Cycling along the runway of the former Tempelhof Airport should definitely be on your bucket list for your next trip to Berlin. Get ready for take-off, as strong winds often sweep across Tempelhofer Feld, creating ideal conditions for kiteboarders. At the annual Giant Kite Festival in late September, spectacular kites measuring up to 50 metres wide fill the sky above the former airfield. It’s a sight not to be missed.
In this blog post, we share 11 tips on what to see and do at Berlin’s largest inner-city open space, perfect for a day out at Tempelhofer Feld.
Tip 1: Enjoy sweeping views from the THF Tower
The roof terrace of the former air traffic control tower offers spectacular views across the full expanse of Tempelhofer Feld and the Berlin skyline. Even the climb up the THF Tower is an experience in itself: an impressive steel staircase hangs within the historic stairwell, suspended from the roof structure by 14 tie rods. Unplastered brick walls reveal the building’s original structure.
On the sixth floor, you’ll also find a spacious venue hosting concerts and exhibitions. From 29 August 2026, the Alte Feuerwache will once again present exhibitions, workshops, concerts and a series of parties.
When: Wednesday to Sunday, 11 am to 6 pm
Where: Tempelhofer Damm 45, Tempelhof
Tip 2: Let the wind carry you across the field
You don’t necessarily need wheels to explore Tempelhofer Feld. But covering 386 hectares, an area equivalent to around 541 football pitches, the former airfield is vast. A six-kilometre walk around the field takes approximately 90 minutes if you take your time.
If you haven’t brought a bike, inline skates or a skateboard, you can hire a set of wheels on site. Mobilcenter Berlin offers bicycles and multi-seater pedal cars, while Steckdose Berlin rents out Segways for visitors of all ages. Skateboarders and inline skaters gather near the community garden close to Neukölln and at Vogelfreiheit skatepark. A section of the eastern runway is reserved for kite landboarding.
When: depending on the season and weather, the hire shops are 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, slightly to the right on the field
Tip 3: Choose between beer gardens, kiosks and coffee bikes
With its many large open spaces, Tempelhofer Feld is, of course, perfect for a picnic outing. However, there are also plenty of places to eat and drink right on the field itself: you can get light snacks, ice cream and coffee from the red information kiosks at all three main entrances. At the runways, coffee bikes serve visitors at the weekend.
The Tempelgarten beer garden can seat 300 guests. Here, hot meals, barbecued food, salads and cakes are served at the weekend. There’s also seating and a nice selection of food and drinks at the day bar ‘Die Treppe’ (formerly: Kiosk Blaue Stunde, which is currently closed temporarily due to building works). You can also make yourselves comfortable in beach chairs in the Caféteria around the Luftschloss. Right next to the field by the THF Tower, the Neulich beer garden invites you to enjoy tarte flambée and a cultural programme during the summer months.
Tip: There are several drinking fountains where you can top 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; at weekends, in good weather, until the field closes; on weekdays, partially open depending on the weather
Tempelgarten
Tip 4: Play mini-golf at Nature Art
The course at Nature Art Mini Golf is constantly changing. Designed as a living art project, different artists are always creating new holes here where you can put your skills to the test.
All holes are built from recycled materials and themed to encourage all players to reflect on issues such as animal welfare, environmental protection, mindfulness or new ideas for a better future. Generate alternative electricity on the ‘Nightclubbing’ hole or trigger the explosion of a nuclear reactor as a warning. Everywhere you play, you’re making a difference or bringing about change. Perhaps even changing yourselves?
When: April – October, weekdays from 1 pm, at weekends from 12 noon (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 at Columbiadamm 80, Tempelhof
Tip 5: Discover aeroplanes and history
The history of Tempelhofer Feld dates back to the Middle Ages; the name refers to the former headquarters (Tempelhof Commandery) of the Knights Templar. From 1722, the field became a parade ground, first for the grand parades of Frederick William I, the ‘Soldier King’, and later for the Berlin garrison. It has been home to an amusement park, then a horse racecourse, and a football pitch. The first hot-air balloons took off from here, and in 1909 Orville Wright also gave a flying demonstration here.
