12 Things to Do in Berlin in August

I have an endless list of activities and plans to do in Berlin, but in August that list seems to get even longer. During one of the most summery months, the German capital is full of outdoor events, and the good weather encourages it! The best thing is that there are plans for all tastes (and pockets) from beer festivals to music festivals.

Organizing the busy schedule of Berlin in August can be complicated, but don't worry because I have searched for the essential cultural events. You may not have time to attend them all, but I promise you'll be spoilt for choice.

Have you always wanted to experience hot air ballooning? August is one of the best times to do it in Berlin. Where? Near Checkpoint Charlie.

There is the Berlin Hi-Flyerd, a tethered hot air balloon that you can climb to soar more than 100 meters above the city. It is not a trip as such, but that makes it more accessible in every way; its price is about 29€ and there are several "flights" throughout the day.

In total, it fits 30 people and, once you go up into the sky, the Hi-Flyer provides a pretty impressive panoramic view of Berlin and important places such as the Brandenburg Gate or the Tiergarten.

The best thing about this activity in August is that the weather is good, so there is no danger that the climb will have to be cancelled due to the weather or that you won't have a good view because of fog.

Want to get the best pictures of Berlin from the heights? You can book your ticket for the Berlin Hi-Flyeronline here.

Interesting facts

• When: throughout August
• Where: near Checkpoint Charlie (at Zimmerstraße with Wilhelmstraße)
• Price: approx. 29

During the first weekend in August you will have few excuses not to try the best craft beers in Berlin. Why? Because the Internationales Berliner Bierfestival is taking place. More than two kilometers of stalls with beers for all tastes in the Karl-Marx-Allee area. Which one will be your favorite? You'll have to go to find out. Access is free, although you will have to pay for each glass you drink.

The Berliner Bierfestival brings together brewmasters from all over the world, although the majority (more than two hundred of the almost four hundred participants) are German. This will give you the opportunity to try some two thousand varieties of beer, but you will have to control yourself. In order not to drink on an empty stomach, I recommend you also try the typical German food sold there (yes, sausages are the star dish).

To liven up the party , concerts are organized on the eighteen stages of the enclosure. Local bands usually play, so you'll have a chance to catch up with Berlin's musical trends. If you like beer, you can also sign up for a beer tour with a tasting of the best German craft beer.

When you arrive in Berlin in August you will see that the temperatures of more than 20ºC encourage you to be outside all the time. My advice is to take advantage of the good weather and every ray of sunshine to get to know the city as you can't at other times of the year: by bike, on a cruise on the river Spree or even on an open top tour bus.

Why not book a bike tour? Berlin can be an unmanageable city, as it has many neighborhoods, squares, tourist centers... The good thing about cycling is that you will go faster and the mild temperatures will accompany you during the tour.

Another option is to get on a tourist bus through Berlin. The rest of the year it might not be a good idea because of the constant rains, as the advantage of these vehicles is that you can ride on the top floor, which is uncovered. August is the perfect time to get on, go from one side to the other, getting off at more than 15 stops, and discover important places such as the Brandenburg Gate, the Museum Island or the Gendarmenmarkt.

Interesting facts

• When: all August
• Where: Berlin city center tours
• Price: approx. €25 (bike tour and sightseeing bus)

And taking advantage of the good weather and the pleasant temperatures that Berlin has during the month of August you have the opportunity to embark on one of its best cruises in Berlin. Specifically, you can book your dinner cruise onthe river Spree, and watch the beautiful sunset from the boat and wonderful views of the heart of Berlin and discover the most important tourist attractions of the city while enjoying a pleasant evening such as: the Reichstag building, the Berlin TV Tower or Das Bundeskanzleramt, nicknamed "The White House" of Berlin.

Interesting facts

• When: all of August
• Where: starting point: Rosengarten, Wintersteinstraße 24, 10587 Berlin, Germany
• Price: from €65 (bike tour and sightseeing bus)

On your list of plans is to enter the best museums in Berlin? If you travel in August you can do it at night, specifically on August 27, which is when the Berlin Long Night takes place. From 8 pm to 2 am, after hours, many of the museums and exhibition halls remain open, with special activities. It is usually very crowded, so I recommend that you book your tickets in advance. And if you travel on any other day of the month and want to know which are the best museums you can't miss, take note!

