Along the banks of rivers and lakes, and sometimes even right in the heart of the city, Berlin’s many faces look particularly picturesque on these sunny spring days. Join us on a short tour to discover oases that will let you forget the hustle and bustle of the vibrant city for a while – from idyllic, overgrown islands, waterside restaurants and historic sites to the best riverside promenades for a leisurely stroll!
Tip 1: Celebrate 200 years of Museum Island
For the second time, the festival weeks marking the anniversary celebrations are kicking off on Museum Island. The history of this globally unique ensemble of buildings began 200 years ago; surrounded by the River Spree like an island, it has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1999.
The first of the five museums was the Altes Museum, situated directly next to the Lustgarten, which opened in 1825 and will be the focus of attention this summer. Look forward to green grass, shady colonnades, open-air festivals and spectacular art highlights.
Tip 2: Stroll through the Palace Gardens at Charlottenburg Palace
Further downstream, the River Spree winds its way past Charlottenburg Palace and around the enchanting Palace Gardens. Designed in the 18th century, the gardens are among the most beautiful parks on Berlin’s banks of the Spree and invite you to take long walks amongst green trees, moats and the carp pond.
You can also visit the fairytale Charlottenburg Palace itself, the Belvedere Tea House and the mausoleum of the Prussian Queen Luise.
Where: Spandauer Damm 10–22, Charlottenburg
Tip 3: Let your imagination run wild in the Gardens of the World
How about a trip around the world, all packed into a day trip? We start in England, travel on to the Orient and China, and finally explore South-East Asia. – And all without a plane ticket or jet lag. The Gardens of the World allow us to dream ourselves far away for a few hours.
With their winding paths and exotic plants, these gardens are a true oasis. In between, you can recharge your batteries in one of the cafés with a drink and some delicious food before setting off on further explorations.
Where: Blumberger Damm 44, Marzahn
When: daily 9am – 8pm
Tip 4: Paddle through Berlin’s New Venice
In the far east of Berlin, the River Spree flows through two lakes: Lake Dämeritz and Lake Müggel. Between these lakes, on the Müggelspree in the Rahnsdorf district of Köpenick, you can discover a truly unusual highlight: New Venice, an idyllic settlement criss-crossed by countless canals, featuring weekend plots built in the 1920s. The best way to explore Berlin’s little Venice is by rowing boat from the 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: Soak up the sun on Liebesinsel
Where the districts of Treptow, Friedrichshain and Lichtenberg meet on the Spree, the Stralau peninsula juts out lengthwise into the river. Until the 19th century, it was best known for the Stralau fish run. Today, around the still-standing village church, there is an idyllic, modern residential area surrounded by greenery, which invites you to take long walks along the riverbank. At the tip of the peninsula, you’ll find two hidden gems on the River Spree in Berlin: Liebesinsel and Kratzbruch. These two tiny, densely overgrown islands are strictly protected nature reserves and are home to numerous birds, as well as otters and beavers.
Where: Alt-Stralau, Lichtenberg
Tip 6: Chill out in Schönbrunn with a view of the Swan Pond
While the 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 here.
Meanwhile, you can watch the swans on the opposite side of the pond and really switch off. In the warmer months, small bands often play on the lawn in front of the restaurant; you’ll hear jazz here more often than not.
Where: By the swan pond in Volkspark Friedrichshain, Friedrichshain
Tip 7: Enjoy the open space at Tempelhofer Feld
Tempelhof Field is one of the largest urban open spaces in the world. On the site of the former Tempelhof Airport, you can whizz along the runway on a bike or skates, burn off some energy, visit the sheep, do some gardening, have a picnic or simply enjoy the endless expanse.
Incidentally, it’s not just people who feel at home on the field. The vast meadows have now become home to numerous birds and native plants – and this inner-city open space is good for the urban climate too.
Tip: In the video podcast episode of Berlin Unboxed, you can find out more about the open space and nature reserve that is Tempelhofer Feld. Why not have a listen?
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 here: the Heilandskirche in Sacrow isn’t actually in Berlin at all. However, you can look out over the Berlin riverbank from there. Plans for the church were drawn up in 1844, and today it juts out into the water like a ship. The church’s ancient walls and the murmur of the River Havel will quickly make you forget the stresses of everyday life – perfect for a romantic getaway for two. And there’s a bathing beach just around the corner too.
Where: Fährstraße, Potsdam
Tip 9: Take a holiday on the Island of Youth
Cultural attractions and a café with a view that will make you forget all your worries. This oasis doesn’t just look like one – it’s actually called that. The little island isn’t 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 easily accessible by public transport. A visit here feels a bit like a holiday.
Tip 10: Stroll along the Greenwich Promenade
Until around 1911, the stretch of waterfront that now runs along Tegel Harbour was nothing more than a pasture. Over time, the waterfront developed into a promenade that has attracted Berliners and visitors alike for many years to come and have a stroll. Alongside cafés stretching the length of the promenade, there is also a jetty for Berlin’s popular excursion steamers.
Tip 11: Go for a boat ride at the Café am Neuen See
The Café am Neuen See is a must-visit in summer! Order a few Bavarian specialities or a pizza and take a seat under the large, shady trees. Once you’ve refuelled, you can drift along with the rowing boats gliding slowly across the Neuen See and forget the stresses of everyday life.
Where: Liechtensteinallee 2, Tiergarten
