The Ultimate Millennial's Guide To Visiting Berlin

Get your stomach ready.

So you finally took the advice of every friend who's been to Berlin and bought tickets to go there yourself.

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If you don't know where to start your planning, read through our four-day guide below. You can follow the whole schedule, or simply read it for inspiration.

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Getting around: It's pretty easy to get around using Berlin's railway system, even if you've never used any other public transport system (this one's not especially challenging is what I'm saying). The U-Bahn runs mostly underground, while the S-Bahn serves the suburbs as well as the city and is mostly above-ground. Download the Berlin Subway map for easy planning.

Wi-Fi: You'll have free and clear wi-fi access at all U-Bahn and all major S-Bahn railway stations, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't plan your commutes beforehand. Download the Maps app for offline maps so you're never stranded.

Suck at German? It's obviously always helpful, conveys respect, and makes for a richer cultural experience if you learn some of the local language before you travel. But if you don't have the time to get up to speed, fear not — most shop owners will speak English and it's entirely possible to get around Berlin without speaking a single word of German.

$$$: For a European capital city, Berlin is actually pretty affordable. As of summer 2018, you can have a proper sit-down lunch at a white tablecloth restaurant for 8 EUR, or a sit-down dinner for 12 EUR. Even the AirBnBs and hostels are relatively cheaper than their other Western European counterparts in Paris or Rome.

Start out your day with a classic breakfast spread of fresh bread, cold cuts, and jam.

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Most German locals start out their days with a bowl of muesli, fresh bread with cold cuts and sweet spreads, or fresh fruit. If you'd like, you can order all of the above at Cafe Krone, a hip brunch spot located in the pretty, tree-lined neighborhood of Prenzlauer Berg.

Tour Berlin's famous street art and night clubs.

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Take advantage of the numerous free tours offered in Berlin and sightsee Berlin's grungier side with the help of a local guide. Many of the walking tours here are nothing like some of the stuffy, guided ones you might have tagged along on in the past, and are packed with entertaining anecdotes and stuff you'd never learn from online research. If you're traveling alone, they're also a good way to meet fellow travelers. You can book one at Alternative Berlin here.

Grab a picnic blanket and chill at one of Berlin's 2,500 parks.

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Berlin might be known for its nightlife, but in broad daylight it's also one of the greenest cities in all of Europe. You won't go more than a few blocks without running into a polished, lush park, complete with fountains, beautiful architecture, and great people-watching. Grab an ice cream come, a blanket, and recover from a long day at Volkspark Friedrichshain (between Friedrichshain and Prenzlauer Berg) or Tempelhof Field, a former airport that now accommodates BBQs, bike paths, and an enormous picnic area for all visitors.

Dine on the city's famous Vietnamese food.

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If you're a fan of Vietnamese food, you won't find more authentic iterations of it in Europe than in Berlin. Head to Monsieur Vuong's, a Berlin institution beloved by locals (even the ones who know smaller, local spots) and tourists alike, and get one of their phos for 8 EUR to carb up for the night ahead.

Go for a drink at Klunkerkranich — a rooftop bar located on top of a parking deck / shopping mall.

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To find it, take the U-Bahn to Neukölln Arkaden (a mall), and take the elevator to the top level. Once you get out of the elevator, and exit the parking lot, just follow the sound of the music up the ramp, to the open bar area. The spot has become less of a secret in recent years, but it's nonetheless a good place to experience's Berlin's outdoor drinking culture. In the colder months, you can grab a drink and hang inside, where a live band will most likely be playing and providing a vibey backdrop to your conversation.

Have an afternoon doner kebab at Mustafa's.

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There WILL be a line, no matter what time you go, but you can't do Berlin without trying a kebab, and you can't do a kebab without trying one from world-famous Mustafa's. It's a cult favorite, and once you take a bite of the succulent chicken and garlic or spicy sauce, you'll feel you could leave now and be happy with the entire trip.

Check out museum island, a literal island in the middle of Berlin where you can visit five museums in one trip.

