If you are planning your new 4 day trip to Berlin and you still don’t know where to start, don’t worry, we have prepared this guide with the best places to see in Berlin in 4 days.
Berlin can be a destination of charm, this city besides modern, has a fascinating history, and a cultural diversity that catches anyone. Discover its most important monuments, relax in its extensive green areas, and enjoy its nightlife.
Undoubtedly, with this itinerary you will already have a more specific guide of what will be your tour of this wonderful city.
At a glance:
- The best time to travel: You can travel at any time of the year, but it would be best to do it during spring and summer, the weather is warmer, and the days are longer, so you can make great tours.
- You can also do it during the month of October, but here the cold can be more intense. The good thing is that from October to December, the influx of people is lower.
- How many days are necessary: We suggest to spend at least three full days in the city of Berlin, to see the main attractions and historical monuments. But if you come with time, perfect, because you will be able to visit the whole city.
- Plan ahead: Planning is the basis for a successful trip, so make a travel guide, and if possible, buy tickets earlier to avoid lines.
Related: What to do in Berlin
Day 1
Brandenburg Gate
One of the most emblematic monuments to see in Berlin, which is in the epicenter of the city, is the Brandenburg Gate. To get there, you must walk along the Unter den Linden avenue, until you reach the Brandenburg Gate.
In the tour you will also find interesting sites such as: the New Guard building, and the Bebelplatz square.
This was inaugurated in 1971, and was consolidated as the symbol of the triumph of peace over weapons. Its construction is 26 meters high, and its style preserves the neoclassical art that makes its structure more interesting.
The gate has five entrances, separated by Doric columns on each side. History tells that since its construction, until 1918, the central doorway could only be used by royalty.
Undoubtedly, this is the first stop for those visiting Berlin. This is a gate inspired by the propylaea of the Acropolis of Athens, and its sandstone construction denotes one of the most beautiful examples of classical German art.
Pariser Platz
A few meters from the Brandenburg Gate, we find the Pariser Platz, of course, we bring it to the list, because it is one of the most beautiful squares to see in Berlin.
Until 1814 the square was known by the name of Viereck, but after the fall of the Napoleonic troops, it was renamed Pariser Platz. In recent years, the buildings around the square were destroyed, and only the Brandenburg Gate remained standing.
Berlin Holocaust Memorial
A few meters from the square, and the Brandenburg Gate, walking south, we find the Berlin Holocaust Memorial.
It is one of the historical monuments to see in Berlin, this pays tribute to the more than 6 million Jews who lost their lives thanks to the atrocities of Nazism.
The monument was inaugurated in 2005, but this project began in 1999, after long debates that took place in the German parliament, in order to create a monument to commemorate the murdered Jews. The work of design and construction was in the hands of the New York architect, Peter Eisenman.
It is a building of 2,711 concrete blocks that are placed at different heights; inclined at different angles, to give the perception of a monument.
On the tour, you will have at your disposal an information center that will expand the political history of the extermination that took place between 1933 and 1945.
Undoubtedly, one of the most interesting rooms are those that show the walls covered with the names and years of birth and death of the victims.
Admission is free, but guided tours for schools or organizations cost 40 euros.
Reichstag (German Parliament)
Another of the essential buildings to see in Berlin is the parliament, called Reichstag.
It is a historic building, with a classic temple design, which is embellished by a large modern dome through which you can walk, is one of the sites of interest throughout the country.
It is considered an original building, designed by Paul Wallot, which was built between 1884 and 1894.
In the guided tour, you can go up in an elevator to the dome of the parliament, and reach the plenary room.
Undoubtedly, the most emblematic element of this building is the glass dome, this was redesigned by the architect Norman Foster, and its purpose was to show the people, the center of parliamentary democracy, which are carried with clarity.
CheckPoint Charlie
One of the historical places to see in Berlin is CheckPoint Charlie, a faithful representation of the old border that separated the two Germanies. It was crossed by allies, military and foreigners who wanted to go from East Germany (dominated by the Soviet Union) to West Germany, ruled by the powers of the United States, France and the United Kingdom.
It is undoubtedly one of the most photographed places in the city as it gives an idea of what life was like during the Cold War. So much so that you can see a copy of the sign that was in those days, which marked the end of the American territory. On the other hand, it has a guardhouse that is usually occupied by actors dressed as soldiers of the time.
Potsdamer Platz
Although in the past it was a major crossroads of streetcar lines, buses, shops and hotels, today it houses some remains of old buildings and opens the way to the Sony Center, with numerous stores, cafes, apartments, restaurants, offices, etc.. showing the modern architecture of the area.
It is one of the busiest squares in the city and one of the recommended things to see in Berlin. During the winter it offers a light show in which Christmas snacks are given away and shows dedicated to the little ones of the house are carried out. It is also home to the Berlin Film Festival.
