Berlin in 4 Days: History, Scars, and Life 🇩🇪

Day 1: Walking Through History 🦅

We start at the undisputed icon: the Brandenburg Gate. During the Cold War, it stood in 'No Man's Land,' inaccessible to both sides. Today, it is the symbol of reunification. Walk through the center arch (formerly reserved only for royalty).

The free tour we joined starts right here, at the Brandenburg Gate (essential Berlin tour). For over three hours, it covers some of the most significant sites of 20th-century history 🏛️. If you prefer to do the route in reverse starting at the Rotes Rathaus, check out this free tour through the heart of Berlin.

The Silence of Concrete

Just a few meters away you will find the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe. It is a physical experience: as you walk in, the ground undulates and the blocks grow taller, isolating you from the city noise. Architect Peter Eisenman intended exactly that: disorientation and solitude.

Cold War: Checkpoint Charlie

Follow the line of cobblestones on the ground (marking where the Wall stood) until you reach Checkpoint Charlie. Note: the booth is a replica and the soldiers are actors. The truly interesting part is next door: the Topography of Terror exhibition, free and located on the former site of the Gestapo and SS headquarters.

Afternoon in the Jewish Quarter

In the afternoon, switch gears and head north to Alexanderplatz (check out the World Clock) and head into the Scheunenviertel (Jewish Quarter). It is the most charming area: design shops, cafes, and the famous Hackesche Höfe courtyards.

For dinner, I recommend a typical German dish: Pork Knuckle (Eisbein). We went to Das Lemke, a craft brewery under the train tracks. Authentic, loud, and delicious.

Day 2: The Wall, Art & Berlin Nightlife 🧱

Yesterday we saw classic history, today implies rebellious history. We start at the monumental Karl-Marx-Allee, the Champs-Élysées of socialism, before heading down towards the Spree River.

East Side Gallery

You will walk alongside the longest remaining stretch of the Wall (1.3 km). It isn't just concrete; it's an art gallery painted in 1990 after the fall. The famous 'Fraternal Kiss' is here.

At the end of the wall, you will see the Oberbaumbrücke, Berlin's most beautiful bridge. Cross it on foot. On the other side awaits Kreuzberg, the quintessential Turkish and punk neighborhood.

Eating & Exploring Kreuzberg

For lunch, avoid tourist traps. Go to Burgermeister (a burger joint under the train tracks in a former public toilet – delicious!) or look for the legendary Mustafa's Gemüse Kebap (be prepared for the queue).

With a full stomach, cross the Oberbaumbrücke. Its red brick architecture is stunning, and it used to serve as a border crossing. Crossing it brings you into Kreuzberg, the city's alternative heart, full of vintage shops, graffiti, and cafes with real character.

To make things easy, we suggest joining the tour “Berlin Poor but Sexy”. This route explores the city's underground side: street art, artist collectives, and the counter-culture that has defined Berlin since the twenties.

You will visit spots like Dead Chicken Alley, the Oberbaum Bridge, and the Friedrichshain district, an epicenter for murals. You might stop at Drinkhall, a bohemian bar perfect for a quick drink. The tour explains the famous slogan coined by former mayor Klaus Wowereit: “Berlin ist arm, aber sexy” (“Berlin is poor but sexy”).

RAW-Gelände: Industrial Berlin

In the evening, explore the RAW compound. Former Reich train repair workshops turned into climbing walls, bars, flea markets, and techno clubs. It is the perfect place to watch the sunset with a beer in hand.

To end the night, we suggest Minimal Bar, an intimate spot famous for its ping-pong table. If you're feeling adventurous and want a wilder experience, you can try getting into the famous KitKatClub, known for its hedonistic vibe and strict dress code.

Day 3: The Horror of Sachsenhausen (Necessary) 🕯️

Since we have 4 days, today we are leaving the city to face the hardest part of the trip. We are going to Sachsenhausen. Take the S-Bahn (S1) to Oranienburg (included in your WelcomeCard ABC).

Sachsenhausen was the 'model camp', designed to be the training school for the SS. Commanders who would later go to Auschwitz were trained here. Standing there, in the roll call area where prisoners were counted at -20ºC, chills you to the bone.

The guided tour is highly informative and will take you through the barracks, infirmary, kitchens, prison, and Station Z, where the crematorium is located. The experience is tough but essential to understand the horrors of the Holocaust and communist repression.

At the camp gate, you will find the infamous inscription “Arbeit macht frei” (“Work sets you free”), a cynical slogan present in several Nazi camps, designed to deceive and dehumanize prisoners.

The visit also includes the execution zones and the remains of the gas chambers, silent witnesses to the magnitude of the horror that took place there.

Decompression in Prenzlauer Berg

You will return to Berlin with a heavy heart. It is normal. To switch gears, get off at Eberswalder Straße station. You are in Prenzlauer Berg.

This neighborhood survived the bombs almost intact. Have a comforting dinner at Prater Biergarten (Berlin's oldest beer garden, open since 1837). Under the chestnut trees, with a beer and a schnitzel, the day is processed better.

Day 4: The Big Decision (Palaces or Museums) ⚖️

For your last day, you have two great options depending on the weather and your tastes:

Option A: Potsdam (If it's sunny)

If you prefer gardens and palaces, escape to Potsdam (the German Versailles). Visit Sanssouci Palace and the Dutch Quarter. It is ideal for a sunny day.

It is easily reached by train, a trip included in the Welcome Card. We recommend booking a walking tour to maximize your time. 👉 Essential Potsdam tour here. In about three and a half hours, you will cover its most iconic spots:

• The Old Market Square (Am Alten Markt), dominated by St. Nicholas Church.
• The Dutch Quarter, with its unique red brick architecture.
• The Unity Square (Platz der Einheit), home to the old synagogue.
• The Brandenburg Gate of Potsdam, a monument older than its Berlin counterpart.

Option B: Museum Island + Cathedral (Culture)

If you prefer to stay in the center or if it rains, Museum Island is your place. The must-see is the Neues Museum (to see Nefertiti) or the Pergamon Museum (check if it is open, as some halls are under renovation until 2027).

On the island also stands the Berlin Cathedral (Berliner Dom), the city's main Protestant church. Its imposing green dome and Neo-Baroque style make it one of the capital's great architectural symbols. It is worth paying the entrance fee to climb to the dome; the views of the center and the Spree River are priceless.

We chose to visit the Neues Museum, famous for its antiquities collection. Beyond the Bust of Nefertiti, other treasures stand out:

• The Ishtar Gate of Babylon (Note: Located in the Pergamon Museum, which is currently undergoing long-term renovation).
• The Berlin Gold Hat, an enigmatic Bronze Age artifact that functioned as an astronomical calendar.
• A vast collection of sarcophagi, sphinxes, and daily life objects from Ancient Egypt.

For the farewell dinner, a classic: Hofbräu Berlin near Alexanderplatz. It is loud, touristy, and fun. Liters of beer, live Bavarian music, and waiters in traditional outfits. Prost!