Ultimate Itinerary for 3 Days in Berlin: the Perfect Berlin Itinerary by a Local

While you certainly can’t see everything in Berlin in 3 days, I think this is a good amount of time to see the highlights and get a feel for the city. I’ve lived in Berlin since 2015, so I know the city well. I’ve put together this 3 day Berlin itinerary to help you make the most of your time and see the best of what Berlin has to offer.

When people ask me how many days you need to see Berlin, I think 3 days is the minimum, though you can still enjoy the city if you have less time. With 3 days in Berlin, you can experience some of the best things to do in Berlin, eat some delicious food, and enjoy the offbeat vibe of the city.

Here’s my suggested Berlin itinerary for 3 days.

Day by day itinerary for Berlin in 3 days

For this itinerary, I’m assuming you have a full 3 days in Berlin. This means you should arrive the night before and leave the morning after, spending 4 nights and 3 days in Berlin. The city has a lot to see and do, so you need to get up early to explore.

I did my best to group attractions and activities based on where they’re located, that way you aren’t running around to different ends of the city in one day. This will save you time on transport and help you see as much as possible.

However, some of the top sights in Berlin simply are spread out, so I recommend getting a day pass for public transport each day that you’re here.

This itinerary includes some of the iconic sights in Berlin as well as some lesser known attractions. If you’re wondering what to do in Berlin in 3 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 3 days.

Places to visit in Berlin in 3 days

Berlin has enough amazing landmarks and activities to keep you busy for weeks. I’m still discovering new-to-me places in Berlin even after years of living here.

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

Berlin is loaded with interesting history, and it’s also one of the hippest and quirkiest cities in Europe. People visit Berlin to learn about the city’s dark past as well as experience its unique modern vibe and taste a variety of international cuisines.

There’s a lot to take in if you only have a short amount of time here. Here’s our suggestions for attractions and sights to see in three days in Berlin.

TV Tower

One of the most famous sights in Berlin, the TV Tower is hard to miss. Standing at 368 meters (1,207 feet) tall, it is one of the tallest structures in Germany and the European Union.

The Soviets inaugurated the Berlin TV Tower 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.

The original intent of the Soviets was for the TV Tower 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 three 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.

When Berlin was split into East and West during the Cold War, the border between the two sides ran just to the west of Brandenburg Gate. The gate was in the East and because of how the Wall was built, it was inaccessible to both sides and came to represent the separation of the two sides of Berlin and Germany.

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.

Today Brandenburg Gate represents unity. It is one of the most famous landmarks in Berlin, and even in all of Germany.

Brandenburg Gate is someplace you shouldn’t miss if you have 3 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.

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 this is a priority to you, you might have to cut out a few other things in this Berlin itinerary. Otherwise, admiring the architecture of these impressive buildings is still worthwhile.

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.

Berlin Cathedral

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

The cathedral dates back to the 15th century, though it has been rebuilt and restored several times throughout its history. It was in the East during the Cold War, and although there was some restoration work, the cathedral was not fully restored 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 3 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.

Reichstag Building

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

The free 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).

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 dates back to 1527 when it was a royal hunting ground, 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 three day Berlin itinerary.

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, or Siegessäule in German, is one of the more recognizable monuments in the city, and one you should see while spending 3 days in Berlin.

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

Today this is a popular tourist attraction. 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.

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

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.

Holocaust Memorial

The Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe, often referred to as the Holocaust Memorial, honors the large number of Jewish people who were killed by the Nazi regime.

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

The Topography of Terror Museum is located where the headquarters of the Gestapo and the SS was between 1933 and 1945. Persecutions and killings of Nazi opponents were organized here, and the genocide of Jews, Roma, and Sinti was also coordinated here.

Now it 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. There’s also 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.

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.

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 leaving East Berlin for 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.

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.

Read more about how to visit the Palace of Tears Museum.

Gendarmenmarkt

Gendarmenmarkt is one of the prettiest squares in Berlin. This historic square is home to an impressive trio of buildings: the French Cathedral, the German Cathedral, and the Konzerthaus.

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.

East Side Gallery

The most famous section of the Berlin Wall is the East Side Gallery. It runs along a stretch of the Spree River in the former East and is covered in art.

At 1.3km (0.8 mile) this is considered the longest open air gallery in the world.

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

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.

Berlin Wall Memorial at Bernauer Strasse

The Berlin Wall was, and still is, an important piece of the city’s character and history. Although there are lots of different places to learn about the Wall, the Bernauer Strasse Berlin Wall Memorial 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 the street, with buildings on one side in the East and buildings on the other side in the West.

