Welcome to the capital of Germany: das ist Berlin!
date_range 6 July, 2023 question_answer Leave your thoughtsTypical images we see each summer are beaches in Mediterranean countries packed with tourists from northern Europe trying to escape the cold and the summer rain. This common image does not apply to all destinations, though. Today we bring you an ideal alternative to sun and sea holidays.
Do you want to know more?
Fernseherturm, in Alexanderplatz.
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What is summer in Berlin like?
Contrary to popular perception, the summer weather in Berlin is warm, sunny, and feels very pleasant.
If you’re already sweltering thinking about it, don’t worry, there are little tricks to make these hot days more pleasant.
You can even enjoy it in low cost mode, because Berlin, despite being a European capital, is relatively inexpensive compared to other destinations. Simply grabbing a couple of soft drinks and enjoying them in one of the city’s many parks is a fantastic plan.
What is there to do in Berlin?
You’re spoilt for choice: from Gleisdreick, where you can watch the metro pass over the surrounding bridges; Tempelhofer Feld, a former airport that is now teeming with kites; to Tiergarten, the city’s most famous green lung. And if any of these options are too far for you, you can always head off to the nearest biergarten – there are plenty to choose from!
Mauerpark, to the east, famous for hosting the capital’s most famous flea market, is another of the city’s must-visit gardens, where you’ll find everything from antique knick-knacks to delicate handicrafts. All this while the sweet aromas of diverse international cultures caress your nose, as there is a multicultural food-truck area ready to delight your palate with authentic flavours. But the Berlin itinerary does not end here. It wouldn’t be a perfect Sunday without music. You can tune up your vocal chords by singing along to some of your favourite songs at the live karaoke in the middle of the park, which attracts hundreds of locals, tourists and curious onlookers every week. Markets, especially at the weekends, are a very popular activity. On top of all this, you can find unimaginable bargains!
Of course, summer wouldn’t be the same without a dip in the sea, and although you won’t find a beach in Berlin (not a natural one, anyway), the outskirts of the city are dotted with lakes, like Wansee and Tegelsee, which can be accessed directly via public transport. The water is tied to the origins of the capital’s name, as Berlin used to mean marshy ground. Another less distant option is to see the city by boat on the River Spree , a lovely tour that will introduce you to the most iconic areas of the metropolis while you enjoy a refreshing sparkling water.
Tempelhofer Feld, a former airport converted into a park.
What not to miss in Berlin?
Not forgetting, of course, the endless must-sees that the birthplace of techno has to offer, where history, gastronomy, art and culture come together in a way that is seen in few other destinations around the world.
Best of all? Most of the sights are relatively close to one another and you can visit them all on foot (or by bike, as there are plenty of these all over the city).
We start our tour at Potsdamer Platz, a completely new area that was completely destroyed by Allied bombing and which now houses several modern glass buildings, including the Sony Centre with its futuristic dome. Down the street we come across the Holocaust Memorial, a heartfelt monument to all the Jewish victims of the genocide. And just next to this, in front of Tiergarten, is the city’s most symbolic landmark: the Brandenburg gate. Just a few steps away we find the imposing Reichstag (the German parliament), with its distinctive glass dome, designed by the prestigious British architect Norman Foster to symbolise transparency. It is free to visit, you just have to register in advance.
Brandenburg Gate.
Following the path marked by the River Spree we arrive at Museum Island, a location that brings together five well-known museums, including the Pergamonmuseum of history, where you can see examples of Babylonian culture, and the Alte Nationalgalerie, with its art exhibitions. Before you sit down, relax and have a drink, you can visit the cathedral (the Berliner Dom) and the television tower (the Fernseherturm), which crowns the centre of the famous Alexanderplatz.
If you still have a bit of time, you ought to try and see other symbolic sites in other neighbourhoods, such as Checkpoint Charlie, Charlottenburg Palace and the East Side Gallery, part of the Berlin Wall that has been converted into the world’s largest open-air art gallery.
Berliner Dom, the city’s cathedral.
Where to stay in Berlin?
With your itinerary and suitcases at the ready, we ask the million dollar question: where can you stay in Berlin? RIU Hotels & Resorts brings you the solution: the Riu Plaza Berlin!
This hotel is located between the Wittenbergplatz and Nollendorfplatz metro stations, very close to Kurfürstendamm, the city’s “golden mile”, where you will find the most luxurious brands possible, and the famous KaDeWe galleries. Just a stone’s throw away is the Evangelical Lutheran Kaiser-Wilhem Gedänchstniskirche memorial church. Although meticulously preserved, you will be impressed by how damaged it is, as it was bombed during the Second World War and is now a protected monument. All this is very close to Zoologischer Garten, one of the best-connected stations in the area, right in front of the zoo.
As you can see, you can enjoy all the advantages of Plaza Hotels in our 357-room, 4-star establishment. From the included breakfast to an unbeatable location where you will be close to the city’s best kept secrets
Don’t think twice. Come and enjoy a summer in true Berlin style with RIU.
The Riu Plaza Berlin hotel.