Riding a bike along the runway of the former Tempelhof Airport should definitely be on your bucket list for your next visit to Berlin. Let us know if you take off - because sometimes a strong wind blows on Tempelhof Field. Kitesurfers like to take advantage of this. And at the annual festival of giant kites at the end of September, kites up to 50 metres tall from all over the world float in the sky. You have to see it.
In this blog, we reveal everything else you can experience and discover in Berlin's largest open space in the city centre - 11 tips for a trip to Tempelhofer Feld.
Tip 1: Discover the urban nature & stroke the sheep
Skylarks breed here among grazing sheep. For kestrels and the endangered wheatear, the vast field has long been a new home. Various species of grasshoppers, butterflies and wild bees have also colonised the area since it was decommissioned.
If you are interested in the diversity of nature on Tempelhofer Feld, then the Campus Stadt Natur programme is just right for you. As well as exploring the nature experience area for children, there are guided tours on urban ecology, soil, climate and air. You can also book workshops, such as ikebana or mindfulness training, or even a visit to the sheep.
Tip: In our video podcast episode of Berlin Unboxed on Tempelhofer Feld, we visit shepherd Frank Wasem and learn more about the flora and fauna that has settled on the former airport site.
When: depending on the season and offer
Where: various meeting points on Tempelhofer Feld
Tip 2: Look out over the vast field from the THF Tower
From here you have a wonderful view and can see the whole expanse of Tempelhofer Feld. In addition to the panoramic view from the terrace, you will also find a spacious exhibition area on the 6th floor, which will open with a new exhibition at the beginning of 2026.
Until then, the Tower will only be open on selected weekends, 21, 27 & 28 September 2025, 3 to 5 and 11, 12, 18, 19, 25 & 26 October 2025, due to the many other events taking place in the building during the autumn and winter months, such as the rock opera Jesus Christ Superstar or exhibitions, workshops, concerts and party series in the Alte Feuerwache until the end of October.
Tip: In the warmer months, there are also concerts and yoga classes on the terrace.
When: in 2025 on selected weekends from 11 am - 6 pm
Where: Tempelhofer Damm 45, Tempelhof
Tip 3: Kitesurfing with the wind at your back
There are people who venture onto Tempelhofer Feld without wheels under their feet. After all, at 386 hectares, it is as big as 541 football pitches. And you should plan an hour and a half for a walk around the field (around six kilometres).
However, if you are travelling without a bike, inline skates or skateboard, you can also hire a vehicle on site. The MobilcenterBerlin has multi-seater pedal scooters, bikes and even Segways (in the Steckdose Berlin container) for young and old. Skaters and inline skaters meet here, at the Almende Kontor community garden or at the Vogelfreiheit skate park. And part of the eastern runway is reserved for kitesurfers.
When: depending on the season and weather, the hire centres open between 11 am and 2 pm and close between 6 pm and 7 pm
Where: Mobilcenter Berlin and Steckdose are located at the Tempelhof S-Bahn entrance on the field slightly to the right
Tip 4: Choose between beer gardens, kiosks & coffee bikes
With its many large meadow areas, Tempelhofer Feld is of course perfect for a picnic outing. However, there are also numerous catering options directly on the field: you can get small snacks, ice cream and coffee in the red information kiosks at all three main entrances. Coffee bikes are available at the runways at the weekend.
The Tempelgarten beer garden offers space for 300 guests. Hot meals, grilled food, salads and cakes are served here at the weekend. There is also seating and a nice selection of food and drinks at the day bar Die Treppe (formerly: Kiosk Blaue Stunde, which is currently temporarily closed due to building work). You can even make yourself comfortable in beach chairs in the Luftschloss cafeteria. Right next to the field at the THF Tower, the Neulich beer garden invites you to enjoy tarte flambée and a cultural programme.
Tip: There are several drinking fountains where you can fill up your own water bottle.
Where: The stairs at the Leinestraße entrance
When: daily from 12 noon until sunset
Where: Tempelgarten near the Columbiadamm entrance
When: April to October, on weekends in good weather until the field closes, partially open during the week depending on the weather
Temple Garden
Tip 5: Play sustainable minigolf at Nuture Art
The course at Nuture Art Minigolf is constantly changing. Designed as a living art project, different artists are constantly constructing new courses here for you to test your skills on. You will also learn a lot about sustainability.
