Berlin is a city that writes and rewrites itself. From Prussian pomp and Bismarck’s empire to the Weimar avant‑garde, the fractured Cold War capital, and today’s creative powerhouse, Berlin’s layers are visible on every corner. You’ll move between grand boulevards and graffiti-laced backstreets in minutes.

Expect marquee sights like the Brandenburg Gate and the Reichstag dome, world-class museums on Museum Island, and miles of the Berlin Wall preserved as an open-air gallery. Between them: third-wave coffee, Turkish-German street food, seasonal restaurants, and beer gardens where conversations stretch late into the night.

Practical notes: Book the Reichstag dome in advance (free), carry a card and some cash, and validate transit tickets. Most major sights are walkable or a short U/S‑Bahn hop away. This 4-day Berlin itinerary assumes an afternoon arrival on Day 1 and an afternoon departure on Day 4.

Berlin

Germany’s capital couples heavyweight history with an easygoing, creative pulse. Neighborhoods change personality every few blocks: stately Mitte, leafy Prenzlauer Berg, gritty-cool Kreuzberg, and elegant Charlottenburg. It’s a city that rewards curiosity—peek into courtyards, climb domes, and follow the smell of coffee or kebab to your next stop.

• Top sights: Brandenburg Gate, Reichstag dome, Museum Island, Berlin Wall Memorial, East Side Gallery, Gendarmenmarkt, Charlottenburg Palace.
• Can’t-miss experiences: Street art walks in Kreuzberg, a beer in a garden like Prater or BRLO, vinyl-drenched nightlife, and a half-day to Sanssouci in Potsdam.
• Local flavor: Currywurst, döner kebab, seasonal German cuisine, and superb specialty coffee from roasters like The Barn, Five Elephant, and Bonanza.

Getting there and around: For flights into or within Europe, compare options on Omio (flights). From nearby hubs, fast trains are easy to book via Omio (trains)—for example, Hamburg → Berlin ~1h45, Munich → Berlin ~4h, often €20–€80 if booked early. From BER Airport, the FEX/RE trains reach Berlin Hbf in ~30–35 minutes (about €4.50–€5.00, ABC fare). A Berlin AB day ticket is roughly €10 and covers U/S‑Bahn, trams, and buses.

Where to stay: Browse whole apartments and family-friendly stays on VRBO Berlin or hotels on Hotels.com Berlin. Handpicked options:

• Hotel Adlon Kempinski (flagship luxury at Brandenburg Gate; old-world service with modern comforts).
• Scandic Berlin Potsdamer Platz (eco-forward, great transport links, family rooms).
• Motel One Berlin-Hackescher Markt (value design steps from Museum Island and nightlife).
• MEININGER Hotel Berlin Hauptbahnhof (budget-friendly next to the central station, ideal for early trains).
• The Circus Hostel (social, stylish, and central—private rooms and dorms).
• Novotel Berlin Mitte (solid mid-range between Museum Island and Alexanderplatz).
• Motel One Berlin-Alexanderplatz (panoramic views, quick hop to the TV Tower).

Day 1: Arrival, Unter den Linden, and a Sunset Dome

Morning: Fly or train into Berlin. If you arrive early, drop bags at your hotel and grab an espresso and almond croissant at Father Carpenter (a calm courtyard café in Mitte) or a flat white at The Barn (flagship roastery on Auguststraße). Both roast their own beans and set the tone for Berlin’s exacting coffee scene.

Afternoon: Stroll the historic spine of Unter den Linden. Start at the stately Bebelplatz (site of the 1933 book burning—look for the poignant underground memorial), then continue to Museum Island to admire the Berlin Cathedral’s baroque bulk. If you want a compact museum hit, pick one: the Neues Museum (Egyptian collection and the Nefertiti bust), the Alte Nationalgalerie (19th‑century art), or the Altes Museum (classical antiquities). Note: The main Pergamon Museum is closed for renovation; the excellent Pergamon Panorama nearby offers a vivid stop-gap.

Evening: Head to the Reichstag for the glass-dome ascent at golden hour—reserve in advance; it’s free and the city views are phenomenal. For dinner, book Lokal (seasonal German plates—think freshwater fish and foraged veg) or Zur letzten Instanz (Berlin’s oldest restaurant, circa 1621, for crispy Eisbein and potato dumplings). Nightcap at the Monkey Bar above the zoo—window seats look over Tiergarten and the city lights.

Day 2: Museum Island Deep Dive, Berlin Wall Stories, Kreuzberg After Dark

Morning: Fuel up with a cinnamon roll and pour-over at Bonanza in Prenzlauer Berg, then return to Museum Island if you want another collection—two focused hours is perfect. Alternatively, climb the Berlin TV Tower (Fernsehturm) at Alexanderplatz for a city panorama; early slots are calmer and visibility is best on clear mornings.

