3 days in Berlin – everything you need to know to plan the perfect trip

Berlin has been on our bucket list for a very long time. You know one of those places that you keep meaning to visit, but life just gets in the way. Attracted by its effortlessly cool persona, and fascinating history, eventually we realised that if we didn’t go ahead and book it, we would never go. And so we set off to spend 3 days in Berlin, exploring the attractions, eating the food, and admittedly trying quite a few cocktail bars. Here is our guide to everything Berlin, as well as our 3 day Berlin itinerary to help your plan your own trip.

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Basic Information for spending 3 days in Berlin

Before we get to our 3 day Berlin itinerary here is a little bit of background information to get your acquainted with the city.

Country: Germany

Languages Spoken: German

Currency: Euro

Famous for: It’s turbulent history, and utterly cool present

Visit if you like: History and cool bars

If you are deciding between Hamburg and Berlin here is a helpful guide.

Starting your 3 days in Berlin

Before we dive into our Berlin itinerary you might be wondering how to get to Berlin in the first place. Most people arrive in Berlin via the city’s main airport which is Berlin Brandenburg Airport.

Once here you can hop on the Airport Express which will take you into the centre of Berlin. The station is located in Terminal 1 and trains are frequent throughout the day. It takes about 30 minutes to get to central station, ad is pretty cheap too at only 3.60 Euros.

There are other trains you can get as well if the Airport Express isn’t ideal you can hop on the S-Bahn, although this does take around 50 minutes to get you into the centre of Berlin.

Tips for planning your 3 day Berlin itinerary

Before jetting off to Berlin here are a couple of things that you should know.

• Some bars and restaurants are cash only so make sure you have some cash on you especially if you are used to paying everything on card. You could end up like us ordering food and then one of us having to run around Berlin trying to find a cash machine to pay for the meal. And of course the closest ATM was not working!

• Don’t stick to traditional German food when eating in the city, branch out and share in the multiculturalism of the city.

• Day drinking isn’t really a thing in Berlin. Don’t expect to sip wine and watch the world go by in the middle of the day.

• Bars tend to open later, so if you are after a few pre dinner drinks, do your research and make sure the bar you are planning to visit is actually open. And don’t show up just after it opens, you will more than likely be the only people there!

• Jaywalking also isn’t a thing!

Wondering if Berlin is worth visiting? Here is an article to help you decide.

Getting around during your 3 days in Berlin

Berlin might be massive, but luckily the transportation networks in the city are fantastic. The most common way to get around is by using the U-Bahn  which is an underground train network similar to the Subway in New York. The U-Bahn operates about 10 different lines, to pretty much every corner of the city.

There is also the S-Bahn if you are wanting to travel to the outskirts of Berlin. Whilst it might not be as frequent it is still pretty reliable.

We also caught the tram a few times in Berlin, although these mostly run through what was once classed as East Berlin.

The good news is that if you buy a ticket it will be valid on all forms of public transport in the city, provided you are travelling in the zones you specified.

You can purchase single tickets on public transport or purchase a 24 hour, or 7 day ticket. These tickets will give you access to various modes of public transport within a certain zone range. So for a 3 day Berlin itinerary, you can purchase a 24 hour ticket on each day you are there.

Where to stay during your 3 days in Berlin

When we started looking at accommodation for our 3 days in Berlin, truth be told we felt so overwhelmed. Here is a breakdown of the different areas.

Mitte

This is the area where a lot of the tourist attractions are, like the Berlin Wall and the Brandenburg Gate. There are also a number of restaurants and bars in this area, making it a good base for your 3 days in Berlin. If you are a first-time visitor we recommend staying here.

Kreuzberg

Kreuzberg is kind of the more alternative district in Berlin. It’s very hip and happening, and nightlife here is amazing. If we ever go back to Berlin to be honest we would probably stay around here, just because of the bars and restaurants that we want to try. It’s not too far from the centre of Berlin either so it’s good if you want to experience some nightlife, but also stay close to the tourist attractions. The accommodation in this area tends to be quirky air bnb’s and boutique hotels.

