Berlin is easily one of my favorite cities in Germany, and Europe’s trendiest destination that I return to time and again. It has so much to offer, from architectural highlights and culture galore to world-class museums to a vibrant nightlife. I’ve visited a number of times, both for short breaks like the 2 days in this Berlin itinerary, as well as for more prolonged stays as part of a longer European itinerary.

Speaking of a shorter visit, I wanted to share with you an itinerary for 2 days in Berlin that will get you to all my favorite sights. It’s a fairly packed itinerary (feel free to adjust accordingly!). But if you’re short on time in the city and want to see as much as you can – this will help you do that. If you have slightly longer, you might want to check out my picks for the top things to do in Berlin.

This 48-hour Berlin itinerary is perfect for a first time visitor. Or even a returning visitor looking for a quick 2 day Berlin itinerary that includes most of the major Berlin attractions. After the itinerary, I share some tips and advice for visiting Berlin, as well as some ideas for saving money on your trip. Now onto my suggestions of how to spend the perfect 2 days in Berlin.

2-Day Berlin Itinerary

Berlin Itinerary: Day 1.

Museum Island, the Berlin Wall, Brandenburg Gate, Gendarmenmarkt, and the Reichstag Building.

1. Museum Island (Museumsinsel)

There are more than 170 museums in the city, but with only 2 days in Berlin, you might not have time to visit all the museums. Fret not, right behind the imposing Berliner Dom are the museums that make up Museum Island. This place is quite literally a paradise for art and history lovers nestled on a small island in the middle of the River Spree, which runs through Berlin. Museumsinsel is a UNESCO world heritage site and home to some of the finest museums in Berlin:

Pergamon Museum

Pergamonmuseum, as it is called in German, covers some of antiquity’s most fascinating history from Mesopotamia, Babylon, the Assyrians and goes into older history of the Middle East. It’s arguably the most popular museum on Museum Island due to housing the Pergamon Altar, the Ishtar Gate of Babylon, the Market Gate of Miletus, and Mshatta Facade.

Altes Museum

The Old Museum houses the collection of Classical Antiquities, including Ancient Greece and Rome that were found by German archeologists. Museum possesses one of the largest collections of appealing bronze, clay, and stone sculptures. It also features numerous vases and jewelry made of gold and silver, beautiful Roman artifacts like portraits of Julius Caesar, tombs and works of art.

Neues Museum

Berlin’s New Museum showcases Pre- and Early History. It pulls together a lot of interesting and unusual objects. Here you’ll find the iconic Nefertiti Bust, numerous mummies, funerary figures, papyrus texts, and literary works. Take a journey through time and explore the exhibition highlights, as well as the history of Europe and the Middle East at your own pace.

Old National Gallery (Alte Nationalgalerie)

Built in the style of an ancient temple the Alte Nationalgalerie is one of the smaller museums on Berlin’s Museum Island. It displays 19th-century European paintings and sculptures covering the period from the French Revolution to the First World War. The exhibition focuses on German artists but the collection also includes works from artists from other European countries. The current permanent exhibition includes major works by German painters Caspar David Friedrich, Karl Friedrich Schinkel, Max Liebermann, and Adolph Menzels.

Bode Museum

The exhibit places emphasis on medieval sculptures, Byzantine art, and a numismatic collection. Bode Museum probably showcases the most comprehensive collection of coins. With more than half a million objects the collection is a unique archive for historical research. However, if you have only 2 days in Berlin, I’d recommend visiting Pergamon Museum and Neues Museum first.

Take my advice, if you’re a culture enthusiast and planning on visiting several of the many incredible museums in the city, you may want to consider buying the Museum Island day ticket or the 3-day Museum Pass Berlin. In the Museum Island, you can also find the magnificent Berlin Cathedral that actually offers the best views over the island. Make sure to climb up Berlin Cathedral’s dome and add it to your 48 hours in Berlin itinerary.

2. Berlin Wall Memorial

While the East Side Gallery is, without doubt, the largest and longest-running open-air gallery in the city, the Berlin Wall Memorial provides insights into Berlin’s tumultuous past. This is a unique public space that has a walking path leading you through the area where the Berlin Wall stood. It has different learning stations that tell the disheartening stories of families separated by the Wall, tragic and successful escape attempts, and the details of when and how the Berlin Wall came to be. Remnants of the Wall can still be seen and even touched.

