North of the capital, the Croatian national football team has set up camp for UEFA Euro 2024 at the Neuruppin Sports Park in Brandenburg. So how about a trip to the surrounding area of Berlin? Here you'll find scenic tours and sky-blue lakes that are sure to bring back memories of warm summer afternoons in Croatia.
But summer in Berlin also offers Croatia fans some highlights. We reveal the most beautiful places by the water, recommend the best restaurants for meat lovers - and where you can fortify yourself with original Croatian dishes after the game. Here are our 11 tips!
Tip 1: Take a trip and visit Neuruppin Sports Park
Hertha BSC, FC Sevilla, RB Leipzig and Hansa Rostock have all set up their training camp here. Two large Croatian flags now fly at the entrance to the MSV club grounds. The Croatian team has now set up base camp here for the duration of UEFA EURO 2024 and will prepare for the matches on the pitches. However, a trip to the Fontane town is not only worthwhile because you might be able to watch the Croatians at one of the public training sessions, but also because of the beautiful scenery of the East Prignzitz, which invites you to go water hiking, swimming, paddling and cycling.
Tip: On 9 June, the Croatian team will be officially welcomed with a colourful festival on Neuruppin's school square from 2 pm. All UEFA EURO 2024 matches will also be broadcast live here from 14 June to 14 July!
Where: Schulplatz am Rosengarten, Neuruppin
When: Public viewing on all match days
More tips for a trip to brandenburg
Tip 2: Cheer on your fellow countrymen at a match of S.D. Croatia
If you haven't got your UEFA EURO 2024 ticket for the Croatia v Spain match at the Olympic Stadium, why not cheer on your fellow countrymen at a S.D. Croatia match? None of the club's six teams play in the first division. Nevertheless, the matches are exciting - and you're sure to meet some football-loving compatriots. Here are the dates for the next local matches in Berlin.
- Friday, 14 June, 8.10 pm, 7s league: against SD Stern 1900, Friedrich-Ebert-Stadion KR1, Bosestraße 21, Tempelhof
- Sunday, 16 June, 10 am, seniors Ü32, Berlin league: against SC Staaken, Staaken sports ground, Eichholzbahn 116, Staaken
- Sunday, 16 June, 10 am, seniors Ü32, Berlin league: against SC Staaken, Eichholzbahn 116, Staaken
- . June, 11 a.m., 11er Altliga Ü40: vs SF Kladow, artificial turf pitch, Kampnitzer Weg/Gößweinsteiner Gang, Kladow
Tip 3: Enjoy your Croatian hospitality here
Restaurant Marjan Grill
It tastes best at home - this wisdom also applies to Croatia, of course. But if home is a little further away, you just have to make do. That's what the owners of the Marjan Grill in the Hansaviertel neighbourhood thought too. Since 1981, guests have been welcomed here with Croatian hospitality and traditional dishes with meat, fish and more. The menu includes classics such as cevapcici as well as grilled platters for several people. Perfect conditions for a little trip with friends back to Croatia in the centre of Berlin.
Where: Flensburger Straße on the corner of Bartningallee, Stadtbahnbogen 411, Moabit
When: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday from 12pm to 11pm, Friday and Saturday from 12pm to midnight
Restaurant Split in Kreuzberg
Croatian cuisine in Kreuzberg - that's all you need to know about Restaurant Split. If these four words have piqued your curiosity, the following information will blow your mind. Because Split serves food just like at homee. That means traditional pancakes, satarash and of course sljivovica. The restaurant was founded in 1966 by two young men from the village of Tijarica. Perfect conditions for enjoying the Croatian team's matches in a cosy atmosphere.
Where: Blücherplatz 2, Kreuzberg
When: Daily from 11:30 am to 10 pm
More International Cuisine in Berlin
Tip 4: Visit the Croatian Culture, Art and Sports Community
40 years - that's how long the Croatian Culture, Art and Sports Community has existed in Berlin. This makes it one of the oldest Croatian communities in Europe. So if you're looking for a little feeling of home during UEFA EURO 2024, you've come to the right place. With folklore, singing, art, sport, card games and much more, the members of the association forge links across national borders. Of course, not only Croatians are welcome - and there are in fact almost 15,000 people with Croatian roots living in Berlin - but anyone who is interested in Croatian culture, art and sport. To find out more about the events at the time of UEFA EURO 2024, it is best to contact the municipality by phone or email. You can find all the important information on the website.
