As the temperature rises, the flowers blossom, and the trees become green, the capital of Germany comes alive.
There is no better time to visit Berlin than springtime, as it’s warm enough to enjoy the outdoor offerings, yet the city is still free from the high-season crowds and prices.
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We’ll share an overview of what to expect from each month this season and the top events and places to visit at this time of year.
Visiting Berlin In Spring
During the spring months, Berlin enjoys pleasant weather and minimal rainfall. Here’s what to expect when visiting in March, April, Or May.
Berlin In March
As the city slowly emerges from winter, the beginning of March is typically relatively cold, heating up towards the end. The average day temperature is 9°, while at night, it can drop as low as 1°.
However, the sun still rises late and sets early, so don’t expect sunny evenings just yet.
March is typically a quiet month to visit Berlin, so it is ideal for those wanting to enjoy the city at a relaxed pace and take advantage of cheap flights and hotels.
Berlin In April
The weather in April is noticeably warmer than the past month, with a daytime average of 14° and a nighttime average of 5°. And don’t worry, your trip won’t get ruined by April showers as, like the rest of the year, it only rains about 25% of the month.
Daytime hours are also starting to increase, but so are the crowds, particularly during Easter weekend. There is usually lots going on this month, including the Berlin Spring Festival that runs for most of April.
Berlin In May
As you would imagine, May is the warmest spring month in Berlin. It’s one of the most idyllic times to visit as the weather is pleasant, yet the crowds are minimal.
Daytime temperatures average a blissful 19°, and nighttime is no longer too chilly, with an average temperature of 9°.
The days are also noticeably longer, and you can feel that summer is soon arriving in the air. This month, some great festivals are happening, such as the Carnival of Cultures and the German Day of Mills.
And lastly, you’ll find most of the beer gardens and outdoor venues open by now.
Things To Do In Berlin In Spring
As the outside world comes back to life, Berlin in spring means lots of outdoor activities and events alongside the usual top tourist attractions. Here are our top picks.
See The Flowers In Bloom At The Botanic Garden
One of the best things about spring is the blossoming of the flowers and trees, bringing some much-needed color back to the world after a long, cold winter.
While you can admire the flora in any Berlin park, a trip to the botanical garden at this time of the year is extra special.
Among the 18,000 plants, I recommend checking out the aquatic and marsh plant garden to see the coltsfeet, primroses, and kingcups. The rose pavilion is also beautiful with colorful fruit trees, such as cherry, pear, and apple.
It costs just 6 Euros to enter (for adults). To learn more about the gardens, you can take a guided tour for an additional fee (available in German and English). And don’t worry if it happens to be a chilly spring day, as the greenhouses will warm you up.
Visit Gardens Of The World
Another magical place to see the spring flowers is Garten der Welt Berlin (Gardens Of The World). As the name suggests, the ample green space in east Berlin is home to 10 international gardens, each of which honors the traditions of that country.
Walking through Gardens Of The World feels like exploring the world in one hour. One minute it’s like you’re in England, then Japan, then Bali. Aside from plants, there are some lovely sculptures and buildings.
Moreover, you’ll also find a really cool maze that models the one at Hampton Court in England.
Enjoy The Beer Gardens
Beer gardens in Berlin are not just for summer. As soon as the weather warms up enough (typically in April), the beer gardens throughout the city begin opening back up, and it’s not long before they are full of locals and tourists alike.
You won’t have to go far to find a beer garden in Berlin. However, some of my favorites are Luftgarten in Tempelhofer Park and Biergarten Schoenbrunn.
However, head to Brauhaus Spandau for the most authentic Berlin beer experience. It has an original brewery atmosphere, a rotating ‘specials’ menu, and comforting home-cooked meals to soak up all the beer.
Stroll Through Tempelhofer Feld
If the sun is shining, you definitely won’t want to miss a walk in Berlin’s famous community park.
Tempelhofer Feld in South Berlin was once a military airport but has been transformed into a vast green space for the community to enjoy.
It’s a nice place to walk, cycle (you can rent bikes there), or enjoy a picnic.
Check Out The Flea Markets
If you’re lucky enough to be in Berlin for the weekend, schedule a few hours on Sunday to check out the city’s iconic flea markets. The three main second-hand markets are Maybachufer, Boxhagener Platz, and Mauerpark.
You’ll find all sorts of vintage items here, from clothing to books to vinyl records to furniture. But, even if you don’t buy anything, it’s still worth visiting to get a glimpse of local life.
Locals love spending lazy Sundays browsing the markets and then refueling in a nearby cafe.
Take A Cycling Tour Around The City
With plenty of wide, flat streets, Berlin is a great city to explore via bike. And as the weather becomes more pleasant, many locals start cycling in spring.
There are several bike-sharing companies, such as Tier, where you can rent e-bikes and scooters at the designated docks in the Berlin metropolitan area. NextBike also has several bike rental stations around the city. Bolt is another option for electric bikes and e-scooters.
However, while exploring at your peril is fun, a great way to see and learn about the city’s sights while getting fit is a bike tour. Berlin on Bike is the original guided bike tour in the city, offering several different tour options, all lasting around 3.5 hours.
You can choose the tour based on the sights you want to see, such as the Berlin Wall or Brandenburg Gate.
Or, if you prefer a more local-style experience, I recommend the Alternative Berlin Bike Tour, which takes you through the most lively, colorful, and multicultural neighborhoods many tourists don’t get to see.
Staying In Berlin?
Make sure to book a stay in one of the best hotels in Berlin.
Best budget hotel: Wil7 Boutique Hotel
Best mid-range hotel: Hotel Indigo Berlin
Best luxury hotel: Ritz Carlton Berlin
Go On A Day Trip To Potsdam
Potsdam is a small city to the southwest of Berlin. It is home to many beautiful historic buildings, such as Sanssouci Palace, built between 1745 and 1747.
Aside from the incredible interior and exterior of the buildings, the grounds are spectacular.
The 300-hectare gardens form a gorgeous park full of beautiful sculptures, garden art, and smaller buildings to explore. If you don’t want to go inside the palace, you can enter the gardens free of charge.
Another place to check out in Potsdam is the historic Dutch Quarter. Here there are more than 100 ancient buildings constructed between 1733 and 1742. Today these buildings serve as antique shops, cafes, galleries, and other quirky stores.
Lastly, the enormous Neues Palais is another must-visit. It has an impressive 200 rooms and four Rococo-style galleries, one of which has walls adorned with 24,000 seashells, gemstones, fossils, and minerals.
Attend One Of The Many Spring Festivals
I recommend everyone visiting Berlin in the spring check the city’s events schedule beforehand. There is also something on, though the most significant event this time of the year is Spring Festival, running from the end of March to the end of April.
Spring Festival takes place at Kurt-Schumacher-Damm and is an epic carnival with around 60 amusement rides, entertainment, and food stalls. One of the most popular attractions is the London-style Ferris wheel.
Wednesdays at Spring Festival are Family Day when the rides are half-price. Plus, on select Saturday nights, there are fireworks.
Aside from the Spring Festival, you’ll find many other events, such as the Easter markets at Kurfürstendamm and Alexanderplatz.
Plus, if you’re here on Easter Eve, don’t miss the special bonfire at Britzer Garten with live music and spring vibes.
Final Thoughts On Visiting Berlin In Spring
With pleasant weather, minimal crowds, and blooming flowers, visiting Berlin between March and May is a beautiful experience.
What’s more, this list of what to do in Berlin in spring is just a taster of what’s on offer this season.
Thus, whatever you are into and however long you are in town, one thing is for sure – you won’t get bored!
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