Berlin's history — imperial, divided, reunified — is visible everywhere, and this itinerary follows it chronologically: central landmarks, the Wall and Cold War sites, then museums and a day trip.
Day 1: Central Berlin
Start at the Brandenburg Gate, then walk to the Reichstag Building (book the dome in advance, it's free but requires registration) and the Holocaust Memorial nearby. Continue down Unter den Linden to Gendarmenmarkt, one of the city's most elegant squares.
Day 2: The Berlin Wall and Cold War Berlin
Walk the East Side Gallery, the longest surviving stretch of the Berlin Wall, then visit the Berlin Wall Memorial for a fuller picture of the divided city. Join a Berlin Wall & Cold War Tours in the afternoon, and consider the DDR Museum for a hands-on look at everyday life in East Germany.
Day 3: Museum Island and Potsdam
Spend the morning on Museum Island at the Pergamon Museum and Neues Museum, home to the bust of Nefertiti. In the afternoon, take the short train to Potsdam & Sanssouci Palace, the Prussian kings' answer to Versailles, easily reached on a Berlin transit day pass.
Tips for Your Trip
- Book free Reichstag dome visits online days ahead — they require ID registration and slots fill up.
- Berlin's public transport (U-Bahn, S-Bahn, trams) runs on an honor system with random ticket checks — always validate your ticket.
- Many major museums and memorials (Holocaust Memorial, East Side Gallery) are free to visit outdoors.