The sun is shining, the birds are singing, and the flowers are starting to bloom. Spring has come again!
While Berlin in winter is a cold and gray place full of grumpy people, the spring sun bathes the city in a more favorable light. Suddenly people are outside and smiling, new leaves gives a fresh contrast to all the concrete, and the days are getting longer. The perfect time to visit Berlin!
Once April comes around, Berlin comes into its own again. Full of life and bustle. As the locals are gearing up for a summer full of partying and lounging by the lake, you get a taste of what makes Berlin such a cool city. Events, culture, parties, nature, and long evenings with a beer.
If you’re visiting the capital of Germany in the spring, there are plenty of seasonal activities to choose from. I’ve listed my favorite things to do in Berlin in the spring to help you plan your trip:
Walk the cherry blossom trail
After the fall of the Berlin Wall, the Japanese government gifted more than 9000 cherry trees to the city, to symbolize the newfound unity and rebirth of Berlin.
Every spring, these trees bloom in the most beautiful soft pink colors. Most of them are planted along the Mauerweg (a path that runs the perimeter of the former Berlin Wall). But you don’t have to walk the whole path to get a good view of the trees. There are a few spots throughout the city where they are especially pretty. You can find them on this #BerlinBlossomsMap.
Timing is important here, as the blooming period is short but sweet. They usually bloom for 10 days to 3 weeks from mid-April. The best way to find out if you’re here at the right time is to check recent posts on Instagram. You’ll see lots of pictures of locals and tourists posing with this gorgeous backdrop.
You can also see beautiful trees and foliage in Berlin in the fall
Eat typical German spring dishes
The Germans love their seasonal produce. Coming from a country where everything is available year-round from greenhouses (Netherlands), it was fun to see how obsessed the Germans are with certain products.
The asparagus season absolutely takes the crown. Germans go nuts during “Spargelzeit” (asparagus season). Don’t get me wrong, I love a good asparagus as much as the next gal, but the people really take it up a notch. For the brief period that asparagus is in season (roughly mid-April to late June), they put them on everything.
Traditionally, white asparagus are eaten boiled with potatoes, hollandaise sauce, and ham. Or as a soup. But you can even see them on pizza! The green asparagus are less hyped, because they’re more widely available, but also appreciated. I personally prefer these grilled.
Other beloved spring produce are Bärlauch (wild garlic) and strawberries. When these are in season, you also see them advertised on the menu of every traditional German restaurant. Strawberries are often sold in stalls around the city as well.
So if you’re visiting Berlin in the spring, be sure to taste some of these seasonal specialities!
Read my vegan and vegetarian food guide to Berlin for more delicious tips
Relax in a park
Since the winters in Berlin tend to be cold, gray, and depressing, everyone heads outside at the first sign of spring. As soon as the sun comes out, Berliners flock to the parks to sunbathe, chill, and grill.
Spring weather can be surprisingly warm, with occasional summer temperatures in Mai and June. It’s also much dryer than what I was used to in the Netherlands. The perfect weather for a hike or a stroll in the park.
Berlin wouldn’t be Berlin if all those people in the parks weren’t drinking beer as well. If you want to be like the locals, grab a drink or two from the Späti (kiosks all around the city) to drink while you walk or sit. Bring a blanket and buy a döner or falafel for an impromptu picnic.
And as the days get longer, there’s only one place to spend your early evening: by the water. Head to the banks of the Spree or one of the bridges to admire the beautiful Berlin sunsets. You’ll be in good company of locals playing music, drinking, and eating. Summer is a state of mind in Berlin, and it starts in the spring.
Sit in a beer garden
Of course, a park isn’t the only place where you can enjoy a drink in the sun. Spring is when the Berlin beer gardens start filling up again.
Plop down on a bench, order some brews and a snack, and feel the sun on your face. It’s the perfect place to take a break from sightseeing. If you go in the late afternoon, you’ll be surrounded by locals having an after-work drink with their colleagues or a before-dinner drink with their friends.
I’ve waxed poetically about Berlin beer gardens before, and they are my favorite place to drink and chill when the weather allows. So if you need a few suggestions for where to go, these are my absolute favorites.
Shop at a flea market
As the weather gets better, Berlins favorite Sunday activity starts again as well. No, I’m not talking about sleeping off your hangover, although that’s certainly one of them. I mean flea markets.
No one likes trudging around a flea market in the cold rain, so while some markets might be open in the winter, I consider this a true “sunny weather activity”. From spring to autumn, you can find me at a market almost every week.
Whether you’re browsing for vintage gems, looking for cheap silverware, or trying on some handmade jewelry, a Berlin flea market is filled with goodies. It’s usually a combination of people selling their old clothes, certified vintage, local arts and crafts, and second-hand furniture. Of course, accompanied by food trucks and drinks.
Even if you’re not buying anything, a flea market is such a fun and relaxed Sunday afternoon activity. Especially since all the regular stores are closed on Sundays. And you never know what kind of cool souvenir you might find!
These are just a few of the things you can do as a tourist or local in Berlin in the spring. If you want to get a taste of the culture and life of the city, this is a good time of year to come. You’ll get pretty good weather, long days, and a lot of options for activities.
What are your favorite things to do in Berlin in the spring? I’d love to hear your suggestions in the comments.
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Great post. I have a great need to travel, but still under restrictions, that is difficult. Thank you for sharing.