Along the River Spree, you’ll find plenty of little islands in Berlin during the summer where you can escape the hustle and bustle of the city. Between Museum Island and Moabit, around the East Side Gallery or out in Köpenick, there are spots where you’ll simply want to linger with a coffee, a slice of cake, a fizzy drink or a cold one.
It’s particularly lovely in the Inselgarten on the Insel der Jugend, at the urban Badeschiff with a view of the Oberbaum Bridge, or in Monbijoupark, where Museum Island lies directly opposite you. We’ll show you 11 summery spots along the River Spree.
Tip 1: Have a picnic in Monbijou Park on the banks of the Spree
Right in the heart of Mitte, yet surprisingly laid-back: in Monbijoupark , you can spread your blanket out on the grass, grab a coffee from Hackescher Markt – just a few steps away – and look out from the riverside promenade towards Museum Island.
The atmosphere is particularly lovely in the late afternoon, when the boats glide past and the Bode Museum is bathed in warm light. A wonderful spot for a break between Hackescher Markt, Museum Island and Spandauer Vorstadt.
Where: Oranienburger Straße, Mitte
Tip 2: Browse through the books at the Buchkantine on the banks of the Spree
A little further west along the banks of the Spree in Berlin, not far from the Tiergarten, you’ll find a unique blend of café and bookshop. The Buchkantine in Moabit is a favourite spot for anyone who loves coffee, cake and books in equal measure.
Here you can sit in a relaxed, neighbourhood atmosphere with a view of the Spree. It’s the perfect spot for a quiet break after a stroll through the Tiergarten or along the riverbank.
When: daily from 9 am to 10 pm
Where: Dortmunder Straße 1, Moabit
Tip 3: Sit back and relax in the CapRivi beer garden
Three bends of the Spree further west, the CapRivi beer garden welcomes you with sunny, urban cosiness on the northern bank of the Spree. As a waterside beer garden and restaurant, CapRivi is the ideal spot to take a refreshing break during your trip to Berlin – with snacks, drinks and convivial beer tables. It’s a particularly lovely stop on a cycle tour through Charlottenburg or after a stroll through the Schlossgarten.
Alternatively, you can simply relax in a deckchair on the riverside promenade and enjoy the midday sun or the sunset, with views of the Spree and the jetty opposite.
When: Thursday to Tuesday, 12 noon to 10 pm
Where: Am Spreebord, on the corner of Sömmeringstraße, Charlottenburg
Cycling tours through Berlin in summer
Tip 4: Enjoy coffee and culture at the Haus der Kulturen der Welt
At the Haus der Kulturen der Welt, you can sit and enjoy views of the Spree, the Chancellery and passing sightseeing boats. The Haus der Kulturen der Welt features a restaurant, beer garden and kiosk; when the weather’s fine, the terrace becomes a relaxed meeting place for coffee, cake, lunch or a sundowner. Before or after an exhibition, it’s just the right spot to simply let Berlin sink in.
By the way: an evening boat trip is particularly lovely, taking you past numerous sights with a very special view of Berlin all lit up.
When: daily from 12 noon
Where: John-Foster-Dulles Allee 10, Tiergarten
Tickets for evening boat trips
Tip 5: Spend some time in the Inselgarten on the Insel der Jugend
After a stroll through Treptower Park , cross the Abteibrücke to reach the Insel der Jugend – and suddenly everything becomes quiet and relaxed. At the Inselgarten, you’ll be sitting right by the water, enjoying drinks, snacks and plenty of summer vibes. All around you, the Spree and Rummelsburger Bucht glisten, boats glide past and there’s often an open-air cultural programme .
If you fancy getting active, you can also hire your own boat and take a spin around Rummelsburger Bucht.
When: Summer, weekdays usually from 2 pm, at weekends from 12 noon
Where: Inselgarten, Alt-Treptow 6, Treptow
Tip 6: Cool off on the ‘Badeschiff’
The spot where the districts of Treptow, Friedrichshain and Kreuzberg meet is marked by the Molecule Man. Three metal figures, visible from afar as they rise 30 metres out of the Spree, each symbolise one of the three districts. From there, walk a little further downstream on the ‘Treptowers’ side and you’ll arrive at the Badeschiff, one of Berlin’s most iconic summer spots.
