Number of days to spend in Berlin and Paris?

How many days would you recommend for each city?

We were thinking of traveling to Berlin on a red eye, so the first day would have to be an easy site seeing day. I was thinking 3 more days, total of 4 and then 5 days in Paris.

thoughts? Never been to either place

Re: Number of days to spend in Berlin and Paris?

I think that is perfect for both cities.

Berlin is just so interesting right now...with the uniting of east and west. so much history there. and the food is

you may also want to look in to day trips. not sure how far Dachau is from Berlin, but we went there and it was one of those big life moments.

the holocaust memorial, the museums, just strolling the city streets. it's beautiful.

Paris...you need at least a day or two just for the Louvre. its been a LONG time since I've been in Paris so someone who remembers more than I can help you out...but yeah, I would think 5 days for museums and maybe a day trip would be perfect.

have a GREAT time!!!!

Re: Number of days to spend in Berlin and Paris?

I studied in Berlin and really enjoyed it. There is so much to see and do - but you can do it in 3-4 days (well you can get a taste you really can't do any city in that little but you will have a great trip in that time). When I was there a few of us rented a car and drove to Dresden for the day and that was interesting.

I would allot for more time in Paris though over Berlin b.c there is so much more to see there depending on your interests. If you can squeeze more time out for Paris then 4-5 days I would try to.

Re: Number of days to spend in Berlin and Paris?

We're going to Berlin this year and planning on spending 4 days (I've been there once before), so that sounds good to me! Paris I don't know.

Re: Number of days to spend in Berlin and Paris?

I would definitely want more time in Paris.

Berlin in seeable in 3 days (I might even lean to the 2.5 days) and is not nearly as exciting as Paris. (Dachau is way too far from Berlin, but there are other camps...Sachsenhausen maybe?)

one MUST for Berlin (besides the tiny bit of wall that is left) is the Checkpoint Charlie museum. It is hands down the most fascinating museum I have ever been too.

Re: Number of days to spend in Berlin and Paris?

I've been to Berlin so many times, just came back from a weekend trip two weeks ago, ans I still have yet to see all I want to see .

If you keep that in mind, four days is a good amount, IMO.

Places to see:
Checkpoint Charlie
Reichstag (free, but a long line)
Brandenburger Tor
Berliner Dom
Siegessäule
Alexanderplatz and the Fersehturm. Going to the top you can really see the east and west differences in building styles.
East Side Gallery and the part of the wall in the area of Checkpoint Charlie
Kaiser-Wilhelm-Gedächtniskirche

If you have time a day trip to a Concentration Camp, I think the one near by is Sachsenhausen. Dachau is by Munich, so not close to Berlin at all.

I think the above are must-sees.

Some other ideas:
A bus tour. Berlin is really spread out so this gives you a nice overview

A walking tour. I haven't done one, but I hear great things about them.

DH and I are Germanophiles (we live here now) and are really into the history and especially WW2 history and we went to the Topographie des Terrors open air museum and found that really interesting. It's the site of the old SS headquarters.

Shopping on the Ku'damm is nice. Nikolaivertiel had some cute shops too.

If you have kids, then check out the aquarium and zoo.

The Schloss Charlottenburg was really nice too.

Museum Insel is cool too.

The best Sauerbraten in my life was tasted at this restaurant: Mutter Hoppe. They have excellent German food, I highly suggest you go there! Friday and Saturday nights have live music and everyone sings along. I cannot say enough great things about this place.

Make sure you eat a Currywurst at Curry 36.

Let me know if you need any help!

ETA: I personally prefer Berlin to Paris, so I would spend a day more than in Paris, but that's just me.

Message edited 4/10/2010 8:14:45 AM.