Exploring Berlin
For a sprawling, historic metropolis whose charms are widely scattered, Berlin is a surprisingly easy place to navigate. There’s something for every interest and budget, and excellent public transport whisks you from sight to sight with clockwork efficiency. Here are a few ideas to maximize your fun and minimize your planning.
Two Days in Berlin
Day 1
Begin at Alexanderplatz and ascend the Fernsehturm for an unequalled panorama of Berlin. View Babylonian treasures at the Pergamonmuseum.
Stroll along historic Unter den Linden. Admire the iconic Brandenburger Tor and take a guided tour of the Reichstag before enjoying a classical concert at the Philharmonie.
Day 2
Begin with the ruins of the Kaiser-Wilhelm-Gedächtnis-Kirche before exploring stores along Kurfürstendamm and in Kaufhaus des Westens.
After lunch, wander through Schloss Charlottenburg and linger in its Baroque-style gardens. Seek out Savignyplatz for cocktails and an evening bite.
Four Days in Berlin
Day 1
Explore the Reichstag and government district, then take a boat tour through Berlin’s waterways (see Visitor Information). There are piers in the Großer Tiergarten next to the Haus der Kulturen der Welt.
Have lunch at Aigner, and visit pretty Gendarmenmarkt. Promenade on Unter den Linden before admiring the Brandenburger Tor. Catch an evening show at the Friedrichstadt-Palast.
Day 2
Take the lift up to the Fernsehturm observation deck. Peruse the collections of Museumsinsel, particularly the Neues Museum, home to the Nefertiti bust, and the Pergamonmuseum.
Head to Potsdamer Platz for daring modern architecture and the Marlene Dietrich exhibit at the Deutsche Kinamathek. Stroll in the Tiergarten.
Day 3
Start at the Kaiser-Wilhelm-Gedächtnis-Kirche, then choose between the Zoologischer Garten or shopping on Kurfürstendamm.
Marvel at Prussian riches at Schloss Charlottenburg and wander its beautifully landscaped park. Stop by the Gipsformerei Staatliche Museen for gift sculptures. After that, head to Ana e Bruno for an excellent Italian meal.
Day 4
Start the day at the Kulturforum. There are several cultural institutions to be explored in this complex, but a wise use of time is to view the Renaissance masters at the Gemäldegalerie. To enjoy some local specialities for lunch, stop by the last market hall in Berlin, the Marheineke-Markthalle, which is full of vibrant stores.
The splendid town of Potsdam and the stunning gardens in the palace complex of Sanssouci are a short trip away from the city by commuter train.