41 Fun Things to do in Summer in Berlin

Summer in Berlin can be a really wonderful time to visit. It’s the most popular time of year for tourists, which can mean big crowds, but it’s also your best chance at warm, sunny days. There are lots of things to do in Berlin in summer, so you’re sure to have a good time.

This list of summer activities in Berlin is packed with my top tips for enjoying Berlin in summer. From fun outdoor activities to tips for beating the heat, I hope this summer guide helps you appreciate Berlin’s hottest time of year.

Berlin weather in summer

The weather in Berlin in summer ranges from mild to very hot. It can be the nicest time of year, or it can be unbearably hot.

Most years, those really high temperatures only plague us for a few weeks out of the whole summer. But always check the weather forecast a few days before you leave home, so you can be prepared.

The weather in June, July, and August can be pretty similar. It could even feel like summer in May or September.

It doesn’t usually rain much in the summer. In fact, we often wish it would rain a little more to break up the heat.

On the day of the summer solstice, the longest day of the year, Berlin gets 16 hours 50 minutes of daylight. The sun comes up just before 4:45am and sets just after 9:30pm.

Even the end of August still gets almost 14 hours of daylight. And in summer, it’s light well before sunrise and well after sunset.

Remember Berlin is a lot farther north than you might realize. If you’re coming from North America, Berlin’s latitude is roughly halfway between Calgary and Edmonton, Canada.

I have average high and low temperatures listed below for June, July, and August, but I can’t stress to you enough how wildly different the actual temperature can be. Summer 2022 had weeks at a time where the temperature reached the 90s ever day, and it even got to 101F once or twice.

Check out my summer Berlin packing list so you’ll know what to pack and what to wear for visiting Berlin in summer.

Average high and low temperatures in Berlin:
June: 72F/54F
July: 76F/58F
August: 75F/58F

What to do in Berlin in Summer

Summer in Berlin is a time to enjoy the outdoors, to dine on restaurant patios and sip beer at a beer garden. It’s a time to relax, soak up the sun, and forget your stress.

Some of the things on this list are specific to summer and warm months. And some are things you can do in Berlin any time of year, but more enjoyable during the summer.

Join the celebration at a festival

Summer in Berlin is a time for celebration, and no other time of year has more festivals, parties, and fun events. And that’s saying a lot for a city known for partying.

Various music festivals and concerts take place throughout the summer at venues such as Olympic Stadium, Mercedes Arena, the Konzerthaus at Gendarmenmarkt, the Komische Oper, Spandau Citadel, and more.

June brings Fête de la Musique, which celebrates the beginning of summer on June 21st with live (and free!) musical performances around the city. The Jewish Film Festival also takes place in June, this year from June 13-18.

The Berlin Triathalon takes place in June. In 2023, Berlin hosts the Special Olympics from June 17-25.

July is Pride Month, and there are many Pride events, including Christopher Street Day, a lively street party and parade celebrating the LGBTQ community. During Pride celebrations, there’s usually a big boat party parade on the Spree, too.

Rave the Planet is a huge parade/demonstration based on the Love Parade from years ago. It’s a celebration of love, peace, community, music, diversity, and more.

It follows a route starting near the Uhlandstr Ubahn station and ending at the Victory Column. This year it takes place on July 8, 2023.

Botanical Night is July 14-15, 2023, and it’s when the Botanical Gardens turns into an enchanted place of lights, music, and illusions. Tickets are €39.50, free for children aged 12 and under.

On August 26, 2023, the Long Night of Museums is when many museums in Berlin keep their doors open late from 6pm to 2am. Tickets are €18.

And as summer winds down, Beer Week takes in early September, this year from September 1-10, 2023. It’s a celebration with specials at participating craft beer bars and breweries in Berlin and other events including a booze cruise.

Enjoy a brew at a beer garden

Summer is perfect beer garden weather in Berlin. It’s warm and sunny, and beer gardens are a fun place to relax with a drink and enjoy being outside. Even if you aren’t a drinker, they have non-alcoholic options, too.

Some of my favorites are Prater, Brlo, and Cafe am Neuen See. Check out my full list of beer gardens in Berlin.

Take a walking tour

Berlin has so many amazing attractions that are best enjoyed while outside. If you’re only here for a few days, a walking sightseeing tour is a good way to see a bunch of places while learning about them from a guide.

