How we spent a long weekend in Berlin
I’ve been to Berlin a few times now, always in either winter or spring. I’d love to see the city in the summer months, but the Brutalist buildings really suit the grey, cold weather… And there’s not many cities that I can truly say I’m glad to visit when it’s not hot!
These are my top tips for how to spend a long weekend in Berlin.
How to get to Berlin
It’s really easy to get to Berlin from the UK. Every major airport flies there, and from London it takes about 1.5 hours (even less, if you’re lucky). Flight prices vary depending on the time of year and who you fly with, but you can usually find a return for less than £100 (and sometimes less than £50!)
Where to stay in Berlin
The centre of Berlin is fairly sprawling, so you’ll find that you catch the U-Bahn or taxis to get around a lot of the time. I’ve stayed close to Alexanderplatz, and in Mitte just north of the centre. For nightlife and a slightly more modern vibe, Friedrichshain and Kreuzberg are popular choices.
Is Berlin expensive?
Berlin is a capital city, so it’s not cheap. But compared to London I found the prices of transport, food, and drink to be reasonable. You can definitely choose to have more expensive experiences, but if you’re looking to do Berlin on a budget you won’t have much trouble.
The best things to do in Berlin
There is so much to do in Berlin, but these are our favourite ways to spend a long weekend:
Take a walking tour of the city
There are plenty of walking tours at various price points that leave from Brandenburg Gate multiple times a day. It’s a great way to see a lot of the city in one go – especially if you plan to spend the rest of the night partying. You can also take bike tours which go further and, obviously, get you around much quicker.
Our tour was with Original Berlin Walks, and we covered so much ground but I never felt fed up or bored… We went to Checkpoint Charlie, the Fuhrerbunker, the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe, the Book Burning Memorial at Bebelplatz and so many other historically important sites in Berlin and our guide was incredibly informative and friendly.
Walk though Tiergarten
For a relaxing afternoon, walk through the Tiergarten. This city-centre park is close to the Reichstag and Brandenburg Gate and is beautiful in all weathers. In summer, it’s a great place to relax by the pond with a picnic.
Visit Brandenburg Gate
We visited Brandenburg Gate as part of our walking tour, but if you’re not doing one this is still an iconic landmark in the city that shouldn’t be missed. It does get busy, but the space is large enough that it doesn’t tend to feel overcrowded.
Walk along the Berlin Wall’s Eastside Gallery
Another must-see landmark in Berlin is the Eastside Gallery. This is the remaining section of the Berlin Wall, which has been covered in works from global artists. You can walk the full 1.3km of the wall or just see it in sections.
Take a tour of the Reichstag
You can book a guided tour of the German government building, which has incredible panoramic views from its rooftop. The tour is informative, and you get to enter the rooms where politicians hold their televised debates and meetings – much like the German equivalent of entering the House of Commons.
Visit the historical museums
There are so many great museums in Berlin, you won’t be able to visit them all in one weekend. They’re also pretty heavy… So you wouldn’t want to. But my favourite places to learn more about the city’s fascinating history are the Topography of Terror, the Jewish Museum, and the Berlin Wall Memorial.
Discover the nightlife
Berlin’s nightlife is iconic. If you don’t like techno, or at least electronic music, then it’s probably not going to be your scene. And is it worth queuing for Berghain? Possibly not… But clubs like Teror, Renate, and Club der Visionaere are also great (and you stand a higher chance of getting in). There are also plenty of great bars like Dresden in Kreuzberg and Krüger.
You actually can’t take photos in most Berlin clubs… this one is from the DARK MATTER exhibition which is also well worth a visit if you have the time.
What to pack for a weekend in Berlin
I have visited Berlin in January and April, and considering they’re four months apart, my packing list was surprisingly similar both times. That’s mostly because it’s still cold in April (though we did get some sun!) and in winter I opted for layers over heavy pieces. If you’re spending a lot of time in museums, galleries, bars, and on public transport you don’t want to be too hot with a massive jumper, but then too cold when you only have a t-shirt underneath. So if you’re visiting Berlin in winter, opt for layers.
This is what I packed for a long weekend in Berlin in January and April.
One large coat
Two jumpers
Two t-shirts
One regular long-sleeved top
Two thermal long-sleeved tops
One pair of trousers
One pair of jeans
One pair of leggings
A pair of sweatpants and a top for at home
A warm hat
Gloves
A warm scarf
Sunglasses
A pair of Dr Martens
A pair of trainers
Regular daily toiletries, including hand cream and lip balm for the dry weather
Planning another European city break? Find out what we did on a long weekend in Warsaw here.
Note: I chose and paid for my Berlin walking tour independently. This post is not an advertorial and is a true reflection of my experience with Original Berlin Walks. However, if you book yours through my Viator link, I might make a little bit of money through affiliation.