27 Things to Do in Berlin This Summer

Last updated: May 30, 2023

Berlin is a city that’s made for the summer (ignoring the fact that its rained here three times in the past week), and Berliners seem to be at their happiest when the sun and warmth finally arrives. Even with the current state of the world, Berlin has managed to safely and efficiently adapt.

Here’s a list of some of the best things to do in Berlin in summer, updated for 2023.

1. Visit your favorite club in bar form

You can now visit some of the city’s best clubs as bars. Clubs that feature open air venues like Sisyphos and Salon Zur Wilden Renate have reopened their doors as bars because of the pandemic. Although rules have fluctuated quite a bit these last couple years, you’re once again able to properly club at these spots, now that Berlin no longer has COVID restrictions.

2. Have a drink at a beer garden

A classic and great way to spend a summer’s day. Some beer gardens I can vouch for include:

Prater is the oldest beer garden in Berlin, and very spacious. The pretzels aren’t the best, but the bratwurst is solid. It’s a classic beer garden, and one I visit every year.
BRLO Brwhouse is the perfect summer garden for foodies. There are plenty of options: bratwurst, potato salad, mac and cheese, brisket, pickle salad, bread rolls, and more. This is also the place to visit if you want a large beer and drink selection (most German beer gardens have 3 or 4 beers on tap to choose from).
Café am Neuen See is a cute beer garden in the middle of the park Großer Tiergarten, alongside a restaurant that has good food too.
Stranded at Jannowitzbrücke is kind of a hybrid mini beach club-beer garden by the river with lots of drink options.
Klunkerkranich is a rooftop beer garden in Neukölln with a lovely view of the city. Be wary of the time of day and day of the week you visit though, visiting around sunset on a warm day will result in a long wait that’s just not worth it.
Republic is a relaxed and eclectic beer garden that features a rotating mix of street food vendors.

Beer gardens typically also serve non-alcoholic drinks like Rhabarbersaft (rhubarb juice) and Apfelsaft (apple juice).

3. Take a trip to the Gärten der Welt

The Gärten der Welt, or Garden of the Worlds, has over a dozen internationally themed gardens and exhibits to walk through and take photos at. It costs €7 to access all the gardens, and only a couple euros on top of that if you want to ride their cable car or go on their bobsled ride. Learn more here.

4. See a movie at an open air cinema

Pack some mosquito repellent (just in case) and a blanket, and enjoy a movie under the stars. Just check the cinemas’ sites closely to see what services each location offers, what language the film is playing in, and whether it’s original language, dubbed, or subtitles. This is a pretty popular summer activity, so you have some options including:

Cassiopeia’s location which has a very cozy vibe and diverse mix of films.
Hasenheide’s cinema which is known for playing a mix of more popular movies and indie flicks.
Friedrichshain’s kino which is located in Volkspark Friedrichshain and one of the prettiest in Berlin.

Photo of the open air cinema @ Cassiopeia / Photo via Freiluftkino Insel im Cassiopeia

5. Spend some time at the unique urban hang out spot Holzmarkt

This is a place that’s worn many hats, and endured a fight to become what it is now. With so many businesses around the Spree struggling to keep their land from corporate expansion, the founders of Holzmarkt had a vision of creating a place for the people, by the people.

Now there is food available (I really enjoyed the pizza place), a co-working space, markets, a yoga studio, an art gallery, the KaterBlau club, a couple bars, a theater, and more. It’s a place where all generations can come together and celebrate Berlin. They have started opening up again, and you can head on over for food, to enjoy their eclectic outdoor bar by the Spree, and to visit the grounds. Keep up with their reopening.

6. Find your culture in Berlin

People from more than 190 countries live in Berlin so if you’re missing home this summer due to travel restrictions (or for any reason really), find a piece of home in one of Berlin’s eateries.

A few suggestions . . . New York Style Cheesecake at Barcomi’s (more U.S. American food in Berlin here), Argentinean empanadas at La Criolla, Sudanese cuisine at Sahara Imbiss, Israeli and Palestinian food at Kanaan, and Kin Za for Georgian food.

7. Chill at the peaceful community garden Prinzessinnengärten

Prinzessinnengärten is an urban community garden project in Kreuzberg where you can appreciate blooming plants, get involved in helping out, or have a drink or bite to eat. Plus the food served uses fresh ingredients from the garden.

8. Spend the day at a lake

Something that I’m looking forward to doing this weekend! Berlin and the Brandenburg area are known for having over 3,000 lakes, so you have your pick. Do a little research beforehand to see what fits your interests (Can you reach it by public transit? Can you rent rowboats? Is it near restaurants? Are there available public bathrooms nearby? Is it dog friendly?) and then plan your trip. Some good choices include Schlachtensee, Straussee, and Liepnitzsee.

9. Ride in a silent concert (or just enjoy live music!)

These silent bike concerts take place at Tempelhofer Feld, and are proudly ‘Berlin’s only live music experience on wheels.’

