Yes, it's possible.
In 2003, the mayor of Berlin, Klaus Wowereit, declared that Berlin was “poor but sexy,” and for a long time, Germany’s capital had a reputation as one of the most affordable metropolises in Europe. Nowadays, you have to dig a bit deeper into your pockets to visit Berlin. The good news is that you can see plenty of famous sights for free, public transport is reasonably priced, and food and drink also don’t have to break the bank. Here’s how to spend a fabulous day in Berlin for €75.
Start Your Day Right
First things first: start your day with a small breakfast at one of Berlin’s many cafes. Especially on Sundays, locals like to take the time for an extensive breakfast or brunch with good coffee and a rich selection of baked goods, fruits, and cereals. If you’re happy to forego fancy options, you’ll be able to grab a coffee and a croissant/pastry/granola for under €10.
Begin sightseeing in Berlin at the iconic Brandenburg Gate. Stroll through Pariser Platz and delve into the history of this once-divided city. Before the fall of the Berlin Wall, the gate marked the boundary between East and West Berlin. However, in 1989, it became a symbol of German reunification when thousands of citizens from both sides celebrated the fall of the Berlin Wall here.
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Next, head to the nearby Reichstag, home to the German Bundestag. This impressive building isn’t just for politicians; it’s also open to the public, and entry is free. Weekends can be particularly busy, so it’s best to register in advance on the German Bundestag’s website to ensure admission. The visit is well worth it: you can access the famous glass dome and enjoy panoramic views of Berlin.
From the Reichstag, you can reach the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe, also known as the Holocaust Memorial, in just a few minutes. This modern monument stands out from many other attractions. It comprises 2,711 concrete blocks of varying heights. You can enter the memorial from any side, 24 hours a day, and experience its impact.
Alternatively, join Sandemans free, tips-based, 2-hour Berlin walking tour, which also covers the Brandenburg Gate, the Jewish memorial mentioned above, and parts of the Berlin Wall leaving out the Reichstag. The meeting point is in front of the Starbucks at the Brandenburg Gate. The tour finishes at Checkpoint Charlie. It runs every day, no matter the weather. (You can rejoin our suggested itinerary by walking to Unter den Linden afterward.)
Continue your exploration of Berlin’s center by strolling along the magnificent boulevard Unter den Linden. As you walk, you’ll naturally encounter several notable landmarks and attractions, such as the State Opera building on Bebelsplatz Square.
Cross the Schlossbrücke, a famous bridge from the 19th century, and set foot on the UNESCO world heritage site Museum Island. Every year, millions of visitors come to see the five museums (Altes Museum, Neues Museum, Pergamon Museum, Alte Nationalgalerie, and Bode Museum), whose spectrum of collections ranges from prehistory to 19th-century art. Take your pick and pay around €12 for a ticket.
Lunch at Hackerscher Markt
Admire the Berlin Cathedral, then make your way to the other side of the Spree River and head to Hackerscher Markt, a vibrant hub known for its historic courtyards, lively atmosphere, eclectic shops, and diverse dining options. Grab some street food here. Must-try options include:
Currywurst: A Berlin classic, currywurst is a sausage topped with curry ketchup, usually accompanied by fries.
Döner Kebab: Brought to Berlin by Turkish immigrants, döner kebab is a popular and filling option consisting of seasoned meat, usually lamb, cooked on a vertical rotisserie. The meat is thinly sliced and typically served in a pita or flatbread, accompanied by fresh vegetables like lettuce, tomatoes, and onions, and topped with various sauces, such as yogurt or garlic sauce.
Bratwurst: Grilled sausage often served with mustard in a bun.
If you like Vietnamese food, plenty of restaurants serve daily low-budget lunch specials (ask for the Tagesangebot). Expect to pay around €10, including a drink, for your light lunch.
