Capitals of Cool: Berlin and Amsterdam

7 Day Tour of Berlin and Amsterdam

Destinations on this trip: Berlin,Amsterdam

Overview
Trip Map
Itinerary
Inclusions
Reviews

South Church Zuiderkerk and old Houses over canal with boats, Amsterdam, Netherlands

The Socialist Fraternal Kiss in East Side Gallery in Berlin

How Long Is the Capitals of Cool Trip and What Does It Cost?

Cultural ExplorationExperiencing the Local Scene

Duration
7 days / 6 nights
Best time
Jan-Dec
From
$1950 / person (Flights not included)

Explore Berlin and Amsterdam over 7 days, visiting the must-see sights while also discovering local hangouts and getting truly acquainted with the cities. Get introduced to the cities on private tours with locals, and continue your in-depth exploration independently, visiting Berlin's East Side Gallery, wandering along the scenic canals of Amsterdam, checking out the top museums, and traveling seamlessly by rail between the cities. It'll all be easy with the detailed travel guidance provided by Go Real Travel's mobile app. From the vibrant streets of Kreuzberg to culinary adventures in Amsterdam's Oost district, you'll cover it all.

Explore Berlin's dramatic history on a guided walk covering Brandenburg Gate & other iconic sights.
Glide along Amsterdam's historic canals and discover the charm of its old town on a guided tour.
Discover Berlin's diverse, creative, and always hip nightlife in Kreuzberg and Friedrichshain.
Revel in Amsterdam's art scene, visiting the Rembrandt House Museum and the Stedelijk Museum.
Savor the culinary diversity of Amsterdam's Oost district, where global cuisine meets local dining.

Explore Berlin's dramatic history on a guided walk covering Brandenburg Gate & other iconic sights.
Glide along Amsterdam's historic canals and discover the charm of its old town on a guided tour.
Discover Berlin's diverse, creative, and always hip nightlife in Kreuzberg and Friedrichshain.
Revel in Amsterdam's art scene, visiting the Rembrandt House Museum and the Stedelijk Museum.
Savor the culinary diversity of Amsterdam's Oost district, where global cuisine meets local dining.

The Brandenburg Gate

Historic Landmarks

The Berlin Wall

Historic Landmarks

Museum Island

Museums & Galleries

Checkpoint Charlie

European History

The Reichstag

Architecture

Old Town

Historic Landmarks

Museum Quarter

Museums & Galleries

Jordaan

Nightlife & Local Scene

Anne Frank House

Historic Landmarks

Must see sights

The Brandenburg Gate

Historic Landmarks

The Berlin Wall

Historic Landmarks

Museum Island

Museums & Galleries

Checkpoint Charlie

European History

The Reichstag

Architecture

Old Town

Historic Landmarks

Museum Quarter

Museums & Galleries

Jordaan

Nightlife & Local Scene

Anne Frank House

Historic Landmarks

Starting from

$1950

per person

Not included

Price varies by group size, hotel selection, and travel season.

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Capitals of Cool Trip Timeline

Arrival

2 nights

Berlin

Germany

Train: 4.5h

Train: 2.5h

4 nights

Amsterdam

Netherlands

Departure

What Does the Capitals of Cool Trip Itinerary Look Like?

Day 1

Arrive Berlin

Day 1

Arrive Berlin

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.

Airport Transfer by Taxi or Train

To Be Determined — Airport Transfer

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 1

Arrive Berlin

To Be Determined:

Airport Transfer

Mid-Day/Afternoon:

TV Tower & Old Berlin

Late Afternoon/Early Evening:

Courtyards of Berlin

Airport Transfer

Overview

Airport Transfer

Overview

Airport Transfer

Overview

Airport Transfer

Overview

Airport Transfer

Overview

Airport Transfer

To Be Determined — Airport Transfer

Mid-Day/Afternoon — TV Tower & Old Berlin

Television Tower

Soar to the top of this iconic symbol of Berlin in just 40 seconds, and enjoy amazing views from its observation deck.

