10 Things to Do in Berlin in the Summer

Although Berlin's main attractions do not change throughout the year, Berliners often say that there is not just one city, but two: summer and winter. So when the good weather arrives, everyone takes to the streets to enjoy its colours, energy, beauty and cultural and leisure activities.

The whole city is full of festivals and activities, with street markets, terraces, concerts, open-air cinemas and much more in almost every neighbourhood. There's so much on offer that it can be hard to choose, so to help you out I've put together a small selection of what's on in Berlin during the summer period.

If you like classical music and want to listen to it in a unique setting, your best bet is to go to Berlin's splendid Gendarmenmarkt square. Every July, the Classic Open Air takes place there, a series of concerts held in one of the most monumental squares in the German capital.

The dates have changed every year, so I recommend you check them out before planning your visit. The performances usually start around 19:00 and you can find tickets (which you should buy in advance) from around €50.

Although the main focus of the festival is classical music, on some occasions you will also find performances of opera and even some pop music.

In addition to the concerts themselves, much of the festival's charm comes from the venue. The Gendarmenmarkt ( Gendarmenmarkt) is located in the centre of Berlin, so you can easily reach it on foot.

After the performance, the best thing to do is to stay in the area to see sights such as the French Church, the German Cathedral and the nearby Charlottenburg Palace, all beautifully illuminated.

Beer and Germany are two words that often go together in our minds. Although Munich is the most famous for its Oktoberfest, the festival that takes place in Berlin during the month of August has nothing to envy. If you like this drink, you can't miss the Karl-Marx-Allee and join in the activities that take place in its more than 2 kilometres of tents.

The best beer associations in Germany take part in the festival, as well as some from other parts of the world. In total, you'll find samples from almost 300 different breweries, but I advise some moderation when it comes to tasting the most interesting ones.

In addition to beer (the undisputed star of the event) you'll also find many musical performances. There are 18 stages in the area where different national and international bands will be playing.

The best thing is that the festival is free to enter, so you only have to pay for the beers you drink.

You may not associate the German capital with parks and green spaces, but it is actually home to several large green spaces. In summer, Berliners appreciate the sunshine by heading out to these parks to play sports, socialise, cycle or simply relax on the grass. A walk through one of these areas is a great way to get to know Berlin.

The most popular places are Tiergarten and Friedrichshain Volkspark, but if you like to explore lesser-known neighbourhoods, here are some other really interesting green spaces. I advise you to check if you can get to any of them with the tourist bus:

• Tempelhofer Fest: on the grounds of the former Tempelhof airport is this large park that has been converted into an area for Berliners to enjoy. Among other facilities, it has a cycling track and a 6-kilometre-long skating rink. It is also an ideal place for a picnic on the lawn.
• Garten der Welt, the Gardens of the World: in the former East Berlin, in the Marzahn district, you will find this large green area of about 40 hectares. The garden, surrounded by old communist-era buildings (which you may have seen if you've been on a communist-themed tour), was opened in 1987 to commemorate the 750th anniversary of the city. Inside there are different types of gardens: Chinese, English, Italian, Korean and others.
• Körnerpark: for many, one of the most beautiful gardens in the city thanks to its balustrades and a cascading fountain. Located in one of Berlin's liveliest areas, Neukölln, the park remains a little-known secret of the German capital. Art exhibitions and small concerts are held here.

There are a number of water-related activities that run through Berlin that are highly recommended if you've travelled to the city in August. Whether on the river Spree or along its canals, you'll have plenty of options to choose from to get to know the German capital from a completely different perspective.

Perhaps the most complete activity is to take a short cruise on the river. There are various options depending on how long you want to spend on the boat, but all of them offer you a peaceful ride in which you will enjoy every moment.

Another very good option is to take a trip on a pedal boat or a raft, either on the river itself, on lakes such as the Müggelsee or the Wannsee or along one of the canals that run through the city.

City beaches

The Baltic Sea is a long way from the capital, and some of the nearby lakes where bathing is allowed require a trip that you may not have time for. So if you want to swim, you'll have to do as the Berliners do and head for one of the city's urban beaches.

Practically every neighbourhood in Berlin has one. The most fashionable among young people is in Badeschiff in Kreuzberg, where a large barge has been installed as a swimming pool on the riverbank.

If you prefer something more family-friendly, in the Mitte area, at Kinderbad Monbijou, there's an area with paddling pools, lawns to hang out on and a great view of the TV Tower.

No matter how much you love art, you may find that after spending several hours on Museum Island you're a little saturated. Luckily, Berlin in summer offers a great way to relax in great surroundings: the Biergartens.

As the name suggests, meaning "beer garden", these are open-air beer gardens located in green areas of the city. They have a long tradition, as evidenced by the fact that one of the most popular, the Prater, opened its doors as far back as 1837.

There are many more beer gardens in the German capital, each with its own unique style:

• Café am Neuen See: located inside the Tiergarten, very close to the Kurfürstendamm, this beer garden is located next to a beautiful lake and is perfect for a beer with a Bavarian food speciality.
• Biergarten Golgatha: one of the oldest and most famous in the city. Its doors open in the morning for breakfast, but it is in the evening when the atmosphere is at its most lively. It is located inside Viktoriapark, one of the gardens in the Kreuzberg district.
• Zollpackhof: next to the Chancellery, at Elisabeth-Abegg-Str. 1, the Zollpackhof is the perfect place to enjoy a beer and a Schnitzel.
• Prater: Berlin's oldest Biergarten, the Prater, is located in Prenzlauer Berg and has kept the classic long tables with benches for its customers to share. In addition to its beer and food offerings, it often hosts live entertainment.