In addition to learning more about the buildings of Bernauer Straße, you can also see the infamous death strip, which was left abandoned. In case you didn’t know, the Berlin Wall was actually two walls, in the middle of which was the so-called death strip. You can also learn about the tunnels dug underneath the wall from East Berlin in an attempt to flee to West Berlin plus visit the Berlin Wall Documentation Center.

Address: Bernauer Straße 111.

Opening hours: Tues-Sun, 10 am to 6 pm (Visitor Center and Berlin Wall Documentation Center). Mon-Sun, 8 am to 10 pm (open-air exhibition and memorial grounds).

Admission: There is no entry fee to the memorial, tours cost 3.50€/2.50€ reduced, children 18 and younger free.

3. Brandenburg Gate (Brandenburger Tor)

Continue your Berlin 2 days itinerary visiting another historic site in Germany. The Brandenburg Gate is right around the corner from the Reichstag and easily the most famous and popular landmark in Berlin for a reason! Built as a symbol of peace, unity, and reconciliation, this triumphal arch is also the entrance to the Unter den Linden, a historic street in former East Berlin with many beautiful buildings and historical sites.

The Brandenburg Gate was built on top of the former city gate, on the orders of the Prussian king Frederick William II in the late 1700s. About fifteen years later, Napolean has passed through the Brandenburg gate, after the Battle of Jena-Auerstedt. So just think, you’ll be passing through a place where Napolean once stood!

After Hitler’s seizure of power and appointment as Chancellor, the meaning behind the Brandenburg Gate became much more sinister. The National Socialists staged a theatrical torchlight procession through the Brandenburg Gate. Although it was a Nazi party political symbol, the Brandenburg Gate survived World War II, but with serious damage.

Even though the Brandenburg Gate became an iconic sight during the Cold War, the arch was actually restored after WWII in a joint effort of the east and west governments. However, after the construction of the Berlin Wall right behind it, the Brandenburg Gate border crossing closed until 1989.

The leaders of East and West Germany walked side by side through the Brandenburg Gate, proclaiming it a ‘gate of peace’ and bringing a roar of excitement from thousands of Berliners gathered to witness the reopening of the symbol of the city’s division. If you want to take great pictures before the crowds get there, do show up early in the morning.

4. Gendarmenmarkt

Whilst you are up in the area around the Brandenburg Gate, I suggest you might want to take in the Gendarmenmarkt. It’s one of the largest squares in Berlin. This historic market square near the Unter der Linden was initially built in the mid-17th century as a marketplace for the expanding city. It hosts numerous public events throughout the year.

First built in 1688, the Gendarmenmarkt is a large square and the site of an architectural ensemble made up of the Konzerthaus Berlin on the west side, the French and German converted churches that stand on the north and south sides accordingly. Another set of landmarks in the city that were heavily damaged during WWII, thankfully they were all restored.

In summer, orchestras play the most beautiful classical music at the Classic Open Air. In winter the square becomes the stunning white Christmas market, giving you the feeling of a winter wonderland. Gendarmenmarkt is one of my favorite places in Berlin to sit and watch the world pass by.

5. The Reichstag Building

Finish your 2 days in Berlin with a tour of the German Parliament, or Bundestag. An equally famous Berlin landmark, the Reichstag, is just a stone’s throw from Brandenburg Gate. A visit to Reichstag will give you a great introduction to the history of Berlin and the country, and an interesting insight into German political life.

The Reichstag is the name of the building that is home to the German Parliament (called the Bundestag). It’s located a short walk away from the Brandenburg Gate and has a vast lawn stretching out in front of it. The Reichstag original dome was damaged during WWII and ultimately was replaced with the glass dome we know today.

You can visit this dome, as well as eat at a restaurant on top of the Reichstag. Maybe you’ll see some famous German politicians you’d never recognize. If you would like to go up to the dome, which I highly recommend, be sure to book it online ahead of time. You may get lucky and take the spot of someone who didn’t show up, but there are no guarantees. The tour itself was probably one of the best tours I’ve ever attended. In the end, the visit to the Reichstag dome was the cherry on top. Besides offering a great view over Berlin, the glass structure itself is nothing less than spectacular.

You need to register in advance in order to visit the Reichstag because the German government will run a quick check on you (you are entering a government building after all!). Ideally, register at least one month in advance. It has happened to people visiting Berlin, that there were no more slots available.

