written by Kyle Kroeger for MonaCorona.com.
Berlin is Germany’s capital city with approximately 4 million people, always bustling with energy. This city has lively nightclubs, great cuisines offered by some notable restaurants, and fantastic tourist attractions. Berlin alone is one of the top reasons why you need to visit Germany, at least once in your lifetime.
In case you are on a short trip to the city, we have mentioned some incredible historical sights, restaurants, and top 5-star hotels that you’d love.
So, if you’d like to see Berlin in one day, this 24-hour Berlin itinerary will not disappoint you.
Berlin in One day
Berlin is a vibrant city known for its cultural flair, beautiful architecture, galleries, museums, and a world heritage site. So our Berlin itinerary includes everything, along with some great coffee shops and suitable transit spots.
So, which places are a must-visit if you get one day in Berlin? Let’s take a look:
Visit Museum Island
Museum Island is situated in the heart of Berlin. The location is an ensemble of buildings placed between the River Spree and Kupffergraben. In fact, the name Museum Island comes from the five famous museum buildings located in the area.
Due to the connected historical buildings, the Museum Island is one of the most visited places in Berlin. In 1999, it was listed by UNESCO as one of the World Heritage Sites.
Culturally rich and full of artistic architecture, this place wins the hearts of tourists. You can visit the Old Museum as well.
Additionally, the New Museum, also known as Neues Museum, has many antiques so you can give it a visit. In addition, the Bode Museum has a collection of Byzantine art, while the Old National Gallery here displays neoclassical sculptures from the 1800s.
Berlin has about 170 museums, and since you can’t visit all of them, you can surely take a look at the five consolidated museums.
The Museum Island is in the central part of the city, which makes it easily accessible. In addition, the spree river surrounding the island enhances the beauty of the site. The island also offers an excellent spot for pictures.
Breakfast at House of Small Wonder
After visiting the museum, you can go to the House of Small Wonder to grab breakfast or brunch. House of Small Wonder is a few blocks away from Museum Island, so it is within your access.
The Japenese style cafe serves classic brunch and has a variety in its menu. Their most famous dish is eggs benedict. Besides that, you can also have fresh sandwiches and salads.
House of Small Wonder has a cozy interior with an aesthetic staircase. Overall, the interior is exquisite, and the great breakfast options will satisfy your tastebuds for sure.
Walking Tour
When you have finished your breakfast, you can take a quick walking tour of Berlin. This city is culturally diverse and was a significant center of politics. Besides that, Berlin has many historical sites so you can explore the city on foot.
If you love to walk around, you can book a walking tour by Sundemans; it will also take you through the history of the place.
The Brandenburg Gate
The walking tour starts from Starbucks near the Brandenburg Gate in Mitte district’s Pariser Platz. It’s Berlin’s most famous landmark with a rich history.
This sandstone monument is about 26 meters tall. It was a symbol of a divided nation during the cold war, but now it represents unity and peace.
During your walking tour, you’ll have an opportunity to learn about the history and the German wars as well.
You can stop under the Brandenburg Gate and take pictures here. You’d also be able to see the Reichstag and if you wish to visit the parliament, make sure that you have an advanced booking.
Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe
After that, you’ll make your way to the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe. The Holocaust Memorial was constructed in 2003-2004. It is also amongst the most visited sights in Berlin. A somber site, but a very important one.
You can find 2,711 concrete blocks here, all of different heights placed at a distance from each other. Peter Eisenman is the designer of this memorial. There is an information Centre beneath the memorial if you want to learn more about the history.
The Information Center has all the information about the tragic holocaust. If you want to learn more, you can rent an audio guide here.
Your walking tour will also take you to a parking lot that is of a lot of historical significance. Right below the parking lot is a bunker where Hitler committed suicide during the invasion by Soviet troops.
You’ll learn that Hitler left instructions for the people to burn his body, so this is a controversial stop.