How does it work? Pay €10 to borrow rent headphones and ride along with a local artist or DJ who’s performing in front of you and being wheeled along in a makeshift bike. Yes, really. The live music connects directly to the headphones you’re wearing to not disturb the peace and make it so you can listen to the music clearly. I’ve never been to one, but they look so fun (and funny too of course), and I’d really like to attend one this summer.

Now that restrictions have eased, you can also enjoy many more forms of live music!

For finding electronic music events in Berlin, Resident Advisor is a good place to start.

Eventually, the Berlin Philharmonic’s free Tuesday lunch concerts should start up again too.

I can also really recommend Fever’s candlelit instrumental concerts, and not just because I love Taylor Swift (I went to their Taylor Swift quartet night and it was so well done).

10. Go on a hike

Berlin is a very green city, and there’s plenty of hikes to do in and around the city. I went on a hike called the Breise Loop last month, and got to see a lovely mix of trees, water, and open land. There’s also a little farm in the middle of the hike that sells fresh bratwurst a couple days a week, but we arrived too early to enjoy this. I find the best hikes in the Berlin area from Frank Meyer’s Komoot page.

11. Attend a yoga class

Do as Berliners do and join in on the well-liked pastime when you want to find some peace in the city. I recommend Green Yoga, a donation based studio with the mission to spread yoga and plant trees. I’ve enjoyed classes here including Gong meditation and Kundalini flow, and they offer sessions in their two studios, online, and in parks around the city.

I’ve visited both studios multiple times and loved the classes, and I also liked going to an outdoor flow in Hasenheide Park once.

12. Explore Berlin’s brunch scene

Berlin’s brunch game has been getting stronger over the years, and now there are abundant options for brunch lovers in the city, especially if you want to sit out on their patio. Some of my favorite places to get brunch here (that also accept reservations!) are Allan’s Breakfast Club, and 21 gramm. I’m also a big fan of 44 Brekkie and No Milk Today.

Want more brunch recommendations in Berlin? Read more here.

13. Taste test vegan food

According to VegNews Berlin is the third best city for vegans in the world, despite German food being known for being quite meaty. Be more environmentally friendly this summer, and make some plant based food choices. I think my current favorite vegan spot in Berlin is Alaska Bar (their outdoor seating is just perfect for a summer’s evening), but there’s just so many great vegan eats in Berlin, it’s hard to choose.

14. Visit Berlin’s Botanical Gardens

Berlin’s Botanical Gardens are so pretty and diverse, and absolutely deserving of a visit on a warm day. This summer (2023), they’re under partial construction, but it’s really not a big deal, you’re allowed to walk through most areas (even partially blocked off ones) as long as the paths aren’t currently under construction. It really didn’t detract from the experience at all, however from June 1st to August 31st every Thursday tickets are buy one, get one free (€6 for two people instead of one). If you don’t see this deal on their site, you can always buy tickets on site. Plus, tickets are half off after 5PM every day. Be sure to take your time walking through the gardens and don’t skip the greenhouses!

To enjoy a full day of plants and sunshine, also pop over to the neighboring plant store which is home to a lovely array of plants, all available for purchase. There’s so many plants to choose from and it makes for a great free and fun addition or alternative to the Botanical Garden. Plus, they have a great café with plenty of cakes and nice brunch choices.

15. Get some actually good Döner

Döner has transformed street food culture in Berlin since it was initially introduced by a Turkish immigrant named Kadir Nurman in the 1970s. Due to its massive popularity, some now see Döner as oversaturated, and best categorized as drunk food.

I disagree, Döner when done properly is borderline an art form (looking at you Rüyam), and there’s no time like the present to start your journey to Döner enlightenment. I recommend Rüyam (I’m most familiar with the Schönhauser Allee location) and K’Ups, which are also some of the best budget eats in Prenzlauer Berg. Rüya is another great spot, they’re the original Rüyam!

16. While you’re at it go beyond Döner and try more Turkish food

Expand your Turkish cravings and try new food like Lahmacun. Commonly known as Turkish pizza, but in reality much more than that, I learned about Lahmacun from one of my favorite Berlin creators Andong. He made a great video explaining what it is and recommended a spot called Örnek to try it. I ended up also trying Adana kebap there which was just mouthwatering, wrapped in a fluffy dough, and topped with lemon and parsley.

Adana kebap im brot @ Örnek — Adana kebap @ Örnek

17. Go thrift shopping

Nothing like sustainable and stylish summer accessories. My top affordable pick is Garage (awesome €1 bins), but Humana also has some good stuff.

18. Visit a rooftop bar

Klunkerkranich (mentioned previously) is a cool beer garden type bar that lives at the top of a parking garage in Neukölln. Enjoy the sun, great vibes, and a lovely view of the neighborhood and beyond. It’s worth it to take the elevator up anyway just to check out the view. If the line’s too long skip the line and visit a different bar in the area like Dschungel or Kachellounge.

