There are two camping options in the city: urban and rural. Rural is what you might imagine, with people pitching tents on popular campsites around the lakes in summer. Less common is the urban alternative. You will have to make your own call as to whether it is safe, but hundreds of people, many of them families, simply drag mattresses out into places such as Görlitzer Park to spend a dry summer’s night under the stars. Note that this is not strictly legal, as pitching a tent in Germany is technically only allowed on designated camping spots – of which there is only one in central Berlin, Tentstation.

Camping is a popular way to take a cheap, convenient holiday. Camping sites around Germany are usually government-run and extremely tidy. Use common sense when deciding what to bring (thermal underwear any season but in the summer, swimwear and rainwear for camping by a lake). The magazine Camping, Cars & Caravans (www.camping-cars-caravans.de) provides practical tips and spots to try. Camping for a night with a group, including caravan and tourist tax costs about €20 for the whole group. Camping with a tent typically costs between €1 and €5.

For equipment, check out Mont K (030 44 825 90, www.mont-k.de) in Prenzlauer Berg or Camp 4 (030 242 6634, www.camp4.de) on Karl-Marx Allee. Before heading out, check for the closest camping location at www.camping-in.de.