The whole of Berlin is blooming in the most beautiful colours - spring is here! The rays of sunshine are your sign to get your bicycle out of the cellar or head to the nearest bike hire shop during your trip to Berlin. Now it's time to roll up your sleeves, because the spring sun is also revealing some things we didn't see in winter. Maybe you'll turn your next jog into a plogging session and pick up some rubbish. Or get some sustainable momentum for the rest of the year at the environmental festival at the Brandenburg Gate.
Win a spring weekend in Berlin:
The cherry blossoms are in full bloom, and the first warm rays of sunshine are inviting you to explore the city and enjoy the beautiful parks and cafés. With a bit of luck, you could win a magical spring weekend for two in Berlin – including an overnight stay at a top hotel.
Tip 1: Visit the environmental festival at the Brandenburg Gate
Just in time for spring-like temperatures, the inspiring "Umweltfestival am Brandenburger Tor" awaits you. You can discover innovative projects, organic catering and sustainable companies at over 250 stands. Let yourself be infected by the enthusiasm for sustainability and stroll along the adventure mile between the Brandenburg Gate and the Victory Column. Two stages will entertain you with discussions, award ceremonies, music and more. If you think you've lost your way with your environmental awareness from time to time, the sustainable movement on this day will convince you otherwise.
When: 1 June
Where: Straße des 17. Juni, Mitte
Tip 2: Take a sustainable sightseeing tour with Berlin on Bike
With Berlin on Bike, you can go on guided bike tours through Berlin. Whether you want to see the main sights or are interested in hidden oases of the city, the Berlin guides will take you on the right route to the right places. The tours are available in German, English or Dutch. You don't need to worry about bikes and helmets, these are included.
When: Daily tours
Where: Berlin on Bike Bikedepot, Kulturbrauerei, Pankow
Bike tour "Berlin's Best"
Tip 3: Enjoy the variety of wild herbs at Café Botanico
Wild herbs, vegetables, fruit and wild plants from their own 1,000 square metre permaculture garden are used in the homemade Italian dishes at Café Botanico. You can taste the freshness and see for yourself how much love and work goes into the products during one of the one-hour guided tours through the wild herb garden: Evening menu Tuesday to Sunday 5pm to 11pm, Wednesday to Saturday 12pm to 3pm weekday lunch, Sunday lunch 12pm to 3pm, guided tours of the wild herb garden on the first Sunday of every month
Where: Richardstraße 100, Neukölln
Tip 4: Find out about the latest trends at the VELO Berlin bike festival
In the halls and on parts of the outdoor area of the former Tempelhof Airport, you can discover innovations on the subject of bicycles. From the two-wheeled vehicles themselves to clothing, components and accessories and apps, you will find everything to do with bikes here. However, the word "bike" no longer quite characterises the modern bicycle, as it has long since become a lifestyle product that incorporates a lot of technology. On test rides, you can try out whether you prefer the ultralight racing bike or a stylish e-bike.
When: 10 to 11 May
Where: Tempelhof Airport, Hangar 5
Tip 5: Check out the "Ab ins B!" programme
In ten Berlin districts, you can use the programme from "Ab ins B!" programme lets you discover places that aren't in every travel guide. Experience Berlin authentically and locally outside the typical tourist hotspots. Included are great places in the countryside, treats from local restaurateurs and manufacturers, cultural events and lots of Easter-related events.
When: 18 April to 27 April. April
Where: Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf, Lichtenberg, Neukölln, Treptow-Köpenick, Steglitz-Zehlendorf, Pankow, Marzahn-Hellersdorf, Tempelhof-Schöneberg, Reinickendorf and Spandau
Tip 6: Take a trip across the Spree on board a solar catamaran
Solar-powered excursion boats are a great, sustainable alternative to conventional excursion boats. The solar catamaran glides almost silently over the water and draws energy from the solar panels mounted on the roof. The green Spree cruise that we recommend here takes you on a beautiful route past the East Side Gallery and the Molecule Men towards Plänterwald.
When: Regular trips from 29. April
Where: Jannowitzbrücke landing stage, Mitte
To the Green Spree Cruise
Tip 7: Throw yourself into your next DIY project
Dive into the world of natural beauty in a lovingly designed skincare workshop and create your very own Bio Facial Serum. Whether you have dry, sensitive or blemished skin, you will learn which ingredients are suitable for your skin type and how to mix them into a serum that works, pampers and is also long-lasting. You will also learn exciting facts about the skin itself and how we can care for and protect it in a natural way. The workshop will not only give you a luxurious, self-created skincare product, but also a new perspective on cosmetics and the power of nature.
When: 2 April
Where: Grimms Garten, Neue Schönhauser Str. 19, Mitte
More DIY tips
Tip 8: Take part in a tree and shrub tour in Grunewald
Between rustling leaves, gnarled branches and fragrant flowers, a fascinating world is revealed that we often overlook in everyday life. This guided tour invites you to rediscover the green soul of Berlin. Whether along the roadside, in parks or gardens - trees and shrubs are omnipresent. Which species grow here? Which leaves tell of healing powers, which of toxic secrets? And what do our native plants have to do with ancient medicine, myths or traditional craftsmanship? This themed tour in the Grunewald is much more than just a walk - it is a lively botanical workshop full of aha moments. Together with an expert guide, you will explore shapes, colours, textures and the practical and mystical sides of the woody plants that surround us every day.
When: 17. May and further dates
Where: Grunewald, Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf
Tip 9: Get fit for summer with plogging
The Swedish trend sport of plogging combines what is actually so obvious: jogging and picking up rubbish. Not only are you doing something for the environment, but you are also making your jogging round more varied by incorporating different movement sequences into your training. In the end, you'll feel like you've achieved something in two ways.
Tip 10: Enjoy the start of the flea market season
Berlin is known for its numerous, lively flea markets. The season starts again in spring and you can go on the hunt for second-hand treasures. Whether it's trendy at the Flohmarkt Boxhagener Platz, at Rathaus Schöneberg or historical at the antique market at Ostbahnhof - there is something for everyone in Berlin the right flea market. If you have a big jumble deficit to make up from the winter break, we recommend the giant flea market at the Karlshorst trotting track with 500 stalls on 25,000 square metres at the start of the season at Whitsun
When: 7. June
Where: Karlshorst trotting track, Treskowallee 129, Lichtenberg
Tip 11: Plan a trip to the Spreepark this spring
Where once the Ferris wheel circled and rollercoasters rattled, today a place full of creative energy, art and sustainability is emerging. The transformation can already be seen around the reopened Eierhäuschen, where modern German cuisine with a French twist awaits you - prepared from regional and seasonal ingredients and served in a green idyllic setting.
While you sit and relax in the beer garden and enjoy your home-made meal, you can already catch a glimpse of what's to come: the new "English Village", an amphitheatre for open-air events and the iconic Ferris wheel, which will soon be back in the sky. This view of the future is complemented by the exhibition "Hidden Realities" in the Spreepark Art Space - a sensual and poetic experience that merges nature, architecture and visions.
When: Wednesday to Sunday 10 am to 5 pm, Friday and Saturday 6 pm to midnight, exhibition from 15 June. June Wednesday to Sunday 11 am to 7 pm
Where: Eierhäuschen, Kiehnwerder Allee 2, Treptow-Köpenick