Afternoon
Next, visit Berlin’s Alexanderplatz, the city’s most famous square. The high-rise buildings, the wide streets, and the expansive square were built during the GDR era. The famous World Time Clock still ticks away at the eastern end of the square, and everything is dominated by the television tower, Germany’s tallest building. Walk across the large square with its water feature, benches, and trees in a westerly direction to the Neptune Fountain, which is located near the Red Town Hall (on the left at the end of the square), the seat of the mayor. Continue to Berlin’s oldest district, the Nikolaiviertel, founded in 1200. Stroll around the picturesque neighborhood with its reconstructed medieval townhouses surrounding St. Nicholas’ Church.
Walk to the riverside to jump on one of the boats for a sightseeing tour on the water. Berlin has two major rivers–the Spree and Havel–as well as canals and lakes on which ships, excursion steamers, and passenger ships operate. The Spree flows in arcs through Berlin’s city center, with the Landwehr Canal running south of it, which is why boat trips all follow the same route; only the length and duration of the tours vary depending on the starting point and destination. Prices start from €22.
Choose Your Evening Adventure
With around €20 left to spend in the evening, you’re spoilt for choice between dining, clubbing, and entertainment options. For a sit-down meal, there are plenty of budget-friendly restaurants offering various cuisines:
Rogacki: This deli and restaurant offers traditional German dishes at reasonable prices.
Monsieur Vuong: Located in Mitte, this Vietnamese restaurant is known for its fresh and affordable dishes.
Tianfuzius: For vegetarian and vegan options, Tianfuzius offers a great selection of budget-friendly Asian-inspired dishes.
The visitBerlin blog has curated several dining options specifically for under €11. Alternatively, you can buy some takeaway food at Vietnamese or Turkish places, grab some beer at a Späti (formally known as a Spätkauf, which translates to “late shop.” A späti can be found on most blocks in the city), and dine in one of the parks with a lot of Berliners.
For night owls, Berlin has a plethora of cool bars and clubs to offer. However, you often have to pay admission, which isn’t ideal if you’re on a budget. For a change, why not visit a rooftop bar for super cool locations with chilled music and special flair? High above the rooftops of Berlin, you not only get free entry but also a spectacular view. Of course, you’ll have to pay extra for drinks. Worth checking out are:
Hotel de Rome: between Bebelplatz and Gendarmenmarkt, the hotel’s rooftop terrace is an absolute insider tip. Enjoy the unique view of historic Berlin while relaxing here on Dedeon furniture and in beach chairs.
Monkey Bar in the Bikini Haus: The 10th floor offers a truly sensational view of the Memorial Church, Budapester Straße, and Kurfürstendamm, as well as City West. The interior boasts floor-to-ceiling glass fronts, a larger-than-life black gorilla relief above the bar, and next to the bar, a small robot moves up and down – sci-fi style – and paints patterns.
Klunkerkranich: an improvised bar on the roof of the Neukölln Arkaden. Platforms are made of wood, sand underfoot, crates to sit on, and paddling pools. Everything here is uncomplicated; the audience is student-alternative.
More Money-Saving Tips
If you’re a museum lover, you can purchase the Museum Island pass, which allows entry to all five museums in one day. Children under 18 years old can go free, for €19. Alternatively, the museum pass for €32 allows entry to over 30 museums in three days. On the first Sunday of each month, many of Berlin’s museums offer free entry.
The Berlin Welcome Card offers discounts on more than 180 attractions as well as free public transport from €26. All Berlin memorials are free, including the Berlin Wall memorial, Holocaust memorial, Topography of Terror, Palace of Tears, and other historical sites.
You don’t necessarily have to book a paid tour for your first impression of Berlin as the public bus line 100 passes right by the most important sights–from Alexanderplatz to Bahnhof Zoo. Stops can include the Berlin TV Tower, St. Mary’s Church, Berlin Cathedral, the Brandenburg Gate, or the Tiergarten. Cost: a one-way ticket at €2.40. An absolute bargain if you look at the prices of the Hop On Hop Off competitors.