Berlin, one of Europe's most vibrant and bustling cities, is celebrated every day by expats of all ages and statuses. Whether you are a student in Berlin, a professional, or a trailing spouse, the city has so much to offer in terms of history and culture. In other words, outdoor activities and leisure activities, such as sightseeing, shopping, and dining out, are always available.
Nevertheless, due to the change of seasons, Berliners tend to be creative when it comes to their free time — the winter is a time for visiting Berlin's numerous museums and going to theatre shows. In contrast, the summer is all about beer gardens and picnics in the open air.
History and culture in Berlin
Berlin is home to some of the world's most visited museums, such as the Pergamon Museum (closed until spring 2037) on Museum Island, which is an attraction by itself and a UNESCO World Heritage site. The Pergamon Museum's collections are categorized into three themes (i.e., Classical Antiquities, Ancient Near East, and Islamic Art), each of which deserves special attention and an abundance of time. Also, on Museum Island, the Neues Museum (aka the New Museum) has more archaeological collections from the classical period of ancient Greece and Egypt. Don't miss the opportunity to admire one of Neues Museum's most famous exhibits, that of Nefertiti's (i.e., an Egyptian queen of the 14th century BCE) bust, presented in a special room.
Berlin's history can also be explored through the city's squares (plätze). For example, Bebelplatz, in the center of the trendy Mitte district, encompasses the State Opera (Staatsoper), Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, about which you can find out more in our Universities in Berlin article, and St. Hedwig's Cathedral, a Roman Catholic church, which is the seat of the archbishop of Berlin. Alexanderplatz, Germany's largest square, is also located in Mitte but has a more lively vibe due to its many shops and restaurants, as well as nearby hotels and attractions. Besides, Alexanderplatz is a transport hub in Berlin, connecting passengers to stations served by the S-Bahn, U-Bahn, regional trains, trams, and buses.
Good to know:
Potsdamer Platz is in Berlin's business area. Around the square, you will see the Boulevard of the Stars (yes, just like Hollywood but with names related to the German film industry), the Sony Center, which is also hosting Berlin's Film and Television Museum, and the Arkaden shopping mall.
Outdoor leisure activities in Berlin
From lakes and weekend stays in houseboats to strolls in the woods and picnics in the parks, Berlin offers great opportunities for recreation activities in the open air. Tiergarten Park, also known as Berlin's lung, and compared to New York City's Central Park and London's Hyde Park, is ideal for leisure walks, jogging, cycling along the tree-lined paths, and picnicking under the sun on one of the many open green spaces. Now, if you are longing for an outdoors-like experience but the weather isn't on your side, the Botanical Garden is an oasis for all ages, regardless of the weather conditions. The Berlin Botanical Garden isn't impressive only for its vast surface (125 acres) but also for the wide variety of plants (over 20,000 types) under its roof. The Viktoriapark, named after the eldest child of Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom, is at Berlin's highest point, on Kreuzberg hill. The park is most attractive due to the human-made waterfall against a rocky backdrop, the uphill hiking paths, and the outstanding views of downtown Berlin. Last but not least, Grunewald is a 3,000-hectare forested area, offering ferry rides, spectacular views from atop, and sightseeing (i.e., Jagdschloss Grunewald, Berlin's oldest palace).
Good to know:
Some cafés in parks offer picnic basket rental services.
Dining out in Berlin
Berlin is a bustling city with endless options for dining out. The best way to start a Sunday morning is with brunch with friends, which is what German people love to do. German cuisine is associated with sausage (wurst), potatoes, bread, and schnitzel (a thin, boneless piece of meat); however, Berlin has a great variety of international restaurants serving dishes from all over the world, with the most popular restaurants being Indian, Turkish, Italian, Korean, and Vietnamese. If you are new in the city and you are unsure about which restaurants serve quality food, do some research on reviews and recommendations before you book a table. Also, you can ask for recommendations on our friendly Berlin forum.
Good to know:
If dinner is just the beginning of a night out for you, and you are a music or dance lover, you will be impressed by the number of pubs, bars, and nightclubs Berlin has to offer, covering different musical genres such as electro, pop, rock, dance, and more.
Shopping in Berlin
Shopaholics will be delighted with the number of vast shopping malls and luxurious boutiques all around the city. You are also likely to find shopping alleys, as well as flea markets, known as Flohmarkt, which are held every Sunday. In Berlin West, you will find the Kurfürstendamm, the world-famous boulevard with its wide sidewalks, hosting some of Europe's biggest stores. Kurfürstendamm is over three kilometers long, and besides the shopping galore, it offers great coffee spots, ideal for a break between shops and architectural sights such as the Zoofenster building and House Cumberland. Mitte, for its part, is a real nest for independent creative designers. During the Christmas season, do not miss the numerous Christmas markets or Weihnachtsmarkt, which are held throughout the city.
Sports in Berlin
Both indoor and outdoor sports are a big leisure activity in Berlin. Berliners love to stay active throughout the year despite the weather conditions. Whether it is a gym subscription, a visit to the local swimming pool, or a dance class, Berlin covers the needs of all sportspeople. Also, keep in mind that Berlin has many bathing lakes (e.g., Strandband Orankesee), some of which are well-hidden summer gems worth discovering.
We do our best to provide accurate and up to date information. However, if you have noticed any inaccuracies in this article, please let us know in the comments section below.
