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5 Days in Berlin: A Perfect Itinerary for Nightlife, Culture, and Outdoor Fun

Name: 5 Days in Berlin: A Perfect Itinerary for Nightlife, Culture, and Outdoor Fun
Brand: Go Real Travel
SKU: 5-days-in-berlin
Price: 899 USD
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Rating: 4.92 (144 reviews)

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Berlin

Experiencing the Local SceneOutdoor Activities

Berlin’s vibrant nightlife, fascinating history, and outdoor adventures await on this 5-day journey made easy with Go Real Travel's detailed itinerary and mobile app. Experience Berlin’s buzzing heart after dark while exploring cultural landmarks such as the Museum Island, Checkpoint Charlie, and the Berlin Cathedral on bicycle and on foot. You’ll relax amidst the greenery of Berlin’s parks in the Tiergarten and Charlottenburg Palace, and escape the city on a daytrip to the Spreewald where you can kayak, cycle, or hike through the enchanting landscape of forests and canals.

Trip Highlights

Uncover Berlin's captivating history on a private guided walking tour.
Cycle through Berlin on a guided tour, discovering gems such as the Victory Column in the Tiergarten
Experience the cultural riches of Museum Island and climb the tower of the Berlin cathedral.
Immerse yourself in the epic nightlife of the Kreuzberg and Friedrichshain neighborhoods.
Travel by train to the Spreewald, one of Germany's most unique cultural and ecological preserves.

Must-See Sights

The Brandenburg Gate is one of the most charged symbols in all of Germany. Built in 1791 to commemorate peace, Brandenburg served as a triumphal arch for Napoleon, a Nazi party icon, and part of the Berlin Wall. In 1987 when President Reagan made his famous proclamation of ‘Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!’, he did so in front of the Brandenburg Gate. The gate is also very easy on the eye, a neoclassical masterpiece of symmetry and balance. Based on the entry to the ancient Athenian Acropolis, Brandenburg is topped by a group of four triumphant horses pulling a cart. Even today, when visiting Brandenburg, you can feel the immense history in the air.
The Berlin Wall remains one of the city’s most prominent, ominous icons. After WWII, Berlin divided between Soviet Russia in the East and the Allied Powers in the West. Many East Germans fled to West Berlin to escape the rising communist German Democratic Republic. To prevent this, the socialists began constructing a wall in 1961 intending to keep their citizens in, and capitalism out. For nearly 30 years, the wall was the site of tension, division, and murder. Hundreds of people were killed trying to flee from East to West, until 1989 when the Soviet Union crumbled. Today, parts of the wall are preserved, complete with political graffiti and even bullet holes. Seeing the Berlin Wall up close is a remarkable chance to inspect a horrifying piece of 20th-century history.
One of the last residences of the German Monarchy, the ostentatious Charlottenburg Palace speaks to a bygone age, the 18th century. Brandenburg Germany was unified with Prussia, and King Friedrich I reigned over Berlin. Originally intended as a country house for the future Queen Sophie Charlotte, Charlottenburg is decorated in the swirling, luxe style of the age, a combination of Rococo and Italian Baroque. Everything in the palace seems to be brushed with gold. Among other explicit riches, the palace exhibits royal porcelain, silver, and even the crown jewels. As you tour the rooms, the opulent interiors have an almost dizzying effect. A retreat from the inner city, Charlottenburg will show you a whole new shade of Berlin.
In the middle of the Spree River and at the heart of Berlin’s city center lies one of the world’s most unique and impressive collection of museums. Known as Berlin’s Museum Island, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is home to five extraordinary museums and an absolute must for any Berlin itinerary. Among them is the well-known Pergamon Museum, boasting a spectacular collection of art and architecture from the ancient and classical eras. Other sites in the area include the Berlin cathedral (Berliner Dom) and the City Palace, still under reconstruction. The nearby Gendarmenmarkt is Berlin’s prettiest square and the site of its most famous Christmas Market.
Checkpoint C was the main access point for non-Germans entering East Berlin during the Cold War. Nicknamed ‘Checkpoint Charlie’, some of the worst Cold War tensions played out on this site. In 1961, East German and American tanks faced off over the checkpoint, each armed with munitions. As the Cold War progressed, it became one of the most surveilled spaces in Berlin. The Eagle Cafe, right next to the checkpoint, was filled with officials, soldiers, and spies peering over into East Berlin. Made famous by Cold War movies like Steven Spielberg’s Bridge of Spies, the once moody, clandestine atmosphere of the checkpoint is now a popular attraction. A replica border post marks the spot, and you can snap photos with people dressed in Cold War-era military uniforms. These days a replica border post now marks the spot, often with people dressed in Cold War-era military uniforms with whom you can take a picture with for a few euros. Nearby, the Jewish Museum explores the fascinating history of Germany’s Jewish heritage in a strikingly modern building.
The Reichstag building battled for survival through the darkest of 20th Century Germany. Completed in 1894, it saw out the last of Imperial Germany, and in 1933, four weeks after Adolph Hitler became Chancellor, the building was set aflame in a mysterious act of arson. Burned to ruins, the Reichstag was not even rebuilt before World War II struck. Damaged by air raids and captured by the Red Army, the Reichstag became as beleaguered as the state of German democracy. The dilapidated Reichstag miraculously reopened in 1990, for an emotional reunification of a full German parliament. In 1999 the building was fully repaired, with the addition of a triumphant glass dome. Now open to visitors, you can climb inside the dome, and survey the now peaceful and thriving Berlin.

