A day in Berlin.
Berlin reinvents itself every decade. The history is unavoidable (Wall, war, monuments to both) and the modern city is one of Europe's most creative. Distances are huge, use the U-Bahn liberally.
Hour by hour.
A suggested order, feel free to swap, skip, or take it in reverse.
09:30 · Start at Brandenburg Gate
Begin your day at Brandenburg Gate. Arrive early to avoid crowds and see it in the morning light.
11:00 · Reichstag
Walk to Reichstag, one of the city's defining landmarks. Take your time, this is the kind of place you can't rush.
13:00 · Lunch at BLESS Restaurant
Long lunch at BLESS Restaurant. Locals eat late, by 1:30pm you'll be at the heart of the lunch service.
15:00 · Museum Island
Walk off lunch with a visit to Museum Island. Allow at least an hour.
16:30 · East Side Gallery
Continue to East Side Gallery. By now the harsh midday sun has softened, best time for photos.
18:30 · Drinks at Bocca Felice Berlin-Mitte
Aperitivo or evening drink at Bocca Felice Berlin-Mitte. Soak in the local rhythm.
20:30 · Dinner at Schnitzelei Mitte
End the day at Schnitzelei Mitte. Book ahead if possible.
Picks for the day.
The food stops on the route, plus a couple of alternatives if your timing doesn't match.
BLESS Restaurant
Address: Hausvogteipl. 10
Bocca Felice Berlin-Mitte
Address: Seydelstraße 16
Schnitzelei Mitte
Address: Chausseestr. 8
What to see along the way.
Brandenburg Gate
Address: Pariser Platz
Reichstag
Address: Platz der Republik 1
Museum Island
Address: Bodestraße
East Side Gallery
Address: Mühlenstraße 3-100
Berlin Wall Memorial
Address: Bernauer Str. 111
Checkpoint Charlie
Address: Friedrichstraße 43-45
Berliner Dom
Address: Am Lustgarten
Tips before you go.
- Most restaurants close between lunch (around 3pm) and dinner (around 7:30pm). Plan around it.
- Cash is still useful in smaller places, though cards are increasingly accepted everywhere.
- Walk where you can, the best parts of any old European city aren't accessible by car.
- Museums sell timed-entry tickets online and they save real time, especially in peak season.
- Locals eat dinner late by American or British standards. Don't show up at 6:30pm expecting service.
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