The party scene in Berlin tends to grab all the headlines, but sometimes you just need to slow things down, relax and treat yourself. You might be surprised to learn that Berlin has a wealth of lovely wellness, spas, beauty salons, barbers and shops – and, dear reader, you deserve the tranquil relaxation and indulgence that they provide. Let us guide you to the best places in Berlin to let your natural beauty shine.
Please show responsibility, wear your masks and follow the hygiene rules of the organizers. Read our FAQs to stay informed about the current regulations. Berlin is counting on you! #vaxnvisitBerlin #vaxnvisit
Tip 1: Luxury meets sustainability: Aveda Lifestyle Salon & Spa
Along with their flagship salon on Ku'damm and their stores on Rosenthaler Straße and Hackescher Höfe, Aveda also offer twelve other salons dotted around Berlin. No matter where you are in the city, you're never far from some Aveda luxury. Be sure to check which salons offer Aveda's unique Sensory Rituals or Signature Spa Services to turn your salon visit into a wonderfully relaxing experience. As an added bonus, all of Aveda's products are 100% vegan, produced with renewable energy and packaged with recycled materials.
Where: Kurfürstendamm 26a, Charlottenburg
More about Aveda Lifestyle Salon & Spa
Tip 2: Paradise in Prenzlberg: MDC cosmetic
"The skin is the most sensitive organ," says Melanie Del Canton, founder of MDC Cosmetic on Knaackstraße in Prenzlauer Berg. She practices what she preaches and you can tell that she truly cares about the products her shop sells: you'll find some of the usual big names, but mostly the shelves are full of carefully curated handmade goods. Just around the corner on Diedenhofer Straße is MDC cure, which has quickly become known as one of the best locations in Berlin for a facial. Massages, manicures, pedicures and much more are on offer, including the option for a virtual meeting with the head therapist.
Where: Knaackstraße 26, Prenzlauer Berg
Tip 3: Hairdressing with retro charm at Haareszeiten
Come for the charming 70s décor, stay for the friendly and competent staff and one of the best haircuts you've ever had. Haareszeiten has two branches, on Oderberger Straße and Danziger Straße, both easily identifiable by their eye-catching font. They take no shortcuts when it comes to interior design; they even have a couple of those iconic 70s dome-style hair dryers. But all of this style would mean nothing if they didn't have the hairdressing competence to keep their customers coming back – and clearly, they do. They've built up a loyal and satisfied customer base over the last decade, and you'll almost certainly become one of them after your first visit.
Where: Danziger Straße 56 and Oderberger Straße 7, Prenzlauer Berg
Tip 4: For brand new styling: juicynails Berlin
After a day of taking advantage of the amazing shopping at Bikini Berlin and Ku'damm, your poor feet are going to need a little TLC. And your hands, too. While you're at it, why not your eyes and face as well? You can come to juicynails for all of these needs. You'll get professional and competent treatment from the talented staff there. Their extensive list of services includes shellac, massages, lash lifts, waxing and much more besides.
Where: Kurfürstendamm 96, Charlottenburg
Tip 5: By train to Bali: Vabali Spa Berlin
It's hard to believe that somewhere as tranquil and relaxing as Vabali exists right in the bustling centre of Berlin. But it's not a mirage! Vabali is real! You can buy a two-hour, four-hour or all-day ticket to this Bali-themed wellness centre, giving you access to the ten saunas (each with subtly different temperatures and themes), indoor and outdoor swimming pools, relaxation rooms as well as a garden and restaurant. You can then book an additional massage or wellness package. There is so much variety on offer, there is something for everyone. We recommend booking well in advance to ensure you get the most out of your relaxing day in Bali.
Where: Seydlitzstraße 6, Mitte
Tip 6: Pure nature: Belladonna natural cosmetics
If you can't find the beauty product you need at Belladonna Naturkosmetik, there's a good chance it simply doesn't exist. The depth and variety of products here boggles the mind (in a good way!). The staff at the physical shop on Bergmannstraße are friendly and knowledgeable. But if you can't make it to Kreuzberg, you'll likely be able to find the perfect product on their online shop. Delivery in Germany is free for orders over €40, and worldwide shipping is available.
Where: Bergmannstraße 107, Kreuzberg
More about Belladonna Naturkosmetik
Tip 7: Naturally relaxed: Lotte Naturkosmetik in Berlin-Prenzlauer Berg
Prenzlauer Berg has changed a lot in the last decade. These days, there's a pricey boutique and fancy coffee shop on every corner – but Naturkosmetik Lotte was here before almost all of them. It takes something special to stand the test of time, and for eighteen years Judith von Kirchbach and her team have been providing reliable and friendly service to their customers. The shop itself is a more intimate space than other large chain stores, but it still manages to pack a stellar selection of products onto its shelves. A variety of treatments are also available, from facials to skincare to massage to makeup and waxing.
Where: Prenzlauer Allee 40, Prenzlauer Berg
More about Lotte Naturkosmetik
Tip 8: The trendsetter Ponyclub
Here's another fine Berlin establishment that has really stood the test of time. In 1999, Friedrichshain had nothing like the worldwide renown it has now. But Tim Kreuzfeldt still took the plunge and set up his hair salon on Kopernikusstraße. His plan to keep things small didn't last long thanks to the waves of customers impressed by Ponyclub's consistently high and on-trend standards. Ponyclub has a style and attitude that is very much at home in Friedrichshain. You can be sure there aren't many places in Berlin – or indeed anywhere else – that combine professional and considerate service with trendsetting expertise like they do.
Where: Kopernikusstraße 13, Friedrichshain
Tip 9: A visit to Turkey in Berlin - Sultan Hamam
Don't be put off by the rather uninspiring exterior appearance of this hamam in a nondescript neighbourhood near Yorckstraße – inside it's a welcoming world of relaxation. The standard three or five-hour entry tickets include access to the hamam, sauna and lounges. Plus, there is a variety of extra packages on offer that bundle in soaping, body scrubs, massages, facial treatments and manicures. In our experience, there is no feeling quite like a vigorous scrubbing followed by a luxuriously lathered soaping, and the staff at Sultan Hamam can do it better than most. You'll feel like you have a brand new body once you step back out into that ordinary neighbourhood.
Where: Bülowstraße 56-57, Schöneberg
Tip 10: The place for pregnancy pampering
For pregnant women, a visit to a spa can feel like a long list of things you're not allowed to do. The overwhelming feeling can outweigh the effort, but at Cowshed Spa on Torstraße, it's most certainly worth it. After the exhausting first trimester is over, get yourself to the top floor of Soho House for the spa's specialised treatments for expectant mothers. There's something for everyone on Cowshed's long list of services, from bespoke massages to cryotherapy facials to waxing to lash tinting to manicures and pedicures. And you can pick up your favourite products from the Cowshed shop.
Where: Torstraße 1, Mitte
Tip 11: Treat your nails and your Instagram feed at
CaoSis Beauty Bar Café
A visit to the CaoSis Beauty Bar and Café comes with one big dilemma. Which do you insta first: the picture-perfect nails, or the irresistibly delicious food? The unique aesthetic of the beauty bar is also worth documenting, and guarantees that the women responsible for making the place look this good will also do an outstanding job on your skin, nails and lashes. They are Duong and Van Cao, two sisters from Berlin who always dreamed of opening their own beauty salon. Their passion and talent is clear in everything they do.
Where: Wilmersdorfer Str. 100, Charlottenburg