Address: Platz der Republik 1.

Opening hours: 8 a.m. to midnight.

Admission: Free of charge.

Berlin Itinerary: Day 2

6. Alexanderplatz

Your second day in Berlin has you starting at Alexanderplatz in the central Mitte district. Alexanderplatz is the beating heart of Berlin and a big transportation hub, reachable from three tube and four S-Bahn lines. Those who visit Berlin will find themselves passing through this place several times, whatever their destination.

Near Alexanderplatz, you’ll find the TV Tower (Fernsehturm), the World Clock (Weltzeituhr), and the Red City Hall (Rotes Rathaus). These are the symbols of the city.

Fernsehturm’s sphere at the top is visible from almost every corner of the city. For this reason, it is a great reference point when you walk around Berlin because it allows you to understand if the direction taken is right, even without a city map. There’s a revolving restaurant where you can have breakfast (or lunch) with a view. Make sure to book in advance though if you plan to eat here.

Transportation: U-Bahn Alexanderplatz or S-Bahn Alexanderplatz

7. The Holocaust Memorial (“Denkmal für die ermordeten Juden Europas”)

From Alexanderplatz, it’s around a half-hour stroll, or a 20-minute U-Bahn ride, to the next stop on our two day Berlin itinerary – the Holocaust Memorial. The Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe, also known as Holocaust Memorial, is a moving work of art by US architect Peter Eisenman. With the size of a football field, it’s Germany’s most important memorial to the Jewish victims of the Holocaust.

Since the rows are hilly and the slabs vary in height, there is an immense feeling of confusion. It is very disorienting and quite overwhelming experience. By the time you reach the middle of the memorial, you feel totally separated from the rest of the world. You can wander through the 2711 concrete slabs and take photos, but please remember to be respectful.

Address: Cora-Berliner-Straße 1 (to the left of Brandenburg Gate).

Open daily and nightly.

8. New Guardhouse (Neue Wache Memorial)

Wedged between the Humboldt University of Berlin and the German History Museum on Unter den Linden, Berlin’s Neue Wache (New Guardhouse) serves as the central memorial for the victims of war and dictatorship. Neue Wache looks like a classical building but only dates back to the early 19th-century.

The guardhouse housed the Royal Palace Guard until 1918. In 1931 it was transformed into a ‘memorial to those who fell in the World War’, with the interior being a single room that receives light only from an oculus. In 1960 the guardhouse was reopened as a “Memorial to the Victims of Fascism and Militarism”. The middle object is a heartrending sculpture of a mother cradling her dead son. If you are looking for a more sobering, quiet place of reflection, I would recommend a quick visit to Neue Wache Memorial.

9. Topography of Terror (Topographie des Terrors)

This is an indoor and outdoor museum, located on the grounds of the former Secret Police and the SS. It features a wealth of information and photographs sharing the history of Germany during WWII. There is also a portion of the Berlin Wall, bare and unexposed as it was for all those years.

It’s sobering, shocking but a must-do stop on the second day of this 2 day Berlin itinerary. There are lots of opportunities to walk around, yet the information is not overwhelming. I recommend this museum to everyone.

There’s is so much information you could literally spend several hours, reading and learning about the crimes of national socialism in Germany. Again I feel this is a personal preference. Take as much time that suits you, there’s no right or wrong for how much time you spend.

Pro Tip: Check the weather on your trip. If it’s raining then maybe swap your itinerary to visit when it’s dry.

Address: Niederkirchnerstraße 8.

Admission: Free of charge.

10. Charlottenburg Palace (Schloss Charlottenburg)

The Schloss Charlottenburg was built as the summer residence of Sophie Charlotte, the first Queen consort of Prussia. Once inside, you’ll never be able to get up and leave the room. Your eyes will be instantaneously welded into the collections of stunning silverware, glass, and unique blue white porcelain.

This splendid palace hails has both rococo and baroque elements in its design. Although a visit inside Schloss Charlottenburg is certainly interesting, a trip here is worth it for the magnificent and expansive palace gardens and ground alone. If you are experiencing some good weather and Berlin shows you its sunny face, then you could easily hang out around Charlottenburg for the rest of the day. Green Oasis at the south-west side of the palace is a favorite place for locals to have picnics and spend time outdoors.

Schloss Charlottenburg: SpandauerDamm 10-22 (U-2 Sophie-Charlotte-Platz or U-7 Richard-Wagner-Platz, which is a little closer).

