Discover Berlin for free? With these activities, festivals and museums, you can experience a cheap city trip in the capital.
Want to explore Berlin without robbing your piggy bank? Your city break or trip to the capital can be cheap! From free concerts and museums to green oases that invite you to relax. We show you the best free activities in Berlin.
1. Listen to music for free – from classical to karaoke
The best artists in the world perform in Berlin, from Madonna and Coldplay to the most famous classical orchestra, the Berlin Philharmonic. But you can also experience one or two concerts or special musical performances for free.
A great insider tip is the Philharmonie Berlin: every Tuesday at 1 pm, you can spend your lunch break at a free classical lunch concert and experience the finest chamber music. If you want to be there, be sure to arrive early as seats are in high demand.
The “Statsoper für alle ” also attracts music fans to Bebelplatz in summer. Equipped with folding chairs and picnic blankets, you can enjoy operas and classical concerts in the open air for free.
But Berlin can also do things differently: when the weather is good, the audience takes over the microphone at Karaoke in the Mauerpark. The open-air show has long been a popular tradition that is cheered on by many spectators.
2. Dance across outdoor festivals and admire free light shows
Whether it’s colorful street festivals, open-air concerts or spectacularly illuminated sights – Berlin loves festivals – especially free ones.
A highlight on the calendar of events is the Carnival of Cultures, which transforms the city into a colorful spectacle every year on Whitsun weekend. Dancers, musicians and artists parade through the streets in bright costumes and celebrate Berlin’s cultural diversity. If you want to dance along, all you need is a good mood – admission is free.
On June 21, Berlin’s streets come alive with music as the entire city transforms into a stage for the Fête de la Musique. From rock to reggae, from gospel to punk – artists play on around 90 stages for an audience that will just let go.
When autumn arrives, Berlin shines in a new light. At the Festival of Lights, spectacular projections transform the city’s most famous landmarks into glowing works of art. From the Brandenburg Gate to the television tower, the city suddenly looks like an oversized painting. For two weeks you can discover Berlin at its most radiant.
3. Culture, history and art for free – go to the museum for free
Culture lovers can discover many of Berlin’s museums for free! Here are some highlights:
- At the Futurium, you can take a playful look at the future of our society – with a fantastic skywalk view over Berlin.
- Along the Wall Trail, you can discover the traces of the Berlin Wall all the way to the East Side Gallery – the Wall app makes your walk even more interactive.
- The German Reichstag also opens its doors free of charge to registered visitors – the view from the famous glass dome is definitely worth it.
- Many other museums and memorials such as the Berlin Wall Documentation Center, the Tempelhof Museum and the Willy Brandt House also offer exciting and free insights into Berlin’s history.
If you want to experience even more, you should make a note of the Long Night of Museums. Up to 100 museums open their doors late into the night. These include some of Berlin’s most extraordinary museums.
4. Enjoy green park oases and nature
Despite its big city flair, Berlin offers green and recreational areas covering almost 40% of the city, inviting you to enjoy a relaxing visit. You can take a relaxing break here with a coffee to go, a picnic blanket or a good book.
- The centrally located Tiergarten is considered the equivalent of Central Park – walkers, joggers and beer garden visitors love to hang out here. Insider tip: free concerts take place in the English Garden almost every day in summer.
- Volkspark Rehberge is a quiet retreat in Wedding. Tall trees, extensive meadows and a small open-air stage make for an idyllic break.
- You will find green hills, winding paths and a fairytale fountain in Volkspark Friedrichshain. Berlin’s oldest public park offers relaxation as well as an open-air cinema and a beach volleyball court.
- Berlin is at its best in the summer – crowded cafés, open-air festivals and swimming lakes. The Müggelsee, Schlachtensee or Wannsee give you that beach feeling with a cooling guarantee.
5. Explore the city with good value and great views
Fancy a leisurely city tour for tired feet? The public double-decker buses 100 and 200 pass right by the most important sights and take you from the Zoological Garden via the government district to Alexanderplatz – with a one-way ticket or a day ticket, you can travel more cheaply than with the alternative hop-on hop-off buses.
You can get around the city even more cheaply, even for free, and with a little more exercise with a free rental bike from Bikesurf Berlin. The initiative, inspired by the couchsurfing principle, provides solid bikes – completely free of charge. A small donation is welcome, but not obligatory. Perfect for you if you want to explore a lot of Berlin on your own. We particularly recommend the 19 km Spree cycle path, where you can cycle close to the water from West to East Berlin – ideal for a day trip!
6. Discover vintage trend pieces for little money
It’s not just the free activities that make your city trip in Berlin special, but also conscious consumption. Second-hand shopping has long been a cult in Berlin – from vintage fashion to design classics, there are sustainable treasures to discover here. We show you the 5 best second-hand stores in the capital.
