PARKS AND GARDENS
1. Großer Tiergarten
Tiergarten
The Tiergarten – the green lungs of Berlin – is the most famous park (see Großer Tiergarten) in the city. Set in the centre of town, the park covers more than 2 sq km (1 sq mile). Originally designed in 1833–40 by Peter Joseph Lenné as a hunting estate for the Elector, in the latter half of the 19th century the park became a recreation ground for all Berliners. It attracts a happy crowd of cyclists, joggers, sunbathers and families having picnics, especially at weekends.
2. Schlosspark Charlottenburg
Schloss Charlottenburg, Spandauer Damm • from sunrise to sunset daily • www.spsg.de
The Palace Park is one of the most attractive and charming green spaces in Germany. Immediately behind Schloss Charlottenburg is a small but magnificent Baroque garden, and beyond this extends a vast park, dating back to the early 19th century. It was landscaped in the English style and boasts artificial lake and river landscapes, small hidden buildings and idyllic shaded groves on the banks of ponds and streams. The park is ideal for strolling, and it is also a favourite place for sunseekers.
Charlottenburg park in autumn
3. Grunewald and Teufelsberg
Grunewald
The Grunewald, or “green forest”, is the public woods (see Grunewald and Dahlem) in the southwest of Berlin. It is the least built-up area of woodland in the city. Parts of Grunewald are very quiet and isolated indeed, and there are even wild boar in the woods – which can be a nuisance to people who have gardens in the nearby district of Zehlendorf. Grunewald is excellent for hiking and horse-riding.
4. Pfaueninsel
Peacock Island, an island (see Pfaueninsel) in the middle of Großer Wannsee that can be reached only by ferry, is probably the most romantic spot in Berlin. In the 19th century, the island served as a love nest for King Friedrich Wilhelm II. His charming folly of a palace ruin will be undergoing renovation until 2024. Today dozens of proud peacocks live in the area around the building.
The folly at Pfaueninsel
5. Botanischer Garten
Königin-Luise-Str. 6–8 • (030) 83 85 01 00 • Garden: open 9am to sunset daily • Museum: open 10am–6pm daily • Adm • www.bgbm.org/en
The 19th-century Botanical Garden is a paradise of flowers and plants in the southwest of the city. The vast area with 15 greenhouses was built in the late 19th century around gentle hills and picturesque ponds. The Great Palm House by Alfred Koerner has spectacular 26-m (85-ft) high giant bamboo from Southeast Asia. The museum introduces visitors to the world of microbiology.
6. Viktoriapark and Kreuzberg
The old municipal park (see Viktoriapark), originally designed in 1888–94 as a recreation area for local workers, is one of Berlin’s most popular green spaces. The meadows around Kreuzberg, which rise to 30 m (98 ft), are great for sunbathing. On top of the hill, a monument recalls the Prussian Wars of Liberation.
7. Volkspark Friedrichshain
Berlin’s oldest park (1840) is an artificial landscape (see Friedrichshain) of lakes and meadows and two wooded mounds, one of which is nicknamed "Mont Klamott", which means “mount rubble”. There is also a fountain with statues of the most popular fairytale characters.
Fountain statue
8. Tierpark Berlin
This second, larger zoo (see Tierpark Berlin) is situated in the idyllic palace park of Friedrichsfelde, and houses some 860 animal species.
9. Treptower Park
The 19th-century garden (see Treptower Park) on the banks of the Spree has become famous for the Soviet Memorial, which stands next to the graves of 7,000 Red Army soldiers.
10. Britzer Schloss and Park
Alt-Britz 73 • (030) 60 97 92 30 • Palace: open 11am–6pm Tue–Sun • Garden: open 9am to sunset daily • Adm • www.schlossbritz.de
The palace in Britz, dating from 1706 and situated in a lovely park, has been authentically refurbished with historical furniture from the Gründerzeit period after 1871.
TOP 10 LAKES, RIVERS AND CANALS
1. Spree River
Mitte, Tiergarten
Guided boat tours, romantic evening cruises and riverside walks are on offer.
Boat ride on the Spree River
2. Teufelssee, Grunewald
One of Berlin’s cleanest and most relaxed lakes – nudists and dog lovers enjoy the peaceful banks.
3. Großer Müggelsee
Thousands congregate at Berlin’s largest lake in summer to swim, row, sail or surf (see Großer Müggelsee).
4. Schlachtensee
After Wannsee, this small lake is the second most popular. Avoid the crowds by going during the week.
5. Großer Wannsee
Europe’s largest inland beach is beautifully white (see Gedenkstätte Haus der Wannsee-Konferenz).
6. Lietzensee
Am Kaiserdamm
Not suitable for swimming, but the surrounding meadows are idyllic and the lakeside walks popular.
7. Krumme Lanke, Fischerhüttenweg
Although many consider the lake not clean enough for bathing, it seems cleaner (but colder) than Schlachtensee.
8. Landwehrkanal
Lützowplatz
Take a boat trip along the canal to see some of Berlin’s most attractive bridges.
9. Tegeler See, Alt-Tegel
The Greenwich Promenade, from Tegeler Hafen (harbour) to Schwarzer Weg, is an attractive walk.
10. Neuer See
Großer Tiergarten
This tranquil lake is hidden in the vast Großer Tiergarten park. On its banks is the Café am Neuen See.
