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Whilst it might be more common to book a city trip in the autumn or winter, nothing beats three days in Berlin in the summer. When the sun is out, the city comes alive: people crowd the numerous biergartens, outdoor spaces and parks, while the vibrant street art seems more colorful than ever.
We were lucky enough to experience summer during our three days in Berlin. While the trip started with rain as our train rolled in on Wednesday evening, the next morning we were greeted with sunshine and twenty-plus degrees temperatures. We could not wait to have our first cappuccino of the trip on a sunny terrace somewhere, and some gluten free food, which I have assembled for you in this gluten free Berlin guide.
I have worked hard these past couple of weeks to bring you this guide to the best things to do in Berlin in the summer, while summer is still here. From the best rooftop bar in Berlin, to the best outdoor activities, I have listed everything we did or wanted to do below and per category, so you can easily reference this guide for your next trip to Berlin.
Getting There
Before soaking up the sun from a biergarten or expansive park, you will first need to get to Berlin. We took the train from Amsterdam, which will take you to the city in six hours and leaves multiple times a day.
Train travel is probably my favorite way to travel, and if you have more time on your hands, you could take the train to any city in Germany, or across the border to Prague. Check out my Ultimate Interrail Guide if you are planning on a grand European tour or check out Trainline to get your train tickets for the best possible price.
For those travelers that are too far away or have too little time to travel by train, taking the plane is also a great option, as many flights arrive in Berlin from all over the world. I always love to use Skyscanner to get the best deal, so check your dates here. Once you have booked your transportation, it is time to dive into the best things to do in Berlin in the summer.
Outdoor Bars Berlin: Including the Best Rooftop Bar in Berlin
Berlin is the perfect place to go out. Whether you want to go clubbing, drink cold beers in biergartens or have a cocktail on a rooftop bar: Berlin in the summer makes these experiences even better. While I will share my full list of the best bars in Berlin the coming weeks, for now I have listed my top five for you to enjoy while soaking up the sun.
Holzmarkt: A Cooperative Cultural Center
I visited Holzmarkt for the very first time November 2022. Even though the weather was nice for that time of year, I could not wait to return to Berlin in the summer so I could experience the cultural center in all its glory.
Holzmarkt is a cooperative center on the banks of the Spree. Cooperative meaning that it was built and is still run by the urban community of Friedrichshain and surroundings. The terrain is anything but a boring cityscape: instead, the many buildings and patios are asymmetrical and covered with street art and cozy lighting.
With its terraces overlooking the river, it is the perfect place to have a drink in the sun. You can get your beer in the biergarten, have a glass of rosé at the wine bar or head over to the restaurant. All beverages can be enjoyed at the river’s edge, as long as you pay a deposit on the glasses.
However, there is much more to do besides drink: you could enjoy a concert, visit one of their numerous art galleries, eat at fancy restaurants, nibble on food truck snacks, shop at a local business or dance the night away on techno music at their club Kater Blau. They also have an extensive event calendar, with markets and festivals, so make sure to check Holzmarkt out when you find yourself in Berlin in the summer.
Bars in Friedrichshain
After an afternoon at Holzmarkt, it is time to go on a sophisticated pub crawl in Friedrichshain. We met a friend who had lived in Berlin for quite some time throughout her life at Alte Turnhalle, which is part of my gluten free Berlin guide, and she showed us the buzz that is a Friday night in Friedrichshain.
Unfortunately, I have not written down the names of the bars we went to, but fortunately I can still remember the street: the Simon-Dach-Straße. This street was full of life, and it was hard to find a spot on any terrace to sit, but still we managed to go cocktail-hopping (is that a thing?) at three bars.
In my opinion, this street in Friedrichshain had the best bar-scene for a night of going out with friends in Berlin, as it reminded me of De Pijp in Amsterdam (where you will find the best gluten free bakery in the world) which has a similar lively energy or what we Dutchies call “terrace-culture.” The cocktails were top-notch too and it seemed like we were surrounded by residents, making this street a true hidden gem. So make sure to check this area out to end – or start – your night in style.
Where to Stay in Friedrichshain
With the East Side Gallery on its doorstep and the best bar-scene in town, Friedrichshain is a great area to stay in whilst visiting Berlin in the summer. Only fifteen minutes away from the center by S-bahn, you will be able to explore the entirety of Berlin, while always remaining close enough to your hotel – which is especially handy for those late nights.
