4 Days in Berlin: Perfect Berlin Itinerary to Experience the City

Do you have 4 days in Berlin? I get super excited any time I hear someone is planning on visiting Berlin for 4 days or longer because it means you’ll get to see so much and experience so much. It’s enough time to dig a little deeper and see parts of the city most people don’t get to.

To experience Berlin in 4 days, I still think it’s worth getting to some of the most popular things to do in Berlin. After all, they’re popular for a reason.

But with a 4 day Berlin itinerary, you can take more time to enjoy a museum, or a few museums. You can take one or two day trips from Berlin. Heck, you can take a break from sightseeing to relax at a cafe, catch your breath, and do a little people watching.

Keep reading to take a look at my suggested Berlin 4 day itinerary.

Berlin 4 Day Itinerary

With 4 days in Berlin, you have a lot of flexibility. I’ve written this itinerary so that you can see as many of Berlin’s top sights as possible, but hopefully without too much rushing around.

I’ve also included time for one or two day trips because even though you certainly can spend your full 4 days in Berlin, sometimes it’s nice to see someplace else.

Where possible, I’ve grouped sights to minimize time in transport, but some of Berlin’s bucket list attractions simply are spread out, so I recommend getting a day pass for public transport each day that you’re here.

This itinerary includes plenty of iconic sights in Berlin as well as some lesser known attractions. If you’re wondering what to do in Berlin in 4 days, this itinerary has more than enough activities and sights to give you a feel for the city.

Whenever possible, I highly recommend booking tickets ahead of time. This will save you time, especially if the ticket comes with a skip-the-line option. Losing an hour of your vacation standing and waiting in line is no fun.

It’s also important to decide when is the best time to visit Berlin based on your preferences for weather, crowds, and more.

And make sure you know how to get from the Berlin airport to the city center before you arrive.

Let’s get started on how to discover Berlin in 4 days.

Places to visit in Berlin in 4 days

With so many amazing landmarks in Berlin, you’ll never run out of things to do. Even after years of living in Berlin, I’m still discovering new-to-me places – it’s part of what’s so great about the city.

But there are certain places to visit in Berlin that every first time visitor should see.

Berlin is one of the hippest and quirkiest cities in Europe, and it’s a city of tasty food. People visit Berlin to learn about the city’s dark past as well as experience its unique modern vibe.

There’s a lot to take in if you only have 4 days here. Here’s my suggestions for attractions and sights to see in four days in Berlin.

East Side Gallery

The East Side Gallery is by far the most famous section of the Berlin Wall that still stands. At 1.3km (0.8 mile) this is considered the longest open air gallery in the world, and you’ll find it along the Spree River in the former East.

After the Berlin Wall fell in 1989, artists from around the world came here to paint murals on the Wall celebrating Germany being reunited and reminding the world of terrible things that occurred here. Over the years, some of the art has changed several times.

Read my full guide to visiting the East Side Gallery in Berlin.

Important info
This popular attraction is open 24/7 but is best enjoyed during daylight hours.

Closest transport is the Ostbahnhof station (Sbahn) or the Warschauer Str S&U station.

TV Tower

Standing at 368 meters (1,207 feet) tall, the Berlin TV Tower is one of the tallest structures in Germany and the European Union. It’s one of the most famous sights in Berlin, and it’s so tall, you’d have to try to not see it.

The TV Tower was inaugurated on October 3, 1969, and it was intentionally built to be seen from almost anywhere in Berlin. This holds true today, and you’ll see it pop out unexpectedly when you round a corner.

Located in the former East, the TV Tower was meant to represent the strength of communist East Germany. But today it symbolizes the reunification of Germany and is a symbol of Berlin itself.

The Berlin TV Tower, or Fernsehturm in German, is a great place for views of Berlin since it’s so tall. The elevator takes you to the viewing platform at about 200 meters high for fantastic 360 degree views of the city.

There’s also a revolving restaurant on a different level where you can enjoy the views while eating a nice meal.

If you’re only in Berlin for four days, buy priority tickets online ahead of time to reduce your wait. Waiting to buy your ticket at the door could mean standing around for an hour or more.

Book your tickets here.

Important info
Observation deck opening hours:
November – March
10 am to 10 pm

April – October
9 am to 11 pm

Closest transport is S&U Alexanderplatz where you can get the U2, U5, U8, S3, S5, S7, S9, a variety of regional trains, and tram lines M4, M5, M6.

Brandenburg Gate

Built in the late 1700s, Brandenburg Gate, or Brandenburger Tor in German, is Berlin’s last standing city gate. It’s one of the most famous landmarks in Germany.

When Berlin was split into East and West, Brandenburg Gate was in the East, but only barely. Because of how close it was to the border, the Wall was built around it, and Brandenburg Gate was inaccessible to both sides.

President Reagan gave his famous “Tear down this wall!” speech while standing in West Berlin near the gate. This strategic location meant people in East Berlin could hear his powerful speech.

