Berlin Things to Do

Berlin wastes no time in celebrating the arrival of summer and there’s plenty to do in the city from lounging on an urban beach to joining a glittering street parade. Here are a few ideas.

Berlin wastes no time in celebrating the arrival of summer and there’s plenty to do in the city from lounging on an urban beach to joining a glittering street parade. Here are a few ideas.

Inspired by London’s legendary Notting Hill Carnival, Berlin’s annual Karneval der Kulturen, or Culture Carnival, is just as eclectic, bringing together the city’s cosmopolitan population for a vibrant celebration of Berlin’s ethnic diversity.

Despite the triumphant fall of the Berlin Wall back in 1989, the remains of Berlin’s notorious border point are now one of the city’s most famous attractions, but the sections of wall still standing are just a fragment of the original. Tracing the route of the original wall is a popular pastime for travelers to Berlin and a number of walking tours and cycling tours take in the most significant sights that remain.

It may seem strange to describe something over 10 kilometers long as a “hidden treasure”, but the Landwehr Canal which follows an eccentric route through Berlin’s south doesn’t appear on most visitors’ itineraries. If you’ve got a few hours to spare, take a walk along its picturesque banks to discover a hidden side of Berlin.

From uncovering the horrifying truths of the city’s history, to discovering the modern cosmopolitan Berlin that has emerged in its aftermath, there are plenty of ways to explore Germany’s capital that won’t cost you a cent. Here are a few ideas for free things to do in Berlin.