Placards describe what it was like living on the eastern side of Bernauer Strasse 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.

About halfway down the street, you’ll see building with a tower you can climb to 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 a decent amount of time to see all the different sections, so with three days in Berlin, you should be able to fit this into your itinerary.

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.

Charlottenburg Palace

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

Today you can 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.

Interestingly, the church was not rebuilt and instead has been left much as it was after the war. Its been nicknamed by Berliners as Der Hohle Zahn—literally “The Hollow Tooth”. It’s a stark reminder of the destruction of war.

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. In 1948-1949 during the Berlin Blockade, this airport was the hub of the Berlin Airlift, which kept West Berlin supplied with goods 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.

>>Do you have a little extra time? Consider spending 4 days in Berlin.

Berlin Itinerary Day One: Berlin Mitte from Alexanderplatz to Brandenburg Gate

Start your day with the most iconic sights 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 day 2 or day 3 if you want to go a little slower.

Alexanderplatz

Alexanderplatz 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 is a big open square that often hosts events like Christmas markets and other festivals. You’ll also find lots of shopping here.

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

Join our Facebook group!

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.

TV Tower

Walk to the other side of the Alexanderplatz station to 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.

The viewing platform of the TV Tower has photos and info all the way around so you can see what you’re looking at. Different buildings and other landmarks are pointed out for your reference.

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.

After you’ve had your fill of views from the TV Tower, walk through the square to get a quick glance at the Neptune Fountain and the Marx-Engels-Forum. Then make your way to Karl-Liebknecht-Str. As you cross the Spree River, the road changes names and becomes Unter den Linden.

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.

To save a few minutes, you could also hop on the U5 in the direction going towards Hauptbahnhof, and exit at Museumsinsel. This is where Unter den Linden starts, and the section you skipped isn’t all that exciting.

Learn more about what to do along Unter den Linden.

Museums and monuments

At Museum Island, admire the Berliner Dom (Berlin Cathedral), the Lustgarten park in front of the cathedral, and the gorgeous buildings that make up the Museum Island complex. With a 3 day Berlin itinerary, you should have time to take the Berliner Dom tour and/or go into at least one of the museums here.

But it’s worth noting that if you do decide to spend a few hours in the museums, you’ll probably have to move a few of the day 1 attractions to day 2 or day 3. You might have to cut a few things out, but you know what your sightseeing priorities are, and it’s ok not to see it all.

Also nearby is the DDR Museum is on the east side of the river. This museum will give you a feel for how people lived in East Berlin 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 west on Unter den Linden and cross the river, you’ll see the German History Museum where you can learn about different time periods in Germany’s past.

Continuing down Unter den Linden, stop at Bebelplatz. Here you’ll see a memorial to Nazi book burning.

>>Check out these fun facts about Berlin.

Gendarmenmarkt

Take a detour off of 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.

Berlin has many squares, and Gendarmenmarket is undoubtedly one of its prettiest. This square often hosts events, such as a popular Berlin Christmas market in December.

Topography of Terror

From Gendarmenmarkt, walk south to 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 little more than 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. You can also see a long section of the Berlin Wall here.

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.

Its design was meant to give visitors the feeling of uncertainty, and some 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 come see Brandenburg Gate, one of the most recognizable sights in Berlin and all of Germany. This grand monument is Berlin’s only remaining city gate.

Though inspired by the Acropolis in Athens, it was built in the late 1700s. It sits at what was once the dividing line between East and West Berlin. Today it represents unification of Berlin and Germany.

On the walk from the Holocaust Memorial to Brandenburg Gate, you’ll see Tiergarten to your left. I have some Tiergarten exploration listed on day 3 of the itinerary, but if you already know you’re going to adjust a few things, it’s easy to see the park for a few minutes at this point.

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

Today’s Berlin itinerary involves fewer stops but a little more transportation. It’s best to have a day pass for more flexibility as you explore the Berlin Wall and more.

Reichstag Building

The Reichstag Building is the seat of the German Parliament. 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, the audio guide tells you interesting information about the German Parliament, the building itself, some of the nearby areas, and more. It’s 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

Next take the Sbahn (S1, S2, S25, or S26) from Friedrichstr to Nordbahnhof to see the Bernauer Strasse Wall Memorial.

Start at the visitors center, which is near the Nordbahnhof Sbahn station. 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.

Then make your way down the street towards the Bernauer Str Ubahn station, reading the placards along the way. About halfway down the road is a building with a viewing platform a few floors up that 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 communities.