Brandenburg Gate is someplace you shouldn’t miss if you have 4 days in Berlin.

Important info
Open 24 hours a day. Closest transport is the Brandenburger Tor S&U station where you can get the S1, S2, S25, S26, or U5.

Berlin Cathedral

Located on Museum Island, the Berlin Cathedral, or Berliner Dom in German, is a gorgeous Protestant cathedral that should definitely be on your Berlin bucket list.

The cathedral was originally built in the 15th century, though it has been rebuilt and restored several times. It was in the East during the Cold War, and although there was some restoration work, the cathedral was not fully restored from its war damage until a few years after the Wall fell.

Tours are available (not during religious services) and included with the admission fee if you are interested in hearing about the history of the cathedral. You can also climb 270 stairs for lovely panoramic views of Berlin.

With 4 days in Berlin, you probably have time to take the tour and go to the top. At the very least, you should at least stop by to admire the outside.

Important info
Opening hours:
Monday – Friday: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Saturday: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Sunday: 12 – 4 p.m.

Last admission in each case 60 minutes before. Guided tours are at specific times.

Closest transport is the Museumsinsel Ubahn station where you can get the U5.

Museum Island

Museum Island is the name of a complex of five museums loaded with history and culture. It’s one of Berlin’s 3 UNESCO Sites, and it includes the Altes Museum (Old Museum), the Neues Museum (New Museum), the Alta Nationalgalerie (Old National Gallery), the Bode Museum, and the Pergamon Museum.

You could easily spend hours in just one of these museums, so if you’re spending 4 days in Berlin, you should be able to make time for at least one of the museums here. If you’re not a huge museum person, admiring the architecture from the outside of these impressive buildings is still worthwhile.

Check out my guide to visiting Museum Island for tips and more details about each museum.

Important info
Opening hours: Tuesday through Sunday 10am to 6pm, closed Mondays. Holiday hours may differ.

Closest transport is the Museumsinsel Ubahn station where you can get the U5.

Reichstag Building

Opened in 1894, the Reichstag Building is the seat of the German government, and it’s quite a unique building with a glass dome top. One of the most popular free things to do in Berlin is to take the free tour of the Reichstag Building.

The tour includes an audio guide that tells you about the history of the building and the German government, as well as other interesting information about Germany. You’ll get some nice views of the city from the glass dome, too.

Important info
Plan ahead because advanced booking is required and opening hours vary.

Closest transport: About halfway between the Bundestag Ubahn station (U5) and the Brandenburger Tor Sbahn and Ubahn station (S1, S2, S25, S26, U5).

Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe

The Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe is often referred to as the Holocaust Memorial, and it honors the large number of Jewish people who were killed by the Nazi regime in the 1930s and 1940s.

This somber memorial consists of 2,711 concrete blocks of varying heights, and the ground they sit on is an uneven slope similar to a wave. The information center showcases letters, diaries, photographs, and biographies of the victims to help personalize the experience.

Important info
Entrance is free for both the outside memorial and the inside information center. The outside memorial is open 24/7.

The information center is open October – April, Tuesday – Sunday 10am – 6pm, and May – September, Tuesday – Sunday 10am – 8pm.

Photography is allowed (no flash inside) but please be respectful. Do not sit on or climb on the cement slabs or take selfies. This is a place to reflect and remember those who were murdered.

Closest transport: The memorial is located about halfway between S&U Brandenburger Tor where you can get the S1, S2, S25, S26, or U5 and S&U Potsdamer Platz where you can get the S1, S2, S25, S26, or U2.

Topography of Terror

Between 1933 and 1945, the headquarters of the Gestapo and the SS was located in central Berlin. They organized the persecutions and killings of Nazi opponents and coordinated the genocide of Jews, Roma, and Sinti here.

Today this location is the Topography of Terror Museum, which serves as a place to remember history and warn us from repeating the terrors of the past. The exhibits here use photographs and documentation to tell visitors about the crimes that were organized here.

You’ll also see excavation sites where you can view through glass windows. It also happened to be at the border between East and West Berlin, and there’s still a long section of the Berlin Wall that still stands here.

Topography of Terror is just a few minutes from Checkpoint Charlie, which is also on many people’s lists of must-see attractions in Berlin. It’s actually a cheesy site today, but it’s right near the Ubahn station, so you can get a quick glance before walking to the Topography of Terror museum.

I often feel like Topography of Terror is a tight squeeze on a shorter itinerary, but if you’re in Berlin for 4 days, it’s easy to make time for this interesting sight. Check out my full guide to visiting Topography of Terror Museum.

Important info
Opening hours: Daily 10 am – 8 pm. Holiday hours may differ. Entrance is free.

Closest transport is Kochstraße where you can get the U6; Anhalter Bahnhof where you can get the S1, S2, S25, or S26; or Potsdamer Platz where you can get the S1, S2, S25, or S26, or the U2.

