Berlin in 5 Days: Chronicle of an Unforgettable Trip 🇩🇪

Day 1: Icons, History, and Berlin Life 🦅

After dropping off your bags and recharging, we start strong. Head directly to the Brandenburg Gate. It is the symbol of reunification and the best point to understand the scale of the city. Most Free Tours start here, which are the most efficient way to see the historic center in 2-3 hours.

The free tour we took starts right here (essential Berlin tour). For over three hours, it covers some of the most significant sites of 20th-century history 🏛️. If logistics make it better for you to start from the other side, you can choose this free tour through the heart of Berlin.

The Concrete Labyrinth

A few steps away you will find the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe. It is a place to walk through in silence, losing yourself among its 2,711 concrete slabs of varying heights. The ground is intentionally uneven to create disorientation and distress.

Nearby, although today it is just a residential parking lot, you will pass the location of Hitler's Bunker. Only a single information panel marks it to avoid unwanted pilgrimages.

Cold War & Terror

Walking down Friedrichstraße you will reach Checkpoint Charlie. Although today it is very touristy (and somewhat theatrical), it was the most tense border crossing of the Cold War. Right next door, don't miss the free 'Topography of Terror' museum, located over the former Gestapo basements and featuring an original section of the Wall.

Afternoon in Alexanderplatz & Jewish Quarter

In the afternoon, take transport east to completely change the atmosphere. We arrive at Alexanderplatz, the heart of former East Berlin. It is a huge square dominated by the TV Tower (Fernsehturm) and the famous World Clock. If you visit in December, the Christmas market here is bustling, smelling of sausages and mulled wine (Glühwein).

From 'Alex', head into the Scheunenviertel (Jewish Quarter). It is one of the most charming areas of the city, full of design shops and Art Nouveau architecture. Look for the Hackesche Höfe, a complex of eight connected inner courtyards that are an architectural gem.

Dinner & The Perfect Finish

To end the first day properly, nothing beats a Pork Knuckle (Eisbein). We went to Das Lemke, a craft brewery under the train tracks near Hackescher Markt. It is authentic, loud, and delicious.

Still have energy? To close the night, a few games of pool at the nearby Bata Bar were our perfect finishing touch before heading back to the hotel.

Day 2: Contrasts, The Wall & Urban Culture 🧱

We dedicate the second day to understanding the city's division and its alternative rebirth. We start by walking down Karl-Marx-Allee. It is a monumental avenue built by the GDR to impress the world, featuring Soviet 'wedding cake' style buildings. It makes you feel tiny.

Heading down towards the Spree River, we arrive at the East Side Gallery. Walking this kilometer of painted wall is emotional. It is not just a wall; it is a reminder of regained freedom.

Technical Pit Stop (Food)

After the walk, it's time to refuel. We recommend eating at Creasian, a Vietnamese spot where you must try their specialties like crispy duck with peanut sauce and avocado.

For dessert, it is almost mandatory to stop by Sammy’s Berliner Donuts to try a local sweet treat.

Crossing into Kreuzberg

With a full stomach, cross the Oberbaumbrücke bridge. Its red brick architecture is beautiful, and it used to serve as a border crossing. Crossing it takes you into Kreuzberg, the alternative heart of the city, full of vintage shops, graffiti, and cafés with a lot of character.

To navigate this area easily, we suggest the tour “Berlin Poor but Sexy”. This route explores the most underground facet of the city: urban art, artist collectives, and the protest culture that has defined Berlin from the 1920s to today.

You will visit spots like Dead Chicken Alley, Oberbaum Bridge, and the Friedrichshain neighborhood, an epicenter of murals and street art. You might stop at Drinkhall, a bar with a bohemian vibe, ideal for a drink before continuing. The tour helps you understand the famous slogan coined by former mayor Klaus Wowereit: “Berlin ist arm, aber sexy” (“Berlin is poor, but sexy”).

Underground Evening

As evening falls, head to the RAW-Gelände area. These are former abandoned train workshops that now buzz with life, featuring urban art, skate parks, and bars. The atmosphere is unique.

For a quick and cheap dinner (Berlin style), nothing beats a kebab at Dunya Gemüse Kebab. Berlin is the world capital of Döner, and this place does not disappoint. We ended the night at Badehaus, a venue inside the RAW complex with live music and a great vibe.

If you are feeling adventurous and looking for strong emotions, you can try to get into the famous KitKatClub, known for its hedonistic atmosphere and strict dress code.