Checkpoint Charlie
When the Berlin Wall was functional, there was a crossing point between West and East Berlin, and it was called the Checkpoint Charlie. A museum near Checkpoint Charlie has a brief history of the checkpoint and displays its photos of the past.
Here, a sixteen-hour long showdown took place between the US and the Soviet tanks after Berlin denied entry to the US diplomat Allan Lightner.
You can also find a brief history of the attempts made by people to escape communist rule, including an original homemade air balloon that was used for the same purpose.
Topography of Terror
On your three-hour walking tour, you’ll also visit a museum called Topography of Terror. It contains some preserved Berlin Wall sections.
Berlin Wall
You can reach the Berlin wall by many routes, but if you want it to be a part of your walking tour, you can always stop by to have a look! It is a famous tourist attraction, and Berlin’s itinerary is incomplete without this.
The purpose of the wall was to keep the fascists out of East Germany, and it primarily stopped mass defections from East Berlin to the West.
This oppressive barrier was built in 1961. On your journey to Berlin, you can visit the East Side Gallery and look at this 1.3 km long wall that has various paintings by many well-known artists.
The Spree River is also near the East Side Gallery, so you can visit that once you’ve had a look at the fascinating Berlin Wall.
Gendarmenmarkt Square
Next, you’ll make your way through the Gendarmenmarkt Square. It is an architectural site in Berlin that includes the French and German Churches. It also has the Berlin concert hall.
The center of the square has a statue of Friedrich Schiller, a German literary figure.
This square is one of the most beautiful places in Berlin and is amongst the top tourist attractions. In addition, you’ll have a closer look at Berlin’s historic structures.
It also has many restaurants, so you can order a meal or grab a mug of steaming coffee if you wish. If you visit Berlin during the Christmas season, then you’ll enjoy looking at the various Christmas markets here.
Bebel Plaza
Bebel Plaza is a public square, and it will be your last stop on the walking tour. It is where the famous Nazi book burning ceremony was held on May 10 in 1933. About 20,000 books were burned here.
There are several notable buildings here. Some of them are the Staatsoper Unter den Linden, the Hotel de Rome, Atles Palais, and St. Hedwig’s Cathedral.
Transit Spot: Hackescher Markt
After your walking tour, if you want to grab some food, coffee, or a beer you can check out Hackescher Markt. It has many bars, shops, restaurants, and patios. From fine dining to Sushi lounges, Hackescher Markt covers all types of restaurants.
For a trendy eatery, you can visit Peter Pane Berlin or Oxymoron for fine dining. They both have an excellent ambiance and delicious food. Some other unique options are Chén Chè tea house and Yafo. Yafo also offers beautiful outdoor dining. Of course, for traditional German food and beer, you can check out Weihenstephaner.
Luxurious Hotels in Berlin
If you’re not on a layover and are spending the night in the city, make sure to reserve a room in one of the best hotels in Berlin. All of these four-star and five-star hotels are magnificent and lie right in the heart of berlin. They are near the Opera House, nightclubs and bars.
Here is a list of some of the most luxurious hotels.
So after you freshen up, you can leave your hotel to experience Berlin by night.
Experiencing the Nightlife in Berlin
If you’re spending only one day in Berlin, don’t miss out on the nightlife! There is nothing as exhilarating as experiencing the party nightlife of Berlin. So, if you enjoy going to the bars, you’re in the right place.
You can visit some of the most famous nightclubs such as Watergate, Buck & Breck, and Reingold Bar. Watergate is a riverside nightclub with led lighting, while Buck & Breck is a small bar with low lighting and fascinating decor. You can even try your luck at getting into the most infamous and exclusive club of all — Berghain (just make sure to do your research before you go!)
If you haven’t spent your 24 hours in Berlin and you still have the night to yourself, then you can enjoy an all-night-long party in Kater Blau Nightclub. So grab your favorite drink and end that 1 day in Berlin in the most delightful way!
We hope that our comprehensive Berlin itinerary will help you make the 24 hours in Berlin worth it!
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