Berlin Wall Memorial at Bernauer Strasse

The Berlin Wall was an important piece of the city’s history, and even today, it still plays a big role in the city’s character. Although there are lots of different places to learn about the Wall, I think the Berlin Wall Memorial at Bernauer Strasse is one of the best.

This 1.4km (0.87 mile) section of road includes one of the last remaining pieces of the Wall. The Wall divided Bernauer Strasse, with buildings on one side of the street in the East and buildings on the other side in the West.

Placards describe what it was like living on the eastern side before and after the Wall went up, how it affected the neighborhood, how people tried to escape, and more. Markers on the ground show you where apartment buildings once stood and where escape tunnels were built.

Climb the tower in the building located about halfway down the street. From this view point, you can see over the Wall and into the death strip.

At the visitors center, you can watch two short films (alternating time slots for German and English) depicting the Wall in the city as well as what it was like out in the countryside where the Wall divided East and West Germany.

In my opinion, this is the best Cold War Era site in Berlin. It can take time to see all the different sections, so with four days in Berlin, you should be able to spend a decent amount of time here.

Important info
Visitors Center opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Documentation Center opening hours: Wednesday to Sunday from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Opening hours of the outdoor sections are listed as Monday to Sunday, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., although there is no gate barring you from wandering around outside of these hours.

Closest transport to the Visitors Center is the Nordbahnhof Sbahn station where you can get the S1, S2, S25, or S26. The M10 tram also stops at Nordbahnhof, Gedenkstätte Berliner Mauer (where the tower is), and you can get the M10 or U8 at the Bernauer Str station.

Palace of Tears

The Palace of Tears, or Tränenpalast in German, is located at Friedrichstraße train station and was constructed in 1962. It was originally used by the East German dictatorship as a departure terminal for people visiting East Berlin from West Berlin.

At this location, many people were denied access to the border, and border guards forced people to leave their families and friends in tears. Today, the museum is a reminder of the separation of Germany and all the tears that were shed in connection with it.

When you visit the Palace of Tears, you can see the exhibition featuring documents, films, original objects and interviews from affected individuals. It’s small, but I found it to be well organized and interesting.

Check out my full guide to visiting Tränenpalast (Palace of Tears) Museum in Berlin.

Important info
Opening hours: Tuesday – Friday: 9 am – 7 pm, Saturday & Sunday: 10 am – 6 pm. Holiday hours may differ. Entrance is free.

Closest transport is the Friedrichstraße Sbahn and Ubahn station where you can get the S1, S2, S3, S5, S7, S9, S25, S26, and U6, as well as trams 12 and M1.

Tiergarten

Tiergarten is one of the most popular parks in Berlin, and even though it’s located right in the middle of the city, it’s huge. It was a royal hunting ground, dating back to 1527, but today this vast green space is a much loved public park for Berliners.

Throughout the park you’ll see statues, memorials, ponds, tree-lined thoroughfares, and lawns. When the weather’s warm in Berlin, people come here for leisurely walks, picnics, and generally hanging out with friends.

The park is located just west of Brandenburg Gate, so it’s easy to include a quick stroll in Tiergarten on your 4 day Berlin itinerary. Or you can spend a little longer enjoying the park by wandering farther from Brandenburg Gate or starting from a different section.

Check out my guide to visiting Tiergarten Park in Berlin for more details about what to see here.

Important info
The park is open 24 hours a day.

It’s a large park, so there are multiple transport options depending on what part of the park you want to reach. The section closest to Brandenburg Gate is easiest to access from the Brandenburger Tor S&U station where you can get the S1, S2, S25, S26, or U5.

Victory Column

Berlin’s Victory Column (Siegessäule in German) is one of the more recognizable monuments in the city, and one you should see while spending 4 days in Berlin.

The Victory Column was constructed as a monument to Prussia’s victory in the Franco-German war, and it was originally placed in front of the Reichstag Building. In 1938 Hitler had it moved to its current location in the middle of Tiergarten at a roundabout where a few major roads intersect.

The Victory Column stands at 67 meters (about 220 feet) tall, and for a small fee, you can climb 285 stairs to the observation deck for excellent views of Berlin. If you enjoy views from high places, this is one of my favorites, even if you’re also going to the top of the TV Tower.

Since the TV Tower can be a bit pricey, this is a good alternative for people traveling to Berlin on a budget.

Read my full guide to visiting Victory Column in Berlin.

Important info
You can see this landmark any time of day, but if you want to climb the tower to the viewing platform, the opening hours are:

April to October: Mon-Fri 9:30 AM – 6:30 PM, Sat & Sun till 7 PM
November to March: Mon-Sun 9:30 AM – 5:30 PM

The entrance fee is 4 euros, cash only. Closest transport is the Hansaplatz station on the U9, or the Großer Stern bus stop.

Gendarmenmarkt

Gendarmenmarkt is one of the prettiest squares in Berlin. This historic square is home to an impressive trio of buildings: the Französische Dom (French Cathedral), the Deutscher Dom (German Cathedral), and the Konzerthaus (Concert House).

