4 Days in Berlin: the Perfect Itinerary
There aren’t many places that are like Berlin. Places that are rich in history, in art, in nightlife, in good food and in good vibes. Places that are filled with endless sights, every kind of entertainment and friendly people.
What makes Berlin so unique is that it is the perfect spot for almost every kind of person. Whether you are a lover of history or art, of nightlife or backpacking, of fast paced or slow travel, Berlin is for you. So, 4 days in Berlin? You’ll see and do more than you thought possible.
Berlin’s neighbourhoods are fast paced and always differing from each other, where you can find unique cafes, lots of night life and good food, everywhere. There’s street art, music, so many museums and sights, and even more hidden gems.
You can go from admiring art one minute, to wandering through one of the memorials the next. Berlin has a dark past, which isn’t easily forgotten when in the city. Monuments, memorials and preserved parts of the Berlin Wall still stand. It’s a sobering and hard at times, but a learning experience like no other. It’s really a city that compares to no other.
If I’m honest, you could easily spend weeks in Berlin. There is so much to see and do, that you really wouldn’t get bored. But, with that being said, if you are one a time schedule, 4 days in Berlin is perfect minimum.
How to Spend 4 Perfect Days in Berlin, Germany
Berlin travel itinerary: Day 1
Highlights: Dinner in an authentic German restaurant and beer garden.
There’s no better way to kick off your time in Berlin than with dinner and drinks at a traditional German Restaurant and beer garden. Zolpackhof is an authentic German restaurant that also has a beer garden that is situated on the River Spree, with fantastic views.
Located just a 5-minute walk from Berlin HBF, it’s a nice walk down and a fantastic and authentic vibe once you get there. Choose from the authentic German menu and then head to the beer garden after for a couple of beers.
Berlin travel itinerary: Day 2:
Highlights: Visit Brandenburg Gate, the Holocaust Memorial, the site of Hitler’s Bunker and The Reichstag Building.
Up and at it early for a big first day of sightseeing for you first full day in the wonderful city of Berlin. First stop is Potsdamer Platz. You can hop on a train or the tram and get off at the Potsdamer Platz stop. An epic centre, this is home to the Sony Centre, a whole lot of shopping and is epitome of a busy city centre.
Just a 10-minute walk from the Sony Centre is the impressive and historical Brandenburg Gate which will tower over you. Snap some shots and have a wander before heading to the site of Hitler’s Bunker. Just a few minutes’ walk from Brandenburg Gate, and marked only by an informative sign is the site of Hitler’s Bunker, and the spot of his death.
Head back towards Brandenburg Gate and stop by at the Memorial to Murdered Jews of Europe. Set on what was previously the death strip of the Berlin Wall, the memorial is a harrowing and powerful site, and really makes you think. If you would like to learn more about the site, you can visit the gallery below the memorial, which is free to enter.
Head back to Brandenburg gate from the Holocaust Memorial and stroll down Unter den Linden, Berlin’s oldest and most stately boulevard. Make sure you stop and turn around as you go, to admire Brandenburg Gate towering behind you. There’s so much history in Berlin and so much to learn, and it can definitely be hard to take it all in without a little prior knowledge. I recommend reading this guide to Berlin for history lovers!
Surely, it’s lunch time, right? Although Unter den Linden is a little more expensive than other areas in Berlin (because it’s full of tourists!), it’s a beautiful and historical place to have lunch so worth the little extra cost. Stop at Café LebensArt, with a huge menu and great views overlooking Unter den Linden and Brandenburg gate, it’s the perfect spot to eat and rest up before the big afternoon ahead of you.
Time to head to the Reichstag Building, just a 500m walk from Unter den Linden where you just had lunch. Another one of Germany’s hugely famous and historical buildings, you can visit the dome and terrace of the building for incredible views, and tour the inside to learn about the history. Make sure to register online in advance to be able to visit.
It’s been a big day of sightseeing, so treat yourself to dinner at Peter Pane, a super cool burger restaurant in Berlin. Choose from the huge menu of burgers, salads and cocktails, and take in the cool vibe and decorations. Located just across the road from Berlin HBF, it’s super easy to get to!
After dinner, head in to Apartment Bar, an amazing bar on the 6thfloor of the Hotel Amano Grand Central. With cosy and cool indoor lounges and seating, as well as a terrace with great views, settle in for some cocktails here for the evening. Make sure to try a shot of the famous Berliner Luff liqueur.
Berlin travel itinerary: Day 3
Highlights: Visit the Museum of Natural History, Berlin Wall Memorial, Checkpoint Charlie and Berlin Cathedral, and see a show at Friedrichstadt-Palast.
Start the day by heading to the Museum of Natural History. Just a 10-minute walk from Berlin HBF station, you can either get the tram to save yourself from walking, or walk to get up your steps. Allow 2 hours to see most of the museum, filled with so much history.
It’s one of the best Natural History Museum’s in the world, and often overlooked by travellers heading to Berlin. A further 5-minute walk from the Museum, you will find the Berlin Wall Memorial. A permanent memorial to the Berlin Wall that is free to enter, located along one of the original parts of the Berlin Wall that is still standing as part of the memorial.
Time to head to Checkpoint Charlie! Hop on the U-bahn at the Naturkundemuseum station and head to U Kochstraß e station, which is a 2-minute walk from Checkpoint Charlie itself.
One of Berlin’s most popular tourist spots, filled with history, you can also opt to visit the Checkpoint Charlie Museum which is located on the corner of the road across from Checkpoint Charlie. Stop for lunch at one of the numerous restaurants or cafes lining the street. There’s everything from pubs, take-away and nice restaurants, so take your pick!
