The most beautiful colours are blooming all over Berlin - spring is here! The rays of sunshine are your signal to get your bike out of the cellar again or head for the nearest bike hire shop during your trip to Berlin. Now it's time to roll up your sleeves, because the spring sun also brings to light some things that we didn't see in winter. Maybe you'll turn your next running session into a plogging session and pick up some rubbish. Or you can get some sustainable momentum for the rest of the year at the environmental festival at the Brandenburg Gate.
Tip 1: Visit the environmental festival at the Brandenburg Gate
Just in time for spring-like temperatures, the inspiring mega event "Umweltfestival am Brandenburger Tor" awaits you. You can discover innovative projects, organic food 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 sometimes think you're at a loss with your environmental awareness, the sustainable movement on this day will convince you otherwise.
When: 28 April
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, as these are included.
When: Daily tours
Where: Berlin on Bike Bikedepot, Kulturbrauerei, Pankow
Berlin's Best Tour
Tip 3: Enjoy the variety of wild herbs at Café Botanico
The homemade Italian dishes at Café Botanico are prepared using wild herbs, vegetables, fruit and wild plants from the restaurant's own 1,000 square metre permaculture garden. You can taste the freshness and see for yourself how much love and labour goes into the products during a one-hour guided tour of the wild herb garden.
When: Evening menu Tuesday to Sunday from 5 to 11 pm, lunch every Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 12 to 3 pm, guided tours of the wild herb garden on almost every first Sunday of the 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 to apps, you will find everything to do with bikes here. However, the "bike" comes in many forms and shapes today, 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 an ultra-light road bike or a stylish e-bike.
When: 13 to 14 April
Where: Tempelhof Airport, Hangar 5
Tip 5: Take a look at the programme of "Ab ins B!"
In ten Berlin districts, you can discover places with the "Ab ins B!" programme. It lets you discover places that aren't in every travel guide. Experience Berlin authentically and locally outside the typical tourist hotspots. Including great places in the countryside, delicacies from local restaurateurs and manufacturers, cultural events and lots of Easter-related events.
When: 29 March to 14 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 sightseeing boats are a great, sustainable alternative to conventional boats. The solar catamaran glides almost silently across 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
Solar Catamaran Tour
Tip 7: Visit the CABUWAZI Climate Circus at Tempelhofer Feld
Tempelhofer Feld itself is a green utopia that is unique. The former airfield site, which is now used for leisure sports and local recreation, is the largest inner-city open space in the world. On the edge of Tempelhofer Feld you will find the CABUWAZI circus, which is starting its season this spring with a special programme on the subject of climate. The programme is aimed at children and young people. To kick things off on 19 April, there will be hands-on stations, a climate rally and much more to discover.
When: Start of the season on 19 April
Where: Columbiadamm 84, Tempelhof-Schöneberg
Climate Circus
Tip 8: Supports the Orchestra of Change in climate protection projects
The Orchestra of Change brings together professional musicians from the Staatskapelle Berlin and other ensembles to raise awareness of climate change through their art. The orchestra uses concerts to raise funds to support climate protection projects. These include reforestation projects to protect exotic wood species. These are used in the manufacture of many musical instruments. What a meaningful connection!
When: 9 May
Where: Kraftwerk Mitte, Köpenicker Straße 70
Tip 9: Get fit for the 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, you are also adding variety to your jogging session by incorporating different movements 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 the trendy flea market on Boxhagener Platz, the bric-a-brac at Rathaus Schöneberg or the more historic antique market at Ostbahnhof - Berlin has the right flea market for all interests. If you have a big flea market deficit to make up from the winter break, we recommend the giant flea market at the Karlshorst trotting track with 500 stands on 25,000 square metres at the start of the season at Whitsun.
When: 18 to 20 May
Where: Karlshorst harness racing track, Treskowallee 129, Lichtenberg
Giant Flea Market in Karlshorst
Tip 11: Plan a trip to the Spreepark this spring
In 2024, the Spreepark, which has long existed as a lost place, will finally come back to life. The main construction work on the former amusement park has been underway there since January. You can already visit the historic "Eierhäuschen" with the "Ei" restaurant, beer garden and adjoining art space. The kitchen attaches great importance to sustainability, works exclusively with organic products and sources many ingredients locally. Attractive vegan alternatives to dishes with meat and dairy products are also on the menu. The Art Space is presenting the exhibition "Park Insights" until 20 May, in which four artists explore the site with their works.
When: Wednesday to Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Friday and Saturday 6 p.m. to midnight, exhibition from 23 March Wednesday to Sunday 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Where: Eierhäuschen, Kiehnwerder Allee 2, Treptow-Köpenick