Parks and Lakes in Berlin: Best Green Spaces to Relax and Enjoy Summer

Berlin is one of the greenest cities in Europe. One thing we really recommend is visiting at least one of its parks or lakes.

The parks are truly massive, and many feel like you’re walking through a forest, perfect for walking, biking, having a picnic, or simply taking a break from the pace of the city.

In summer, the lakes fill up with people and become a great way to spend the day, whether you’re looking for something relaxed or a more social vibe, depending on which one you choose. That’s when the city really changes and everything feels much more relaxed.

Parks and Lakes in Berlin: Best Green Spaces to Relax

Parks in Berlin

Among our favorites are:

🌳 Tiergarten

It’s one of the most central and iconic parks in the city. This huge park is one of the most visited in Berlin and perfect for those looking for peace in the middle of the urban noise. What makes it special is that it’s home to the Victory Column and offers an incredible perspective of the Brandenburg Gate. Plus, walking along its paths feels like being in a real forest right in the middle of a metropolis.

🌳 Treptower Park

It’s the second-largest park in the city and is located along the Spree River. There’s plenty of space to walk, relax, or just spend a slow afternoon. You’ll also find the impressive Soviet War Memorial, built in honor of fallen soldiers. It’s a beautiful park to walk around and spend the afternoon, especially if you get good weather.

🌳 Tempelhofer Feld

If you’re looking for something different, this is the place. It’s located on the former Tempelhof Airport and now works as a massive open space where people bike, run, or skate along the old runways.

What makes it unique: The feeling of total freedom. Since it used to be an airport, there are no trees blocking your view. That’s what makes it so special, you can run or cycle on the original runways with an open horizon right in the middle of the city. It’s one of the best spots in Berlin to watch the sunset.

🌳 Mauerpark

This park is ideal if you’re looking for a more social and lively atmosphere. Every Sunday, there’s a huge flea market (Flohmarkt) where you can find everything: souvenirs, clothes, food, and art. Groups of friends gather to hang out, and in the afternoon there are usually DJs or people playing live music and doing beatboxing, creating a very relaxed vibe.

🌳 Gärten der Welt (Garden of the World)

We really liked this park because it’s not your typical Berlin park. It features gardens from different countries and cultures (Japanese, Chinese, Oriental, and European, among others), plus areas with mazes and open spaces to walk peacefully.

What makes it unique: Each area feels completely different, which makes it a nice change from the usual parks in the city. One of its highlights is the cable car, which lets you fly over the park and enjoy an incredible aerial view of the gardens and the typical block buildings of former East Berlin. It’s a great plan if you want to see something different from the usual parks and step outside the typical tourist route.

Opening hours: Open daily from 9:00 AM until sunset (closing time varies depending on the season — later in summer, earlier in winter).

How to get there from central Berlin

The easiest way is by public transport:

• Take the U5 line to Kienberg (Gärten der Welt) station and walk a few minutes from there.

• From the center (Mitte or Alexanderplatz), it takes about 40–50 minutes.

Lakes in Berlin

During hot days, the lakes fill up with people. It’s very common to spend the day there, have a picnic, swim, or simply relax.

Important note: It might surprise you that wearing a swimsuit isn’t always the norm everywhere, as nudism (FKK) is quite common at many lakes. It’s completely normal, respected, and part of German culture.

🌊 Krumme Lanke

It’s a peaceful lake in the southwest of Berlin, surrounded by forest. It’s very popular for walking, running, or swimming. It’s not a party lake, it’s more relaxed and family-friendly.

• What makes it unique: The clarity of the water and the enclosed forest setting. Since it’s narrower, it feels like a hidden natural pool in the Grunewald forest.

🌊 Orankesee

It’s a small and quiet lake in the northeast of the city, in the Lichtenberg district. It has a paid beach area in summer (Strandbad Orankesee), which is great for families, with slides, a bar, and sunbed rentals.

• What makes it unique: It’s one of the more “classic” and family-oriented options. Unlike others, it’s not nudist (at least officially), making it perfect if you’re looking for a more traditional beach-style experience.

🌊 Schlachtensee

It’s one of the most popular lakes in the southwest of Berlin. It’s large, very clean, and surrounded by a path perfect for walking or running. In summer, it’s full of young people and groups of friends.

• What makes it unique: Its accessibility and rowing culture. You can rent boats or stand-up paddle boards (SUP), and since it’s right next to an S-Bahn station, it’s one of the easiest lakes to reach without a car.

🎉 Looking for something more lively…

If you’re into more social plans with music near the water, these are great options:

🌊 Weißensee Strandbad (lago Weißer See)

Located in the northeast of Berlin (Pankow district), it has a beach area with music, a bar, cocktails, and events. It’s smaller than other lakes, but the vibe is much more social and energetic.

• What makes it unique: The perfect balance between a natural lake and a beach club. You can sit on the sand, have a drink, and enjoy music without having to go far from the city center.

  
  

🌊 Badeschiff

This isn’t a lake, but an incredible floating pool located on the Spree River, right in the Kreuzberg district. It has music, drinks, DJs, and is usually packed with young people.

• What makes it unique: The location and concept. You’re literally swimming in a crystal-clear pool floating on the river, with a privileged view of the Oberbaum Bridge and the Molecule Man sculpture. If you want a party by the water without leaving the city, this is the place.

  
  

When is the best time to visit Berlin’s parks and lakes?

These plans are best enjoyed in spring and summer, when the weather is good and the lakes are full of people sunbathing, swimming, or having picnics.

In fall and winter, they’re still nice for walking and seeing a different side of the landscape (especially with autumn colors or snow), but it’s definitely not the same as spending a warm day by the water.

Tips for enjoying parks and lakes

• Bring a blanket or towel to sit on the grass, along with food and water, since many parks are quite big and don’t always have bars nearby.

• If you’re visiting in summer, sunscreen and a hat are a must.

• Don’t be surprised if you see people without swimsuits, nudism is quite normalized in Berlin and is treated with respect.

• If you’re looking for something quiet, choose lakes farther from the center; if you want more atmosphere, go for those with beach areas or music.

Back to the complete Berlin guide

Berlin isn’t just about history and monuments, it’s also a very green city, full of parks and lakes where you can experience a much more relaxed side of it.

If you’re planning your trip, in our Complete Berlin Travel Guide you’ll find all the other posts to keep organizing your trip:

• How to get around Berlin

• Where to stay based on your travel style and budget

• What to see and do (musts)

• Alternative side: markets, vintage, and nightlife

• And our experience living in the city

That way, you can explore each section depending on what interests you most and build your itinerary much more easily.

➡️ Back to the Complete Berlin Guide