Planning a trip to Berlin? This unique city is a popular stop on any European adventure & we have the perfect 3 day travel guide for you. So you can spend less time stressing about what to do & more time getting excited about your trip to Germany’s capital city.
Berlin had been on our bucket list for a good few years before finally ticking it off in May of this year (2023). With us both being fascinated with World War II history, it was the perfect place to learn more. Initially our first impressions were underwhelming & we questioned why we had been so keen to visit. However, once you start peeling back the layers of this eclectic city. You’ll begin to discover its true charm & personality.
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A brief history of Berlin
Before visiting Berlin, we believe it is important to understand a little about the history of the city. After all, it has been through a lot. & evidence of a tremulous past, can still be witnessed today. Plus we have to admit, we are history nerds. We love sharing facts that we learn, on our adventures. If you aren’t so excited by this, maybe skip ahead.
Berlin was established as the German capital in the 1400s. & during World War II, it was nearly completely destroyed by bombings. Which is why a lot of the buildings you’ll see today come from a much more modern era. In comparison to other areas of Germany. Berlin was also home to the headquarters of the Nazi Regime, during the second world war.
Immediately after World War II, Berlin became the epicentre of what we now know as the Cold War. With the US & the Soviets both fighting for control in Europe. Consequently the then, German Democratic Republic erected the Berlin Wall on the night of August 12th 1961.
This marked the beginning of the next 28 years, of a divided Berlin from East to West. The Berlin Wall was used to prevent citizens from East Germany escaping into so called ‘fascist’ West Germany. As a consequence of war, families were tragically separated for years. Unable to be with their loved ones on the other side of the wall.
Until in 1989 due to a miscommunication error, word got out that people could now travel freely across the border & the Berlin Wall fell. Today, you can still visit a section of the wall. Which has been turned into the worlds longest open air gallery, with paintings from artists from all over the world.
Where to stay?
Just like in most European capital cities, there is something for everyone & every budget. If you’ve followed us for a while, you’ll know that we always travel on a small budget.
We chose to stay at St Christopher’s Inn, this hostel is located in Berlin Mitte. This area is very convenient for exploring the city. As many attractions/points of interest are either within walking distance or a short ride on the underground.
We stayed in a 4 bed dorm & had breakfast included with our stay, always handy, as it’ll save you heading out to search for breakfast.
How to get around?
Berlin is a well connected city & public transport is pretty easy to navigate. The easiest way to use the buses, trams & underground is by purchasing a Berlin Welcome Card. They start at 25 Euros for 48 hours, but give you unlimited access to public transport within the city, during your stay. With this card you also have access to up to 50% off attractions in Berlin.
It is possible to purchase public transport tickets individually from ticket machines. But honestly we think it’s worth investing in the card for hassle free transport & great discounts. It will undoubtedly save you time & money!
Day 1 – Arrival Day
If you stay in the Berlin Mitte area, you’ll be super close to Checkpoint Charlie. This is definitely somewhere that you should check out.
Checkpoint Charlie was once the most well known border crossing on the Berlin Wall, during the Cold War. Today, the checkpoint still remains & tourists flock here to snap a photo at the infamous ‘US Army’ stand & sign.
Next to the checkpoint there is a museum. Visitors can learn more about the history & significance of Checkpoint Charlie & the Berlin Wall. We didn’t visit ourselves, but believe the entry cost is around 14 Euros.
A couple of streets away from Checkpoint Charlie, you’ll find the ‘Topography of Terror’ exhibition. The exhibition sits on the grounds of the former Gestapo (secret police), SS (parliamentary organisation) & Reich Security Main Office headquarters. It was located here during the time of the Nazi Regime.
The exhibition is an insightful look into the atrocities that were committed by the Nazi Regime. As well as their fall of power by the end of the Second World War. You can walk around with an audio guide that is accessible from your phone. It’s quite a harrowing visit, as you learn about the history that took place right here in the heart of Berlin.
We highly recommend you spend a couple hours here. Especially if you are interested in World War II. We believe that it is important to learn about this piece of the past, to remember & make sure it never happens again. The exhibition is supposedly open from 10am – 8pm, but double check these opening times as we were kicked out earlier than that.
Day 2
It is your first full day in Berlin, so let’s make the most of it! We recommend heading down to the iconic Brandenburg Gate as early as possible. This is a great spot to start you day before the crowds arrive.
No visit to Berlin is complete without a trip to the Brandenburg Gate. This beautiful monument was built in the 18th century by the Prussian King Frederik William II. Historically, the gate has been the site for major historical events. & today it is considered not only a symbol of the tumultuous past of Germany and Europe, but also of European unity and peace. It is a real symbol of Berlin, & should not be missed.
The area surrounding the Brandenburg Gate is also home to other points of interest. Directly next to the gate you will find the ‘Memorial To The Murdered Jews Of Europe’. It’s here that you will find 2,711 concrete pillars across a sloping field. The symbolism of the concrete pillars is said to be subjective & left to the visitor to interpret the memorial in their own way.
This place is truly remarkable, but also an important reminder of the harrowing facts behind it. You must take time here, walking amongst the pillars & admiring the memorial. It almost feels like a maze as you become disorientated from walking between the concrete.
The site is free to visit. & there is also an information centre located under the memorial, here you can read more about the Nazi crimes during this era.
A couple more streets away from the memorial, you’ll also find the Reichstag. This is the seat of the German Parliament, Bundestag & quite a unique building. It is mostly known for it’s glass dome sitting on top of the building. Visitors can go inside & be rewarded with views over Berlin.
It is free to go inside the Reichstag. However, it is required that all visitors register their visit here beforehand. There were some very long queues when we visited in May & therefore we didn’t visit the dome. However, admiring the building from the outside is just as beautiful.
