By Expedia, on February 17, 2020

How to Spend a Weekend in Berlin

Berlin is one of the most exciting cities in the world, thanks to its fascinating and turbulent history, 13th-century historic sites, and vibrant art scene. If you’re planning a short trip, take a look at this suggested itinerary and ideas for spending 2 or 3 days in Berlin to discover how to make the most of your time.

Closeup of Brandenburg Gate in Berlin
Brandenburg Gate

Friday Evening

When you arrive on Friday, you’ll have 72 hours in Berlin. Start with dinner at Kin Dee, a Thai-Berlin fusion restaurant with fresh, high-quality ingredients and an extensive wine list. You could also try the stylish Grill Royal, a steak and seafood restaurant with meat sourced from local suppliers and an eclectic collection of erotic artwork on the walls.

To start your night, visit Coda, a unique restaurant and bar with nothing but experimental desserts and drinks. Afterward, you have your choice of music and entertainment venues, such as the Berlin Philharmonic or the city’s jazz clubs. You could also see a concert at one of the concert halls in the city, such as Columbia Halle.

Berlin has a vibrant nightclub scene as well, which is mostly found in the Friedrichshain and Kreuzberg neighborhoods. If you prefer something more upscale, visit Mitte for high-end bars and swanky cocktails.

Saturday Morning

On Saturday morning, you’ll have 48 hours remaining in Berlin. Start with breakfast at Rocket + Basil, a unique restaurant with a fusion of Australian and Middle Eastern cuisine. They serve everything with diverse vegetables and aromatic herbs for a twist on popular dishes.

Saturday morning is a great time to see some of the city’s top landmarks. Be sure to visit the Brandenburg Gate, a grand classical archway, and the East Side Gallery, a section of the Berlin Wall covered in kinetic street art. You should also see the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe, a set of columns commemorating the Holocaust victims.

For lunch, stop in Malakeh for Syrian cuisine in a cozy restaurant with décor that features works from Syrian artists and activists. You’ll also like Nobelhart & Schmutzig, a restaurant with a seasonal menu of local foods and family-style dining.

Saturday Afternoon and Evening

After lunch, travel to Museum Island to work off your meal and see the fascinating collections at the Bode Museum, the Neues Museum, and the Alte Nationalgalerie. Museum Island is home to the Pergamon Museum, which has the famous Pergamon Altar and the Ishtar Gate of Babylon. You’ll also like the Reichstag Building, the glass-domed home of parliament.

On Saturday night in Berlin, you can experience the best of the city’s nightlife. Have dinner at Tim Raue, a fine-dining restaurant with an intimate atmosphere and a wide array of dishes like Wagyu beef, lobster, Australian winter truffle, and prawn sashimi.

Berlin is filled with theaters with everything from stage shows to ballet. You can see the legendary Blue Man Group or titillating cabaret, or spend the night watching lithe ballerinas prance about with the Staatsballet. For more sightseeing, tour the streets in the evening to see the city’s famous landmarks illuminated against the night sky.

Bridge and buildings in Mitte in evening
Mitte

Sunday Morning

On Sunday morning in Berlin, you’ll have 24 hours left for sightseeing. Have breakfast at Isla Coffee Berlin, an airy café with a “zero waste” mentality and a wide range of coffee and breakfast menu options. You’ll also like Silo Coffee, an Australian coffee house with unique dishes like avocado toast with wasabi and pomegranate seeds.

After breakfast, take some time to soak up the city’s vibrant history. You could visit Checkpoint Charlie Museum, the Cold War and marker for the former East and West. You’ll also like the Berlin Wall Memorial, a conserved section of the former Berlin Wall with a historical exhibit.

For lunch, take in a little local history at Eins44, a restaurant in a former schnapps factory with lunch classics in 3 or 6 courses and seasonal dishes like venison or prawns. You’ll also like Kumpel & Keule Speisewirtschaft, a regionally sourced German restaurant with traditional German butchery dishes.

Sunday Afternoon and Evening

After lunch, take a stroll through the Berlin Zoo, a sprawling menagerie with exotic species in naturalistic habitats. There’s also a modern aviary that’s home to a variety of gorgeous birds. The Botanical Garden and Botanical Museum, which is home to rare plants and flowers, is another must-see for nature lovers.

There’s plenty more history to see in the city, such as DDR Museum, which is dedicated to East German life, and the Jewish Museum Berlin, a museum with German-Jewish history and culture exhibits. You could also visit the Topography of Terror, which documents the Nazi atrocities during World War II.

On Sunday night in Berlin, you’ll have plenty of time to soak in the city. Have a few drinks at the Palsta Wine Bar, a bar on the river with Nordic bistro treats, seafood starters, and an extensive wine list. After dining, you can visit the Wilhelm-Förster-Observatory and Planetarium for an educational tour and see the stars above the city.

People viewing a giraffe at the Berlin Zoo
Berlin Zoo

Ready for the perfect weekend getaway?

Now that you have the ideal weekend itinerary for a fun-filled trip to Berlin, it’s time to start planning. Discover other cool attractions in Berlin and take a look at deals on Berlin vacations on Expedia to make the most of your experience!