Discover Berlin from a new, more sustainable perspective. There is so much diversity in this city - from hidden gardens to creative manufactories, from delicious fine dining to interesting bike tours. Our 11 tips will take you to places that inspire, slow down and excite - whether alone, with friends or the whole family.
Tip 1: Relax on a lake hike in the Düppel forest
One lake follows the next along the Griebnitz Canal: Kleiner Wannsee, Pohlesee, Stölpchensee and Griebnitzsee form the connection between the Großer Wannsee and Glienicker See with the famous bridge. Along the way, you will come across elegant villas, dreamy rowing boats and charming jetties. Perhaps you're wondering whether you'd like to paddle across these mirror-smooth lakes?
A detour to the freshly renovated castle on Peacock Island is well worth it. The ferry takes you to the UNESCO World Heritage Site in just a few minutes. The island impresses with its enchanted paths and exotic animals. On the way there or back, you can fortify yourself with delicious seasonal and vegan food at Blockhaus Nikolskoe.
Tip 2: Combine art and culinary delights at the Eierhäuschen
A hike or bike tour through the Plänterwald is always worthwhile - especially if your destination is the Eierhäuschen. Once an excursion restaurant with rustic charm and hard-boiled eggs from the landlord himself, the historic building now presents itself with a breath of fresh air: modern German cuisine meets contemporary art.
You can feast your way through creative dishes with regional ingredients and discover exciting exhibitions by artists who also work and live here. The combination of nature, art and cuisine is simply unbeatable. Let yourself drift, take a break by the water and take a look at the changing works in the house.
Tip 3: Embark on a silent boat adventure
If you want to discover Berlin from the water and want to take the kids with you, hire an e-boat. The starting point is Stralauer Allee and then it's time to cast off for your own little adventure on the Spree. Without a driving licence, without the hassle, with space for up to eight people.
You simply bring your own picnic or order snacks in advance from the provider. Life jackets are available on board for everyone - including children and babies. Even your dog can come along. The silent electric motors ensure a relaxed travelling experience and are also kinder to nature.
Tip 4: Get creative in the studio house at Spandau Citadel
When visiting Spandau Citadel, it's worth making a detour to the "Gerd-Steinmöller-Künstlerhaus" studio house. In the 40 studios behind the western fortress wall, new works are created every day - painted, moulded, carved, woven or composed. For example at Klang-Holz e. V., in the Duftmanufaktur Verzaubereien or in a Wollwerkstattt. The variety of techniques, styles and personalities is what makes this place so special. Anyone strolling along here will feel the spirit of community, the togetherness of craftsmanship and art. Many studios offer workshops where you can get creative yourself.
Tip 5: Let yourself be whisked away into exquisite worlds of flavour
At Pars, fine dining becomes an art form. Head chef Alina Jakobsmeier composes flavour experiences that make gourmet hearts beat faster - refined, seasonal and always surprising. The chocolates by founder Kristiane Kegelmann, who has a background in fine art, crown the menu with sculptural sensitivity.
Regional ingredients, close producer relationships and the avoidance of artificial additives ensure authenticity and depth of flavour. Guests can choose between the evening six-course menu and à la carte options - without any constraints, but full of flavour. During the day, the handmade chocolates are also available to take away. Anyone looking for something special will find an experience for all the senses at Pars.
Tip 6: Discover the cycle tours from the Berlin Centre for Industrial Heritage
The routes from the Berlin Centre for Industrial Heritage take you to sights off the beaten track and open up surprising perspectives. With each stop, you will gain a better understanding of the extent to which industrial development has shaped Berlin. You cycle in the footsteps of labour, technology and change, either independently or on a guided tour. A great way to combine knowledge and exercise and see exciting industrial monuments at the same time.
Tip 7: Get a taste of the countryside at the Domäne Dahlem
The Domäne Dahlem is a lively place where city and countryside, past and present meet. Here you can not only experience how our food is grown, processed and enjoyed, but you can also become active yourself. In the Culinarium and in the manor house with its historic merchant's shop, you can learn exciting facts about food and everyday life in times gone by. Particularly impressive: the workshops with blacksmiths, furniture restoration or jewellery gilding - participation is expressly encouraged!
Domäne Dahlem
Tip 8: Shop handmade unique pieces with Berlin soul
In Regine Lüder's ceramics workshop at Domäne Dahlem, she creates truly unique pieces with a great deal of dexterity. The ceramist moulds her pieces with loving craftsmanship - each individual object is an expression of her artisanry. In addition to selling her work, Regine Lüder also offers pottery courses for children and opens her workshop to other ceramists. In this way, the age-old craft is passed on in a lively way and can still be experienced.
Lüder Keramik perfectly embodies what "Crafted in Berlin" stands for: genuine craftsmanship, regional roots and a sustainable awareness of quality. Discover more manufactories in Berlin that embody these ideals.
Tip 9: Enjoyment from the permaculture garden straight to your plate
Sustainable enjoyment becomes an experience at Café Botanico. The charming farm-to-table restaurant in Neukölln surprises with a 1,000 square metre permaculture garden - in the middle of the city. Herbs, vegetables and edible wild plants grow here in natural diversity and end up freshly harvested on the plates.
The garden is open to all guests during opening hours. If you want to delve deeper, visit one of the regular guided tours on the last Sunday of the month. And if you want to take a culinary souvenir with you, try the honey from the in-house apiary - a real Berlin souvenir with character.
Café Botanico
Tip 10: Visit the Imaginary Manufactory
The Imaginary Manufactory in Berlin is a real insider tip for anyone who appreciates beautiful, meaningful and sustainable things. In the lovingly designed shop-café, you will find handmade products created in inclusive workshops in Berlin and Brandenburg - from traditional ceramics to artistic brushes and imaginative wooden toys.
Die Imaginäre Manufaktur
Tip 11: Discover events related to sustainability
Experience sustainability - you can do it on almost every corner in Berlin. Whether it's a neighbourhood flea market with upcycling workshops, an urban gardening tour or an international conference on urban development, the range of events on the topic of the environment and the future is huge. To help you keep track of everything on offer, it's worth taking a look at our event calendar. Everywhere in the city, exciting ideas and projects are emerging that are committed to the climate, the environment and fair coexistence.
