There’s always something going on in Berlin—the real challenge is deciding what to do. An exhibition or a flea market? Breakfast in your favorite neighborhood or a new spot? Culture, a stroll, good food, or maybe a long night out? Whether you’ve known Berlin for a long time or are just discovering it: A weekend is the perfect opportunity to rediscover familiar spots and check out places you might have simply walked right past before.
Here are our tips for a varied weekend in Berlin.
Friday: Start the weekend off on a relaxed note
You don’t have to have Friday evening completely planned out yet. How about, for example, a walk around Hackescher Markt and along the Spree? From here, you can stroll through the Hackesche Höfe, walk toward Museum Island, or simply find a café or bar. If you’d like to try a slightly more unusual spot, you can make a detour to the Tajik Tea Room. Amid traditional floor cushions, tea, and light bites, you can take a little break from the hustle and bustle of the big city right here in the heart of Berlin.
Berlin at Night, Seen from Above
Even those who see the TV tower in the Berlin sky every day don’t necessarily know the city from a height of over 200 meters. From the Berlin TV Tower you’ll get a whole new perspective on Berlin. The Brandenburg Gate, Berlin Cathedral, Museum Island, the Red City Hall, or Berlin’s far-flung neighborhoods—from above, you’ll quickly discover places that look completely different than they do from the ground. If you’d like to combine the view with dinner, you can head to the Sphere by Tim Raue Try modern interpretations of Berlin-Brandenburg cuisine. As the restaurant rotates, the view changes right before your eyes. And afterward? Berlin wouldn’t be Berlin if the evening ended there. From small bars and concerts to clubs, there are plenty of options for moving on spontaneously. Here are our tips for the Best Bars and Clubs in Berlin.
Saturday: Berlin—Between Classics and New Discoveries
A walk through Berlin’s Mitte district is worth it, and not just on your first visit. From Alexanderplatz, for example, you can walk toward Museum Island and then continue along Unter den Linden to the Brandenburg Gate. Especially when you’re on foot, you often discover details, shops, or small side streets that you wouldn’t even notice from a bus or train.
Off to the museum again
When was the last time you actually went to a museum? Museum Island is always worth a visit, even for Berliners. In addition to the well-known collections, rotating exhibitions ensure that there’s always something new to discover. The Pergamon Museum is currently closed due to extensive renovations. However, there are plenty of other museums and exhibitions to choose from all around Museum Island. Afterward: grab a coffee by the Spree, take a stroll through the Nikolaiviertel, or simply head on toward Kreuzberg. Here are our top tips for museums in Berlin.
Discover a Different Neighborhood
You don’t always have to drive all the way across Berlin to experience something new. Sometimes all it takes is a neighborhood you don’t usually visit. For example, set aside an afternoon for Kreuzberg, Friedrichshain, Neukölln, or Prenzlauer Berg, and just let yourself wander without a set plan. Try out cafés, discover small galleries, browse through thrift stores, or simply see where you end up. On the weekends, Berlin’s many flea markets, art markets, and design markets are also great options. Depending on the market, you’ll find vintage clothing, handicrafts, photographs, records, design pieces, and all sorts of curiosities.
Saturday night: Theater, bar, or club?
There are probably more options for Saturday night than there are hours in the day. If you’re in the mood for some culture, you can catch a show, a concert, or a play—for example, at the Friedrichstadt-Palast, at one of Berlin’s many theaters, or at one of the city’s smaller venues. Or keep it simple: head to your favorite restaurant, try out a new bar, and then see where the evening takes you. And if you’re in the mood to dance, you probably don’t need much of an introduction to Berlin’s nightlife.
Sunday: Breakfast, then off to the countryside
Sundays in Berlin are best started at a leisurely pace. So start with a hearty breakfast or brunch—either at your favorite café or, on purpose, in a different neighborhood. Afterward, it’s worth getting some fresh air. Amid all the hustle and bustle of the big city, Berlin has a surprising amount of green space to offer. Take a stroll through the Tiergarten, bike along the Landwehr Canal, or head out across Tempelhofer Feld —depending on the season, Berlin looks a little different every time.
To wrap things up, a little culture
If you don’t want to spend the rest of your Sunday on the couch, you can make one last cultural stop. How about an exhibition, a small movie theater, or a concert? Alternatively, pick a neighborhood you haven’t been to in a while and see what’s changed there.
Berlin on the Weekend: As Long as It’s Not Always the Same Thing
The beauty of a weekend in Berlin is that you don’t need a perfect plan. Maybe you’ll discover a new exhibition, stumble upon a market, or find a restaurant you’ve walked past a hundred times. Mix well-known Berlin classics with places you haven’t seen yet, and leave a little room for spontaneous ideas along the way.
Because even if you’ve been in Berlin for a long time, you’re never really done exploring here.
