Summer refresh: These are the most beautiful beer gardens in Berlin

1. Café am Neuen See

An excellent beer garden in Tiergarten, this small open-air jewel awaits thirsty visitors. The Café am Neuen See is located on the lake of the same name and serves not only freshly tapped beer, but also Bavarian and regional delicacies. Here you can sit down at comfortable tables or on benches close to the water and enjoy soft pretzels and cold beer while the surrounding giant trees provide a pleasant coolness. If you want to burn off a few calories after the feast, you can rent a rowing boat from the beer garden's own boat rental and paddle across the enchanting lake landscape. A successful mix of culinary delights and recreational fun, this popular beer garden attracts both long-established Berliners as well as many tourists every day.

2. Loretta am Wannsee

It's not a proper German summer until you spend the day by one of the many lakes in Berlin, soaking up sunshine and swimming in glistening waters. What better way to end the day than at the nearby beer garden? Loretta am Wannsee is Berlin beer garden popular among locals especially, who love enjoying cold litres of beer while looking over the expansive Wannsee lake. Get there early to snag a table, though: Berliners will stake out a spot, and once the sun starts to set and the lights underneath the trees twinkle on, there won't be any seats free. Live music accompanies delicious hearty German meals and snacks, making for the perfect typical German summer beer garden experience.

3. Bierhof Rüdersdorf

A hidden beer garden right next to Berlin's biggest techno club: next to Berghain is a small oasis where you can listen to the bass and sink into one of the comfortable deckchairs. Bierhof Rüdersdorf is a Berlin beer garden especially popular among tech music lovers who want to soak up sun, beer, and beats at the same time. In the evening, the industrial setting is atmospherically illuminated, giving it an ambience as individual as it is charming, and will certainly encourage some visitors to end the night next door.

4. Schleusenkrug

First opened in 1954, Schlesenkrug was named after its location at the Tiergarten lock. The beer garden was formerly a small kiosk that supplied ship passengers with ice cream and refreshments. During the renovation of the lock facility, the small hut was transformed into a restaurant with a large open space directly on the waterfront. In addition to hearty delicacies such as tarte flambée, schnitzel, Leberkäs or Maultauschen, unusual creations such as warm spinach salad with beetroot hummus are also served here. Meanwhile, the numerous types of beer, wine or schnapps on the extensive drinks menu will quench any thirst. You can easily spend an entire day in this highly frequented Berlin beer garden near the zoo.

5. BRLO Biergarten

A beer garden with its own brewery - and right next to the Gleisdreieck: The BRLO beer garden serves home-brewed beer and provides guided tours through its holy brewing halls. In addition to porter or pale ale, Helles is also produced here, which flows into the glasses of guests in the beer garden and in-house restaurant next door. Guided tours are not the only part of the interactive agenda for beer lovers: events such as Motto Brunches or brewing festivals are also regularly on the programme. A successful overall concept for Berliners who love to have fun and drink.

6. Pratergarten

Perhaps not the most beautiful, but one of the oldest beer gardens in Berlin, the Prater has survived two world wars and continues to open its doors, steeped in history, to loyal followers of beer culture. Here you will find traditional beer benches and a self-service counter where you can choose between the in-house Praterpils, Alster, Hefeweizen, wine spritzers or refreshing fizzy drinks. Small snacks such as fried sausages, baked potatoes or pickled gherkins are also available to satisfy your cravings. The laidback atmosphere and traditional setting will appeal to anyone looking for a typical Berlin beer garden.

7. Golgotha

The Golgatha beer garden, located in Kreuzberg’s Viktoriapark, is not only impressive because of its size. There is room for up to 1,000 beer buddies, who can sit down either in the garden or on the beautiful roof terrace. Whether beer, wine, or fizzy sodas, cake or grilled meat - there are few places in Berlin where you can ring in the night so atmospherically.

Bonus: Moabiter Freiheit

Small open-air refuge on the busy Turmstrasse: In Moabiter Freiheit you can relax from the hustle and bustle of the surrounding big city. Comfortable deck chairs, beer benches, and a large sandbox invite both young and old to take a deep breath. At the self-service counter you will not only find various bottled and draught beers, but also delicious burgers and salads, freshly and lovingly prepared. The freedom promised in the name is not only expressed by the view into the open sky, but also in the form of the colourful clientele. This is where party-packed singles meet young families, established Berliners meet newcomers - and celebrate their love of the city and beer in relaxed fellowship.

Not a beer drinker? No worries, there are many ways to enjoy the summer in Berlin! Check out our guide to the capital's best parks, or taste-test some of the best restaurants in the city.

Translated by Catherine Norris