48 hours in Berlin: The perfect two-day itinerary

1. Day 1

   
   1. Morning

      Discover the city’s past from Brandenburg Gate (2 hours)

      

      Start your day at Berlin’s most recognizable sight, the Brandenburg Gate, and you’re perfectly positioned to explore some of the city’s most famous and historic places on foot, from the poignant Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe to the Victory Column and the largest the city’s parks, Tiergarten. For a well-oiled route and to delve into the many layers of Germany’s past, specifically the impact of the Third Reich and Cold War on its capital, join a small guided group tour filled with facts and stories to make these events become even more tangible.

      Extra option

      More history related activities

      See all history related activities

      1

   2. Marvel at the Reichstag

      

      At Tiergarten’s north-east corner lies the Reichstag building, where the German government convenes, with its ultra-modern glass dome. It’s played various roles throughout the decades and has been the backdrop to many of the country’s significant historical events since its original construction in 1884, all of which you’ll learn about as an audio guide narrates your way up the dome’s spiraling walkway, with stunning views the whole time. With a little admin and a lot of forward planning, you can visit the dome for free by pre-registering well in advance on the official website, but the easiest and more available option is to book a guided tour that also explains the landmark’s surroundings, architecture, and evolution, before you go inside. The tours are in German, but the audio guide inside the dome is adaptable to many languages.

      Extra option

      More activities at the Reichstag

      See all experiences

      2
   3. Afternoon

      Explore the colorful Hackescher Markt (1-2 hours)

      

      Experience the lesser-known parts of Berlin’s center, Mitte. Hackescher Markt, a trendy shopping and eating hub by the river, is in the heart of this. Take in the street art and witness this international neighborhood’s incredible transformation since the Cold War era. To really peek behind the curtain, this exciting walking tour shows you 13 bustling backyards, a glimpse into Berlin’s eclectic and creative scene. After the tour, loop back to the restaurants and bars that caught your eye. Or, get lunch — currywurst is a Berlin must — and beers from a “Späti” for a leisurely lunch by the river with a leisurely drink, taking in the live music as the locals do.

      Extra option

      3

   4. Get your culture fix on Museum Island (2 hours)

      

      There’s a lot of history packed into this one city. So much in fact, that there’s an island dedicated to it. Labeled a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Museum Island — a river island on the Spree, Berlin’s main river — boasts five world-famous museums. Dive into ancient Babylon and witness the Ishtar Gate at The Pergamon Museum; have a face-to-face interaction with Nefertiti at Neues Museum; or have some quiet time with 19th-century art at the Alte Nationalgalerie. If you plan to visit more than one, pick up a Museum Island day pass at the first museum or in advance to save money and have access to all five for the day, just book a free time slot before your visit.

      More museum activities

      See all experiences

      4

   5. See more of the city on a river cruise (1 hour)

      

      With over 180 km of waterways and 1,700 bridges — more than Amsterdam and Venice combined — Berlin is a great city to see from the water. So after all that walking, kick back and let someone else do the work as you set sail from Alte Börse pier. Check out the city’s cathedral, the reconstructed 15th-century palace, and Nikolai Viertel, the oldest neighborhood in Berlin. Book online to secure your preferred departure time, but note that boats only run March-October. If your visit is off-season, a great alternative is the hop-on hop-off bus tour, offering a similar (and much wider) lay of the land.

      Extra option

      More Spree River activities

      See all experiences

      5
   6. Evening

      Dine at the TV Tower’s revolving restaurant (2 hours)

      

      Close out your first day with a visit to Berlin’s Television Tower, known in German as Fernsehturm. The tallest structure in Germany at 1,207-foot tall (368 meters), it attracts over a million visitors each year, but you don’t need to worry about the line with a fast view ticket. Gaze out over the whole city and see as far as the former Tempelhof airport (now a huge public park) and the Olympic Stadium. Then, as the sun sets and the city lights up, be the envy of everyone below and keep enjoying the view over a three-course dinner package in the Tower’s revolving restaurant. Tickets are limited, so be sure to book in advance

      Standard access

      More activities at the TV Tower

      See all activities for the TV Tower

      6

2. Day 2

   
   1. Morning

      See the colorfully reimagined Berlin Wall (1-2 hours)

      

      The East Side Gallery is a collection of street art on the longest surviving stretch of the Berlin Wall. Avoid the crowds by getting there early, picking up a coffee to-go at Mercedes-Benz Platz in front of the namesake stadium, and appreciate the scale of these powerful artworks as you stroll along the one-mile-long collection which follows the river. If Berlin’s ubiquitous graffiti and street art has piqued your interest, this walking tour starts near the Wall and showcases the most impressive examples while going deeper into their prominence in the city.

