Germany rewards time and curiosity. This 51-day itinerary lets you linger: dive into Berlin’s layers of history and nightlife, feel Hamburg’s sea breeze among brick-gothic warehouses and cutting-edge architecture, and savor Munich’s blue-sky traditions framed by alpine horizons.

From Prussian palaces and Cold War relics to Hanseatic canals and Bavarian beer gardens, you’ll trace centuries in modern comfort. High-speed trains stitch cities in hours, markets brim with regional flavors, and day trips reveal castles, lakes, and UNESCO towns.

Practical notes: most shops close on Sundays, restaurants stay open, and cards are widely accepted. Tip around 5–10% by rounding up. Deutsche Bahn sometimes strikes—build flexibility, and use rail apps to monitor changes. Book marquee sights (Reichstag Dome, Elbphilharmonie, Neuschwanstein) in advance.

Berlin

Berlin is a palimpsest: Prussian splendor, Weimar creativity, Nazi tragedy, a divided city, and a reunified capital that never stops improvising. Scenes shift block by block—Mitte’s museums, Kreuzberg’s canal-side cafes, Neukölln’s rooftops, and Prenzlauer Berg’s leafy boulevards.

Expect world-class museums, boundary-pushing art, techno temples, and a serious coffee game. The startup scene hums (you may even hear about open-source automation like n8n)—but the soul of the city is in its freedom to be many things at once.

Getting there: Fly into Berlin Brandenburg (BER). Check fares on Omio (flights to/from Europe) or globally via Kiwi.com. From BER, the FEX/RE train to Berlin Hbf is ~30–35 minutes.

Where to stay: Search apartments and houses on VRBO Berlin or compare hotels on Hotels.com Berlin. Aim for Mitte (walkable to classics), Prenzlauer Berg (cafe-filled), or Kreuzberg/Neukölln (nightlife).

Days 1–5: Capital Icons and Museum Island

• Brandenburg Gate, Reichstag Dome, and the Government Quarter: Walk Unter den Linden to the Gate, then visit the Reichstag glass dome (free, advance booking required). Sunset views over the Tiergarten are superb.
• Holocaust Memorial and Topography of Terror: Two essential sites for reflection. The outdoor exhibits at Topography of Terror trace the machinery of Nazi rule where it once stood.
• Museum Island: The Pergamon’s main building is under long-term renovation, but the Neues Museum (Nefertiti) and Altes Museum (classical antiquities) shine. The Humboldt Forum’s galleries and riverfront terraces are excellent for a breather.
• Coffee and breakfast: Father Carpenter (courtyard flat whites and banana bread), Five Elephant (expert roasts; famed cheesecake), and Zeit für Brot (still-warm cinnamon buns).
• Lunch ideas: Konnopke’s Imbiss for classic currywurst under the U2, Markthalle Neun’s stalls (try Sironi bakery, Big Stuff BBQ), or Mogg for stacked pastrami in a historic schoolhouse.
• Dinner favorites: Lokal (seasonal Berlin cuisine; think lake fish and root veg), Katz Orange (farm-to-table, candlelit), and Zur Letzten Instanz (since 1621; order the Eisbein or Königsberger Klopse).
• Evening drinks: Buck & Breck (intimate speakeasy; reservations), Prater Garten (Berlin’s oldest beer garden), and Klunkerkranich (rooftop sunset over Neukölln).

Days 6–9: Cold War Stories and Contemporary Culture

• Berlin Wall Memorial & East Side Gallery: Bernauer Strasse tells the most complete Wall story. Then see the longest surviving stretch along the Spree, covered in murals.
• Kreuzberg & Neukölln wander: Stroll the Landwehr Canal, Turkish markets, vintage shops, and indie galleries. Grab a döner or lahmacun for a snack.
• Tempelhof Feld: Picnic or cycle on a former airport runway—Berlin’s quirkiest park.
• Culture picks: Hamburger Bahnhof (contemporary art in a former station) and Gropius Bau exhibitions; check current shows.
• Cafes and bites: Bonanza Coffee Roasters (precision pours), Hallesches Haus (general store + brunch), and Mustafa’s Gemüse Kebap (famous; go off-peak).
• Nightlife: From craft beer at Heidenpeters (Markthalle Neun) to live music at Lido or SO36. Techno temples are legendary; lines and door policies apply—arrive late, dress low-key.

