72 Hours in Berlin: Where To Eat, Explore, Drink, Dance & Stay In The City

Having grown up in Berlin, I can confirm that it’s a city that attracts the best kind of crowd: a beautiful mix of the creative, the alternative, the offbeat and the adventurous. Whenever I return to visit family there, I’m always reminded of its unique charm – and why it’s a great place to while away a weekend. 

Berlin’s artistic character and energy – rooted in its deep, painful history – has seen the city evolve into a vibrant, multicultural haven for the LGBTQIA+ community and a go-to destination for creatives. In a way, Berlin feels like the little, roughed up, somewhat overlooked sibling of London and Paris – but it never seems like it’s trying too hard. And that’s exactly why I love it.

Heading to the city soon? Here’s my local-approved guide to 72 hours of great food, even better culture and unforgettable nights in Berlin...

Day 1

Check Into... Michelberger Hotel, especially if you’re visiting Berlin with a group – the Big One room is its most spacious, almost dorm-like offering, sleeping up to six. So if you’re in town for the nightlife (more on this coming up), it’s a great spot to return to in the early hours, either for a debrief back in your giant room, or in the bar and courtyard area downstairs. Plus, you can’t miss it: no matter what time you head back, look out for the locally famous billboard sign outside – the slogan is always changing, but the original, coined by the hotel’s co-founder Tom – ‘I know I am ugly but I glow at night’ – will always be a favourite.

For a more boutique experience, book Hotel Telegraphenamt, housed in what was the most elaborate postal building in Germany in the 1910s. Now, it’s a stylish spot combining Art Deco and Babylon Berlin influences, right in the heart of the city. A good stay, guaranteed.

Get Around By... Renting a bike. Whether it’s one hired from a local spot around town, or an electric Lime (which you’ll find everywhere), Berlin is a marvellous – and safe – city to cycle in if the weather is good! There are also dedicated bike-only streets and very few hills, so it really is an easy way to explore the city.

For A Cultural Pick-Me-Up... Attend an Espresso Concert at the Konzerthaus Berlin in Mitte. As the name suggests, it’s a daytime show held at 2pm, where outstanding young musicians perform for 45 minutes as you enjoy a freshly poured espresso. It’s affordable, too, with tickets usually going for 12 EUR. Plus, the concert house is in a beautiful and historical part of Berlin, surrounded by neoclassical architecture and cobblestone streets – the perfect spot to wander around post-show.

Keep The Sightseeing Momentum Up At... Neue Nationalgalerie which is close to Potsdammer Platz. This museum is a cultural cornerstone of the city, linked to the political division of East and West Berlin. It displays art from the 20th century, with previous exhibitions featuring the work of photographer Nan Goldin. If you’re there before 14 September, YOKO ONO: DREAM TOGETHER is a must-see – it’s an immersive exhibition of works from across the artist’s career.

Grab Dinner At... Lo Fūfu, while you’re in that neck of the woods. This fine-dining Itameshi spot in Charlottenburg blends the flavours of Japanese and Italian cuisine. The setting is equally impressive: sleek and intimate, with the chefs showing off their skills along a stainless-steel counter – grab a seat there for the ultimate view as you dine.

End The Night at... Studio 11:11, an arts and social club on the edge of Mitte where there’s always great DJs on rotation. This is the club to head to for chic cocktails and a great vibe – prepare to dance until the sun comes up.

DAY 2

Start Your Day At... Material in Prenzlauer berg. Coffee shop by day, wine bar by night and effortlessly cool no matter the hour. Grab a coffee and a pastry to enjoy on the go.

Take The U-Bahn To... Hallesche Haus, a spot that I love along the canal in Kreuzberg. This cafe serves healthy and delicious food (if you need a little more than a pastry to keep you going), and it has an adjoining shop with the cutest home goods and gifts to browse. When the weather’s nice, there’s also a great garden you can relax in over a drink. Insider tip: if you’re there in the late afternoon, you might catch the DJ that plays on top of a huge dumpster on the bridge just outside – much cooler than it sounds!

Make A Pit-Stop At... She Said, a bookshop in Neu Köln dedicated to women and queer authors. It’s a gem worth visiting for its beautiful curation of books (and the in-house coffee shop). Every time I step through the doors, my TBR list grows exponentially.

For Lunch, Head To... Heimweh in Kreuzberg for authentic Turkish cuisine that oozes comfort. Berlin has a large Turkish population, so its food culture runs deep – to the point where the city has almost become synonymous with a döner kebab. At Heimweh, try the manti and ayran for a true Kreuzberg experience.

Get Your Shopping Fix... In the Maybachufer area, known for its secondhand stores. Berlin is known for its quality vintage shopping, and there you’ll find the best spots, from fabrics to Sing Blackbird.

Tuck Into Traditional Cuisine At... Knödelwirtschaft SÜD, a cosy restaurant in New Köln serving up nostalgic German meals in a typical Berlin-concrete-meets-chic-candlelight fashion. It has a twin restaurant in Prenzlauer Berg (if you’re ever in the area) – both do traditional food right. Order the knödel (dumplings) for an authentic German meal.

Grab A Drink At... BLANC DE F*CK, a natural wine bar that doesn’t take itself too seriously. It’s actively resisting becoming one of those natural-wine-and-small-plates venues, instead choosing to focus on a good glass of vino and a quality snack board – ideal for a post-dinner pitstop.

DAY 3

Head Over To... Soi & Co., a plant-based cafe in Mitte with great pastries and delicious matcha. The minimalist interior has been designed to create a relaxing atmosphere, so you can start your day refreshed and at ease. Not a matcha fan? Their iced coconut one might just convert you – it undid a lot of anti-matcha propaganda I had internalised.

Get Lost Down... Sophienstrasse. If you want to escape the typical touristy spots, head to these streets, which have an old-time charm. Pop into the shops and boutiques along the way, and you might just find some gems – keep an eye out for SOFI, an artisanal Danish bakery in an unassuming courtyard that both I and Harry Styles frequent. (So it comes well-recommended!)

Grab Lunch At... YUNA – a delish Turkish-Japanese fusion spot in Mitte that’s a fun destination in its own right (they always have a banging playlist going) and it’s close to plenty of spots you might want to explore: the Hackescher Markt shopping district, the river Spree and Museum Island (home to five museums on, yes, an island on the river).

Keep The Cultural Exploration Going By... Heading to the nearby Fotografiska Berlin, a contemporary photography museum on Oranienburger Strasse with amazing exhibitions of both celebrating photographers and emerging talent. Currently on show is TOILETPAPER, an exhibition that has been quite accurately described by the artists as like “being invited to the best party of your life, where everyone is wildly intoxicated and you’re the only sober person in the room”.

Book A Table At... Trio, which serves up delicious traditional German pub grub (which is actually not that easy to find in Berlin), with a focus on regionally and sustainably sourced ingredients. It’s nestled between Soho House and Berlin’s iconic Volksbühne theatre in Mitte, so can get pretty busy – book a table in advance for dinner, or try a walk-in earlier in the day if you can’t get a reservation.

End The Night With... A late-night beer at a späti (a corner shop) like a local. After a busy day, there’s nothing quite like meeting up with friends and sitting on the wooden benches outside a little corner shop, drinking a cold beer under the fluorescent lights – it’s a coming-of-age ritual for Berliners. And who knows where the night will take you... just make sure you don’t miss your flight home!