Planning a family trip to Germany? Our 6 day adventure through Berlin, Potsdam and Dresden was packed with history, culture, sweet treats, and plenty of fun for both kids and adults. From Berlin’s iconic landmarks like the Brandenburg Gate and East Side Gallery to the fairytale palaces of Potsdam and the baroque beauty of Dresden, this itinerary is perfect for families looking to explore two of Germany’s most fascinating cities with ease. Here’s how we made the most of every moment!
Where We Stayed: Novotel Suites Berlin City Potsdamer Platz
(Anhalter Str. 2, 10963 Berlin)—super central and perfect for families! Our Novotel Suites family room had two double beds and study area, modern shower with bath and separate toilet. It also has a decent on site restaurant. Bonus: kettle, microwave & small fridge.
Day 1 – Arrival in Berlin
We said goodbye to London and hopped on our British Airways flight from London City Airport at 12:45 PM. After a smooth 1hr 45min flight, we landed in Berlin at 3:30 PM. Berlin Brandenburg Airport is around 50 minutes from the city—Uber or taxi is the easiest way in with kids and luggage.
Afternoon & Evening Wanders
- Checkpoint Charlie – Just a 10-minute stroll from the hotel, this iconic Cold War checkpoint is a must see. There’s great signage and even a replica of the original border post for photos.
- Ritter Sport Chocolate Shop – Another 10-minute walk from Checkpoint Charlie, this colourful shop is a treat for kids! You can even design your own chocolate bar. Open 10 AM–6:30 PM.
- On the way, we passed Konzerthaus Berlin and the beautiful Französischer Dom in Gendarmenmarkt. Both unfortunately under maintenance during our visit.
- Bebelplatz – Right across from Hotel de Rome, this historic square was the site of the Nazi book burning in 1933. There’s a thought-provoking underground memorial.
- We missed out on Hotel de Rome Rooftop Bar – From 1 PM, you can head to this stylish rooftop bar overlooking Bebelplatz for drinks with a view. Not ideal for toddlers, but great if you’re kid-free for an hour or two.
Nearby Shopping options:
- The Playce at Potsdamer Platz – Open 10 AM–10 PM. A modern mall with shops, cafes and family-friendly vibes.
- Mall of Berlin – Huge mall with a little bit of everything. Open 10 AM–8 PM.
- KaDeWe – Berlin’s famous department store. Great food hall and designer brands. Open 10 AM–8 PM.
Day 2 – Berlin Highlights Day
A busy day of sightseeing with plenty of Berlin’s historical gems!
🏛 Reichstag Dome Tour – prior booking is a must!
Arrive 15 minutes before and don’t forget your passports! This glass dome atop Germany’s parliament offers incredible city views and audio guides for all ages.
🚆 Getting there: Take the S-Bahn from Anhalter Bahnhof 2 stops to Brandenburger Tor. Then it’s a 10-minute walk.
- Brandenburg Gate – Snap your iconic Berlin photo here. We grabbed coffee from Café Adlon.
- Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe – A short 8-minute walk from the gate. This moving memorial consists of 2,711 concrete slabs and is powerful in its simplicity.
- Museum Island & Berliner Dom – Open 10 AM–5 PM.
Take the U-Bahn to Museuminsel. The Dom is breathtaking inside and out, and the museums are world-class—great if you have older kids. - Humboldt Forum – Free to enter and just a 5-minute walk from the Dom. Open 10:30 AM–6:30 PM. The rooftop terrace is worth the €5 for the views. Otherwise like us, you can have lunch at Restaurant Baret enjoying contemporary cuisine with amazing views over Berlin.
- Alexanderplatz – From Humboldt Forum, it’s about a 15-minute walk. Take photos with the TV Tower in the background, then explore: Galeria Kaufhof, Primark, and Decathlon – Great for a quick shop or to grab essentials. Open 10 AM–8/9 PM depending on the store.
Day 3 – Street Art & Laver Cup 2024 tennis!
Our Berlin visit took a detour. As the Laver Cup tennis was on during our visit. We switched things up today and moved hotels to MEININGER Hotel Berlin East Side Gallery (Am Postbahnhof 4, 10243 Berlin) – to get close to the action!
Morning
Berlin East Side Gallery – A colourful 1.3 km stretch of the Berlin Wall covered in street art. Great photo ops and a powerful piece of history.
Evening
We spent an amazing night at the Laver Cup held at the Uber Arena. Even managing to get a signature from the tennis legend himself – ROGER FEDERER!
Day 4 – Day Trip to Potsdam
New hotel again! Amano Grand Central (Heidestraße 62, 10557 Berlin) – we chose this hotel location as it is right across from Berlin Hauptbahnhof (main train station). Handy for Potsdam daytrip.
Getting to Potsdam:
🚆 Take a 30-minute train ride using a Zone ABC day pass (€11.40 adults, €6.50 kids; under 6s free). Buy from a machine and validate in the red/yellow box.
Sights:
- Sanssouci Palace & Gardens – Open 10 AM–5:30 PM. €14 entry, or €22 for a combined ticket. Family ticket available for €49. Home of Frederick the Great, this baroque palace is surrounded by lush gardens and hidden gems like:
- The Chinese House – An ornate 18th-century tea pavilion.
- 🚍 Bus 614 or 650 from Potsdam Hbf to Schloss Sanssouci.
- New Palace (Neues Palais) – Larger and grander, but tours are only in German. Entry is €15. Book time slots at the office southwest of the palace.
🚶 25 min walk from Sanssouci or hop on the X15 bus. - Return: Walk to Park Sanssouci station and take RB20/21/22/23 – 2 stops back to Potsdam Hbf.
Day 5 – Day Trip to Dresden
Early start today!
🚆 Train departs 7:16 AM – BOOKED (2-hour ride)
Dresden Highlights:
- Frauenkirche & Neumarkt – Beautifully rebuilt baroque church. Just 8 minutes from Dresden Hbf.
- 🍽 Eat nearby at Augustiner for traditional German fare.
- Brühl’s Terrace – Known as “The Balcony of Europe,” this riverside promenade offers lovely views over the Elbe River.
- Fürstenzug – A massive porcelain-tile mural depicting a parade of Saxon rulers.
- Schlossplatz – The heart of Dresden’s Old Town and palace square.
- Optional stops:
- Zwinger Palace – Under restoration, but the courtyard is still stunning. Museums open 10 AM–5 PM (€12 adults, €4.50 kids).
- Dresden Residenzschloss – The Green Vault is a must, but pre-booking required. Open 10 AM–6 PM.
- Snack break: Try the famous local cake Eierschecke at a Dresden café.
- Optional: Take a quick 10-minute taxi ride to Pfunds Dairy, dubbed the most beautiful dairy shop in the world!
Day 6 – Bye Berlin!
We spent the early part of the day relaxing around our hotel, before our afternoon flight to Copenhagen!
For other places we have visited, checkout our website’s travel Destinations section. We buy our travel essentials online via Ebay
