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11 tips for favourite summer places in Berlin

Tips for a perfect summer's day

Insel der Jugend
Insel der Jugend © visitBerlin, Foto: Thomas Kierok

Where is the best place to be in Berlin in summer? There are many answers to this question: at your favourite lake, in the park or on the roof terrace on a warm summer evening. We took a look around the city and put together 11 favourite places for summer in Berlin. Let us inspire you! Here are our 11 favourite places, big and small, where you can relax and enjoy Berlin in summer.

Tip 1: Müggelsee

A surfer on the Großer Müggelsee in Berlin, a popular destination
Surfing on the Müggelsee © visitBerlin, Foto: Dagmar Schwelle

The only lake in Berlin larger than Wannsee is Müggelsee with over 7.4 km² of water. Whether you jump into the cool water here on a hot summer's day in the beach pool or explore the vastness of the lake by boat. Müggelsee is clearly one of Berlin's favourite summer spots. We have compiled even more tips for the Berlin lakes in our practical bathing map.

To the bathing map

Tip 2: Charlottenburg Palace

Berlin, Schloss Charlottenburg, Gartenseite
© SPSG, Foto: Hans Bach

The Charlottenburg Palace certainly has its place on this list. Where baroque meets marvellous garden architecture, it is particularly beautiful in summer. Stroll through the extensive park and enjoy the view of the magnificent palace grounds.

Tip: Why not combine your visit with a boat tour, because there is a landing stage right here.

Tickets for boat trips

Tip 3: Princely gardens at Babelsberg Palace

Babelsberg palace
Babelsberg Palace © iStock.com, Foto: picturedesigner

You will find even more magnificent palaces and extensive parks in Potsdam. The Babelsberg park directly on the banks of the Havel offers a particularly beautiful view over the Havel and the countryside. Although the palace is only open for special events, you can enjoy the romantic view from the café or a bench and unwind.

The Wall Trail runs through the park, making it the perfect destination for a bike tour. And for the water lovers among you, pack your swimming costume and jump into the cool waters of the Havel at the lido.

More about Babelsberg Palace

Tip 4: Haus der Kulturen der Welt

Haus der Kulturen der Welt Berlin
Haus der Kulturen der Welt © visitberlin, Foto: Wolfgang Scholvien

The Haus der Kulturen der Welt (HKW) in Berlin will continue to offer a diverse and exciting programme combining art, culture and science in 2024. As one of the leading institutions for international and interdisciplinary discourse, HKW focuses on innovative formats and extraordinary projects that illuminate global topics from different perspectives. From September, everything there will revolve around the theme of "Heimat"

At the same time, the terrace offers a magnificent view of the Spree and the government district. Incidentally, there is also a boat landing stage, so you can combine your visit with a Spree cruise 

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Haus der Kulturen der Welt

Tip 5: Milchhäuschen am Weißen See

Known fontain in the "Weißen See"
Known fontain in the "Weißen See" © visitberlin, Foto: Philip Koschel

The Weiße See in the district of Pankow is a small oasis in the north of Berlin. You can sip your latte macchiato in the small Milchhäuschen on the shore and watch the rowing boats in peace, while the Strandbad Weißensee - directly opposite - attracts visitors with deckchairs, a beer garden and swimming fun. The fountain in the middle of the lake surrounded by lush greenery makes the idyllic setting perfect.

More about the Milchhäuschen

Tip 6: Pleasure garden on Museum Island

Altes Museum
© visitBerlin, Foto: Pierre Adenis

The meadow in front of the Altes Museum on Museum Island is the place to relax in the heart of the city after visiting Museum Island or the Humboldt Forum. The Lustgarten is not just a meadow. It is a wonderful piece of greenery with a rainbow-coloured glittering fountain and a relaxed atmosphere right in the heart of Berlin.

More about Museum Island

Tip 7: Gardens of the World

Königliche Nacht der degewo - Mieterfest 05.06.2009 in den Gärten der Welt Erholungspark Berlin Marzahn
© Grün Berlin GmbH, Foto: Holger Koppatsch

Whether you want to sniff flowers, take a cable car, ride a bobsleigh run or watch the sunset - you'll get your money's worth here, and not just on hot summer days. Tip: Pack some provisions and look for a nice spot in the shade - this has always been the tradition in the wonderful Gardens of the World.

Tip for families: the 6,000 square metre water playground "Konrad's Journey to the South Seas" invites you to splash around and play on hot days.

More about the Gardens of the World

Tip 8: Lietzensee

Restaurant Bootshaus Stella by lake Lietzensee
Lietzenseepark mit Blick auf das Wasser © Runze & Casper, Foto: Martin Beikirch

Not far from Kurfürstendamm is the Lietzensee. Surrounded by a park, the crescent-shaped body of water offers a green oasis in the centre of West Berlin, especially for day trippers from Charlottenburg and Wilmersdorf. In good weather, the water terrace of the Bootshaus Stella is the ideal place to stop after a lovely walk around the lake.

More about the Lietzensee

Tip 9: Klunkerkranich

View of the Berlin TV Tower from Club Klunkerkranich
Sunset at Klunkerkranich © gettyimages, Foto: golero

What could be better than a balmy summer evening with friends? A balmy summer evening with friends and a magnificent view over the rooftops of Berlin. That's why rooftop terraces with their beautiful open-air panoramas are becoming increasingly popular. And one of the hottest rooftop terraces is  the cool Klunkerkranich in Neukölln - casual Berlin lifestyle included.

More about rooftop terraces in Berlin

Tip 10: Volkspark Friedrichshain - with open-air cinema

Freiluftkino Friedrichshain
© visitBerlin, Foto: Dagmar Schwelle

The Volkspark Friedrichshain is a park full of life. Located between the popular neighbourhoods of Prenzlauer Berg and Friedrichshain, the Volkspark is a green oasis in close proximity to the bustling Alexanderplatz. In summer, one of the most beautiful open-air cinemas in Berlin presents its excellently selected programme cinema here. A detour to the Fairy Tale Fountain in the western part of the park is a magical experience.

More about Volkspark Friedrichshain

Tip 11: Pure freedom: Tempelhofer Feld

Tempelhof field in Berlin
Tempelhof field in Berlin © visitBerlin, Foto: Dagmar Schwelle

And last but not least, the absolute favourite place of so many from all over Berlin (and not just in summer). Whether picnic, garden art, roller skating or cycling - you can do it all here with an extra portion of freedom on top! The Tempelhofer Feld and its vast expanses let you forget the hustle and bustle of the big city and are the perfect destination, especially in summer.

More about Tempelhofer Feld

Kristin: visitBerlin-Bloggerin unter visitBerlin.de/blog

Kristin

does not smile on fotos. But in real life she enjoys with a smile in her face the rich cultural life of Berlin - the metropolis both in front of and behind the scenes. Her favourite season is the Berlinale, then she spends 10 days watching movies and writing about them in the blog. All posts