#59

Summer in Berlin this year wasn´t always a steady fellow. Never mind: we just prepare for every weather condition and spend all of our day together outside.

So, off we go to the library! Doesn´t match our plans, you say? Yes, it does! The courtyard of Staatsbibliothek Berlin Unter den Linden is probably the most beautiful and, thanks to the fountain, coolest place along the boulevard to read a book you bring or spontaneously borrow.

An absolute outdoor classic however is Kultursommerfestival Berlin as part of Draußenstadt (eng.: outdoor city) – apt motto: “Everything takes place outside”. From big open-air concerts to the intimate discussion in the backyard there´s something in for everyone. And all of this at free entry.

Not for free, but nevertheless worth experiencing: the numerous concerts at historical open-air concert hall Waldbühne. The spirit of the Olympic Games of 1936 and the Nazis who built it isn´t alive here anymore – thankfully! Nowadays the atmosphere is relaxed and peaceful, even if the event is booked out by nearly 23,000 people. August offers a wide range of concerts, as for example star conductor Daniel Barenboim or German pop singer Sarah Connor. Which one will you choose?

All of you, who are more up for some shopping: off we go to Wilmersdorf! Wilmersdorfer Straße is a street with many smaller individual stores as well as large shopping malls, in which every average shopping list can be worked through. Fun facts: this was the first pedestrian area of the city. And Wilmersdorfer Straße 13 was the address of Julius Krautz, Berlin´s last legal executioner.

Another highlight of this year´s summer: Berlin Circus Festival at Tempelhofer Feld. From 11 to 20 August there will be 15 shows in two large tents and outdoors displaying the best of contemporary circus. Completed by live music and culinary surprises – what more do we need for a perfect summer day?

Before heading back home, we have to show you one more thing: vibrant neighbourhood Wrangelkiez, only a stone throw away from home. Just around the corner of famous Oberbaum bridge we´ve already visited together countless little kebab restaurants, bars, Spätis (Berlin´s popular late night shops) and second hand stores invite us to collect many new impressions. Our special recommendation here: legendary club Watergate – depending on the weather we can either spend the night dancing on the river Spree (on the pontoon) or next to it (the house front is glazed and offers a breathtaking view on Oberbaum bridge).

Classic Kreuzberg and that is what we love it for: right in the middle of rubbish bins and honking cars we discover catholic church St. Marien Liebfrauen on Wrangelstraße. Even though it looks like a fortress from the Middle Ages, it was consecrated in 1905. Taking into account the rather rough neighbourhood, this community also cares for those who cannot enjoy their drink at Watergate by offering a soup kitchen, emergency overnight stays and their summernight café. We like. 

Now it is time to say good night. Did you know that you have the most wonderful view on the sunset from Orania.Salon? Well. We would not believe this without double-checking it, if we were you. Just saying…