Berlin is a city known for many things. Its wartime history, exemplary architecture, being home to more museums than you can count, and a 24/7 nightlife scene quirkier than your wildest dreams. But the city is also stacked with parks and green spaces.
Now, some of these parks are just that: traditional green spaces with lush lawns, towering trees, and landscaped flowerbeds that come to life in spring. Other parks are historically significant, home to, to list a few, World War 2 monuments and statues and architecture from the Belle Epoque era. But deep within Berlin’s outdoor scene, there are some utterly unique green (or not-so-green) spaces, on-trend with the quirky vibes that the city has to offer.
I lived and studied abroad in the city for a few winter and spring months, and you can bet I visited just about every park I could during my short time in the city. Even in the depths of winter, the parks were packed with tourists and locals enjoying the fresh air and sunshine.
Below are seven of my favorite parks in Berlin, from the postcard-perfect parks to those parks only really visited by locals:
James Simon Park
James Simon Park might be one of my favorites on this list, hence putting it up at the top. Located across the River Spree from Museum Island, nestled between the S-Bahn railway line and the river itself, this is a quirky piece of green space right in the heart of Berlin Mitte city center.
On any given warm day of the year, you’ll find locals and tourists spewed across the lush lawns, marveling at the river and architectural views of Berlin Cathedral. Shaded by tall trees and manicured with soft grass, this is the perfect spot to lay out your picnic blanket. There are also seating options for the lucky few, with plenty of bars and restaurants lining the railway line offering fold-out chairs (and even cozy blankets during winter).
The triangular space is one of the best located in the central city. It’s as popular with tourists visiting after a long day of museums and sightseeing as it is with locals craving some fresh air after a day in the office.
The closest train station to the park is Hackescher Markt Station, which services the S-Bahn (overground train).
Mauer Park, Gleimstraße
Mauer Park is another city park that draws in both tourists and locals. It’s located along the former boundary between East and West Berlin, marking a time of pre-unified Germany. It’s named after the Mauer Wall, and what was once a barren space of wire-studded barriers and no-mans land is now a lush garden overflowing with wild roses and towering cypress trees. The rolling lawns provide the perfect backrest for youthful crowds who spend their spare time enjoying the sunshine and city views.
Weekdays are quiet in the park, usually frequented by locals who live in the area or joggers going about their daily exercise. But every Sunday, there is a huge flea market that draws in antique lovers, vegan foodies, and buskers. With no shortage of delicious food, record collections, bespoke jewelry, and antique interiors to browse, Sunday is the busiest but most exciting time to visit the park.
There are a few restaurants around the boundaries of Mauer Park, but my favorite has to be Mauersegler Berlin, a beer garden that serves local beers, burgers, and the famous Berliner currywurst in a lively setting.
There are train and bus stations surrounding the rectangular park, making it easy to access via the tram or bus. The closest metro station is Eberswalder Strasse, which services the underground U-Bahn trains.
Berlin Botanical Gardens
One of my favorite parks to visit in Berlin is the botanical gardens. In fact, botanical gardens sit at the top of my list for just about every major city that has them. Founded in the 1800s, the park began as a recreational green space dotted with flowers, manmade lakes, and forested meadows.
Berlin’s Botanical Gardens are located just south of the city, yet are well connected with public transport. It’s about a 35-minute train journey on the S-Bahn (with one connection) or just under an hour on the M85 bus. Check the fastest travel route in real-time, since these change by the minute! The S-Bahn trains come every ten minutes and are wheelchair friendly. A single ticket costs €3.20 per person.
Once you arrive, stroll through the landscaped gardens over rolling hills and winding bridges and paths to get acquainted with the local floral species. You’ll then want to visit the greenhouses, which are controlled buildings housing plants from around the world. The garden is divided into themed sections, from desert plants to African species and local flora. It’s a thriving research center, home to over twenty-two thousand plant species.