Berlin in Five Days Trip Itinerary, Day by Day

Arrival
Departure

Day 1
Arrive Berlin
To Be Determined
Airport Transfer by Taxi or Train
Flying into Berlin you will arrive in the brand new Berlin Brandenburg Airport to the south of the city. Taxis are available at the airport, or you can arrange a private transfer for added convenience. The cheapest and fastest way to reach central Berlin is by train. The Airport Express train delivers you to Berlin's main station (Hauptbahnhof) in the center of the city, from where you can easily hail a taxi.
Mid-Day/Afternoon
The TV Tower and Berlin's East German & Medieval Legacies
The Television Tower and its surroundings in Alexanderplatz are Berlin's main architectural monument to the former East Germany. Despite the high-rent stores and offices that now fill the buildings, you can still detect quite a bit of that old communist character. Somewhat ironically, you'll find the medieval Nikolaiviertel, the oldest residential area of Berlin, just a few steps away. You'll also find nearby the Marienkirche (Berlin's oldest parish church), the displaced Neptune Fountain, the Red Town Hall, statues of Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels, and the massive Loxx model railway that even non-model train enthusiasts will gasp at.
Late Afternoon/Early Evening
Exploring Hidden Courtyards & Jewish History
With booming 19th-century population growth, nearly every unoccupied space in Berlin was filled by tenement buildings surrounding small courtyards. The Spandauer Vorstadt neighborhood possesses some of Berlin’s most beautiful courtyards, the Hackesche Höfe, as well as other courtyards which better recall the crowded conditions of industrial Berlin. Here you can discover the partially reconstructed New Synagogue, the former site of the Jewish cemetery, and many hidden reminders of a once vibrant community.
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Day 1 Arrive Berlin
Day 1
Arrive Berlin
Airport Transfer
Overview
Airport Transfer
Flying into Berlin you will arrive in the brand new Berlin Brandenburg Airport to the south of the city. Taxis are available at the airport, or you can arrange a private transfer for added convenience. The cheapest and fastest way to reach central Berlin is by train. The Airport Express train delivers you to Berlin's main station (Hauptbahnhof) in the center of the city, from where you can easily hail a taxi.
TV Tower & Old Berlin
The Television Tower and its surroundings in Alexanderplatz are Berlin's main architectural monument to the former East Germany. Despite the high-rent stores and offices that now fill the buildings, you can still detect quite a bit of that old communist character. Somewhat ironically, you'll find the medieval Nikolaiviertel, the oldest residential area of Berlin, just a few steps away. You'll also find nearby the Marienkirche (Berlin's oldest parish church), the displaced Neptune Fountain, the Red Town Hall, statues of Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels, and the massive Loxx model railway that even non-model train enthusiasts will gasp at.
Courtyards of Berlin
With booming 19th-century population growth, nearly every unoccupied space in Berlin was filled by tenement buildings surrounding small courtyards. The Spandauer Vorstadt neighborhood possesses some of Berlin’s most beautiful courtyards, the Hackesche Höfe, as well as other courtyards which better recall the crowded conditions of industrial Berlin. Here you can discover the partially reconstructed New Synagogue, the former site of the Jewish cemetery, and many hidden reminders of a once vibrant community.
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To Be Determined: Airport Transfer
Flying into Berlin you will arrive in the brand new Berlin Brandenburg Airport to the south of the city. Taxis are available at the airport, or you can arrange a private transfer for added convenience. The cheapest and fastest way to reach central Berlin is by train. The Airport Express train delivers you to Berlin's main station (Hauptbahnhof) in the center of the city, from where you can easily hail a taxi.
Mid-Day/Afternoon: TV Tower & Old Berlin
The Television Tower and its surroundings in Alexanderplatz are Berlin's main architectural monument to the former East Germany. Despite the high-rent stores and offices that now fill the buildings, you can still detect quite a bit of that old communist character. Somewhat ironically, you'll find the medieval Nikolaiviertel, the oldest residential area of Berlin, just a few steps away. You'll also find nearby the Marienkirche (Berlin's oldest parish church), the displaced Neptune Fountain, the Red Town Hall, statues of Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels, and the massive Loxx model railway that even non-model train enthusiasts will gasp at.
Television Tower
Soar to the top of this iconic symbol of Berlin in just 40 seconds, and enjoy amazing views from its observation deck.
The 1960s TV Tower (Fernsehturm) is possibly the best surviving example of East Germany’s architectural legacy. In total, it is 1,197 feet tall (368 meters), but you can only go 666 ft to the observation deck, or a bit higher if you have a ticket to the revolving Sphere Restaurant. You ascend in one of two 10-person elevators that take a mere 40 seconds to reach the observation deck.