Gendarmenmarkt is a great place to wander and see some of Berlin’s beauty. If you’re here over the holidays, you can visit one of the most popular Christmas markets in Berlin here.

I also recommend climbing to the top of the French Cathedral for some wonderful views of the square and much of central Berlin.

Important info
The square is open 24 hours a day. The buildings located have different opening hours, please check them individually if you want to go inside.

Closest transport is the Hausvogteiplatz station on the U2, but it’s also not far from the Stadtmitte station on the U2 and U6.

Charlottenburg Palace

Built in 1695, this Baroque palace served as the summer palace for Sophie Charlotte and was named for her after her death. It’s a gorgeous palace with ornate interiors and excellent gardens, and it was inspired by the Palace of Versailles.

Visit the museums inside to learn more about the palace’s history and enjoy the gardens. It’s well worth going inside for a visit, but if the insides of palaces and castles aren’t your thing, you can still wander through the grounds and see the gardens for free.

Important info
Palace museum opening hours:
November – March
Tuesday – Sunday 10 am to 4:30 pm

April – October
Tuesday – Sunday 10 am to 5:30 pm

Closest transport is the Schloss Charlottenburg bus stop on the M45 bus.

Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church

This famous landmark is one of the most important churches in Berlin. The original church was built here in the 1890s, but it was damaged in 1943 in WWII air raids.

Rather than rebuild the church, it has been left much as it was as a reminder of the destruction of war. Its been nicknamed by Berliners as Der Hohle Zahn—literally “The Hollow Tooth”.

Check out my list of World War II sites in Berlin.

Important info
Opening hours:
9am to 7pm

Tours are offered several times a day, and though they are free, the church does ask for a donation of at least 5 euros.

Closest transport is S&U Zoologischer Garten or U Kurfürstendamm.

Tempelhof

One of Berlin’s most interesting green spaces is Tempelhofer Feld, a former airport that is now a huge park. It can be a little out of the way if you’re visiting for a shorter amount of time, but with 4 days in Berlin, you can easily make your way to Tempelhof.

In 1948-1949 during the Berlin Blockade, this airport was the hub of the Berlin Airlift. This was how West Berlin was able to keep receiving supplies while land routes were blocked.

Tempelhof Airport continued to operate even after the Berlin Wall came down and East and West Germany reunited. It wasn’t until 2008 that the airport closed.

In 2010, it reopened as a public park, and the runway and airport building remain. Today you can enjoy walking, running, roller blading, cycling, kite surfing, and more all on a former airport runway.

There are grassy areas where you can have a picnic, gardening areas, fenced dog areas, bird protection areas, and more. This park is a Berlin favorite.

Important info
Opening hours: The park hours vary by month, but in general the park is open from dawn to dusk. Entrance is free, though most of the airport building is only accessible on a tour.

Closest transport: This is a huge park with multiple entry points, so there are several different S&U stations near the park.

• Southwest: S+U Tempelhof on the S41, S42, S45, S46, S47, and U6 lines. This station is the closest to a park entrance.
• West: Paradestraße on the U6 line.
• East: Leinestraße or Boddinstraße on the U8 line. You won’t immediately see the park from these stations, but it’s not too long of a walk.
• Northwest: Platz der Luftbrücke on the U6 line. This will get you near the airport building, but it’s probably the least convenient station for the actual park.

Day trip options

With 4 days in Berlin, you might want to take a day trip to see someplace else. Berlin is wonderful, and there’s more than enough to do here to fill 4 days, but sometimes a change of scenery is good.

I have a full blog post about day trips from Berlin you can read through, but two of the top choices are Potsdam and Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp.

Potsdam is well known for its gorgeous palaces, and the Palaces and Parks of Potsdam and Berlin is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The most interesting palaces in that collection, such as Sanssouci Palace, the New Palace, and Charlottenhof Palace, are located in the city of Potsdam.

The Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp was an important concentration camp during the Holocaust. It’s located just outside the city limits, and even though this is a somber site, it’s important to learn about the history and those who suffered and died here.

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Have questions about planning your trip to Berlin?

Join the Facebook group here to chat with Ali (she runs this site) and other people who have been to Berlin for tips.

Berlin Itinerary Day One: Top Sights in Mitte

Start your day in Mitte with the most iconic landmarks in Berlin. These are the attractions Berlin is most famous for and include those postcard photos you’ve been looking forward to.

I’ve got a lot packed into this day, so feel free to move a few things to another day on your itinerary if you want to go a little slower.

>>Read: What to Wear & What to Pack for Berlin, Germany: Your Ultimate Berlin Packing List

Alexanderplatz

Alexanderplatz was the main square in East Berlin and today is one of the central transportation hubs in Berlin. Three ubahn lines, multiple sbahn lines, several regional trains, and several trams and buses run through Alexanderplatz.