DDR Museum

Experience life in Communist East Germany in this interactive museum.

Nikolaikirche

Visit the beautifully restored medieval Gothic church which gave the surrounding neighborhood its name.

Nikolaiviertel

Escape to Berlin's medieval past in this reconstructed historic district.

Late Afternoon/Early Evening — Courtyards of Berlin

Hackesche Höfe

Stop for a drink or go shopping within Berlin’s most beautiful courtyards.

Haus Schwarzenberg

Explore a traditional Berlin alleyway courtyard which harbours a trio of small museums relating to the Jewish experience during WWII.

New Synagogue

Visit one of the most important legacies of Berlin's pre-Holocaust Jewish community.

Day 2

Berlin

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

Reichstag

Make your way to the top of the dome enjoying amazing views and looking down at debating members of the German Parliament below.

Highlights of Berlin Guided Walking Tour

Browse the gallery to see some of the highlights

Brandenburg Gate

Quadriga. Hey, There's a Word to Know When Learning About this Historic Gate

Reichstag

Make your way to the top of the dome enjoying amazing views and looking down at debating members of the German Parliament below.

Highlights of Berlin Guided Walking Tour

Browse the gallery to see some of the highlights

Brandenburg Gate

Quadriga. Hey, There's a Word to Know When Learning About this Historic Gate

9:00 AM - 12:00 PM — Guided Walking Tour 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!

Mid-Day/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

Reichstag

Make your way to the top of the dome enjoying amazing views and looking down at debating members of the German Parliament below.

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/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.

Evening/Late 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 2

Berlin

Day 3

Berlin to Amsterdam

Day 3

Berlin to Amsterdam

Morning

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.

Café am Neuen See

Take a Break in a Popular Beer Garden Nestled Within the Park.

Trödel Markt

Shop within the forest at Berlin’s best flea market.

Wander the Tiergarten and Climb the Victory Column

Browse the gallery to see some of the highlights

Victory Column

Climb the historic column for a panoramic view of the city amidst a sea of green trees.

Café am Neuen See

Take a Break in a Popular Beer Garden Nestled Within the Park.

Trödel Markt

Shop within the forest at Berlin’s best flea market.

Wander the Tiergarten and Climb the Victory Column

Browse the gallery to see some of the highlights

Victory Column

Climb the historic column for a panoramic view of the city amidst a sea of green trees.

Morning — Tiergarten

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. 

Mid-Day/Afternoon — Checkpoint Charlie

The best-known Berlin Wall crossing point between East Berlin and West Berlin during the Cold War, Checkpoint Charlie was the main gateway between the two Berlins for most non-Germans. Next to it is the Mauermuseum recounting the history of the Berlin Wall, while a few hundred yards away is the Topography of Terror depicting the history of the Nazi regime. Nearby, the Jewish Museum explores the fascinating history of Germany's Jewish heritage in a striking modern building - uneven floors, empty spaces, and sharp zig-zags reflect its turbulent experience in Germany.

Jewish Museum

Unveil a fascinating story of triumph, tragedy, and also everyday life in Germany's leading Jewish history museum.

The history of Germany’s once-thriving Jewish population and culture is brilliantly detailed behind American architect Daniel Libeskind’s equally brilliant and shimmering titanium-zinc facade.

Trabi Museum

Sit behind the wheel of East Germany's infamously toxic Trabi.

This little museum is devoted to East Germany's iconic product - the Trabant automobile. Here you'll learn to appreciate the “fewer parts means less trouble” principles of the fibreglass car. 

Topography of Terror

Learn about the horrors of Nazism and the security apparatus it used to enforce its will in this documentation center.

The center has free admission. It is located on a site that headquartered Adolf Hitler's elite killers, the SS, the Gestapo secret police and the Reich Main Security Office, making it the main cog in the Nazi security regime. Standing there today in testament to the evil perpetrated during those years is the Topography of Terror, Germany’s most significant museum on the agents of Nazi terror. 