DDR Museum
Experience life in Communist East Germany in this interactive museum.
This brilliantly evocative and interactive museum helps visitors imagine what life under the Communist East German regime was like. A homage to Ostalgie (nostalgia for East Germany), it offers up memories of the school system, pioneer camps (something like Communist scouts), and the wonderfully clumsy attempts to rival Western clothing and food fashions. It'd all be adorable, if it weren't so oppressive.
Nikolaikirche
Visit the beautifully restored medieval Gothic church which gave the surrounding neighborhood its name.
Dating all the way back to the earliest days of Berlin, this church was probably built just after Berlin was granted town privileges. An unusual feature of its interior is the bright colouring of the vault ribbings: the orange, purple, green and other vivid lines look like a 1960s Pop Art addition, but actually follow a medieval pattern discovered by a 1980s restorer.
Nikolaiviertel
Escape to Berlin's medieval past in this reconstructed historic district.
The Nikolaiviertel or St. Nicholas Quarter is Berlin's oldest residential area. With its medieval lanes and numerous restaurants and bars, it was a favorite haunt of the artistically-minded in the years before WWII, but that war left it a devastated wasteland. In the 1980's the East German regime attempted a renovation of the neighborhood based on historical models, but the “old Berlin” illusion is not all entirely convincing. The use of East German construction techniques is glaringly obvious in some places, such as prefabricated gables and corrugated concrete panels. As a result, it was scornfully nicknamed “Honecker's Disneyland” after the former East German leader, but today it is a historic curiousity in its own right.
Late Afternoon/Early Evening: Courtyards of Berlin
With booming 19th-century population growth, nearly every unoccupied space in Berlin was filled by tenement buildings surrounding small courtyards. The Spandauer Vorstadt neighborhood possesses some of Berlin’s most beautiful courtyards, the Hackesche Höfe, as well as other courtyards which better recall the crowded conditions of industrial Berlin. Here you can discover the partially reconstructed New Synagogue, the former site of the Jewish cemetery, and many hidden reminders of a once vibrant community.
Hackesche Höfe
Stop for a drink or go shopping within Berlin’s most beautiful courtyards.
These nine courtyards are classic examples of Art Deco. Built in 1905-1907 to house businesses, flats and places of entertainment, Hackesche Höfe was conceived of as an antidote to the dowdy and overcrowded courtyards of working-class Berlin. They are elaborately decorated with blue mosaic tiles and other artistic finishes, but nevertheless preserve a layout that was highly typical of much of pre-war Berlin.
Haus Schwarzenberg
Explore a traditional Berlin alleyway courtyard which harbours a trio of small museums relating to the Jewish experience during WWII.
The courtyard's crumbling and grafittied facades give visitors a feel for Berlin tenement life during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Among the museums is the fascinating Museum Blindenwerkstatt Otto Wendt (free; open 10am-8pm daily). It is located in the former rooms of a broom and brush factory run by one Otto Wendt, whose employees were mainly deaf, blind and Jewish. He managed to protect his workers from the concentration camps by having the factory declared essential to the war effort.
New Synagogue
Visit one of the most important legacies of Berlin's pre-Holocaust Jewish community.
The partially reconstructed synagogue was damaged on Kristallnacht, an anti-Jewish Nazi pogrom. It was not completely destroyed thanks to the intervention of the local police chief. Its ultimate destruction was left to Allied bombers and reconstruction didn’t begin until the late 1980s. While large parts remain unreconstructed, it is still possible to visit the interior.
Day 2
Berlin
Day 2
Berlin
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Highlights of Berlin Guided Walking Tour
On this 3 hour tour, your guide will show you the highlights of Berlin and help you understand what makes this city so unique. Sites visited will include the boulevard Unter den Linden, the Gendarmenmarkt, Check Point Charlie, remnants of the Berlin Wall, Potsdamer Platz, the Holocaust Memorial, the Brandenburg Gate, and the Reichstag.
Mid-Day to Late Afternoon
Berlin's Most Iconic Sights
Many of Berlin’s most iconic symbols are found within a short walk of each other. Most famous of all is the Brandenburg Gate. First built as a symbol of peace, it became a symbol of division during the Cold War. A few steps away stands the Reichstag, which was destroyed in the climax of World War II but which has been beautifully rebuilt with a glass dome. Meanwhile, the modernistic Sony Center also symbolizes a revitalized and rebuilt Berlin. Also close by is the sobering Holocaust Memorial, with its more than 2700 concrete slabs creating an ominous impression of loss. Just beyond it is another reminder of Germany's darkest period - the site of Hitler's bunker during the seige of Berlin.
