2 Days in Berlin: Perfect Itinerary for First-Timers

2 days in Berlin is an ideal amount of time to get to know this exciting city. Keep reading for a fun-filled 2 day Berlin Itinerary.

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2 Days in Berlin Itinerary at a Glance

There is a lot to cover in this 2 Day Berlin guide. So, for those who may have limited time to read, here is a taster of the best things to see in Berlin in 2 days.

• Save money with a Berlin Welcome Card
• Book accommodation in Berlin with Booking.com
• Stay connected in Berlin with a local e-sim 
• Explore Berlin on a best-selling tour.
• Don’t forget travel insurance.

Day 1 in Berlin

• Brandenburg Gate
• Tiergarten
• Victory Column
• Jewish Memorial
• Topography of Terr0r
• Reichstag Building
• Gendarmanmarkt

Day 2 in Berlin

• Eastside Gallery
• Viktoria Park
• Tempelhofer Feld
• Museum Island
• Alexander Platz
• Berlin Nightlife

Two Day Berlin Itinerary

Now we are going to jump into suggested 2-Day itinerary for Berlin. This itinerary will ensure you cover all of the best touristic and historical sights in the city.

Remember, we have another guide covering ‘Alternative Berlin’. Be sure to check out both and mix and match where you see fit.

Day 1 in Berlin – Monuments, Museums & Markets

Good morning from Berlin! Rise and shine early to make the most of your day in this huge city. If you’re hungry, you will find plenty of eateries and coffee shops along the way!

Brandenburg Gate

Brandenburg Gate is one of the most famous landmarks in Germany, so it makes sense to kick off your first day here. Historically, the gate was built in the late 1700s and would later come to symbolise Berlin’s Cold War division into East and West.

After the wall fell, Brandenburg became the cities single surviving historical gate. Today it stands as a national symbol of peace and unity. Allow: 30 mins/Entrance: Free 

Tiergarten

Berlin’s Tiergarten is what Hyde Park is to London, and Central Park is to New York. The sprawling grounds cover almost 519 acres, boasting various walking trails, lawns, gardens, and forests. You can also find beer gardens, cafes, memorials, and even a zoo!

In the Summer months, the gardens are especially atmospheric, but it’s worth a visit in all of the seasons. Allow: 1-2 hours/Entrance: Free 

Victory Column 

The Victory Column, otherwise known as the Siegessäule, is one of the must-see sights when visiting Berlin. Like many of the landmarks in Germany, the Victory Column has stood the test of time through the cities turbulent history.

To climb to the top of the column costs only a few euros. The view over the Tiergarten is pretty awesome.  Allow: 1 hour/Entrance: €3

Memorial to the Murd*red Jews of Europe

Despite being one of the more distressing tourist spots in Berlin, the outdoor Memorial for the Murd*red Jews of Europe is a must-visit during your time in the city.

The memorial is a place of remembrance. Not only for those who lost their lives but for the harrowing regimes imposed by the N@zis. The architect placed 2711 concrete slabs of different sizes over an area of 19,000 sqm to create a disorienting and uncertain experience for visitors. 

Please be respectful and avoid taking selfies or Instagram photos here. There are plenty of photography spots in Berlin, but this isn’t one of them. Allow: 30mins/Entrance: Free 

Topography of Terr0r

Another sombre yet essential thing to do in Berlin, the Topography of Terr0r Museum aims to provide a detailed account of how the events of WWII unfolded. It is also no accident that the museum sits on the same site where between 1933 and 1945 the headquarters of the Gestapo conducted war business.

The permanent exhibition is a combination of remains, photos, documents, and information boards, documenting the N@zis rise to power, their crimes throughout the war, and finally their downfall. Allow: 1-2 hours/Entrance: Free 

Checkpoint Charlie

Next up on the historical trail is Checkpoint Charlie. This popular landmark serves as a reminder of the old crossings between East and West Germany. The checkpoint booth and barrier, the soldiers holding flags, and the sandbags are all based on the original site.

It’s quite impressive, and you can almost picture the scene all those years ago. In recent years, the checkpoint has been the setting for several Hollywood films, including James Bond Octopussy. Allow: 10 minutes/Entrance: Free

Reichstag Building

Today, the Reichstag is home to the German Parliament. However, since its completion in 1894, the breathtaking structure has survived quite a colourful history.    

To go inside the Reichstag, you must first complete the online registration form ahead of your visit. You can take a quick look around by yourself, or take part in a detailed tour. Both are possible and free of charge, but only with an advanced booking. Allow: 1-2 hours/Entrance: Free

Gendarmenmarkt

If you’re at all interested in architecture, you will want to stop by Gendarmenmarkt at some point during your 2 days in Berlin. The famous square boasts various awe-inspiring buildings, including the concert house and the French & German cathedrals. 

Depending on when you visit, there is often an event taking place at Gendarmenmarkt. For us, it was the magical Christmas markets, and in the Summer there are several open-air concerts.

When visiting Gendarmenmarkt, we insist you pop your head into ‘Rausch Schokoladenhaus’ across the road. They have all kinds of impressive statues made from chocolate, and also free tasters.

Day 2 in Berlin – Street Art, Parks & Museum Island

Hopefully, you’re not too tired from yesterday’s antics as we are set to have another busy day. 

There’s more ground to cover so you’ll likely be needing local transport, which is where your Berlin Welcome card will come in handy to cut down on costs.

East Side Gallery

After breakfast, you’ll take the bus or train to Warschauer Strasse. It is the perfect starting point for your walk alongside the East Side Gallery. What once served as a divide between East & West Berlin, is now one of the most extensive open-air galleries in the world. 

