Few cities tell the 20th century like Berlin. Divided by a wall for twenty-eight years, reunified in 1989, the German capital has turned its scars into creative energy. Here, memory rubs shoulders with street art, Prussian palaces stand beside the world's most famous clubs, and a joyful freedom soaks every neighbourhood.
Two days are enough to feel its pulse. Here's our itinerary — find the visits on our what to do in Berlin page.
Day 1 — In the footsteps of history
Start with the Brandenburg Gate, symbol of the city and of reunification. Nearby, the Holocaust Memorial and its 2,711 steles offer a deeply moving moment of reflection, before the Reichstag and its glass dome designed by Norman Foster (free entry with booking). Continue to Checkpoint Charlie and the East Side Gallery, the longest remaining stretch of the Berlin Wall, now covered in frescoes.
Guided tours of Berlin
Wall tours, Cold War walks and day trips to book.
Day 2 — Museums, palaces and creative districts
Spend your morning on Museum Island, a UNESCO-listed ensemble that brings together five major museums, including the Pergamon Museum and the bust of Nefertiti at the Neues Museum. Then switch moods in the neighbourhoods that make today's Berlin: Kreuzberg and its alternative scene, Prenzlauer Berg and its cafés, the reclaimed wastelands covered in street art.
If you have time, an escape to Charlottenburg Palace or to Potsdam and its palaces (30 minutes away) adds a touch of Prussian splendour. And in the evening, Berlin comes alive: it's one of the most festive capitals in Europe.
Museums & experiences in Berlin
Museum Island tickets, Spree cruises and trips to Potsdam.