3:40 PM — Transfer to Rail Station

Most trains depart from Berlin Hbf station, the largest station in the city. Before spending money on a transfer, be sure to check whether your hotel is within easy walking distance. It is well connected by public transport, including U-bahn, S-bahn, and bus, making it relatively easy and often fastest to reach by public transport. However, if traveling with bags, you may prefer the convenience of taking a taxi, Uber, or private transfer. Berlin taxis are generally reliable and honest. If you are staying in central Berlin and are picked up one hour prior to departure, you should have time to catch your train.

16:46 - 20:57, 21:26 - 23:29 — Train to Amsterdam

This approximately 6.5-hour rail journey will take through the German state of Saxony-Anhalt and then Lower Saxony via the city of Hanover, before you continue into the Netherlands and finally arrive in Amsterdam. The scenery along the way is not dramatic, but nonetheless the fertile farmlands, tidy forests, and charming towns and villages of Germany and the Netherlands make for a pleasant and scenic journey.

11:29 PM — Taxi Transfer from Rail Station

Most trains arrive in Amsterdam Central Station (Centraal) station, the largest station in the city. Before spending money on a transfer, be sure to check whether your hotel is within easy walking distance. Also consider that public transport is the cheapest and sometimes fastest option, and trams pick up directly in front of the station at the main entrance (on the Centrum side of the station). You'll also find an entrance to the Metro just outside the main entrance. You won't, however, find taxis or Uber drivers in front of the main entrance, as it is a pedestrian zone. Instead, taxis can be found on the Ij-zijde (waterside) to the left of the Western tunnel. Simply look at the overhead signs that indicate the direction. If in any doubt, follow the ferry symbols.

Day 3

Berlin to Amsterdam

Day 4

Amsterdam

Day 4

Amsterdam

9:00 AM - 1:00 PM

Highlights Walking Tour

Enjoy an introduction to Amsterdam with this 4-hour private guided walking tour. After picking you up from your hotel, your professional guide will lead you past many of the city's highlights, including its center, as well as the Jordaan, the Grachtengordel, and the infamous Red-Light District. The guide will explain how all these feature in the city's history and contemporary life. Your guide will be happy to share some great tips for the rest of your stay.

Privately Guided Walking Tour of Amsterdam

9:00 AM - 1:00 PM — Highlights Walking Tour

Afternoon/Late Afternoon — Old Town

The basis of the old joke that 'God created Earth, but the Dutch created the Netherlands' can best be seen in the horseshoe-shaped old center of Amsterdam where the early inhabitants reclaimed much of their city from the sea and built the perfectly straight canals to keep the new land dry. Most of the picture-perfect gabled houses still retain their winch beams and hooks for hauling goods to the attic. These days its most renown historic buildings share space with Amsterdam's famous Red Light District.

Koninklijk Paleis

Yes, the Dutch Have Royalty, and You Can Often Visit Their Home.

Amsterdam's Royal Palace, originally built as the city hall in the 17th century during the Dutch Golden Age, stands majestically in Dam Square. Renowned for its classical architecture and opulent interiors, the palace serves as one of the King's official residences and is used for state visits, awards ceremonies, and other official functions. Its rich history and architectural grandeur, including lavish rooms and intricate sculptures, reflect Amsterdam's past prominence and wealth.

Jewish History Museum

Examine hundreds of years of stories and histories.

The Jewish Historical Museum in Amsterdam, set in the city's former Jewish Quarter in four 17th-century synagogues, delves into Jewish traditions, religion, and contributions to Dutch society. It features artifacts, personal Holocaust stories, and interactive exhibits, highlighting Amsterdam's Jewish heritage and its impact on the Netherlands. This museum fosters understanding and dialogue, making it vital for anyone interested in exploring Jewish history and culture.

