Berlin Itinerary : 2 Days in Berlin, Germany

Berlin is such a vibrant city – I found it a bit like London in its diversity. You really need at least 4 days in Berlin to explore properly; but if you’re only passing through, this Berlin Itinerary will help you make the most of your 1 or 2 days in the city.

I have split the itinerary up into a 24 hour guide, plus an additional day for if you have a full 2 days in Berlin. My hope is that these quick guides will help you hone in on activities that you can group together and highlights of this amazing city.

Berlin Itinerary : 2 Days

One Day in Berlin : 24 Hour Guide

12 Midday – Currywurst Lunch

Eat a currywurst.  It doesn’t really matter where or how, there are a million* currywurst vans around Berlin.  This dish is made up of a grilled bratwurst served with an odd but delicious curry ketchup!

(* this may be an overstatement)

1pm – Berlin Wall Memorial

Visit the Berlin Wall Memorial (Bernauer Straße). This amazing exhibition tells the personal stories of those who lived through the era of the Berlin Wall, it includes the history of its making and to when it fell.  From the roof viewing platform you can look down onto a preserved section of the wall – a sad and brutally stark reminder of the tumultuous history of the city.

Check out my other 24 hour guides: 1 day in Amsterdam & 24 hours in Paris

3pm – TV TOwer

You’ll likely feel very heavy-hearted after this visit, so you’ll need some distraction and fun!  It’s time to take a stroll over to Berliner Fernsehturm (Panoramastraße). This 1960s TV tower is a lovely part of the Berlin skyline – you can also go up it to a viewing platform or the revolving restaurant, for great views of the city.

4pm – Museum Island

Visit one of the museums on Museum Island. There are 6 to choose from, so you can pick the one that appeals to you the most, or get a 1 day pass to go to all of them (if you’re up for a challenge)!

Or a River Cruise

If you don’t have the concentration to visit a museum, how about hopping on a river cruise along the Spree instead?  There are a number of operators along near Museum Island, most have bars on board, and allow you a good view of the city if you don’t have enough time to explore each area independently.

6pm – Aperitifs

Take a walk west on the north bank of the Spree river. Take in a drink at either the Strandbar Mitte in Monbijoupark, with it’s fabulous outdoor dance floor; or further along, at Meisterschueler (Friedrichstraße) for a tasty mint julep at a trendy gallery / bar.

8pm – Schiffbauerdamm

Continue to walk west until you reach Schiffbauerdamm, where restaurants spill out onto the street and you can sit under canopies by the Spree supping on fine beers and eating delicious prix fixe menus.  Eat dinner like royalty – stat!

10pm – Cocktails

If you get sick of Schiffbauerdamm, which I doubt you will, you can head over the river to Windhorst (Dorotheenstraße). This bar serves great cocktails in a laid back atmosphere with tunes played on vinyl.

*** Fall into bed at an undisclosed hour ***

9am – Breakfast at a German pub

Get yourself to the fabulous Gasthaus Krombach (Meinekestraße 4) off Kurfürstendamm, for breakfast.  This classic German pub does incredible beers and schnitzel in the evenings, but fab coffee and breakfasts in the morning too (I recommend both).

10am – Bauhaus

You can’t visit Berlin without paying homage to the nineteenth century design movement Bauhaus, started by Walter Gropius in 1919.  Head to the Bauhaus Design Museum (Klingelhöferstraße 14) to see the amazing collection and how this school of architecture, design and art has influenced common household items.

11am – Brandenburg Gate

Jump on the U train to Brandenburg Gate. Stand beneath it looking down Straße des 17. Juni, a street of exceptional symmetry and aesthetic pleasure. Appreciate the momentous moments that were celebrated here, and the symbol of peace it now is.

12 Midday – the Reichstag

Grab yourself another currywurst and wander round the Reichstag building. If you have time, head in and climb the modern dome at the top of this amazing building.

Then weep at the fact that 24 hours clearly isn’t long enough in the amazing city of Berlin!

2 Days in Berlin

If you have a second day in Berlin, choose a second museum on Museum Island, visit Checkpoint Charlie, and explore huge squares of Berlin. Take in some shopping in Ku’Damm, and get yourself some schnitzel too. Germany is full of wonderfully filling food, so visit in spring, when the crowds are less and the food will warm you up!

Short city breaks are one of my favourite ways to travel – if you need help planning your next adventure, please get in touch!

All photos © Hannah Henderson and may not be used without permission (sharing this blog post is fine, though!).  Images shot with a Canon DSLR T31 Rebel + Canon EF Lens 50mm 1:1.8 STM; and an iPhone6s.

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