With the first rays of sunshine , Berlin is finally kicking off the outdoor season again! We're celebrating spring in the capital and showing you the most wonderful places for your next picnic in the open air. Did you know that our capital city is one of the greenest metropolises in the world, with over 2,500 parks and green spaces? No wonder Berliners and visitors alike are drawn to the countryside to take a deep breath and enjoy life. And to ensure that these little breaks remain a relaxing experience for everyone, it goes without saying that we should all be considerate of each other.
Tip 1: Feel the infinite freedom at Tempelhofer Feld
Berlin is a city of open spaces – and nowhere is this more tangible than at Tempelhofer Feld. Pack your picnic basket and leave the hustle and bustle of the city behind. You're guaranteed to find the perfect spot in the green space between the former runways. Whether you're watching wind sports enthusiasts or skaters perform their tricks, barbecuing together in the designated areas or simply listening to the larks, this is where the pure, relaxed Berlin lifestyle pulsates.
It becomes particularly magical in the evening, when the sun bathes the wide horizon in deep orange and hundreds of Berliners and visitors alike bring the day to a close together.
Tip 2: Immerse yourself in fairy-tale worlds and green neighbourhood history
If you want to escape the hustle and bustle of the big city for a moment, Volkspark Friedrichshain, the city's oldest municipal park, awaits you – a real green oasis between Friedrichshain and Prenzlauer Berg. The best place to start your excursion is at the enchanting fairy tale fountain. Here you can stroll among the stone figures of the Brothers Grimm and briefly dream yourself into another world.
Afterwards, it's worth climbing "Mont Klamott": from the green rubble mountains, you have a great view over the rooftops of the city. Whether you settle down for a picnic on the wide meadows or enjoy the evening at the open-air cinema, here you can experience the authentic Berlin neighbourhood feeling up close.
Tip 3: Take a deep breath in the green heart of the city
The Großer Tiergarten is much more than just a park: it is the "green lung" and historic living room of all Berliners. Here you can lose yourself in wonder: stroll under shady trees, discover enchanted paths or rent a boat on the idyllic Neuer See.
Whether you let yourself be enchanted by the blossoms on Luiseninsel or simply enjoy the view of the treetops on one of the wide meadows – the noise of the big city is suddenly far away. It's the perfect spot to unwind after a visit to a museum.
Tip 4: Discover a real waterfall and summit bliss in Kreuzberg
In the middle of lively Kreuzberg, Viktoriapark rises like a green island from the urban sea and offers one of the most romantic views in the entire capital. As soon as you enter the park on a warm day, you can hear it rushing: the artificial waterfall is the centrepiece of the park and an absolute rarity in Berlin.
Follow the watercourse upwards to the national monument at the top of the "mountain". The short climb is well worth it, because once you reach the top, the city is literally at your feet. This is where Berliners and visitors meet to celebrate the spectacular sunset with a picnic on the slopes.
Tip 5: Enjoy the romance of the Spree and a real island feeling
If you want to experience Berlin's waterfront life, there's no way around the sprawling Treptower Park. Stroll leisurely along the kilometre-long promenade and watch the boats and excursion steamers passing by. But the absolute highlight awaits you when you cross the Abbey Bridge : welcome to the Island of Youth! This small, almost magical place in the middle of the river is perfect for a romantic picnic.
Surrounded by water and beautiful trees, you can relax and unwind while the sun glitters on the waves. Whether you lie down on the lawn or enjoy a cool drink in the beer garden, Berlin feels almost like a mini-break here.
Tip 6: Discover baroque splendour in the middle of Neukölln
Körnerpark is tucked away in a hollow and is a real surprise for all the senses. As soon as you descend the stairs, the noise of the big city suddenly seems far away. Before you lies a neo-baroque garden, often affectionately referred to as the "Versailles of Neukölln".
Between splashing water cascades and meticulously tended flower beds, you can relax and marvel at the surroundings. Visit the changing exhibitions in the orangery or simply find a sunny spot on the lawn. It is this special mix of magnificent architecture and relaxed neighbourhood flair that makes this place so magical.
