Amsterdam: Blijburg city beach
Spotted by Gisela Clarke
As of 5 June Blijburg - my favourite Amsterdam City Beach - opened again for the new summer season. The vibe here is relaxed, and it makes you feel as if you're far away from busy city life. There's a beach and water, but I prefer the bar/restaurant terrace with its laid back music and people just relaxing and having a good time.
You can take tram 26 from Central Station, but it would be even better to cycle, then you can stay late. Blijburg is also open at night for concerts and parties, but you will have to check the website for the programme.
• Blijburg (see on a map), Bert Haanstrakade 2004, Waterfront/North; +310204160330. Open from June until October daily.
Munich: Kulturstrand – three-month beach bar
Spotted by Andreas Eder
For three months, the beautiful park balcony above the river Isar gets transformed into the most lively beach spot in Munich.
Right behind the south end of the island where the famous Deutsches Museum resides, Kulturstrand is a beach, bar, bands and chillout space. It's your individual beach, whether you're just enjoying the peace of the river or coming for some open-air-cocktails – a true city oasis. And it's a perfect place to meet friends and start the night as it's just 400 meters from nightlife magnet Gärtnerplatz.
While beach bars along the river are "normal" in Berlin or Hamburg – Munich is slowly but surely catching up…
• Kulturstrand (see on a map), Corneliusbrücke, Isarvorstadt. Open from 23 May – 22 Aug, 12pm – 11pm daily
Barcelona: Mecal Air – open-air films
Spotted by Yolanda Molinero
With the summer comes many options for open-air city cinema, but none are as original and cosy as Mecal Air. Mecal is Barcelona's International Short Film Festival and it is usually held in April at select cinemas around the city. It hosts a selection of international and animation short films, video clips, obscure films, etc.
Its summer version, which started very sucessfully last year, is held in an open-air terrace inside the unbelievable venue of Poble Espanyol. This year's themes include Freak out!, Japan or OK Computer, and there's a bar offering drinks and barbecue.
Bring your picnic or stroll around Poble Espanyol before or after the movies for one of the best plans for a summer's night.
• Mecal Air (see on map), Marques de Comillas, 13, Montjuich. €2 with flyer. Open Fri 8.30pm – midnight (Jun – Aug).
Ljubljana: Borovo for Startas shoes
Spotted by Jošt Derlink
Last year I wrote about ZOOO, because they had Startas shoes. Now I have decided to introduce an "oldies 'n' goldies" Croatian store. I would only buy Startas (everything else looks just funny). They have designer printed shoes and also basic ones: black, white and dark blue for €15 (12.40) - or €4 (£3.30) on sale.
As you all know, Slovenia was once a part of Yugoslavia. In those days things from the west were either hard to get or outrageously expensive. Because of that young folks didn't drink Coca-Cola but Cockta (which you should try because it's great) and they also didn't have (well… at least the majority didn't have) All Star sneakers. But they had Startas shoes, made in Croatia. They were really popular in the 80s but people forgot about them in the 90s when Yugoslavia felt apart.
Thanks to designer Mauro Massarotto the brand got a fresh design in 2006. I'm a kid of new post-communist Slovenia, so before the renaissance I had no idea about Startas. Now that I know about them and own a pair (or two or three) I would just like to say: thank you Croatia!
• Borovo (see on map), Tavčarjeva ulica 1. Open Mon – Fri 8am – 7,30pm, Sat 8am – 1pm.
Warsaw: Squat Elba – forever punk
Spotted by Ola Synowiec & Szymon Kubia
Elba is currently the only squat in Warsaw organising cultural activities. When you come to Elba you will be surprised by how many things can be done without money. From the buildings, furniture, decorations and cult table football, to the many events and workshops, such as samba and bicycle maintenance.
In the squat there is also a skatepark, bicycle point and free swap shop. There are also many concerts – mainly punk - as well as all kinds of one-off initiatives (for example there was a techno party).
The admission to concerts is usually about 12 zloty (£2.40) but everything inside is very cheap: beer costs 70p and you can get some vegan food for really low prices. Elba even has its own DIY-drink called Elba Mate.
• Squat Elba (see on a map), Elbląska 9/11, Zoliborz. Beer PLN 3,50
