Berlin is a city filled with impressive landmarks, rich culture and much to see and do. While it may seem a little overwhelming, it is possible to see all that the city has to offer in just a long weekend or mini break. With our 72-hour tour you'll discover some of the German capital's top sights, dine in the best restaurants and rest in Berlin's finest hotels after a busy day of sightseeing. Read on for our need-to-know guide of what to do in Berlin in three days…
1st Day:
Morning: Stroll along the river to the Berlin Wall
Get your trip off to a relaxing start with brunch at one of the many cafés along the picturesque Landwehr Canal or Neuköllner Schifffahrtskanal, before taking a stroll along the canal and taking in the unique restaurants, bars and buildings along the way. You won't be able to resist getting out your camera when you arrive at Oberbaumbrücke, a bridge which offers incredible views of Berlin on either side, including up towards Alexanderplatz where you will visit later in the day.
© Photo: iStockVisit the East Side Gallery, which spans 1.3km
Nearby, you'll discover the East Side Gallery – the longest open-air gallery in the world, created on the longest connected piece of the former Berlin Wall. Covered with numerous amazing artworks over 1.3km, it's a great way to start your visit to the city.
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Alternatively: hire a bike and take a guided tour along the Berlin Wall, where you can learn about the city's history while exploring different areas like the official Berlin Wall Memorial Museum area, where the last totally intact portion of the Berlin Wall and a guard tower can be seen.
Afternoon: Explore Alexanderplatz and Nikolaiviertel
Head to Alexanderplatz, the largest square in Germany, which is also within walking distance of many of Berlin's top attractions. You won't be able to miss the famous TV Tower, the city's most visible landmark which is a huge 368 metres tall, and if you have time to pay a visit to the top you will not regret it! The viewing platform offers 360 degree panoramic views across the city skyline and beyond, and is the highest building in Europe open to the general public.
© Photo: iStockThe TV Tower is Berlin's most visible landmark
Once you're back on the ground, take a stroll over to Berlin's oldest district, the Nikolaiviertel. This picturesque neighbourhood is well worth a look around, and provides a good vantage point to catch a glimpse of the Berlin Cathedral, which is a little further downstream of the river.
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Alternatively: If you don't fancy a trip up the TV Tower, you could visit Museum Island, which consists of five museums that are on UNESCO's list of world heritage sites. They include the Bode Museum, the Altes Museum, the Neues Museum, the Pergamon Museum and the Alte Nationalgalerie.
Night: Explore the bars and restaurants near Hackescher Markt
After a busy day of exploring you'll likely be ready to refuel and review your day over dinner and drinks. Hackescher Markt is a great spot to go for an evening out, with a huge selection of restaurants, cafés and bars. From steakhouses to Italian, Irish, Spanish and of course, German restaurants, there's something for everyone nearby.
2nd Day:
Morning: Visit the Holocaust Memorial and Brandenburg Gate
© Photo: iStockBarandenburg Gate is one of the most famous landmarks in Berlin
Take in some of the city's history at the Holocaust Memorial. Opened in 2005 in tribute to the murdered Jews of Europe, the memorial covers 19,000 square metres and is a place of remembrance and contemplation. Just a short walk away you'll find yourself at the Brandenburg Gate, one of the most famous landmarks in Berlin. After the fall of the Berlin Wall it became a symbol of German unity and is one of the must-see sights on your tour of the city.
By now you're likely to have worked up an appetite, so go for lunch with a view at one of the nearby restaurants like Lorenz Adlon Esszimmer. This sophisticated restaurant has two Michelin stars and may be pricey, but it's certainly worth it for the memorable experience and epic views of the Brandenburg Gate.
Afternoon: Explore Tiergarten Park and the Reichstag
© Photo: iStockClimb the victory column in Tiergarten Park for views across Berlin
Walk off your meal with a stroll around nearby Tiergarten Park, Berlin's largest and oldest park, with the striking Siegessäule (victory column) at the centre. Should you wish, you can climb the 285 step spiral staircase within to enter the viewing platform, which is 51 metres high and offers panoramic views across the city. Round off the afternoon at Reichstag, the seat of the German parliament, where you can book a guided tour through the dome and learn about the Reichstag fire which badly damaged the building in 1933.
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Alternatively: if you fancy some retail therapy you could pay a visit to the Europa Center, the oldest shopping centre in Berlin. Meanwhike Kaufhaus des Westens, the most famous department store in Germany, is the place to shop designer fashion and homeware all under one roof.
Evening: Enjoy a night out by Oranienstraße
Ready for a night out? You can't go wrong with a trip to Oranienstraße, where you'll be able to sample Berlin's nightlife at clubs like Ritter Butzke and SO36, which is one of the most famous clubs in the city and holds fun events like monthly 70s and 80s themed roller discos.
3rd Day:
Morning: Stroll around Charlottenburg Palace
© Photo: iStockCharlottenburg Palace was once a royal summer residence
Get your third and final day underway with a visit to Charlottenburg Palace, which has extensive and perfectly-manicured gardens. Once a royal summer residence, it is now Berlin's largest palace, with stunning interiors and a fascinating history that visitors will love. Be sure to stop for tea at the Palace Garden Café located in the small Orangery. For a while you'll almost feel like royalty as you relax in the decadent surroundings.
Alternatively: If the weather isn't quite good enough for a stroll around the Charlottenburg Palace gardens, you could while away a few hours at the Berlin Aquarium, which houses an impressive number of fish, reptiles and insects.
Afternoon: Take a trip to Kurfürstendamm
Take the metro across to Kurfürstendamm, the most famous shopping street in Berlin and the perfect spot to pick up some souvenirs from your visit. At the end of the street you'll arrive at the Kaiser-Wilhelm-Gedächtniskirche (memorial church), which contains the ruins of the church destroyed in the war and a new building alongside it. A monument for peace and reconciliation, it is a fitting way to end your tour of Berlin and a symbol of the German capital's history.
Where to stay in Berlin:
Soho House Berlin
For a truly special stay, book a room at Soho House Berlin, a private members' club and hotel located in the city centre. With lavish interiors and a rooftop pool, the only problem is that you may not want to leave! Rooms from £100 per night.
The Circus Hotel
This eco-friendly hotel offers a comfortable stay in a great location on Rosenthaler Platz, within walking distance of many of Berlin's top sights. Rooms from £80 per night.
MEININGER Hotel Berlin Alexanderplatz
If you're visiting with friends, this budget hotel is ideal. Not only does it have large rooms ideal for sharing, but it's also only a 20-minute walk away from attractions like Alexanderplatz and Hackescher Markt. From £55 per night.
How to get to Berlin:
There are daily flights from airports across to Berlin from the UK. You can travel with airlines including British Airways, Ryanair, easyJet direct from London to Berlin in as little as 1 hour 50 minutes.