Prenzlauerberg

This is a more laid back residential area, with plenty of cafes and wine bars around. It’s not super touristy either, so makes a change from the chaos of Mitte. It’s a good place for families, or people who want to go at their own pace. It’s also not too far from the main attractions in Berlin, and well connected in terms of transport.

Friedrichshain

Friedrichshain has a hip and more gritty vibe that Kreuzburg. It’s also got some of the best nightlife in the city, so if you are looking to dance the night away this is probably the area for you.

What to do over 3 days in Berlin

With so much to see and do there is a lot to pack in to your 3 day Berlin itinerary. The good news though is that public transport is easy to negotiate and many of the key attractions are close together.

Reichstag

Our top tip for a long weekend in Berlin is to make sure that you visit the Reichstag. This is the seat of German Parliament (the Bundestag), in Berlin. You do need to register online for tickets in advance and we highly recommend that you do this as soon as you start to plan your Berlin itinerary to avoid missing out on your selected dates. The good news is a visit to the Reichstag is absolutely free.

When you arrive at your selected time slot and pass through security you are escorted by lift to the base of the famous glass dome. Here you can take your time climbing to the top via the slanted walkway, and admire the views of Berlin in the process. There are also a number of parliament style tours you can do to get to grips with the area.

Brandenburg Gate

Another must for your 3 days in Berlin has to be the Brandenburg Gate, which is only a short walk from the Reichstag. It is arguably one of Berlin’s most recognisable attractions. It is now synonymous with peace and unity, but during the Cold War it drew visitors who used it as an observation point to get a sneaky glimpse at life on the other side of the so called iron curtain.

Natur-Park Südgelände 

For something a little bit different during your 3 days in Berlin, and also slightly less touristy take a trip to the Schoneberg district and visit a park that was once a railway yard. Here you will find decaying buildings, overtaken by nature, as well as some cool sculptures and art installations. It makes for a really nice early morning walk, particularly if you want a break from the hustle and bustle of Berlin city life. It is also a really cool place to take some edgy pictures.

East Side Gallery

The East Side Gallery is an another must to add to your 3 day Berlin itinerary. Spanning a whopping 1.3 kilometres the gallery is apparently the longest open air gallery in the world. It is also the longest continuous section of the Berlin Wall that exists today. This is another free attraction in Berlin, although you may want to fork out and pay for a guided tour of the wall to learn more about the history and the various artworks.

Hackescher Markt 

Located in the Mitte neighbourhood of Berlin, the Hackescher Markt is a great place to explore with several galleries, and shops. Our highlight in true Berlin style was the Courtyard of Haus Schwarzenberg, a space filled with galleries, coffee shops, and lots of graffiti and artwork.

Topography of Terror

You can’t plan a 3 day Berlin itinerary without a visit to the former Gestapo headquarters now know as the Topography of Terror Museum. The museum documents the horrors of the Nazi regime and provides and in depth look at the rise and fall of the Nazi party.

Berliner Dom

One of the grander buildings in Berlin is the Berliner Dom, or the Berlin Cathedral, located on Museum Island. The building of the cathedral was actually only completed in 1905, and needed to be reconstructed after suffering damage during WWII. You can go inside for a small fee (around 7 Euros) or admire it from the outside for free.

DDR Museum

The DDR museum isn’t your typical museum, with several interactive displays, and even a room decorated like an East Berlin style apartment. The museum is located just across from the Berliner Dom, and really gives an insight into life in East Berlin. If you only visit one museum during your 3 days in Berlin make it this one. It was so much fun and we even got to sit in a Trabant. Tickets can be purchased in advance or on the day.

Park Inn Hotel

A Park Inn Hotel normally wouldn’t make it to our list of attractions, but then again Berlin is no normal city. A lot of tourists head to the TV Tower to take in the panoramic views of the city, but for a fraction of the price why not visit the Park Inn Hotel instead. Members of the public can visit for 6 Euros, and the best thing about it is that not only do you get to experience panoramic views of Berlin, but you also get to include the TV tower in these views.