Early Evening/Evening — Grachtengordel

The Grachtengordel, or Canal Ring, in Amsterdam, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, embodies the city's 17th-century architectural and urban planning. This historic network of canals, designed during the Dutch Golden Age, is lined with elegant merchant houses and bridges, reflecting Amsterdam's rich past. Today, it's a lively district filled with cafes, galleries, and boutiques, A visit here is essential to understanding both Amsterdam's past and present.

Westerkerk

Visit Rembrandt's burial place in this Renaissance-era Protestant church with a crown-topped spire.

Westerkerk, in English, the Western Church, is is the most largest and most important church in the city. Built between 1619 to 1631, the church and its bell tower – the Westerkerk Tower – are often regarded as the symbol of the city.  Come visit Westerkerk, if only to pay respects to that great master, the painter Rembrandt. Although technically a part of the canal ring, both the church and Anne Frank House are often described as a part of the Jordaan district as well. Since both these highlights rest on right on the border, it is the perfect starting point to explore either neighborhood!

Amsterdam Anne Frank House

Learn about one life of six million lives

The Anne Frank House in Amsterdam stands as a poignant tribute to the young Jewish girl who, along with her family, hid from Nazi persecution during World War II. Visitors are invited to explore the secret annex where Anne penned her now-famous diary, offering a deeply moving glimpse into the struggles faced during one of history's darkest periods.

Day 4

Amsterdam

Day 5

Amsterdam

Day 5

Amsterdam

Morning

Museum Quarter

Arranged in a tight knot on the aptly named Museumplein, Amsterdam's premier world-class museums include the Van Gogh Museum (pre-booked tickets required), the Rijks Museum with its collection of Rembrandts, and the Stedelijk Museum of modern and contemporary art. The Amsterdam Diamond Museum is nearby as well. Choose to visit one or more of these wonderful cultural venues from the detailed descriptions provided in the Full Itinerary.

Van Gogh Museum

The Van Gogh Museum - How Can't You Be Impressed?

Moco Museum

Contemporary in an Old City Can Be Beautiful Too

Diamond Museum

This museum will defintely make your eyes sparkle.

Impress yourself in the Museum Quarter

Browse the gallery to see some of the highlights

Rijks Museum Shop

Find Tickets and Trinkets related to the Rijks- and Van Gogh Museums

Van Gogh Museum

The Van Gogh Museum - How Can't You Be Impressed?

Moco Museum

Contemporary in an Old City Can Be Beautiful Too

Diamond Museum

This museum will defintely make your eyes sparkle.

Impress yourself in the Museum Quarter

Browse the gallery to see some of the highlights

Rijks Museum Shop

Find Tickets and Trinkets related to the Rijks- and Van Gogh Museums

Van Gogh Museum

The Van Gogh Museum - How Can't You Be Impressed?

Morning — Museum Quarter

Rijks Museum Shop

Find Tickets and Trinkets related to the Rijks- and Van Gogh Museums

Located on Museumplein (Museum Square), this convienent shop is operated by both museums to contend with the overflow at their respective ticket offices.  Even this shop can become busy.  However, if you don't plan on visiting the museums, but still want to pick up some souvenirs, this is your spot: both museums supply this store with their own merchandise.

Van Gogh Museum

The Van Gogh Museum - How Can't You Be Impressed?

Maybe no other artist since Michelangelo has touched the Western World as deeply as Vincent Van Gogh.  His exhuberent palates of color, the frenetic pace at which he painted, the humanity of his subjects, not to mention the pathos of his own life, all combined to make unforgettable works - many of whic hare at this museum.  Millions of words have been written about the man and his art; but somehow, seeing them live often leaves a person speechless.

Moco Museum

Contemporary in an Old City Can Be Beautiful Too

The MoCo Museum dedicates itself to showcasing modern, cutting-edge works from some of the most influential artists of the 20th and 21st centuries. Situated in a renovated townhouse in the heart of Amsterdam, it offers a dynamic and engaging art experience, featuring both permanent and temporary exhibitions. Highlights include pieces by Maria Abramović, Banksy, Andy Warhol, and other iconic figures who have shaped the contemporary art scene. The museum's intimate scale allows for a personal exploration of the artworks

Diamond Museum

This museum will defintely make your eyes sparkle.