There are quite some fancy hotels around here. Whether you prefer an apartment like the gorgeous, bohemian Arbio I Luxury Apartments with the freedom that comes with being able to cook, a modern hotel with a good restaurant like Hotel Indigo, or the serene scandi-style Michelberger Hotel, the area has got something for every traveler.
For those traveling solo who would wish to meet other travelers, or those who wish to save some money on accommodation, Friedrichshain also has some great hostels to offer like the Meininger East Side Gallery Hostel. Hostel full? Then you can find plenty of other hostels in Friedrichshain through Hostelworld.
Klunkerkranich: The Best Berlin Rooftop Bar
Klunkerkranich, German for wattled crane, an endangered bird in the Southern and Eastern countries of Africa, is not actually a bird. Although you can spot some plastic ones on the roof, the thing that immediately draws your eye are the three-sixty views of Berlin. Without a doubt, Klunkerkranich, located in Neukölln, is the best rooftop bar in the city.
Despite its popularity, the place is hard to find. One must enter a shopping mall, take the elevator to the parking garage on the top floor, and then look for the entrance where a bouncer will ask you the €7,50 entrance fee. Once you got your stamp, you will have to walk up a steep tarmac road to be able to relax in in the green oasis that will open up before you in mere minutes.
With plants everywhere, an illuminated trippy cat head, Ancient Greek statues, the magenta balloon dog by Jeff Koons and a sandbox for kids, the place is eclectic, busy and serene at the same time. Attracting a mixed crowd of elderly couples, families and friends out for a drink, all ages have something to do, whether it is at the live music stage, the cocktail bar, living room space or their club called “Hinter den Alpen.”
Wessel and I ordered a margarita and a rosemary cocktail while drinking in the view of the Fernsehturm (the TV Tower) in the distance. The cocktails were amazing – I never had such luck with margaritas before – and the ambience was laid-back, making it the perfect romantic spot to enjoy Berlin in the summer. Make sure to check their event schedule when you go, as musicians and DJs occasionally grace their stages.
Birgit: The Best Biergarten or Best Club in Berlin?
This place could rank for the “best biergarten in Berlin” as well as “best club in Berlin.” Located in Kreuzberg on the Lohmühleninsel on the south side of the Spree, we were led to Birgit by a group of Dutch girls we met at the Italian Streetfood Festival a few streets away. An outdoor club with tons of seating, multiple dancefloors with DJ’s, a couple of bars, a pizza stand and VIP sections, the place felt like a maze.
But in a cool way. Once again there was funky art everywhere, vintage furniture instead of mass-produced homogenous plastic stools, and a mixed crowd. We saw a bunch of friends our parent’s age hitting it off on the dance floor and the most well-dressed people on the planet vibing past us. The weather topped it off, making it the perfect place to dance the night away in Berlin in the summer.
As this seemed like the place where no pictures were allowed, as was the case with most bars on the island, you will have to go see this place for yourself. But just a few tips before you go: entrance is free before a certain hour (the one who can tell me what hour that is in the comments will get a virtual hug) and they put syrup in the margaritas, so opt for a different cocktail instead.
Where to Stay in Kreuzberg
With its lively indoor markets with food trucks and the like, Kreuzberg is a lively area to stay in. Consider an apartment like Be in Berlin Apartments which has three bedrooms so you can bring all of your friends or stay at the Grand Hostel Berlin to meet new people and make friends for life. Is a modern hotel more your vibe? Then Hotel the Yard might be what you are looking for.
Get Drinks, Catch a Movie or Buy Art at Kino Central
Somehow, I have stumbled upon Kino Central by accident every time I visited Berlin. Each time I pass the courtyard, it lures me in, making me want to buy art for my apartment. This place is not actually called Kino Central: the cinema is part of an alleyway with multiple art galleries, shops and design studios. Its exact name keeps eluding me, despite extensive searches on the internet.
The Google Maps location of Kino Central will get you there though, and once you enter the alley you will see why you should not miss out on this place. The walls are covered with elaborate graffiti and 3D artworks, the gallery in the back has a staircase covered in stickers and posters that leads you to an art shop and art installation, all created by local feminist artists, and around the corner on the ground floor you will find a bar where they have great cheap cocktails.
