Get a [no] Charge Out of Berlin!

You've eaten hawker fare in Kuala Lumpur, braved downhills in Whistler, and visited the best art museums in Paris. All great times, to be sure, but seasoned travelers sometimes find that, after too many trips, the excitement attached to visiting yet another new city begins to wane no matter how much money they spend on things to do and consume.

With that dilemma in mind, what can you do to make Berlin fun and memorable? Try this challenge: do as much sightseeing as you can while spending as little as possible.

To avoid opening your wallet repeatedly, you'll have to get creative, plan your days (more on this later), and resist the temptation to do what's quick and easy. Now, toss aside that Berlin guidebook – let's cover some guidelines.

You have to eat, so spending money on food (and even drink) is allowed, but don't go crazy. Fortunately, as far as cheap nourishment goes, Berlin has the market cornered with an ample supply of Turkish corner stands, especially in Kreuzberg. As for getting around, Berlin's network of light-rail trains (S-Bahn), subway lines (U-Bahn), buses and trams is one of the best public transit systems in the world. With multiple-day passes available for less than €20, it's cost effective and lessens the footprint you leave behind.

First on the agenda is Tiergarten. If you drop by the market and assemble a picnic beforehand, you may just find it easy to spend an entire day enjoying the massive park and exploring its vast cache of war memorials and victory statues. Do, but don't linger too long.

The Reichstag is where Adolf Hitler assumed authority of the state political machine in 1933. For sheer historical significance, a tour of the building would be worth the price of admission. Fortunately, there isn't one, so it makes our list. The views from roof terrace and dome are awesome, and if you get a chance to sit in the gallery during a parliamentary session, it's quite an experience.

Formidable Brandenburger Tor is a must-see for two reasons: it's free and, for many, it's the city's most iconic structure. Snap as many photos of the old city gate as you like while taking time to ponder the contrary roles – symbolic unifier and divider – it's played since being constructed in 1791.

On the other side of the gate is Pariser Platz, a wide public square with plenty of history. A barren "dead zone" until reunification, Pariser is once again the bustling centerpiece it was in the days prior to World War II, when it was the city's grandest urban square. Several noteworthy buildings outline the square, including the historic Hotel Adlon, the US and French Embassies, and the Kennedys Museum.