Prenzlauer Berg

Once you’ve reached the end of the memorial, keep walking a few blocks, or hop on the M10 tram for two stops, and check out Mauerpark.

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

There’s an ever-changing graffiti 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 one of the most well known flea markets 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 considered the longest outdoor art gallery in the world, and it’s a series of street art pieces painted onto a remaining stretch of the Berlin Wall.

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 it’s 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. This area has lots of interesting street art, 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 this neighborhood has plenty of options for food, and Boxhagener Platz itself has a great fresh market on Saturdays and a flea market on Sundays.

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

Despite 30+ years of reunification, Berlin still feels very different on the east vs on the west. Many, but not all, of the places you saw on days one and two were in East Berlin. Today let’s see some of the West.

Tiergarten

The huge park in the center of Berlin is another local favorite. Tiergarten was once a hunting ground but is now a sprawling, tree-filled park that brings unexpected quiet in the middle of the busy city.

In the eastern part of the park, 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 the large intersection of the four roads that cut through the park 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, no elevator here.

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. (Tierpark is the zoo in East Berlin.)

If you enjoy zoos or if you’re visiting Berlin with kids, the Berlin zoo is a must. 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

For those of you who love shopping, this is the place for it. A little east of the S&U Zoo station is the Bikini Mall, filled with interesting boutique stores and a handful of familiar chains, plus there are lots of windows facing 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 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, a fun level to explore even if you aren’t into shopping.

Charlottenburg Palace

To reach Charlottenburg Palace from the Zoo station, hop on the M45 bus towards Johannesstift/Spandau. If you’re farther along 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, either on separate tickets or on a combo ticket if you want to see both. The gardens and surrounding park are also worth wandering through, especially if the weather is nice.

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

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.

Alternate Berlin itinerary ideas

Everyone has different tastes and different interests. You might also want to change a few things if your 3 days in Berlin happen to be rainy ones.

Here are a few ideas for other things to do in Berlin that could be good to swap out with anything above you’re not interested in doing.

Take a day trip

If you’re a fast traveler, and you’ve seen everything you want to see in 2 days instead of 3 days in Berlin, consider taking a day tour on your 3rd day. Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp and Potsdam are two of the most popular day trips from Berlin.

Visit more museums

Some people love museums, and Berlin is a great city for museum hopping. Aside from Museum Island, described on day one, here are a few others to try.

Märkisches Museum: This museum focuses on the history and culture of Berlin.

St. Nicholas Church Museum: Learn the history of the oldest surviving building in the city.

German Museum of Technology: Deutsches Technikmuseum in German, this museum is all about transportation technology.

Spy Museum: This is a hands-on museum focusing on espionage.

Jewish Museum: Here you’ll learn about the history of Jews in Germany.

Photography Museum: Here you can see photography exhibits from the 19th century to present.

Shop in a different way

Maybe all the fancy shopping listed on day three isn’t your thing. Luckily Berlin is mostly full of places to shop that are NOT fancy. After all, the city’s unofficial slogan is “sexy but poor”.

But this is where it helps to dig deeper into the non-touristy areas.

Flea markets: It’s best to look for flea markets on Sundays, though they do take place on other days of the week sometimes. Mauerpark is a popular one on Sundays, but also try Boxhagener Platz, Prinzessinenngärten, Maybachufer, Arkonaplatz, Ostbahnhof, and Fehrbelliner Platz, just to name a few.

Second hand stores: Berlin is a great place for second hand and vintage shops. Wander through the Boxi area or Prenzlauer Berg or Bergmannkiez…the options are endless really. The city is also home to the large second hand department store, Humana. There are several locations, but the one at Frankfurter Tor is the largest in Europe.

Boutique stores: If second hand isn’t your thing, you can still buy some unique items at boutique stores throughout the city. Get off the main roads and away from the international chain stores and big shopping malls, and you’ll find locally owned stores with clothing, jewelry, bags, and more.

Take a tour

Seeing Berlin with a tour is a great way to make the most of your time and learn about the city and its history from the experts.

Food tour

Food tours are an interesting way to learn about a city’s culture and history through its food. The Eating Europe Berlin Food Tour focuses on several aspects of food culture in the Friedrichshain neighborhood.

Boat tour

The Spree River runs through the center of Berlin and once formed part of the border between East and West Berlin. A variety of boat tours show you the sights near the water, or you can even take a boat tour on one of the city’s canals.