Right outside the station, this big square often hosts events throughout the year, such as Christmas markets and other festivals. You’ll also find lots of shopping here.

TV Tower

On the opposite side of the Alexanderplatz station is the famous Fernsehturm, or TV Tower. This is a fantastic place to get views of Berlin from above.

This is the highest viewpoint in the city, so lines can be long, even early in the day. Therefore you should book a skip-the-line ticket ahead of time.

As you walk around the viewing platform of the TV Tower, you can see photos and info so you know what you’re looking at. Different buildings and other landmarks are pointed out for your reference.

Museums and monuments

After you’ve had your fill of views from the TV Tower, walk by the Neptune Fountain and the Marx-Engels-Forum. Then make your way to Karl-Liebknecht-Str, which becomes Unter den Linden as you cross the Spree River.

If you want to save a few minutes, you could go back into Alexanderplatz and take the U5 towards Hauptbahnhof and get out at the Museumsinsel station. It’s just a few minutes from Alexanderplatz.

At Museum Island, you’ll see the Berliner Dom (Berlin Cathedral) and the Lustgarten park in front of the cathedral, and the impressive buildings that make up the Museum Island complex. With a 4 day Berlin itinerary, you should have time to take the Berliner Dom tour and/or go into at least one of the museums here.

If you do decide to spend a few hours in the museums, you’ll probably have to move a few of attractions listed on day 1 to day 2 or day 3 of your 4 day Berlin itinerary. You might have to cut a few things out, but you know what your sightseeing priorities are, and it’s ok if you can’t get to everything.

Also nearby is the DDR Museum is on the east side of the river. This museum will give you a glimpse at how people lived in East Berlin during the Cold War when the city was divided.

Across the street from the cathedral is the Humboldt Forum, an art and cultural museum located in the reconstructed Berlin Palace. It’s also technically on Museum Island.

As you walk across the river, you’ll see the German History Museum where you can learn about different time periods in Germany’s past.

>>Check out these fun facts about Berlin.

Unter den Linden

Unter den Linden is a street in Mitte that’s packed with history and attractions. On a sunny day, it’s nice to walk its length while stopping occasionally to enjoy a monument or museum.

This pretty, tree-lined boulevard makes for a good stroll through many of the city’s centrally located attractions, and many others are just a short detour from this street.

From Museum Island, continue down Unter den Linden, and stop at Bebelplatz. Here you’ll see a memorial to Nazi book burning.

Learn more about what to do along Unter den Linden.

Gendarmenmarkt

Take a detour south a few blocks from Unter den Linden to see Gendarmenmarkt. This lovely 18th century square is home to the Deutscher Dom and the Französischer Dom (German Cathedral and French Cathedral) and Schinkel’s Konzerthaus (concert hall), though the two cathedrals are now museums.

Gendarmenmarket is undoubtedly one of Berlin’s prettiest squares. This square often hosts events, such as a popular Berlin Christmas market in December and open air concerts in the summer.

Topography of Terror

From Gendarmenmarkt, walk south on Friedrichstr and either continue for about 5-6 blocks or at the Stadtmitte Ubahn station, hop on the U6 going south for one station, and get out at Kochstr. This is where you’ll see Checkpoint Charlie.

Today Checkpoint Charlie is basically a cheesy hut in the middle of the street, though it does have historic significance. Grab a quick photo (note: those fake guards you’ve seen in photos are no longer allowed to be there) and then walk west to Topography of Terror.

Here you’ll learn more about the Nazi era and where they planned out their evil. It’s quite an in-depth museum, with an outdoor and an indoor section, so the amount of time you spend here depends on how much reading you want to do.

You can also see a long section of the Berlin Wall on Niederkirchnerstrasse.

The Checkpoint Charlie area has a few other attractions that might interest you, including the Checkpoint Charlie Wall Museum, Die Mauer Panorama Wall Museum, the Gropius Bau art museum, the Disgusting Food Museum, and the Weltballon (helium balloon for views of Berlin).

Memorial to the Murdered Jews

Next make your way to the Memorial to the Murdered Jews. This somber memorial honors the Jewish victims of the Holocaust.

The outdoor memorial was designed to give visitors the feeling of uncertainty. Some people feel the memorial is very moving while others feel the design missed the mark. Entrance is free.

It’ll take about 15 minutes to walk from Topography of Terror to the Holocaust Memorial. The route goes through Potsdamer Platz, so allow a few extra minutes if you’d like to see the small section of Berlin Wall there.

Brandenburg Gate

Finally check out Brandenburg Gate, which was once one of the city’s old city gates. It’s one of the most recognizable sights in Berlin and all of Germany.

Though inspired by the Acropolis in Athens, it was built in the late 1700s. It also sits at the former border between East and West Berlin. Today it is a symbol of unification of Berlin and Germany.

On the walk from the Holocaust Memorial to Brandenburg Gate, you’ll see Tiergarten park to your left. I have more time dedicated to Tiergarten listed on day 3 of the itinerary, but if you have time, it’s easy to walk through the eastern edge of the park for a few minutes here.

