As summer comes to a close and autumn sets in Berlin celebrates with the Tour of Lights. For a week and a half the city nights light up with light art at over 70 locations. And when autumn comes to an end Christmas markets pop-up all over the city. But there is plenty to do in the German capital in between.

Enjoy the colours of autumn

Berlin's many parks explode with colour as the season sets in and the autumn foliage turns yellow, orange and red. When it's sunny, autumn is a great time to spend an afternoon strolling through Tiergarten. With it tree lined paths and lawns, memorials and café and beer garden, the park is a breath of fresh air away from the hustle and bustle of the city streets.

Other great ways to observe autumn's colours include taking a cruise on the Spree, it is a great way to tour the inner city sights on the shore, or wandering through the immaculate gardens of Charlottenburg Palace, which are considered a world renowned example of garden design. Or choose one of the many other parks in the city, such as Monbijoupark or Volkspark Friedrichshain.

Explore Museum Island

Rainy days are inevitable in autumn, Museum Island is a great place to take shelter for the day. With its five distinct museums, Museum Island allows you to travel the world and through time all while remaining on the UNESCO World Heritage listed island in the Spree.

Discover ancient Egyptian artefacts, portraits and sculptures of the 19th century at the Neues Museum, learn more about the glorious days of Athens at the Alte Nationalgalerie and discover fascinating exhibits from the Middles Ages to the 19th century at the Bode Museum. The Pergamon Museum is Berlin’s most visited museum and displays, the Museum of the Ancient Near East and the Museum of Islamic Art while the Altes Museum made the rulers’ and princes’ Collection of Classical Antiquities available to the public. +

Delight in seasonal food

Enjoying seasonal produce is a way of life in Germany. Summers see plenty of people toting around freshly picked strawberries and other fruity delights. In autumn the focus shifts to chanterelles, apples and pumpkins. Head to one of Berlin's many weekly markets to explore the seasonal bounty nature and the harvest produce.

Autumn also brings Germany's largest food festival to Berlin: Berlin Food Week from 9th until 15th of October. Berlin Food Week promises to be a delectable journey through the culinary delights of this vibrant and diverse city. This annual event celebrates Berlin's thriving food scene, bringing together renowned chefs, innovative food concepts, and food enthusiasts from around the world. From trendy street food markets to Michelin-starred dining experiences, the Berlin Food Week offers a tantalizing array of gastronomic adventures. Visitors can expect to savor a fusion of flavors, explore the latest food trends, and engage in workshops and discussions on sustainable and ethical dining.

Shop till you drop

In case museums aren't what you are looking for on rainy day, then we certainly recommend exploring Berlin's shopping scene. The German capital is a must-visit for shopaholics. It has everything from designer labels and locally made artisan goods to bookshops and flea markets.

If you are ready to splurge on some designer brands or some window shopping, head to the most famous shopping street in the city, Kurfürstendamm (or Ku'damm to locals). It is home to designer stores such as Armani, Chanel and Yves Saint Laurent.

Continue onto Tauentzienstraße to make your way to Berlin's largest department store, Kaufhaus des Westens (or KaDeWe). With over 60,000 square meters of retail space and more than 380,000 articles available, it is the second largest department store in Europe after Harrods in London.

Is your budget a little smaller? Then you might want to head over to Prenzlauer Berg. The district is dotted with children's shops, indie boutiques and casual restaurants. On Sunday's the flea market in Mauerpark draws browsers and buskers. And the KulturBrauerei, a former brewery complex, is now home to shops and a food market on Sundays.

Getting around Berlin in autumn

No matter the weather, the Berlin City Sightseeing buses will get you where you want to go in the city. When the sun is shining the roof of the top deck is folded away so you can enjoy all the sights and sounds of the city. When the weather turns, the roof slides back into place, keeping you warm and dry inside.

Whether you come to Berlin for Berlin Food Week, Oktoberfest, Halloween or just to explore this iconic city, Berlin in autumn won't disappoint! There are plenty of things to do in Berlin all year round.