Days 10–13: Royal Potsdam and Local Neighborhoods

• Day trip to Potsdam: 45 minutes by S-Bahn to Sanssouci’s palaces, terraced vineyards, and the Dutch Quarter’s red-brick lanes. Allow a full day.
• Mitte beyond the museums: Hackescher Markt courtyards, Design shops on Auguststrasse, and the street art of Haus Schwarzenberg.
• Markets: Sunday Mauerpark flea market and karaoke draw a cross-section of Berliners and visitors.
• Dining: Neni (Levantine plates with city views), Eins44 (industrial-chic, modern German), and Cookies Cream (creative vegetarian tasting menu; book ahead).

Days 14–17: Gardens, Lakes, and Easy Day Trips

• Wannsee and Peacock Island: Lakeside trails and ferry rides feel like a holiday inside the city.
• Sachsenhausen Memorial (somber): A train ride to Oranienburg (~45–50 minutes) for a deeply educational visit; plan quiet time afterward.
• Final foodie hits: Ernst-adjacent natural wine bars in Wedding, or Otto for hyper-local seasonal menus. For dessert, Jones Ice Cream in Schöneberg.

Berlin public transit: A day ticket costs about €10 for AB zones. Trains within Germany: compare options on Omio (trains in Europe) or long-distance buses via Omio (buses).

Travel to Hamburg (Day 18 morning)

Take an ICE train from Berlin Hbf to Hamburg Hbf: ~1h45–2h. Saver fares often start around €17.90–€39.90 if booked early. Compare departures on Omio trains.

Hamburg

Hamburg is Europe’s green, water-laced port city—think lakes, canals, and the Elbe River opening to the North Sea. The UNESCO-listed Speicherstadt’s brick warehouses glow at dusk, while the Elbphilharmonie sails above like a glass ship.

Music runs deep here (the Beatles honed their sound in St. Pauli), and so does food—from fish rolls on the pier to chef-driven kitchens in former factories. Neighborhoods like Sternschanze and Karolinenviertel offer street art, markets, and lively bars.

Where to stay: Base near the Altstadt/Neustadt for sights, HafenCity for water views and the Elbphilharmonie, or Sternschanze for indie energy. Browse VRBO Hamburg and Hotels.com Hamburg.

Days 18–22: Waterfront Icons and Speicherstadt

• Elbphilharmonie Plaza: Ride the curving escalator to the panorama deck (free same-day ticket; €2 to reserve). If you can, book a concert for acoustic magic.
• Miniatur Wunderland: A playful and astonishing world of model railways and cityscapes—plan 2–3 hours; evenings can be quieter.
• Harbor cruise: One-hour cruises glide past container terminals, shipyards, and the concert hall—about €20.
• Breakfast/coffee: Public Coffee Roasters (roastery cafe on the canals), Elbgold (Schanze; excellent espresso), and Café Paris (belle-époque brasserie breakfast near Rathaus).
• Lunch: Fischbrötchen (fish rolls) at Brücke 10 on Landungsbrücken, or Hobenköök in HafenCity for farm-to-table lunch inside a market hall.
• Dinner: VLET in der Speicherstadt (modern Hanseatic dishes), Bullerei (chef Tim Mälzer’s lively grill in a former cattle hall), or Fischereihafen Restaurant (classic seafood; book for sunset).

Days 23–26: Parks, Lakes, and St. Pauli

• Planten un Blomen: Stroll botanical gardens and water features; summer evenings sometimes bring fountain light shows.
• Alster Lake: Rent a pedal boat or walk the scenic Jungfernstieg and outer Alster trails.
• St. Michael’s Church (Michel): Climb for views across the port and city rooftops.
• St. Pauli and the Reeperbahn: Beyond neon, find indie theaters, live clubs, and Beatles-Platz—join an early evening walking tour to learn the lore.
• Food stops: Better Burger Company for a quick bite; NENI Hamburg (Eastern Med with flair) near HafenCity; and Die Bank (steak and brasserie classics in a grand hall).

Days 27–30: Lübeck Day Trip and Local Markets

• Day trip to Lübeck: About 45–60 minutes by regional train. Explore Holstentor gate, brick-gothic churches, and sample marzipan at traditional cafes.
• Speicherstadt & Kontorhausviertel deep dive: Seek the Chilehaus’ sharp angles and hidden courtyards.
• Sunday Fischmarkt (early!): From dawn, vendors hawk seafood, fruit, and flowers with theatrical flair. Follow with a calming walk along the Elbe.

Days 31–33: Creative Corners and Relaxed Evenings

• Schanze & Karoviertel: Street art, design boutiques, and cozy bars. Try breakfast at Milch for fluffy pancakes.
• Museums to suit your mood: International Maritime Museum or Deichtorhallen (contemporary art and photography).
• Farewell dinner: Haerlin for a splurge tasting menu, or Heimathafen for elevated regional comfort food.