Charlottenburg Palace

Whenever we visit Europe we always have this image of old historical buildings and palaces. Berlin isn’t really like that and can be a bit grey at times, which makes sense considering it’s history.

For a slight change of scenery you should try to plan a visit to Charlottenburg Palace into your 3 days in Berlin. It is a Baroque style palace with a lavish garden which is free to explore. You do need to pay to explore the inside however. We were quite content just strolling around the outside and exploring the gardens, so even if you don’t plan to go in it is still worth a visit.

Berggruen Museum

While we chose not to explore the inside of the Charlottenburg Palace, we instead decided to visit the Berggruen Museum, only a short walk from here. The museum houses a number of modern art pieces including several by Picasso. The collection was put together by Heinz Berggruen who left Nazi Germany in 1936 for the US.

Museum Island

If you love wandering around museums, then Museum Island might be for you. Home to five large museums you might actually need to add a whole extra day to your 3 day Berlin itinerary if you want to see them all. Considering we only had 3 days in Berlin we opted for the Pergamon Museum which also happens to be the most popular.

Checkpoint Charlie

I’ve added Checkpoint Charlie to this list, because it is one of those places that you have probably heard so much about before visiting Berlin. We found it slightly overrated, and there is something really strange about visiting a place of historical significance surrounded by KFC and a McDonalds. Nevertheless it is worth a visit for a quick peek before heading swiftly on to your next attraction.

Eating and drinking during your 3 days in Berlin

If you are anything like us food and drink plays a major part in planning a holiday anywhere. Here are some of our recommendations to add to your 3 day Berlin itinerary.

Currywurst

There is so much more to Berlin that Currywurst, but that being said it is worth trying it at least once during your time in the city. There are a number of fast food places serving the dish that you can pop into. It was invented in Berlin, so it would be rude not to have a bite at least.

Tajikistan Tearoom

For a mix of Persian and Russian cuisine and culture make sure you pay the Tajikstan Tearoom a visit. We started with tea, which also came with a shot of vodka, because why not! The decor is more Persian with beautiful rugs and cushions to sit on whilst sipping tea. The food is more Russian, with the likes of borsht and dumplings which are a firm favourite of ours on the menu.

Traditional German Food

I think a big misconception for us when visiting Berlin was that it would be similar to Bavaria in terms of food. This is absolutely not the case. In fact in Berlin traditional food is probably more your currywurst or a kebab at one of the many doner shops in the city. If you are desperate for a traditional german meal ie. Schnitzel and a cold stein of beer then all is not lost. Augustiner am Gendarmenmarkt do some really good ‘traditional German food’ with some great beer to boot. There is also Hofbräu Wirtshaus which is catered to tourists but still worth a visit if you are desperate for a pork nuckle or two.

Fairytale Bar

There are so many incredible bars in Berlin, especially secret cocktail bars. One that stood out for us was the Fairytale Bar. You have to knock on a secret door and wait to be allowed entry. The bar was a bit of a trek but so worth it when you see the drinks menu. You basically feel like you have fallen down the rabbit hole and the only way to get out, is to drink more.

MacLaren’s Pub

Another bar worth mentioning, particularly for How I Met Your Mother fans out there is MacLaren’s. Serving beers, burgers, and cocktails, the bar is How I Met Your Mother themed, and a lot of fun if, like us you are fans of the show. It’s very laid back and has some great music too, so check it out if you can.

Travelling as a couple – Romantic things to add to your 3 day Berlin itinerary

If you are travelling with your significant other you might be interested in some of the more romantic things to add to you 3 day Berlin itinerary. I know that Berlin might not be the most traditionally romantic city compared to Paris or Venice, but there are a number of awesome bars and restaurants to help plan an extra special date night.

Visit a speakeasy

One thing that we loved in Berlin was the number of speakeasy style bars there were in the city. Fairytale Bar is one of our favourites though which is perfect for date night.

Stroll around the Charlottenburg Gardens

Schloss Charlottenburg gardens are really beautiful with flowing fountains and perfectly manicured flowerbeds. It is a great place to spend walking with your partner whilst admiring the surroundings.