The Monkey Bar is a good choice if you want to be a little fancy. The drinks are pricey (€13 for a cocktail), but creative, and the ambiance is really nice, especially the seating facing the zoo. Just be prepared to wait in a line to enter closer to the evening, but daytime is typically fine.

19. Spend some time in the many parks of Berlin

There are over 2,500 public parks in Berlin so it’s really hard to narrow down the best ones, but here are a few of my personal favorites:

Treptower- There’s so much to do here! There’s a diverse selection of food stalls at the entrance, an abundance of water sport options, a lovely bridge that leads to a Kulturhaus and little island in the center of the water, lots of shady grassy area, a surprisingly large Soviet War memorial, restaurants, and more.
Viktoria- A lovely romantic park with a waterfall, view of the city at the top of the hill, and adjacent beer garden. Nice for a walk or picnic.
Tempelhof- Previously an airport, this huge park is now great to visit, especially if you’ve ever wanted to walk, skate, or cycle on an airport runway.
Charlottenburg- The picturesque castle Schloss Charlottenburg is located here, and the gardens and grounds are free to visit and beautiful to walk through.
Mauer- Best known for its lively flea market and festivities on Sundays. The flea market can get quite busy these days, but the park tends to be more relaxed.
Preußen- Also known as Thai Park, and mostly visited by people on the weekends in the warmer months (typically late April to early October) when the extensive Thai food market happens. The food is fantastic and I highly recommend visiting. Come hungry, everything I’ve tasted here is good. Don’t forget to bring cash!
Babelsberg- Located in Berlin’s neighboring city Potsdam, this charming lakeside park is my favorite place to ride a bike in the Berlin area. Get up to the palace, Schloss Babelsberg, and enjoy a scenic view of the entire park, lake, and the forest within it.

20. Cool off with some ice cream

There is no shortage of ice cream in Berlin, and I think it’s so popular in the summer since most ice cream places close or change in the winter here. I’m sure most places around the city are good, but you can visit Par Creamery for some rich flavors, Tribeca for a fully vegan creamery, Delabuu for hand-rolled ice cream, and Lecko Mio to try German spaghetti ice cream.

I also can’t forget Katchi, home to some of the creamiest ice cream I’ve had in Berlin.

Since publishing this post I’ve also been highly recommended Duo Sicilian Ice Cream by a few people, especially their pistachio flavor, so I’m very excited to visit soon! (Update: It was delicious!)

21. Visit some well known places in Berlin

We all know Berlin is home to some wonderful historical places and world-renowned museums, but when’s the last time you visited one? Visit a classic museum like the Pergamon, or plan out a little walking tour around Mitte and see some well-known sites like the Brandenburg Gate, Museum Island, Berlin Cathedral, and the Jewish Memorial.

Even better: Visit some free museums.

Grassy area by the Berliner Dom/Berlin Cathedral

22. Chill by the Spree with a beer

Just pick an appropriate spot and enjoy! Maybachufer, Admiralbrücke, and Mühlenstraße along the East Side Gallery are solid spots. I also like the restaurant Freischwimmer for this, which is along a pretty and tranquil canal, but note that the prices are a little steep for Berlin. Plus, Holzmarkt is of course a fantastic spot (#5).

23. Make your own chocolate at Ritter Sport

Ritter Sport has an ample amount of tasty chocolate at an affordable price. Make your way to the made-to-order chocolate section where you can get customizable topping chocolate for only a few euros. You do have to wait up to an hour for it to be ready, but you’re free to leave and come back the same day.

24. Visit a food hall/food market

Arminius Markthalle, Kulturbrauerei Street Food auf Achse, and Markthalle 9 are awesome choices for delicious international street food. Find a full list of my favorites here.

25. Escape the heat and visit a public pool

Badeschiff is a beach bar and floating pool that’s uniquely located in the Spree river. This is a popular one so it can get crowded on weekends so I’d recommend visiting on a weekday. You’re not limited to Badeschiff though, there are plenty of options.

26. Feast on legit German food

I recommend Meta for Schnitzel, partially since that’s one of their few menu items, but it’s also the best German Schnitzel I’ve had in Berlin. Austrian Schnitzel is made exclusively with veal, while German Schnitzel can be made from veal, pork, beef, or chicken. I normally go with the chicken or pork variation. I also like Gasthaus Krombach and Hofbräu might not be totally legit, but it’s a fun experience, especially in the evenings when live Polka music is played. Heisser Hobel in Markthalle Neun has the absolute best käsespatzle I’ve tried. A cold drink and hot German food on the patio of a cute restaurant really makes for a perfect warm summer’s night in Berlin.

I’ve also heard great things about Hackethal’s and Dicke Wirtin, which are still on my list!

27. Rent a boat with friends

This sounds like it would be expensive, but it’s surprisingly affordable (if you have enough people on board) to split a boat. You don’t even need a boating license! You can rent one in swimmable water (so not the central Spree), get a boat with a grill and cooler, and/or even rent a hot tub boat! There’s so many options! I have yet to rent a boat, but I’ve been eyeing this rental website.

Enjoy your summer, and stay safe out there. ♥

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