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Are you planning a visit to one of the most famous cities in the world? Berlin is a city of life, culture, and an unending supply of activities. A 5 day Berlin Itinerary is a perfect length of time to get the most of your visit.
If you’ve never been to Berlin, consider reading Where to Stay in Berlin for First Timers to learn more details on neighborhoods, logistics, and overall more details on Berlin!
Traveling to Berlin
By airport
The Berlin airport is officially named Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER.) There are direct flights from the United States to the Berlin airport daily, and land very early local time to give you a full first day.
Daily flight options direct from the United States:
- Year-round, daily flights from New Jersey (Newark) to Berlin departing at 5:15pm and arrives 7:15am local time
- Daily flights during the summer from New York (JFK) to Berlin departing at 5:20pm ET and arrives 7:25am local time
- Daily flights during the summer from Washington D.C. (IAD) to Berlin departing at 5:45pm ET and arrives 8:20am local time
By train
If Berlin is one of the stops along your trip, you’re in luck. The railway system in Europe is incredibly connected and fast. Berlin is easily accessible from other European cities within a decent amount of time
Distance on train from other European cities:
- From Munich: ~ 4 to 4.5 hours
- From Prague: ~ 4.5 hours
- From Amsterdam: ~ 6 to 6.5 hours
Where to stay for a 5 day Berlin itinerary
Even if you’re spending five days in Berlin, your days will still be busy to make sure you see everything you want to see. For this reason, I suggest staying in Berlin Mitte at Apartments Brandenburger Tor. Mitte is close to the main station for any day trips, it’s walking distance to a lot of sites worth seeing on your visit, and overall this is a neighborhood that I enjoyed living in.
Other helpful tips for Berlin:
Transportation: Get a 5-day Berlin WelcomeCard (includes discounts + unlimited transit).
Language: Most locals speak English, but a few German phrases help.
Tipping: Round up or 5–10% at restaurants.
Cash: Many places still don’t accept cards. It became more accepted after COVID, but consider carrying cash.
Day One: Historic Core & Brandenburg Gate
Once you get to Berlin, check into your hotel in the Mitte neighborhood. This is the perfect location to stay, and you’ll now spend your day exploring the area you’re staying in.
Morning around Brandenburg Gate
Begin your day by heading over to the Brandenburg Gate (Brandenburger Tor.) The iconic landmark is the ideal way to kick off your visit to Berlin. From the Gate, you can either spend time at the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe, or make your reservation time for the dome in the Reichstag building!
From here, it’s a short walk to the Tiergarten. If you’re up for it, rent a bike to see more of the park. For Berliners, the Tiergarten is comparable to New York’s Central Park or London’s Hyde Park. The Tiergarten used to be the royal family’s hunting grounds. Today, it’s used for runners, cyclists, and Berliners who want to soak in the sun. Be sure to make it to the Victory Column (Siegessäule) – the view of the city at the top of the column is something to see.
By now, you’ve probably worked up an appetite. Luckily, there are options in the Tiergarten. Stop by the Café am neuen See. The beer garden here is open the majority of the year, and the beer garden is a typical German tradition that’s perfect for your first day in Berlin. If you’re curious about the menu or concerned about food allergies, you can check out the menu here.
Afternoon museum
Return your bike rentals and head over to Museum Island (Museuminsel.) This is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in the center of Berlin. Here, you’ll find five world class museums: The Pergamon Museum, Neus Museum, Altes Museum, Bode Museum, and Alte Nationalgalerie.
Personally, I would opt for the Jewish Museum Berlin (Judisches Museum) or the DDR Museum. I feel that these museums pertain to more of Berlin’s significance. While the museums located at Museum Island are world class, some of the artifacts within the museums don’t really surround German history. Whichever museum you decide, they are all truly incredible!
If you still have time in your day, head over to the Gendarmenmarkt. Gendarmenmarkt is a historic Berlin square where you’ll find near identical cathedrals on either side of the Concert Hall (Konzerthaus.) In the wintertime, this is where you’ll find one of Berlin’s Christmas markets. Year round, you can enter Ritter Sport. This Chocolate factory has a workshop where you can make your own bars and become a Chocolate Maker!
Dinner and evening stroll
Now, German food isn’t everyone’s go to – but I love it. Since German food was for lunch, I’m going to suggest different cuisines nearby Ritter Sport and Gendarmenmarkt:
- Italian: Go for Da Vinci, a favorite among locals.
- Tex-Mex: Tex Max Cantina is next door to Da Vinci and another local favorite.