More about the Croatian arts, sports and culture community
Tip 5: Do something good for body and soul in the restaurants by the water
Of course, currywurst goes best with football. You'll also cut a good figure in the stadium. But if you're ever in Berlin, there's one thing you shouldn't miss out on: the relaxed restaurants and cafés by the water. Things are a little quieter here, but the selection of delicious treats is all the greater. And not just in terms of the food on offer, the restaurants couldn't be more different. There's a converted ship, an idyllic summer garden on the Island of Youth and, of course, numerous cafés and restaurants right on the Spree - you're guaranteed to find the perfect place for you. So let's get going before the best seats are already taken.
Where: Various locations in and around Berlin
When: Different opening hours depending on the restaurant
More about the restaurants by the water
Tip 6: Play billiards like Bata
Billiards is not only popular in Croatia. What used to be dismissed as a pub sport has also become an established sport in Germany. If you're looking for a pool table in Berlin, we've got something for you: the Bata. Or rather: the Batas, because there are two billiard bars. At the main railway station and at Alexanderplatz, you'll find the perfect conditions for your next match. Incidentally, the name comes from a not entirely unknown player from the Philippines. Efren "Bata" Reyes once taught the pros to fear. And just like the eponym, one thing clearly takes centre stage at the Batas: having fun playing.
Where: Bata am Hauptbahnhof, Heidestraße 50, Moabit, Bata am Alexanderplatz, Karl-Liebknecht-Straße 13, Mitte
When: Bata am Hauptbahnhof: daily from 3 pm; Bata am Alexanderplatz: Daily from 12 noon to 5 am
Tip 7: Enjoy good food in restaurants for meat lovers:inside
Even in times of tofu, vegan duck and lentil frying, there are still a few excellent restaurants in Berlin for those who don't want to give up meat completely. If you are one of these people, you should pay close attention now. Because this is where meat enjoyment is truly celebrated: from dry-aged steak to German classics such as schnitzel to offal and, of course, delicious burgers. So leave some room in your stomach for a barbecue. You can also watch Croatian national team matches here. You're sure to meet other Croatia fans!
Where: Various restaurants throughout Berlin
When: Different opening hours
More about the restaurants for meat lovers:Inside
Tip 8: Cool off in Berlin's swimming lakes
Summer starts just in time for the European Championships. And where better to cool off after a heated football match than in one of the many bathing lakes in and around Berlin? We don't quite come close to Adriatic conditions here. But Berlin has an incredible number of lakes and lidos throughout the city. You can easily reach many of them by S-Bahn, for example the famous lido at Wannsee. For others, it's best to hire a bike or a car. We have a special tip for keen anglers: fishing is permitted at some of the lakes. With a valid fishing licence, you can get a day ticket and provide your own barbecue.
Where: Various lakes in and around Berlin
More about the bathing lakes in Berlin
Tip 9: Relax in the Fluss Bad Garten
The Fluss Bad Garten starts its season just in time for UEFA EURO 2024. So if you need a little break between nerve-wracking matches, this is the place for you. The small oasis in the middle of the city welcomes you with deckchairs and cool drinks. Just the thing to cool down heated footballing tempers and relax. With a bit of luck (or after a look in the diary), one of the events organised by flussbad.berlin for the sustainable reactivation of the Spree Canal will even take place. Lots of relaxation and lots of information - and away from all the football hustle and bustle.
Where: Sperlingsgasse on the corner of Friedrichsgracht, Mitte
When: Daily from 12 to 6 p.m.
More about the Bad Garten river
Tip 10: Listen to Marin Limić
If you're in the mood for some quieter music after all the fan chants, you should take a close look at this tip. The renowned Croatian pianist and composer Marin Limić will be playing for you in the imposing Apostle Paul Church in Schöneberg. The programme includes Haydn and Brahms as well as the Klis-born artist's own compositions and piano arrangements. During your visit to the historic church in the brick building, you can also ask for divine assistance for the next game.
Where: Grunewaldstraße 77A, Schöneberg
When: 23 June at 4 pm
More about the piano concert with Marin Limić
Tip 11: Visit the Embassy of the Republic of Croatia
All important information for Croatian citizens in Germany in one place - that's the Embassy of the Republic of Croatia. The pretty embassy building is in a quiet location, but right next to one of Berlin's most famous nightlife areas, the Nollendorfkiez in Schöneberg. So if you need to sort out consular matters during the European Championships, you can do so here in peace and quiet. And then head straight back to the hustle and bustle of football at Nollendorfplatz afterwards.
Where: Ahornstraße 4, Schöneberg
When: Monday to Friday from 9am to 1pm, Tuesdays additionally from 4pm to 6pm