Late Afternoon to Evening
The East Side Gallery & Hip Berlin: Kreuzberg-Friedrichshain
Kreuzberg was a rough, poor area in West Berlin until students, artists, and immigrants began moving there for the cheap rents. Over time it became Berlin’s most hip and happening district, filled with cafes, restaurants, and bars. After 1989, Friedrichshain, a grungy, working-class district just across the river in the former East Berlin, began to compete with Kreuzberg as Berlin's trendiest neighborhood. It's also home to the East Side Gallery, the longest remaining stretch of the Berlin Wall.
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Day 2 Berlin
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM: Guided Walking Tour of Berlin
On this 3 hour tour, your guide will show you the highlights of Berlin and help you understand what makes this city so unique. Sites visited will include the boulevard Unter den Linden, the Gendarmenmarkt, Check Point Charlie, remnants of the Berlin Wall, Potsdamer Platz, the Holocaust Memorial, the Brandenburg Gate, and the Reichstag.
Brandenburg Gate
Quadriga. Hey, There's a Word to Know When Learning About this Historic Gate
The Brandenburg Gate was built as a symbol of peace, perverted into a symbol of power by the Nazis, and became a symbol of division during the Cold War. Now, however, it is a symbol of reunification. Completed in 1791, it was topped by the quadriga, a chariot drawn by four horses driven by the goddess of peace. Napoleon seized the quadriga as a spoil of war, but after his defeat, it was returned to the city and met by cheering crowds along the way, transforming the goddess of peace into a goddess of victory, holding a Germanic cross.
Reichstag
Make your way to the top of the dome enjoying amazing views and looking down at debating members of the German Parliament below.
Officially, the Reichstag is actually the Bundestag, which means the federal parliament. The Reichstag was reduced to a ruined shell by arson in 1933 and by World War II fighting, but it was rebuilt with a striking egg-shaped glass dome. Visitors are given a free audio guide that discusses the building’s history and architecture, while also orientating you to the sites of Berlin. It is an excellent introduction to the city. Note that it is usually necessary to book well in advance!
Mid-Day to Late Afternoon: Iconic Berlin
Many of Berlin’s most iconic symbols are found within a short walk of each other. Most famous of all is the Brandenburg Gate. First built as a symbol of peace, it became a symbol of division during the Cold War. A few steps away stands the Reichstag, which was destroyed in the climax of World War II but which has been beautifully rebuilt with a glass dome. Meanwhile, the modernistic Sony Center also symbolizes a revitalized and rebuilt Berlin. Also close by is the sobering Holocaust Memorial, with its more than 2700 concrete slabs creating an ominous impression of loss. Just beyond it is another reminder of Germany's darkest period - the site of Hitler's bunker during the seige of Berlin.
Brandenburg Gate
Quadriga. Hey, There's a Word to Know When Learning About this Historic Gate
The Brandenburg Gate was built as a symbol of peace, perverted into a symbol of power by the Nazis, and became a symbol of division during the Cold War. Now, however, it is a symbol of reunification. Completed in 1791, it was topped by the quadriga, a chariot drawn by four horses driven by the goddess of peace. Napoleon seized the quadriga as a spoil of war, but after his defeat, it was returned to the city and met by cheering crowds along the way, transforming the goddess of peace into a goddess of victory, holding a Germanic cross.
Reichstag
Make your way to the top of the dome enjoying amazing views and looking down at debating members of the German Parliament below.
Officially, the Reichstag is actually the Bundestag, which means the federal parliament. The Reichstag was reduced to a ruined shell by arson in 1933 and by World War II fighting, but it was rebuilt with a striking egg-shaped glass dome. Visitors are given a free audio guide that discusses the building’s history and architecture, while also orientating you to the sites of Berlin. It is an excellent introduction to the city. Note that it is usually necessary to book well in advance!
Sony Center
Check out the futuristic and ground-breaking Sony Center at Potsdamer Platz.
The visually dramatic and future-aesthetic Sony Center is a complex of entertainment, shopping, and office buildings surrounding a plaza canopied by a tentlike glass roof with supporting beams radiating out like bicycle spokes. It also integrates rare relics from Potsdamer Platz's prewar era, such as the opulent Kaisersaal – a fragment of the luxurious pre-war Esplanade Hotel.
Holocaust Memorial
Wander amongst 2,711 columns forming a vast mazelike Holocaust memorial.
The Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe. It consists of a 19,000 square meter site with over 2700 concrete slabs that grow larger and more ominous as you approach the center of the monument. Beneath the monument lies an information center.
Late Afternoon to Evening: East Side Gallery
