Landed in Berlin and feeling a bit let down by the rain? There are countless things to do in the city on a rainy day that let you make the most of the German capital, even if it means avoiding the outdoors. With plenty of museums, activities, shopping and drinking opportunities in Berlin, you don’t need to worry about feeling soggy all day. Here are ten things to do in Berlin when it’s raining so you won’t feel like you’re missing out on a thing.
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1. Museums
There are 180 museums in Berlin and on average 106 rainy days per year. In other words, with more museums than rainy days, there’s no excuse to be bored when it’s pouring outside. Berlin is so rich in history and culture that museum hopping is the perfect thing to do when it’s raining. A few of our favourites include the Neues and Bode Museum on Museum Island, the Jewish Museum and the Topography of Terror which is actually free.
Check out these 15 Free Things to do in Berlin
2. Schwarzlicht Minigolf
Play mini golf at this indoor golf course with a difference. Inside you will find 8 mini-golf courses spread across five rooms, each one designed by artists and each room with a different theme. From an enchanted Berlin to futuristic visions of the world, this is a fun, competitive activity that will fill an afternoon on a rainy day. On Fridays and Saturdays it stays open until 12am. One round costs €5.50.
3. Jump House Berlin
If you’re looking for a fun, energetic activity in Berlin to occupy your day during those cold, wet afternoons then the Jump House has you covered. The entire space is made up of massive trampolines where you can jump, flip and bounce to your heart's content. It’s some serious fun and it will get your heart pumping, so let your hair down and have a load of laughs with your friends at this trampoline house.
4. Berlin Aquarium
Who doesn’t love an aquarium, especially when it’s one of the largest aquariums in Europe. Stingrays, sharks, clownfish, turtles, frogs and even tarantulas, you name it, the aquarium is certainly home to more than just fish. Get up close and personal with jelly fish or plan to visit during feeding times and shows so you can experience sharks during lunch time. Just because it’s wet outside, doesn’t mean you have to stay away from water!
5. German Spy Museum Berlin
Wanna be in the secret service for the day? The German Spy Museum Berlin at Leipziger Platz is an interactive and multimedia exhibition where you can pretend to be a German spy for the day. If the rain is stopping you from having fun outdoors, there’s plenty of fun to be had indoors. Learn about the history of espionage and secret services worldwide and find out their bizarre methods of spy work. There’s even a laser maze you can try - to see if you can get past the beams without touching them.
6. Tadshikische Teestube
A non-touristy spot in Berlin to escape the wet weather. Tadshikische Teestube is a peaceful tea room that transports you to Tajikistan if you can’t go there yourself. This relaxing sanctuary is true to the local tea rooms in Tajikistan where you sit on the floor amongst vibrant cushions, oriental carpets and colourful paintings. Your tea will be served on low wooden tables with 42 different varieties of hot tea to help yourself to. The magical, cosy atmosphere is the perfect place to warm yourself up.
7. Shopping in Kaufhaus des Westens
There’s no better excuse to go shopping in a foreign city than when it’s raining outside. Kaufhaus des Westens, AKA KaDeWe, is HUGE. It’s the second largest department store in Europe after Harrods in London, meaning you really could spend an entire day here sifting through anything and everything it has to offer from clothes to homeware to electronics and its enormous food hall. If it’s raining, might as well treat yourself…
8. Berliner Unterwelten
Not that many tourists are aware of the underground history of Berlin and that there are some pretty amazing tours available to really, deeply discover it. Explore Berlin’s dark, underground worlds from World War II including a ruined fortress, escape tunnels dug under the Berlin Wall by citizens in a desperate attempt to escape the East German Government, and nuclear bunkers leftover from the Cold War. Whichever tour you decide upon, we guarantee it will be one of the most darkly memorable tours you’ve ever taken.
9. Belushi's Bar
Feeling down because of the rain? DRINK! Belushi’s bar in the heart of the Mitte district is the perfect place for it. Being our hostel bar, you can count on the drinks being cheap, plus there's sports on the TV and plenty of other backpackers to meet - it’s the ideal way to get through the day when the rain is bucketing down outside. Make the most of the daily happy hour where it’s 2 for 1 Carlsberg beer and spirits everyday (plus 2 for 1 Cuba Libres on Mondays) from 5-9pm. Raining or not, we’re in.
10. Berliner Dom
Berliner Dom, or Berlin Cathedral, is the largest and most important Protestant church in Berlin, and is one of the most prominent sites in the city. A rainy day makes for a perfect time to step inside and admire the spectacular interior architecture with stunning stained glass and intricately decorated ceilings. The museum is small but informative and the historic crypt with royal tombs is a must. A climb up to the top is worth it every time, even if it isn’t the clearest of days.
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