Berlin's news and new openings in summer 2025
Berlin, July 2025 Summer and Berlin - a dream couple once again this year. And a guarantee for a wealth of events and activities for locals and guests from all over the world. Whether it's cool drinks or hot sports competitions, archaeology or high-tech art: there are more reasons to visit Berlin than there are days in the summer. The celebrations to mark the 200th anniversary of Museum Island will even last a whole five years. And they give us one of Berlin's most beautiful summer locations right on the Spree. Potsdamer Platz is changing, a petrol station is becoming a gallery and there is a window underground on Petriplatz. We show you all this and more views of the second half of the year in our summer newsletter about Berlin - the city that, according to the latest "Europe's Best Cities" study, is once again one of the three most attractive metropolises in Europe.
We hope you enjoy reading and find inspiration
Your media team from visitBerlin
Enjoy Berlin
Museum Island turns 200 - Berlin celebrates its cultural centre (facts and figures). A special attraction is the Kolonna-den Bar in the historic setting of the Alte Nationalgalerie. From Wednesday to Sunday until the end of August, there is music, drinks and space to relax right by the water.
Nearby is another summer highlight: for twelve summer evenings from 17 July to 9 August, the open-air festival "Durchlüften" brings global sounds from cumbia punk to dodo blues to the Schlüterhof of the Humboldt Forum - admission is free and dancing is guaranteed.
Berlin's theatres are also in top form in summer: open-air productions under the stars, international guest performances and a continuous programme: Berlin's theatre landscape delights in the summer at extraordinary venues - from Zita-delle Spandau to Monbijoupark.
Berlin's top gastronomy has reached the very top - with the new Sphere Tim Raue restaurant in the TV tower. Here, classic regional dishes meet exotic flavours - and a unique view.
This year's Michelin Guide ratings once again prove that Berlin's gastronomy is absolutely top class. There are more Michelin-starred restaurants in the capital than anywhere else in Germany.
A hot tip for the summer is the grill restaurant Kramer in Neukölln. Here, everything revolves around cooking with an open flame. Grilled pineapple in leche de tigre, dumplings with burnt leek or plucked duck or octopus from the iron pan: in a smoky atmosphere, aromatically dense dishes with Latin American temperament and Japanese depth are created. More samples of Berlin's creative cuisine can be found here.
From urban art to skyscrapers
Urban art with a view of Berlin: a lost place becomes a canvas. On the Teufelsberg in Berlin's Grunewald forest - once a US listening ground, now a hotspot for urban art - urban artists have recently started offering graffiti and street art workshops with a panoramic view of the city. The highest point in Berlin is not only one of the most exciting places for creativity and team events, but also one of the hottest street art locations in Europe.
The hotel industry never stands still in Berlin. Urban art meets hospitality at the newly opened NYX Hotel in Köpenick. Outside, two monumental murals welcome hotel guests, while inside there is a light installation and surreal sculptures. The hotel also includes the Clash Kitchens and Bar restaurant with a view of the River Dahme. The kitchen management changes here every four months - Berlin is always on the move.
Berlin has a new skyscraper: The Estrel Tower will open at the end of 2026 and will rise into the sky as Germany's tallest hotel tower - a spectacular location for hotel accommodation or meetings with 45 floors.
Right on the waterfront, the new open-air location Waterfront with its urban beach feeling, chestnut trees and view of the shipping canal invites you to relax, meet or celebrate by the water - Berlin-Neukölln shows its summery side here.
More hotel news hereand otherinsider tips for summer in Berlin
A square reinvents itself
The SONY Centre at Potsdamer Platz under the iconic glass tent roof has become "Das Center": more open, greener and airier. A central element here is the KERB Food Hall, which is also new. Twelve creative restaurateurs offer their creations at Berlin's new street food hotspot. The new water feature, a ground-level fountain, provides relaxing moments. Whether for playing, taking a deep breath or simply lingering - a green oasis has been created in the middle of the hustle and bustle of the city.
Nearby, there has been plenty to laugh about since April at the Punch Line Club in the basement of the legendary theatre on Potsdamer Platz. The curator is Michael Mittermeier, who has been a fixture on the German comedy scene for many years.
Also at the Theater am Potsdamer Platz, Cirque du Soleil is bringing its first permanent show to Europe: the new programme ALIZÉ celebrates its premiere on 24 October. The world-famous troupe continues to set new standards in artistry, stage design and the aesthetics of magic nouvelle - and will certainly do so in its new home in the capital. Advance tickets are already on sale.
Find out more about Potsdamer Platz
Even more show
The new Grand Show "BLINDED by DELIGHT" starts on 8 October at the Friedrichstadt-Palast, the largest theatre stage in the world. Music, dance and an opulent backdrop combine to create a tribute to happiness. Advance tickets are already on sale for this show too.
At DARK MATTER, the stage is an entire hall. This summer, the SKALAR art installation will fascinate visitors with an immersive world of light and sound. The main roles here are played by 90 spotlights, 65 mirrors and a multidimensional sound system.
Berlin's shows at a glance
History(ies) from decades and centuries
Berlin's history epitomises the value of freedom like no other city. In November, the city is hosting the first Berlin Freedom Week to mark the 36th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall. The capital will become an international stage for committed voices, courageous ideas and shared visions. Conferences, cultural events, workshops and interactive formats for all generations are planned.
The International Congress Centre (ICC) is a landmark in Berlin's architectural history - spectacular in its dimensions and design. Closed since 2014, it will open its doors again on 13 and 14 September as part of "49h ICC". Architecture fans and friends of lost places can visit large parts of one of the world's largest congress centres on Open Monument Day. There will also be music, films and guided tours.
The refurbishment took two years - now one of Berlin's most important squares, the Gendarmenmarkt, has reopened. The panorama of the German Cathedral, French Cathedral and concert hall has always been an eye-catcher. The new state-of-the-art rainwater management system installed beneath the square remains invisible.
PETRI Berlin, an innovative archaeology centre, opened in June. In addition to centuries-old exhibits, visitors can also learn about the latest archaeological methods. And the "Archaeological Window" on the ground floor offers a view of historical wall remains.
Small but mighty: a listed petrol station in Bülowstraße has been a gallery for contemporary art since May. The petrol station is also worth a visit thanks to its cosy garden café.
The historic Pfaueninselschloss is one of the most romantic places in the city. It has been open again since May, making the idyllic Peacock Island a wonderful destination for a trip to the countryside and the water. Our podcast features an episode about Berlin's palaces and gardens.
History meets skill at the Spy Museum on Leipziger Platz. In addition to exciting impressions from the world of agents and secret services, there will be a new laser course from July. 48 laser barriers have to be overcome to avert a fictitious catastrophe.
More new openings
Sporting premieres
The Olympic Stadium has already seen a lot - but never this: in autumn, it will host a competitive National Football League (NFL) game for the first time. And further games of the world's biggest football league will follow in 2027 and 2029.
There will be another first on 15 November in the Rotes Rathaus: urban style meets elegance and hip-hop meets classical music at the Hip Hop Ball.
More Sport Events
On the occasion of the UEFA Women's EURO 2025, here are the best tips for public viewing & events in Berlin
Further information
You can find images on our website in the download area and current press releases here. An overview of many new Berlin openings can be found here in our visitBerlin blog. Berlin's annual highlights are summarised here.
Please contact us if you have any questions.