Kreuzberg was a rough, poor area in West Berlin until students, artists, and immigrants began moving there for the cheap rents. Over time it became Berlin’s most hip and happening district, filled with cafes, restaurants, and bars. After 1989, Friedrichshain, a grungy, working-class district just across the river in the former East Berlin, began to compete with Kreuzberg as Berlin's trendiest neighborhood. It's also home to the East Side Gallery, the longest remaining stretch of the Berlin Wall.
Oberbaumbrücke
Cross between the ultra-hip neighborhoods of Friedrichshain and Kreuzberg on this picturesque double-decked bridge.
This bridge over the River Spree is used by cars, pedestrians, and cyclists, also carries a line of the U-Bahn. It was built to resemble the distinct style of brick Gothic, which was popular in northern Germany in the middle ages. It also possesses two decorative towers which symbolize the historic importance of the site, when it served as a gateway into the city.
East Side Gallery
Admire the street art as you walk the longest remaining stretch of the Berlin Wall.
Painted with graffiti art, the East Side gallery is considered the world’s largest and longest open-air art gallery in the world, with over 100 graffiti murals set along the Spree river. One of the most famous murals is the controversial and oft-depicted “My God, Help Me to Survive This Deadly Love”, which shows former Communist leaders Leonid Brezhnev and Erich Honecker kissing.
Berghain
Try to get into Berlin's most famous nightclub.
Located in an abandoned power plant, and with space for more than 1,500 guests, you might think it is easy to get into this club. But in reality it's still quite tough to make it inside. While the harsh, industrial interior is dominated by steel and concrete, the club has a reputation for sensuousness and hedonism.
Day 3
Berlin
Day 3
Berlin
9:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Guided Cycling Tour of Berlin
It is said that some cities were made for pedestrians, and others were made for cars. In that case then, Berlin was made for bicycles. Nearly perfectly flat, and filled with beautiful parks and broad avenues, Berlin is crisscrossed by one of the world’s most extensive networks of urban bike paths and lanes. You will cycle past grand architecture, through green parks, and along charming canals, exploring Berlin in a unique and memorable way.
Mid-Day/Afternoon
Wander the Tiergarten and Climb the Victory Column
Once the hunting ground of the Prussian kings, the Tiergarten is Berlin’s most famous and expansive park. It is a wonderful escape from urban stress located in the very center of the city. You will discover beautiful forests, fields, and ponds, all easily reached through an extensive and well maintained network of trails. Some of Berlin's favorite beer gardens are also located in the park.
Late Afternoon/Early Evening
Stroll the Kurfürstendamm in West Berlin
In the 1920's the elegant, tree-line boulevard known as the Kurfürstendamm was the center of Berlin's nightlife and leisure scene, attracting writers, film stars, and artists. WWII left it in ruins, and today at the end of the boulevard you'll discover a chilling reminder of that destruction: the purposefully unrecontructed remains of the Memorial Church. During the Cold War, the Kurfürstendamm and its surroundings were central to West Berlin's revitalized identity. This was perhaps best symbolized by the famous KaDeWe, the gigantic department store which served as a symbol of market capitalism lodged in the heart of the Iron Curtain.
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Day 3 Berlin
9:00 AM - 11:30 AM: Guided Bike Tour of Berlin
It is said that some cities were made for pedestrians, and others were made for cars. In that case then, Berlin was made for bicycles. Nearly perfectly flat, and filled with beautiful parks and broad avenues, Berlin is crisscrossed by one of the world’s most extensive networks of urban bike paths and lanes. You will cycle past grand architecture, through green parks, and along charming canals, exploring Berlin in a unique and memorable way.
Mid-Day/Afternoon: Tiergarten
Once the hunting ground of the Prussian kings, the Tiergarten is Berlin’s most famous and expansive park. It is a wonderful escape from urban stress located in the very center of the city. You will discover beautiful forests, fields, and ponds, all easily reached through an extensive and well maintained network of trails. Some of Berlin's favorite beer gardens are also located in the park.
Victory Column
Climb the historic column for a panoramic view of the city amidst a sea of green trees.
One of Berlin’s most familiar sights, the column commemorates victories over Denmark, Austria, and France during the mid-19th century. These victories enabled the founding of the German Empire in 1871. It was moved to the current location on the express orders of Hitler.
Café am Neuen See
Take a Break in a Popular Beer Garden Nestled Within the Park.
Even if you don’t feel like stopping for a drink or a meal, it is still worth a quick peek just to experience the atmosphere. The location is absolutely ideal, surrounded by forest and looking over the lake with its many paddle boaters. There's a formal sit-down café on the terrace and a self-service beer garden, where sharing benches is expected and completely normal.