Berlin Itinerary Day Two: Reichstag Building, Berlin Wall, Tempelhof

Today’s Berlin itinerary involves fewer stops but a little more transportation. I suggest buying a transport day pass for more flexibility as you explore the Berlin Wall and more of the city.

Reichstag Building

The Reichstag Building is the seat of the German Parliament, and it’s quite an impressive building. It’s sort of the equivalent of the White House in Washington, DC.

The building is topped by a glass dome that you can visit, and it’s one of the most popular free things to do in Berlin.

As you walk around the spiral path in the glass dome, the audio guide tells you interesting information about the German Parliament, the building itself, some of the nearby areas, and more. The free tour is available in English and several other languages and lasts about 20 minutes.

To visit the Reichstag Building, you must register ahead for a time slot. Even if you can’t get a spot on the free tour, don’t miss seeing this important German landmark.

Palace of Tears

From the Reichstag Building, you can walk to the Palace of Tears in 15 minutes or less. It’s a pretty walk along the Spree.

Just outside the Friedrichstr S&U station is the Palace of Tears Museum where you can learn about this important border crossing and what life was like in a divided city.

Bernauer Strasse Wall Memorial

From the Friedrichstr S&U station, take the Sbahn (S1, S2, S25, or S26) from Friedrichstr to Nordbahnhof to see the Bernauer Strasse Wall Memorial.

Take a quick look at the Ghost Stations exhibit in the Nordbahnhof station, and then walk to the visitors center across the intersection. Upstairs you can see two short films that tell the story of the Wall, one about Berlin itself and one about the Wall farther out that separated East and West Germany.

I highly recommend watching these films (alternating in English and German, so you can plan your timing ahead) for a great look at an important piece of Berlin’s history. The German version is on the hour, and the English version is on the half hour.

Next make your way down Bernauer Str, reading the info placards along the way. About halfway down the road is the documentation center building which has a viewing platform a few floors up. The viewing platform looks over a remaining section of the Wall so you can see the death strip and how the Wall looked towards the end.

In my opinion, the Berlin Wall Memorial on Bernauer Strasse is one of the most fantastic sights in the city to truly understand the effects the Wall had on Berlin communities.

Prenzlauer Berg

Once you’ve reached the end of the memorial, walk a few more blocks, or hop on the M10 tram for two stops, and check out Mauerpark. The name of the tram stop here is Friedrich-Ludwig-Jahn-Sportpark.

Mauer means Wall in German, and the Berlin Wall used to run through this park, hence the name. It’s a local favorite but certainly attracts a fair amount of tourists due to the location.

There’s an ever-changing graffiti wall (a remaining section of the Berlin Wall) in one section. Big open grassy sections make for a nice picnic or lounging space.

On Sundays, there’s karaoke in one area, and the most famous flea market in Berlin dominates the park. If you’re in Berlin on a Sunday, I highly recommend coming here.

East Side Gallery

This is probably high on your list of things to do in Berlin. The East Side Gallery is a series of street art pieces painted onto a remaining stretch of the Berlin Wall, and it’s considered the longest outdoor art gallery in the world.

Some of the pieces will look quite familiar to you, while others aren’t so famous. Plus some of them change from time to time.

Because the East Side Gallery is so popular, it can get quite crowded. Try to be patient if a lot of people are trying to take pictures of the same sections.

You can either start at the south end near Warschauer Str and walk northwest up Mühlenstr, or start near the Ostbahnhof train station and walk southeast until you reach Warschauer Str. For this itinerary, it’s easier to minimize backtracking if you end at Warschauer Str.

To get here from the Bernauer Str Wall Memorial or from Mauerpark, make your way back to the Bernauer Str Ubahn station. Take the U8 south (towards Hermannstr) and get out at Jannowitbrücke where you will switch to the S3, S5, S7, or S9 for one stop to Ostbahnhof.

To know which is the right direction for these Sbahn lines, make sure the end/destination listed is one of the following:
S3: Erkner
S5: Strausberg Nord
S7: Ahrensfelde
S9: Flughafen BER

Basically if any in the group on your platform have the word “West” in them, don’t go that way. You want to travel east.

Feels too confusing? You can get out at Jannowitbrücke and walk 15-20 minutes along Holzmarktstr, which becomes Stalauer Pl. Keep the river on your right, and you will eventually see the beginning of the East Side Gallery.

>>Check out our list of the best World War II and Cold War attractions in Berlin.

Friedrichshain

Once you’ve had your fill of the East Side Gallery, talk a walk down Warschauer Str a few blocks away from the river. Once you get past the train tracks, go for a wander through Friedrichshain.

RAW-Gelände is an alternative area of bars, clubs, restaurants, and more. You’ll find lots of interesting street art here, and on Sundays there’s a big flea market.