Romantic Dinner Cruise

Who doesn’t love a romantic dinner cruise? Sail along the river Spree as the lights of museum island reflect in the waters below.

Sample 3 day Berlin itinerary

Here is a sample 3 day Berlin itinerary to help you plan your trip to Berlin.

Day 1

Start your day by visiting the Reichstag – don’t forget to book this in advance.

Afterwards stop by the Brandenburg Gate for some photos, before making your way to Checkpoint Charlie.

In the late afternoon you can visit the East Side Gallery, and explore one of the super cool city neighbourhoods in the evening.

Day 2

Start the day with a visit to the Berliner Dom.

Make sure you also visit the nearby DDR Museum which is very much worth the trip.

You can also do a river cruise, or spend the remainder of the day exploring Museum Island.

Day 3

On day 3 we recommend a visit to Charlottenburg Palace which will take you a little bit further our of the centre of Berlin.  Explore the gardens and do a tour of the inside.

Afterwards head to Berggruen Museum which is one of the best kept secrets in the area for art lovers.

Finally make you way to the Park Inn Hotel for some afternoon / early evening views of Berlin.

How much money do I need for my 3 day Berlin itinerary

When we arrived in Berlin we were expecting it to be really expensive, but we were pleasantly surprised. That’s not to say it’s super cheap either, but on average we budgeted £100 (about 117 Euros) per person per day not including accommodation. You can probably get away with a bit less but we wanted to go out and have a few drinks in the evening.

For mid range accommodation you are probably looking to pay just over 100 Euros a night for a couple. Obviously this depends on where you stay. We stayed right near checkpoint Charlie and our room was just over 100 Euros per night, and it was clean and modern.

Is 3 days in Berlin enough?

We were actually really surprised at how much stuff there is to do in Berlin. So you might be thinking is 3 days in Berlin enough time to see it all. Honestly no. If you want to get to grips with the city then we would recommend a good 5 days at least. Berlin is also a large city and is very spread out so you will loose a bit of time just travelling around.

That being said, if you do only have 3 days in Berlin all is not lost. This does give you a good amount of time to see key attractions, enjoy some of the food and experience a bit of nightlife. Just make sure you plan out your 3 day Berlin itinerary in advance, so that you can minimise travel time.

When is the best time of year to plan your 3 day Berlin itinerary?

Personally, we think Berlin is one of those places that you can visit all year round. Ok, yes the winters do get cold, but if you wrap up warm you can still have an amazing city break. Also, in December don’t forget that Berlin transforms into a magical city with Christmas Markets, and the smell of gingerbread wafting through the air.

Summers in Berlin are mild enough, and perfect for sitting outside sipping pints of beer, but you also have to keep in mind that this is peak season. School holidays fall around August so expect long lines for tourist attractions.

For a quieter 3 days in Berlin we recommend visiting in October or November. The weather is starting to cool, but not quite as cold as January/February, and there are less people about than the summer months.

More than 3 days in Berlin? Day trip ideas

If you have more than 3 days in Berlin then here are some of our day trip suggestions.

Potsdam

40 kilometres southwest of Berlin you will find the historic city of Potsdam. Filled with incredible parks, and lakes, this former imperial city is only a train ride away from Berlin.

Dresden

If you want to travel slightly further afield, then we recommend Dresden. It’s about 2 hours from Berlin, and is one of Europe’s beautiful Baroque cities. It was destroyed during WW2 and has since been restored making it a popular destination in Germany.

Hamburg

Hamburg is a good option if you are looking to explore another city. It’s about 2 hours on the train away from Berlin, and there are 33 trains per day between the two cities. Hamburg is a beautiful port city and well worth a visit, although you might want to stay a bit longer.

So should I spend 3 days in Berlin?

Absolutely, Berlin is such a cool city, and a must as part of any European itinerary. It has a little something for everyone, with culture, history, great food, and even better nightlife. It’s also very different from other German, and European cities we have visited.

If you found this useful please pin our 3 day Berlin itinerary for later.

Happy Travels, and enjoy your 3 days in Berlin.

If you have a chance check out some of our other posts on eastern European cities.

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