Even though it’s a big city, Berlin actually has lots of outdoor space. You’ll find tons of parks and gardens, lakes and rivers, and there are lots of outdoor activities in Berlin you can enjoy.
Winter in Berlin is long and dark, so during other parts of the year when the sun is shining, locals don’t hesitate to get outside and enjoy the nice weather while it’s here. Check out some fun Berlin outdoor activities from athletic to lounging around and everything in between.
Berlin outdoor activities to enjoy
Many places to see in Berlin involve being outside anyway, but if you really want to enjoy the outdoors, you’ll love this list of outdoor things to do in Berlin.
Enjoy history and outdoors at Tempelhof Park
Tempelhof is one of my favorite parks in Berlin. It was a functioning airport for decades and the hub of the Berlin Airlift from 1948-1949 during the Cold War.
After the airport shut down in 2008, locals rallied to keep it as a green space. Tempelhof reopened in 2010 as a public park, but the runway, taxiways, and airport terminal building all remained.
Today it’s a great place for a picnic, but you can also walk, run, or go cycling on the runway, or try kite surfing or rollerblading. The park has designated barbecue areas, bird protection zones, gardening plots for locals, fenced off-leash dog run areas, and more.
Tempelhof has plenty of choices for outdoor activities in Berlin, and it has such an interesting history and unique landscape.
>>Read: 41 Fun Things to do in Summer in Berlin
Explore Treptower Park
Treptower Park is in southeast Berlin and sits next to the Spree River, making it a wonderful park with a water view. It was originally designed as an English garden with rose gardens, tree-lined pathways, and a pond.
This park has plenty of space for jogging, cycling, or other sports as well as simply relaxing in the grass. You can also take a boat trip from here.
This park is also home to Zenner Biergarten, a 200 year old beer garden near the river in the southern end of the park. And there’s a huge Soviet War Memorial in Treptower Park honoring thousands of Soviet soldiers who died in World War II.
Wander in Tiergarten
A huge inner city park, Tiergarten is Berlin’s version of Central Park. With its beginnings dating back to 1527 as a hunting ground, this vast green space has become a much loved public park for Berliners over the years.
Throughout the park there are statues, memorials, ponds, tree-lined thoroughfares, and lawns. When the weather’s warm in Berlin, it’s here that people flock for strolling, picnicking, and generally hanging out, making it a great spot to people-watch.
The park is also home to a few beer gardens and cafes. Whether you’re interested in going for a run, taking a leisurely stroll, or lounging in the sun, Tiergarten is a great choice for outdoor activities in Berlin.
>>Read: 101 Fun and Essential Things to do in Berlin
Take a boat tour on the Spree
The Spree River winds its way through Berlin and passes by some famous Berlin landmarks. While you can certainly see a lot of them on foot, a boat tour is another great option for experiencing Berlin outdoors.
There are tons of different options, from boat tours through Mitte and ones that go farther along into Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg. Seeing some of the famous sights from the water gives you a different perspective.
Rent a boat
Looking for a more active way to enjoy being outdoors and on the water in Berlin? Why not try a kayak or canoe tour on the Spree River!
There are quite a few places where you can rent a boat, some even without license. But a kayak tour like this one or a canoe tour like this one not only gets you in a boat with some physical activity, but you’re guide will tell you about the sights you’re passing while you paddle along the Spree.
Go for a hike
Hiking is another outdoor activity in Berlin you might not have thought about, but there are lots of hiking trails here. Once you get a little ways from the center, there are forests, lakes, rivers, and open fields, all of which make for pleasant hiking scenery.
In the southwest, there’s the lovely Grunewald Forest. In the east, check out the Wuhletal-Wanderweg, a hiking trail that mostly hugs the Berlin-Brandenburg border.
Or you could check out sections of the Mauer Weg, a trail that follows the path of the Berlin Wall within the city and along it’s outer border, where you’ll enjoy the natural setting. It’s 160km/100 miles long, and I quite enjoy some of the sections that are out in the forest.