In 1923, Tempelhofer Feld Airport officially opened, and from 1936 construction began on the airport buildings that still stand today. From 1945, Tempelhof became a US Air Force base, with ‘raisin bombers’ dropping their parcels over the field – after that, air traffic continued to expand steadily until it came to a standstill in 2008 with the closure of the airport. You can learn the whole story on the history trail at Tempelhofer Feld. You can also see a ‘raisin bomber’ on the forecourt of the airport building, whilst a Nord 262 passenger aircraft from the 1960s still stands in the middle of the field.
Tip 6: Discover the city’s natural side & stroke some sheep
Skylarks breed here amongst grazing sheep. For kestrels and the endangered wheatear, the vast field has long since become a new home. Various species of grasshoppers, butterflies and wild bees have also settled here since the airport closed.
If you’re interested in the natural diversity at Tempelhofer Feld , then the programme offered by Campus Stadt Natur is just the thing for you. As well as exploring the nature discovery area for children, there are alternative guided tours focusing on soil, climate and air. You can also book workshops, such as ikebana or mindfulness sessions, or even a visit to the sheep.
Tip: In our Berlin Unboxed video podcast episode on Tempelhofer Feld, we visit shepherd Frank Wasem and learn more about the flora and fauna that have made their home on the former airport site.
When: depending on the season and what’s on offer
Where: various meeting points at Tempelhofer Feld
Tip 7: Let off steam with some sport & fly a kite
Guess how many different sports you can enjoy at Tempelhofer Feld. As well as cycling, skating and wind sports – such as kitesurfing – you can, of course, play Frisbee and badminton, do yoga, go for a jog, fly kites and play table tennis here.
Tip: Every September, the‘ ’ festival of giant kites takes place, where 50-metre-long animal and comic book characters flutter above the field.
There’s also a tennis wall, a high-rope course, the Cabuwazi participatory circus, and the Dingadu Talent School, which teaches unicycling and circus skills to children and adults alike. You’ll find football pitches and basketball courts; you can play beach volleyball, softball or jugger; there are boules courts, running groups and fitness classes, such as Nordic Active sessions, including hire of roller sports equipment in summer and cross-country skis in winter.
Tip 8: Play chess at Crashgate
The chess kiosk near the Crashgate entrance shows just how varied the activities on Tempelhofer Feld are. The red information kiosk in the south-western corner of the runway has been transformed into a veritable chess tower. Here, every Sunday from 2 pm until sunset, you can play chess with pieces of all sorts of sizes – and be inspired by exciting upcycling ideas for giant chess sets. In bad weather and during winter, the chess kiosk at Tempelhofer Feld is closed.
When: weather permitting, every Sunday from 2 pm
Where: ‘Crashgate’ entrance, Oderstraße
More about the chess clubhouse
Tip 9: Discover the hidden stories of Tempelhof Airport
There’s plenty to discover not only on the field, but also inside the historic airport building. Combine your trip to Tempelhofer Feld with a guided tour of what is arguably Europe’s largest architectural monument . Accompanied by knowledgeable experts, you’ll explore hidden air-raid shelters and bunkers, secret tunnels and impressive halls – and find out what lies behind the many myths. Just how deep does the underground system really go? And what happened in the hangars during the Berlin Air Lift? Every tour is a journey through time, exploring Berlin’s eventful history – exciting, surprising and absolutely worth seeing.
When: Daily except Tuesdays, depending on the tour
Where: Platz der Luftbrücke 5, Tempelhof
Tip 10: Visit Stadtacker, Tanzboden & Kulturgate
Nature and culture simply go hand in hand at Tempelhofer Feld. The Stadtacker community garden even has its own small stage. So, amongst raised beds full of herbs and sunflowers, you can listen to local bands or dance the swing. Berlin’s flamenco scene meets at the Tanzboden near the S-Bahn Tempelhof entrance. Not far from the Tanzboden, the bright red container belonging to the KulturGate association invites you to make music, dance and engage in creative exchanges for art and cultural projects on Tempelhofer Feld. Why not pop along?
When: depending on the project and event
Where: KulturGate and the dance floor, about five minutes from the main entrance on Tempelhofer Damm; Stadtacker entrance at Columbiadamm 80, Tempelhof (right next to Nature Minigolf)
Tip 11: Enjoy the sunset
The vast field naturally invites you to simply lie down on the grass and enjoy the breeze, the fresh air and the open space. Come on your own or with friends, pack a blanket, a good book, a picnic – and perhaps some sun cream. If you stay until sunset, you’ll have a wonderful view from the raised viewing platforms near the Die Treppe day bar.