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Whether you're an art nerd, or simply want to knock off a bunch of culture stuff off your list so you can tell your friends back home that you did it, Museum Island is worth the visit. Check out both modern and ancient art, chill out on the pristinely kept lawn, and photograph the stunning architecture that makes this one-of-a-kind UNESCO World Heritage Site. Grab an all-access, skip-the-line pass to all five museums for just €16.

Have a Thai dinner at Chan.

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Berlin is one of the most diverse cities in the European Union, meaning you'll find lots of Asian dining options, like this Thai spot, at the forefront of the dining scene. Start with the papaya salad and try the creamy massaman curry with tofu. When you're fully stuffed, take a brisk stroll along the canal.

Dance your face off at Berghain, arguably the world's most popular nightclub.

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The door at this club is as famous as the venue itself, so come prepared to stand in line for three hours and be turned away with the flick of a wrist. If you do get in (and there are dozens of questionable articles that'll advise you on how to do just that), you'll be treated to a top-notch sound system and world-famous electronic talent. There are no reflective surfaces and no pictures allowed though, so don't expect to walk away with any Instagrammed mementos.

If you're not still dancing the night away, grab some hangover food.

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There're loads of cheap food options open around the clock in Berlin, including kebab, pizza, and cheesy fries. If you want an especially Berlin drunchies experience, go for a piping hot serving of boulette or currywurst, if the food stall closest to you serves it. At this point in time, it's not like you'll be looking for a Michelin-starred experience anyway.

Go thrifting at Mauerpark Flea Market and listen to strangers sing Karaoke.

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Having a debilitating hangover while traveling can be pretty annoying. Thank goodness for Mauer Park's Bearpit Karaoke Show located at Mauerpark, where you'll be able to crack open a hair of the dog courtesy of local peddlers, and listen to strangers from all over the world audition for a spot on your IG story. When you're done, you can wander around the flea market and snag a few secondhand €1 shirts or some pricier artisanal goods.

Have drinks by the river.

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There are a ton of so-called "beach bars" along Berlin's Spree River. Club der Visionaere is one of the more well-known ones that requires a cover fee, but you could easily pop into any ol' water-front bar and have a less crowded and relaxing experience.

Go for coffee and cake at Einstein Unter den Linden

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Kaffee und kuchen is a German tradition and honestly just a good excuse to have cake between meals. Have a slice of Viennese chocolate cake for €5.50, and sip on a tiny espresso while you decide where to eat for dinner.

Enjoy free-range lamb chops, along with a dinner DJ set, at Crackers.

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It's really the most stereotypically Berlin thing to have your dinner entree paired with house music, but that's what you'll get at Crackers. This mediterranean restaurant was built in the place for a former nightclub, so the new eatery is really just honoring its former roots. Like most full-service Berlin restaurants, the menu here offers solid vegetarian alternatives, like leek gnocchi and baked eggplant.

Rent a bike and explore the city.

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If you really want to get a sense for the pace, landscape, and sounds of the city, there's no better way than via bike. Even if you're not an expert cyclist, you can rest assured that the city's wide, flat streets, and bike-friendly sidewalks and parks mean you can easily accommodate your two-wheeled itinerary. There are a ton of bike shops you can pop into to rent a bike for the day, usually at less than €12.

Have a fancy vegetarian meal at Cookies Cream.

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As if Berlin doesn't spoil all plant lovers with the best vegan and vegetarian fare in Europe, Michelin-awarded vegetarian restaurant Cookies Cream takes it to the next level with fancy plant-based dishes like caviar with egg yolk, parmesan dumplings, and celery ice cream with apple.

Stroll through the 90-hectare Britzer Garden in West Berlin.

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This garden is open pretty much year round, though obviously the best time to check it out is over the summer. The fields of flowers are a stunning sight for sore, brutalist architecture-worn eyes, and the greenery looks like something out of a Microsoft desktop background. Bring your backup chargers, a full afternoon, and €3 for entry.

Finish the day with a rich serving of currywurst, one of Germany's most popular fast food delicacies.

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If you haven't tried this classic street food already, now's your chance. Head to Konnopke's Imbiss, an in-and-out spot where you can get crispy fries and juicy sausage slathered with curry ketchup, and if you've got good taste, an equal serving of Salatmayonnaise.

What are your favorite Berlin spots? Tell me in the comments below!

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