- Rooftop views: Hotel de Rome has a rooftop terrace that’s amazing in warmer months.
Take one final stroll today through Bebelplatz. By now it may be dark outside, and this is perfect for Bebelplatz. The reason for that is so you can truly admire the Memorial here: “the burning library” (“Bibliothek.”) The Bibliothek is a room under the square visible through a glass window. The room is empty except for white bookshelves, symbolizing the absence of the burned books that were burned in same spot in 1933.
I didn’t live far from Bebelplatz, and often found my nighttime strolls bringing me to the Bibliothek. Despite the square’s grandeur, there’s always a quiet solemnity in the square—a reminder of Berlin’s twisted history!
Day Two: East Berlin Highlights
Morning breakfast and pastries
The best way to start your day in any European city is coffee and pastries. For Berlin, this will require two stops this morning. The first stop is going to be a visit to SOFI Bakery, one of the top rated bakeries in Berlin.
Transportation: The closest station is Weinmeistersrasse, but if you’re coming from Mitte, it may be easier to take the U2 (orange line) to Rosa-Luxemburg Platz and walk from that station instead. The address of SOFI bakery is: Sophienstraße 21, 10178 Berlin, Germany
After you’ve picked out your favorite pastries, walk to LAP coffee. While LAP coffee is a coffee chain, it originally started in Berlin. The founder wanted to create multiple small shops around the city so the coffee could be accessible to anyone. I love that they sell beans in their shop – we brought some home!
The closest LAP coffee from SOFI bakery is located at Rosenthaler Str. 62, 10119 Berlin, Germany. However, the Prinzelauer Berg neighborhood you’re in has quite a few.
You are now very close to the Berlin Wall Memorial, which is worth spending some time. The Memorial Wall runs on both sides of the Bernauer Strasse. While you’re here, you can check out the official monument dedicated to the victims of communist tyranny, the Window of Remembrance, the Chapel of Reconciliation, as well as the Visitor Center.
The Visitor Center and Document Center is perfect for the history buffs really looking to understand the historical significance here. Here is where you’ll find the observation tower as well the permanent exhibition on the history of Berlin’s division. My personal favorite is the underground exhibit at the Nordbahnhoff S-Bahn station.
Lunch & East Side Gallery
After the Berlin Wall Memorial, you are going to make your way to Schlesches Tor to pick up lunch at Burgermeister.
Transportation: Take the U8 from Bernauer Strasse to U Kottbusser Tor. This is seven stops and takes approximately 11 minutes. Get off at U Kottbusser Tor to take the U3 to Schleisches Tor, which is 2 stops and takes approximately 3 minutes. From Schleisches Tor, it’s a two minute walk to Burgermeister.
Burgermeister will forever be nostalgic to me from my time living in Berlin. It may not look like much, but it has to be the best burger in Berlin. Grab your order to go, because you are about to have a picnic on the Spree River.
Walk across the Oberbaume bridge (Oberbaumbrücke) and turn left. Here, you’ll find the start of the East Side Gallery. Before you walk through the gallery, walk toward the water and you’ll find patches of grass. Enjoy your lunch from Burgermeister in a place that used to be inaccessible during the Cold War. This is a great way to rest your legs while being in a historical part of Berlin.
After a delicious meal, you can now indulge in the art of the East Side Gallery. The East Side Gallery is formally the Berlin Wall – one of the longest surviving sections of the wall to be exact. Today, you can find murals painted directly on the wall and have been this way since the spring of 1990.
An option from here if interested, is to head to Checkpoint Charlie.
Transportation: There’s a couple of ways to get from the East Side Gallery to Checkpoint Charlie. I personally like to use the underground over the buses, so I recommend starting at the Warschauer Strasse. Take the U3 to Hallesches Tor. This takes approximately 10 minutes. Hallesches Tor station is where you’ll change to the U6 to Kochstrasse which is non-stop and takes one minute.
Honestly, Checkpoint Charlie is on my list as a tourist trap, although the museum is interesting. It’s definitely cool to see for the first time, but you don’t need to spend a lot of time here. Skip the Checkpoint Charlie museum and consider going to the Topography of Terror.
Afternoon & Evening in Kreuzberg
It’s been quite the adventurous day so far, and if you’re staying in Mitte then you’re not too far to head to your accommodations and refresh before spending the remainder of the day and night in Kreuzberg.
