10 Things to Do Off the Beaten Track in Berlin

Tropical Islands entices with its sand, surf, waves and spa complex. While it may seem like the stuff of a beach holiday, it is actually a massive indoor water park in a 1938 hangar an hour outside of Berlin. There is a lot to experience here at one of Europe’s largest tropical resorts, including the high waterslide tower, an indoor rainforest and a South Pacific-themed water area that is the size of 5 Olympic pools.

At Tropical Islands, you can stake your spot on the sandy beach or sundeck. Among the exciting attractions is the Tropical Rainforest featuring 50,000 plants and animals, such as turtles and flamingos. Other highlights include ballooning, mini golf and a whitewater river experience outside.

Tempelhofer Feld offers abundant green space to enjoy outdoor activities. Located between the districts of Tempelhof, Kreuzberg and Neukölln, the former military air practice site and parade ground is now an inviting urban park. There is plenty to experience in the open space, which features 300 hectares for leisure activities from skating to strolling, among other pursuits.

Active types will want to head to the 3.7-mile cycling, skating and jogging trail at Tempelhofer Feld. Other sports options include a basketball court and a football field. For those who prefer more relaxed activities, there are places where you can enjoy picnicking and birdwatching. There is also a designated space to fly kites, a fun activity for the family.

Kreuzberg is a hip and happening district of Berlin featuring lots to do and see. This edgy area, part of the Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg borough south of Mitte, is known for its laid-back, creative vibe. In addition to students and artists, the multicultural district is home to a large Turkish community, and you’ll find many restaurants near the Kottbusser Tor area. You’ll also find many laid-back cafes, street art, nightlife and other things to catch your interest.

Visitors to Kreuzberg will find plenty of things to do, whether strolling the banks of the Landwehrkanal or discovering flea-market finds. Culture lovers will also find museums and galleries in this part of town, including the Berlinische Galerie, which showcases modern art and photography.

The DDR Museum takes an interesting approach to history with its engaging, immersive exhibits. Located along the Spree River in the central part of the city, the innovative attraction highlights themed areas such as Public Life, State and Ideology and Life in a Tower Block, presenting objects, images and dynamic displays.

At the DDR Museum, the experience centres on what it was like to live in the German Democratic Republic, a communist state that existed from 1949 to 1990. Along with driving a simulation of a Trabant P601 car, you’ll also get to see surveillance objects and an impressive collection of restored motorbikes, scooters, sidecars and mopeds.

Bikini Berlin is a modern retail, dining and nightlife destination that's much more than a traditional shopping centre. Overlooking the animals at the Berlin Zoo, the concept mall is an urban oasis in the middle of the city.

When it comes to shopping at Bikini Berlin, you’ll not only find international brands and independent boutiques, but also wooden pop-up boxes where emerging businesses present their products. For stunning views of the city, you’ll want to head to the 7,000-square-metre green rooftop terrace. Other experiences offering panoramic views include the stylish Monkey Bar.

Markthalle Neun is a delightful destination for food enthusiasts, filled with vendors selling fresh produce, prepared dishes and other speciality items. Located on Eisenbahnstraße in the trendy neighbourhood of Kreuzberg, the indoor market reopened in 2011, 120 years from its original founding.

A visit to Markthalle Neun is like going on a culinary adventure with all the sights, sounds and fragrant scents. You’ll find everything from fresh Italian baked goods to craft beer, fresh seafood, cheese, coffee and more. Throughout the year, Markethalle Neun also hosts fun community events, such as Naschmarkt, where stalls showcase different snacks for sale and food festivals, including the Berlin Coffee Festival and Wurst&Bier.

Berlin Underworld - Berliner Unterwelten is a unique museum that tells about the city's secret history and hidden places as it takes you on a subterranean adventure beneath the city streets. You can navigate the museum's passageways on a tour that will have you descending bunkers and tunnel systems of World War II, where you will learn all about East Germany’s escape routes and more.

Home to the headquarters of the Underworlds Association, Berlin Underworld is housed in a former bunker in the transport hub of Gesundbrunnen. Along with the extensive underground complex, there is also an exhibition spanning several floors. Highlights include the escape tunnel between East and West Berlin and what remains of the Humboldthain flak towers.

Klunkerkranich is the place to go when you want to chill, enjoy cocktails and check out the killer views of the city. Located on top of the Neukölln Arcaden shopping centre parking garage, the bar, whose name means 'wattled crane' in German, has a rustic and edgy vibe. From here, you can see famous sites, such as the iconic TV Tower.

While Klunkerkranich is a great nightlife destination, going earlier is also worth it. The outdoor terrace has an interesting design featuring alpine huts and picnic tables to enjoy beers and bites. Inside, you can catch live music, film screenings and DJ sets in the inviting living room-like space.

HolzMarkt 25 is a cultural complex where you can enjoy theatre, nightlife, dining and more. Set along the waterfront near the site of where the Berlin Wall used to be, the centre is where culture converges. Originally developed by a group of friends while dancing at Bar25, the cultural centre continues to embody that fun-loving spirit, embracing culture and the arts.

Since then, HolzMarkt 25 has grown and now features a marketplace where you will find establishments such as the Spreelunke outdoor bar and pub and Kleebande, a home for colourful tape art. As for things to do, the cultural complex has an exciting calendar of events, hosting everything from live music to poetry slams and more.

Soviet War Memorial Treptow (Sowjetisches Ehrenmal Treptow) provides a look into a darker side of history. Located in Treptower Park, this war memorial and military cemetery honours 7,000 of 80,000 Red Army fallen soldiers who lost their lives while fighting in the Battle of Berlin in April-May 1945 during the Second World War

A peaceful site surrounded by greenery, the memorial was designed by Soviet architect Yakov Belopolsky. You can pay your respects or reflect in silence and admire the 3-metre high Mother Russia sculpture depicting a woman grieving fallen sons or the statue of a Soviet soldier carrying a child in 1 arm at the mausoleum on the hill.