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Great Things to See and Do in Berlin

Party!!! – Gay Pride Week in Berlin

It’s like Carnival and Halloween all rolled into one! From the middle to the end of June, Motzstraße plays host to a massive lesbian and gay street festival followed by the Christopher Street Day Parade. With around 300,000 visitors for the street festival and 500,000 for CSD, Berlin is one of Europe’s leading cities when it comes to Gay Pride.


Show some Skin and Flash some Flesh

Tiergarten, Berlin’s big, central park, is not just a good place to cruise. Towards the end of the summer, near the table-tennis table by the Löwenbrücke, there’s a famous barbecue party. In Tiergarten there are always things happening and all over the meadows that stretch out around the Siegessäule column you’ll find sun worshippers doing their thing. And in the mornings and evenings it’s always possible to do some flirting while you’re out for a run!


Rivers and Lakes – Berlin at the Beach

Even though Berlin is built on sandy soil, it is surrounded in all directions by lakes and water. There’s a popular saying that the city has as many bridges as Venice. And it’s not just the rivers Spree and Havel that entice the swimmers and sunbathers. The lido at Wannsee is like a holiday by the sea. Müggelsee also has beaches with Mediterranean flair, and the smaller lakes such as Teufelssee and Flughafensee offer pure relaxation. Wannsee and Teufelssee are particularly gay-friendly.


Look and be amazed – Berlin from above

If you love panoramic views, Berlin is just the place for you! The view from the glass dome on top of the Reichstag is stunning and can be recommended for Sir Norman Foster’s unique architectural creativity alone. Berlin’s highest building is naturally the Fernsehturm (TV Tower) at Alexanderplatz, but there are many other places where the views of the city are priceless – Kollhoff-Haus at Potsdamer Platz, the tethered hot-air balloon near Checkpoint Charlie (the corner of Wilhelmstraße and Zimmerstraße) and from the casino on the top floor of the Park Inn Hotel at Alex. The best free views are probably from Viktoriapark in Kreuzberg or, a little way out of the city, Teufelsberg near the underground station Heerstraße.


Shopping and Bargain Hunting – Berlin is always good value

The whole city is a bargain hunter’s paradise. In comparison with other major German cities such as Hamburg, Frankfurt or Munich, it’s not only the rents that are cheap – the overall cost-of-living in Berlin is very low. Particularly attractive are the weekly markets and flea markets. For example, you can find a wide selection of fruit and vegetables at the Turkish market on Maybachufer on Tuesdays and Fridays. If you prefer antiques and knick-knacks, there are a large number of flea markets every weekend, including along Straße des 17. Juni and in the Arena on Eichenstraße in Treptow, which have lots to offer alongside their good prices.


Something different – Berlin by Velotaxi

You can see them all over the city, but particularly around the more touristy areas like the Brandenburger Tor and Potsdamer Platz – Velotaxis, or bicycle rickshaws. After a few hours on your feet, why not take it easy and treat yourself to a ride in a Velotaxi? How about a trip through the Tiergarten? The drivers know lots of stunning routes through and around the city, and also have a few stories and anecdotes to share. It’s definitely worth it!


Fit & Fun – Sporty Berlin

We’ve already covered swimming and jogging, but rollerblading is also a particular favourite in Berlin’s parks and open spaces. Rollerbladers have their own purpose-built 100 km track to the south of Berlin at Jüterbog – the perfect place for a weekend excursion. For runners there’s the annual Berlin Marathon, one of the biggest in Europe, as well as many other track events. The city also has lots to offer cyclists, rowers and footballers. Berlin’s Vorspiel e.V. is Berlin’s biggest lesbian and gay sports association and regularly sends competitors to the Gaygames.


Out and About – a Nature Lover’s Dream

The lakes and Tiergarten are two possibilities, but there are many more places in and around Berlin to get back to nature. All around Berlin, in Brandenburg’s countryside, there’s plenty to see and discover. Whether it’s the historical abbey Chorin to the north, the asparagus-rich Beelitz to the south, the apple harvest in Werder, the fruit paradise to the west or a day out in the national park at Oderbruch – Berlin has plenty to offer nature lovers. And mostly less than a 45 minute journey away. If the Baltic Sea is more your thing, it’s within easy reach –about three hours by train or car.


High Culture – Long Nights of Museums and Operas

Twice a year Berlin celebrates the Long Night of the Museums. Berlin’s most impressive museums stay open round the clock. Find out more from the Tourist Information offices. Berlin is still home to three world-class opera houses, a luxury resulting from the years of division into East and West Berlin, which meant that both halves of the city maintained their own universities, theatres and opera houses. Current programmes for the Deutsche Oper, the Staatsoper on Unter den Linden and the Komische Oper can be found on posters in every underground station along with programmes for all Berlin’s theatres. Tip and Zitty also provide full listings.


Boat trips – Berlin from the water

You know all about Berlin’s lakes, and the rivers Spree and Havel, but one thing you shouldn’t miss out on is a trip through Berlin by boat. There are a few companies, such as the Weiße Flotte, who offer boat trips and city tours on water. From a pick-up point, such as Jannowitzbrücke, you can take trips along the Spree and Landwehrkanal lasting up to four hours. The longest routes take you through the modern centre, Kreuzberg, Schöneberg, Tiergarten and Charlottenburg, then head through the government quarter and the historical centre before making their way back to the starting point. In summer make sure you splash on the sunscreen, grab your camera and take a few friends along for the ride!


Making Snowmen – Berlin in Winter

If you think Berlin is only great in summer, you’re missing out. There are dozens of enchanting Christmas markets, street illuminations, decorated windows and everywhere the scent of mulled wine and Lebkuchen (gingerbread). The cafes and bars are cosy and warm and walks through Berlin’s parks and around lakes are typically sensuous activities. Berlin is a city for all seasons!


Baroque and Modern – Potsdam, capital of Brandenburg

Sooner or later everyone has to visit Berlin’s little sister, Potsdam. Capital of the state of Brandenburg, Potsdam was traditionally a garrison and military town and is located to the southwest of Berlin. Potsdam-Babelsberg’s many villas were home to the movie stars of the thirties, but it didn’t stop there. Today Potsdam is home to the fashion designer Wolfgang Joop and Germany’s TV star Günter Jauch, amongst others. The baroque palace Sanssouci, with its exquisite and wide-ranging gardens, plays host to hundreds of thousands of visitors every year.