Kreuzberg is known for its diverse cultural life and large percentage of immigrants. There are a lot of immigrants who are of Turkish ancestry, which means Kreuzberg is the best area of Berlin to get the best Doner Kebab!
Doner Kebab is a Turkish dish featuring meat and often served on flatbread sandwiches. When in Kreuzberg, get dinner at Mustafa’s Gemüse Kebap.
Transportation: Mustafa’s Gemüse Kebap is located just outside the Mehringdamn station. The Mehringdamn Station has both the U6 and U7 lines. If you’re coming from Mitte, hop on Stadtmitte and take the U6. This is for three stops and takes approximately five minutes.
Mustafa’s Gemüse Kebap is a legendary doner stall. Sometimes the line can be over 30 minutes, so don’t go on an empty stomach. We grabbed curry36 from across the street to wait in line!
If you weren’t ready for dinner yet, consider taking a local guided walking tour to learn about the street art scene. There are graffiti paintings worth seeing all over Berlin and some are made from renowned artists and other street art enthusiasts.
After dinner If you want to get to know the nightlife in Berlin, Kreuzberg would be a great choice. The nightlife in this district is famous for its authentic and diverse bars and clubs. If you’re traveling solo or maybe worried about the right places to go, a guided Kreuzberg bar crawl would be a great solution.
If you’re looking for your own places, here’s a list:
- Birgit: A club that’s also a beer garden
- Watergate: Techno club with international DJs
- Sudblock: LGTBQ-friendly bar
- Schwarze Trauber: Cocktail bar
Day Three: Day trip
Breakfast and train to Potsdam
The first two days were jam packed, with lots of walking. Let’s give your legs a break by taking a train or car ride outside the city for a day trip. But first, grab a coffee at Distrikt coffee in the Mitte district, before heading to Berlin Mainstation (Hauptbahnhoff) for your day trip!
I’ve taken several day trips from Berlin and definitely have favorite day trips, but if I had to pick one for a five day Berlin itinerary, I’d have to go with a day trip to Potsdam. You can take a small group tour from Berlin or plan the day yourself!
Transportation: From Berlin Main Station, there’s a regional train that takes approximately 30 minutes and is direct. You can get tickets ahead of time from Trainline, or at a kiosk in the Main Station.
Potsdam was a home to the Prussian kings and Emperor until 1918. Potsdam is known for its palace, lakes, and overall history. If you want a break from planning, consider taking a half-day walking tour in Potsdam.
If you don’t take a walking tour, it would be a shame to go to Potsdam without exploring Sanssouci Palace. I’ve had the opportunity to explore many castles and palaces while traveling, and Sanssouci palace stands out.
Considered a German rival of Versailles (although much smaller), Sanssouci was built as a summer palace for the Prussian King Frederick the Great. The German Imperial Family frequented Potsdam and was one of their favorite places to stay until the fall of the dynasty in 1918. After the second World War, Sanssouci Palace became a tourist attraction. It’s now a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Plan for enough time to walk among the gardens, as they are nearly as impressive as the inside of the palace. Before you leave Potsdam, check out the Old Town Square (Alter Markt). Grab a bite to eat and catch a train back to Berlin.
Head back to Berlin
It’s been another long day of exploring, no one would judge you if you got takeout and rested for the evening. I know my husband would take the opportunity to try the McDonalds at the main station (something he loves trying in all foreign countries). However, if you’re feeling up for it, go grab dinner at Restaurant Neumann’s. It’s casual, relatively inexpensive, and cozy.
Day Four: Charlottenburg and Spree River
Brunch and palace in Charlottenburg
Today is a day of exploring other areas of Berlin you haven’t yet seen. The best way to do that is to head over to Charlottenburg, and have breakfast at Windback. Windback is popular among locals, and you’ll soon discover why. My personal favorite is the eggs benedict, but you’ll find fresh croissants, homemade cakes, and of course – the smell of roasted coffee beans!
Transportation: From Berlin Main Station you can take the S3, S5, or S7 to Charlottonburg station and it takes approximately seven minutes. From the station, it’s a five minute walk to Windback.
Once your stomach is full, you can walk to Charlottenburg Palace (Schloss Charlottenburg). The walk is about a mile and a great way to see the neighborhood. If you’d rather take public transportation, walk to Wilmersdorfer Strasse and take the U7 to Richard-Wagner-Platz.
Charlottenburg Palace is the largest palace in Berlin. It was originally called the Lietzenburg Palace until it was renamed after Sophia Charlotte of Hanover, after her death. The grounds have been opened to the public since 1880 and it’s highly visited each year! I recommend purchasing the Charlottonburg+ ticket. It includes access to the Palace, Mausoleum, and Palace Gardens!
