How to: Celebrate Your Birthday for €0 in Berlin in 2023
-Written by Gracia de Nada-
You’re in Berlin and you have NO idea what to do on your birthday? Try freeloading around the city!
After 3 hours of research, I found 19 places that offer “Geburstagsrabatt” or free stuff on your birthday in Berlin. All you need is your ID and a BVG- or Deutschlandticket to get around.
To help you with the perfect itinerary, I came up with a day plan. There’s no time to waste, so let’s go!
Morning: “Meet” your favourite celebs & spot tropical fish
Download the Subway app and sign up for promotional emails. You’ll get free starter points in the app. Exchange these for a free hot drink on your birthday. On the day of your birthday, Subway sends you a QR code for a free cookie.
If you’re a heavy Starbucks drinker who’s attained Gold Member status, don’t forget to collect your free birthday drink.
Believers, Swifties, Star Wars fans: get your free entry to Madame Tussauds Berlin and take some epic selfies. Take some shots of the Brandenburger Gate while you’re here.
Next up: AquaDom & SEA LIFE. It’s just a 10-minute subway ride from Madame Tussauds. Tip: Fetch the map from the entrance and collect all the stamps to get a free medal.
Afternoon: Take in Berlin by boat & from “above”
The Berlin Reedereien offer free boat cruises on the River Spree for “Geburstagskinder.” Each tour lasts around 1-1.5 hours. Call them beforehand to reserve a seat, or just show up with your ID. Check at:
The following activities are one hour out of Berlin by train, so squeeze in 1-2 activities:
Love swimming and water slides? Tropical Island is for you.
Prefer to relax a bit on your birthday? Kristalltherme Ludwigsfelde and Therme Bad Saarow offer free entry.
Love to combine hiking with historical sights? You’ll enjoy Baumkronenpfad Beelitz-Heilstätten.
Evening: Cinema, Slot Machines & Sekt
Head to CinemaxX Potsdamer Platz for a free movie ticket. To be sure you can watch your movie of preference on your birthday, sign up for a membership card ahead of time.
If you’ve never played on fruit machines, walk over to SpielBank Berlin (2 minutes from CinemaxX). Show your ID to get free entry and €5 free credits to burn.
Travel to S+U Warschauer Straße to end your birthday night with a party: Matrixx Club gives birthday guests free entry and booze. Register in advance on the website, though!
Watch the video for inspiration. And get your free printable checklist with all 19 activities in the video description box!