Day 3: Royal Getaway to Potsdam 👑

At the midpoint of the trip, we decided to escape the hustle of Berlin. With the WelcomeCard (Zone ABC), we took the S7 train and were in Potsdam in 40 minutes. It is like traveling to another era.

Potsdam is grand and majestic. Although you can go on your own, we recommend booking a walking tour to maximize your time and understand the history of the Prussian kings. Here are the top-rated ones: (we took this one)

If you opt for the classic tour (about 3.5 hours), these are the iconic spots you cannot miss before going up to the palace:

• The Old Market Square (Am Alten Markt), dominated by St. Nicholas Church and the obelisk.
• The Dutch Quarter, with its unique red brick architecture that will make you feel like you are in Amsterdam.
• The Unity Square (Platz der Einheit), a place full of history that houses the old synagogue.
• The Brandenburg Gate of Potsdam, which curiously predates its Berlin counterpart.

The Crown Jewel: Sanssouci

After the city walk, it is time for the main event: Sanssouci Palace. Frederick the Great built it to 'live without cares' (sans souci). The vineyard terraces cascading down from the yellow palace make up one of the most beautiful postcards of the trip.

For lunch, we tried traditional German cuisine at Zur Linde. Hearty dishes and a rustic atmosphere, perfect for recharging before returning.

Return & Casual Dinner

Back in Berlin and a bit tired from walking, we played it safe for dinner: Aceto Chicken Döner. A huge, cheap, and delicious dürüm. Sometimes simple luxuries are the best way to close a royal day.

If you prefer to book the visit to Potsdam and Sachsenhausen together, choose your date and book directly:

Day 4: Historical Memory at Sachsenhausen 🕯️

We marked this day in red on our calendar. It is a tough but necessary day. Today we leave the city to visit the Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp. To get there, we take the S-Bahn (S1) to Oranienburg (Zone C, included in your WelcomeCard ABC).

Sachsenhausen was not just another camp; it 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 immense roll call area where prisoners were counted at -20ºC, chills you to the bone.

Crossing the iron gate, you will see the infamous inscription “Arbeit macht frei” (“Work sets you free”). Far from being a message of hope, it was a cynical propaganda tool to dehumanize the prisoners.

The tour goes through the barracks, the Gestapo punishment cells, and 'Station Z', where the remains of the crematorium and gas chambers are located. It is a silent testimony to horror.

Decompression Afternoon in Prenzlauer Berg

Returning from Sachsenhausen leaves you feeling unsettled. That's why we dedicate the afternoon to walking quietly, without rushing or tourist goals, to process what we experienced.

We get off at Prenzlauer Berg, a beautiful residential area that survived the bombs almost intact. Walking through its cobbled streets full of cafes and young families helps to switch gears.

To end the day with a different energy, we went to Friedrichshain, specifically to Minimal Bar. It's a place we loved: soft electronic music, dim lighting, and ping-pong tables where people play running around the table (the famous 'Rundlauf'). A very relaxed, Berlin atmosphere, perfect for clearing your mind.

Day 5: Cultural Treasures & Farewell 🏺🍻

For our last day, we reserved the cultural crown jewel: Museum Island. It is an impressive architectural ensemble in the middle of the Spree River that justifies the trip on its own.

We decided to enter the Neues Museum. The reason has a specific name: the Bust of Nefertiti. Seeing it live is mesmerizing; the colors are perfectly preserved after 3,000 years (note: they do not allow photos of it). Apart from the Egyptian queen, other treasures stand out in this museum:

• The Berlin Gold Hat, an enigmatic Bronze Age artifact that functioned as an astronomical calendar.
• A vast collection of sarcophagi, sphinxes, and papyri of daily life in Ancient Egypt.
• The impressive prehistory collection and Neanderthal skulls.

The Cathedral & The Views

Upon exiting, the Berlin Cathedral (Berliner Dom) stands right next door. Its immense Neo-Baroque dome is one of the city's icons. It is worth paying the entrance fee to climb its 270 steps; the panoramic views of the center are spectacular.

Farewell at the Reichstag

We couldn't leave without climbing the dome of the Reichstag (German Parliament). Designed by Norman Foster, it is a symbol of political transparency over the plenary chamber. Remember that online registration is mandatory weeks in advance.

To say goodbye to Berlin in style, we had dinner at Hofbräu Berlin. It is a branch of the famous Munich beer hall: waiters in Bavarian outfits, live band music, and liter steins (Maß). It was a loud, fun dinner full of toasts. The perfect ending! 🍻