Berlin in 48 Hours

Many non-Europeans take a European vacation and compromise quality for quantity when it comes to multiple destinations. Fear not intrepid, exhausted traveler, below are the sights that shouldn't be missed in a suggested schedule that includes only 48 hours, or two days, in this great city.

Day 1:

Congratulations, you've arrived in Berlin! You may have taken an overnight train or are arriving in the early morning from your overseas flight. Drop your bags, and be prepared for a busy day in the city!

Every new visitor to Berlin should make their first stop at the quintessential tourist destination (earlier in the day rather than later): Checkpoint Charlie. Berlin's train system is quite easy to navigate so invest in a "A + B" day pass and make your first stop Kochstraße/Checkpoint Charlie (line U6 on the U-Bahn). Spend some time enjoying the area and enjoy a quick pass through the Checkpoint Charlie Museum, time permitting.

The walk to the Brandenburg Gate from Checkpoint Charlie is simple: walk down Friderichstraße toward Stadtmitte. Enjoy the designer shops as you make your way toward the big boulevard Unter den Linden, which is literally translated to "Under the Linden Trees". Look to your left and enjoy the first glimpses of the beautiful Brandenburg Gate. The large plaza in front of the Gate provides some wonderful photo opportunities, and don't miss Berlin's park (Tiergarten) that is visible on the other side. Stop at one of the cafes in the area for a quick bite and enjoy people watching and the history that took place in that very plaza or grab some lunch and head to the Tiergarten for a quick picnic.

After lunch, walk away from the Brandenburg Gate and back toward Friderichstraße, but continue on Unter den Linden. You'll pass Humboldt University on your left and a large square on your right that was the site of Hitler's famous book burnings. Follow the curvature of Unter den Linden past the State Opera House, the Berliner Dom (Cathedral) and toward the Fernsehturm, or TV Tower. Before reaching the Tower, stop at Marienkirche, the red church that sits in the shadow of the Fernsehturm. Walk in to the nave and notice the left side showcases newly discovered frescos that seem to depict church figures and aliens holding hands. After some philosophical questions have been raised, leave Marienkirche and proceed toward the Fernsehturm. Notice the Town Hall (Rotes Rathaus) and the beautiful Neptune's Fountain before heading toward the vast open plaza called Alexanderplatz. For those with disabilities or sore feet, after the Brandenburg Gate, pick up the train at the Friederichstraße station, go to the the top floor, and take any of the S-line trains toward Alexanderplatz.

Famous for Nazi party rallies, Alexanderplatz sat on the eastern side of Berlin and has still not really been developed, while it's counterpart, Potsdamer Platz, which sits on the old western side of Berlin, has been turned in to a megaplex. Enjoy the the World Clock, the immense amount of space, and imagine the huge numbers of people that crowded the plaza at one point in time.

Always busy, the Fernsehturm can have waits of up to two hours, but waiting until close to sunset usually means shorter lines. Buy tickets to go to the top of the Tower, and plan on eating dinner there, too. Dusk provides stunning views of the city and the restaurant rotates, giving visitors an effortless 360 degree view as they enjoy their meal.

Day 2:

Halfway through your trip to Berlin, your feet may be swollen and Day 2's use of the subway will be helpful in accomplishing a full day's activities.

Start the day with a trip to one of the most beautiful and new large train stations in Europe, followed by a visit to the seat of the German government, the Reichstag. Recently re-designed to be more visitor friendly, the building now features a glass observation dome that affords a view down in to the chamber as well as toward the sky.

The Hauptbahnhof (central train station) stop can be reached by several S-Bahn lines. Once there, you'll arrive on the top level of the multi-level station and should take a moment to enjoy one of Germany's most amazing technological and engineering feats, as well as being a part of organized chaos. Venture down the escalator to find more levels of trains and shops below you and pick up a quick breakfast to enjoy as you proceed out the front doors of the glass and steel structure toward the silhouette of the Reichstag.

The German Capitol building tends to get a higher number of visitors after 10:30am, so be sure to get in line early to ensure a short wait for a free trip to the top of the Reichstag and the dome. Wind your way up to the very top for an excellent view of the city.

After enjoying a panorama of the city, venture away from the Hauptbahnhof and back toward the Brandenburg Gate and the Tiergarten. Pass on the back side of the Brandenburg Gate with the Tiergarten on your right. Immediately following the Gate on the left side is the newly erected American Embassy, followed by the Jewish Memorial. Take a few moments to wind through the large concrete blocks to reflect on one of Germany's darkest moments. Continue forward, passing the Canadian Embassy and several hotels until you're able to see the steel and glass structure known as Potsdamer Platz. Spend some time in the large plaza and take photos of the pieces of the Wall that still stand.

The U-Bahn station is separate from the large Potsdamer Platz Hauptbahhof; ask someone in the area to direct you to the correct station and then take the U2 toward Ruhleben. Take the U2 5 stops and get off at Wittenbergplatz, switching to the U1 toward Uhlandstraße. Just one stop away, you'll find the lovey Kurferstendamm area, or as the locals call it, the KaDeWe. This posh drag features a beautiful shopping center, plenty of restaurants, and the famous Kaiser William Memorial Church, famous for barely standing after being bombed several times. Before visiting the church, find a suitable restaurant (there are several good, inexpensive Italian restaurants in the area) and enjoy watching the hustle and bustle of that part of the city.

The Kaiser-Wilhelm-Gedachtniskirche is a physical testament to the spirit of Berliners: tested many times, but still proudly standing. Admission to the church is free; enjoy the preserved mosaics and photographic history of the church before going next door to experience the "New Church", complete with stained glass.

Spend the remainder of the evening browsing stores in the area, and enjoying the area around the KaDeWe. While Berlin has much more to offer, these sites give a good taste of the diversity of this amazing and unique city.

Other sites to visit:

Charlottenburg Palace
Knut, the resident polar bear at the Berlin Zoo
Olympiastadion (Berlin's Olympic Stadium)
Museuminsel (Museum Island)
Gendarmenmarkt, site of nearly identical French and German Cathedrals
Potsdam and a cruise down the River Spree in warm months
Hitler's Bunker (now an apartment complex)
East Side Gallery