Activities in Berlin: Things to do & explore
Experience the capital "in action"
There is a lot to experience and discover in Berlin. In addition to the famous sights, the capital offers a variety of exciting activities and things to do where you can immerse yourself in the action. Discover hip experiences, extraordinary leisure activities and new trends - indoors and outdoors, in the sun or rain.
We show you the best things to do in Berlin: from adventures for adrenaline fans to family-friendly excursions and free highlights. Let us inspire you - for unforgettable experiences, alone, as a couple or with the whole family.
- Activities that will take your breath away
- Activities & activities in rainy weather
- Activities for the whole family
- Nature & Outdoor experiences
- Summer activities
- Active in Berlin winter
- Sporty & Active in Berlin
- Activities for night owls
- Activities for those who want to aim high
- Free activities
Activities that will take your breath away
High Swing - Swings above the rooftops of the city
If you are looking for a very special thrill, then experience Berlin from a bird's eye view. On the High Swing you can swing 120 metres above Alexanderplatz and enjoy the view over Berlin's sights. Only the TV tower is higher!
Before you swing over the edge of the Park Inn Hotel, you will of course be given a brief introduction. And a seatbelt. Then you can enjoy five minutes of freedom on the High Swing while an accompanying person is allowed to take photos. Make sure you bring warm clothing, as there is often a strong wind at lofty heights!
House Running - Berlin experience for strong nerves
Since you're already in an adrenaline rush, we have another tip for you. House Running takes you vertically down the façade. From a dizzying height of 50 metres, you can tip over the edge of the roof of the Andel's Hotel and then run down the wall with your eyes facing downwards. Of course, you are perfectly secured. So why not simply enjoy the view?
Tip: With the BerlinWelcome Card you get discounts and also travel for free on all public transport.
Nature bobsleigh run on the Kienberg - Berlin's fastest ride
Swoosh down into the valley at up to 40 kilometres per hour on the nature bobsleigh run on the Kienberg through the park landscape. This activity in Marzahn is a very special experience, especially for families with children - and in the immediate vicinity of the Gärten der Welt. During a visit to the 60 football pitches of parkland, you can experience tropical plants, ceremonies and festivals from all over the world, including, of course, the Japanese cherry blossom festival. A cable car takes you up the Kienberg.
When: April to September daily from 10.30 am to 6 pm
Indoor skydiving in Berlin - fulfil your dream of flying
If you have always dreamed of flying, then you can experience this dream in Berlin. Not far from BER Airport is one of the largest wind tunnel facilities in Germany. The air current carries you up to 15 metres high. You don't need any special prior knowledge. Trained instructors will provide you with the necessary basic knowledge. You will also receive the appropriate equipment such as helmet, hearing protection and goggles on site.
Where:
- Hurricane Factory, Wassmannsdorfer Allee 3, Schönefeld
- Windobona, Landsberger Allee 268, Lichtenberg
Activities & things to do in rainy weather
Rain in Berlin? No reason to stay at home or in your hotel! The capital offers countless opportunities to stay active and discover new things, even under grey skies. From exciting museums and interactive exhibitions to cosy Cafés with a special flair through to indoor experiences such as escape rooms, climbing halls or Thermal baths - Berlin is weatherproof.
Get inspired and find the best things to do on rainy days here, where cultural experiences and adventures are guaranteed not to fall through.
Selfie museums & Immersive exhibitions - put yourself in the limelight
In Berlin, nothing is ever what it seems at first glance - especially not in the city's immersive exhibitions and selfie museums. Here you can playfully push the boundaries of your imagination, jump into ball pools and take spectacular photos for Instagram, TikTok & Co. In addition, exciting museums await you that deal with topics such as espionage, samurai culture and even magic - a Berlin experience of a special kind.
Over 100 games on 1000 square meters
At Showdown you will experience a prime 2:30 h game show event. Exciting till the end. Set up your teams and compete against each other. Whether buzzer-quiz, skill-games, or action challenges here everyone can show their strengths.
Escape Games: With fun and excitement through Berlin
Solve a criminal case, prevent a bank robbery, save Berlin from an alien attack or embark on a mission that takes you all over the capital. Everywhere in the city you will find providers of fantastic or historically inspired escape games. For example, Captain of Köpenick offers an exciting change from traditional sightseeing.
