You can hardly get more exciting than the Squadra Azzurra's run to the last 16 of the UEFA EURO 2024. The long-awaited goal finally arrived in the 98th minute. With so much stress, you certainly need to relax before the next game. And Berlin wouldn't be Berlin if it didn't offer a wide range of Italian lifestyle options. Delicious food, impressive sights, art and a Piazza Navona feel. Here are our tips for Italian football fans in Berlin.
Tip 1: Enjoy pizza like in Italy
Won the game? Celebrate with a pizza. Lost a game? The best way to console yourself is with a pizza. It is the number one Italian export and is perfect for any occasion. Thanks to the large Italian community, Berlin offers the best conditions for pizza fans. The capital's pizzerias have nothing to hide. Some even rumour that Berlin could even rival Naples when it comes to pizza. A sacrilege! But a particularly tasty one.
Where: Various pizzerias throughout Berlin
More about the best pizzas in Berlin
Tip 2: Relax at Glienicke Palace in an antique atmosphere
Southern European style in the middle of the Mark Brandenburg countryside - you can see its inspiration at Glienicke Palace. Prince Carl of Prussia was a big fan of Italy (long before football). While travelling to the Bel Paese, he came up with the idea of having an antique-style villa built on the Havel. Karl Friedrich Schinkel designed it and placed the many antique works of art that the prince, a passionate art collector, had collected. Good for you, because you can relax in the Italian flair and Brandenburg landscape.
Where: Königstraße 36, Wannsee
When: Tuesday to Sunday from 10 am to 5.30 pm
Tip 3: Discover New Venice near Berlin
Yes, Venice is unique and we don't want to make any comparisons here. But if anything comes close to the atmosphere of the lagoon city, it's New Venice on the Müggelspree, which branches out into lots of small canals and canals spanned by bridges, creating a picturesque ambience. Unlike in the original Venice, you don't have to pay an entrance fee or push your way through narrow alleyways with countless other visitors. Instead, you can paddle here, with SUP and kayak hire available on site. Venice 2.0, you could say. Almost as beautiful as the original, but without all the hustle and bustle.
Where: Köpenick
Tip 4: Browse through new reading material in the Dante Connection
If you need some rest and relaxation between all the exciting European Championship games, we've got just the thing for you. The Dante Connection is the place for everyone who loves books and the Italian language. You will hardly find a better selection of Italian reading material for all ages in Berlin. Fiction, crime novels, travel guides, great children's books and simply beautiful literature as far as the eye can see. So make yourself comfortable and browse for all you're worth.
When: Monday to Saturday from 10 am to 7 pm
Where: Oranienstraße 165A, Kreuzberg
More about the Dante Connection
Tip 5: Stroll through the Italian Renaissance garden
Our next tip is also about relaxation and a little break from the hustle and bustle of the European Championship. The Gardens of the World in Marzahn are a real attraction - and not just for botany fans. Here you can enjoy Italian flair in the Renaissance garden and recharge your batteries for the next game in the extensive grounds. If you've lost track of all the football and hustle and bustle of the city, we recommend a ride on the cable car. At a height of up to 35 metres, it offers you a perspective of Berlin that you're guaranteed never to have experienced before.
Where: Gärten der Welt, Blumberger Damm 44, Marzahn
When: Daily from 9am
More about the Gardens of the World
Tip 6: Enjoy aperitivo in Berlin
It's hard to imagine Italy without aperitivo. The small appetiser before dinner is celebrated from the Alps to Sicily. Why should Berlin be an exception? In the city's small (and large) aperitif bars, you can immerse yourself in the world of the small meal before the meal. Of course, you'll be in good company, as aperitifs are not only appreciated in Italy. It is also highly valued in France and other countries. But don't worry, it's more relaxed than football.
Insider tip: Every Sunday from 4 pm at CinemAperitivo in the Babylon cinema, Rosa-Luxemburg-Straße 30 in Mitte, you can expect delicious snacks and stimulating films in Italian (with subtitles in German or English). After the film, there is a traditional discussion about what has been seen and the art of film is evaluated over a glass of wine. A Sunday afternoon straight out of a picture book...
Where: Various locations throughout Berlin
More about aperitifs in Berlin
Tip 7: Travel to Italy at the Liebermann Villa
Take a trip to Italy - that's the title of the current exhibition at the Liebermann Villa on Lake Wannsee. Like many other famous Germans, Max Liebermann had a special fondness for the land where the lemons bloom. He was so impressed by the landscapes, everyday scenes and people that he captured them in his paintings. So if you get a little longing for home during your visit to Berlin, you've come to the right place.
Where: Liebermann-Villa am Wannsee, Colomierstraße 3, Wannsee
When: Daily except Tuesdays from 10 am to 6 pm
More about the exhibition at the Liebermann Villa
Tip 8: Cool off with delicious gelato
Summer is showing its best side just in time for the European Championships. Perfect weather (mostly anyway) for public viewing and, of course, lots of ice cream. Berlin is also one of the top international players when it comes to ice cream. We particularly recommend a trip to Gelateria Mos Eisley and to Caffè e Gelato. If you're still craving delicious ice cream, you can find more cool tips in our list of the best ice cream parlours in the city!
Where: Various ice cream parlours in Berlin
More about the best ice cream parlours in Berlin
Tip 9: Feast your way through Italian cuisine
Italian cuisine is popular in Berlin. So popular, in fact, that it's easy to lose track. But don't worry, that's what we're here for! From vegan pizza at Sfizy Veg and classic pasta specialities at Neuköllner Nudelbude to the stately and popular with politicians:Sale e Tabacchi in the newspaper district. You're guaranteed to find the right plate. Enjoy the flavour!
Where: Various restaurants throughout Berlin
More about Italian cuisine in Berlin
Tip 10: Shop your way through Centro Italia
Over 3000 products directly from Italy, 3 locations in Berlin and an online shop that leaves nothing to be desired: We are of course talking about Centro Italia, the place for Italy lovers in Berlin. If you've invited your friends to the next Squadra Azzurra match and you're still missing that one ingredient for the dish, you'll find it here. And you're sure to find inspiration for ten more recipes. We're keeping our fingers crossed that there will be plenty more opportunities to cook and watch football together! Alternatively, you can also visit one of the market halls in Berlin.
Where: Sophie-Charlotten-Straße 9-10, Charlottenburg, Greifswalder Straße 80c, Prenzlauer Berg and Großbeerenstraße 169-171, Marienfelde
When: Monday to Friday from 9 to 18:30 or 7 pm, Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm
Tip 11: Visit the Italian Embassy
Of course, we hope that you won't have to make an unplanned visit to the Italian Embassy during the European Championships. But if you do misplace your ID card, you're sure to find help here. And in the best location. The business district around the Tiergarten is a sight to behold. Beautiful buildings, lots of green nature and a very special international atmosphere. So you can get something positive out of even unplanned visits.
Where: Hiroshimastraße 1, Tiergarten
When: Monday and Friday from 8.30am to 12.30pm, Tuesday from 8.30am to 10.30am, Wednesday and Thursday from 1pm to 5pm