Trödel Markt
Shop within the forest at Berlin’s best flea market.
If you are looking for a unique purchase then this is the place. The market takes place every weekend from 10am-5pm. Discover art, family heirlooms, furniture, clothing, souvenirs, food, and more.
Late Afternoon/Early Evening: City West
In the 1920's the elegant, tree-line boulevard known as the Kurfürstendamm was the center of Berlin's nightlife and leisure scene, attracting writers, film stars, and artists. WWII left it in ruins, and today at the end of the boulevard you'll discover a chilling reminder of that destruction: the purposefully unrecontructed remains of the Memorial Church. During the Cold War, the Kurfürstendamm and its surroundings were central to West Berlin's revitalized identity. This was perhaps best symbolized by the famous KaDeWe, the gigantic department store which served as a symbol of market capitalism lodged in the heart of the Iron Curtain.
Memorial Church
Remind yourself of war's destructiveness by visiting the ruins of this church destroyed during WWII.
After its destruction in WWII, the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church was partially rebuilt in modernist style, and partially left in ruins as a powerful reminder of the war. Built-in the 1890s, Kaiser Wilhelm II hoped to inspire the secular proletariat to return to traditional religious values. The neo-Gothic design became ever more colorful as Wilhelm insisted on more bling. The small exhibition inside shows the wartime destruction and a “before and after” model of the city center.
Story of Berlin Museum
Take an interactive crash course in Berlin history. (Re-opening Autumn 2021)
This museum uses reconstructed street scapes, homes, and other interactive exibits to give you good feeling for the atmosphere of Berlin during it's long and often times turbulent history, including during the Nazi and Communist era. You can also tour an underground nuclear shelter.
Berlin Zoo
Visit Germany's Oldest and Best Known Zoo.
Founded in 1844, the Zoologischer Garten Berlin was the first zoo in Germany and features some wonderful animal-inspired architecture as well. The original animals were donated by King Frederick William IV of Prussia, and it now has a collection of around 20,500 animals representing 1,500 different species. The zoo’s aquarium opened in 1913 and now contains one of the largest collections of aquatic life in Europe.
KaDeWe
Shop in the iconic department store of capitalist West Berlin
Opened in 1907, the Kaufhaus des Westens, or KaDeWe, quickly became a temple of luxury in a rapidly modernising city. It took off again following the German post-war economic miracle and gained new impetus again following German reunification. During Communism, due to it's proximity to East Germany, it became a symbol of the material wealth of the West in comparison to that of countries stuck behind the Iron Curtain.
Day 4
Berlin
Day 4
Berlin
Early Morning to Early Evening
Excursion to Spreewald
An enchanted landscape lies hidden within deep forests only an hour from Berlin by direct train. Canals, rivers, and marshes criss-cross an area of ancient settlement by the Sorb people, original Slavic inhabitants who resisted Germanization and colonization by remaining in their watery retreat. Today it is a paradise for lovers of nature and folk culture. Explore it by raft, on foot, by kayak, or by bike.
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Day 4 Berlin
Early Morning to Early Evening: Spreewald
An enchanted landscape lies hidden within deep forests only an hour from Berlin by direct train. Canals, rivers, and marshes criss-cross an area of ancient settlement by the Sorb people, original Slavic inhabitants who resisted Germanization and colonization by remaining in their watery retreat. Today it is a paradise for lovers of nature and folk culture. Explore it by raft, on foot, by kayak, or by bike.
Freilandmuseum
Learn how residents of the Spreewald used to live in this folk life museum.
Surrounded by canals in the heart of the Spreewald, this museum is a delight for lovers of folk culture and history. Well, preserved homes and farms show the unique traditional way of life of the Spreewald and Sorb people. You’ll check out period costumes, folk art, giant pickle making barrels, farming implements, a working orchard, and furnishings, including a bed designed to sleep three generations simultaneously.
Boat Rental in the Spreewald
Explore this UNESCO-Heritage biosphere reserve by kayak.
Pick up a boat and paddle along the quiet streams and canals of the Spreewald, discovering the old traditions and lives of the Slavic culture that still survive along their banks. Cool and wooded, the right turns will lead you to a charming inn; the incorrect turn will lead you to equally charming destinations - It¨s all beautiful; there are no wrong turns in this lovely biosphere.
Bike Rental in the Spreewald
Enjoy an idyllic few hours cyling through the Spreewald's beautiful but perfectly flat landscape.
A network of trails and bridges crisscrosses the biosphere making it a perfect location for cycling. Keep in mind that you will have to push the bikes up over some steep bridges which cross the canals (the bridges are usually outfitted with ramps).