Optional: Visit the Olympic Stadium (Olympiastadion Berlin). Built for the 1936 Olympics under Nazi rule, the Olympic Stadium is now a major sports venue. You can tour the stadium or catch a concert or football match (Hertha BSC). When no events take place, you can go explore the grounds.
Now it’s time for lunch Café im Literaturhaus – Wintergarten. This will be your last stop in Charlottenberg before exploring other parts of the Berlin. If the weather is nice, I highly recommend sitting on the terrace outside. It’s aesthetically pleasing and a way to give your feet rest from the busy morning.
Afternoon on the Spree
Head over to the Berlin Cathedral (Berliner Dom) to admire the largest Protestant church in Germany – second largest in the world. The grounds around the Berlin Cathedral are worth admiring. They may look familiar, as the Berlin Cathedral is located on Museum Island.
Transportation: When leaving Café im Literaturhaus – Wintergarten, walk to Theodor-Heuss-Platz and take the U2 to U Hausvogteiplatz. This is for 15 stops and takes approximately 25 minutes. From there, it’s a 10 minute walk to the Berlin Cathedral.
Down from the Berlin Cathedral, you will be at the start for a Berlin Sightseeing Tour on the Spree River. There are plenty of options for this tour, but I recommend the tour on the Electric Private Yacht. The tour last about an hour, and will pass through major landmarks, such as:
- Berliner Dom
- Stadtschloss Berlin
- Nikolaiviertel
- Reichstag Building
- Bundeskanzleramt
- Victory Column (Siegessaule)
You may have seen most of these already by land, but it’s a unique experience from the boat.
Dinner and Drinks at Hackeshermarkt
Returning to the iconic Hackershermarkt area, it’s time for a walking tour or grab dinner and check out the nightlife. Within Hackeshermarkt, there’s courtyards (Hackesche Hofe.) You’ll find bars, restaurants, even a cinema (kino). For dinner, consider EAT Berlin for something casual or Oxymoron for a unique aesthetic. As for bars, you may want to look into which ones fit your vibe. Here are the top rated:
- Eschschloraque: Artist bar with DJ nights
- Billiardsalon Köh: Pool-hall bar
- Lemke Brewery: Serves Lemke signature craft beers
- Kilkenny Irish Pub: I personally love an irish pub when I’m traveling
- Riva: Cocktail bar with stylish drinks
Day Five: Last day in Berlin
Can you believe it’s your last day in Berlin already? Whether you have a full day or half day left, make the most of it.
Start your morning wa hearty breakfast at House of Small Wonder. The food is incredible and there are vegetarian options for all. If you’re short on time or would rather have pastries and coffee, go to Zeit fur Brot. Everything is baked on site and it’s unbelievable. I recommend the raspberry and white chocolate role for something different and their coffee is also worth trying.
If you have a full day, keep reading!
Curry 36 & Tempelhof Field
It would be a shame to go all the way to Berlin and not try currywurst. Currywurst is a fast food dish that is said to be invented in West Berlin in 1949 by Herta Heuwer. It’s still a popular dish. Curry 36 consistently ranks online as one of the top currywurst restaurants – but seems to be a dispute among locals. I recommend going and trying the dishes for yourself.
Transportation: Transportation: Curry 36 is located just outside the Mehringdamn station. The Mehringdamn Station has both the U6 and U7 lines. If you’re coming from Mitte, hop on Stadtmitte and take the U6. This is for three stops and takes approximately five minutes. Curry 36 is across the street from Mustafa’s Gemüse Kebap.
After grabbing a bite to eat, walk over to Tempelhof Field. Tempelhof Field has quite the trail of history – a parade ground for soldier kings, military site during the world wars, even a concentration camp. There’s an informational trail that provides more information about the grounds.
Today, you’ll find Berliners using the space for running, cycling, skating, walking their dogs, or enjoying a picnic or BBQ.
Last Activity in Berlin
Your last afternoon in Berlin may be great to visit one of the museums you wanted to see or one of my personal favorite things to do in Berlin.
For your remaining time in Berlin, consider returning to your favorite part of Berlin you uncovered. Any time I go to Berlin, I grab Burgermeister (The Schleisisches Tor location) and picnic near the East Side Gallery. Nostalgic memories like this keep me returning to cities I’ve been. I hope however you spent time in Berlin, there are moments you’ll hold onto forever.