A little farther, the Boxhagener Platz area and over to the Ostkreuz station is lively and nice to wander through. Plus you’ll find lots of options for food, and Boxhagener Platz itself has a great fresh market on Saturdays and a flea market on Sundays.

>>Interested in street art? I highly recommend this street art tour which shows you popular and lesser known pieces in Berlin, along with interesting stories about the art and artists.

Tempelhof Field

After World War II, Berlin ended up with three main airports, one of them being Tempelhof. This is where the Berlin Airlift took place.

But eventually after the Wall came down, the city didn’t need this airport and it was closed. Today what remains has become one of Berlin’s most loved parks.

The runway, taxiways, and even the airport building still remain. People come here to run, ride bicycles, have BBQs with friends, enjoy gardening, let their dogs play in designated fenced areas, and much more. You can even take a tour of the airport building.

Grab some food to go from a nearby restaurant and a few beers from a Späti, and enjoy a leisurely dinner at the end of your day of sightseeing.

To reach Tempelhof from Friedrichshain, it depends on where exactly you are. From Ostkreuz, hop on the S41 and get out at the Tempelhof station. The S41 is the Ringbahn going clockwise, so that exact number only goes in that direction.

If you’re closer to Warschauer Str, get to the Warschauer Str Sbahn station (NOT the Ubahn) and take either the S3, S5, or S7 to Ostkreuz and switch to the S41. Or you can take the S9 to Treptower Park and switch to the S41 from there.

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Berlin Itinerary Day Three: Tiergarten, Charlottenburg

Even though Berlin has been one reunited city for over 30 years, the city still feels very different on the east vs on the west. Many, but not all, of the sights you saw on days one and two were in East Berlin. Today let’s see some more of the West.

Tiergarten

This huge leafy park in the center of Berlin is another local favorite. Hundreds of years ago, Tiergarten was a royal hunting ground but is now a sprawling, tree-filled park that brings some much needed peace in the middle of the busy city.

In the eastern part of the park, the section closest to Brandenburg Gate, you’ll see ponds and fountains, statues and memorials. There’s a Soviet War Memorial, various memorials honoring victims of the Holocaust aside from Jews (homosexuals, Sinti, Roma), a memorial honoring Beethoven, Haydn and Mozart, and more.

Towards the center of the park at a large roundabout, you’ll see the Victory Column, or Siegessäule in German. This well known attraction is another great place to climb for city views, but it’s stairs only, so get ready for a little workout to earn those views.

The western end of the park has a small lake, a few more statues, and a cafe. Just beyond this section you’ll see the Landwehr Canal and into the Berlin Zoologicher Garten, the city’s zoo in the West. (There’s also a zoo in the east called Tierpark.)

The Berlin zoo is a must if you enjoy zoos or if you’re visiting Berlin with kids. Or from Victory Column, walk north past the Bellevue Palace and through the English Garden to reach the Bellevue Sbahn station, where you can catch an Sbahn to Zoo Station.

Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church

A short distance from the Zoo and the Zoo S&U station, you’ll find Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church, which stands a church in ruins.

Check out more Berlin World War II attractions.

Shopping and KaDeWe

If you’re a fan of shopping, this neighborhood is the place for it. Near the Zoo station is the Bikini Mall, which has chain stores and unique Berlin boutiques, plus views into the zoo.

Just south of the Zoo is Kurfürstendamm, a big shopping street that has been compared to Champs-Elysees in Paris. Here you’ll find high end shops, such as Gucci, Dolce & Gabbana, Prada, Chanel, Louis Vuitton, and the Apple Store.

At the eastern end of the street the name changes to Tauentzienstraße, but the shopping continues. Just before you reach Wittenbergplatz is the famous Kaufhaus des Westens, or KaDeWe for short.

This department store shopping complex includes Tiffany, Gucci, Hermes, Chanel, Burberry, and more. The upper level is where you’ll find gourmet food, which is really fun even if you’re not a huge shopper.

Charlottenburg Palace

To reach Charlottenburg Palace from the Zoo station, hop on the M45 bus towards Johannesstift/Spandau. Or if you’re farther west on Kurfürstendamm, take bus 109 towards U Jakob-Kaiser-Platz. From either bus, get out at Luisenplatz/Schloss Charlottenburg.

You can visit the Old Palace and the New Wing separately, but if you want to see both, buy a combo ticket. The gardens and surrounding park are also worth wandering through, especially in warmer weather.

If you prefer the outsides of castles, you’ll be happy to know that it is free to visit the gardens and park, even if you don’t buy a ticket to go inside Charlottenburg Palace.

Berlin Itinerary Day Four: Day Trip

Since you’re in Berlin for 4 days, I think it’s a great option to take a day trip on one of the days you’re here. While there are so many wonderful choices for day trips from Berlin, let’s look at some details of two of the most popular ones, Potsdam and Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp.

Potsdam day trip

If you’re interested in palaces, Potsdam is the perfect place to visit. This city is located southwest of Berlin, just outside the city limits, and the biggest reason to visit is its collection of historic palaces.