It's not a beer garden as such, but the Berlin Ice Bar, located in the city centre, will surprise you. The most refreshing plan of the summer awaits you in this amazing place where everything you see is sculpted in ice. You can have cocktails there that will make you forget about the high temperatures that can occur in summer in Berlin.

The warm temperatures bring Berliners out onto the streets whenever they get the chance. Street food markets are set up in many parts of the city, where hundreds of people gather to sample all kinds of dishes. If you like this kind of atmosphere and, of course, the food served, I recommend you go to the Bite Club, one of the most interesting events of its kind.

This open-air street food market is only open during the warmer months of the year. It usually takes place on Fridays, but the frequency may change. Check their website for definite dates.

Located on the banks of the river in the Berlin Arena, it's best to come for dinner. There is probably no better place in the whole city to spend a Friday night sampling everything from Italian arancini to bao burgers and a wide range of recipes from all over the world.

And food is not the only attraction at Berlin Bite. From 5 p.m. onwards, the event turns into a real festival, with live music to liven up the evening.

Other places to try street food

If for whatever reason you prefer to go elsewhere to try Berlin' s street food, you'll have plenty of options to choose from. Although there are many, here are just a few that I think might be the most interesting:

• Markthalle Neun (Kreuzberg): it is considered to be the first place that started this type of event. In its stalls and trucks you will find everything from luxurious oysters to British-style fish and chips. It is located at Eisenbahnstraße 42-43 and is open Thursdays from 17:00 to 22:00.
• Korean street food at Platoon Kunsthalle (Prenzlauer Berg-Mitte): If you're looking for something more exotic, Schönerhauser allee is a great place to try Korean food. Every Friday night there are typical Korean dishes on offer, as well as stalls selling second-hand goods and handicrafts.
• Neue Heimat (Raw - Friedrichshain): one of the most popular among young people in Berlin. The event takes place on Fridays from 19:00 and on Sundays from midday. In total, about 20 food vans are set up and there are often musical performances.
• Thai Park (Wilmersdorf): Located in Preußenpark, this open-air market is organised by groups of Thais living in the German capital. It is open on Saturdays and Sundays and is a great place if you want to try Thai food.

First of all, Berlin's reputation as a city with a great nightlife is well deserved. However, on this occasion I'm going to propose a plan that is a little more gentle but perfect if you like to dance for a while or simply have a drink in a quiet atmosphere.

To do so, you just have to go to Monbijoupark, a park that houses a bar with a large terrace on the banks of the river Spree. Here you'll find all kinds of musical styles, from salsa to swing, including a genre as typical of Central Europe as the waltz.

If you feel like dancing, all you have to do is cheer up and remember that no one will judge you for how you do it, but if you don't dare (or if dancing isn't your thing), the terrace is perfect for a drink and a pizza. All this, while you enjoy great views of the Museum Island.

The German capital has a large number of street markets in almost every neighbourhood. In addition to shopping, drinking and strolling, there are also a variety of festive activities. If you're the type to take the microphone to any karaoke bar, you can't miss the Mauerpark flea market.

As well as being possibly the most famous flea market in the capital, Mauerpark also hosts an event that is often attended by large crowds every Sunday in summer. In the open-air amphitheatre next to the stalls, there is a big karaoke party in which everyone takes part, regardless of age or singing ability.

The idea is to have a good time and make the most of the summer temperatures. However, if you don't want to sing, all you have to do is sit in the stands with a beer and enjoy the unique atmosphere.

Without the fame of Italian ice cream, German ice cream can compete with Italian ice cream in terms of quality. It is not for nothing that it is one of the most popular ice cream consuming countries in the world. You can't leave the city without going to one of its best ice-cream parlours and tasting its wonderful products.

Make a note of these names in case you happen to be in the area or if you are visiting nearby and happen to be passing by:

• Fräulein Frost: their homemade ice creams are really great, especially if you order some of their fruit specialities. It is located near the Maybachufer flea market and Neukölln street.
• Rosa Canina: This small chain has three locations in different parts of the city. The reason for Rosa Canina 's success is the creativity of the flavours of their ice creams, such as mango with passion fruit, caramel with fleur de sel or black sesame. You can find them in the Kreuzberg district or near Friedrichshain Volkspark.
• Eismanufaktur: for many, one of the best in the city. It has several different places, although if you are in the Jewish quarter of Berlin you should go to the one located at Auguststraße 63, in the heart of the Jewish Quarter.

Although this is something you can do all year round, the best time to go to the Admiralbrücke for a splendid sunset is in summer. To prove it, you only need to see the number of Berliners who come to this area at this time of year.

To make the most of this experience, I recommend you walk along the banks of the Landwehrkanal until you reach the bridge. On the way, buy some beer and, when you get there, imitate the Berliners and sit on the ground to watch the sun set over the water.

There is usually a street musician on hand to liven up the moment and the atmosphere lasts until well after the sun has set.

The Reichstag Dome: another great viewpoint

One of the must-visits in Berlin is to climb the Reichstag dome. As it is an open space, summer is the best time to enjoy the experience and, if you wish, watch the sunset from there.

This dome was designed by Norman Foster, one of the most famous architects of the last decades. From the top you will have a fabulous view of the buildings of the Government quarter and the Tiergarten park.

The summer months are the hottest months of the year, but that doesn't mean it's sweltering hot. Highs average around 24°C, although some days are over 30°C.

Lows average around 13°C, although you may need a thin warm coat on the odd night.

It usually rains for a few days during this season, so check the weather forecast before you travel.

In general, you'll need cool clothes, but remember that you may want to pack something to keep you warm in the evenings. Don't forget to pack a swimming costume in case you decide to head to one of the city's beaches or lakes.

You may also want to pack an umbrella, as rain can surprise you at any time.