Experience the uniqueness of summer in Berlin: In the warmer months, Berlin, the city with the most green spaces in Germany, is green and blooming everywhere. With its canals and rivers, it offers countless places to enjoy the hot season. The banks of the rivers, the beer gardens and parks are perfect for a few relaxing hours on holiday. And if it gets too hot, here are some really cool places to cool off. Here are the top 11 cool places in Berlin.
Tip 1: Bathing ship in the Spree
Among the many bathing options in and around Berlin, the Badeschiff is something very special. A former barge that was once used to transport goods of all kinds is now firmly anchored in the Osthafen harbour and functions as a swimming pool. Whether you choose to cool off in the two metre deep pool or enjoy a few drinks in the beach bar is up to you, but the bathing ship offers a unique panorama and is certainly one of the most extraordinary places in Berlin.
More about the Badeschiff in Berlin
Tip 2: Fountain in front of the Berlin Cathedral
The Berlin Cathedral forms an impressive backdrop for visitors to the Lustgarten. This is an integral part of Berlin tradition for a perfect summer day for families. Berlin's oldest garden invites you to soak up the sun on the sprawling green spaces or refresh yourself in the fountain in front of Berlin Cathedral. Where else in Berlin can you find a water playground with UNESCO World Heritage backdrop?
Tip 3: But with ice cream, please!
Ice cream parlours, ice cream cafés or, as is so common in Berlin: ice cream factories - there is something for all ice cream lovers. The offer ranges from classic ice cream flavours to exotic and vegan variations. Hokey Pokey on Stargarder Straße in Prenzlauer Berg, for example, is suspected of selling the best ice cream in the city and impresses with an unusual and crazy selection of ice cream flavours that are just right for a hot summer's day.
Our ice cream tips in the blog
Tip 4: Berlin's lake district
Water sports, swimming, beaches ... all this is no problem in Berlin, simply the perfect city to enjoy the summer. If you love summer action, you can surf at Müggelsee or hire a wide variety of watercraft, while you can paddle, swim or simply watch the fun from the beach huts on Tegler See SUP. It gets a little more idyllic in the direction of Brandenburg, where you can enjoy beautiful nature as well as swimming lakes. Here, for example, the clear Liepnitzsee or the Groß Glienicker See with its secluded bays are perfect for a private swim.
Our top 11 bathing lakes in the blog
Tip 5: In the underground station
The illusion of a starry night welcomes you to the new U5 station Museumsinsel. Enjoy the cooling breeze of the Museum Line as it whizzes past all the attractions of Berlin's city centre and out to Marzahn, the Gardens of the World and the expansive Tierpark.
U5 - The new underground line in Berlin
Tip 6: Berlin museums
To leave the summer heat outside the door for a few hours, a visit to a museum is also a good idea. On Museum Island in Berlin-Mitte, you can discover art and culture from thousands of years of human history . Visit Nefertiti and the Golden Hat in darkened, cool rooms in the Neues Museum, wander through the sculpture collection in the Altes Museum and enjoy the calm, cool atmosphere in the beautiful Rotunda. From 1 August 2024, the Kolonnadenbar close to Alte Nationalgalerie will also be back. Here you will find cool drinks, DJ sets, film screenings and much more.
Tip 7: Go to the cinema
The multiplex cinemas show the latest blockbusters, while the smaller houses offer an alternative cinema programme. On warm summer evenings a trip to the open-air cinema is also a good idea.The range of open-air cinemas also extends from Hollywood to alternative, whether large cinemas with a beautiful ambience like the Freiluftkino Friedrichshain or small backyard cinemas, the choice is huge.
Tip 8: A waterfall in Kreuzberg
Natural spectacle in the middle of Berlin - the waterfall in Viktoriapark is modelled on the landscape in the Giant Mountains. Imagine strolling through the streets of Kreuzberg and suddenly finding yourself in front of a waterfall in a mountain landscape. This contrast is always worth a visit. The waterfall is particularly refreshing in summer. Viktoriapark with its legendary Golgatha beer garden invites you to take a break in the shade on hot days, making it one of the top summer locations in Berlin.
Tip 9: Berlin Underworlds Museum
Dive into Berlin's underworlds. On the guided tours through historic bunkers, anti-aircraft installations and old brewery cellars, you will learn a lot about Berlin's history. You can also see some historical features with your own eyes, such as the pneumatic tube system, the former GDR escape tunnels, ammunition finds and archaeological treasures. Not for the faint-hearted!
Tip 10: Shopping malls with air conditioning
Escape the scorching heat with a trip to one of the air-conditioned shopping malls in Berlin. There's something for every taste. In the Mall of Berlin you will find all the big chains, but also a few more upmarket boutiques and a large food court. You can find pure luxury in Germany's most famous department stores', KaDeWe, the Kaufhaus des Westens. Bikini Berlin is Berlin's first concept mall and is located right next to the Zoological Garden. Don't forget to make a detour to the roof terrace of the Monkey Bar!
Tip 11: Under the tree in the beer garden
Beer gardens are made for hot summer days. Here you can cool off with a drink under shady trees. The Prater beer garden in the Prenzlauer Berg district has been serving beer and providing a relaxed atmosphere since 1837. The beer garden is equally popular with Berliners and visitors to the city and is therefore one of the top summer locations in Berlin. Not least because of its classic beer garden atmosphere on beer benches under old trees.
