 2 hours before your flight; the FEX/regional trains reach Hauptbahnhof and Alexanderplatz in roughly half an hour.

Alternative outdoor hour (time permitting): Rent a bike and cruise Tempelhofer Feld, the decommissioned airport turned massive city park—runways, gardens, and kites create unusual, wide-open Berlin photos.

Extra Eats & Drinks (to swap in anywhere)

• Monsieur Vuong (Mitte): Fast, aromatic Vietnamese bowls and iced teas—great pre-museum bite.
• Lokal (Mitte): Seasonal, local-sourcing plates—think trout, root veg, and creative desserts.
• Zur letzten Instanz (Mitte): Berlin’s oldest restaurant; order Eisbein (pork knuckle) or Königsberger Klopse (veal meatballs in caper sauce).
• Vagabund Brauerei (Wedding): Intimate taproom with rotating small-batch beers—chatty locals and friendly bar staff.
• Prater Garten (Prenzlauer Berg): Classic beer garden vibes under chestnut trees (seasonal); grab pretzels, Obatzda, and a Helles.
• Five Elephant (Kreuzberg): Espresso done right and a legendary cheesecake slice.

Budget & Timing Tips

• Transit: A 48–72h pass often beats single rides if you’ll use U/S-Bahn frequently.
• Museums: Cluster Museum Island visits to one day; check closures and reserve time slots when offered.
• Food: Berlin is excellent for value—markets, döner stands, and imbiss counters keep costs friendly; balance with one sit-down dinner.
• Photography: Golden hour on Museum Island and Oberbaumbrücke; blue hour at Reichstag/Brandenburg Gate; night shots along the Spree.

Handy Booking Links

• Stays: VRBO Berlin | Hotels.com Berlin
• Top hotel picks: Motel One Hauptbahnhof, Motel One Hackescher Markt, Novotel Berlin Mitte, Scandic Potsdamer Platz, The Circus Hostel, Hotel Adlon Kempinski
• Arriving/within Europe: Omio Flights | Omio Trains | Omio Buses
• Long-haul flights: Trip.com | Kiwi.com
• Featured activities: Big Bus Berlin & Currywurst | Third Reich & Cold War Walk | Food & Beer Tour (Mitte) | Alternative Pub Crawl

In just three days, you’ll trace the arc of Berlin’s past, toast its present in brewpubs and beer gardens, and capture its character in golden-hour photographs. This mid-range, detail-rich itinerary leaves room for spontaneity—because Berlin’s best moments often happen between planned stops.