Berlin Best Attractions For a 2 Day Itinerary

Me at Check Point Charlie

Berlin was the second city stop on what is to become a four-month adventure through Europe. Not much can compare to Amsterdam in our minds, but we were excited to explore this city in a country neither of us had been to before. We only stopped here for two full days and two travel days. Keep in mind, the most common checkout time is 10am, and if you’re travelling without a vehicle and especially with a backpack you’re not going to be wanting to walk around with your packs after check out for too long, so that fourth day is usually a write off. Our train didn’t get in until late on the first day so we didn’t get a chance to do anything that day. Depending on where you’re coming from, you may be able to fit in some sight seeing on the first day.

Day 1: Explore the City

We managed to fit in almost all of the attractions we wanted in one day. That best part about this was that everything is more or less condensed into similar areas. I’ll insert a map of the location of all of these landmarks below, but these are the ones we had success in seeing and I highly recommend.

1. Topography of Terrors

This is a free museum that outlines the history of Germany from 1933 during Hitler’s rise to power all the way until the prosecutions in 1963. It was very thorough, offers free wifi and narrated tour options and artifacts. This museum is run off of donations. Outside of the museum, there is a history of the berlin wall exhibit alongside the remnants of the wall and a part of the death strip. A great way to get out of the heat and learn some history!

2. Reichstag Building

You have to book a tour of this parliament building 3-4 weeks in advanced (told to us by one of the guides) so make sure that you do so or you’ll end up like us – only able to enjoy this beautiful building from the outside.

3. Check Point Charlie

It was crazy how this historical landmark just pops out of the street. We happened to stumble upon it and it really reminds you of how bluntly and carelessly the city was divided by the wall. Just in the middle of the street, all of a sudden to the left was on one side of a wall and the right on the other. There’s a museum along the street that closes at 3 that provided some interesting history on the check point, as well as a gift shop.

4. Brandenburg Gate

This is a truly beautiful piece of architecture and embedded with lots of history. This gate symbolizes the birthplace of Nazi propaganda and meeting place, now holding the international embassies inside.

5. Memorial for the Murdered Jews

This exhibit was incredibly designed. Large, grey, rectangular statues of uneven heights line rows upon rows of un even ground that you can walk through like a maze. The uneven ground and heights of the statues – often taller than you – quickly make you feel disoriented and small, a feeling that was purposely conjured by the artists to mirror the feeling the Jews felt during this time of prosecution.

Day 2 – Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp

An hour and a half train ride from Berlin Hfb station, this concentration camp was kept close to Berlin and held many prisoners of war and those in “protective custody.” Carson and I didn’t get a chance to see this in person, both because of our energy levels, fear of the train after our ordeal getting to Berlin and of the rainy weather, although it was high on our list. Due to it’s proximity to the city as well as the importance of this camp from a military perspective to the Nazi government, this is a great stop on the second day of your trip.

Day 3 – Grab a snack

Like I mentioned, you may want to be cautious of the time of your check out, departing transportation, and having to carry your bags with you for this leg of the journey. That being said, Carson and I have a few favourites for food to try in Berlin.

1. Curry Wurst

I love curry wurst. I will eat it for the rest of my life. It’s like a sausage in butter chicken sauce and it taste like a cloud feels. Magical. They’re offered all over the city so take your pick as to where you get it – they’re all good.

2. Donairs

This isn’t my any means a Berlin specific meal, but Carson and I got the best donairs we’ve ever had here at City Imbiss downtown Berlin. The staff are super nice, the sandwiches are cheap, and the vibes are immaculate.