Days in Berlin: 8, 10, or 12?

Love Berlin. It's a wonderful city. So much to see and do depending on your interests. You won't be bored.

I agree, Berlin is a great city. I like traveling at a slower pace, too, so with some daytrips (Wittenberg Lutherstadt, Sachsenhaussen) 12 nights would not be too long.

I spent a week in Berlin in 2015. I used one day for a trip to the Spreewald. Didn't get to Potsdam, the German History Museum, or some other places I know I would have enjoyed. I spent very little time wandering the various neoghborhoods, something that's normally high on my list. There were just too many WW II and Cold War sites to hit. In addition, Berlin's museums tend to be large, each one consuming about a half day of your time. And things are quite spread out.

I can't imagine that you will be bored. I suggest an early stop at the tourist office for a look at the brochures on display so you'll learn about new sights and temporary exhibitions of interest.

Dresden has great museums, too. As a lover of pretty things, I was entranced by the Historic Green Vault, which requires a timed ticket. I also enjoyed a walking tour organized by the tourist office.

I spent five days in Berlin last year and could do another five easily. I had planned a side trip to Dresden and ended up not going.

I'm with you on the slow travel. I do one city each year for about five days--and I barely have time for everything on my A-list.

I was just in Berlin in May for 10 full days and it was not long enough for me. That did include a day trip to Potsdam but still there was so much I didn't see and so many other things I wanted to do, I believe I could easily fill at least another 10. It's a wonderful city, everything I had hoped for and more.

My trip just ended, spent 14 nights in Berlin at the Pension, always go back, missed Berlin only once on the trips.

If it is your first time there, and you have the time, then my suggestion is 10 nights. Exploring, shopping, walking...you have picked the right city, go to Friedrichstraße, Ku'damm, Alexanderplatz, Kantstraße, or Berlin- Spandau. Berlin is a fascinating place, huge, spread out with its former suburbs, Spandau, Charlottenburg, (the richest town in Prussia), Köpenick, etc having joined the city in 1920. There is a vast number interests in Berlin and in Greater Berlin, for which it's best to have a rental car to track down the sights.

As others have said, 12 days is not too much for Berlin, especially given your interests. You might consider an overnight in Leipzig when figuring out which side trips to do.

I've stayed in Berlin for a week in May each of the last 2 years. There are still several things on my list of things to do that I have not done yet. I'm looking forward to going back again soon! If you have the time, I would go with 12 days.

Thank you so much to all. Great input!

Zoe, I will take a look at those two or three cities that you mentioned. I was under the impression that Potsdam and Dresden were the two possible cities for day getaways. Is there anything in particular in these three cities that is worth noting or seeing?

Lubitsch, thanks for input. Agreed, I take my time at the museums and only get to one per day. I will be posting a separate topic on construction and various closures. I had some questions in my own mind about closures.

Fred, Re:
1. Charlottenburg. Did you know that Charlotte is the number one name for baby girls in the USA in 2016? Not only did the British royal family name their child Charlotte; but my niece also named her daughter, Charlotte. The name is enjoying a revival.

1. I am hoping to rely on public transportation to get around Berlin and its greater area. I am trusting and hoping that the Germans will have an excellent transportation system. You are brave for driving. I cannot imagine driving in a foreign country and worrying about parking, keeping up with speed limits, and understanding street signs. Yikes!!!

Danke schoen to all.