Reservations: 10:00 – 18:00 (Sun-Fri)
Reception Hotel & Hostel: 24 hours
Apartments Concierge: 08:00 – 20:00
From Bach to Bonfires
Berlin in the springtime is arguably when our home city is in its very best of moods, perhaps because it marks the end of what can sometimes be a long, cold (but often beautiful) winter. If you are planning a trip to Berlin this Easter, whether for a long weekend or a more extended stay, you can expect to see blossom on the trees, the first cafe terraces open for business, and a mix of traditional events and more contemporary attractions.
If you are looking for the perfect European city-break this Easter, then we’d love to welcome you to The Circus and all that Berlin has to offer.
BERLIN IN BLOOM… AND IN FLAMES!
With Easter being reasonably late in 2025 you can expect that the many parks and gardens of the city are already springing back to life, and the streets around Rosenthaler Platz will be alive with the pink and white of the blossom on the trees. It is a brilliant time of year to explore Berlin’s parks and gardens – you can check out our very own guide to the best of them here.
A couple of Easter traditions that you might want to get in on… brave souls will be heading down to the Strandbad Wannsee on Good Friday. This is Berlin’s historic lakeside bathing beach, built in the 1920s and a popular spot for Berliners to cool off throughout the summer. Good Friday is the traditional opening, even in the years when it has been known to come with a light dusting of snow!
A slightly warmer option are the traditional Easter bonfires. There are a number of bonfires taking place across the city, but one of the most famous and picturesque is held on Easter Saturday at Britzer Garten. A few days later, this beautiful park will also begin its tree blossom festival, so it is well worth checking out.
MORE EASTER EVENTS
There’s quite a lot going on across the city over Easter weekend – which is good because this being Germany, most of the shops will be closed on Good Friday, Easter Sunday and Easter Monday – something to keep in mind ahead of your trip. Easter weekend marks the last few days of the Festtage der Staatsoper Berlin, the most important opera festival of the year in the city, which in 2025 takes place between the 11th and 21st April.
One of the musical highlights of Easter weekend is Good Friday with Bach. Organ works by the legendary composer are performed by the prizewinning cathedral organist at the Berliner Dom and entrance is free. More information via Visit Berlin. Also on Good Friday there is a special live performance at the Konzerthaus. This year the Konzerthaus Orchestra and the RIAS Chamber Choir will be performing Haydn’s ‘The Seven Last Words of Our Saviour on the Cross’.
For something a little different, check out the 18th Easter Knights Festival at the Spandau Citadel, with a huge historical market, music and shows, knight tournaments and all kinds of food and drink offers – some more authentic than others. Visit Berlin has some information about the festival in English.
BEERS IN THE OPEN AIR
Easter weekend is also the time that many cafes and restaurants wide down their tables, pull the outdoor chairs from storage and open up their terraces for the first time. And it also marks the opening of some of Berlin’s most famous beer gardens… depending on the weather of course.
The closest beer garden to The Circus is also the oldest… The Prater has been welcoming thirsty guests since it was opened a kilometre or so from the Berlin city walls in 1837. Since then the city has grown up around it, but it still remains one of the best spots to grab an alfresco beer, a sausage, and soak up the atmosphere in the shadow of the horse chestnut trees.
Other beer gardens that are worth travelling a bit for, are the Cafe am Neuen See in the middle of the Tiergarten. This is Berlin’s Central Park, and a great place for a stroll before you find a spot on the terrace (or inside the restaurant if the weather is bad). Another good option with both inside and outdoor seating is BRLO. Owned by one of Berlin’s best craft breweries, this is another fine option on a sunny or rainy day.
JOIN US IN BERLIN THIS EASTER
As well as everything we’ve already described, Berlin’s churches will all be hosting special Easter services, while Alexanderplatz is home to the now-traditional Easter market. Old-style bakeries sell traditional breads (‘Osterbrot’) and of course there are all kinds of chocolate on sale. Most museums and galleries maintain regular hours (but check before visiting, given the number of public holidays involved) and of course don’t forget to explore everything we have on offer with our regular series of tours and activities at The Circus.
We also have special deals for those deciding to stay with us for five or eight days (or more), so if you fancy extending your trip to Berlin, now is the time to book! You’ll find details of all our deals on the offers page and remember, they are good for The Circus Hotel, The Circus Hostel or The Circus Apartments: the choice is yours!