Sanssouci Palace is the most famous, and it certainly is gorgeous. But don’t skip the New Palace, Marble Palace, Charlottenhof Palace, Orangery Palace, Cecilienhof Palace, and more.

Plus Potsdam old town is lovely. Check out the Dutch Quarter, Neue Markt, Nauener Tor, Jägertor, Brandenburger Tor (which is actually older than the Brandenburger Tor in Berlin), and several beautiful churches.

On the edge of Potsdam near its border with Berlin, check out Glienicke Bridge. During the Cold War, this bridge was used to exchange spies and agents, and it was the basis for the Tom Hanks movie, “Bridge of Spies”.

Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp

Germany’s dark past is an important part of its history, and concentration camps in various places have been turned into a place of remembrance. The Sachsenhausen Concentration camp is located north of Berlin, and it’s a good day trip for history buffs and those looking to learn a little more about the Holocaust.

More viewpoints: Do you love views of cities from above? I do! The TV Tower is great, but check out these other wonderful places with views of Berlin.

Food tour: I love taking food tours when I travel because they’re a great way to learn about the connection between the cuisine and the culture. Try this East Berlin food tour from Eating Europe.

Trabi tour: Trabis were the most common car in East Germany, and now you can take a fun sightseeing tour while driving one. Check it out this Berlin Trabi tour.

Museums: Berlin is loaded with museums. You could go back to Museum Island and visit one you didn’t get to earlier in your itinerary. Or try something else like the Jewish Museum, Photography Museum, Spy Museum, German Technical Museum, Disgusting Food Museum, Stasi Museum, and more.

Anything else you missed: Itineraries are tough to write because no one travels the same as anyone else. If you went a little slower and didn’t get to everything, now’s your time to squeeze in one or two sights you missed early during your 4 days in Berlin.

Where to eat in Berlin

Berlin is a huge city, and where you eat depends in part on where you are at meal times. And remember, this is a multicultural city, and there’s really delicious food of all kinds, not just German food.

4 days in Berlin itinerary FAQs

Here are some frequently asked questions about spending 4 days in Berlin and planning a Berlin itinerary.

Is 4 days in Berlin enough?

You could always see more, but I think 4 days in Berlin is actually a really great amount of time. This gives you plenty of time to see the major sights and some less popular ones, plus even take a day trip.

It’s a huge city with an endless amount of sights, activities, and culture, so you could easily find things to do with more time. But you won’t feel rushed in Berlin in 4 days.

How do you spend 4 days in Berlin?

With 4 days in Berlin, you can see the popular sights, like the TV Tower, Brandenburg Gate, Berliner Dom, Museum Island, Holocaust Memorial, East Side Gallery, and Reichstag Building. You also have time for the Bernauer Strasse Berlin Wall Memorial, Tempelhof, Charlottenburg Palace, and more.

Four days in Berlin also means you can take a day trip, most likely to Potsdam or Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp. You can really see a lot with a 4 day Berlin itinerary. See above for more details.

Is 5 days in Berlin too long?

If you have 5 days in Berlin, I think that’s fantastic. Berlin is a big city with lots to see and do, so you can always find something else to add to your itinerary.

Can I see Berlin in 3 days?

If you don’t quite have enough time to come to Berlin for 4 days, 3 days is also a really good amount of time. Check out my 3 day Berlin itinerary for details.

Is 4 nights in Berlin too much?

No, I don’t think 4 nights in Berlin is too much. Depending on when you arrive and leave, you’ll have either 3 days or 4 days in Berlin. This is a great amount of time to experience the city, its history, culture, food, and more.

3 or 4 days in Berlin?

I think more time is always better when it comes to Berlin. With 3 days, you can see the major sights and attractions and visit several neighborhoods.

But with 4 days in Berlin, you have time for all of that plus a day trip.

Is it walkable in Berlin?

Yes and no. Many of the sights are located in the Mitte district, and it’s reasonable to walk to a lot of sights there.

But some attractions, like the East Side Gallery, Bernauer Strasse Memorial, Charlottenburg Palace, Tempelhof, and several others, are located a bit farther away. It would take too much time to walk to all of them, so I recommend using public transportation.

Should I go to Munich or Berlin?

This is tough! They are both amazing cities, but very different from each other. For the best experience, go to both. Check out my one week in Germany itinerary for Berlin and Munich.

Is Berlin cheap for tourists?

For the most part, Berlin can be cheap for tourists. Your hotel or hostel is likely to be the most expensive part of your Berlin budget, but the rest of your expenses should be low.

The city has loads of inexpensive options for food. There are plenty of free things to do in Berlin, and lots of great cheap things to do too.

Check out my tips for traveling to Berlin on a budget.

Berlin Travel Resources

I want you to have the best trip to Berlin, and hopefully this itinerary for 4 days in Berlin is helpful. But there are lots more tips on the site!