You can also choose to catch a movie here or chill at the Kino café. The space also hosts a World War II Museum on Otto Weidt who sheltered Jewish workers in his factory. But if you just stay on the street, you will have plenty to see and pictures to take as well. Whether you visit Berlin in the summer, winter or any other season, it is a great space to either sit in the sun with a beer, or go inside on a rainy day, and thus a must-visit.
Get Active: Berlin Outdoor Activities
Although I am sure you could also spend the entire day bar and biergarten hopping, Berlin in the summer is not complete without at least one outdoor activity. Ever since our adventure cycling through London in spring, this is one of my favorite ways to explore the city. But for those water rats among us, there are also plenty of options to explore Berlin in the summer with some outdoor activities!
Cycling in Berlin in the Summer: Explore the Mauerweg
Berlin is a bicycle city. Even though bicycle paths are not as well-marked as those in the Netherlands, a quick look around will show you the many cyclists and parked bikes around the city. Looking for a fun activity for our last day without having to walk as much as we did the days before, we rented our bikes at our hotel: the Sir Savigny.
Besides making a killer breakfast, their bikes were sturdy enough for us to explore a part of the Mauerweg, which is the route that takes you along – you guessed it – the remains of the Berlin Wall. The wall was, and the route currently is, 160 kilometers long and can be done in several legs, depending on how much you want to cycle in a day. You could pick and choose, or make an entire vacation out of it, cycling from Potsdam to Neuendorf and back.
We made our way from the Sir Savigny through the Tiergarten to the Reichstag and cycled all the way to the East Side Gallery, following parts of the Wall that still stood, and the rest of it by the paved stones that meandered through the city, tracing the line where the structure once stood. Seeing it cross through new buildings and through the middle of pre-fall streets was heart wrenching: imagine being separated from your neighbors across the street, living totally different lives.
Cycling the Mauerweg is thus a great way to explore Berlin in the summer, its neighborhoods, landmarks and history of the Wall. There are many biking tours in Berlin that take you along parts of it, or will show you other, lesser-known parts of the city. A tour by a local is always a good idea to get into the culture and history of a place, especially if you never learned about Berlin’s history in school or university.
Swimming in Berlin in the Summer: The Most Epic Swimming Pool
Somewhere I wish we had been to: Badeschiff, the pool in the Spree. We tried visiting it but were too late as it closes at the end of the afternoon, so we went to Birgit instead. As the Spree is to dangerous and dirty to swim in, the founders of Badeschiff built a full-on pool in the river with a bar and a DJ booth.
On a summer’s day, the city’s residents take a plunge in this extraordinary pool, and you should too! Because who does not want to be able to swim in the Spree? Berlin in the summer can get hot, so make sure to visit this hotspot when it is time to cool off.
Swimming in Berlin in the Summer: A Daytrip to One of the Lakes
Another activity we will get to the next time we visit Berlin: swimming in one of the surrounding lakes. As this post by Visit Berlin states, there are at least eleven lakes close by where the city goes to swim. One of which is the famous Wannsee.
With Potsdam close to its shores and the historic Wannsee Conference, this lake will not only allow you to cool off but is also a great place to go sightseeing. You could opt for a cruise that takes you along the landmarks in Potsdam and teaches you something about the history of the place, or cycle here along the Mauerweg mentioned above.
Other lakes also have some good options for trendy beaches with bars, live music and scrumptious restaurants. Rent a kayak, a sailing boat or just chill out with a good book and good company to make your stay in Berlin in the summer as relaxing as any trip to Greece, Italy or the Balearic Islands.
Visit One of the Best Parks in Berlin
After a whole day of exploring Berlin in the summer by foot or bicycle, it might be necessary to lay down in the grass, give your feet a rest and soak up the sun. Whether you want to have a picnic of gluten free baked goodies in Victoriapark or bring a bottle of rosé and listen to street artists in Mauerpark: there are plenty of options in Berlin for you to relax.