Hamburg transit: Day tickets hover around €8–€10. For intercity travel, compare trains on Omio and buses on Omio.

Travel to Munich (Day 34 morning)

Direct ICE from Hamburg Hbf to München Hbf takes ~5.5–6 hours. Early saver fares can run ~€24.90–€69.90; book ahead and choose a quiet/working coach. See options on Omio trains.

Munich

Munich pairs old-world elegance with a love for the outdoors. The Alps hover on the horizon, beer gardens sprawl under chestnut trees, and the Isar River invites picnics and swims in summer.

Art spans from the Residenz to the Pinakotheken; engineering dazzles at BMW Welt and the expansive Deutsches Museum. Food ranges from crispy pork knuckles and dumplings to Michelin tasting rooms and third-wave coffee.

Where to stay: Altstadt-Lehel (steps to Marienplatz), Glockenbachviertel (hip dining and bars), or Schwabing (leafy, artsy). Search VRBO Munich or compare on Hotels.com Munich.

Days 34–38: Old Town, English Garden, and Markets

• Marienplatz and the Glockenspiel: Time your visit to catch the figurines dance. Wander to Frauenkirche and the Asamkirche’s exuberant baroque.
• Viktualienmarkt: Snack your way through cheese, sausages, and seasonal produce. Try Caspar Plautz (potato specialties) or Fisch Witte (oysters, fish plates).
• English Garden: Watch surfers on the Eisbach wave, then settle into the Chinesischer Turm beer garden with a Maß and pretzel.
• Coffee/breakfast: Man Versus Machine (precision roasts), Standl 20 (market-stall breakfasts), and Café Frischhut (schmalznudel doughnuts hot from the fryer).
• Dinner: Wirtshaus in der Au (duck and dumplings), Spatenhaus an der Oper (classic Bavarian with opera views), or Brenner Grill (modern Italian grill on Maximilianstraße).

Days 39–42: Museums and Olympiapark

• Pinakothek trio: Old Masters to modern greats across Alte, Neue, and Pinakothek der Moderne—pace yourself across two days.
• BMW Welt & Museum: Futuristic showroom and a deep dive into design and engineering; combine with Olympiapark for a roof-climb or tower views.
• Deutsches Museum: One of the world’s largest science-and-tech museums; plan several hours.
• Evening: Augustiner-Keller’s leafy beer garden or Schneider Bräuhaus for wheat beers and sausages.

Days 43–47: Castles, Lakes, and Somber History

• Neuschwanstein & Hohenschwangau day trip: Train to Füssen (~2h), bus to the castles. Reserve timed tickets; the Marienbrücke viewpoint is a stunner when open.
• Dachau Memorial (somber): S-Bahn to Dachau + bus to the site. Plan time to decompress afterward—perhaps a gentle Isar walk.
• Tegernsee or Ammersee lakes: Easy regional trains deliver mountain views, lakeside promenades, and hearty lunches.

Days 48–51: Palaces and Farewell Flavors

• Nymphenburg Palace and park: Baroque rooms and pavilions amid grand water features.
• Residenz & Treasury: Glittering courtly interiors and jeweled masterpieces—pair with a stroll down Odeonsplatz.
• Final meals: Tantris Maison Culinaire for a splurge, Zum Dürnbräu for cozy classics, or Otto MUC for seasonal plates. For gelato, Der Verrückte Eismacher’s playful flavors.

Munich transit: Day tickets for the M zone are roughly €9–€11; validate as needed. For onward flights, price-check Omio (flights in Europe) or global options via Kiwi.com or Trip.com.

Optional Day Trips and Rail Notes

• From Berlin: Tropical Islands day spa (repurposed airship hangar) or the palace town of Oranienburg.
• From Hamburg: Lüneburg’s salt-wealth architecture or Stade’s storybook old town.
• From Munich: Salzburg, Austria (~1h30 by rail) for baroque streets and Mozart. Bring ID for the border.
• Booking tips: Long-distance saver fares sell out; lock in early. Compare times and prices on Omio trains. If strikes pop up, buses via Omio can be plan B.

Where to book stays quickly: Berlin VRBO | Berlin Hotels.com • Hamburg VRBO | Hamburg Hotels.com • Munich VRBO | Munich Hotels.com

This slow-travel route gives Germany room to breathe—time for blockbuster sights and quiet corners, harbor sunsets and alpine day trips, street food and white-tablecloth dinners. You’ll leave with a nuanced sense of place and a list of favorites you’ll want to revisit.