>>Read: Guide to Visiting the Grunewald Tower in Berlin
Visit a lake
Berlin also has tons of lakes where you can go swimming or simply relax on the beach. Some beaches charge a fee, but many do not.
Müggelsee is the largest lake in Berlin, but other popular choices include Wannsee, Krumme Lanke, and Schlachtensee.
Be aware that some beaches are nude beaches, while others require clothing or bathing suits. FKK are the nude ones.
Picnic along the water
The Spree River cuts through the center of Berlin, but it also splits off into the Landwehrkanal. You’ll find some nice grassy areas along the canal in Kreuzberg where you can relax with friends and have a picnic.
Or lounge along the Spree River itself. There are some nice areas in the government district, down near the East Side Gallery, and near Museum Island.
>>Read: 27 Best World War II & Cold War Sights in Berlin
Enjoy some beer gardens
Beer is a big part of German cuisine, and sipping a brew at a Berlin beer garden is the perfect way to enjoy a sunny afternoon or evening.
There are loads of beer gardens around the city, but some of our favorites include Brlo at Gleisdreieck, Prater in Prenzlauer Berg, and Café am Neuen See on the western end of Tiergarten.
Swim at Badeschiff
You can’t swim in the Spree River, but you can get pretty close. Badeschiff is a barge in the river that’s been turned into a floating pool.
This is a unique place for a swim if you’re visiting in warm months and want to enjoy Berlin outdoors. From the Badeschiff pool in the Spree, you can see the TV Tower, Oberbaum Bridge, and Molecule Men.
>>Check out our list of popular Germany landmarks.
Shop at fresh markets
Fresh markets in Berlin are a great way to experience the local culture and enjoy the outdoors. You can pick up food to make meals yourself if you’re traveling to Berlin on a budget, or find a stall selling prepared food for a quick meal.
Many markets are held on Saturdays, but there are plenty on other days too. Try Boxhagener Platz on Saturdays or Maybachufer on Tuesdays and Fridays.
>>See where to eat in Friedrichshain.
Browse the flea markets
Shopping or even just browsing at flea markets is another popular activity in Berlin that is enjoyed outside. It’s one of the few places you can go shopping on Sundays since most things are closed on Sundays.
As a visitor to Berlin, you probably aren’t interested in secondhand furniture, but there’s plenty of secondhand clothing, jewelry, knickknacks, and all sorts of other unique and quirky finds. It’s also a fun place to search for souvenirs from Berlin.
The flea market at Mauerpark is the most famous one in the city, but there are plenty of other great choices like Boxhagener Platz, Ostbahnhof, or Arkonaplatz, and dozens more around the city.
Rent a bike
Exploring Berlin by bicycle can be a fun way to see the top sights in Berlin, enjoy the outdoors, and be active. Rent a bike on your own, or join a bike tour if you’d like to learn about the sights along the way.
Explore sections of the Mauerweg
Mauer means Wall in German, and weg means way or path, so Mauerweg is the Wall Path. This is a trail that follows the route of the former Berlin Wall that separated East Berlin from West Berlin.
The Mauerweg is an interesting place for hiking or cycling, especially on the outskirts of the city. But you can also go for a stroll through the center of the city along this historic trail.
Not only is this a fun outdoor activity in Berlin, but it’s also a way to see some of the last remaining sections of the Berlin Wall.
Go to one of the zoos
Visiting one of the zoos is an especially fun Berlin outdoor activity if you’re traveling with kids. Did you know Berlin has two zoos?
When the city was divided, the East wanted to have a zoo, and Tierpark (not to be confused with Tiergarten park) was created. Tierpark is actually the largest animal park in Europe, and it’s located on the grounds of the former Friedrichsfelde Palace.
The Berlin Zoological Garden is the more well known zoo located in the western section of Tiergarten Park. It’s Germany’s oldest zoo and is home to more than 20,000 animals.
>>Read: How Many Days in Berlin Do You Need?
Charlottenburg Palace gardens and park
For some cultured outdoor activities in Berlin, head over to Charlottenburg Palace, one of the best castles in Berlin. Even without going inside, you can stroll through the palace gardens and the adjoining park for free.
