Discover Summer in Berlin: Tips and Highlights

Traveling to Berlin in summer? Lucky you! Summer is Berlin’s best season. Outdoor cafes, parks, pools, beach bars, and lake fronts are all packed. Berliners even seem to be a bit happier and friendlier when the sun comes out. Moreover, it’s a time when the city transforms and brings out the best of the German capital.

Berlin’s Badeschiff

This is one of the most unique swimming pools in all of Germany: Badeschiff, a floating pool, crafted from a large cargo container, is now moored in Berlin’s River Spree. An open-air pool, it becomes a lively spot filled with hip Berliners who sunbathe in the sand throughout the day, then party at the surrounding nightclubs until the early morning.

Visit Berlin’s Oldest Beer Garden

What better place to spend a balmy evening than in one of Berlin’s bustling beer gardens? The oldest one, boasting a history since 1837, is the Prater Beer Garden on Kastanienallee. Shaded by magnificent chestnut trees, guests gather on wooden benches to savor fresh-grilled wurst, potato salad, and pickled cucumber paired with home-brewed Prater beer.

Berlin’s Beaches

Although Berlin is not located near the ocean, it compensates with numerous man-made urban beaches along the banks of the River Spree. These beaches feature imported sand and ample sun chairs, providing a perfect spot for locals to soak up the sun. The atmosphere is vibrant, as most of these beaches feature open-air bars. For those seeking activity, beach volleyball courts abound.

Berlin’s Best Swimming Lakes

If you want to immerse yourself in nature, explore Berlin’s best swimming beaches. Retreat into tranquility at the many lakes that surround the city. Don’t miss easily accessible Schlachtensee where you can swim beneath leafy trees in the calm waters, or the famous Wannsee with its expansive sandy shores, or the pristine Liepnitzsee featuring an island, or the sprawling Müggelsee, which is the largest lake in the German capital.

Open-Air Movie Theaters

Instead of enduring long summer nights in a stuffy environment, opt to watch the latest films in a Freiluftkino under the stars. From May to September, Berlin’s popular open-air cinemas open in parks, in front of museums, or outside popular venues. One of the best locations is at Volkspark Friedrichshain, showcasing a wide range of films, from thrilling blockbusters to independent gems. You can relax on benches or lounge on the grass, with most movies presented in their original language.

Berlin by Houseboat

Whether for a romantic escape or a fun family outing, traveling by houseboat provides a unique sightseeing experience. Renting a houseboat from Wasserkutsche allows you to see Berlin from an entirely different perspective. The eco-friendly electric motor-powered houseboats cruise at a leisurely pace of 6 miles per hour, making no license or boating experience necessary.

Berlin’s Biggest Park

Berlin’s Tiergarten, once the hunting grounds for the Prussian kings, was transformed into the city’s largest park in the 18th century. Now, this green oasis is encircled by key landmarks such as the Reichstag, the Brandenburg Gate, Potsdamer Platz, and Berlin’s Zoo. Spanning over 600 acres, visitors can wander along leafy paths, discover small creeks, enjoy open-air cafes, and relax on lawns (some allow nude sunbathing). A wonderful resting spot is Cafe am Neuen See, a delightful beer garden by a serene lake, where you can also rent paddle boats.

Berlin by Bike

One of the best ways to navigate through Berlin is by bike, as the city boasts about 400 miles of bike paths, providing a fun and safe experience to explore on two wheels. There are numerous bike rental stations, yet Fahrradstation, with six locations throughout Berlin, is highly recommended. For a guided adventure, consider Fat Tire Bike Tours, which offers various options, ranging from general sightseeing tours to historic explorations. You can even opt for something unique with 3 unusual Berlin bike tours, such as the popular Bachelor party favorite, the Beer Bike.

Berlin Summer Festivals

Throughout the summer months, Berlin hosts an array of vibrant events. The season kicks off with the colorful Carnival of Cultures, celebrating the multicultural spirit of Germany’s capital. The highlight of this four-day open-air festival is the street parade featuring 4,500 performers in authentic costumes, extravagant floats, and musicians from over 70 different countries dancing through the streets of Berlin. Following this, events like Fete de la Musique, Christopher Street Day (Pride), and Berlin International Beer Festival add to the summer festivities.