When you think of September in Berlin, you might picture crisp autumn air and cozy cafes. I thought so too so I jumped at the chance to go on a business trip to Berlin in early September. I figured I could work for a couple of days and then spend a bleisure travel weekend revisiting this vibrant German city.
The weather definitely had a surprise in store. It was extremely hot–stiflingly hot! So, how do you make the most of an amazing city like Berlin when the heat is bearing down?
Join me as I recap my early September trip to Berlin. At times we’ll beat the heat and at others we’ll embrace it.
Navigating the Heat: Practical Tips and Challenges
Based on my experience, here’s one crucial piece of practical advice you absolutely need to remember: Make sure you book a hotel that has decent air-conditioning.
It’s important to check past reviews because, unlike what you might be used to in places like the U.S., air conditioning in Germany is not as common.
Plus, when you do find air-conditioning, it’s typically not as strong because of the constraints on the types of refrigerants they are allowed to use there.
Having a cool refuge makes a world of difference when it’s boiling outside, so do your homework.
In addition, Berlin is a city with a lot of nightlife. If there is no air-conditioning, that means you’ll need to open the windows in your hotel room so it could get noisy, making it difficult to sleep. While you’re looking at hotel reviews, see what they have to say about noise as well before you make your final choice. Warning signs include references to restaurants, bars, and nightclubs nearby.
We chose to stay at the Hampton East Side Gallery. The hotel was a bit pricey at around 250 EUR per night, but the reviews said the hotel had decent air-conditioning so we went for it! We are so glad we did.
Finding Refuge and Discovery Inside at the Museum für Naturkunde
When the sun was relentless and the pavement felt like a frying pan, seeking refuge indoors became a priority for us. We decided to head to the Museum für Naturkunde, Berlin’s Natural History Museum. It was a perfect escape!
Located in a very impressive building, the museum kept us entertained for a few air-conditioned hours. We got to appreciate the giant dinosaur bones, which are the showpiece of the museum. Plus, there was an exhibit chock-full of taxidermy birds.
As someone who likes birdwatching, I really enjoyed that exhibit. I even spotted my favorite shoebill stork! We found that the Museum für Naturkunde is an excellent option to get out of the heat and learn a little bit about the world around us.
Exploring Berlin’s Fiery Street Art Scene
We couldn’t stay inside all day, despite the heat, because Berlin’s energy is definitely out on the streets. While we would have preferred milder weather for our street art tour, we still ventured out to experience the city’s incredible and edgy art scene.
We signed up for a 3-hour walking tour with Berlin Walks focused on the Kreuzberg neighborhood (20 EUR per person).
Our guide was from England but he’d been living in Berlin for about 30 years. The tour focused on the East Side Gallery, the famous stretch of the former Berlin Wall with spectacular, often politically charged scenes painted by artists from around the world.
We found it to be a powerful and vibrant outdoor museum. We also took the U-Bahn to Kreuzberg, where we learned about the history of street art in this area.
There was street art everywhere in Kreuzberg! We even saw some two- and three-story murals. We also spotted tags from various famous street art crews like 1UP that currently work or have worked here in the past, giving a glimpse into the city’s edgy artistic history.
The real magic, though, was ducking into quiet courtyards, like Haus Schwarzenberg near Hackescher Markt, that were home to smaller, more eclectic pieces. Here, layer upon layer of street art met us at every turn, a visual adventure that showed us just how deeply ingrained street art is in Berlin’s culture.
Don’t let the heat completely dictate your plans. Put on some sunblock, don a hat, and bring plenty of water and you will still be able to enjoy outdoor activities like these.
A Balanced Approach to Berlin in September
Despite the unexpected and oppressive heat, our early September trip to Berlin was full of discovery. By focusing on exploring Berlin inside and out – finding cool, educational solace in the impressive Museum für Naturkunde and braving the city streets to soak in the spectacular layers of street art in Kreuzberg and at the East Side Gallery – we got to experience different facets of this dynamic city.
It just goes to show that even when the weather throws you a curveball, a little planning and a mix of activities can yield a positive and memorable trip!
Where to Next?
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