Berlin is a capital of reinvention, with the Brandenburg Gate, Berlin Wall memorials, Museum Island, vibrant neighborhoods and an unmatched club scene. Affordable by Western European standards; summer is lively.
Good to know
- Buy a day or 7-day transport pass; the S-Bahn, U-Bahn and trams cover the city.
- Club queues and rules are strict; dress casual and dark.
- Many museums are closed on Mondays.
Eat this
Places the planner can use
Mark places as a must or something to skip. The itinerary is built only from this list; ★ marks the destination’s highlights.
Germany's symbol and the glass dome atop the parliament (book free in advance).
Five museums including the Pergamon, Neues and Altes; pick one or two.
2,711 concrete slabs and an underground information center.
Cold War crossing point and an exhibition on the Gestapo site.
Turkish markets, street art and bars in Berlin's most multicultural neighborhood; try a doner and walk along the canal.
A Berlin classic: sliced sausage with curry ketchup, best at a stand such as Curry 36 near Mehringdamm.
A kilometer-long stretch of the Berlin Wall covered with murals by artists from around the world, including the famous Fraternal Kiss.
World-famous techno clubs; arrive late and keep expectations flexible.
Preserved stretch of wall, watchtower and documentation center.
Former airport turned giant public park where locals bike, skate and picnic on the old runways.
Day trip to Potsdam to see Sanssouci Palace, the Prussian kings' summer residence, and its gardens, 40 minutes away.