The Diamant Museum in Amsterdam delves into this dazzling gem's history, highlighting Amsterdam's significance in the diamond industry since the 16th century.  Simultaneously, it showcases its journey from raw stones to exquisite jewelry, emphasizing the art of diamond cutting and polishing, and, of course, features a collection of gems and artifacts,.

Afternoon to Early Evening — Eastern Districts

The Eastern Districts of Amsterdam host a wide array of museums and activities that serve all ages. The districts include the areas of Waterlooplein, Eastern Docklands, Weesperbuurt, and Plantage. Get in touch with nature at the Botanical Garden or ARTIS, Amsterdam's famous zoo. Experience some hands-on learning at the NEMO Science Museum. See where the famous Dutch painter, Rembrandt, lived and created some of his most famous works. It might not be the most well-known area of the city but there is plenty to explore!

NEMO Science Museum

Explore Five Stories of Hands-on Exhibitions in the Largest Science Center in the Netherlands.

Using a variety of exhibitions, the NEMO Science Museum introduces people of all ages to the world of science and technology. The museum is filled with continuously updated and changing exhibitions, theatre performances, films, workshops, and demonstrations. Everything is interactive, so everyone can join in on the fun and learning, especially in NEMO's Laboratory.  When you've exhausted your hypothesis, the Center maintains a lovely cafe on its roof with great views of the city.

Rembrandt House

Wander through the restored 17th-century house where Rembrandt lived and worked for 20 years.

The famous Dutch painter, Rembrandt, was at the height of his fame when he moved into this house with his beloved wife Saskia. He mingled with the wealthy and powerful and was awarded the most prestigious commissions by merchants, nobles and clergymen. However, it was a turbulent time in the house where bad times followed the good in quick succession. The Night Watch was painted in the house. Saskia gave birth to three children in the home, all of whom died within a few months, before their son Titus, who lived to adulthood, was born. Soon afterward Saskia died in the same bed, probably from tuberculosis, leaving Rembrandt to raise their infant son. In total, Rembrandt owned and lived in this house between 1639 and 1660. A modern annex has been built next to Rembrandt’s house and, together, are a museum of Rembrandt’s life and work. While he was most renown for being a painter, this museum also shows the other sides of Rembrandt. In the museum, you will see him as a teacher, collector of art, entrepreneur and “Amsterdammer.”

National Opera House

Visit the elegant home of the Dutch National Opera and Ballet.

Get a Dutch take on the performing arts in the home of the Dutch National Opera and Ballet. Both groups rehearse and perform the majority of their works at the venue, housed uniquely in the same building as Amsterdam's City Hall. The institution is celebrated for its diverse repertoire, ranging from classic to contemporary works, attracting talent and audiences from around the globe.

Botanical Garden

Grow calmer in one of the world's oldest botanical gardens.

Amsterdam’s Hortus Botanicus is located on the eastern side of the city. Established in 1638, it was originally home to an herb garden filled with medicinal plants; today, Hortus Botanicus is home to more than 6,000 different flora. By the time the garden moved to its current location in 1682, it had collected many specimens unknown to Europeans. The Dutch East India Company, the organization that made the Netherlands such a economic powerhouse at the time, often brought exotic plants back that would be housed in the botanical garden, including Europe’s first Coffea Arabica plant and two small oil palms. Some of the original varieties brought here went on to populate Europe.

ARTIS Zoo

Visit the animals in this Royal Zoo, one of Europe's oldest .

ARTIS Zoo in Amsterdam, established in 1838, is the Netherlands' oldest zoo and a beloved destination for both locals and tourists. This historic zoo offers an immersive experience into the animal kingdom, housing a diverse collection of species from around the world, including exotic birds, mammals, reptiles, and marine life. Beyond its role as a wildlife sanctuary, ARTIS also emphasizes education and conservation, providing visitors with insights into animal behavior and habitat preservation.

