Best Local Spots to Escape the Heat in Berlin

Summer in Berlin can be beautiful – and very hot. When the streets start to shimmer, locals look for cool, shady places. Here are the best natural and urban spots to relax and refresh when temperatures rise.

1. Lakes and Water

• Plötzensee: Central, clean, and great for a quick swim.
• Schlachtensee: Surrounded by forest – quiet and fresh.
• Wannsee: Big, historic lake with sandy beaches.
• Weißer See: Small lake with cafés and gentle breeze.

2. Shady Parks

• Tiergarten: Huge park full of trees and paths.
• Friedrichshain Park: Great for picnics and shade.
• Treptower Park: Cool air from the nearby river.

3. Air-Conditioned Museums

• Neues Museum: Ancient history and cool air.
• German Museum of Technology: Fun and family-friendly.
• Gropius Bau: Contemporary art in a cool space.

4. Cool Cafés

• Café am Neuen See: By the water in Tiergarten.
• Kaffee 9: Inside a market hall, shaded and lively.
• Bonanza Coffee: Quiet, modern, and air-conditioned.

5. Unusual Cool Spots

• U-Bahn Stations: Naturally cool, like Alexanderplatz.
• Shopping Malls: Alexa or Mall of Berlin offer AC.
• Libraries: Calm, free, and air-conditioned spaces.