Tempelhof: Berlin’s Old Airport
On my first ever visit to Berlin, the Tempelhof was at the top of my bucket list. I had just turned eighteen, finished high school and was Interrailing through Europe with three of my friends. Having operated from 1923 to 2008, it served an important role during World War II and the Cold War, as an airport for West Berlin and the Western Allies. After its closure in 2008, the place has been turned into a park called Tempelhofer Feld relatively recently.
On the old runway you will find people cycling (which is what we did), rollerblading and even windsurfing on skateboards, while the fields in between those are filled with people reading books, barbequing in the designated areas, or playing with their kids. Some patches are un-trimmed as they serve as a home and brooding ground for several types of birds and are thus off-limits for humans.
The Tempelhofer Feld is a great park to explore, get active, or just relax in Berlin in the summer, all the while taking cool pictures on the old runway tracks. Do not forget to pack some snacks, or buy them at the nearby gluten free bakery I reviewed in this blog post, to make your afternoon complete.
Markets and Street Artists in Mauerpark
I visited Mauerpark during my first visit to Berlin and would recommend the place to any first-time visitor. With live music, street artists, and a gritty but relaxed vibe, it is the perfect place to people-watch, have a picnic and go for a stroll. We did not get around to visiting the park this time, but I could not keep this special place from my Berlin in the summer guide.
Mauerpark used to be a part of the wall: the no-man’s-land in the middle, to be exact. Now you can find treasures at weekly flea markets or try your luck at the karaoke that takes place every Sunday. Be prepared to sing for a large group of onlookers, though, as this is probably the most popular thing to do in the park.
A Tranquil Oasis and Waterfall in Victoriapark
Did you know you can hike up a waterfall in Berlin? We stumbled upon this one after our visit to the Tempelhofer Feld, when we were looking for a place to eat our delicious gluten free snacks we got at one of the best gluten free bakeries in Berlin. As we cycled up the hill on which Viktoriapark was perched, we could hear the calm stream that cascaded down its side.
At the top of the hill above the waterfall, you will find a cross, which is what the area around the park is named after, namely: Kreuzberg. The park itself was built in the nineteenth century at the height of the Romantic period, and even though no one truly knows where the designer Hermann Mächtig found his inspiration for the waterfall, it fits perfectly within the style of this artistic period. Melancholy, magic and a hint of the transcendent: that is what you will find at Viktoriapark.
Maybe this is why Viktoriapark is the most tranquil park we have visited in Berlin. Where Mauerpark is known for its events like karaoke and Tempelhof is filled with skaters, barbecuing families and cyclists, Viktoriapark truly shelters you from the hectic cityscape, which can become necessary in Berlin in the summer. The hill is dotted with willow trees where families are lounging with their small kids and even a group of adolescents were cosplaying as fairies when we were there. I could not have wished for a more magical afternoon.
The Impressive and Statuesque Tiergarten
Want to spot rabbits without having to go to the zoo? Tiergarten is the closest thing you will find to a forest in central Berlin. In the past, when aristocrats’ hunting parties were prioritized in domestic policy, the Tiergarten – German for Animal Garden – was the place to shoot deer and snare rabbits.
Even though the park is now meant for recreation and stimulating biodiversity in the city, it still bears the statuesque grandeur of ages past: think of the Charlottenburg castle at the edge of the park, the Siegessäule or Victory Column built after Prussia won the Dano-Prussian War and the many bronze statues that lead up to it.
Besides sightseeing, the Tiergarten is also the perfect place to spend a sunny afternoon in Berlin in the summer. Whether you want to swim or paddle a boat across the Neuer See, have afternoon tea at the teahouse in the English Garden, go to the Tiergarten Zoo next door if you are into that, or sunbathe in the nude in the naturist areas of the park, there is plenty to do on its 520 acres of greenery.
Hotels near Tiergarten Berlin
If you wish to have a peaceful stay in Berlin, I would recommend you stay close to the Tiergarten, so you can spend your mornings in nature, before heading into the busy city life awaiting you. You can even stay in a comfortable apartment in the Tiergarten at the Oase im Park, or you can choose either the design hotel SO/ Berlin Das Stue with an indoor swimming pool, or the colorful and modern 25hours Hotel Bikini Berlin where many rooms have an incredible view of the park.