Bike tour

If cycling is your thing, a bike tour is a great way to explore the city. You’ll get from one sight to the next faster than on foot, and you’ll learn about the Berlin’s history and culture while getting a little work out.

Street art tour

Berlin is famous for is street art, and a guide will be able to show you the best pieces. Some are famous while others are under the radar, and a tour is a great way to understand the importance of street art in Berlin.

I’ve taken this tour, and it was really interesting and fun.

Go at your own pace

Itineraries are tough to write because no one person travels the same as another person. If you’re a fast traveling type, you might be able to squeeze in more sights than I’ve listed here.

But if you prefer to travel more slowly, you might think my 3 day Berlin itinerary is too fast paced. Cut things out, rearrange the order if you want, swap days around even.

Berlin has something for everyone, so if you want to spend your whole 3 days shopping or going to museums or going to every single Cold War attraction or looking for street art, you can do it.

3 days in Berlin itinerary FAQs

Here are some frequently asked questions about spending 3 days in Berlin and planning a Berlin itinerary.

How can I spend 3 days in Berlin?

Hopefully my detailed 3 day Berlin itinerary has been helpful for you to decide how to spend your time here. Most first time visitors to Berlin want to see the big attractions like the TV Tower, Brandenburg Gate, Berlin Cathedral, Museum Island, Holocaust Memorial, and Reichstag Building, East Side Gallery.

But there are many other important and interesting sights that I’ve included that will make your trip to Berlin more enjoyable and show you more of the city’s history and character.

How many days are sufficient for Berlin?

I think 3 days in Berlin is a minimum to really see a lot of the attractions and some of the city’s vibe. More is always better, and if you only have 1 day in Berlin or 2 days in Berlin, you can still see a lot.

My suggestion is to plan as much time as you can for seeing Berlin, and if you find it wasn’t enough, come back for another visit!

Do and don’ts in Berlin?

Don’t dress up in Berlin. Don’t bother with Checkpoint Charlie unless it’s super important to you to see.

Do eat other cuisines besides German. There are big Turkish and Vietnamese communities here, but the sky’s the limit when it comes to food in Berlin.

Read more about things to know before you come to Berlin.

Is 3 days enough in Germany?

No, 3 days is not enough in Germany. It’s barely enough for just Berlin. If you want to see more than one city in Germany, I recommend at least a week for Berlin and Munich.

You could also spend a week in Berlin and East Germany seeing Dresden and Leipzig. Or go to Hamburg for a few days. The Rhine Valley or the Black Forest are other gorgeous regions to explore.

Germany is a varied and diverse country, with each region different from the next. Berlin is wonderful, but it’s very different from the rest of the country.

Is 5 days in Berlin too long?

I feel like this is a trick question. No, 5 days in Berlin is not too long if you really want to dig into the city.

This is long enough to see the major sights as well as some lesser visited ones. It’s long enough to go at a slower pace, which gives you time to relax more.

With 4 days, 5 days, or even longer in Berlin, you can try lots of different restaurants, visit lots of museums, take several day trips. You could actually sleep in a little – after all, it is vacation, right?

What should I do on my third day in Berlin?

On your third day in Berlin, I recommended seeing Tiergarten, Charlottenburg Palace, and a little more of West Berlin. But you could also use that day to take a day trip to Potsdam or go from Berlin to Concentration Camp Sachsenhausen.

Or if you like to travel a little slower, you could spread out the sightseeing I’ve listed on days 1 and 2 into a 3 day Berlin itinerary. There are lots of options because there really are so many things to do and see in Berlin.

What should I do in Berlin?

If you’re trying to decide what to see in Berlin in 3 days, go see the big sights like the TV Tower, Berliner Dom, and Brandenburger Tor. Learn about WWII history and Cold War history.

But also explore street art. Go for a wander and see quieter streets that are less touristy. Get into nature in one of the many parks right in the city or a hiking trail on the outskirts.

Eat the food and drink the beer. This is a fantastic city, and the sky’s the limit.

What are the top 3 things to do in Berlin?

It’s hard to narrow down the entire city to just 3 things. The 3 most famous sights are the TV Tower, Brandenburg Gate, and the Berlin Cathedral.

But top 3 things to do in Berlin? I’ll go more broad. Learn about the history, eat some delicious food, and enjoy the laid back vibe.

Check out more suggestions for what to do in Berlin, and start planning your trip.

Berlin Travel Resources

I want you to have the best trip to Berlin, and hopefully this itinerary for 3 days in Berlin is helpful. But there are lots more tips on the site!