Summer in Berlin – 21 awesome things to do

“Herr Lehmann” is a great book and even better as radio play with the voices of actor Bjarne Mädel and others. If you like to listen to the story, you should pay a visit to Schloss Charlottenburg’s backyard. Every Saturday they present different radio plays there.

Berlins craft-beer scene is booming, and basically, you only have to choose a beer to drink. One option is to sit down for a drink at “Alte Börse” in Marzahn where they sell their craft-beer called “Marzahner”.

Müggelsee is one of the most beautiful lakes in Berlin. It only takes about an hour to get there from the city center. Once you’ve arrived, you should treat yourself with a tasty “Fischbrötchen” (something like a fish-burger) and, of course, go for a swim in the lake.

Apparently, Thaiwiese in Preußenpark is one of the greatest places on earth to taste Thai food (ok, except for South-Asian markets maybe). Try it yourself and enjoy the tasty, tasty Thai food there.

You’ve probably been to open-air festivals at  ://about blank or  Sisyphos already. But it does not always have to be all electronic beats for crazy dance moves. At Monbijoutheater for example, you can learn to dance mambo, tango or swing. Feels like Dirty Dancing!

Usually, you go to Badeschiff to swim and/or party. During summer time, however, they also offer yoga classes twice a week. A great way to start your day!

If you like horses and if you like races, the race track Hoppegarten is the right place for you. Bet and win!

Some people like to call Plötzensee “Plautzensee” (Plautze = (big) belly). Situated opposite of Volkspark Rehberge, it is a great place for sunbathing and observing all the “Plautzen” at the bathing beach. And on top all that, you can also rent pedal-boats there. How awesome is that?

Summer is the best time to pay a visit to Pfaueninsel, a little island in the middle of Wannsee. On the island you have real peacocks, water buffaloes and a beautiful small palace. If you’re tired of the noise in the city and you long for a more quiet place, a visit to Pfaueninsel will make you happy.

If all beer gardens are too crowed and you don’t want to spend too much money on drinks, you can also have the perfect summer day just sitting on the shore of the Spree. Grab a bottle of beer at one of the Spätis (these shops that are basically open 24/7 and that offer above all beer in all kinds of variations) and a picnic blanket. The nicest spots to hang out are: Holzmarkt, Insel der Jugend, nearby 02 World, Monbijoubrücke.

At the parking level of the shopping mall Neukölln Arcaden you can find not only a chill-out-café-bar called Klunkerkranich but also one of the best views over Berlin. You should definitely go there in case you are – by chance – one of these people in Berlin that are NOT blessed with their own gigantic roof terrace. You are not alone if you are one of them. Not alone at all.

If you own a car that you don’t really have a use for in public transport loving Berlin, you should plan to pay a visit to the drive-in cinema in Reinickendorf. Don’t forget to buy some popcorn and to make out on the backseat of your car.

To have a really good summer you need some really good ice cream. Go to Cuore di Vetro in Mitte, Fräulein Frost in Neukölln or Vanille & Marille to get some of the best in town!

Every Sunday from September to June they have classical concerts at Clärchens Ballhaus, called “Sonntagskonzerte im Spiegelsaal”. During summer, indoor activities suck, even regarding concerts. That’s why they relocated the event outdoors to Bode-Museum. One of the best ways to end your weekends.

If you enjoy showering naked (yes, that’s a joke), you should go skinny dipping at Orankesee. Even though they don’t officially celebrate showing off your bare skin there (no FKK-area), they tolerate naked bathing people.

The area around Berlin, this country called Brandenburg, is actually a really green region. You probably did not know that, because no one really does. Everyone always stays in the city. This is one reason to rent a "Bulli" (the typical retro hippie VW van) and go on a trip into the wild. Note: With a sticker from Landvergnügen you can park for free at serveral farms in Germany.

Every Saturday, the backyard of Platoon Kunsthalle in Mitte turns into a little food paradise called “Bite Club“. Here, you can get tasty street food while a DJ serves the crowd with music.

Apart from the even taller mountains called Müggelberge, Teufelsberg is the tallest hill in the Berlin area. From there you not only have a nice view but you’ll also find a former American monitoring station.

Honestly, we don’t have any idea, how the musicians at Warschauer Brücke manage not to playall at the same time. There really is someone playing, singing, standing 24/7. While during winter time, freezing temperatures make you forget the beauty of these little open-air concerts, you should enjoy these gigs even more during summer.

The beer garden is situated close-by Berliner Straße, two huge lime trees grow next to the entrance, the old buildings look charming. A really beautiful place!

Berlin’s river Spree is not really famous for its water quality. Nonetheless, it is water and if there is water, there are also boats. You can either book a tour or go for something more fancy. Some rental companies even have wood rafts for rent.