All courses are made from recycled materials and are themed to encourage all players to think. This includes animal and environmental protection, mindfulness and new ideas for a better future. Generate sustainable electricity on the eco nightclubbing track or trigger the explosion of a nuclear reactor as a warning. You can make a difference or change something everywhere with your game. Maybe even yourselves?
When: April - October, weekdays from 1 pm, weekends from 12 pm (April until 6 pm, May until 8 pm, June/July until 9 pm, August/September until 7.30 pm, October until 6.30 pm)
Where: Entrance Columbiadamm 80, Tempelhof
Tip 6: Discover aeroplanes and history
The history of Tempelhofer Feld dates back to the Middle Ages, the name refers to the former seat of the Knights Templar (Komturei Tempelhof). From 1722, the field became a parade ground, first for the great parades of the soldier king Friedrich Wilhelm I, then for the Berlin garrison. It is home to an amusement park, then a horse racecourse and a football pitch. The first balloons took off here and in 1909 Orville Wright gave his flying demonstration here.
Tempelhofer Feld Airport officially opened in 1923, and construction work on the airport buildings that still stand today began in 1936. From 1945, Tempelhof became an airport for the US Air Force, with Raisin bombers dropping their parcels over the field - after that, air traffic continued to expand until it came to a standstill in 2008 with the closure of the airport. You can find out the whole story on the history trail on Tempelhof Field. You can also see a sultana bomber on the forecourt of the airport building and a Nord 262 passenger plane from the 1960s still stands in the middle of the field.
Tip 7: Let off steam with sport & fly a kite
Guess how many different sports you can let off steam on Tempelhofer Feld? In addition to cycling, skating and wind sports such as kite surfing, you can of course play frisbee and badminton, do yoga, jog, fly kites and play table tennis.
There is also a tennis wall, a high ropes arena, the Cabuwazi circus and the Dingadu talent school, which teaches unicycling and circus skills to children and adults. You will find football and basketball courts, you can play beach volleyball, softball or jugger, there are boules courts, running clubs and fitness courses, such as Nordic active courses including the hire of roller sports equipment in summer and cross-country skiing in winter.
Tip 8: Play chess at Crashgate
The chess centre near the Crashgate entrance shows just how varied the offerings at Tempelhofer Feld are. The red information hut in the south-west corner of the runway has been transformed into a chess tower. You can now play chess here every Sunday from 2 p.m. until sunset with pieces of various sizes - and be inspired to come up with exciting upcycling ideas for giga chess games. The chess house on Tempelhofer Feld is closed in bad weather and in winter.
When: every Sunday from 2 pm, weather permitting
Where: Entrance "Crashgate" Oderstraße
More about the chess clubhouse
Tip 9: Discover the hidden stories of Tempelhof Airport
There’s plenty to discover not only out on the field, but also inside the historic airport building. Why not combine your visit to Tempelhof Field with a guided tour of what is considered Europe’s largest architectural monument? Led by expert guides, you’ll explore hidden air-raid shelters and bunkers, secret tunnels, and grand halls—uncovering the stories and myths that surround this iconic site. How deep does the underground network really go? And what exactly took place in the hangars during the Berlin Airlift?
Each tour is a journey through Berlin’s turbulent history—captivating, surprising, and absolutely worth experiencing.
When: daily except Tuesdays, depending on the tour
Where: Platz der Luftbrücke 5, Tempelhof
Tip 10: Visit Stadtacker, Tanzboden & Kulturgate
Nature and culture simply belong together on Tempelhofer Feld. The Stadtacker community garden also has a small stage. You can listen to local bands or dance swing between raised beds full of herbs and sunflowers. Berlin's flamenco scene meets on the dance floor near the Tempelhof S-Bahn entrance. Not far from the Tanzboden, the bright red container of the KulturGate association invites you to make music, dance and exchange creative ideas for art and cultural projects on Tempelhofer Feld. Just drop by and have a look!
When: depending on the project and event
Where: Kulturgate and Tanzboden about five minutes from the main entrance Tempelhofer Damm; Stadtacker entrance Columbiadamm 80, Tempelhof (right next to Nuture Minigolf)
Tip 11: Enjoy the sunset
The wide field also invites you to simply lie down on the grass and enjoy the wind, air and space. Come alone or with a friend, pack a blanket, a good book, a picnic - and maybe some sun protection. If you stay until sunset, you'll have a wonderful view from the high seats near the Die Treppe day bar.
