Adriatic Sea and football feeling in Berlin
No plan yet for the match-free days of UEFA Euro 2024? How about barbecues in the park, restaurants for meat lovers and the best places by the water? With our 11 tips for Croatian football fans, you'll always know what Berlin has to offer!
Tip 1: Barbecue in Berlin's parks
Football and barbecuing go together, that much is clear. But where do you actually barbecue in a bustling city like Berlin? Of course in one of the many parks. There's plenty of space for a picnic blanket, barbecue and salad bowls. You're also sure to meet like-minded people or hungry park visitors who would like a bite to eat. It's so easy to make new friends ... Once you've satisfied your hunger, you can set off from the parks to explore the nearby urban landscape. Or you can bring table tennis rackets and volleyball and challenge your new friends to a game.
Where: Various parks throughout Berlin
When: During the day and in the evening - follow the park rules
More about barbecue areas in Berlin
Tip 2: Enjoy meat at restaurants for meat lovers:inside
From barbecuing, we come straight to some special restaurants in Berlin - the restaurants for meat lovers:inside. Even in times of tofu, vegan duck and lentil roasts, many people don't want to miss out on a good steak. If you are one of these people, you should pay close attention now. Because meat enjoyment is truly celebrated here: from dry-aged steak to German classics such as schnitzel to offal and, of course, delicious burgers. So leave some room in your stomach for a barbecue. You can also watch Croatian national team matches here. You're sure to meet other Croatia fans!
Where: Various restaurants throughout Berlin
When: Different opening hours
More about the restaurants for meat lovers:Inside
Tip 3: Cool off in Berlin's swimming lakes
Summer starts just in time for the European Championships. And where better to cool off after a heated football match than in one of the many bathing lakes in and around Berlin? We don't quite come close to Adriatic conditions here. But Berlin has an incredible number of lakes and lidos throughout the city. You can easily reach many of them by S-Bahn, for example the famous lido at Wannsee. For others, it's best to hire a bike or a car. We have a special tip for keen anglers: fishing is permitted at some of the lakes. With a valid fishing licence, you can get a day ticket and provide your own barbecue.
Where: Various lakes in and around Berlin
More about the bathing lakes in Berlin
Tip 4: Visit the Croatian Culture, Art and Sports Community
40 years - that's how long the Croatian Culture, Art and Sports Community has existed in Berlin. This makes it one of the oldest Croatian communities in Europe. If you're looking for some peace and quiet and a familiar environment amidst all the UEFA EURO 2024 hustle and bustle, this is the place for you. Because what awaits you here is like a little Croatia in the middle of Berlin. With folklore, singing, art, sport, card games and much more, the members of the association forge links across national borders. Of course, not only Croatians are welcome, but anyone who is interested in Croatian culture, art and sport. To find out more about the events at the time of UEFA EURO 2024, please contact the municipality by phone or email. You can find all the important information on the website.
More about the Croatian arts, sports and culture community
Tip 5: Eat with a friend:Inside at the Marjan Grill restaurant
It tastes best at home - this wisdom naturally also applies to Croatia. But if home is a little further away, you just have to help yourself. That's what the owners of the Marjan Grill in the Hansaviertel neighbourhood thought too. Since 1981, guests have been welcomed here with Croatian hospitality and traditional dishes with meat, fish and more. The menu includes classics such as cevapcici as well as grilled platters for several people. Perfect conditions for a little trip with friends back to Croatia in the centre of Berlin.
Where: Flensburger Straße on the corner of Bartningallee, Stadtbahnbogen 411, Moabit
When: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday from 12pm to 11pm, Friday and Saturday from 12pm to midnight
More restaurants in Berlin
Tip 6: Relax in the Fluss Bad Garten
The Fluss Bad Garten starts its season just in time for UEFA EURO 2024. So if you need a little break between nerve-wracking matches, this is the place for you. The small oasis in the middle of the city welcomes you with deckchairs and cool drinks. Just the thing to cool down heated footballing tempers and relax. With a bit of luck (or after a look in the diary), one of the events organised by flussbad.berlin for the sustainable reactivation of the Spree Canal will even take place. Lots of relaxation and lots of information - and away from all the football hustle and bustle.
Where: Sperlingsgasse on the corner of Friedrichsgracht, Mitte
When: Daily from 12 to 6 p.m.
More about the Bad Garten river
Tip 7: Do something good for body and soul in the restaurants by the water
Of course, currywurst goes best with football. You'll also cut a good figure in the stadium. But if you're ever in Berlin, there's one thing you shouldn't miss out on: the relaxed restaurants and cafés by the water. Things are a little quieter here, but the selection of delicious treats is all the greater. And not just in terms of the food on offer, the restaurants couldn't be more different. There's a converted ship, an idyllic summer garden on the Island of Youth and, of course, numerous cafés and restaurants right on the Spree - you're guaranteed to find the perfect place for you. So let's get going before the best seats are already taken.
Where: Various locations in and around Berlin
When: Different opening hours depending on the restaurant
More about the restaurants by the water
Tip 8: Play billiards like Bata
Billiards is not only popular in Croatia. What used to be dismissed as a pub sport has also become an established sport in Germany. If you're looking for a pool table in Berlin, we've got something for you: the Bata. Or rather: the Batas, because there are two billiard bars. At the main railway station and at Alexanderplatz, you'll find the perfect conditions for your next match. Incidentally, the name comes from a not entirely unknown player from the Philippines. Efren "Bata" Reyes once taught the pros to fear. And just like the man who gave it its name, one thing is clearly in the foreground at Bata: the fun of playing.
Where: Bata am Hauptbahnhof, Heidestraße 50, Moabit, Bata am Alexanderplatz, Karl-Liebknecht-Straße 13, Mitte
When: Bata am Hauptbahnhof: daily from 3 pm; Bata am Alexanderplatz: Daily from 12 noon to 5 am
Tip 9: Enjoy a slice of Croatia in Kreuzberg at Split
Croatian cuisine in Kreuzberg - that's all you really need to know about the Split restaurant. If these four words make you curious, the following information will blow your mind. Because Split serves food like at homee. That means traditional pancakes, satarash and, of course, sljivovica. The restaurant was founded in 1966 by two young men from the village of Tijarica. Perfect conditions to enjoy the Croatian team's matches in a homely atmosphere.
Where: Blücherplatz 2, Kreuzberg
When: Daily from 11:30 am to 10 pm
More International Cuisine in Berlin
Tip 10: Listen to the piano concert by Marin Limić
If you're in the mood for some quieter music after all the fan chants, you should take a closer look at this tip. The renowned Croatian pianist and composer Marin Limić will be playing for you in the imposing Apostle Paul Church in Schöneberg. The programme includes Haydn and Brahms as well as the Klis-born artist's own compositions and piano arrangements. During your visit to the historic church in the brick building, you can also ask for divine assistance for the next game.
Where: Grunewaldstraße 77A, Schöneberg
When: 23 June at 4 pm
More about the piano concert with Marin Limić
Tip 11: Visit the Embassy of the Republic of Croatia
All important information for Croatian citizens in Germany in one place - that's the Embassy of the Republic of Croatia. The pretty embassy building is in a quiet location, but right next to one of Berlin's most famous nightlife areas, the Nollendorfkiez in Schöneberg. So if you need to sort out consular matters during the European Championships, you can do so here in peace and quiet. And then head straight back to the hustle and bustle of football at Nollendorfplatz afterwards.
Where: Ahornstraße 4, Schöneberg
When: Monday to Friday from 9am to 1pm, Tuesdays additionally from 4pm to 6pm
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