Spring & Summer Hangouts

As Berlin’s seasons transition, the sun starts making longer appearances, flowers start blooming and the mood of the city is quite contentedly awaiting summer. Spring is a lovely in between time, bridging the gap between the reflective, sometimes solitary and cold winter, and the all-inclusive, hot and full on summers. We’ve compiled a list of places which open in the Spring, and stay open until the end of summer/autumn.
 

Prinzessinnengärten
Prinzenstr. 35 – 38 /  Prinzessinnenstr. 15, 10969 Berlin
Website
April - October. Everyday 10:00 to 22:00

Prinzessinengarten is a sustainable, educational and urban garden-cafe on the Mortizplatz roundabout. Launched in the summer of 2009 by Nomadisch Grun, the site where it stand today had been a wasteland for over half a century. During the warmer months, the garden, which has a large seating area outside beneath the trees, serves drinks and a few dishes (the pizza is always nice!) made with vegetables and herbs planted in the garden. Educational programmes on sustainable farming, beekeeping and the environment are also offered.


Thai Park
Brandenburgische Str., 10707 Berlin
Website
Depends on the weather. Saturday & Sunday, 12:00 - sunset

Thai Park in the summer is not be missed. It’s an experience unlike any other in Berlin. Pack a picnic blanket, invite friends and come hungry! On any weekend (Saturday or Sunday) with nice warmer weather, head to Preussen Park, an unassuming and rather unspectacular park in Wilmersdorf. There, when the weathers nice, many street food vendors (mainly older Thai ladies) gather and sell authentic Thai food made in front of you. On average portions (which are very generous) cost around €5. You can find anything from dumplings, mango salad, fried fish and noodle/rice dishes. Drinks can also be bought here. There’s many vendors selling soft drinks, alcohol and cocktails at a very fair price.


Eis

In spring, ice cream shops which are mostly dormant in the winter start re-opening. A guide to our favourite vegan ice cream in Berlin can be found over here. Here’s some other places worth mentioning:

Anna Durkes
Vanille & Marille 
Hokey Pokey 


Outdoor Swimming Pools

Spotted around the city are swimming pools, which are part of many Berliner’s summer routines. There are many “Sommerbaeder” (summer pools) which are public, the entry to these are cheaper, and the season starts as early as the end of April, and runs as late as the end of September. Although, opening dates vary from pool to pool. Besides these, there are also a variety of private outdoor pools, which offer a more customized experience. Berliner also have the option of swimming in lakes which surround the city. These are in most part easy to reach by train or bike. We’ll talk more about those in another post! For now, here’s some of our favourite swimming pool picks.

Public Pools, both indoor and outdoor and saunas can be found here.

Private Pools:
Haubentaucher 
Badeschiff


Freiluftkino
Friedrichshain, Kreuzberg, Rehberge
Website
Season from May to September

Another longstanding tradition in Berlin are the freiluftkino’s. There’s many around the city, happening in squares, parks and dedicated event space. Freiluftkino has 3 locations in Berlin, and shows a mix of current, cult and classic films. We recommend getting there early to get good seats and some drinks from the bar. Other nice outdoor cinemas in the city include Freiluftkino Hasenheide (inside Hasenheide Park), Freiluftkino Insel im Cassiopeia (Friedrichshain) and Kulturfabrik (Moabit).