Tip: For all those who prefer to be out and about, we have put together the Top audio walks and scavenger hunts.
Arcades and gaming experiences in Berlin - Whoever plays, wins
Some of the largest and most innovative arcades in Berlin invite you to play together. From Electric Social to virtual escape rooms, from e-sports to game show providers, a wide variety of providers invite you to play, have fun & excitement. A perfect activity for the whole family!
New and fun activity in Berlin
Looking for the perfect activity in Berlin? At Checkpoint Charlie, Virtual Escape offers unique virtual reality experiences for 2–16 people. Explore escape rooms like Alice in Wonderland or play a round of VR laser tag in Berlin.
Berlin Dungeon: amusingly creepy journey into Berlin's past
In the Berlin Dungeon, professional actors:inside take you on a journey into Berlin's past. All stories and characters are based on true events. In more than eight different shows, Berlin's darkest and most dangerous side is brought to life. Among others, you will meet the notorious serial killer Carl Großmann or the witch sentenced to death, Catarina Selchow, on this creepy journey through time. 360-degree backdrops and surprising special effects provide extra goosebumps. And the raft ride or the indoor freefall tower will also get your adrenalin pumping. Are you brave enough?
Enterprises for the whole family
Berlin is a paradise for families - especially when children need space to play, run around and explore. Whether on a city trip or a weekend getaway: the capital is home to numerous child-friendly activities, green oases and creative experiences that are specially tailored to the needs of the little ones.
From varied playgrounds in Berlin to adventure play areas and family-friendly parks - children can let off steam, learn new things and experience Berlin in a playful way.
Experience places especially for children
Berlin offers numerous places where children can learn through play, get creative and really let off steam. At the Labyrinth Children's Museum, interactive exhibitions and hands-on stations await little explorers - perfect for rainy days or as a cultural highlight in the family programme. The MACHmit! Museum for Children combines play, art and education in a creative way.
If you're planning a whole day of adventure, the FEZ Berlin is the place to be: Europe's largest non-profit children's, youth and family centre combines play, exercise, nature and culture under one roof. There is plenty of space to run around indoors and outdoors, a theatre, a museum and a space centre where budding astronauts can even train themselves after registering.
Enterprises to let off steam with children
A visit to the JUMP House Berlin will delight particularly active children. A trip to the trampoline park is also a good tip for rainy days.
Berlin also offers plenty of opportunities to let off steam outside: Fortunately, there are numerous Green oases for families and great Spielplätze, where children can get rid of their excess energy.
Also in Zoo, Tierpark, climbing frames and swings invite you to let off steam and in the Britzer Garten, little guests can refresh themselves in the water playground on hot summer days.
Tips for little climbing fans in Berlin
Daredevil visitors to Berlin will find some exciting challenges in Berlin.At Waldhochseilgarten Jungfernheide, you can walk on wobbly bridges and swinging ropes through the treetops in the middle of the forest.
The central Hochseilgarten MountMitte is also particularly family-friendly. With six courses at different levels of difficulty and a spectacular skyswing, as well as 35 beach volleyball courts, it's perfect for an eventful day with children and teenagers. In the Klettermax bouldering hall, colourful themed walls and a black light area turn climbing fun into an adventure for the whole family.
Ideas for a family day out in Berlin
Farm feeling or adventures in the countryside - Berlin offers many excursion destinations for little explorers. At Domäne Dahlem, children can playfully learn all about agriculture and experience animals up close. At Freilichtmuseum Düppel, you can travel back to the Middle Ages together - including half-timbered houses, old crafts and sheep.
The traditional Berlin Zoo provides for animal encounters, the extensive Tierpark Berlin and numerous Petting zoos such as the Alte Fasanerie or the Charlottenburger Ziegenhof. Perfect for an active family outing with plenty of fresh air!
Nature & outdoor experiences: Activities in the Berlin region
In the area surrounding Berlin, you will find numerous scenic biosphere reserves and landscape conservation areas that invite you to go on extended hikes. During a visit to the Beelitzer Heilstätten, you can take a stroll along the treetop path at a height of 20 metres above the treetops. Especially in the cooler months, an excursion into Berlin's nature can be wonderfully combined with a wellness day at one of the natural thermal baths or a Sauna visit.
