3 days in Berlin
The ideal route for a first visit: landmarks in Mitte, Wall history in Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg, and Charlottenburg plus Tiergarten to finish.
Mitte: landmarks back-to-back
Brandenburg Gate, Reichstag and Museum Island - all of Berlin's big classics on foot in a single day.
- Morning9:00 - 10:30
Start at Brandenburg Gate
Pariser Platz, the Adlon and the Holocaust Memorial all sit right here. Take the first half hour slowly to arrive.
💡 Tip: For breakfast, the Café 'Einstein Unter den Linden' is roughly 5 minutes away on foot. - Morning10:30 - 12:00
Reichstag with dome registration
The glass dome designed by Foster is free to visit - though you must register a few days beforehand.
💡 Tip: Register online at bundestag.de, ideally no later than 1 week in advance. - Lunch12:30 - 14:00
Lunch on Gendarmenmarkt
Arguably Berlin's finest square, framed by the concert hall and the two cathedrals. Cafés line the edges.
- Afternoon14:00 - 18:00
Museum Island
A single ticket opens all 5 houses: Pergamon (partly closed), Neues Museum with Nefertiti and the Bode Museum.
- Evening18:00 - 19:00
TV Tower at sunset
From 203m up over the city. Booking in advance means skipping the wait.
- Dinner20:00
Dinner at Hackescher Markt
A buzzing dining quarter with plenty of spots for modern Berlin cooking.
Wall history & Kreuzberg vibes
East Side Gallery, Checkpoint Charlie and Görli: a day on foot tracing Berlin's history from 1961 to now.
- Morning9:30 - 11:30
East Side Gallery
Along the Spree stand 1.3km of original painted Wall segments. Morning light suits it best.
- Lunch12:00 - 13:00
Markthalle Neun
On Thursdays the Street Food Thursday draws Berlin classics alongside stalls from around the world.
- Afternoon14:00 - 15:30
Checkpoint Charlie + Wall Museum
The best-known former border crossing, paired with the Haus am Checkpoint Charlie and its Wall escapes.
- Afternoon16:00 - 18:00
Walk through Kreuzberg 36
Past Bergmannstraße, Görlitzer Park and Oranienstraße - the quarter that is Turkish and alternative in equal measure.
- Dinner20:00
Dinner in Kreuzberg
Whether Berlin currywurst or Michelin stars - Kreuzberg has something for every budget.
West Berlin & Tiergarten
The city's west side: Charlottenburg Palace, Kurfürstendamm and KaDeWe, plus the memorial church and a stroll through Tiergarten.
- Morning9:30 - 11:30
Charlottenburg Palace
The city's largest Prussian palace, whose garden invites a leisurely walk.
- Lunch12:30 - 14:00
KaDeWe gourmet floor
On the 6th floor of KaDeWe you'll find sushi bars, oysters, pasta and Berlin meatballs - a big-city showcase.
- Afternoon14:30 - 16:00
Kurfürstendamm + memorial church
Berlin's 3.5km shopping boulevard, anchored at one end by the ruined Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church.
- Afternoon16:30 - 18:00
Tiergarten walk
The city's green lung: from Zoo Station to Brandenburg Gate it's 4km, a solid 50-minute walk.
- Dinner20:00
Farewell dinner in Mitte or Ku'damm
Whatever suits your hotel's location: both neighbourhoods offer good spots for the final evening.
Hotels in the right neighborhoods
Hotel Adlon Kempinski
A landmark of Berlin's hotel scene, set right beside Brandenburg Gate.
Hotel de Rome
Rocco Forte's Berlin flagship on Bebelplatz, housed in what was once the Dresdner Bank.
Regent Berlin
Five-star hotel right by Gendarmenmarkt, home to the Charlotte & Fritz restaurant.
Discover all Berlin attractions
Other itineraries
Berlin with kids
A Berlin weekend for the whole family: Zoo, Tempelhof Field, Mauerpark flea market and the Natural History Museum - paced for kids, with plenty of breaks.
Berlin when it rains
A wet day in Berlin: three museums on Museum Island, lunch in the market hall and an evening at KaDeWe or the Sony Center.