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Berlin in 4 1/2 days

Posted by (Ajijic, Jalisco, Mexico) on

I will be in Berlin for 4 1/2 days in April (in the middle of a longer solo/independent trip). I arrive on Tuesday, April 9, from Dresden, presumably in the morning. I'm staying in an apartment about 1 km north of Hackescher Markt. I'm departing on Sunday morning, April 14, for Warsaw. So I'm giving myself a half day on Tuesday afternoon, plus 4 full days.

I am definitely planning a day trip to Potsdam, probably on Thursday. And I have reserved a 4-hour Jewish Berlin walking tour for Friday morning.

For the rest of my time, I'm trying to strike a balance between the enormous variety of things to see and do, the desire to not overplan and allow for spontaneity, and wanting to explore as efficiently as possible.

I probably want to spend some time in a few museums, but I really prefer to explore cities outdoors rather than indoors (unless the weather doesn't cooperate). I prefer architecture and art to artifacts, and while I love seeing historic buildings from the outside, I'm not big on walking around the interior of lavish palaces.

I've reviewed Rick's suggested itinerary at https://www.ricksteves.com/europe/germany/berlin-itinerary. I've also been enticed by several of the tours at http://www.berlinwalks.de/public/index/index/secnav/1 and https://insidertour.com/.

I'm just feeling overwhelmed right now, and would love some sane wisdom from those of you who have been to Berlin. Any advice to help me make sense of everything?

Thanks!

Posted by
7161 posts

I took an overview of Berlin walk with Original Walks of Berlin and it was excellent, the guide was very good and it covered a lot. I also went to Potsdam with them on a walking tour. I liked it because we walked through Potsdam visiting the New Garden, the marble palace, the Glienicke Bridge (bridge of spies) the Dutch quarter, and stopped for lunch on the way to Sanssouci Palace. It was a bit more than a half day walking tour before leaving us at the Palace which was another 2+ hours. I felt it was more comprehensive than I would have accomplished on my own and again the guide was wonderful.

My favorite museums were the Pergamon (of course), The Bode Museum, and the Gemaldegalerie (picture gallery). If you're interested in architecture the Bode Museum is especially good because of the building itself.

I also recommend the Reichstag building tour - if available. It was definitely worth the effort of applying online ahead of time for a specific date and time.

Posted by
3016 posts

I suggest to bring some more life and different impressions into your stay. Some ideas:

Whatever you do, enjoy your stay.

Posted by
2511 posts

Since you are doing a Jewish walking tour, the Jewish Museum will likely be included. My friend and I went there in 2015 and it is very well done. Not to be missed.

You don't express an interest in art but you must know Berlin has magnificent art museums as well as the Deutsch History Museum. Well, if it is raining or otherwise inclement weather, you could dash in to get out of the rain. You might see something that will interest you.
We went to a show at the Komische Oper Berlin which was fun!
Enjoy! I really liked Berlin.

Posted by
1933 posts

Thank you all for the great ideas and suggestions.

@Nancy, it looks like Reichstag tours are only available two months in advance, so I'll check back in February and make a reservation. That's definitely on my list of things I don't want to miss.

@MarkK, some good recommendations, including several I wasn't aware of. I'm especially fond of markets, so I will check out those.

@Judy B, I am definitely interested in art and will surely hit up an art museum or two as well as other museums. And the Jewish Museum, for sure if it's not included on the tour, I will make sure to visit. I just don't want to spend too much time indoors. My favorite way to see a city is to be out and about.

I didn't mention I also have tickets to two musical events: a piano recital by Grigory Sokolov on Wednesday night at the Berliner Philharmonie (unfortunately, the Berlin Philharmonic is out of town when I'm there...), and an opera at the Deutsche Oper on Friday night. I think I'll have a pretty full 4 1/2 days!

Posted by
9224 posts

Am a big fan of Insider tours and their various themed tours that they offer. Cold War, 3rd Reich, Original Walk, as well as their tour to Sachsenhausen. If you do their Original Walk you will have a good orientation to the city. I did this about 11 years ago and I can still find my way around the city every time I go there.

I doubt if the Jewish tour will go inside the Jewish museum. There is so much to see in Berlin, why would they go to a museum for a couple of hours as part of a 4 hour tour.

Perhaps one of the alternative tours, Berlin Underground?

Posted by
4046 posts

I like parks.

Lonely Planet has a plan for a leisurely Tiergarten meander.

Volkspark Friedrichshain has a fairy tale fountain (Märchenbrunnen), a couple of hills created from WWII rubble, a Memorial to Polish Soldiers and German anti-Fascists, and lots of Berliners being Berliners.

Volkspark Humboldthain, near the ticket office for Berlin Underground (mentioned by Ms Jo above), has a partially-collapsed Flak tower.

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