Tickets cost €6 per person, with a reduced rate for students at €3. They also offer special prices for large groups and families.
If you’re peckish, stop at Restaurant Landhaus for a bite. Open Monday, Thursday, and Fridays between 11 am and 3:30 pm and weekends until 6 pm, this old-world restaurant is the perfect spot for a traditional German lunch.
Tiergarten
Now, there is no denying the popularity of Tiergarten. It’s the Central Park of Berlin, located right in the city’s heart, spanning miles worth of green gardens and recreational spaces. It’s located in the district called Tiergarten and is home to the Berlin Zoo and Aquarium, the iconic statued Victory Column, and plenty of other cultural and historical landmarks.
Tiergarten is so big that it is intercepted by major highways which run through the tree-lined park. Exploring the park in its entirety is a multiple-day mission, with winding rivers, hidden meadows, rose gardens, forests, and even lakes to see.
But within the hustle, you’ll find one of the coolest places in Berlin – Café am Neuen See. Located in the middle section of the park on the water’s edge of Neuer See, this is a cozy restaurant-turned-beer-garden with exceptional views, delicious food, and a down-to-earth atmosphere.
One of my favorite things to do on weekends is to visit the lakeside restaurant with friends, lounge on the shaded outdoor seating on a sunny day, or cozy up by the fireplace with a mug of gluhwein on a cool one. They serve good-quality healthy servings of food, from pizza to salads to iconic German Flamkuchen. They even have a vegan menu. A large pizza costs around €15, while a beer will set you back €5.
The Teehaus in the English Garden in Tiergarten is another recommended place to enjoy a traditional German breakfast or lunch. It opens from midday on Wednesdays to Saturdays and for breakfast at 10 am on Sundays.
Lustgarten
Lustgarten is a small park on Museum Island on the River Spree. Close to the Berlin Cathedral, the space was historically used for military events, parades, and even political demonstrations. Like many other parks across the city, it was destroyed and abandoned throughout Berlin’s wartime past. Today, it’s a thriving center of the city, surrounded by some of Berlin’s most prestigious museums and monuments.
It’s a small park, divided into sections by hedges with manicured lawns surrounded by trees and flower beds that bloom with tulips in spring. The park is centered around a focal fountain and a second large granite fountain bowl in front of the Altes Museum (Old History Museum), which creates a peaceful ambiance within the heart of the big city. There are plenty of benches where visitors can enjoy a break between museums.
Since it’s so central, it’s easily accessible by foot or train, bus and tram. The closest metro stations include the underground Museumsinsel Station, which services U-Bahn trains on the island, and the Hackescher Markt S-Bahn station just northeast of the island.
Tempelhofer Feld
This park sits on the bucket list of just about every Berlin tourist. Tempelhofer Feld isn’t so much a park as a wide-open recreational space. It’s located in a residential neighborhood of Tempelhof, just south of the city center, and is, quite literally, the site of an abandoned airport. Not only was the large concrete field once a working airfield, but it was also the site of various Nazi Germany rallies during World War Two.
Flooded with history, it really is a unique place to visit. On a sunny day, you’ll find people jogging, cycling, playing ball, walking their pets, roller skating, skateboarding, and even riding kiteboards along the concrete. There is always something (or someone) to look at here, which makes it a great place for a people-watching picnic.
The Tempelhof central station connects the park with the S-Bahn and the U-Bahn.
Kleiner Tiergarten
Last but certainly not least, Kleiner Tiergarten is a small park that I frequented during my time in the city. It’s located north of Tiergarten and the River Spree, but honestly doesn’t resemble Tiergarten at all. It’s a small green space between residential and commercial buildings and features landscaped lawns, a shaded running path, benches, water features, table tennis tables, and a children’s playground.
It’s accessible via multiple tram and bus stops and is right above the U-Bahn Turmstrasse Station. If you’re connecting with the overground, Bellevue Station is a quick (and beautiful) fifteen-minute stroll across the river.
Leave a Reply