The weather is known to defy the best planning. If you're still looking for ideas for a rainy summer day in Berlin, we have the right tips for you - from indoor adventures for children and adults to pretty market halls and the perfect spa day. It certainly won't be boring. After all, there's something cosy about a bit of summer rain. And as grandma used to say? We are not made of sugar.
Tip 1: Visit exhibitions in Berlin
Are you interested in art, technology or science? Berlin has so many museums that you could visit a different exhibition every day. To make sure you don't get lost in the large selection, we've put together the current exhibition highlights for you. A visit to the Pergamon Museum is especially recommended, because from 23 October 2023 the building will be closed for a longer period of time for renovation.
Tip 2: Stroll through market halls
In one of Berlin's beautiful market halls you can stroll around without getting your feet wet. See the bright colours of fruits and vegetables, take in the smells of delicacies and let the tastes melt in your mouth. In addition to produce and food, you'll also find a souvenir or two. The trendy Markthalle Neun hosts a street food market every Thursday that will make your mouth water.
Tip 3: Having fun with the kids at the indoor playground
With children, you can give your urge to move free rein at indoor playgrounds. They take you into a completely different world. This is particularly successful at the Legoland Discovery Centre. The hours will fly by as the kids shimmy through a course as a ninja, give their creativity a free hand with Lego bricks at the building tables and race against each other in self-made Lego cars.
When: Daily 10 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Where: Sony Center am Potsdamer Platz, Potsdamer Straße 4 , Tiergarten
Tickets for the Legoland Discovery Centre
Tip 4: Eat chocolate and release happy hormones
Chocolate therapy helps against a bad mood in rainy weather. The advantage when the sun isn't blazing at 30 degrees outside: the cocoa-containing goods don't melt so quickly and you can still pack something for your loved ones at home. The Rausch Schokoladenhaus is particularly impressive. Here you will find a large sales area with a chocolate counter, insights into the manufactory and the chocolate café on three floors. The historic building on Gendarmenmarkt was not originally built for the Rausch company, but it makes an excellent contribution to the noble atmosphere.
When: Monday to Saturday 10 a.m. - 7 p.m., Sunday 12 p.m. - 7 p.m.
Where: Charlottenstraße 60, Mitte
Tip 5: Shop in style at Bikini Berlin
You can escape the rain in a shopping mall. Bikini Berlin is a special experience. Why? It has an original shop concept and a gallery with changing art exhibitions and installations. The concept mall focuses on selected shops and changing pop-up shops, which are occupied by small businesses and young designers. The mall's culinary concept and the beautiful architecture of the 1950s building will help you spend pleasant hours here.
When: Monday to Saturday 10 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Where: Budapester Straße 42-50, Charlottenburg
Tip 6: Go on a virtual time travel
The virtual reality experience TimeRide takes you on a city tour through Berlin. The special part: you drive through the divided Berlin of the 1980s. You pass a border post, drive along Friedrichstraße and see the Palace of the Republic, on whose site the newly built Humboldt Forum now stands. All this while you sit comfortably in the backdrop of the exhibition. To top it off, TimeRide Berlin has been certified as a sustainable company by Sustainable Tourism Berlin in spring 2023.
When: Monday to Saturday 10.30 - 17.30, Sunday 10.30 - 15.30
Where: Near Checkpoint Charlie, Zimmerstraße 91, Mitte
Tip 7: Enjoy peace and relaxation at a day spa
A wellness oasis is the perfect place to get away from the grey outside world and relax for a day. In a day spa you can use a complete wellness area, which - depending on the place and provider - is equipped with a pool, saunas, loungers and massage rooms. A day trip to a thermal spa is also a good idea to escape the rain.
Tip 8: Get cosy and browse through our App
If the sightseeing tour through Berlin falls through, make yourself comfortable and scroll through our app "ABOUT BERLIN". Using the map function, you can discover which special places and sights are close to you. Learn the stories behind the scenes and immerse yourself in exciting, historical and contemporary snapshots. And when the clouds clear and the sun comes out again, you'll have some inspiration for your exploration of Berlin.
Tip 9: Go surfing
It's pouring with rain outside and you go... surfing? What sounds surreal is actually possible thanks to Wellenwerk's indoor surfing facility. The water temperature here is always a balmy 26 degrees. Of course, you'll be guided by real professionals who can give you beginner's courses. Safety is also taken care of: if required, Wellenwerk will provide you with a helmet free of charge. Just come back from your holiday in Berlin and tell us that you've learned to surf - you'll be sure to get astonished looks.
When: Monday to Friday 8am-11am, Wednesday to Friday 5pm-2pm, Saturday 9am-2pm, Sunday 9am-2pm.
Where: Landsberger Allee 270, Lichtenberg
Tip 10: Forget space and time in the planetarium
In the Zeiss Planetarium you can marvel and learn as planets and galaxies are projected onto the 30-metre dome. The programme of Europe's most modern science theatre includes shows with different thematic focuses. In addition, children's films and current feature films in German and English are shown in the planetarium's cinema hall.
When: Tuesday to Sunday depending on the performance, closed on Mondays.
Where: Prenzlauer Allee 80, Prenzlauer Berg
Tip 11: Attend workshops and broaden your horizons
If the sun is shining, it may be too hard to spend your time at a craft class or workshop. Rainy weather, on the other hand, gives you the opportunity to attend such events without feeling like you're missing out. At the NochMall second-hand shop run by BSR ( berlin's city cleaning service), you can regularly attend workshops on upcycling and repair.
When: Depending on the workshop, Repaircafé always on Thursdays from 15 - 19.30 with advance booking.
Where: Auguste-Viktoria-Allee 99, Reinickendorf
You can find even more tips for Berlin on visitBerlin.de/en
