One Day in Berlin: The Best Things to See and Do in Day

Are you planning to spend one day in Berlin? and need help to plan out a short trip!

Whether you want to spend a few hours, a half-day in Berlin, or even a full day in the city, we offer some of the best Berlin city tours to suit your interests.

Berlin is one of our favourite cities in Europe and we have explored it several times, hence we think we have a fairly good idea of what you must see and do on a day’s trip.

But one thing you must understand is you won’t get the full experience of Berlin in one day. As the things to see and do in Berlin seem endless.

So, to make it easy for you, we have written this perfect Berlin – day guide which you can follow and if you wish you can always choose those attractions that suit your interest better.

From exploring historical sites like the Brandenburg Gate and the Berlin Wall to finding a great cafe to taste local delicacies, here’s a list of the best places to visit in Berlin.

Berlin

The capital of Germany is one of the busiest cities in the world. Every day the city invites thousands of tourists from all over the world to come and explore the most colourful and vibrant culture in the history of human civilization.

It has been the seat of major political events that changed the fate of world history. Dating back to the 13th century the city has a long story to tell its visitors through its iconic architectural structures and historic places.

Its soil has given birth to heroes of unmatched valour, of wars, of revolution and much more, and its once divided city has a lot to tell its visitors. There are many iconic places to visit in Berlin that bring to life each and every page of world history.

What to See and Do in Berlin

Morning

The Brandenburg Gate

Start your Berlin city tour with a visit to the most iconic sight, the Brandenburg Gate. Begin you day as early as possible and be there first thing in the morning, before all the crowds show up and ruin your Instagram moments

The Brandenburg Gate was built in the 18th century and soon it was captured by Napoleon as he marched into the city following his military victory. He took the ‘quadriga’ (the chariot and horse statue on top) off with him to Paris, but it was returned shortly after his defeat. And during WWII the gate was damaged and its access was cut off when the Berlin Wall went up in 1961.

Today, the iconic gate serves as an entry point to a couple of other top Berlin sights to see including the Tiergarten and the Reichstag Building.

Reichstag Building

Another historical site to visit in Berlin is the Reichstag building, home of the German Parliament. The building was opened in 1894 and has a clear dome that promotes and signifies “transparency” in the government and is one of the most popular attractions in Berlin.

After World War II the building fell into disuse and disrepair and wasn’t actually used again until 1999. Most visitors, however, choose to climb up the dome, enjoy panoramic views over the city and learn about the parliament’s history from the interior exhibitions.

Victory Column

Next, proceed towards the Tiergarten, Berlin’s third largest park, to the Victory Column. This tower was built in the mid-1800’s after the German military victories over Prussia and France.

The tower is topped with a gold statue of the Greek Goddess of Victory. If you’re feeling pretty fit, climb 270 steps to the top from where you’ll enjoy breath-taking views of the city and surrounding areas.

Tiergarten

Next, walk into Tiergarten, which is Berlin’s green lungs and home to several historical monuments. Once upon a time the rulers of Berlin used these grounds to hunt boar and pheasants in the Tiergarten until master landscape architect Peter Lenné landscaped the grounds in the 18th century. With its sweeping lawns, woodsy groves, shaded paths, romantic corners, ponds and creeks, the green space is a wonderful retreat from the city bustle. There’s also a popular beer garden in the park to sit back, relax and enjoy a drink.

Afternoon

Potsdamer Platz

No visit to Berlin is complete without standing where the Berlin Wall once did. Today, a thriving and lively square, full of bars and restaurants and modern architecture, Potsdamer Platz was brutally divided into two parts by the Berlin Wall.

The space between the inner and outer zones of the wall lay desolate and was known as ‘No-Man’s Land’, which those escaping over the wall from East Berlin would have to cross. The area was also known as the ‘death zone’ and was finally dismantled after the end of the cold war in 1990.

Head to Potsdamer Platz 1, home to the Panoramapunkt viewing platform, for a fantastic view of the Berlin cityscape.

Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe

Next, make your way to the all-important and moving Holocaust memorial. It’s a grand space with an underground museum where you can learn more about the life of the Jewish community during the Nazi rein, and also learn more about the memorial itself.

The memorial is made up of two thousand, seven hundred and eleven grey concrete slabs. The site is open to the skies and you may feel grim when here, but it’s an important place to stop and visit when you’re in Berlin.

Museum Island

If you love museums, you may want to visit Museum Island. But since you are on a day’s visit to Berlin you will have to substitute one of the above attractions in order to spend time here.

Museum Island is home to five prominent museums – Neues Museum (Egyptian, prehistoric and early historic artifacts), Altes Museum (antiquities), Alte Nationalgalerie (19th century art), Bode Museum (sculpture and late Antique and Byzantine art) and Pergamon Museum (historic architecture).

The architectural splendour of the buildings and the historic significance of the museums has made Museum Island a UNESCO World Heritage site in itself.