After Lunch, head to Berlin Cathedral, one of Berlin’s most beautiful sights. The quickest way is to hop in a cab or Uber, which will take under 5 minutes. If you are feeling up to it, it’s a 20-minute, beautiful walk to get there. Open daily from 9am-8pm, the entry to the Cathedral is 7 Euros.
In the evening, see a show at Friedrichstadt-Palast Berlin, a fantastic venue for live music and theatre performances. Located in the Mitte district, have early dinner and drinks at Hackendahl nearby, for a good pub feed with great drinks in a cosy environment. The closest train station to Friedrichstadt-Palast is Berlin Friedrichstraße station, which takes about 10 minutes. You can check out shows and dates here.
Berlin travel itinerary: Day 4
Highlights: Visit East Side Gallery, shop at Alexanderplatz and head out to Berghain.
First stop of your last full day in Berlin is East Side Gallery, which means it’s time to get the camera ready! One of Berlin’s most famous and most photographed spots, East Side Gallery features some fantastic street art from artists around the globe, on remaining parts of the Berlin Wall. Prepare to wait for a photo at some of the most famous paintings!
Walk the length of the gallery admiring the art along the way, before stopping for a coffee on the river. This area is widely considered the ‘trendier’ side of Berlin, so wandering the surrounding streets you will find art, boutique style shops and good coffee. For some amazing spots for photos, check out this Berlin photography guide!
Head to Alex Restaurant, across the road from East Side Gallery for lunch. A popular chain restaurant in Germany, Alex Restaurant features a huge menu, ranging from traditional German cuisine to international dishes. Plus, the desserts are superb and the drinks and cocktail menu extensive.
Time for some shopping, because did you really go to Berlin if you didn’t shop? Hop in a cab or grab an uber to head to Alexanderplatz, a trip that will take under 10 minutes. If you want, you can take a bus to Treptower park, although the journey will take significantly longer.
A popular hub for shopping, Alexanderplatz features a huge range of department stores, as well as souvenir shops. You also have Alexa Mall across the road, featuring even more shops. The area is popular for street performers and buskers, and there are often markets and food stalls set up in the main square of Alexanderplatz, making it the perfect spot to spend the afternoon, relaxing in between shopping.
For dinner, take a train to the Hackesche Market station, a trendy and cosy area in Berlin. Head to Restaurant Hackescher Hof for a fancier meal, or head to Revolver Burger down the street if you are feeling a more relaxed vibe. The Hackescher Hof area is known for its courtyards and stunning, colourful buildings, which make the perfect backdrop for a nice meal.
Alright, time to head out. Did you really think this itinerary wouldn’t include a night out? If you are up for it, it’s time to try your luck getting in to Berghain, one of the most famous night clubs in the world. Although chances are you might not get let in, that’s half the fun!
Try your luck by wearing black, keeping quiet in the line and brushing up on a few German phrases. The closest train station to Berghain is Berlin Ostbahnhof, and the trip will take about 10 minutes. From there, it’s a 10-minute walk to Berghain. If you don’t get let in, head to Matrix club, a 15-minute walk across the river, or grab a cab which will take less than 5 minutes.
So, that finishes up this 4 days in Berlin itinerary! There is so much more to see and do, but this itinerary gives you a good, well-rounded look at Berlin as a whole, seeing the important sights and getting a good feel for the culture!
Getting around Berlin:
So, what’s the best way to get around Berlin? Easy, walking and public transport. Berlin itself is quite big, but often some sights are within walking distance of each other.
Otherwise, the public transport in Berlin is brilliant. I recommend staying near Berlin Hauptbanhof (HBF) to make it easy to get to the tram lines, buses, and both the U-bahn and S-bahn train lines.
4 days in Berlin: Where to stay?
Staying central is a must in Berlin, you want to be near public transport options or in walking distance to major sights. The Hotel Amano Grand Central is located across the road from Berlin HBF Station, making it an extremely convenient location. With a bar, restaurant and gym on site, and offering great rooms with breakfast included, it’s the perfect place to stay when in Berlin.
Getting to Berlin
Berlin is one of Germany’s major transport hubs, which means it’s pretty easy to find flights in to Berlin if you are coming from somewhere in Europe or overseas. Find flights on Skyscanner.
Germany also has a great long distance train system, making it easy to get around Germany by train. From Frankfurt it’s a 4 hour train, 5 hours from Cologne, 3 hours from Nuremberg and 4 from Munich, so it’s super easy to add in to your Germany travel itinerary.
Need to Know: Berlin
Monday closures
Many museums and attractions (and even some restaurants) are closed on Mondays in Berlin, so make sure you check opening times and days online in advance.
Money Matters
The official currency in Germany is the Euro. Card is widely accepted, and ATM’s are available just about everywhere. My advice is to carry some cash for street-eats and smaller items, and card for everything else.
You won’t be disappointed in Berlin, trust me. This beautiful city has so much to offer that it’s basically calling for you to visit! Experience the history, the art, the nightlife and the good vibes. The German beer, the good food and the shopping. I promise, you will love it!
Planning a trip? Here are some of my favourite sites and resources that I always use when booking and planning a trip!
- Skyscanner: The best place to search for all the best deals on flights.
- TripAdvisor: We all love reviews! Search hotel, resturant and activity reviews on TripAdvisor.
- Get your guide: The perfect place to book all of your day tours and skip the line tickets!
- Booking.com: The only place to book hotels!
- Tourradar: If group tours are more your thing, Tourradar is the place to go. Search tours from just about every company at the best prices.
Planning a trip to Germany? Make sure you read my other Germany blogs:
Happy travelling,
