Berlin is a fascinating city rich in history of various decades and also surrounded by modernity. Each of the German capital’s boroughs feels so different. There are so many things to see and do in Berlin!
I have great memories of Berlin. After experiencing homesickness and anxiety during the first leg of a European back-packing trip with my boyfriend, we were able to stay just outside of Berlin with my father’s cousin. Staying with family and experiencing suburban life in Berlin instantly made me feel at home!
I hope that this three day itinerary helps you on your future trips to Berlin.
DAY 1
Topography of Terror
Diving right into Berlin history, the Topography of Terror is a museum located on the site of the SS Reich Main Security Office. This was the headquarters of the SS and Gestapo during the Nazi regime. A tour of the museum will include permanent and temporary exhibitions about WWII and a tour of the building. You can also see remains of the Berlin Wall.
Checkpoint Charlie
Checkpoint Charlie was the best-known Berlin Wall crossing point between East and West Berlin during the Cold War. Many successful and unsuccessful escape attempts happened here. You can learn about these attempts in the Checkpoint Charlie Museum, which I found to be very interesting.
We were lucky enough to have a private tour of the museum by a friend of my father’s cousin, the brave Rudi Thurow. Rudi was an East German serviceman who secretly helped around 200 people escape over the wall. The Stasi agents tried to kill him 12 times! He even has a section dedicated to him in the museum.
A great article about Rudi: https://www.thestar.com/news/world/2014/11/07/cruel_memories_of_berlin_wall_years_after_its_fall.html
Gendarmenmarkt
The Gendarmenmarkt is a beautiful square in Berlin surrounded by important buildings: the Berlin concert hall, the French Cathedral, and the New Church.
Bebelplatz
Another square flanked by historic buildings: Humboldt University of Berlin, the Berlin State Opera, and St. Hedwig’s Cathedral.
Museum Island & Berlin Cathedral
Berlin is home to numerous museums. The most popular museums are situated on Museum Island. Also located on the island is the Berlin Cathedral, a gorgeous church built in 1905. Make sure to go inside the cathedral where you can see the Hohenzollern Crypt, which contains 100 sarcophagi. You should also climb 270 steps to the Dome’s outer walkway for great views.
River Cruise
End your first night with a relaxing boat cruise on the Spree river. You can find various boat cruise companies along the riverside.
DAY 2
Schloss Charlottenburg
Charlottenburg Palace is Berlin’s largest palace. You can tour the inside and walk around the beautiful gardens and grounds. Make sure to visit the various additional buildings, such as the Mausoleum, the Belvedere tea house, the Neue Pavilion, and the Orangery.
Tiergarten
Berlin’s most popular park and a former royal hunting ground. It is among the largest urban gardens of Germany.
Reichstag Building
The Reichstag housed the Parliament of Germany from 1894 until 1933. It was purposefully set on fire four weeks after Adolf Hitler was sworn in as Chancellor of Germany. It is now the second most visited attraction in Germany due to its beautiful glass dome with great views of the city.
Brandenburg Gate
One of the best-known landmarks of Germany. The Brandenburg Gate was built on the site of a former city gate. It has been the backdrop of several historical events in Berlin.
Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe
A very unique memorial to the Jewish victims of the Holocaust. It consists of 2,711 concrete slabs arranged in a grid on a sloping field.
Potsdamer Platz
An important square in the heart of the city and a hub for entertainment and restaurants.
DAY 3
Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp
Visiting a concentration camp is not for everyone. Personally, I found visiting Sachsenhausen to be very eye-opening and emotional.
The Nazi concentration camp was used primarily for political prisoners and SS training from 1936 to 1945. It was then run by the Soviets to detain their prisoners of war until 1950. There were 200,000 inmates and 105,000 deaths at Sachsenhausen.
You can take a train to Sachenhausen from Berlin and join a tour of the camp upon your arrival. A tour will allow you to see inside several buildings and barracks. You will also see artwork created by inmates, as well as pictures, documents, and other artifacts from life in the camp.
East Side Gallery
An infamous open-air gallery painted on the east side of the Berlin Wall. It consists of 105 paintings by artists from all over the world.
Alexanderplatz
The most visited area in Berlin, Alexanderplatz is a large square and transport hub. Located to the south of the square is the Fernsehturm, Berlin’s famous television tower and St Mary’s Church, one of the oldest churches in Berlin.
Rotes Rathaus
The Red City Hall is the town hall of Berlin. It houses the mayor and the government.
Nikolaikirche
St. Nicholas’ Church is the oldest church in Berlin. It is located in the Nikolai Quarter, Berlin’s beautiful historical neighborhood.
I hope you enjoyed this 3-day itinerary for Berlin!