This is one of the nicest free things to do in Berlin, and you get to be outside with views of a gorgeous historical palace.
Take a day trip to the Spreewald
The Spreewald is a forest and biosphere reserve located south of Berlin, and it’s a great way to escape the city and enjoy the outdoors.
Take a day trip to the Spreewald and go hiking, cycling, or boating to appreciate this fantastic forest.
This area is also known for pickles, so be sure to try some while you’re there.
Hunt for street art
If you like street art, Berlin is the place to be, and searching for the artwork is a great way to explore Berlin outside. You’ll find a variety of street art in almost any section of the city, but Kreuzberg and Friedrichshain are especially well known for it.
While you can certainly explore on you’re own, taking an inexpensive street art tour is perfect for learning the meanings behind the art and some interesting stories you wouldn’t know otherwise.
I’ve personally taken this street art tour, and I highly recommend it.
Explore Gardens of the World
Known as Gärten der Welt Berlin in German, this sprawling park in the city is home to 10 international gardens. Each garden embraces the traditions and plant life of a certain region or country.
For example, you could take a stroll to England, hop over to Japan, bask in Balinese beauty, enjoy some Middle Eastern charm, or perhaps some Korean horticulture.
There’s also an impressive cable car that takes you above the park. When visiting Gardens of the World, make sure you bring appropriate footwear: it’s spread across an area of 250 acres.
See the flowers at Britzer Gardens
Another gorgeous park for flower lovers is Britzer Gardens. This park is located south of the city center, and in the spring, you can see loads of beautiful flowers here, like the well-manicured rose garden and the extensive tulip gardens.
Visit Berlin’s Botanical Gardens
For when you need some outdoor time away from the urban streets of Berlin, the Botanical Gardens offer up a revitalizing space. Here you can relax among the tropical plants, succulents, flowers, and calming waterways.
When it first opened in 1889, the mission was to create the world in a garden, and they’ve pretty much succeeded! Here you can see flora from around the world in its arboretum, tropical greenhouse, and Italian garden.
>>Read: When is the Best Time to Visit Berlin?
Wander through Nikolaiviertel
If you’re looking for more outdoor things to do in Berlin, check out Nikolaiviertel and wander through the quaint streets.
This neighborhood is the closest thing Berlin has to an old town, dating back to around 1200. Sadly it was damaged during WWII and left in ruins for decades.
A few years ahead of the city’s 750th birthday in 1987, this medieval quarter was restored. So even though the buildings aren’t original, you can now wander the streets and get the feel for what Berlin might have been like in the Middle Ages.
There are lots of cute shops, cafes and restaurants here. The neighborhood lies along the Spree River, and it’s not far from the Berliner Dom and Museum Island.
Stroll through Hackescher Höfe
In Mitte there’s an area with lots of really pretty courtyards (Höfe in German) that are fantastic to wander through. The Hackescher Höfe are particularly photogenic.
Go a little north of the Hackescher Markt Sbahn station and check out these restored courtyards where you can shop or stop for a coffee, or simply enjoy being outside in Berlin.
Find fall foliage
Are you visiting Berlin in autumn? Berlin’s leaves are gorgeous in the fall, and finding fall foliage is one of the best outdoor things to do in Berlin at this time of year.
October is your best chance at seeing fall foliage in Berlin. Check them out in Tiergarten, Charlottenburg Palace, Museum Island, Viktoriapark, and many other places around the city.
Search for cherry blossoms in the spring
Are you visiting Berlin in spring? Berlin is an interesting place for cherry blossoms since so many of them were planted along the path of the Berlin Wall.
Some of the best places to see cherry blossoms in Berlin are the park near the Bornholmer Strasse Sbahn station, the park near the the Lichterfelde Süd Sbahn station, and Schwedter Str near Mauerpark in Prenzlauer Berg.
Berlin Travel Resources
I want you to have the best trip to Berlin, and hopefully this guide to outdoor activities in Berlin is helpful. But there are lots more tips on the site!
