Germany rewards the curious traveler: storied cities, forested hills, avant‑garde art, and the world’s most ritualized beer culture. In a week, you can savor two urban heavyweights—Berlin and Munich—linked by fast ICE trains and centuries of intertwined history.

Berlin reinvented itself after the Wall fell in 1989. Today, it’s a mosaic of Prussian grandeur, Cold War scars, and modern creativity, with more bridges than Venice and more museums than you can visit in a month. Munich layers Baroque splendor and Bavarian gemütlichkeit, serving up markets, beer gardens, and Alpine day trips crowned by Neuschwanstein Castle.

Practical notes: Sundays are quiet (many shops close), cards are widely accepted but carry some cash; tips of 5–10% are appreciated. Trains are efficient—book early for savings. For flights into Europe, compare fares on Omio; from outside Europe, also check Kiwi.com or Trip.com.

Berlin

Berlin is where Europe’s 20th century is etched into streets, squares, and surviving fragments of the Wall. Wander from regal Unter den Linden to gritty-cool courtyards in Mitte and Kreuzberg, then toast the sunset atop creative rooftops.

Top sights include the Brandenburg Gate, Reichstag, Museum Island, East Side Gallery, and sobering memorials to the city’s divided past. Food-wise, Berlin is a magpie: third‑wave coffee, Turkish grills, vegan marvels, and the city’s tangy institution—currywurst.

• Stay: Browse VRBO Berlin stays or Hotels.com Berlin.
• Editor’s picks (walkable to major sights): Hotel Adlon Kempinski (grand classic by Brandenburg Gate), Scandic Berlin Potsdamer Platz (eco‑chic, family rooms), Novotel Berlin Mitte (great value near Museum Island), The Circus Hostel (social, design‑forward), Motel One Berlin‑Hauptbahnhof (convenience by central station).
• Getting in: Fly to BER; from European hubs, flights are often 1–2 hours and $60–$180 on Omio. Airport rail/S‑Bahn to the center runs ~30–40 minutes. Day transit pass ~€10–12.

Day 1: Arrive in Berlin, First Tastes of the Capital

Afternoon: Land at BER and ride the airport train into Mitte. Drop bags at your hotel, then reset with an espresso at Father Carpenter or Five Elephant. Stroll Unter den Linden to the Brandenburg Gate and pause at the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe for a quiet moment of reflection.

Evening: Dinner in Mitte: try Zur Letzten Instanz (since 1621; pork knuckle, potato dumplings) for old‑Berlin fare, or Katz Orange for seasonal slow cooking and excellent German wines. Nightcap at the leafy Prater Garten (warm months) or rooftop Klunkerkranich for city views.

Day 2: Icons, Museums, and a Cold War Walk

Morning: Join a historian‑led small group to decode Berlin’s 20th‑century upheavals. Book Berlin’s Best Third Reich and Cold War 2 Hour Walking Tour for concise storytelling at must‑see sites like Brandenburg Gate and the Reichstag.

Afternoon: Lunch at Markthalle Neun (Tues–Sat) where you can graze on Flammkuchen, Swabian käsespätzle, or Turkish gözleme. Continue to Museum Island; the Pergamon’s main hall is under renovation, but the Neues Museum (Nefertiti) and Altes Museum (classical antiquities) shine. Climb the Berlin Cathedral dome for panorama.

Evening: Explore Hackesche Höfe’s art‑nouveau courtyards and indie shops. Dinner in Kreuzberg: try Adana Grillhaus for smoky skewers or Ora for produce‑driven plates in a former pharmacy. For craft beer, head to BRLO Brwhouse near Gleisdreieck Park.

Day 3: Sachsenhausen Memorial Day

Today is a solemn, educational day. Travel with an expert guide on the Berlin: Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp Tour in English. You’ll learn how the camp functioned within the Nazi system of terror and commemorate those imprisoned here. Expect a meaningful, reflective visit with time in the exhibitions and on‑site memorials.

Evening tip: Return to Mitte for a quiet dinner. Cookies Cream offers inventive vegetarian tasting menus; for something casual, swing by Curry 36 for a classic currywurst with paprika‑spiked ketchup and fries.

Munich

Munich is Bavaria’s capital of art and gemütlichkeit—ornate churches, grand boulevards, and the Alps within day‑trip reach. It’s also the cradle of the 1516 beer purity law and home to lively beer halls and gardens.

Between market snacks at Viktualienmarkt, the frescoed Asamkirche, and evenings under chestnut trees at Augustiner‑Keller, you’ll feel the city’s rhythm. Come in late September for Oktoberfest, or visit any time for museums like the Residenz and Pinakotheken.

• Stay: Explore VRBO Munich apartments or Hotels.com Munich.
• Editor’s picks: Hotel Bayerischer Hof (heritage glam, pool with views), Motel One München‑Sendlinger Tor (value near Old Town), Novotel München City (great for families), Euro Youth Hotel Munich (budget favorite), Holiday Inn Munich - City Centre (S‑Bahn downstairs).
• Berlin → Munich: Morning ICE train ~3h55–4h30. Book on Omio Trains; early fares from ~€20–€60 (flex tickets €80–€140). Buses (5–7h) via Omio Buses cost less but take longer.