Hiking & Cycling in Berlin is particularly beautiful in spring & autumn
Of course, you can also get active in Berlin itself. From Tempelhofer Feld to Grunewald, numerous green spaces, parks and nature reserves invite you to go hiking and cycling. For dog owners, we recommend a trip to Grunewaldsee at Grunewald Hunting Lodge. Dogs are allowed to roam freely here and even go into the water. Explore Berlin's history on the Wall cycle path. In spring, the TV-Asahi cherry blossom avenue blossoms in the section between Lichterfelde-Süd and Teltow.
And in Autumn Don't forget your kite on a bike tour to Tempelhofer Feld or a hike up the Drachenberg on Teufelsberg. And along the Havelhöhenweg, the leaves turn colourful.
Summer activities: Go canoeing, sailing or swimming
Berlin is rich in lakes and bodies of water: Here you can enjoy summer in SUP-Board for hire, go rowing, sailing or swimming. Around Wannsee, Müggelsee or Schlachtensee you will find numerous boat hire centres, as well as hidden bathing bays and even small sandy beaches.
You can find an overview of the most beautiful swimming lakes in the city and surrounding area on our Berlin swimming map. There are also numerous outdoor pools and historic swimming pools where you can take a dip in the refreshing water.
Activities in winter: Tobogganing & ice skating
Of course, there are also plenty of activities for sporty visitors in winter. When there is snow, cross-country skiers meet on Tempelhofer Feld and families and children romp around in the parks with bobsleighs and sledges.
And around the Christmas time can be enjoyed not only in the stadiums but also at many Christmas markets at the Ice skating pirouettes. We have put together the most beautiful sledding tracks and ice stadiums for pirouetting for you here.
Winter sports
Active & Sporty in Berlin
Experience new trends & sports in Berlin & discover
Kitesurfing on the Tempelhofer Feld or Indoor surfing on Berlin's biggest wave? In Berlin, there are countless ways to actively discover the city or try something new.
You can listen to a concert while cycling on the grounds of the former Tegel Airport. The band will be pulled by #ArtistsonWheels on a cargo bike. And the more active can discover Berlin's sights on Sightrunning.
More sporting activities in Berlin
Whether you want to take part in a major sporting event such as the Berlin Marathon, or prefer to get active yourself: In Berlin, amateurs and professional athletes get their money's worth. Many parks offer special areas for calisthenics and are ideal for jogging, parkour, playing table tennis or inline skating.
Climbing towers and bouldering halls, Yoga studios, SUP and kayak hire but also Riding centres offer variety during a visit to Berlin - and the opportunity to discover Berlin from completely new and unusual perspectives.
Long nights: Aktivitäten für Nachteulen
A special highlight of the year are the Long Nights in Berlin. Here you can take a look behind the scenes of scientific institutions and political organisations. Universities often provide insights into their fields of research in a very playful and family-friendly way. And at the Long Night of Museums, one ticket gives you access to all of Berlin's major cultural institutions.
High up in Berlin
You don't necessarily have to throw yourself off a rooftop in Berlin to enjoy a panoramic view. Away from the hustle and bustle of the city, the Müggelturm with its 30-metre-high viewing platform offers a great view of the forest landscape of Köpenick and the nearby Müggelsee lake.
From the iconic Teufelsberg you also have a great view over the Grunewald, and from the Panoramapunkt or the Panoramapunkt .entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="a4c1c6cf-89ed-4748-9627-92c3fd8a8893" data-entity-substitution="canonical">Weltballon enjoy the view over the whole city.
Panoramapunkt
Free activities: ABOUT BERLIN app
Discover Berlin at your own pace with our free ABOUT BERLIN app . Take a look behind the scenes and learn more about the history and development of the capital. ABOUT BERLIN brings the special historical moments to life using multimedia and also highlights current developments.
Using the map function of our ABOUT BERLIN app, you can discover which special places and sights are very close to you. Of course, we have also put together some exciting tours for you, for example on the topic of Street Art along the Wall or around Moritzplatz. Discover the city of tomorrow, street art or Berlin's monuments of industrial heritage.
Get our ABOUT BERLIN App. You can download it for free for iPhone and Android.
There's a lot to tell. ABOUT BERLIN.
Tip: Take a look at our blogs on Indoor-activities and Outdoor activities.
