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Volkspark Friedrichshain Berlin im Sommer
Volkspark Friedrichshain © visitBerlin, Foto: Dagmar Schwelle

The perfect picnic in Berlin

The most beautiful places for a perfect picnic

Summer in the capital also means it's time for a cosy picnic - with the right insider tips finding the perfect location is easy.
Every season is something very special in Berlin, but in summer the capital is in top form. The many swimming spots are ideal for cooling off in and the various events and festivals provide a lot of variety. Thanks to its numerous green areas and parks, the city is also the perfect place for a relaxed picnic. Berlin offers a free choice between breathtaking views, shady places in the greenery, and lively parks with additional entertainment.

Please follow the hygiene and spacing rules in corona times. The number of people allowed to meet outside depends on the incidence. We have compiled the latest info on the situation in Berlin for you.

A picnic with lots of entertainment

Volkspark Friedrichshain Berlin im Sommer
Volkspark Friedrichshain © visitBerlin, Foto: Dagmar Schwelle

When you think of a picnic, it's usually associated with a quiet spot somewhere in nature. But there's another way: if you're looking for a little more variety, Berlin is the perfect place for it. Volkspark Friedrichshain, for example, has become an ideal place for entertainment with a large open-air cinema in summertime. This means you can combine the enjoyment of your packed delicacies with a movie night and at the same time experience the beautiful nature of the Volkspark.

Peace and relaxation on a picnic in nature

Barbecue with friends in Berlin
Barbecue with friends © Getty Images, Bild: DisobeyArt

For many people, summer is also the time to escape the hustle and bustle of the big city and look for peace and relaxation. This is also possible in Berlin if you know the right places. Away from the lively parks of the capital, idyllic green spaces with breathtaking views, nature, and historical buildings are also appealing.

A particularly beautiful place for a picnic in Berlin is, for example, Volkspark Humboldthain. It is popular not only because of the relaxing greenery, but also the unique view of the city. You can also enjoy a tasty snack at Biesdorf castle park while settling into the beautiful, well-kept green area with a view of the 19th century tower villa.

Another good place to enjoy a picnic surrounded by trees, water games, and the historic Orangery is the popular Körnerpark in Neukölln. Even on particularly hot summer days, you can find a shady spot for your picnic, after which you can, for example, visit one of the changing exhibitions at the Orangery.

A cosy picnic by the water

Insel der Jugend
Insel der Jugend © visitBerlin, Foto: Thomas Kierok

On a hot summer day, there is hardly anything better than being close to the water, which not only provides fresh air, but also a place to cool off a little from the heat. Fortunately, Berlin has a lot to offer when it comes to picnics by the water.

Particularly idyllic spots are Treptower Park and the Island of Youth. On the small island in the Spree, you can comfortably observe the passing boats and enjoy a real holiday feeling. Access to the island from Treptower Park also offers a unique backdrop, because the Abbey Bridge with its mix of latticework and modern steel elements creates a historical atmosphere surrounded by nature.

If you are looking for a suitable place in the middle of the city instead, you will find it in Charlottenburg, because this is the location of the popular Lietzensee, where you can enjoy the huge park with numerous sculptures and the stone Lietzensee Bridge. A special highlight here is the artistically designed Lietzensee cascades, whose main characteristic are the water steps decorated with flowers and their adjoining lawn stairs, which have a wide view over the lake.

For an unusual experience, you can also plan your outdoor meal at Victoriapark. It is particularly romantic here, because the park has its own waterfall where you can cool off on hot summer days overlooking the National Monument to the Liberation Wars. But it is not only the waterfall that offers breathtaking views, because the surrounding park also has a far view over Berlin.

A picnic by the water is of course also ideal for couples who want to spend a romantic summer day together. Stralau Peninsula, for example, has a relaxed and quiet atmosphere for the perfect date. Situated right by Rummelsburg Bay, Wendewiese is particularly suitable for a picnic spot. You can feel especially undisturbed here and enjoy being together - the view of the water gives it the perfect atmosphere.

Combining a picnic and sightseeing

Landwehrkanal in Berlin
Summer at the Landwehrkanal © visitBerlin, Foto: Thomas Kierok

Dining out in the open air is particularly beautiful in summer, but if you're visiting Berlin you'll also of course want to see some of the culture and history of the city. After all, the capital has a lot of famous buildings and monuments, many of which are high on the to-do list. Fortunately, there are ways to combine a picnic in Berlin with sightseeing. Options include Monbijoupark and James Simon Park. These neighbouring oases of peace right on the Spree are popular because there is plenty of space and a view of various famous Berlin sights, such as the impressive Berlin Cathedral with its famous domed roof and the TV Tower, which is a landmark of the Berlin skyline.

A picnic in the Tiergarten is also an ideal starting point for sightseeing, as the National Monument of the Wars of Unification is in the centre of the park: the famous Victory Column with its bronze statue of Victoria. If you are considering Gleisdreieck park for a picnic in Berlin, there is also  a lot from here because it is very nearby to many famous sights such as the Jewish Museum, Checkpoint Charlie, and Potsdamer Platz.