• Neues Museum: have you always wanted to see the famous bust of Nefertiti? You can do it in this museum. Also, during the Long Night of Museums, there are guides explaining the history and legends of the Queen. There are also other pieces that you can't miss, especially those in the rooms dedicated to Egypt: mummies, funerary sculptures... You can book your tickets in advance here.
• DDR Museum: do you want to know the most recent history of Berlin? This museum exhibits everyday objects (from cars to cosmetics) that were used in communist Berlin after World War II. Be careful, it is a rather small museum that is always full, so be prepared to wait in line if you decide to go during the Long Night. You can book your tickets in advance here.
• Hamburger Bahnhof: the more contemporary visitors will really enjoy this museum with works by Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein or Joseph Beuys. During the Night of the Museums there are usually workshops for you to practice your skills as an artist, as well as musical performances. And, the great treasures are usually in the temporary exhibitions, not in the main exhibition. You can book your tickets in advance here.

Interesting facts

• When: August 25
• Where: various museums in Berlin
• Price: approximately 18€.

Another plan that can also be a very good option during this time of the year is a helicopter tour, yes how you read it! If you like heights this is your perfect tour and a different way to get to know the city. Spectacular and privileged views in an experience that you will remember for a lifetime. For about 20 minutes you will know all the landmarks of Berlin.

A new way to know the architectural perspective of such important and historical monuments such as the Berlin Wall, the Brandenburg Gate, the TV Tower and the cathedral.

Interesting facts

• When: the whole month of August
• Where: departure point is Willy-Brandt-Platz, 2
• Price: from €198

Do you feel like touring Berlin at night and in a totally different way? If you are going to be in the city during the month of August you have to sign up for one of the Skate by Night skate tours that start every Sunday at Alexanderplatz.

The best thing is that the organizers propose a different route every week, so you will have the opportunity to visit the old town of Berlin, the banks of the river Spree and many other places while the evening falls. If you don't have skates, no problem, as you can get a free pair with the entrance fee (approximately 2 euros per route).

If you like to skate, the 12 kilometers or so of each route will be a real treat. You will join a group of people (Berliners and other tourists like you) on these sporty yet entertaining tours. If you are not an expert, that's okay, as long as you know how to stand and brake, that's enough. In addition, there are easier routes for beginners.

Signing up is very easy from their website, where you can also check the routes beforehand to choose the one you like best. If you want to go on more than one, I recommend you buy a season ticket (approximately 5€). Once you have the ticket, you just have to meet the rest of the group near the Alexanderplatz clock.

Interesting facts

• When: Sundays in August
• Where: the starting point is always Alexanderplatz
• Price: about €2

Do you like dancing? Whether you practice it or watch it, you have an appointment during the first two weeks of August in Berlin. That's when Tanz Im August takes place, a performing arts festival in which different contemporary dance groups perform at various locations in Berlin.

Admission for each show is approximately 20 euros, although there are discounts for specific groups (such as students) and if you buy more than one ticket.

The best thing about Tanz Im August is that it showcases the choreographic talent of artists from all over the world, both local and international. In fact, some of the best companies present their new creations at this festival.

There is more than one stage, so I recommend you check the program ahead of time. Most of these venues are cultural buildings in Berlin, such as the Deutsche Theater or the St. Elisabeth-Kirche. If you were thinking of visiting any of these places, this is your chance to do it in a different way.

Interesting facts

• When: first two weeks of August
• Where: different buildings and cultural centers in Berlin
• Price: approximately 20€ (each show)

Although Berlin is a very modern city, the birthplace of techno, it also has a great concert hall, the Konzerthaus, where every August an international competition of youth orchestras is held.

You may not be able to go to the concerts during the rest of the year (prices can be high), but you can take advantage of the fact that this event is more "amateur" to get a ticket at a more affordable price (approximately 20 ¤), see the famous hall inside and listen to performances and own creations of the participating groups.

The aim of the Young Euro Classic is not simply to reward the best orchestra, but to give them visibility and let them present both an interpretation of a classical work and their own composition representing the music of their country of origin. For 16 days Berlin experiences a multicultural event in which, through musical notes, everyone comes together.