Evening — Oost District Dining

Eating out in Amsterdam Oost district has never been more popular as it is now, with all its new hotspots. There are so many great options for food and drinks that any foodie will see this district as it is …the place to be! Whether you are looking for fine dining for a family dinner or a great burger for lunch, you can find everything here, from a quick bite to an Instagrammable spot for brunch. Oost has its charm, a district with a nice mixture of everything: busy streets, green parks, historical boroughs or modern cultural gems and of course everything is very diverse and colorful. The neighborhood is continuously developing and is an ideal place to witness the city's lifestyle. Oost is where the first movements in Amsterdam started – a once shady Javastraat is full of the most exciting bars, restaurants, and places to hang out. In Oost, you can find a good mix of different cultures, brown cafes, hip hotspots, and young creatives.

Day 5

Amsterdam

Day 6

Amsterdam

Day 6

Amsterdam

Morning to Afternoon

Zaanse Schans, Self Guided

Zaanse Schans is one of the most popular day trips from Amsterdam, a panorama of features deemed quintessentially Dutch like windmills and wooden clogs. This well-preserved neighborhood feels like an open-air museum full of traditional Dutch handicrafts as the bakery museum offers freshly baked cookies and their free aromas. Clogs are still hewn here. You should not to miss the cheese factory, pewter foundry and the various windmills. In guarding these traditions Zaanse Schans has become immensely popular, and crowded at times. The neighborhood can seem a bit fantastical, and sometimes we want that on a holiday.

Self-Guided Excursion to Zaanse Schans

Morning to Afternoon — Zaanse Schans, Self Guided

Afternoon to Early Evening — Old Jewish Quarter

At the time of the Nazi occupation of The Netherlands, Amsterdam had about 75-80,000 Jews living in the just the city alone. The Old Jewish Quarter is home to several museums that memorialize the 104,000 Dutch Jews who lost their lives along with those who made it through and whose families live in the country today. You can explore the Portuguese Synagogue, learn about Jewish culture at the Jewish History Museum, and pay respects at the National Holocaust Museum and Memorial.

Jewish History Museum

Examine hundreds of years of stories and histories.

Portuguese Synagogue

Take a moment in this active synagogue to learn about this historic building

The Portuguese Synagogue, located in the heart of Amsterdam, is a magnificent testament to the city's rich Jewish heritage. Known for its 17th-century architecture, this grand edifice stands as one of the most important legacies of the Jewish community that once flourished in Amsterdam. The synagogue's spacious interior expresses timeless tranquility and spiritual depth. Notable for its historical and cultural significance, the synagogue also houses an extensive library and archives, making it a center for Jewish learning and heritage.

Holocaust Museum

Remember and Learn

The Dutch National Holocaust Museum in Amsterdam offers an in-depth look at the Holocaust's effects in the Netherlands. Located in the Jewish Cultural Quarter, it combines personal stories with artifacts to highlight Dutch Jews' experiences during World War II, focusing on themes of resistance, persecution, and survival. The museum acts as both a memorial and an educational resource, promoting tolerance and awareness of human rights issues. It's essential for understanding the Holocaust's impact on Dutch society.

Day 6

Amsterdam

Day 7

Depart Amsterdam

Day 7

Depart Amsterdam

What's Included in the Capitals of Cool Trip Trip?

Pre-Paid Tours and Activities:

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

Pre-Paid Transportation:

2nd Class Train Tickets from Berlin Hbf to Duisburg Hbf
2nd Class Train Tickets from Duisburg Hbf to Amsterdam Centraal
Public Transport Tickets for Berlin and Amsterdam

Accommodation:

2 nights at a hotel of your choice in Berlin
4 nights at a hotel of your choice in Amsterdam

Go Real Travel Mobile App:

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Points of Interest
Detailed Travel Information
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Explore cities in more detail

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.