Berlin Mauer
Although it is possible to observe remains and blocks belonging to the Berlin Wall around the city, a few meters from the Potsdamer Platz area there are several open-air exhibitions of some blocks that remained intact. If you continue walking where the old wall used to run, you can learn more about its history at the Berlin Wall Memorial and the Berlin Wall Documentation Center. Admission is completely free and you can take advantage of your visit to enter the Chapel of Reconciliation.
Tiergarten
If you still have energy and the weather permits, you can finish your first day with a walk in the gardens of one of the largest and most beautiful green spaces to see in Berlin, the Tiergarten. In its vicinity you can see several representative monuments of Berlin, such as the Victory Column. The park is gigantic and is the meeting point for locals and tourists.
Day 2
Berlin Wall
The Berlin Wall has a unique history, as it was the wall that divided the city for 28 years.
From August 13, 1961 to November 9, 1989, the Berlin Wall divided the city between East and West. Today, you can still find the memorial remains of this wall, marked by the streets of Berlin, with a double row of cobblestones.
It is very interesting to make the tour of the entire wall through the service of bicycles with helmets, which move the person through a guided tour. The tour will take you to see the remains of the inner wall, and the areas that have been declared as historical heritage.
Berlin TV Tower
Another of the unique sites to see in Berlin is the TV Tower. It is the tallest building in Germany, and of course the one that offers the best views of the city of Berlin.
Its construction began in the 60s, and its 368 meters high, allows us to have a 360º panoramic view of the entire city.
As a curious fact, we can not fail to mention that this glass tower reflects a cross in the center of the sphere, once the sun appears. This phenomenon made westerners call it “the pope’s revenge”, discarding all the communist propaganda.
The price of admission to this monument is 22, 50 euros.
Berlin Cathedral
On your second day in the city, you can not miss a walk through the cathedral. This is a building dominated by its monumental dome, which is in turn flanked by four towers, and crowned by a dome with a lantern with a golden cross.
Erected between 1894 and 1905, this is considered the most representative building of the city, and it highlights the great influence of the Italian Renaissance, embellished through baroque art.
And not only will you be impressed with its infrastructure, but once inside you will discover beautiful mosaics that mix different styles and eras. In addition to the statues, which decorate the interior of the church.
If you are going on a guided tour of the cathedral, make the climb up to the dome, no doubt, you will find beautiful views at the end of the 270 steps. The Berlin Cathedral should be on your itinerary of must-see places to visit in Berlin.
Alexanderplatz
Another of the iconic places to see in Berlin is Alexanderplatz, the largest and best known square in the city of Berlin. Around it is the television tower, and the clock tower.
The square maintains its style of the 70’s, although it was destroyed in World War II, the pedestrian area remains, where Berliners walk around the lanes.
The square was abandoned for three decades. One of the most important events that took place there were the protests of November 4, 1989. On that day, people demonstrated against the communist government.
Former National Gallery of Berlin
And if you still have time, on your second day of visit, we recommend a walk through the old neoclassical building, which was the headquarters of the Old National Gallery, where you can still see some realistic paintings and sculptures of the nineteenth century.
The museum contemplates among its collections, beautiful works of art that highlight the historical events during the period of the French Revolution and the Second World War.
Note that not only the paintings are the only thing you can admire in this building, because from its facade you will be impressed by the style of ancient temple, combined with Prussian classicism.
For art lovers, this is an essential stop. And the entrance fee is about 10 euros, adults.
Topography of Terror
For those who wish to learn more about the horrors of Nazism, this is an essential stop. It is a documentation center, where you can see photos and documents that will help you see what this dark period was like for Germany.
Besides that, you should know that this building during the year 1933 became the headquarters of the Gestapo, the secret police of the State, which acted against all those who opposed Hitler’s regime. Tortures and crimes were carried out in the cellars of this baroque style building.
Gendarmenmarkt
Gendarmenmarkt is one of the most emblematic squares to see in Berlin. In this square are installed the twin cathedrals; one of them is the German Cathedral which, by the way, was built in the early 1700s and restored after the war. And on the other side stands the French Cathedral, erected in the same period.
You can also see the Berlin Concert Hall building. In winter, the square is transformed into one of the most famous Christmas markets in the metropolis.
Unter den Linden
It is one of the most valuable streets of the city. It contains the most important buildings, monuments and squares of the city. The street begins at the Brandenburg Gate and continues to the famous Alexander Platz. The Bebelplatz square, the Humboldt University building and St. Hedwig’s Cathedral are located here.
Lustgarten
In this garden square is located the Old Museum of Berlin. The center of it is composed of a large granite bowl and on one side is exposed the Berliner Dom.
Berliner Dom or Berlin Cathedral
It is the best known evangelical building in the city. The religious temple allows to climb to its dome and contemplate beautiful views of the center of the city. Inside are located more than 80 crypts with the remains of the imperial family, several chapels and a museum.
