Berlin feels like one of those cities thriving in constant change. Berlin is a city surrounded by construction, where the preservation of the past meets the sophistication of the future. When you visit Berlin, you feel as if you’re seeing the next big thing. Paris will always be glamorous, Rome will be forever etched in our history books, but Berlin; Berlin is a city of metamorphosis. Berlin is uniquely Berlin, and its much different than other large German cities like, Munich.
No matter how much time you spend in Berlin, one weekend, one month, five years, it would almost be impossible to see every historical landmark, to sponge information from every museum, and to eat every combination of currywurst and pommes. But, if you have just three days, these are the highlights you should indulge in. Years later come back and do it all again; for next time it’ll all be slightly different.
While in the city, check out my Bucket List: Berlin
DAY ONE:
After landing in Berlin, on a cold crisp dark night; we went straight to the hostel and straight to bed. #partyanimals. The best thing to do when you arrive in any new city is three words: FREE. WALKING. TOUR. Why you ask? Because it’s free (duh) and because it gives you an overall layout of the city. You have the ability to walk around with a group of strangers, and learn the extensive and deep history from a Berliner, or someone who studied the city… a lot. On the tour, you can scope out the spots you want to return to and have a photo shoot. (wait… is that just me?!)
Berlin offers a number of free walking tours, just google it. We decided to go with one of the most popular walking tour companies in Europe: Sandemans. This particular tour company doesn’t just offer free walking tours, they host a variety of tours: from Pub Crawls to Alternative City. Tours are just the best. Free tours are just the bestest best.
SANDEMAN’S FREE WALKING TOUR: the two and a half hour tours start at 10am, 11am, 12pm, 2pm, and 4pm in front of the Brandenburg Gate– they are the people wearing bright red jackets.
These are the highlights:
- Brandenburg Gate
- Site of Hitler’s bunker
- Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe
- Checkpoint Charlie
- Gendarmenmarkt
- The Berlin Wall
- Pariser Platz
- Luftwaffe HQ
- Bebelplatz
- TV Tower
- Book burning memorial
- Humboldt University
Brandenburg Gate:
This gate, filled with over 200 years of history, is not only one of German’s most iconic landmarks but a symbol. A symbol of a city torn apart by a dividing line, it was in this spot in 1987 where Ronald Reagan gave the speech to “tear the wall down” and at that moment this gate forever became of symbol of unity.
Site of Hitler’s bunker
This one is an interesting spot. I don’t want to give the secrets away. Plus I was really cold and had to use the loo so I didn’t take a photo.
Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe
As the result of a heated debated, a memorial to the six million Jewish victims of the Holocaust was created near the Brandenburg Gate. It is 2711 concrete slabs of varying heights designed by architect, Peter Eisenman, and engineer, Buro Happold.
Checkpoint Charlie
For those that don’t this checkpoint was the official crossing between East and West Berlin during the Cold War for diplomatics and allied forces.
Gendarmenmarkt
Gendarmenmarkt is considered to be the most beautiful square in all of Berlin, and for good reason. This square is a harmonic collection of an architectural trio: Konzerthaus (concert house), Französischer Dom (French church) and Deutscher Dom (German church) all surrounding the famous German poet: Friedrich Schiller.
The Berlin Wall
Standing in front of something so iconic, so symbolic of change, something so vast in the history of our society; I mean…speechless.
Bebelplatz & Humboldt University
Located in the middle of the square, next to Humboldt University, is a tiny see-through hole in the ground. This is the square where the Nazi’s burned all the books written by Jewish authors or written about Jewish faith in 1933. Now, this site is a known memorial for words that were lost in fire.
After your two and a half hour tour, spend the rest of the day aimlessly wandering around the city.

DAY TWO:
Eastside Gallery & Kreuzberg & Friedrichshain & Urban Spree. Walk along the quirky side of Berlin, where the historic seamlessly merges into the hip cultured center of society’s millennials. Where a mundane grey concrete building is transformed with sporadic spews of wildly colored spray paint and random recycled goods glued to the outside. Where the walls and sidewalks become the notebooks inside the mind of inspiring artists.
until next time Berlin ✌🏽
Have you been to Berlin before? What was the most memorable part for you? Did I forget any must do’s in my two days there?
The cathedral looks beautiful, and I’d love to explore more of that street art! I also imagine standing in front of the Berlin Wall is quite the experience. It’s never really been on my list of places if you can believe it, but you sold me on it! I’ll have to plan a visit to Germany soon!
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Thank you for your sweet words Jennifer! I am glad I was able to persuade you to go! Being in front of the Berlin Wall was an indescribable feeling! I can’t wait for you to go and experience it yourself! You will have an amazing time! Id love to hear when you are going, so I can see your beautiful photos!!
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Your trip to Berlin looks so amazing! I actually didn’t like the city when I went which is weird because everyone loves it. I think I need to give it another chance though and go to the Jewish memorial place and also the east side gallery for a better feel!
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Berlin is so awesome and unique! I loved how different it is from the rest of Europe. There’s really no other European city quite like it. Great photos!
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Wow! That’s a detailed guide:) Bookmarked it for my Germany trip! 🙂
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Aww thank you! I’m glad you enjoyed it! When are you headed to Germany?
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I just got back from Berlin – loved it! Got so many pictures of the street art too – was one of my favourite parts!
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mine too! it was like a photographers dream and we (the girl I was traveling with) had so many fun photoshoots hahaha!
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Super helpful guide! I’ve had Berlin on my list forever but never seem to make it there… Pinning this for when I do!
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aww thanks! I’m glad you found it useful, that means so much to me!!
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I went to Munich for Oktoberfest but didn’t make it to Berlin. Now you’re making me wish I’d had more time in Germany.
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Berlin is on our short list for travel! We have been to southern Germany but not Berlin! Keeping this post close for our next trip!
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I bet southern Germany is just stunningly beautiful! I can’t wait to explore that area one day, thanks! Excited for you to see Berlin!
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my favourite blog post but only because i love this city 🙂
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aww thanks!! I just adore this city, I can’t wait to get and explore it more!!
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