Learn About Berlin

A Row of Colorful Gable Houses by a Canal

Amsterdam

A waterside metropolis with a low-key vibe, a visit to Amsterdam is as fun and freewheeling as a fixed-gear bicycle. This is the city where you can let it all go. The streets of Amsterdam chime with bicycle bells and the laughter of people making their way between bars. Yellow wheels of cheese line shop windows, and in springtime, market stalls are abundant with the famous Dutch tulips. Younger than other cities in the Netherlands, Amsterdam sprang to life in the 17th century, when it became flush with trade from the Dutch colonies. From the gable tipped houses standing shoulder-to-shoulder on the canals to the Rembrandt paintings hanging on the walls of the Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam is strewn with relics from the Dutch Golden Age. Whether you rent a bicycle, float down a canal, or just sip on an amber-colored lager and watch the world go by, Amsterdam makes a lasting impression from start to finish.

Learn About Amsterdam

Prague

The city of Prague is indisputably the gem of Central Europe. Full of history, culture, and classic Czech pubs around every corner, Prague is teeming with nooks and crannies just waiting to be discovered. The narrow cobblestone streets and warm red rooftops give the city a homey feel, while the well-preserved medieval architecture transports you back in time. Walking across the Charles Bridge with the view of the Prague Castle will make you feel like you’re living in a fairytale, and you might as well be. As an up-and-coming destination, Prague is a perfect mix of classic and modern. New trendy cafes and bistros are always popping up, and you can always find a group of lively locals chowing down on goulash and quaffing pivo (the best beer in Europe!) at traditional Czech restaurants across the city. The clash of modernity and tradition, preservation and innovation, gives this city a mysterious air that you won’t soon forget.

Learn About Prague

Dresden

Nearly every wall and rooftop in Dresden seems to be finished with a flourish. Defined by its ornamental baroque architecture, a power statement of Saxon royalty, Dresden is made all the more miraculous considering the city was leveled by firebombing in WWII. After the war, the city was reconstructed, brick by painstaking brick. Even under East German-Soviet rule, which usually eschewed frivolous design, buildings like the Semper Opera House were pieced back to their former glory. Restoration of the majestic Zwinger Palace and bell domed Church of Our Lady slowly followed, with the Frauenkirche only fully repaired in 2005. Arguably there is no other city in Europe that cherishes its hard-won architecture as much as Dresden. Although it is a compact city, so many of its buildings will stop you in your tracks that architecture fans will easily lose a whole day in the Old Town area. Especially during the winter months, Dresden sparkles with a joyous, uplifting ambiance. The city is recognized as having the best-ever Christmas market in all of Europe. Between the twinkling lights, the scent of hot wine and gingerbread, and the towering Christmas tree, it’s worth going out of your way to see Dresden at this time of year.

Learn About Dresden

Frankfurt

Dubbed ‘Mainhatten’ for its glass highrises, financial prowess, and proximity to the Main River, Frankfurt offers a fascinating glimpse into the ‘engine room’ of Europe’s economy with an unexpected twist. Among the glass and steel buildings, the old-worldly Römerberg square will give you a double-take. The square’s 15th-century half-timbered houses, old statues, and church spires contrast dramatically against the modern 21st-century skyscrapers beyond. If you visit at Christmas, the Römerberg is truly special, aglow with the light of the tallest Christmas tree in Germany. The square fills with stalls selling handicrafts, and the air is scented with hot apple wine, honey, and cinnamon. Delve deeper into Frankfurt and you’ll find a substantial museum district, the Museumsufer (Museum Embankment). This area features a cluster of twelve museums on either side of Main River. This includes the Städel, home to Tischbein’s famous painting of renowned writer Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, one of Frankfurt’s most prestigious sons. The more time you spend in Frankfurt, the more you’ll discover a highly cultured city lurking beneath its glass facades. If you have the time, Frankfurt is certainly worth a second look.