Tip 7: Stroll through an award-winning sea of flowers in the south
If you long for a perfect natural backdrop that looks almost like a giant painting, then Britzer Garten will transport you to another world. Here, on the extensive grounds of the former Federal Horticultural Show, you can experience the seasons more intensely than anywhere else. Whether it's the spectacular "Tulipan" in spring or the glowing "Dahlienfeuer" in autumn – you'll be amazed.
Stroll past the large lake landscape, discover the mysterious witch's garden or take a leisurely ride through the grounds on the park railway . As dogs and bicycles are not allowed here, you can enjoy heavenly peace and quiet, which is well worth the small entrance fee.
Tip 8: Feel the urban pulse between old tracks
Today, the Park am Gleisdreieck not only connects Kreuzberg and Schöneberg, but also historical industrial history with a modern lifestyle. Here, wild nature meets cool design: while the yellow underground trains rattle over the historic bridges above your heads, you can lie down in the grass below and watch the colourful hustle and bustle.
Whether you're cheering on skaters doing their tricks in Ostpark, playing an exciting game of table tennis or strolling through the quiet "Gleiswildnis" areas, the atmosphere is both electric and relaxed. It's the perfect place to experience young, diverse Berlin in action.
Tip 9: Feel royal and walk in the footsteps of royalty
If you're longing for a little glitz and glamour, the Charlottenburg Palace Gardens are your most beautiful time machine into Prussian history. Here, baroque austerity is combined with wild natural romanticism in a unique way. Start your walk in the geometric flower beds right next to the palace and feel like you're at court.
Further back, the English landscape garden beckons with winding paths, ancient trees and small bridges. Find a shady spot on the banks of the Spree or by the idyllic carp pond for a break. It is the ideal place for walkers and romantics to escape everyday life and enjoy the elegant tranquillity.
Tip 10: Celebrate the sweet life with a view of world culture
If you're looking for the perfect mix of urban hustle and bustle and relaxed Spree romance, Monbijoupark is the place to be right in the centre. Located opposite the majestic Museum Island, this green riverside promenade offers a backdrop that is almost unreal in its beauty. Spread out your blanket and gaze directly at the imposing dome of the Bode Museum while the excursion boats glide past you. Especially on balmy summer evenings, the air here vibrates with energy: passionate tango dancing often takes place at the adjacent beach bar, children play on the lawns and guests from all over the world enjoy the sunset together.
Tip 11: Climb to the summit in Wedding and breathe in the scent of roses
If you want to aim high and are looking for a wild mix of history and romance, Volkspark Humboldthain is the perfect destination for a discovery tour. The climb up the former flak tower requires a bit of stamina, but rewards you with one of the most spectacular panoramic views of the city – a real insider tip at sunset, when the television tower is bathed in golden light. Once you're back down, a contrast awaits: the beautiful rose garden welcomes you with an almost meditative silence. Between fragrant flowers and neatly trimmed hedges, you can relax, read or simply listen to the splashing of the fountain. This is where locals and explorers meet to experience the rough charm of the neighbourhood from its gentlest side.
Bonus: Tips for your picnic basket
If you want to turn your next picnic in the park or on the banks of the Spree into a real culinary experience, we have just the thing for you. We've searched for the finest addresses in the capital, where quality, craftsmanship and authentic Berlin flavours are at home. From French sophistication to Neukölln neighbourhood specialities – here you can fill your basket with everything that makes you happy.
- Delicacies from Berlin manufacturers: Eat Berlin, Rosenthaler Straße 40 Hackesche Höfe, Mitte
- French cheese, sardines and delicacies: Maître Philippe, Emser Straße 42, Wilmersdorf
- A treat for those with a sweet tooth: Palast Konditorei, Lessingstraße 10, Moabit
- Regional and seasonal food: Landladen Kastaven, Konrad-Wolf-Straße 74, Lichtenberg
- Books and bagels: Books & Bagels, Warschauer Straße 74, Friedrichshain
- Traditional Berliner Weisse, Berliner Berg, Treptower Straße 39, Treptow
- Wine and sparkling wine: Ursula Kierzek, Weitlingstraße 17, Neukölln