If you would be interested in a guided tour of the Reichstag building to learn more about it’s history, then we’d recommend jumping on any of the tours listed here.
After you’ve spent time exploring these iconic landmarks, it’s time to move onto other parts of the city. Now, Berlin is quite a large city & walking can get tiring. If you have already purchased a Berlin Welcome Card, it may make sense for you to utilise the public transport.
However, if you’d rather explore, in an open top sightseeing bus, we recommend that you jump on the City Circle. This tour takes you to all the top spots in Berlin & you can just hop on & hop off as you please. We jumped on this one & it was such a great way to see the city & everything in between.
A short ride from the Brandenburg Gate is the TV tower, located in Alexaderplatz. Soaring above the city at 368m, it is the highest point in Berlin & dominates the skyline. At the very top of the tower there is an observation deck & restaurant. You can purchase tours & tickets here for the observation deck.
If you don’t fancy a trip up to the top, then standing in front of the tower & snapping some photos is still a great way to enjoy this landmark.
Just across the road from the TV tower, there is a bit of a Berlin hidden gem. Much of Berlin was destroyed in the war, so historical buildings & charm is hard to come by. However, nestled in the heart of Berlin is a small historical quarter called ‘Nikolaiviertel’. The square was actually reconstructed after the war, but today it is the only remaining evidence of an ‘old town’ Berlin.
We were so thrilled to find this pocket, of that classic European charm that you get in other cities in Europe. There are a few souvenir shops here as well as bars/restaurants selling traditional German cuisine & beer.
Once you’ve spent some time enjoying this corner of Berlin, it’s time to head to East Berlin. & more specifically to the East Side Gallery located on a surviving section of the Berlin Wall. You can hop back on the City Circle to reach it.
The East Side Gallery is an absolute must do in Berlin & was probably one of our favourite places in the city. At 1316m long it is the longest continuous section of the wall, still in existence. Immediately after the fall of the wall in 1989, artists from all over the world came to paint on the wall. & 1990 it opened as an open air gallery.
There are many famous paintings you can find here, including the iconic ‘Fraternal Kiss’, make sure you get a photo here! But top tip, during the day it is super busy to grab photos. We visited at around 7/8pm & the crowds were much less.
As you walk alongside the wall, you’ll also come across information about the Berlin Wall & it’s fall. Why not finish your day with a couple of beers on the banks of the River Spree? Which is located right next to the wall. You may even strike lucky like we did & be treated to some live music on the grass.
Day 3
There’s still so much to see in Berlin, so we better get going! If you happen to be in the city on a Sunday, then we can definitely recommend heading to Mauerpark & checking out the flea market.
The market runs every Sunday 10am – 6pm & is a lovely way to start your morning. Here you’ll find stalls selling trinkets, hand made crafts, antiques, vintage clothing & more. As well as many food trucks, so skip on breakfast & get yourself some delicious brunch here instead.
The popularity of the flea market at Mauerpark partly stems from the karaoke sessions that take place in the park’s amphitheatre every Sunday afternoon. From spring to autumn, the place is packed with spectators and singers ready for some fun. This runs from around 3pm onwards.
Time to head back into the heart of Berlin. On our last day we decided to take a river cruise, it was a great way to get a unique perspective on the city & sit down for a while, after all the walking.
You can find the cruise we took here. This particular tour leaves from the shores of the River Spree, just around the corner from St Christopher’s Inn, where we stayed.
You’ll float down the river for 1 hour with an audio guide that will explain more about the history of Berlin & some of it’s most famous landmarks/buildings. Whilst on board you can also purchase drinks, alcoholic & non alcoholic. Sit back, enjoy the sunshine & Berlin’s great views.
The boat will take you right back to where you started. Which is the perfect opportunity to walk along the gorgeous banks of the river & towards Museum Island.
The world famous Museum Island lies in the heart of Berlin, sandwiched between the River Spree & the Spree Canal. The island is made up of five museums & the entire complex is listed as UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Even if you decide not to visit the museums, a trip to Museum Island itself is well worth it. As it’s such a stunning part of the city & a great photo opportunity. Photo tip – just before you reach the island, along the banks you may come across some purple wisteria (we visited in May, they won’t be there all year round). It’s here that you’ll get an awesome view looking onto museum island.
Along the river side here there’s also some great spots to pitch up on the grass, with a picnic. Spend a late afternoon in the sunshine, with a couple of beers & good food. What a way to end your time in Berlin!
Where to eat in Berlin?
Berlin is a vibrant city with a diverse culinary scene. Here, you’ll find a wide range of options to suit every taste & budget. Being the classic ‘budget travellers’ that we are, we spent most of our time eating out of local supermarkets. However, we have to say that the supermarkets do have a fantastic range of German pastries.
During your stay, you shouldn’t miss on the opportunity to grab a traditional currywurst, from one of the many stands you will see dotted across the city. Grab yourself a delicious currywurst with fries for a proper Berliner experience. They’re also usually quite inexpensive.
Some popular places to try:
. Curry 26
. Konnokpe Imbiss
. Witty’s
. Curry Mitte
. Curry Baude.
If you’re looking for something a little more upmarket, there are plenty of restaurants dotted around the city. It only takes a quick look at Google Reviews to find your perfect eatery.
It’ll be a busy few days for you, but this travel guide will have you hitting all the top spots, making it an unforgettable adventure in Berlin. If you have any questions or additions to this guide, leave them in the comments below & we’ll get back to you.
Whilst you’re travelling through Europe, you may also be interested in How to Spend 4 Days in Amsterdam.
Happy Exploring 🙂
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