Housing one of the most popular outdoor flea markets in Berlin, Maurpark attracts hordes of visitors every Sunday for its mad mix of stalls and, more unusually, its "bearpit karaoke."

Since early 2009, charismatic MC Joe Hatchiban and his battery-powered karaoke kit have taken to the park’s 1,500 capacity amphitheater to host wildly successful sing-along sessions.

From crooning older locals to break-dancing kids, the diversity of brave participants and their excitable audience make for an afternoon of top-class entertainment.

Gleimstrasse 55, 10437 Berlin

Price: Free

Navigate the city like a pro while sparing yourself the pricey, tourist-trapping coach tours with a top-deck ride on one of the city's standard double-decker buses.

Single tickets cost just 2.70 euros and last two hours, with the option of getting on and off at any point within that time.

The iconic 100 bus route passes by the Reichstag, Brandenburg Gate, Unter den Linden, Museum Island, the Fernsehturm (TV Tower), Berlin Zoo, and the Victory Column.

Hop off at cultural institution Haus der Kulturen der Welt to check out its impressive sci-fi design by architect Hugh Stubbins.

Find the bus route here.

Price: From 1,60€ (~$1.79) for a 6-stop ride

Though it lacks the old-world charm that characterizes many Berlin parks, Tempelhof is a truly unique urban space with an intriguing history.

The former airfield was only closed in 2008 and reopened in 2010 as a public park that dwarfs both Hyde Park in London and New York's Central Park as one of the largest free inner-city spaces in the world.

With a colossal 950 acres to explore, its runways have become an ideal setting for cycling, wind-surfing, skating, and rollerblading. Additional barbecuing and urban gardening areas have made it a much-loved communal park that was recently protected from development plans by public vote.

Tempelhof, 12101 Berlin

Daily, 06.00 – 21.30

Price: Free

While Berlin's infamous club scene offers extensive options for nights out that will rarely break the bank, a single ticket to the legendary Berliner Philharmonie can cost up to 100 euros.

In 2007, this renowned institution launched an ongoing program of free weekly lunch concerts during the symphony season.

Set in the building's iconic foyer, these shows welcome audiences of up to 1,500 guests and feature world-class instrumentalists from the Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester, Staatskapelle Berlin, and Berliner Philharmoniker – consistently voted one of the world's top orchestras.

With the Jewish memorial and the Brandenburg Gate just a stone's throw away, it also makes for a head-soothing retreat from the traditional sightseeing track.

Herbert-von-Karajan-Strasse 1, 10785 Berlin

September – June, every Tuesday, 13.00

Price: Free

As a city of seasonal extremes, Berlin summers can get pretty sweaty. So when it hits melting point there's only one thing to do: a trip to the lakes.

From sandy mini-beaches to official lidos, these natural water destinations vary greatly and often fill up fast. If you're able to rent a car for the day, we recommend visiting a more remote lake such as Liebnitzsee, otherwise the popular Schlachtensee is just a short walk or bike ride from Krumme Lanke U-Bahn station. For a calmer stretch of sandy sun-soaking, Kleiner Mügelsee is a little trickier to reach but well worth the effort.

A word of warning: Nudity is not unheard of at many Berlin lakes, so prepare to drop your hangups and (optionally) your swimwear!

Schlachtensee: walk / cycle from Krumme Lanke U-Bahn or Berlin-Schlachtensee S-Bahn

Kleiner Mügelsee: S3 to Köpenick S-Bahn, X69 bus to the end of the line, walk

Price: Free entry, transport from 3,30€ (~$3.70)

The unofficially appointed 'Thai Park' is one of Berlin's most unusual gourmet gems.

Every Sunday throughout the warmer months, Preußenpark in Wilmersdorf plays host to an extensive sit-down market and picnic, where you'll find some of the most authentic and delicious Thai food in the city.

Huddled under a sea of colorful umbrellas, traders sell a vast array of homemade sweet and savory treats that are rarely priced above five euros. Attracting young, old, and families alike, its unmistakable atmosphere makes it a must in our books.

Plus the neighboring flea market at Fehrbelliner Platz is well worth a browse for affordable trinkets.

Brandenburgische Strasse, 10707 Berlin

U-Bahn: Konstanzer Strasse

Price: From 1€ (~$1.12)

Tucked away in an unassuming corner of Berlin's lush Treptower park, the Soviet War Memorial and military cemetery is an epic sight to behold.

Opened in 1949, it was built as a tribute to the Soviet soldiers who lost their lives in the Battle of Berlin in 1945.

Its staggering design is set over 100,000 square meters and includes a 12-meter tall statue of a Soviet soldier standing on the remains of a broken swastika, serving as a powerful reminder of the city's long and fractured history.

Puschkinallee/ Elsenstrasse, 12435 Berlin

Price: Free

Berlin's markets aren't just great spots to pick up curious vintage souvenirs and delicious fresh food. They also provide perfect people-watching opportunities and snapshots of bustling daily activity.

Try the Turkish market along Maybachufer in Kreuzberg on Tuesdays and Fridays from 11 til 6.30 p.m. for everything from fresh juices, vegetables, and spices to unusual fabrics.

Then, just down the road, Berliners flock to buy and sell second-hand wares at the Nowkoelln market every second Sunday. Top off a visit with a scenic stroll to explore more of the Landwehr Canal. Any direction will do!

Turkish markets: Maybachufer, 12047 Berlin Neukölln
Tuesdays and Fridays, 11.00 – 18.30

Nowkoelln: Maybachufer 31, 12047 Berlin
Every second Sunday, 10.00 – 18.00

Price: Free entry, items from 50 cents

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