Bundespressestrand

Located on the Spree smack in the middle of the government district not far from the Hauptbahnhof, the Bundespressestrand (literally: "national press beach") is more interesting than its name suggests. Started by an unemployed journalist in 2003, it quickly became the beach bar in Germany's capital.

Sitting beneath palm leaves watching passing river traffic, guests can enjoy the usual selection of drinks as well as grilled meats and salads. Thursday evenings feature salsa music, while on Sundays from 3pm a family dance event is held. From May 16th onwards there'll also be a volleyball court, free until 5pm, €12 / hour thereafter.

Daily from 10am. No EC / credit cards.

Historical note: the Bundespressestrand's current location on the path of the former Berlin Wall, in a once "forbidden" zone between the Stadtbahn viaduct and the Spree.