World Clock
One of the peculiar places to see in Berlin is the World Clock. Built in 1969, this unique clock shows the 24 time zones with the main cities in each one. This allows to know the real time of each zone of the planet. It has a height of 10 meters and in its upper part there is a miniature of the solar system, which rotates every minute.
East Side Gallery
Arguably the most visually striking part of the German community. For 1.3 kilometers you will see graffiti of all sizes and colors by artists from all over the world. They came together to express all kinds of sanctions after the fall of the wall, which were forever captured in an open-air art gallery.
Oberbaumbrucke Bridge
One of the most recommended bridges to see in Berlin is the Oberbaumbrucke bridge, is located at the end of East Side Gallery. It is a beautiful and unmistakable bridge where you can take pictures or contemplate the view while relaxing on the banks of the river Spree.
Day 3
Charlottenburg Palace
One of the recommended palaces to see in Berlin is the Charlottenburg Palace. A rocky style building that can attract hundreds of looks, surprisingly.
Mainly, this palace was built as a place or “summer house” of Sophia Charlotte, the second wife of Frederick III. Its walls began to rise between 1695, and in 1699 the work was already completed.
Undoubtedly, there is much to see inside this palace. You should cancel a guided tour and admire the beautiful baroque rooms, a large collection of objects and porcelain ornaments, and learn how the royal chambers were designed.
For some, the most attractive feature of the palace is its extensive and well-kept gardens, which were designed under the French and Baroque concept of arts, and reformed in 1788 in the English style. The last finishes in its landscaping were made in 2001, and it was incorporated in a more visible way, the baroque art.
Finally, this palace also has a collection of 18th century French paintings and a collection of gold, silver, crystal and porcelain tableware.
Berggruen Museum
The next visit should be to the Berggruen Museum, which has a large collection of paintings by Picasso. There are at least 100 works that you can contemplate, ranging from 1897 to 1972, and in them you can appreciate the evolution of the master, and the variations of styles.
Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church
Many of the monuments of Berlin have a strong connection with what was the Second World War, in that sense, we can not fail to mention that during the bombers that hit the city, this temple was quite damaged.
However, it was decided to create a commemorative monument in a temple designed under the neo-Romanesque concept.
The charm of this temple can be perceived through its appearance of a ruined castle, it makes people remember the absurdity of war, which destroys places and architectural treasures, and kills people.
Victory Column
Another of the historical monuments to see in Berlin is the Victory Column. This column was erected to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the victory of Prussia against the troops of the Austrian Empire.
There are about 300 steps to climb to reach the viewpoint, and from there you can fall in love with one of the most beautiful views of the city.
Berlin Museums
The city has more than 200 museums. You can explore several of them in one day if you haven’t had the opportunity to do so before. You are sure to find one for every taste and budget. The highlights are: Jewish Museum, Topography of Terror, Bauhaus Archives Design Museum and The Berlin Wall Memorial.
Museum Island
Another interesting place to see in Berlin is the Museum Island. It is a small island where you can visit different museums that you can visit in Berlin depending on your interests, ideals and tastes.
The most popular are usually the Pergamon Museum (where you can find some works from Greece, Rome and ancient Babylon), the New Museum (houses a collection of several important pieces of art that the Nazis stole from Europe), the Old Museum (contains a collection of antiquities from Prussia, when it belonged to the German Empire), the Old National Gallery (with the collection of German art of the nineteenth century) and finally, the Bode Museum (specializing in Byzantine art).
Charlotenburg Palace
One of the most beautiful palaces to see in Berlin is the Charlotenburg Palace, the old royal residence of the Hohenzollerns. Today it is the largest palace in the city and inside it is possible to visit some of its rooms that house different objects rescued from the war. One of its most impressive sites are its exemplary outdoor gardens.
Berlin Parks
If you travel to Berlin in the warmer months, it is recommended to enjoy fun outdoor activities. Above all, you will need to be encouraged to spend the day touring the most beautiful parks in the metropolis, these are: MauerPark, Treptower Park, Tempelhofer Feld and ViktoriaPark.
Day 4
Sachsenhausen concentration camp
This was one of the most important concentration camps of Nazi Germany. From 1936 until the end of the war, some 200,000 people were isolated in this camp.
The ideal is to visit it through a guided tour, only then you will know the history that you will be told in each of the facilities; there is no doubt that the journey will bring a few tears, or give you a shiver, just thinking about the barbarities that could be known in this enclosure.
You will be able to see the buildings and cells where all kinds of tortures were carried out, and the medical barricades where all kinds of experiments were performed.
The Sachsenhausen concentration camp is a historic place that should be on your list of places to see in Berlin.
Olympic Stadium
Not only can be considered as an attraction for soccer lovers, but this magnificent stadium has wonderful facilities, which have made it the scene of many sporting events.
As you will see, these are the main visits you should make if you come to Berlin for 4 days; and before organizing your trip, take into account the following recommendations.