Learn About Frankfurt

Hamburg

Compared to other German cities, Hamburg has a moody, nautical charisma all of its own. Despite being battered throughout history by floods, fires, and bombs, Hamburg has always held its head up high. Resilience is in the air in Hamburg, along with the briny smell of the North Sea. In recent years Hamburg has garnered a reputation for commerce and nightlife. Frequent travelers whisper that Hamburg is Germany’s ‘undiscovered’ city, the place to go for a little business and a lot of fun. Known as Germany’s ‘gateway to the world’, ships dock in Hamburg as they haul cargo up and down the Elbe River. The city thrives as Germany’s primary seaport and has been a center of trade since the middle ages. Its affluence shows in the 19th-century brick warehouses, flourishing restaurant scene, and recently constructed Elbphilharmonie concert hall, which floats majestically in the harbor, part ship and part island. Hamburg is a city for those who like to live large - in a cultured, German kind of way. Attend a performance at the orchestra, cruise on a boat around the Außenalster Lake, or have a night on the Reeperbahn, the Vegas-like strip where the Beatles once performed. Whatever you do in the city, Hamburg will make you look twice and see Germany from a totally different point of view.

Learn About Hamburg

Capitals of Cool: Berlin and Amsterdam

7 Day Tour of Berlin and Amsterdam

How Long Is the Capitals of Cool Trip and What Does It Cost?

$1950

Secure Your Customizable Trip Enter your details to embark on a journey that can be tailored just for you.

Craft Your Own Itinerary Select your interests and destinations for a trip plan inspired by you.

Where Does the Capitals of Cool Trip Trip Go?

Capitals of Cool Trip Timeline

What Does the Capitals of Cool Trip Itinerary Look Like?

Airport Transfer

To Be Determined — Airport Transfer

Mid-Day/Afternoon — TV Tower & Old Berlin

Television Tower

DDR Museum

Nikolaikirche

Nikolaiviertel

Late Afternoon/Early Evening — Courtyards of Berlin

Hackesche Höfe

Haus Schwarzenberg

New Synagogue

To Be Determined — Airport Transfer

Mid-Day/Afternoon — TV Tower & Old Berlin

Television Tower

DDR Museum

Nikolaikirche

Nikolaiviertel

Late Afternoon/Early Evening — Courtyards of Berlin

Hackesche Höfe

Haus Schwarzenberg

New Synagogue

Guided Walking Tour of Berlin

9:00 AM - 12:00 PM — Guided Walking Tour of Berlin

Brandenburg Gate

Reichstag

Mid-Day/Afternoon — Iconic Berlin

Brandenburg Gate

Reichstag

Sony Center

Holocaust Memorial

Late Afternoon/Early Evening — City West

Memorial Church

Story of Berlin Museum

Berlin Zoo

KaDeWe

Evening/Late Evening — East Side Gallery

Oberbaumbrücke

East Side Gallery

Berghain

Tiergarten

Morning — Tiergarten

Victory Column

Café am Neuen See

Trödel Markt

Mid-Day/Afternoon — Checkpoint Charlie

Jewish Museum

Trabi Museum

Topography of Terror

3:40 PM — Transfer to Rail Station

16:46 - 20:57, 21:26 - 23:29 — Train to Amsterdam

11:29 PM — Taxi Transfer from Rail Station

Highlights Walking Tour

9:00 AM - 1:00 PM — Highlights Walking Tour

Afternoon/Late Afternoon — Old Town

Koninklijk Paleis

Jewish History Museum

Early Evening/Evening — Grachtengordel

Westerkerk

Amsterdam Anne Frank House

Museum Quarter

Morning — Museum Quarter

Rijks Museum Shop

Van Gogh Museum

Moco Museum

Diamond Museum

Afternoon to Early Evening — Eastern Districts

NEMO Science Museum

Rembrandt House

National Opera House

Botanical Garden

ARTIS Zoo

Secure Your Customizable Trip
Enter your details to embark on a journey that can be tailored just for you.

Craft Your Own Itinerary
Select your interests and destinations for a trip plan inspired by you.