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Traveling to Berlin for the marathon this September

We are arriving in Berlin, on Thursday 9/18, and running the marathon on Sunday. We are then going to a wedding in Tuscany that starts Wednesday evening 9/23. We have both been to Florence but not Pisa, Bologna, or other areas in Tuscany. We have not been to Munich, Prague, or Berlin before either. I am debating on a few itineraries:

  1. Leave Berlin Sunday night after the marathon and go to either Prague or Munich for just two days, then fly into Tuscany for the wedding.
  2. Leave Berlin Sunday night and fly into Bologna, Florence, or Pisa and spend 2 days there before heading to the wedding
  3. Stay in Berlin till Monday night and then fly into Tuscany for the wedding

I am open to lots of suggestions!
Thank you!

Posted by
28505 posts

Berlin is very rich with museums and historic sights, but the city itself doesn't look too much like Old Germany. If you want to see fabulous indoor sights, you'll have plenty to do if you stay in Berlin.

As for Prague and Munich, I'm of two minds: Both have historic architecture appealing to visitors, but two days would be quite a short time in Prague. I might be inclined to choose Munich for that reason. The train trip takes roughly 4 to 4-1/2 hours. On the other hand, Prague's historic center--though very touristy--is drop-dead gorgeous; everyone should see it at least once (and I don't think Munich rises to that level). Trains to Prague run somewhat less frequently but generally take just over 4 hours. That's a fairly substantial extra travel leg when you're just figuring out how to spend two days.

Because of its location, Florence suffers from extremely hot summers, with miserable weather potentially extending well into September. My preference would be to see it a bit later in the year or in the spring, but you'll be there anyway, for the wedding, and we're only talking about two extra days in the area. You use the Search box on this website to take a look at September weather in nearby cities. Check several years to get a reasonably decent idea of what you might run into.

Florence weather -- September 2023 (September 2024 was nowhere near as bad.)

At a glance Siena looks similar to Florence, weather-wise, at that time of year. Bologna's marginally less scary. Pisa and Lucca look a great deal better to me for a September trip, just considering temperatures.

I like Berlin's offering of lots to see, almost certainly not-hot weather and no need for an extra travel leg, but all your options are good (with the weather caveat).

Posted by
9301 posts

Have you thought about staying in Potsdam instead of Berlin? Wonderfully charming and lots to see too.

Posted by
662 posts

Just throwing out since Munich is on your options list that you are there during Oktoberfest.

Posted by
1276 posts

You know your post-marathon recovery better than most I hope (is this part of the big five?). But the thought of making your way to a train station or airport and sitting on one of those oh-so-comfortable seats after 26.2 miles on your feet would be difficult for some. I would vote for staying in Berlin another night (hopefully with a spa) and enjoying a well deserved post-race meal. It would also give you another full day to see sights in Berlin (so much to see). Good luck on your run either way.