The pool floating on the Spree, with its sunny beach area, bar and music on the riverbank, is reminiscent of Ibiza or the Caribbean on warm summer days – but with a panoramic view of Berlin. Here you can also hire SUP boards and paddle out to the Molecule Man.
When: Opening times depend on the weather; check the website and book an online ticket for a 2-hour time slot
Where: Eichenstraße 4, Treptow
Tip 7: Take a stroll to the Paul-und-Paula-Ufer on Rummelsburger Bucht
Rummelsburger Bucht is perfect if you want to combine a view of the water with a walk and a picnic. At the Paul-und-Paula-Ufer, you’ll find lovely paths, green spaces and quiet spots to sit down. Pick up some coffee or pastries beforehand in the neighbourhood around Ostkreuz and make a little break of it by the water.
Film fans will be delighted by the name of the embankment: it pays homage to the DEFA classic *The Legend of Paul and Paula*.
Where: Paul-und-Paula-Ufer, Lichtenberg/Friedrichshain
Tip 8: Discover Köpenick’s old town at the confluence of the Dahme and Spree rivers
At Köpenick Town Hall, at the confluence of the Dahme and Spree rivers, an unemployed cobbler – disguised as a captain – is said to have arrested the mayor and robbed the town treasury in 1906. Today, a bronze statue in front of the entrance commemorates the ‘Captain of Köpenick ’.
Around the town hall – which had been inaugurated just one year before the ‘Köpenickiade’ – you can experience plenty of authentic historical charm in Köpenick’s old town, with houses in the Fischerkietz dating back more than 200 years and the Baroque Köpenick Palace on the palace island. Numerous cafés, often situated right by the water’s edge, give you plenty of reasons to linger.
Where: Alt-Köpenick 21, Köpenick
Tip 9: Relax at YAAM on the banks of the Spree
YAAM – the Young African Arts Market – brings a beach vibe, music and international cuisine right to the banks of the Spree. Across the spacious grounds, you’ll find bars, food stalls, sand, art and a constant stream of events.
Here, you won’t find the classic, posh café atmosphere, but rather a colourful, laid-back vibe right in the heart of the Berlin summer. The place is particularly well-suited for anyone who, after an afternoon coffee, fancies some reggae, street food or a drink later on. Enjoy the relaxed atmosphere by the water.
When: Monday to Wednesday 2 pm to midnight, Thursday 4 pm to 4 am, Friday 4 pm to 5 am, Saturday 1 pm to 5 am, Sunday 1 pm to midnight
Where: An der Schillingbrücke 3, Friedrichshain
YAAm – Young African Arts Market
Tip 10: Have a matcha at Goodlyfe on the East Side Gallery
Located right on Mühlenstraße, Goodlyfe is the perfect spot for a coffee break between the East Side Gallery, Uber-Platz and the banks of the Spree. Here you can enjoy speciality coffee, matcha and sweet pastries before heading down to the water with your drink in hand.
The combination of urban hustle and bustle, a street art backdrop and a quick break in the sun is particularly lovely – and it’s the perfect spot for a good seat with a view of the Oberbaumbrücke.
When: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 11 am to 6 pm, Saturday and Sunday 11 am to 7 pm
Where: Mühlenstraße 61, Friedrichshain
Tip 11: Sit at eye level with the River Spree at Holzmarkt 25
Holzmarkt 25 is a little village by the water: creative, colourful and wonderfully Berlin-esque. Amidst wooden buildings, art, restaurants and views of the Spree, you’ll find plenty of spots to sit, look around and have a chat. At Katerschmaus, you’ll be sitting particularly close to the water, with a view of the Spree at lunchtime or in the evening. But on a balmy summer’s day, a coffee, a snack and a leisurely stroll around the site are often all you need.
When: depending on the food and drink on offer and any events
Where: Holzmarktstraße 25, Friedrichshain
