# re:publica: what to do between sessions in Berlin

Source: https://eventweekends.com/trade-show/republica/
Last checked: 2026-11-02

## In short

- **When:** 17 to 19 May 2027 (expected, not yet confirmed by the organiser)
- **Where:** Arena Berlin and STATION, Berlin, Germany, about 4 km from the centre
- **Free time:** The show floor takes the day, so the evenings, a companion day and the day after are free.
- **Best base:** Mitte: Walk to Museum Island and the Brandenburg Gate.
- **Getting there:** Berlin Brandenburg (BER) has FEX and regional trains to the Hauptbahnhof in 30 minutes; buy an ABC ticket.
- **Weather:** In May, Berlin averages highs of about 20°C and lows of 9°C, with roughly 53 mm of rain in the month. Expect about 15 h 50 min of daylight.
- **Top things to do:** Berlin Wall and Cold War walking tour; Spree river cruise; Potsdam palaces day trip

## Weather and what to pack

In May, Berlin averages highs of about 20°C and lows of 9°C, with roughly 53 mm of rain in the month. Expect about 15 h 50 min of daylight.
- A warm layer for the evenings.
- A light rain jacket, just in case.
- Comfortable shoes: a day on the show floor easily means 15,000 steps.

## Airport to venue

Berlin Brandenburg (BER) has FEX and regional trains to the Hauptbahnhof in 30 minutes; buy an ABC ticket.

S-Bahn to Treptower Park.

## Where to stay

- **budget:** Friedrichshain and Kreuzberg. Cheaper hotels and lively bars.
- **mid:** Mitte. Walk to Museum Island and the Brandenburg Gate.
- **luxury:** Pariser Platz and Charlottenburg. Grand hotels like the Adlon.
- Hotels we would book: Generator Berlin Mitte (budget), Motel One Berlin-Hauptbahnhof (mid), Hotel Adlon Kempinski Berlin (luxury)

## Day plans for the free hours

### Evening one (Monday 17 May)

After the show floor closes: dinner and a short evening outing.
- Evening: Street food and Kreuzberg tour. Currywurst, döner and Markthalle Neun.
- Eat: Curry 36, Currywurst

### Evening two (Tuesday 18 May)

Team dinner night. Book early: every group in town wants the same tables.
- Eat: Mustafa's Gemüse Kebap, Famous vegetable kebab; queue
- After dark: Kreuzberg and Friedrichshain bars and clubs.

### Companion day (Tuesday 18 May)

For partners who came along and do not have a badge.
- Full day: Potsdam palaces day trip. Sanssouci and the gardens.

### The day after the show (Thursday 20 May)

Push the flight back a day. A full free day costs little and the city empties out.
- Half-day: Berlin Wall and Cold War walking tour. Checkpoint Charlie, the Wall memorial and East Side Gallery.
- Eat: Katz Orange, Slow-roasted pork in an old brewery
- Free: Tempelhofer Feld, the old airport park.

### Team outing

For corporate groups of 10 to 40: private tours and tastings book out first.
- Eat: Café Einstein, Viennese coffee house

## Tours worth booking

- [Berlin Wall and Cold War walking tour](https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=Berlin%20Wall%20tour&partner_id=BJZNH3H&cmp=ew-md-republica): Checkpoint Charlie, the Wall memorial and East Side Gallery.
- [Spree river cruise](https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=Berlin%20river%20cruise&partner_id=BJZNH3H&cmp=ew-md-republica): One hour past the government quarter.
- [Potsdam palaces day trip](https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=Potsdam%20day%20trip&partner_id=BJZNH3H&cmp=ew-md-republica): Sanssouci and the gardens.
- [Sachsenhausen memorial tour](https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=Sachsenhausen%20tour&partner_id=BJZNH3H&cmp=ew-md-republica): Concentration camp memorial north of Berlin.
- [Street food and Kreuzberg tour](https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=Berlin%20food%20tour&partner_id=BJZNH3H&cmp=ew-md-republica): Currywurst, döner and Markthalle Neun.
- [Reichstag dome visit with guide](https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=Reichstag%20tour&partner_id=BJZNH3H&cmp=ew-md-republica): Free entry needs registration; tours add context.
- [Bike tour of Berlin](https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=Berlin%20bike%20tour&partner_id=BJZNH3H&cmp=ew-md-republica): Flat city, easy riding.
- [Dresden day trip](https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=Dresden%20day%20trip%20from%20Berlin&partner_id=BJZNH3H&cmp=ew-md-republica): Rebuilt baroque city, 2 hours.

## Where to eat

- Markthalle Neun: Street Food Thursday in Kreuzberg
- Curry 36: Currywurst
- Mustafa's Gemüse Kebap: Famous vegetable kebab; queue
- Katz Orange: Slow-roasted pork in an old brewery
- Café Einstein: Viennese coffee house

## With kids

- Berlin Zoo and Aquarium.
- German Museum of Technology.
- Legoland Discovery Centre.

## Rainy-day backups

- Pergamon complex and the museums on Museum Island.
- DDR Museum.
- Jewish Museum.

## Getting around

- U-Bahn and S-Bahn run all night on weekends. Buy AB tickets for the city, ABC for the airport and Potsdam.
- The Olympiastadion has its own S-Bahn and U-Bahn stations.
- Deutsche Bahn ICE trains link the big cities; the Deutschlandticket covers all local and regional transport for a monthly fee.
- Trade fair and event tickets often include free local transport: check yours.

## Questions people ask

### When is re:publica 2027?

The next edition is 17 to 19 May 2027, following the usual pattern. The organiser has not confirmed it yet.

### What is the weather like during re:publica?

In May, Berlin averages highs of about 20°C and lows of 9°C, with roughly 53 mm of rain in the month. Expect about 15 h 50 min of daylight.

### How do I get from the airport to Arena Berlin and STATION?

Berlin Brandenburg (BER) has FEX and regional trains to the Hauptbahnhof in 30 minutes; buy an ABC ticket. S-Bahn to Treptower Park.

### Where should I stay for re:publica?

For most visitors the best base is Mitte: Walk to Museum Island and the Brandenburg Gate.

### What can we do between sessions at re:publica?

Good short outings in Berlin include Berlin Wall and Cold War walking tour, Spree river cruise, Reichstag dome visit with guide. See the day plans on this page for a full schedule.

### What is there for kids and families near re:publica?

Family-friendly picks: Berlin Wall and Cold War walking tour, Spree river cruise, Potsdam palaces day trip. Berlin Zoo and Aquarium.

### How far is Arena Berlin and STATION from Berlin centre?

About 4 km in a straight line. S-Bahn to Treptower Park.

More in Berlin: https://eventweekends.com/city/berlin/