Berliner Dom

Berliner Dom, also known as the Berlin Cathedral, is a neo-Renaissance style building built in 1905. It’s located next to the Museum Island and you can climb to the top of the dome for a beautiful view over Berlin’s centre.

Many visitors simply stop outside the Cathedral for their Instagram moments, the ornate interiors are equally decked in marble and onyx, and are well worth a visit. Don’t miss the massive 7,269-pipe organ and royal sarcophagi.

Berliner Fernsehturm

This is one Germany’s tallest structure and was built in the 1960s as a TV tower. Today, it’s one of Berlin’s most iconic sights. If you like enjoying views of the city, the best place to do this is at the Fernsehturm.

From its observation deck at 203 meters, you can see the whole city. The place offers 360-degree views of the city, plus a rotating restaurant, allowing diners to see the city without leaving their table (one rotation takes about one hour). You can also enjoy a drink at the bar if you happen to visit during sunset.

East Side Gallery

Are you still raring to go? Then the next stop is Berlin’s most compelling attraction, the East Side Gallery. After the reunification of Germany, artists from both sides of the border came together here.

They expressed their joy and optimism of the changing of the times and the result was the ‘East Side Gallery’. This is an open-air art gallery along the river Spree that has over one hundred pieces of political art on a 1.3 km stretch of the original Berlin wall.

Take your time and walk the length of the fascinating and moving gallery and check out every single piece of art. Here you’ll find a few pieces of art that reflect life in East Germany, while other pieces are more hopeful and forward looking, imagining a new Germany in the future.

Evening

Well, it’s evening now – and depending on your interests there are several things to do in Berlin to end your day! Here are a few options to meet different sets of interests.

Enjoy a Beer Tasting

The Germans love their beer and another way to experience Berlin is through their beer culture. You don’t really need to be at the Oktoberfest to enjoy beer, but you can join a private craft beer and brewery tour to discover some of Berlin’s finest beers.

During the tour you will visit a local craft beer bar or craft microbrewery to sample some fantastic German beers and traditional snacks. It’s a perfect tour for learning all about Berlin’s rich brewing history in the company of an expert guide.

Take in a Show

If you love theatre or seek some sort of entertainment after a long day of sightseeing, we recommend catching a show while you’re in Berlin.

Berlin is a cultural hotspot that enjoys a vibrant theatre and arts scene which caters to all tastes. From live shows, to comedy and classical music, there’s something here for everyone.

Nightlife

And if you’re still not ready to call it the night, Berlin is well-known for its nightlife scene. The city is home to hundreds of bars, pubs, nightclubs, dance clubs, and everything in between.

Best Time of the year to visit Berlin

Berlin is charming anytime of the year. The best time depends on your interests and the attractions you like to visit.

In Winter (December to February), Christmas markets are simply a magical part of Germany. Even though the weather is cold and damp. There are chances you will see a good amount of snow. Remember if you’re planning to be in Berlin just for one day, you may not be able to see many of the sights or you may have to trade some sights for hanging out at the Christmas markets, which can also be a wonderful experience.

In Spring (March to May), Berlin is cool and damp. Its occasionally sunny and is the perfect time to head out to one of Berlin’s green spaces as locals celebrate the arrival of warmer weather. Fall (September to November) is cooler than summer, and brings Oktoberfest to Berlin. Yes! It’s actually in September, not October, and it may not be as popular and extravagant as the one in Munich, but it’s still an event worth exploring. During Spring and Fall, there aren’t too many visitors and lots of places are almost free of tourists.

And finally, Summer (June to August) is the best time to visit Berlin. The weather is pleasant and rain is usually an exception. All attractions and sights are open to visitors and there are plenty of festivals and events happening around the city.

Private Guided Tours of Berlin with Rosotravel

Berlin as a city will surely take your breath away. Whether you’re spending one day in Berlin or more, you’ll be wanting to return. There’s so much to see and do, including the charming Christmas market that a one-day trip will never be enough.

So, if you’re short of time when visiting Berlin, we recommend booking private guided tours or walking tours with Rosotravel. Taking a private guided tour is always a good idea especially if you’re visiting Berlin for the first time.

Most of our organised tours offer hotel pick-ups and drop-offs (or easy-to-find meet-up points) and give you the chance to see the best parts of the city with a local.

Also, Berlin is also known for its incredible beer and food tours. So, if you have only one day in Berlin, we offer some great tasting tour options at the best spots in the city.

Please check below our highly-rated tours in Berlin, so you can ensure you’ll have a fantastic day trip to Berlin!

So, there you have it, this was our guide to one day in Berlin. As a final point, you’ll never be able to see everything in a single day – Berlin is just too big and full of amazing sights.

This blog gives you some great ideas on how to make your short visit perfect. If you DO follow our Berlin city tour, let us know what you think about our list of the best places to visit in Berlin.

Have you ever visited Berlin? Share your Berlin travel experience and advice in the comments below.