48 Hours in Berlin

At the beginning of the month, my best friend and I took a trip to Berlin to explore the Christmas markets. We only stayed for 48 hours, which was an adventure in itself and has sparked my desire to do it more often. While it may not seem like much time, in a bustling city with plenty to see and do, careful planning made it possible to experience everything. I must say, if you're a fan of Christmas markets, nothing quite compares to the traditional German ones. I've visited a few in the UK before, but this experience truly surpasses them all.

In this post, I’ll take you through a quick overview of our two-day itinerary in Berlin. While we focused on the Christmas markets, I’ve also included some suggestions for things to do if you’re visiting outside the festive season. This is a very different style of post for me but hopefully many more to come! 

Flight and Hotel Details

We flew with Easyjet from Manchester to Berlin, hand luggage only! I was a bit nervous about the liquid restrictions but thankfully most of what I packed were creams or powders, which made things a lot easier. Manchester is currently trialling new scanners where you don't have to take anything out of your bag and let me tell you it was a game changer!

We took off from Manchester at 06:30 and landed in Berlin at 09:35. After arriving, we hopped on the S-Bahn (S9) to Alexanderplatz station, then transferred to the M5 tram to get to Klinikum im Friedrichshain. From there, it was just a short five-minute walk to the NH Berlin Alexanderplatz, a chic hotel perfectly situated in the city centre—ideal for discovering all that Berlin has to offer. I couldn't recommed this hotel enough, the location was ideal, the price was brilliant and the hotel was wonderful. 

Day One:

As soon as we landed in Berlin, we made our way to the hotel to freshen up before heading out for lunch. We stopped by Capvin, a local gem known for its fluffy, mouth-watering pizzas. If you're looking for an authentic pizza experience that transports you straight to Naples, this is definitely the place to go. After filling up, we took a stroll to the iconic Berliner Dom (Berlin Cathedral) and wandered along the serene Spree River. We then visited our first Christmas market, which, although the smallest we explored, had such a cozy charm. From there, we spotted the TV Tower in the distance—it may look small from far away, but it’s actually massive at 368 meters tall!

What we absolutely loved about Berlin was how everything felt so close together. With just a quick tram ride, you could hop off and find yourself in an entirely different part of the city. Next, we planned to visit Museum Island, but since many of the museums were closed on Mondays, we decided to skip it this time and head to the East Side Gallery—the longest remaining stretch of the Berlin Wall. It was truly incredible to walk along the wall, taking in the vibrant artwork and reflecting on Germany’s tumultuous history. The experience was both powerful and thought-provoking.

After such an emotional walk, we headed back towards Alexanderplatz to check out the IKONO Museum, an interactive space designed for some grown-up fun and creativity. A ball pool, light rooms and funky mirrors - what is not to love. 

As the day drew to a close, we made our way to the Alexanderplatz Christmas Market, one of Berlin’s most popular festive attractions. We couldn’t resist indulging in a hot chocolate and caught the moment Santa arrived on his sleigh. To cap off the evening, we hopped onto the wheel at the market, where we were treated to breath-taking views of the glowing stalls and the twinkling lights of the city. With over 100 vendors offering everything from handmade crafts to delicious treats, the market was the perfect way to experience Berlin’s festive spirit.

Day Two

After a well-deserved night’s rest, we were ready to head out for another adventure-packed day. We stored our bags at a convenient location near the Burger King inside the Park Inn Hotel, where we used an automated service through our phones. This service allowed us to leave our bags in a secure locker, freeing us from lugging our cases around while we explored the city. It was called - Zeitlager City Luggage Storage. 

We grabbed a quick coffee and pastry from a café in the station before heading out.

Our first stop was the famous Chewing Gum Wall near the Hackescher Markt. This quirky and colourful wall, located in an alleyway, has become an iconic spot in Berlin. It is literally covered in layers of chewing gum left by visitors over the years, creating a unique and slightly bizarre work of art. The tradition began in the early 2000s, and today it’s a must-see for those exploring the city. 

The rest of the day was a history lesson, starting with the Holocaust Memorial. Designed by architect Peter Eisenman and opened in 2005, the memorial consists of 2,711 concrete slabs of varying heights. Its minimalist design evokes a sense of disorientation, reflecting the emotional weight of the Holocaust and serving as a powerful reminder of the past. Next, we walked towards the iconic Brandenburg Gate, a symbol of Berlin's history and unity. We both added a Pandora charm of the gate to our collections—our little piece of travel memorabilia to remember this special moment.

Next was the Jewish Museum Berlin, an incredibly moving experience. Designed by Daniel Libeskind, the museum’s striking architecture reflects the fractures in Jewish history. One of the most impactful exhibits was the Memory Void, a large, empty space with the floor covered in 10,000 steel faces by artist Menashe Kadishman. The faces, each with a sorrowful expression, evoke the profound loss and trauma experienced during the Holocaust. The combination of architecture and art left us both speechless, making this visit an unforgettable part of our Berlin journey.

To end the day on a thrilling note, we visited the Berlin High Swing at Alexanderplatz. Aamira bravely decided to give it a go, swinging high above the city for a breathtaking view, but I wasn’t quite ready to face that adrenaline rush! While she enjoyed the thrill, I stayed grounded, watching her soar through the sky. It was definitely an experience to remember!

We collected our luggage and caught the direct train back to the airport from Alexanderplatz, making the journey smooth and hassle-free. Our flight back home was at 9:30 pm, marking the end of an unforgettable trip. Berlin truly is a beautiful city, brimming with wonder and history. It’s a place I highly recommend for anyone looking to explore a city full of rich culture and memorable experiences.

If you're heading to Berlin around the time of the markets, they're beautiful. If it's not Christmas time, then here are some other things you can do: 

Here’s a list of additional things to do in Berlin, excluding the ones you've already mentioned:

- Pergamon Museum

- Charlottenburg Palace
- Berlin Zoo
- Bode Museum
- Kreuzberg
- Berlin Philharmonic