As every lover of Germany knows, while the Central European winters can be brutal they're more than made up for by glorious summer.

With the warm weather comes a wealth of opportunities to enjoy the natural beauty of the Federal Republic – or just to sit outdoors in a trendy part of town drinking Radler or cocktails.

Whatever it is that gets you out catching rays, there's one thing above all that will bring rewards in the German summer: planning!

So here are some of the things The Local journalists past and present think you shouldn't miss this summer – from boozing to bicycles:

1. Get a refreshing summer drink to slake your thirst

Photo: DPA

Litres of beer not your thing on a hot day? Fear not! It's perfectly acceptable to drink wine mixed with sparkling water or hyper-caffeinated ice tea instead – and there's plenty of other possibilities to explore…

2. Get wet and wild in the great outdoors

Photo: jkb / Wikimedia Commons.

3. Get on your bike

Photo: DPA

The Dutch and the Danes are famous for their cycling – but Germans put in a good effort to keep up with the neighbours with their thousands of kilometres of cycling trails. From the saddle you'll see sides of Germany you might never experience otherwise.

4. Get stuck into extreme sports

Photo: Alma/Wikimedia Commons

All that nature isn't just good for lying on or looking at. Adventurous people come alive in summer as suddenly the weather is perfect for feats of physical daring – whether on land, in the water, or up in the air.

5. Just get weird

Photo: DPA

Ok, ok – there are plenty of wholesome, family-friendly things you can do in the summer in Germany. But it wouldn't be the same if there weren't also opportunities to get naked or bring your lederhosen-clad toddler to the beer garden. These are just some of the most bizarre things Germans get up to in the summer.