A 3-Day Berlin Itinerary for First-Time Visitors

  • Day 1: Historical Landmarks Tour
    Distance: 5.5 km; Estimated Walking Time: 2.5 hours

    Start your trip with a walking tour of the historical landmarks in Berlin. Begin with a visit to the iconic Brandenburg Gate, a symbol of German reunification. Then walk to the Reichstag Building, a historic building that houses the German parliament. Next is the Berlin Wall Memorial, a site that tells of the division of east and west Berlin during the Cold War. Finally, visit the Jewish Museum Berlin, which offers an impressive exhibition about the history of Jews in Germany.

  • Day 2: Cultural Immersion
    Distance: 6.7 km; Estimated Walking Time: 3 hours

    Experience Berlin's rich cultural scene by visiting some of its most prominent museums and landmarks. Begin with a visit to the Museum Island, a complex of five world-renowned museums. Then head to the Berlin Cathedral, a baroque-style church that has become an icon of Berlin. After the cathedral, walk through the bustling Alexanderplatz, a public square and transportation hub, and see the Berlin TV Tower. End the day with a visit to The Berliner Philharmonie, a concert hall that features some of the world's most famous classical music.

  • Day 3: Food and Drink Tour
    Distance: 7.6 km; Estimated Walking Time: 3.5 hours

    Explore Berlin's vibrant food and drink scene. Start by visiting Markthalle Neun, a historical market hall where you can find local produce and street food. After the market, head to Brauhaus Lemke, for some beer tasting in a traditional-style Berlin brewery. Next stop: Curry 36, a famous currywurst restaurant that has been around since 1949. End the day by visiting Prater Garten, Berlin's oldest beer garden that is perfect for an evening drink and relaxation.

Time and Cost Estimates

  • Brandenburg Gate (30 min, free)
  • Reichstag Building (1 hour, free)
  • Berlin Wall Memorial (1 hour, free)
  • Jewish Museum Berlin (2 hours, €14)
  • Museum Island (3 hours, €18)
  • Berlin Cathedral (30 min, €7- €13)
  • Alexanderplatz and Berlin TV Tower (1.5 hours, €16.50- €23)
  • The Berliner Philharmonie (2 hours, €15- €90)
  • Markthalle Neun (1 hour, free)
  • Brauhaus Lemke (1 hour, €10- €20)
  • Curry 36 (30 min, €3.50- €6)
  • Prater Garten (1 hour, €4- €6)
  • Total Estimated Costs: €90- €184.50

Transportation

To get around Berlin, travelers can consider taking public transportation such as buses, trams, and the U-Bahn (subway). There are also taxis and bike rentals available, and these can be quite convenient. The Berlin WelcomeCard offers unlimited rides on public transit and discounts on museums and other attractions. A day ticket within the AB zones costs €8.90 and covers all modes of public transportation.

Useful Tips

If you have more time, consider taking a day trip to Potsdam, a city known for its beautiful palaces and historic landmarks. To enjoy more of Berlin's nightlife, visit some of the underground clubs in districts like Kreuzberg and Friedrichshain, where you can listen to techno music and have fun with the locals. If you have less time, you can skip some of the museums on the second day and instead, visit the Berlin Zoo, one of the best zoos in Europe

Airports

Berlin has two airports: Berlin Tegel Airport (TXL) and Berlin Schönefeld Airport (SXF) . Tegel airport is the larger one and is closer to the city centre, located around 8 km northwest of the town. Most of the international flights land in this airport. The distance between Schönefeld airport and the city centre is approximately 20 km in Berlin's southeast, and it mostly provides low-cost flights. The easiest way to get from either airport into the city centre would be via taxi, although there are also train and bus options available.

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