Great things to do in Berlin in autumn

As summer slowly retreats and autumn starts and descends upon Germany, it's time to savour the colourful season in the capital. Autumn in Germany starts in september, which is when the many parks in Berlin start to change colour. There will still be some lovely warm days but other days will see plenty of rain and wind.

Walks in golden parks, tranquil wellness evenings, flying kites and exploring the sheer endless variety of museums and attractions as well as Berlin’s local and seasonal food culture make it easier to say goodbye to summer and its warmer days. Our Berlin autumn travel guide gives you the best travel tips on how to make the most of your trip.

Explore the past on Museum Island

Museum Island is a UNESCO World Heritage site in the middle of the Spree and home to five of Berlin’s best museums and top attractions, making it the perfect spot to take shelter on a cold or wet autumn day. All of the museums take their visitors on a journey through space and time, showing a diverse range of artefacts and exhibits. And while you are here, don’t miss out on casting a glance at the richly ornamented interiors of the Berlin Cathedral.

Discover ancient Egyptian artifacts, portraits and sculptures of the 19th century at the Neues Museum, learn more about the glorious days of Athens at the Alte Nationalgalerie and discover fascinating exhibits from the Middles Ages to the 19th century at the Bode Museum. The Pergamon Museum (closed for renovations until 2027) is Berlin’s most visited museum and displays pieces from the Museum of the Ancient Near East and the Museum of Islamic Art while the Altes Museum made the rulers’ and princes’ Collection of Classical Antiquities available to the public.

Visit the Festival of Giant Kites

On 21 September over 80 larger than live kites will take to the skies at Tempelhofer Feld. The former airport is now Berlin's largest open space, which is why it is great for flying a kite, even ginormous ones. Some of the kites taking to the skies at the Festival of Giant Kites will be up to 40 metres long, such as a giant squid and colourful geckos.

Throughout the day there will be lots of things to do and see for the whole family, including a kite-making workshop, bouncy castles, face painting. But also stunt kite demonstrations by World and European champions in kiting. The festival is free to visit and will end with a small fireworks display.

Distil your own personal gin

Did you ever dream of making your very own gin? At the Deutsche Spirituosen Manufaktur, you will learn the basics of distillation from the raw materials to maturation and dilution during an exclusive 4 hour long workshop. You will end up with your own premium gin, enriched by a knowledgeable expert guiding you.

The workshop also includes a light meal and a small copper vessel to bring your own spirit or gin home in. If you do not have enough time, you can attend a 60-90 minute long guided tour through the unique distillery every first Friday of the month and take a look behind the scenes, including a tasting of some distillates.

Discover the German wellness culture

Take a break from sightseeing by getting to know the German wellness culture in one of Berlin’s saunas. A lot of these spas consist of saunas, swimming pools, relaxation rooms and a wellness area. Vabali, in Moabit, offers 10 different saunas, each offering different treatments and soothing aromatherapy.

Several of the saunas have their own infusion ceremonies, ranging from classic salt, honey and fruit to revitalising meditation and herbal treatments. An employee will pour the special mixture onto the stove and then wave the hot scented air directly at the visitors. Alternating between the sauna and cooling off by taking a plunge into a cold pool or taking a cold shower is for many the highlight of a true sauna experience.

Visiting a sauna is the ideal wellness activity to relax and unwind after a rainy autumn day. However, be prepared for a culture shock when visiting a German sauna! Germans usually go to the sauna naked, only wearing flip flops, and are perfectly comfortable with that. Always bring two towels, one to sit on and one to use after showering.

Watch the city lit up with light art during the Festival of Lights

Every autumn, Berlin becomes the backdrop to a beautiful light art show during the Festival of Lights. All throughout the city, landmarks, buildings and square are turned into art with the help of lights, projection and video art. With over two million visitors, Berlin's Festival of Lights is one of the most popular light art festivals in the world.

In 2024, the city will be lit up from 4 till 13 October, for the 20th edition of the Berlin Festival of Lights. This year the art caries the theme Celebrating Freedom, showcasing aspects of freedom, self-determination and free development. One of the best ways to see all the the Festival of Lights art in Berlin is with the Tour of Lights, which takes you to best sights and includes photo stops.

Enjoy traditional German autumnal food

Autumn in Germany is harvest season offering lots of fresh produce. Ranging from mushrooms, apples and plums to pumpkin, pears and quinces as well as red beets and sweet chestnuts – Berlin’s seasonal and regional restaurants offer a multitude of delicious and colourful culinary delights during this time of year. Of course, a visit to a farmers market is also a great way to discover some of the fresh product on offer in the city.

Augustiner am Gendarmenmarkt is a classic Bavarian style beer hall offering lots of German specialities and staples, such as pretzels, roasted pork, sausages. The beer comes from the Augustiner Brewery in Munich, which has maintained the tradition of wooden bottling and is the only brewery in Europe that still works with its own malthouse. A favourite option here is their Old Bavarian Apple Strudel, which is one of the best in the city.

Close to Charlottenburg Palace, you can find Hoffgarten. The restaurant offers a small menu that varies by season and availability, while close contacts with suppliers guarantee the high quality and freshness of the ingredients used. A selection of over 100 wines and sparkling wines as well as 16 beers and local juices that are all produced in Germany complete the luxurious experience close to the palace.

Stroll around Charlottenburg Palace

The baroque gardens around Charlottenburg Palace can be visited for free and show off a fascinating autumnal display of colours with bright red, orange and golden leaves. They are considered a world renowned example of garden design, making them the perfect destination to escape from the hectic city space and for walk on a sunny day during autumn in Berlin.

Or escape to Charlottenburg Palace itself and witness Prussia’s magnificence in one spot. The palace is the largest and most significant palace complex in Berlin and used to be home to Prussian kings and German emperors. Wander through interiors and halls that have maintained their original decorations from the Baroque period to the early 20th century and marvel at luxurious suites and impressive art collections.