The Perfect Two Day Berlin Trip
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You’ve booked your weekend trip to Berlin, you’ve heard it’s the coolest place on earth, but where do you start? Well, here’s Original Berlin Walks’ perfect two day itinerary in Berlin.
Day One - See the sights & hit the floor
09:30 - Go vegan at Cafe Neundrei
Day one is going to be a big, busy one. Start the day right with a healthy and delicious vegan breakfast at Cafe Neundrei. I recommend a big muesli bowl alongside some of the best coffee in town.
10:30 - Get to know Berlin properly on the Discover Berlin Walking Tour
Here’s why you needed that big breakfast. On this 3.5-4 hour walk, you’re going to get a perfect overview of Berlin’s history whilst visiting all of the key sites such as the Brandenburg Gate, Holocaust Memorial, and the Berlin Wall. Book tickets for the Discover Berlin tour here.
You’ll have a break for lunch on the tour, so make sure you fill up because we’re not slowing down.
15:30 - Learn about the ancient world at the Pergamon Museum
Berlin is lucky enough to be home to one of the top museums in the whole world. The quality of all of the museums is so high, that the whole area is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The Pergamon is the jewel in the crown, though. It’s named after the Pergamon Altar from Greece, which was opened to the public in Berlin back in 1930. Over the past decade, there have been extensive restorations made to the museum, and those are set to continue for another decade. Don’t worry though, half of the museum is still open, and to be honest, even at half strenth the Pergamon is still one of the best museums in the world!
Grab a quick snack as you leave the museum and either walk to the Reichstag, or take the newly extended U5 Metro line from Museum Island to the “Bundestag” station.
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17:30 - See Berlin from above by visiting the Reichstag Dome
Visit the heart of the German government, learn how Hitler rose to power, see graffiti left by Soviet soldiers, and reflect on just how amazing it is that Germany came through all that history to become the country it is today. Climb the spiral inside the Reichstag dome and listen to the excellent audio guide explaining what you can see out in the distance as well as the history of the building and the German government. Best of all, it’s free!
Click here to book your visit to the Reichstag dome.
TOP TIP: You can’t always book the exact time you want at the Reichstag, so you can switch this around with the museum, or even book an afternoon Discover Berlin Walking tour if you prefer!
18:30 - Time to relax
That’s a lot in one day. Once you’re done with the Reichstag, make your way back to your hotel or hostel, have a little sit down, freshen up, and get ready for some fun.
20:00 - Burgermeister
We’re saving the traditional German food for tomorrow. Tonight, it’s one of the best burgers you’ll ever eat, I promise. Burgermeister now has two locations, the classic original is in a former public toilet (really!) beneath the train tracks outside Schlesisches Tor. If it’s a bit cold outside then check out the new location only 2 stops on the U1/U3 line away at Kottbusser Tor where you can sit inside.
I recommend the house classic “Meisterburger” with fried onions, mustard, bacon, and barbeque sauce, but I’m often torn between that and the excellent Chili-Cheeseburger and veggie burgers as well. So many burgers, only one stomach!
21:00 - Time for a night out in Kreuzberg
No matter which Burgermeister you went to, you’re not in the middle of Kreuzberg and ready for a good time. Kreuzberg comes alive at night. There are loads of bars around, you’ll find people just hanging out in front of kiosks known as “spätis” (shpay-tee), and wherever you choose to go you’ll meet locals and if you’re up for it, end up on a bit of an adventure.
Nevertheless, I have a few recommendations to point you in the right direction. Remember, Berliners go out late and stay out late. If you rock up to a place at 9 pm and feel like it’s a little quiet, don’t worry, things will liven up later on. Here are three great Kreuzberg bars for you:
One of the coziest bars you’ll ever visit. It’s filled to the brim with fresh flowers, and the low lighting is perfect. It can be a bit of a hassle getting served at the busy bar, but it’s worth it. Check out the chalkboard on the left wall as you go in for classic cocktails, as well as one-off specialties.
Upon the bustling Oranienstrasse, you’ll find Luzia! Luzia is rather hip and trendy, and some people do indeed say it’s rather pretentious, but it’s a great place to soak up the young, trendy, cool Berliner vibe.
At first glance, Bohnengold looks just like any other Kreuzberg bar - some beat-up vintage furniture, the “shabby chic” vibe, and a busy bar. Good enough! The thing about Bohnengold though is that it just keeps going, when they’re fully open there are multiple rooms, including a dance floor and a DJ right at the back. You could have your whole night out in just this one place.
All Night Long
There are no official closing times in Berlin! A lot of bars keep serving so long as you keep drinking, so keep an eye on the time as you could be out all night. Fortunately, the U-Bahn and S-Bahn trains run all through the night on Fridays and Saturdays, so getting home is easy. Taxis are of course readily available in Berlin as well. Drink responsibly and stay safe out there!
Photo by Heye Jensen on Unsplash
How to get around?
Using Berlin’s buses, trams, and subway (named S-Bahn and U-bahn) is easy once you get used to it. Check out our guide, how to use public transport in Berlin for more info.
Day Two - Brunch, Street Art, Chill Out
Don’t worry, we’re going to take a slower pace for our second day in Berlin. Rest up after your big night out, have a glass of water, and start salivating because you’re going to love this!
11:00 - An indulgent brunch at Hallesches Haus
You might want to book a table before you arrive in Berlin because this place is crazy popular - with good reason! The signature dish at Hallesches Haus is the “Grand Slam”. Indulge yourself with scrambled eggs, sourdough bread, bacon, sausages, mushrooms, cabbage, oh it’s the best! There are more manageable-sized meals on the menu too, including excellent vegan options (the beetroot hummus is amazing!) and if you leave a little room you can finish up with some delicious carrot cake.
Good to know: Hallesches Haus also has a swanky “General Store” where you can pick up all sorts of posh stationery and gifts for the folks back home.
14:00 - Get to know the other side of Berlin on a Street Art Tour
With plenty of time to chill out after your epic brunch, it’s time to soak up some more culture, and get to know the modern side of Berlin. Berlin has attracted street artists from all over the world for decades now. Finding their works and the weird and wonderful odds and ends that make Berlin so unique can be almost impossible, which is why I recommend taking our Berlin Street Art Tour. The city will come alive on your 3-hour walking tour as you uncover the secret side of the city, from small paste-ups and stencils to murals the size of entire buildings!
18:00 - Evening Vibes and All-Night Parties at Holzmarkt
Welcome to the coolest hangout in all of Berlin! Holzmarkt has all you need for a great night out. Situated right on the river Spree, Holzmarkt has a cool, laid back, yet exciting atmosphere. You can while away the evening at the outdoor bars, sipping on craft beers brewed on-site, or book yourself into the fancy Katerschmaus restaurant for the perfect special end to your Berlin trip. If you’re lucky there will even be a concert on in Säälchen, and if you want to stay the whole night you can then move on to the club, Kater Blau, just don’t miss your flight home!