Punt Boat Tours
Relax and soak in the fairy tale atmosphere on a traditional guided punt boat tour.
A punt tour hrough the beautiful biosphere reserve is a visitor favorite. The guides are locals who will entertain you with witty stories and hilarious anecdotes from the Spreewald, that is, if you speak German. But it is not necessary to understand German to enjoy the tour. The scenery and architecture is beautiful, and the voyage peaceful and relaxing as it passes by green meadows, thick forests, and traditional wooden homes.
Day 5
Depart Berlin
Day 5
Depart Berlin
Morning/Mid-Day
Explore the Museum Island
This island in the River Spree is home to five world-renowned museums, which could easily fill up a whole trip just by themselves. The island is covered in trees and green lawns, while the classically-inspired architecture of the museums can be enjoyed without even stepping inside. Unfortunately, the biggest star of the island, the Pergamon Museum, with its wholly reconstructed ancient buildings, is closed until 2026 for renovations. However, you can still visit a massive 360-panorama depicting the ancient city of Pergamon, and there's still more museums to visit than you could possibly fit in. Also to be found on and around Museum Island are the majestic Berliner Dom cathedral and the huge Berlin Palace.
To Be Determined
Transfer to Berlin Airport by Taxi or Train
The most affordable and fast way to reach Berlin Brandenburg airport is by train. The Airport Express train takes only 30 minutes and leaves directly from the main station in central Berlin (Berlin Hbf). Regional and S-Bahn trains also depart from other locations in Berlin. Berlin taxis are generally reliable and honest, so you may wish to take a taxi or Uber, although this is more expensive than the train and puts you at the mercy of traffic. You can also arrange a private transfer. If you are picked up about 3 hours before your departure time, you should arrive at the airport with about two hours to spare, depending on traffic. If you are leaving during rush hour, you may want to budget an extra fifteen to thirty minutes.
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Day 5 Depart Berlin
Morning/Mid-Day: Museum Island
This island in the River Spree is home to five world-renowned museums, which could easily fill up a whole trip just by themselves. The island is covered in trees and green lawns, while the classically-inspired architecture of the museums can be enjoyed without even stepping inside. Unfortunately, the biggest star of the island, the Pergamon Museum, with its wholly reconstructed ancient buildings, is closed until 2026 for renovations. However, you can still visit a massive 360-panorama depicting the ancient city of Pergamon, and there's still more museums to visit than you could possibly fit in. Also to be found on and around Museum Island are the majestic Berliner Dom cathedral and the huge Berlin Palace.
Pergamonmuseum
Relive the past in one of the world's premier museums of archealogy and ancient art. You can step into enormous ancient structures, wholly reconstructed.
The museum is a jaw-dropping feast of classical sculpture and monumental architecture from Greece, Rome, Babylon and the Middle East divided into three parts. Highlights include the radiant-blue Ishtar Gate from Babylon, the Roman Market Gate of Miletus and the Caliph's Palace of Mshatta.
Neues Museum
Stare into the eyes of the famed Egyptian queen Nefertiti and see other ancient artwork and archeological artifacts.
The New Museum was opened in 1859 to relieve pressure on the over-crowded Old Museum. The three exhibition floors were decorated by leading Classical painters, with a focal point being a grand staircase winding up all three stories. Exhibits include the archaeological collections of the Egyptian Museum and Papyrus Collection, the Museum of Pre- and Early History, and the Collection of Classical Antiquities. The 3300-year-old bust of Egyptian Queen Nefertiti is the showstopper.
Berliner Dom
Climb 270 steps to the top of this massive 19th century cathedral for a unique panoramic view of the city.
Berlin Cathedral, nestled on Museum Island, epitomizes German neo-Renaissance grandeur with its striking dome. Built from 1894 to 1905 and restored post-World War II, its lavish interior, stained glass, and notable pipe organ draw visitors. Beyond a place of worship, it houses the former imperial ruling family's, the Hohenzollern, crypt, revealing the dynastic past of Germany.
To Be Determined: Airport Transfer by Taxi or Rail
The most affordable and fast way to reach Berlin Brandenburg airport is by train. The Airport Express train takes only 30 minutes and leaves directly from the main station in central Berlin (Berlin Hbf). Regional and S-Bahn trains also depart from other locations in Berlin. Berlin taxis are generally reliable and honest, so you may wish to take a taxi or Uber, although this is more expensive than the train and puts you at the mercy of traffic. You can also arrange a private transfer. If you are picked up about 3 hours before your departure time, you should arrive at the airport with about two hours to spare, depending on traffic. If you are leaving during rush hour, you may want to budget an extra fifteen to thirty minutes.