Of course, with a stage like the Konzerthaus, which is located on the Gendarmenplatz, everything sounds better. When you're inside it will surprise you by looking relatively "new". It's normal, think that its interior was left in ruins after the bombings of World War II, so it had to be built entirely.

Interesting facts

• When: mid-August
• Where: Konzerthaus
• Price: approximately 20€.

Körnerpark is located in one of Berlin's best neighborhoods: Neukölln. Don't you know it? The great thing about visiting it in August is that there are many free, open-air activities, including concerts.

Every Sunday afternoon a jazz, rock or blues band performs in an impressive garden complex designed in the 20th century by Hans Richard Küllenberg.

The concerts, which are free, take place in front of the Körnerpark gallery which, while you're there, I recommend you visit; it exhibits works by national and international contemporary artists. When you finish, it is time to lie down on the lawn facing the stage and enjoy the music.

Between the "Sommer im Park" (Summer in the Park) and the cultural center that is the gallery, the Körnerpark has been revived after World War II, which had left it looking somewhat desolate.

Interesting facts

• When: all August
• Where: Körnerpark
• Price: free admission

Mauerpark's open-air amphitheater has been the stage for many a concert - it could even be the stage for one of your own! Relax, I'm not saying you have to go out and sing in the middle of one of Berlin's biggest and best known parks (only if you want to), but I do encourage you to participate in the collective karaoke that, every Sunday in August, is organized there.

As a date, on Sunday afternoons many Berliners and tourists flock to Mauerpark with a few beers, which always helps to overcome embarrassment, and join their voices to sing. There is a microphone on the stage and you can go up if you dare, but you can also sit there and sing along.

How did it come to this point? The origin lies in a messenger who rode around Berlin on his bicycle with loudspeakers. He encouraged people to sing along with him and one Sunday he decided to set up shop in Mauerpark, establishing a new tradition that has been supported by many.

Interesting facts

• When: Sundays in August
• Where: Mauerpark
• Price: free access

Who doesn't want to take a dip in summer? August is a hot month, even in Berlin, where temperatures can reach 25°C. To cool off, Berliners have a clear plan: a visit to the Badeschiff swimming pool. This open, floating facility is in the center of the city, offering incredible views over the Spree River.

Beyond the pool, which is positioned over the river, there is a beach area perfect for sunbathing while spotting Berlin's famous TV tower in the distance. This initiative has always been celebrated by the locals, as the water of the river Spree is too polluted and it is not possible to get into it. In any case, the Badeschiff has become an urban center, as it is also part of the Arena Berlin complex, where events are organized throughout the year.

Access to the pool is free every day during the summer season, from 8 pm to about midnight. It tends to fill up, so I recommend going early in the morning and during the week, when there are fewer people.

Interesting facts

• When: all August
• Where: Badeschiff (Arena Berlin)
• Price: free access

Of all the activities that can be done in summer in Berlin, most are concentrated in August, which is the month in which temperatures are higher (between 14 ° C and 24 ° C). The sun is the main protagonist and the rain only makes a brief appearance (nothing that is not solved by putting a small umbrella in the suitcase just in case).

The daylight hours are almost 15, although as the month progresses they are decreasing. For this same reason it is possible that in the evenings, from 21h onwards, it may get cooler. It is not necessary to wear a coat, but you should bring a jacket and long pants.

Berlin's mild temperatures and sunshine in August attract many tourists, something you will notice especially in the price of accommodation and flights. In addition, it also happens to be a month when most people have vacations and travel more. To avoid a much higher cost than expected, try to book your hotel and flight in advance.

As there are more tourists, you will notice Berlin more crowded, which translates into queues to enter emblematic places such as the German Parliament. At this time is when having a card like the Berlin Pass becomes almost a necessity, as it includes tickets to different monuments and you can also skip some lines, or at least reduce the time you spend in them.

In any case, and although it is clear that there are places that deserve to be seen inside, I recommend you take advantage of the good weather to enjoy the green areas and outdoor events in Berlin in August.

Do you have everything ready for your trip to Berlin? You can see that in August you won't be short of things to do, let me know how it goes!