Afternoon: Trace the Cold War at the Berlin Wall Memorial on Bernauer Straße. The preserved death strip and documentation center make the Wall tangible in a way plaques cannot. Coffee at Five Elephant (Kreuzberg) en route to the East Side Gallery—1.3 km of Wall panels turned canvases, including the famous “Fraternal Kiss.” For lunch, try Konnopke’s Imbiß (classic currywurst under the U2 tracks) or a stuffed-lavash sandwich at Futura (neo‑Neapolitan pizzeria’s daytime sister spot) if you’re near the canal.

Evening: Taste Kreuzberg: options include Markthalle Neun (if it’s a Thursday, the Street Food market is a lively graze), Fes BBQ (DIY ocakbasi grilling, top-notch meze), or Hasir (longstanding Turkish grill institution). Craft beer at BRLO Brwhouse beside Gleisdreieck Park pairs smoked meats with Berlin-brewed IPAs. Night owls can push on to Watergate (riverside house/techno), Tresor (techno temple in a power plant), or a smaller bar like Green Door (classic cocktails behind a green door—press the bell).

Day 3: Potsdam Palaces and Gardens, Return for Modern Berlin Dining

Morning: Day trip to Potsdam. Take the S7 from Berlin Hbf or Friedrichstraße to Potsdam Hbf (~40 minutes; ABC ticket ~€10 for a day). Walk or bus to Sanssouci Park: Frederick the Great’s Sanssouci Palace, terraced vineyards, and the opulent Neues Palais sit amid rolling lawns and follies. Even a garden-only stroll is transporting.

Afternoon: Lunch by the water at Meierei Brauhaus (house-brewed beer, lake views) or head to the Dutch Quarter for Café Heider (classic cakes and hearty lunches). Wander the red-brick gables, then train back to Berlin. If you prefer to stay in the city, swap Potsdam for Charlottenburg Palace and a coffee on Savignyplatz instead.

Evening: Book one excellent, modern Berlin dinner: Katz Orange (slow-food ethos in a candlelit courtyard), Nobelhart & Schmutzig (hyper-local tasting menu at the counter—plan ahead), or Mrs. Robinson’s (seasonal plates with Asian accents; great wine list). Finish with a reservation-only cocktail at Buck and Breck (intimate, speakeasy style) or a relaxed beer in Prater Garten (Berlin’s oldest beer garden; seasonal and spacious).

Day 4: Tiergarten, KaDeWe Food Hall, and Departure

Morning: Ease into your last hours with a stroll through Tiergarten, Berlin’s “green lung,” looping past the Victory Column. Coffee and a flaky Franzbrötchen at Zeit für Brot or a sesame croissant at Sofi Bakery will keep you moving. If you prefer architecture, detour to the angular Philharmonie and the Kulturforum plaza for photos.

Afternoon: Pop into KaDeWe’s legendary 6th-floor food hall for a light lunch—oyster bar, currywurst stand, Bavarian meats, and meticulous patisserie under one roof. Alternatively, hunt one final bite at Mustafas Gemüse Kebap (famous for a reason; expect a queue) or Rogacki (old-school deli with smoked fish counters) before you head to the airport or station. Depart in the afternoon.

Evening: If your flight is late, squeeze in the elegant Gendarmenmarkt for a postcard farewell and a last espresso at The Barn’s Café Kranzler on Kurfürstendamm, complete with a panoramically curved terrace.

Optional additions if you have extra time: A boat cruise on the Spree, Tempelhof Feld (picnic or cycle on a former runway), the Jewish Museum’s Libeskind architecture, or contemporary art at the Boros Bunker (book ahead).

How to book transport: Use Omio (flights) to compare fares to Berlin from European cities, and Omio (trains) for ICE/IC services across Germany and neighboring countries. For buses between German/Polish/Czech hubs, check Omio (buses).

Lodging recap: Search across neighborhoods on VRBO Berlin or compare hotels on Hotels.com Berlin. Central picks include Hotel Adlon Kempinski, Scandic Berlin Potsdamer Platz, Motel One Berlin-Hackescher Markt, MEININGER Hotel Berlin Hauptbahnhof, and The Circus Hostel.

This 4-day Berlin itinerary layers headline attractions with neighborhood texture, giving you grand palaces by day and candlelit courtyards by night. With smart transit tips and tasty stops plotted along the way, you’ll leave with a camera full of icons and a pocketbook of local favorites.