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What's Included in Berlin in Five Days Trip

Pre-Paid Tours and Activities

Highlights of Berlin Guided Walking Tour
Guided Cycling Tour of Berlin
City Card for Berlin, including discounts to many popular attractions

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Public Transport Tickets for Berlin

Accommodation

4 nights at a hotel of your choice in Berlin

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Germany

Berlin

Since the fall of its notorious wall, Berlin’s unification has seen it go from strength to strength. No wonder the city feels like it hasn’t stopped partying since the 1990s. There is so much to celebrate here. Fueled by the robust economy, a thriving tech scene, and straight-up German bonhomie, when you step into Berlin you’ll soon be caught up in its spirit. For all this gusto, Berlin hasn’t forgotten its troubled past. A visit to Berlin is to bear witness to history. Portions of the wall remain intact, and the city’s Jewish Museum offers a detailed, emotional examination of the Holocaust. Inside the reconstructed Reichstag, every attempt has been made to preserve the parliament’s beleaguered history. The buildings' glass dome addition feels less like a triumphal crown and more like a freshly healed battle scar. Days in Berlin are easily spent wandering from a cafe to the cultural institutions on Museum Island, or over to the Charlottenburg Palace. By night, crowds wander through the booming bars and nightclubs or gaze upon the floodlit Brandenburg Gate and Victory Column monuments. An international city that can offer something to everyone, Berlin is an unmissable stop on your German journey.

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We have already recommended Go Real to friends. The trip was everything we had hoped for. Myles was fabulous to deal with. Your guides for the walking tours were incredible. Thank you so much!

I found Go Real Europe as a pop-up while I was researching vacation options. I was attracted by the individual itinerary and private guides. When I asked for a sample itinerary I was surprised by the detail and the cost. The only thing that I added was an upgrade to first class railroad tickets for our intercity travel. The smaller boutique hotels were well situated, friendly, clean, comfortable and 5-star rated by TripAdvisor. The individual guides, in each city (Berlin, Munich and Prague) were extremely informative and interesting to listen to. They even arranged for us to attend an opera in Prague. I highly recommend Go Real Europe and I will use them again.

This is a quality and supportive tour company. We are a well-travelled pair of (about) 70 year olds who enjoy doing our own thing at our own pace but in unfamiliar language settings need a bit of extra support and advice. Choosing GRE for our leg Berlin>Krakow>Prague was perfect and I'd be more than happy to recommend them and to use them again. The team (Jared, Jan, et al) were cheerful and informative. The hotels chosen were always ideal and every pickup and collection worked perfectly. The only wobble was the bus/train transfer from Krakow to Prague but this was mainly a function of ongoing development of infrastructure by local authorities. In the end, nothing bad happened and our pickup was at the station in Prague. I think if we'd upgraded to First/Business Class for this leg we might not even have noticed any discomfort. This company has crafted a very well-targetted travel product and we wish them well.

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