How to Spend 2 Days in Berlin on a Budget

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Planning a 2-day itinerary in Berlin while travelling on a budget? Here are the best tips and things to do!

With arguably some of the best nightlife in all of Europe, Berlin has earned a particular reputation that certainly isn’t suitable for everyone. Is there more to see in Berlin beyond the hip bars and all-night clubbing excursions? Definitely!

The best part is, much of Berlin can be seen in a short time frame and on a modest budget.

Berlin is a new city reborn from a deep and troubled past. Just over 70 years ago, the city was in ruins and is now completely rebuilt from the ground up. For a major European city, this isn’t common and definitely one of the reasons why Berlin is simply one of a kind.

A trip to this capital city doesn’t have to be long, but we guarantee that you’ll want to return and see more of it. From the countless historical landmarks to the eccentric nooks of the city and even UNESCO World Heritage Sites, spending 48 hours in Berlin can feel like a week.

In this guide, discover how to make the most of your time in Berlin on a budget with a 2-day itinerary.

Berlin Highlights (Budget Friendly)

Holocaust Memorial
Checkpoint Charlie
Treptower Park
Brandenburg Gate and Pariser Platz
Remnants of Berlin Wall and Topography of Terror Museum
Trabi-Museum, DDR Museum or Museum at the Kulturbrauerei
East Side Gallery
Teufelsberg
Berlin Cathedral
Berliner Fernsehturm
Mauerpark Flea Market
Rotes Rathaus
Neptunbrunnen
Boxhagener Platz
Viktoriapark
Anhalter Bahnhof
Oranienburger Straße
Nikolaiviertel

👣 TOP RATED: Walking Tours in Berlin

how many days to spend in berlin on a budget

The Essentials for 2 Days in Berlin on a Budget

🚉 If you plan on taking public transportation consistently during your 2 days in Berlin, buy the Berlin Welcome Card (an unlimited transportation pass for under €30). But, if you think you will be walking more than riding the tram, the Welcome Card may not be a good value for you.

🚕 Travelling in a group? Book an airport transfer to the city centre and split the cost. Utilizing the FEX Airport Express Train to get to the city centre is the cheapest option under €5 one-way.

📸 A great deal of Berlin’s highlights can be enjoyed by simply walking around and admiring from the outside (for free). This is particularly true if you’re short on time because attractions like museums take up a lot of time.

🛌 For travelers on a tight budget, hostels are undoubtedly the most inexpensive places to stay in Berlin. You do not always have to stay in a dorm-style bed because many hostels actually offer private rooms with shared bathrooms.

👣 Don’t like the idea of a self-guided visit to Berlin? Choose one of the hundreds of walking tours of Berlin that often highlight a specific theme, including war history, food, museums, and so on. Walking tours are inexpensive, cover a lot, and allow you to spend your time efficiently.

2 Days in Berlin Itinerary Map

Day 1 in Berlin Suggested Itinerary

Morning

Start the day off with a walk in Berlin’s magnificent Treptower Park. It is primarily the location of the powerful Soviet War Memorial Treptow. This is the largest Soviet War memorial outside of the Soviet Union and situated in a tranquil park just outside the bustle of downtown Berlin.

It was built to commemorate the thousands of fallen Red Army soldiers. Whether you’re into war history or not, the entire area around the monument is simply spectacular to witness. It provides an introduction to the deep past of Berlin and it’s completely free to enjoy.

Along the riverfront, you’ll also find a lovely scene with boats and places to grab a snack. Since you are in Germany, consider stopping at Zenner Biergarten und Weingarten, a seasonal beer garden in a quintessential Berlin atmosphere.

📚 TOP RATED: Berlin History Walking Tour

Afternoon

Next, head closer to the center of Berlin and along the riverfront. You’ll pass the enchanting bridge of Oberbaumbrücke, which is also the starting point of the Berlin Wall. Also known as the East Side Gallery, it is a must-see when in Berlin.

Pieces of the Berlin Wall are converted into large murals and graffiti projects by artists. For a casual and very German lunch stop, check out Scheers Schnitzel, an unassuming yet very satisfying eatery.

For a bit of culture and a history lesson, make a stop at Museum at the Kulturbrauerei. This FREE museum focuses around memorabilia and exhibits around East German life in the 70s and 80s.

It is not a large museum so it’s perfect for a quick stop in the afternoon. The DDR Museum is also a good alternative for vintage archives. Up next, a pre dinner beer can be enjoyed at Hofbräu Wirtshaus Berlin, a tremendously traditional German restaurant near Alexanderplatz.

Evening

If you fancy a bit of shopping (or just window shopping), all of Berlin’s best stores are conveniently located on a couple of main streets nearby including Neue Schönhauser Str., Weinmeisterstraße and Münzstraße.

This city center of Berlin is well known for the Berliner Fernsehturm, an iconic TV tower from 1969 which overlooks the city. In the same plaza, you’ll also find the Neptunbrunnen fountain and Nikolaiviertel around the corner.

Nikolaiviertel is a tiny neighbourhood made up of cobblestone roads, boutique shops and rebuilt medieval style homes. It’s undoubtedly the most charming area of Berlin.

To end the day, take a break from traditional cuisine and enjoy dinner at Ngon Restaurant Berlin, an exceptional and chic Vietnamese restaurant.

If you are not out of energy after day one, head to Oranienburger Str., a notable street for night clubs, pubs and late night shenanigans. However you choose to spend the evening, make sure to end it with sausages and fries at Curry 61, arguably the best currywurst spot in Berlin.

🌭 TOP RATED: Berlin Evening Food Tour