Let’s start with a disclaimer: 3 days in Berlin is not enough! It’s one of Europe’s most sprawling capitals (thanks to gentrification) and its cultural, political and architectural wealth is unquestionable.
If you’re only in town for a long weekend, here are the places we recommend you visit.
Anyway — On Day 1, Discover Checkpoint Charlie, the city’s most famous border crossing.
Visit Museum Island, in the centre of the River Spree. Our favourites? The Pergamon and the Altes.
Finish off at the Reichstag, which you can visit from the inside (it’s fascinating).
The adventurous ones will go and see the Brandenburg Gate, the symbol of German reunification… If you don’t like crowds, don’t bother.
Head to Friedrichshain to see the East Side Gallery, the RAW Tempel and discover the Berlin Wall and its mythical tags.
Have a drink at Holzmarkt 25 on the banks of the Spree, an alternative café with a relaxed, 100% Berlin atmosphere. Would you prefer a real beer garden? Then head to Princessinengarten (Princesses’ Garden), where you can also try homemade pizza made with vegetables from the garden.
If you come from Tuesday to Friday, finish off with a visit to the Turkish market, nearby. Atmosphere guaranteed!
There’s plenty to keep you busy in central Berlin.
Alexanderplatz is the most famous. The Fernsehturm, the famous 368-metre-high television tower, offers a breathtaking view of the city.
Not far away, explore the inner courtyards: Hackesche Höfe, 8 inner courtyards in a row with Art Nouveau facades where you will discover numerous shops and restaurants. In a completely different style, Haus Schwarzenberg is a much more arty and underground courtyard. Artists’ studios, street art, experimental cinemas, cafés and bars give you a glimpse of the city’s throbbing contemporary art scene.
In the afternoon, explore the flea markets. Just around the corner, the Bode Museum flea market, or further afield but more typical, the Mauerpark one, which has an excellent reputation.
If you prefer to explore Berlin’s many parks, start with the emblematic and immense Tiergarten.
Bratislava, Slovakia
This southern town in Slovakia has an air of enchantment about it, with its cute little streets and the many castles on the surrounding hills.
Brussels, Belgium
A short tour of what the French writer Baudelaire called the “Capital of Laughter”, also a hotbed of politics, culture and beer.
Odense, Denmark
Visit the charming Danish town where the fairytale writer Andersen was born, with its character-filled alleyways and strong cycling culture.
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Discover this Venice of the North, with its thousand canals, delicious waffles, multicoloured spring flowers and all kinds of unusual activities.
Zürich, Switzerland
A city where the lake gives the impression of nature everywhere, and where the gastronomy and museums will never disappoint.
Jan
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Worst season
Best season
bridges and more canals than in Venice
million currywursts eaten every year
Berlin, the greatest cultural extravaganza that one could ever imagine. ”
David Bowie
Cities connected
by night trains
Night train lines
serving Berlin