• Discover Berlin Half-Day Walking Tour: Informative walking tour that includes Brandenburg Gate, Reichstag, Holocaust Memorial, Checkpoint Charlie, the Topography of Terror, and more
• Third Reich Berlin Walking Tour – Hitler and WWII: See where Hilter’s bunker was, learn about the last days of the Nazi regime and the Battle of Berlin, and more WWII history
• Berlin City Highlights Walking Tour: This walking tour also includes lots of Berlin attractions such as Brandenburg Gate, Tiergarten, Government district, Museum Island, and more

Go for a hike

Berlin might be a gritty city, but there’s actually a lot of green space here. Get out of the center, and you can enjoy many different hiking trails.

Hike in the Grunewald forest, along the Berliner Mauerweg (Berlin Wall Trail), on the Wuhletal, or near any number of lakes.

Jump in a pool

When the weather is hot, there’s no better way to cool down than to go for a swim. Berlin has lots of pools, but one of the most interesting ones is the Badeschiff, a barge in the Spree River that’s been turned into a pool.

>>Read: When is the Best Time to Visit Berlin?

Get some ice cream

There’s no question that summer calls for ice cream. Some of my favorite places are Chipi Chipi Bombon on Warschauer Strasse, Mos Eisley on Herrfurthplatz, Duo Sicilian Ice Cream on Skalitzer Strasse, and Peggy Bee on Weichselstrasse.

Have a picnic at a park

Berlin has lots of parks, and they are packed in the summer. After a long day of sightseeing, pack up a picnic and head to the nearest park for dinner. This is also a great way to save money if you’re on a budget.

Drink a beer at Späti

A Späti is a Berlin wonder that’s basically like a convenience store. They’re typically open more than half the day, and often even 24 hours.

They sell alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, snacks, and some other items, but mostly people go in to buy a quick beer. And many Spätis have tables set up outside, so you can sit right there to drink your beer and go back for another cold one when you need a refill.

>>Read: How Many Days in Berlin Do You Need?

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Have questions about planning your trip to Berlin?

Join the Facebook group here to chat with Ali (she runs this site) and other people who have been to Berlin for tips.

Take a boat tour

The Spree River runs through the city, and many important sights are located near its banks. A boat tour on the Spree is a fun way to do some sightseeing.

Here are a few boat tours we recommend:

• Berlin One Hour City Tour by Boat with Guaranteed Seating
• Berlin 2.5 Hour Boat Tour Along the Spree River
• Berlin 2.5 Hour East Side Boat Cruise

Eat outside

Winter in Berlin is long, cold, and gloomy, so when the warm weather comes, locals take full advantage and spend as much time as possible outside. This includes eating at restaurants with outdoor seating, and it’s a great way to enjoy summer in Berlin.

Check out my list of where to eat German food in Berlin.

Browse the flea markets

Berliners love their flea markets, and things are in full swing in the summer. Browse for bargains, and you might just find the perfect Berlin souvenirs.

Some of the best flea markets to check out are Mauerpark, Boxhagener Platz, Maybachufer, Ostbahnhof, or Arkonaplatz, though there are dozens more around the city. They mostly run on Sundays.

Go to Tempelhof

I’ve already mentioned that Berlin is a city with many parks, but one of the most unique ones is Tempelhofer Feld, a former airport. In 1948-1949, this airport was the hub of the Berlin Airlift, which kept West Berlin supplied with goods during the Berlin Blockade.

After the airport shut down, it was turned into a park and is now one of the most beloved parks in the city. You can take a tour of the terminal building, go rollerblading or cycling on the runway, have a picnic, and so much more.

Enjoy the Spree River from a canoe

For a different perspective, try exploring the city from a canoe on the Spree River. You’ll get some instructions in case you’ve never paddled a canoe before, and your guide will tell you about Berlin.

Sounds like a fun summer activity in Berlin. Check out the canoe tour here.

Visit Charlottenburg Palace

Charlottenburg Palace is undoubtedly the most beautiful palace in Berlin, and it’s especially gorgeous in the summer. After touring the inside, go for a stroll outside to enjoy the gardens, and cool off under the trees in the surrounding park.

Even if you choose not to go inside the palace, you can explore the gardens and park for free. It’s just one of many free activities in Berlin.

Get a drink at a rooftop bar

Rooftop bars are a fun way to relax after a day of sightseeing, and you can soak up the vibrant summertime vibe. One of my favorites is Monkey Bar in the 25Hours Hotel. It overlooks the Berlin Zoo and Tiergarten, and their cocktails are fantastic, if a bit pricey.

Check out more rooftop bars in Berlin.

