Exploring Berlin
For a sprawling, historic metropolis whose charms are widely scattered, Berlin is a surprisingly easy place to navigate. There’s something for every interest and budget, and excellent public transport whisks you from sight to sight with clockwork efficiency. Here are a few ideas to maximize your fun and minimize your planning.
Two Days in Berlin
Day 1
Begin at Alexanderplatz and ascend the Fernsehturm for an unequalled Berlin panorama. View Babylonian treasures at the Pergamonmuseum.
Stroll along historic Unter den Linden. Admire the iconic Brandenburger Tor and take a guided tour of the Reichstag before enjoying a classical concert at the Philharmonie.
Day 2
Begin with the ruins of the Kaiser-Wilhelm-Gedächtnis-Kirche before exploring stores along Kurfürstendamm and in Kaufhaus des Westens.
The Kaiser-Wilhelm-Gedächtnis-Kirche stands as a reminder of the horrors of war.
After lunch, wander through Schloss Charlottenburg and linger in its Baroque-style gardens. Seek out Savignyplatz for cocktails and an evening bite.
Four Days in Berlin
Day 1
Spend time exploring the Reichstag and government district, then take a boat tour through Berlin’s waterways (see Excursions and City Tours). There are piers in the Tiergarten next to the Haus der Kulturen der Welt.
The Reichstag, one of Berlin’s most symbolic buildings, is a popular sight.
Have lunch at Aigner, and visit pretty Gendarmenmarkt. Promenade on Unter den Linden before admiring the Brandenburger Tor. Catch an evening show at the Friedrichstadt-Palast.
Day 2
Take the lift up to the Fernsehturm observation deck. Peruse the collections of Museumsinsel, particularly the Neues Museum, home to the Nefertiti bust, and the Pergamonmuseum.
The Neues Museum contains spectacular treasures, including the bust of Nefertiti.
Head to Potsdamer Platz for daring modern architecture and the Marlene Dietrich exhibit at the Deutsche Kinamathek. Stroll in the Tiergarten.
Potsdamer Platz, untouched for nearly 50 years in rubble, has now been regenerated into a vibrant city hub.
Day 3
Start at the Kaiser-Wilhelm-Gedächtnis-Kirche, then choose between the Zoologischer Garten or shopping on Kurfürstendamm.
Marvel at Prussian riches at Schloss Charlottenburg and wander its beautifully landscaped park. Stop by the Gipsformerei for gift sculptures. After that, head to Ana e Bruno for an excellent Italian meal.
Day 4
Start the day at the Kulturforum. There are several cultural institutions to be explored in this complex, but a wise use of time is to view the Renaissance masters at the Gemäldegalerie. To enjoy some local specialities for lunch, stop by the last market hall in Berlin, the Marheineke-Markthalle, which is full of vibrant stores.