Berlin Travel Forum

Hi, I only have 1 full day in Berlin and it's my first time to visit the city.
- What are the must see sights in 1 day?
- What is the best itinerary you can suggest?
- Will it be wise to purchase a Berlin Welcome card even if I'm spending only 1 day?
- What's the best way to get around the city to visit must-see sights?

Thanks a lot!

Well, you could do what I did - look at the excellent ideas on the VT Berlin page.

What we chose were: the Reichstag - superb architecture, magnificent views. Next door is the Brandenburg Gate.
The Wall Museum (Mauermuseum) near Checkpoint Charlie -a good couple of hours could be spent here.
The Dom: especially the climb up into the dome itself; but also the opportunity for a bit of quiet reflection (and rest!).
If you have time, the Oranienburger strasse warehouses are a fantastic find: Workshops, art studios, etc, all in a wonderful anarchic jumble!

In one day, you haven't enough time for the Museumsinsel - an island in the River Spree, comprising perhaps four museums!

For travel, get a one-day travel-pass - it's valuable on the bus, tram, underground (U-bahn) and overhead (S-bahn) systems. terrific value - and via bus/tram/U-bahn you get to see what you're missing, too!

Hi Frenchderek!
Thanks for your suggestions!

Can i get the one-day travel pass at any station or is there a specific place I can get this? How much does this cost?

As for the places you suggested, which of them are near each other (can just walk) and which needs a bus/train ride? Do you have info which train/bus to take to get to each place?

Thanks again!

> - What is the best itinerary you can suggest?

The main sights - and a beer at Prenzlauer Berg in the evening. Check my profile for the "Turtle Walks", especially the one along some main sights. The one through Spandauer Vorstadt.

> - Will it be wise to purchase a Berlin Welcome card
> even if I'm spending only 1 day?

In my opinion: No. A day pass for the tariff zones A+B will do and is possibly the best choice for you. Don't forget to validate the ticket.

> - What's the best way to get around the city to visit
> must-see sights?

Actually by foot. Most main sights are located in the former east and are reachable by foot. Still, a day pass would be a good idea.
Another idea is to hop on the bus 100 and go from Zoo Station to Alexanderplatz. It's cheaper than a sightseeing tour, and the route covers many main sights. Alternatively, pick bus 200. The distance is basically the same, only the route differs slightly.
Your ticket will cover both routes, as well as some boat tours along river Spree.

> especially the one along some main sights. The one through Spandauer Vorstadt.

Sorry, that was a bit confusing. It should read

"especially the one along some main sights. AND the one through Spandauer Vorstadt."

Best will be to join one of the many offered walking tours. This way you'll see at least the most important sights without having to navigate by yourself through Berlin.
e.g.
http://www.brewersberlintours.com/
http://www.insidertour.com/
http://www.berlinwalks.com/
http://www.newberlintours.com/nbt/

You can buy the one day ticket from any ticket machine. E.g. at the airport or train station you'll arrive.
Tegel (TXL), Tempelhof (THF) or one of the central railway stations: buy a day ticket for Berlin AB (EUR 6,10)
Schönefeld (SXF): buy a day ticket for Berlin ABC (EUR 6,30)

Additionally to what has already been said:

When you are in the area of Alexanderplatz and Rotes Rathaus (Red Townhall) you should cross the street and have a look at Nikolaiviertel. This is Berlin's oldest quarter, so to say, the place where Berlin was born. It is like a peaceful oasis in a busy city. It borders the river Spree, and you have a great view to the Berliner Dom which was already suggested by another poster. So not far from there either. It is really amazing how close the attractions are. When once you start walking you are already at the next great spot.

Next to Brandenburger Tor is the Holocaust Memorial, quite an interesting place. And from there it is not far to the Sony Centre... and from there just a walk to the already suggested Checkpoint Charlie, past the former headquarters of Hitler's command centre, beside Martin-Gropius-Bau.

I think Berlin's most beautiful square is Gendarmenmarkt, not far from Checkpoint Charlie. From there I would take public transport to Alexanderplatz, if you start your day at Reichstag/Brandenburger Tor. Start at Reichstag and be there really early in the morning, otherwise the queues are enormous, and you will lose a lot of your day just by queuing there. Decide on site if it is worth the wait, as there are other places to get great views of Berlin, as the Dom or the TV Tower at Alexanderplatz.

On our all to brief 3 day visit, we tried to create half day packages of venues. Some included -

Museum Island - several great great museums, close to Berliner Dom and the Unter den Linden, Gendarmenmarkt, Bebelplatz.

Potsdamer Platz - several great museums headed by the Old Master's, the Sony building and arcade.

Checkpoint Charlie - head over to the Topography of Terror and on up to the Holocaust Memorial Reichstag Brandenburg Tor and then continue on down Unter den Linden.

Jewish Museum - best in class.

We used the one day A and B transit pass, and as our feet tired each day we would hop on a bus or subway even for one stop. Unless you really know the shortest walking routes, recommended.

Four great halfday adventures, and there are certainly many more as described above. Regrettably we did not get to some of the areas recommended by Turtleshell, very regrettably, but had several meals at Hackescher Markt by the Sbahn station which were good enough.