Berlin Street Art & What Berlin Shopping Is All About
For this final section I will tell you where to find the best street art and do some good shopping. Because, let’s be honest, if you go on a city trip to one of the most fashionable cities on the planet, you need to come back with at least one piece of clothing. I bought a beautiful Faithful the Brand dress at the vintage designer store DEAR, so keep reading for some valuable shopping tips for your stay in Berlin in the summer.
Street Art at the East Side Gallery, and More
A trip to Berlin in the summer, or any season, is not complete without checking out some impressive street art. This is not the regular graffiti tags you find on viaducts and bridges, but intricate murals, 3D art and political statements that are destined to blow your mind. Many artists flock to Berlin to try their luck on the streets, making for a colorful experience for any traveler.
The most obvious place to look at some street art is of course the East Side Gallery: a large portion of the wall that hugs the Spree which has been turned into an outdoor canvas for artists. Even though the wall gets flocked by tourists every day, it is one of the top things to do in Berlin. Due to the way the project has been set up, parts of the wall get repainted by new artists every couple of years. So, even if you have seen the East Side Gallery before, it is always worth it to walk alongside it again and figure out what has changed.
There are also plenty of modern (street) art museums around, like Urban Nation or the Berlinische Gallerie, both of which I highly recommend. If you want to spot more in the wild, the area of Kreuzberg is a great place to explore. Also, make sure not to skip on the Bülowstraße in Schöneberg, where you can even spot some art by Banksy.
One of the best things about visiting Berlin in the summer is the nice weather, so if you have the time and the sun on your side, another great way to experience the street art scene in Berlin is through a guided tour. There are many graffiti and street art tours in Berlin, as well as alternative tours to the hidden gems and secret history of the city. Next time, we will definitely book one of them so we can learn more about the background of the artists that have made Berlin such a colorful and creative space.
Farmers and Flea Markets
If you are looking for amazing food markets, check out my gluten free Berlin guide here, but if you want to bring home a suitcase of rare designer finds and other trinkets, there are many markets around the city to try your luck.
Many of the places I have mentioned above like the Holzmarkt or Kino Central have markets on their event schedules, or just great shops for you to browse at. Even Mauerpark has a weekly flea market where Berliners sell their wares.
The best places can be found, however, by following the guides of local. Like this post by Visit Berlin where they list the eleven best flea markets around the city. Whether you are looking for gorgeous pieces of jewelry, some antique home décor or designer clothes on a budget, check it out so you can start planning your flea market itinerary now.
Hidden Treasures at the Hackeschen Höfe
Last but not least: the Hackeschen Höfe. An impressive maze of courtyards in the Art Nouveau style, where myriad shops, clubs, cafes and restaurants are located. Just walking around the area is impressive due to its mosaic-like brickwork and meticulous storefronts. Compared to the grittier spaces in Berlin, this place is intricately polished and breathes wealth.
As it is very close to Kino Central, a trip to the Hackeschen Höfe in Berlin in the summer can easily be combined with its spunky sibling. If you are looking for some more historical art and architecture, it is also within walking distance from the Berliner Dom and the Pergamonmuseum on the Spreeinsel, and from the impressive Fernsehturm.
I would recommend starting your day exploring the museums on the Spreeinsel, and coming here for a cup of coffee or pizza on the sunny terrace of Capvin in one of the Höfe, to find some respite from a morning of exploring in one of the more tranquil places in Berlin in the summer.
Final Thoughts on Berlin in the Summer
Summing it all up makes me realize how much we did in Berlin in the summer of 2024. But if I would have to pick a favorite activity, it was the cycling around the city. Being on a bike instead of a train, bus or taxi, allows you to see so much more of a city. Berlin in the summer is also the perfect place and time to do so, as the weather is great, and the city is safe enough for cyclists.
Chilling at the many outdoor spots in the city was also wonderful, as nothing says vacation to me like the sun, music, a glass of wine and good food. If you love to eat as much as I do, consider going to a summer festival in Berlin like the Italian Streetfood Festival which we visited on our last day, or eating at one of the many gluten free hotspots in Berlin.
The coming weeks, I will be taking you along the best bars to visit in Berlin in the summer, winter, autumn and spring, as well as what neighborhoods to explore when you only have a weekend to do so. Catch the latest blogs by following me on Instagram, or sign up for the newsletter here, and get a gluten free world map for free.
