Summer in Berlin: The Best Places for Hot Days

Berlin in summer is a different city. As soon as temperatures push past the high 70s, life moves outdoors: to the lakes on the edge of town, into the parks and along the banks of the Spree. If you are planning a hot day in the capital, start early and carry enough water. These are the places that still work when the subway tunnels are baking.

Where do you go in the heat in Berlin?

The short answer: to the water or into the green. Berlin is ringed by lakes and has more park area than most major European cities. Most of these places cost nothing, or only the entry fee for a lido. For concrete routes and guided tours, see our trip planning hub if you want to combine several stops in a day.

The best parks and open spaces

Tempelhofer Feld is the classic for hot days. On the former airport grounds you can picnic, cycle, skate or just lie in the sun. There is almost no shade, but there is enormous space and wind. Come early and you will still find an open patch and escape the midday heat.

The Tiergarten is the green lung of the inner city and its old trees deliver exactly what Tempelhofer Feld lacks: shade. From here you can walk to the Siegessäule (Victory Column) and the government quarter around the Reichstag.

Mauerpark in Prenzlauer Berg becomes a meeting point on Sundays: the flea market, open-air karaoke at the amphitheater and live music draw thousands. If you want it quieter, come on a weekday for a picnic.

In Friedrichshain, Volkspark Friedrichshain is worth it for its mature trees, the Märchenbrunnen fountain and regular open-air cinema in summer. From there it is only a few minutes to the East Side Gallery.

Swimming in Berlin: lakes and outdoor pools

Berlin has some of the finest swimming lakes in Germany essentially on its doorstep:

• Strandbad Wannsee: The long-established lido in the southwest is one of the largest inland-lake bathing sites in Europe. Long sand beach, the hooded wicker beach chairs Germans call Strandkörbe, and easy to reach by S-Bahn.
• Krumme Lanke: A clear forest lake in the Grunewald, right at the end of the U3 line. Shady shoreline spots and no admission make it popular.
• Schlachtensee: Next door, similarly clear, with a shoreline path for walking.
• Müggelsee in Köpenick: Berlin’s largest lake, further out and correspondingly quieter.

Whichever you pick: sunscreen, a hat and enough water belong in the bag. On hot weekends the popular lakes are full by late morning.

Beach bars and places by the water

If you do not need to swim but want to see water, the Spree is the place. Strandbar Mitte at Monbijoupark offers deck chairs and a sand-beach atmosphere with a view of Museumsinsel (Museum Island) and the Berliner Dom (Berlin Cathedral). In the evening there is often dancing.

Holzmarkt on the Spree bank in Mitte is a creative hub with food, events and a water view. Walks and bike rides along the Spree pass the Oberbaumbrücke (Oberbaum Bridge), which links Kreuzberg and Friedrichshain.

Shade, when the sun gets to be too much

Not every summer day suits direct sun. The Botanical Garden in Steglitz-Zehlendorf shows more than 20,000 plant species, and the cool greenhouses make a good option on overcast days. If you want to combine heat and culture, the air-conditioned DDR Museum or a guided tour offers a break from the bustle outside.

What to pack for a Berlin summer day

Berlin summers are hot but usually dry. A few things make the day easier:

• A refillable water bottle. There are drinking fountains in many public squares.
• Sunscreen and a hat, especially on shadeless Tempelhofer Feld.
• A picnic blanket, since most spots have no loungers.
• Cash for flea markets and small kiosks.

With a little planning, a hot day in Berlin can be cheap and relaxed. The best formula: a park in the morning, a swim in the afternoon, a beach bar in the evening. Hungry in between? The city’s street food markets and rooftop bars round out a summer day. Our food and drink section lists them.