Take a street art tour

Berlin is the mecca of street art, and the best way to learn about it and see some amazing pieces is to take a street art tour. A good tour will explain why street art and graffiti are such a big deal here, and they’ll take you to see some famous art as well as lesser known ones.

I’ve personally taken this street art tour, and I highly recommend it.

Sing karaoke at Mauerpark

Aside from hosting one of the most famous flea markets in Berlin, Mauerpark on Sundays is the place to go for outdoor karaoke. Grab the mike and sing, or simply sit back and enjoy the summer rays while other people get up there and sing.

>>Read: 47 Interesting Places to See Cold War Sites in Berlin

Eat lunch at Street Food Sundays

Street Food Sunday is a gathering of food trucks at Kulturbrauerei in Prenzlauer Berg. It’s such a fun way to spend a Sunday afternoon in the summer (although it takes place mid January to early November) and eat some delicious food of all kinds of cuisines.

Hang out by a canal

Sometimes a hot summer day in Berlin calls for some lazy lounging by the water. The Spree is nice, but the Landwehrkanal can feel a little more laid back. Grab a beer and enjoy the sun.

Enjoy a leisurely brunch

Brunch is like a sport in Berlin, and some of the best brunch spots have long waits for a table or are booked up in advance. But if you can get a table, enjoy your brunch for a few hours and soak up the summer atmosphere.

Visit Museum Island

Going to UNESCO Museum Island should be on everyone’s Berlin bucket list, but it’s especially nice in the summer. Why’s that?

Well, Germany doesn’t have many air conditioned places, but many museums, like the ones on Museum Island, do have air conditioning to protect the artifacts from heat damage. That means it’s a great place to cool off on a hot Berlin summer day.

Get a drink at a beach bar

Berlin is nowhere near the ocean, but that hasn’t stopped anyone from setting up beach bars. Most are located along the Spree River, and it’s another great place for a drink and outdoor relaxation.

Walk through Tiergarten

If you’re looking for some shade on a hot day in Berlin, go for a stroll through Tiergarten. It’s a huge park with lots of trees, which means lots of places to cool down when the sun gets to be too much.

>>Read: 25 Fun Outdoor Activities in Berlin

Eat at Thai Park

Thai Park is a staple during summer in Berlin. The official name of this park is Preußenpark, but it’s called Thai Park because it’s the best place for Thai street food in Berlin.

Thai families in Berlin have been gathering at this park for decades. Legend has it that someone wandering through was curious about the food and asked if he could buy some.

They soon started selling their food from this park, and it is now a popular place for locals to get cheap and tasty Thai food.

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See a movie at an open air cinema

Berlin has tons of movie theaters, but in the summer a fun way to enjoy a film is at an open air cinema. Some of the most popular ones are Freiluftkino Friedrichshain, Freiluftkino Hasenheide, Freiluftkino Kreuzberg, and Sommerkino Kulturforum/Potsdamer Platz.

Freiluftkino is the German word for open air cinema, and you can often find English language movies.

Go shopping at KaDeWe or Bikini Berlin

Looking for more tips for escaping the heat in Berlin in summer? Go to a shopping mall. Malls and department stores like KaDeWe and Bikini Berlin usually have air conditioning.

Get dinner at Bite Club

Bite Club is another group of street food truck that is predominantly a summer event. They’re usually near the Spree in Treptow, just south of Kreuzberg, but it’s best to check their Facebook page in case they have events somewhere else.

They call themselves a street food party, and what else could you want for summer in Berlin?

Take a day trip to Potsdam

Visit the Spreewald

For another great day trip, visit the Spreewald forest south of Berlin. It’s a UNESCO protected biosphere, and it’s gorgeous and peaceful.

The Spreewald is a fun place to go hiking, cycling, or boating. It’s also one of the most well known regions of Germany for pickles, so be sure to try some while you’re there.

Read more about taking a day trip to the Spreewald from Berlin.

Look for peacocks at Pfaueninsel

Technically within the borders of Berlin, Pfaueninsel feels like a world away. German for Peacock Island, this small island is in the southwest corner of the city, and yes, you will probably see peacocks while you’re there.

It’s another wonderful place to visit if you want a change of scenery and a little bit of nature during your summer trip to Berlin. Read more about visiting Peacock Island from Berlin.

Berlin Travel Resources

I want you to have the best trip to Berlin, and hopefully this guide to what to do in summer in Berlin is helpful. But there are lots more tips on the site!