Opening hours: Tues-Sun, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Admission: Old Palace, €12/€8 reduced, New wing, €10/€7 reduced.

Palace gardens and grounds can be explored free of charge from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

11. Kaufhaus des Westens (KaDeWe)

Last on our list of attractions for your 48 hours in Berlin itinerary is the Kaufhaus des Westens. In Berlin, one can’t go wrong shopping as pretty much all central districts boast miles of shopping galleries to give you everything. Close to Potsdamer Platz, you’ll find the City Mall. Walk down Kurfürstendamm to Wittenerplatz to visit Berlin’s equivalent to London’s Harrods. The Kaufhaus des Westens (shortened to KaDeWe) is the second-largest department store in Europe behind Harrods and the best-known in Germany. KaDeWe opened its doors in 1907 and brought exotic products from all over the world to Berlin.

With seven floors of high-end merchandise and exotic food, the mall also has an entire floor dedicated to restaurants and small cafes. Great place for foodies to indulge in delicious food and delicacies from around the world.

Address: Tauentzienstraße 21-24/

Public transport: U-Bahn Wittenbergplatz.

Opening hours: Mon-Sat, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Where to Stay in Berlin

I’ve stayed at a variety of locations in Berlin, from hosted apartments through to hotels and homestays. There’s a massive choice, and prices are generally reasonable considering this is a capital city. I’d advise picking somewhere within easy walking distance of metro so that you can easily get around all the sights in this itinerary.

My favorite way to find the best deals on accommodation is Agoda. They usually have the best prices, and offer everything from hotels to apartments.

Read Next: Things To Do In Salzburg

The four-star Melia Hotel is located in the heart of Berlin’s busy Friedrichstraße shopping street. It’s also close to the Brandenburg Gate, the Neue Wache, Checkpoint Charlie and Unter den Linden. The hotel features wellness facilities with a sauna and terrace over the rooftops, and a restaurant. Wi-Fi is free and bicycles are available to rent.

The spacious rooms have a private bathroom, TV, fridge, safe, wardrobe, and other items to make your stay comfortable. Inter-connected rooms are ideal for families.

The Circus Hostel in the heart of the city offers modern accommodation in Berlin and is a few minutes on foot from Rosenthaler Platz Underground Station. This trendy hostel arranges many tours, including free daily walking tours. There are a variety of facilities available, including free Wi-Fi, valet parking and a coffee bar. There are dorms and private rooms equipped with heating and in-room safe.

The centrally located Leonardo Royal Hotel in Alexanderplatz has a comfy and colorful lounge area where you can relax and mingle. It has pet- and child-friendly en-suite rooms with a TV, tea and coffee making facilities, laundry services, free Wi-Fi, a fridge, and more.

Charming PLUS Berlin in Friedrichshain, PLUS Berlin has mixed four and six-bed dorms; four-bed dorms for females only, and private rooms for two and three. The awesome common areas include a swimming pool, a games room with a pool table, Wifi, foosball, a terrace, and a restaurant-bar. Laundry facilities, free Wi-Fi, a book exchange, and luggage storage.

If you prefer an apartment, then I recommend AirBnB. It consistently has the most options for locations around the world.

How to Save Money on Your Berlin Trip

The 2-day Berlin itinerary above packs a lot into two days. And many of the sights and activities have an associated fee. At the time of writing, if you chose to do everything in the above list, you’d be looking at spending just over €250 per person (including a two-day metro transport card).

The good news is that you can easily save money on your visit to Berlin. The answer is to invest in a Berlin Welcome Card. This gives you discounts on nearly everything I’ve included in our itinerary. It also gives you unlimited travel on public transport either for zones AB (city centre) or zones ABC (city centre + surrounding areas including Schoenefeld Airport & Potsdam).

The Bottom Line

Two days in Berlin is ample time for you to visit many of the city’s most iconic monuments and churches. Using the ultimate 2 days in Berlin itinerary, and I do hope you visited numerous bratwurst restaurants to delight in German sausage! I definitely did when I visited. Berlin will welcome you with open arms whether you only have 2 days in Berlin, more, or less! Spending a weekend in Berlin will be a trip that you won’t soon forget.

Have you ever been to Berlin? Share one highlight that was your favorite thing to do, or place to visit. What would be your top attraction recommendation?

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