It’s quite surreal walking alongside the wall, imagining what it would be like to live in a divided city. To see the wall transformed into an outlet of creative expression is truly astonishing.

Since its opening in 1990, much of the artwork has become globally famous, with many of the murals portraying incredibly powerful and inspiring messages. Allow: 1-2 hours/Entrance: Free 

Viktoria Park

Located in the hipster district of Kreuzberg, Viktoria Park is one of the most picturesque parks in Berlin. After experiencing some intense emotions at the wall, it’s an ideal spot to walk and reflect.

You won’t be alone here. It’s a popular spot among locals and tourists alike. But, if you climb to the top of the hill, you’ll get an awesome view of the city.

During the Summer months you can also enjoy a beautiful waterfall feature. Allow: 1 hour/Entrance: Free 

Tempelhofer Feld

Next, I suggest grabbing a takeaway lunch and heading to Tempelhofer Feld for a picnic. The former military airport closed down in 2008 and has since reopened to the public as a recreation area.

The park has a distinctively cool vibe and is probably one of our favourite spots to hang out in Berlin. 

The old runways and airport buildings are still there, as well as a 6-kilometre cycling and running track, a huge BBQ area, a dog-walking field, and a large picnic area. Allow: 1 hour/Entrance: Free 

Museum Island

After you’ve relaxed a little at Tempelhof, you’re going to make your way back to the Mitte Area to explore Museum Island. Out of the 200 or so museums in the city, the most significant are located on Museum Island, which is pretty handy when you have just 2 days in Berlin.

Even if you’re not a museum persons, it’s still worth checking out Museum Island. The complex boasts some of the cities most amazing architecture and is declared a UNESCO world heritage site. To help you decide which of the museums to visit, I’ve included a short description of each in the image below. 

Once you’ve finished at the museums, take a minute to admire the beautiful Berlin Cathedral also located on the island.

Top Tip – If you are going to visit more than one museum, it’s worth investing in a Museum Island day pass. It’s a great deal at €19 and will not only save you money but time queuing as well. 

Alexander Platz

To round off your second day in Berlin, make your way to Alexander Platz, Berlin’s most famous square. There’s nothing too special about the square itself; however, you could go up to the TV tower for dinner with a sunset view.

You can buy Skip The Line tickets here for the TV tower, so you don’t have to queue. Afterwards, you could experience the infamous Berlin nightlife! 

There are hundreds of establishments offering their own unique programme, from cocktail bars and nightclubs, to live music and epic rooftop bars.

2 Days in Berlin Travel Guide – FAQs

Where to Stay in Berlin

Where you stay in Berlin will depend heavily on your budget and interests. Here is a guide to the best places to stay in Berlin to help you get started.

If you plan to do lots of sightseeing in Berlin, you should consider staying in Mitte. Many of the top tourist attractions are in this area, and there are plenty of affordable options. Check rates and availability.

If you are in Berlin to party the night away, you will want to stay in Friedrichshain. Here you’ll find the creative side of Berlin alongside all the top techno clubs. Check rates and availability.

To be in the heart of Berlin’s LGBT+ scene, you need to stay in vibrant Schoneberg. Check rates and availability.

For a calmer alternative vibe, you are sure to love Kreuzberg with its hipster cafes, trendy nightlife and beautiful parks.  Check rates and availability.

Alternatively, you can compare hotels in Berlin here. Or use the Map below to see all your options:

Booking.com

Is 2 Days in Berlin Enough?

It’s important to remember when planning your trip that tourists visit Berlin for several different reasons. Where the city may lack in cosmetics, it makes up for in culture, art, nightlife and adventure. Not to mention Berlin is a mecca for history lovers.

It’s impossible to experience all of Berlin in 2 days, so we encourage you to plan your itinerary wisely, taking into consideration what you want from your trip.  

This itinerary is perfect if it’s your first time in the city and you want to explore all of the highlights. It includes all the famous sightseeing spots, the best restaurants and nightlife haunts, and all of our top tips for exploring the city.

On the other hand, if you’ve visited Berlin in the past or would prefer to explore Berlin’s quirkier side, I suggest checking out our guide for alternative Berlin instead.

How to Get Around in Berlin

First and foremost, we strongly encourage you to get a Berlin Card. The card not only includes unlimited access to Berlin’s public transport network, but you’ll also get discounts at over 200 of the cities attractions.

We travelled extensively around the city, and the Berlin WelcomeCard saved us a ton of money. We also enjoyed this hop-on, hop-off sightseeing tour. Now, the four major transport networks are the U-Bahn (underground trains), S-Bahn (overground trains), buses, and trams.

The extensive network covers every corner of the city, so no matter where you want to go, you can always rely on public transport. If you prefer to avoid public transport, taxis are easy to come by at taxi stands, train stations, and the airport. Uber is also in operation.

Best Time to Visit Berlin

Berlin is worth visiting at all times of the year. It’s vibrant during the summer with lots going on, but to avoid the crowds, I recommend going in the shoulder season (April through May and September through October).

Berlin is also one of my favourite European Christmas destinations, with over a hundred Christmas markets dotted around the city.

Day Trips From Berlin

With only 2 days in Berlin, you might struggle to squeeze in any day trips. However, if you have time, these incredible sites are worth visiting.

• Sachsenhausen Memorial Full-Day Walking Tour
• Potsdam City & Castles Tour
• From Berlin: Guided Day Trip to Dresden

Enjoy your 2 Days in Berlin!

Well, that concludes our recommendations for spending two days in Berlin. What are you looking forward to seeing most? Let us know! We love hearing from you. You can reach out to us in the comment section below.

Stay adventurous and happy travels. 

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