Day 4: Berlin to Munich, Old Town Ramble

Morning: Board an early ICE from Berlin Hbf to München Hbf (grab a pretzel and coffee on the platform). Enjoy countryside views and free Wi‑Fi. Arrive by late morning, drop bags, and walk to Marienplatz to catch the Glockenspiel chime (11:00/12:00, plus 17:00 in summer).

Afternoon: Snack your way through Viktualienmarkt—try Caspar Plautz’s creative potato dishes, Fisch Witte’s matjes rolls, and fresh obazda cheese with a pretzel. Step into the jewel‑box Asamkirche, then browse Dallmayr’s historic delicatessen for edible souvenirs.

Evening: Dinner at Augustiner‑Keller (beer from wooden barrels, roast pork with crackling) or Schneider Bräuhaus (schweinebraten, wheat beers). If you want cocktails, Zephyr serves inventive, seasonal sips in Glockenbach.

Day 5: Neuschwanstein and Linderhof (Full‑Day Castle Adventure)

Give yourself a storybook day in the Alps on the Premium Neuschwanstein Castle and Linderhof VIP Tour from Munich. Travel in a small group, enjoy guided entries where included, and take in Oberammergau’s frescoed houses en route. Wear comfortable shoes—Neuschwanstein involves uphill walking—and bring a light jacket for the mountain air.

Evening tip: Back in Munich, grab a late dinner at Der Pschorr (farm‑to‑table Bavarian classics) or a thin‑crust pizza and wine at L’Osteria if you’re craving something light after a big day.

Day 6: Dachau, Art, and the English Garden

Morning: Visit Germany’s first concentration camp memorial on the Early-Start Dachau Memorial Half-Day Tour from Munich. The early departure provides quieter exhibits and time for thoughtful reflection—an essential, humbling experience that deepens understanding of German history.

Afternoon: Spend a few restorative hours at the Alte Pinakothek (Old Masters) or the Residenz (ornate palace and treasury). If the sun’s out, rent a bike and cruise the English Garden; watch river surfers at the Eisbach wave and relax at the Chinese Tower beer garden with a Radler.

Evening: Dinner at Haxnbauer (famous for crispy pork knuckle) or vegetarian institution Prinz Myshkin (hearty, global plates). Nightcap at Seehaus im Englischen Garten by the lakeside in warmer months.

Day 7: Munich Markets and Farewell

Morning: Breakfast at Café Frischhut (schmalznudel pastries) or Man Versus Machine (top‑tier coffee). Pick up last goodies—Lebkuchen, alpine cheeses—at Viktualienmarkt.

Afternoon: Depart for the airport or train station. Flights within Europe are often under 2 hours; compare on Omio Flights. For onward trains (Salzburg, Nuremberg, Stuttgart), search Omio Trains.

Evening: If you have extra time, stroll along the Isar riverbanks—a local favorite for golden‑hour walks—before your ride to MUC.

Where to Eat and Drink (Quick Picks by City)

• Berlin breakfast/coffee: Father Carpenter (courtyard brunch), Five Elephant (roastery, cheesecake), Zeit für Brot (warm cinnamon buns).
• Berlin lunch: Mustafa’s Gemüse Kebap (cult döner), Kanaan (Israeli‑Palestinian mezze), Witty’s (organic currywurst).
• Berlin dinner: Katz Orange (seasonal), Lokal (modern German), Cookies Cream (creative vegetarian).
• Berlin drinks: Prater Garten (classic), Klunkerkranich (rooftop), Buck & Breck (speakeasy).
• Munich breakfast/coffee: Café Frischhut (pastries), Man Versus Machine (specialty coffee), Standl 20 at the market (espresso & bakes).
• Munich lunch: Viktualienmarkt stalls (Caspar Plautz, Fisch Witte), Andechser am Dom (monastic beers, schnitzel), Sababa (falafel wrap).
• Munich dinner: Augustiner‑Keller, Schneider Bräuhaus, Der Pschorr, Prinz Myshkin.
• Munich drinks: Hofbräukeller beer garden (less touristy than Hofbräuhaus), Giesinger Bräu (local craft), Zephyr (cocktails).

Getting Around and Between Cities

• City transport: Berlin and Munich have integrated metro/tram/bus networks; day passes are good value. The €49 Deutschlandticket (monthly) suits longer stays.
• Airport transfers: BER and MUC connect by rail to city centers in ~30–45 minutes.
• Berlin ⇄ Munich trains: ICE trains every 30–60 minutes; book on Omio Trains. Reserve seats during peak times.
• From outside Europe: Compare long‑haul fares on Kiwi.com or Trip.com; for intra‑Europe flights use Omio.

Optional Extras if You Have More Time

• Berlin food crawl: Berlin Food Tour with Full Meal & Drinks.
• Potsdam palaces: Potsdam Tour with Sanssouci.
• Munich private city walk: Munich Private Tour with a Local.

Hotels quick links: Berlin — Hotel Adlon Kempinski, Scandic Berlin Potsdamer Platz, Novotel Berlin Mitte, The Circus Hostel. Munich — Hotel Bayerischer Hof, Motel One München‑Sendlinger Tor, Novotel München City, Euro Youth Hotel Munich, Holiday Inn Munich - City Centre.

In one week, you’ll trace Berlin’s landmarks and memorials, hop south by high‑speed rail, and revel in Munich’s markets, museums, and Alpine castles. This itinerary balances history with joy—somber learning by day, gemütliche dinners by night—so Germany’s complexity and warmth both shine.