Berlin is the ultimate summer city: guaranteed sun, more waterways than Venice (really), relaxed rules, and all night raves in woods. So here’s V1 what to do in Berlin’s Kreuzberg and surrounds in the summer. We’ve included the links so you can find out about all the one-off events that happen after dark.
SATURDAY / SAMSTAG
8am Badeschiff
Wasser v wasser at this Spreeside institution. It opens at 8am so head over first thing to avoid the summer soup. www.arena-berlin.de
11am Floss und Los
When the crowds begin to limp in be cool, head in the opposite direction to a chartered raft. Last minute reservations get a good discount otherwise be sure and book in advance to head out of the city towards Seddinsee, Long Lake and Dahme around the Müggelberge Lake (4.5 hours driving time). Fl0ß und Los offer rafts to carry 8 or 15 people with deckchairs, camping loos and other essentials. Be sure to stock up on all the essentials in advance. Ja, weißbier. www.flossundlos.de
5pm Disco kip or petanque on Paul-Lincke-Ufer.
Perhaps dinner at the Freischwimmer or Fame which both have long terraces right on the water.
8.30pm Freiluft Kino, Kreuzberg
Head over to Kreuzberg’s 3 Schwestern on Mariannenplatz. It’s a great place in its own right, plus a top restaurant and an outdoor kino in the courtyard. www.3schwestern-berlin.de and www.freiluftkino-kreuzberg.de
Or head West for a change of scenery to Café am Neu Ensee. The ultimate biergarten in Tiergarten – and a top spot for gazing through the haze at the midges dancing on the lake as the sun dips below the trees. www.cafeamneuensee.de
If that sounds like a step too far, Mitte’s Vietnamese, Chen Che is in a courtyard and you could kid yourself you’re much farther away when the heat is on. www.chenche-berlin.de
Midnight
When the mercury tips 37 there will be two schools of thoughts – those that want to spend the night in aircon, and those that want to drink it up outside. There are all kinds of Open Air raves over the summer. Some permanent clubs and some fly-by-night soirees.
www.facebook.com/OpenAirBerlin
SUNDAY / SONNTAG
Midday – Prinzenbad
Head down to Prinzenbad, Kreuzberg’s lido where you can take your pick (and even picnique) of three huge pools. Swimmers can flop in the park next door gradually peeling off the layers to become a real Deutshe FKK (naturist). The earlier you can get there the better though – its no secret. www.berlinerbaederbetriebe.de
4pm Brachvogel
When the kids have taken over its time to move on. Nip over the bridge to Brachvogel – a dingly dell biergarten which offers plenty of shade on the shore. www.brachvogel-berlin.de
JUST IN CASE you’re not quite partied out, check out Else, Renate’s spin-off Sunday afternoon party spot, next to Treptower Park.
5pm Van Loon
Perhaps a sundowner on the boat on the Landwehrkanal, a stone’s throw from Brachvogel. www.vanloon.de
6pm – Dinner
Wander round Graefekiez and surrounds to find a laid back joint for dinner – jostle for a table at Il Casolare (pizzas) or Marqués Rene Maschkiwitz (tapas) – both offer much for the choosy diner, or head over to Pucklerstrasse’s Goldener Hahn for good tunes with your dinner.
9pm Haseneide Kino
Head to the open-air cinema in Neukölln’s largest park. www.freiluftkino-hasenheide.de
11pm Klunkerkranich
Neukoln’s rooftop rough n ready roofpark. www.facebook.com/derklunkerkranich
