On these first sunny spring days, the many faces of Berlin are particularly picturesque along the banks of the rivers and lakes, but sometimes also in the centre of the city. Join us on a short round trip to discover oases that will make you forget the hustle and bustle of the pulsating city for a while - from idyllic, overgrown islands, waterside restaurants and historic sites to the best riverside promenades for a relaxed stroll!
Tip 1: Celebrate 200 years of Museum Island
At the beginning of June, the Jubiläumsfeierlichkeiten auf der Museumsinsel. The history of this globally unique ensemble of buildings, which is surrounded by the River Spree like an island and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1999, began 200 years ago. The Alte Museum, located directly on the Lustgarten, was the first of the five museums in 1825 and will be the centre of attention this summer. You can look forward to green grass, shady colonnades, open-air festivals and spectacular art highlights.
When: Monday to Saturday 12pm - 10pm, Sunday 10am - 10pm
Where: Altonaer Straße 2/2a, Tiergarten
Tip 2: Stroll through the palace gardens of Charlottenburg Palace
Further downstream, the River Spree meanders past Charlottenburg Palace and around the enchanting palace gardens. Designed in the 18th century, the garden is one of the most beautiful parks on the banks of the Spree in Berlin and invites you to take long walks between green trees, moats and the carp pond. You can also visit the fairytale Charlottenburg Palace itself, the Belvedere tea house and the mausoleum of Prussian Queen Louise.
Where: Spandauer Damm 10-22, Charlottenburg
Tip 3: Dream away in the gardens of the world
How about a trip around the world, packed into a day trip? We start in England, travel on to the Orient and China and finally explore Southeast Asia - all without a plane ticket and jet lag. The Gardens of the World allow us to dream away for a few hours. With its winding gardens of exotic plants, this is truly an oasis. In between, you can fortify yourself with a drink and delicious food in one of the cafés for further discovery tours.
Where: Blumberger Damm 44, Marzahn
When: daily 9 am - 8 pm
Tip 4: Paddle through Berlin's New Venice
In the very east of Berlin, the Spree flows through two lakes: the Dämeritzsee and the Müggelsee. Between these lakes, on the Müggelspree in the Köpenick district of Rahnsdorf, you can discover a very unusual highlight: Neu-Venedig, an idyllic housing estate with weekend properties built in the 1920s and criss-crossed by countless canals. The best way to discover Berlin's little Venice is by rowing boat from Müggelsee - or, of course, on a leisurely stroll, topped off with a meal in the summer garden of the Neu-Venedig restaurant.
Where: Fürstenwalder Allee, Köpenick
Tip 5: Enjoy the sun on the island of love
The Stralau peninsula juts out into the river where the districts of Treptow, Friedrichshain and Lichtenberg meet on the banks of the Spree. Until the 19th century, it was primarily known for the Stralau fish market. Today it is home to an idyllic, modern residential area surrounded by greenery around the preserved village church, which invites you to take long walks along the riverbank. At the tip of the peninsula, you will find two insider tips on the Spree in Berlin: Liebesinsel and Kratzbruch. The two tiny, densely overgrown islands are strictly protected and are home to numerous birds as well as otters and beavers.
Where: Alt-Stralau, Lichtenberg
Tip 6: Chilling in Schoenbrunn with a view of the swan pond
While the colourful hustle and bustle passes by, you can sit in the Schoenbrunn beer garden in Volkspark Friedrichshain and enjoy the evening idyll. We particularly recommend the pizza, which comes fresh from the stone oven. In the meantime, you can watch the swans on the opposite side and really switch off. In the warmer months, small bands often play on the lawn in front of the restaurant, especially jazz.
Where: At the swan pond in Volkspark Friedrichshain, Friedrichshain
Tip 7: Enjoy the vastness of Tempelhofer Feld
Tempelhofer Feld is one of the largest urban open spaces in the world. On the site of the former Tempelhof Airport, you can whizz across the runway on your bike or skates, get some exercise, visit sheep, garden, have a picnic or simply enjoy the endless expanse. Incidentally, it's not just people who feel at home on the field. The extensive meadows have become home to numerous birds and native plants - and the open space in the city centre is also good for the urban climate.
Tip: In the video podcast episode of Berlin Unboxed you can find out more about the open and natural space Tempelhofer Feld. Listen in!
Where: Tempelhofer Feld, Tempelhof
When: From sunrise to sunset
Tip 8: Take a romantic trip to the Heilandskirche Sacrow
We had to cheat a little at this point: The Heilandskirche in Sacrow is not actually located in Berlin. However, you can see the Berlin side of the river from there. The church was planned in 1844 and today juts out into the water like a ship. The old walls of the church and the sound of the Havel will quickly make you forget the stresses of everyday life - perfect for a romantic getaway for two. There's also a beach just around the corner.
Where: Fährstraße, Potsdam
Tip 9: Take a holiday on the island of youth
Cultural offerings and a café with a view that will make you forget all your worries. This oasis doesn't just look like one - it's called one too. The small island is not as far off the beaten track as you might think. Situated between Treptower Park and Plänterwald, it is close to the districts of Kreuzberg and Neukölln, but belongs to the district of Treptow-Köpenick and is easy to reach by public transport. A visit here feels a bit like a holiday.
Tip 10: Stroll along the Greenwich Promenade
Until around 1911 the strip of waterfront that now runs alongside Tegel harbour was nothing more than a pasture for cattle. Over time, the waterfront developed into a promenade that has attracted Berliners and visitors to stroll along for many years. In addition to cafés that stretch along the entire promenade, there is also a landing stage for the popular Berlin excursion steamers.
Tip 11: Go boating at the Café am Neuen See
The Café am Neuen See is a must-see in summer! Order some Bavarian specialities or pizza and take a seat under the shady, large trees. Once you're well-fuelled and drifting along on the rowing boats that slowly glide across the Neuer See, you can forget the stresses of everyday life.
Where: Liechtensteinallee 2, Tiergarten