      Extra option

      More street art activities

      See all street art related activities

      1

   2. Take in Kreuzberg’s colorful cafes and cuisine (1 hour)

      

      A short walk or bike ride from the East Side Gallery, this formerly devastated region of West Germany has rebounded to become one of Berlin’s multicultural hotspots. Filled with restaurants, bars, and shops, this is an excellent spot to mingle and people-watch. Coffee lovers should sample a cup from one of the many cool cafes, like Five Elephant and Bonanza, while foodies will delight in this culinary tour, a tasty mix of folklore and cuisine at five neighborhood stops, including places Berliners would rather keep to themselves.

      Extra option

      More food tours

      See all food related activities

      2
   3. Afternoon

      Find peace in The Feuerle Collection (1 hour)

      

      Located in a former World War II bunker, The Feuerle Collection is a colorful contrast to its dark surroundings. Intricate Chinese art and furniture — including early Khmer sculptures from the 7th to the 13th century and stone and wooden structures — complements international contemporary pieces, but it isn’t just art that’s a treat for the senses. Immerse yourself in calm with a meditation session beside the building's underground lake, or a gong bath session within the Sound Room.

      Standard access

      More Feuerle activities

      See all World War II related activities

      3

   4. Spend the afternoon in Tempelhofer Feld (1-2 hours)

      

      This sprawling deserted airport turned open-air park in the heart of the capital attracts Berlin’s hippest residents, especially when the sun shines. Cruise around with a bike or walk through one of the many communal gardens, and stop for something refreshing at one of the field’s beer gardens or coffee carts. With the old airport hangar and terminal still mostly intact, it’s also possible to tour inside and learn about its complicated past. English tours run five times a week and can be booked directly on Tempelhof’s website.

      4

   5. Go west (1-2 hour)

      

      Although Berlin is primarily famous for what happened in the East, the former West Berlin certainly has its charms. Head to the heart of it near Zoologischer Garten, Berlin’s renowned zoo, and the major shopping streets of Tauentzienstraße and Kurfürstendamm (Ku’damm). Shopaholics won’t want to miss KaDeWe, the EU’s largest department store. At the buzzing neighborhood’s core, the preserved remains of Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church stand as a reminder of how the city has recovered from WWII. To discover West Berlin’s lesser-known highlights, follow a native Berliner on a walking tour of the area.

      Extra option

      5
   6. Evening

      See the art and Berlin’s best sunset in Teufelsberg (2-3 hours)

      

      An old US spy station, Teufelsberg (Devil’s Mountain) is one of Berlin’s most underrated attractions and not to be missed. Located in the middle of the forest, the city’s youth reclaimed it years after it was abandoned following the Cold War and transformed it into an epicenter of public art. Climb onto the rooftop, and you’ll find there’s no better place in Berlin to watch the sunset. Entry is €8, but those who want more background while experiencing this incredible relic should book the guided tour, which picks up at the S-Bahn station, saving a lot of walking time.

      Extra option

      See all guided tours

      6

   7. Join the club crowd in Friedrichshain (2-4 hours)

      

      Friedrichshain is one of the many areas of Berlin that has seen much change in recent years, but remains a hotspot for young artists and an alternative crowd. It is also one of the best foodie experiences in Berlin, especially for great Vietnamese food, as well as buzzing bars. But what really draws the crowds after dark is its club scene, with the city’s top all-night venues within minutes of each other. The best? The (in)famous Berghain, with its strict and mysterious entrance criteria, attracts the biggest names in techno.

      7