Berlin is not just a vibrant metropolis brimming with history and culture, but also a hub for nature lovers. From forest bathing and wildlife watching to exploring hidden green spaces, the city offers countless opportunities to experience nature in unexpected ways. Here are 11 unusual tips to discover Berlin's greener side, whether you're seeking peace in urban forests, observing local wildlife, or stumbling upon surprising natural gems within the city's boundaries
Tip 1: Grunewald - forest bathing near Berlin
Just a stone's throw from the city center, Grunewald offers an escape into pure nature. In these dense forests, it’s easy to forget you're still in a bustling metropolis. Visitors can spend hours enjoying forest bathing, walking along serene trails, or exploring various nearby attractions. Whether you're seeking relaxation or an adventurous day out, Grunewald provides a peaceful retreat with an array of natural experiences, making it one of Berlin's best-kept secrets for nature lovers.
- The 3000-hectare Grunewald is bordered to the west by the Havel. Here lies the Halbinsel Schildhorn, with a small bathing area and the Restaurant ship Alte Liebe.
- Another excursion destination is the Teufelsberg climb. The former listening station is full of exciting stories - or you can simply enjoy the fantastic view over the wooded area. The exhibition Forest.Berlin.Climate.
- You can really get away from it all on the small island Lindwerder, to which you take a ferry. In the restaurant there, you can dine with a view of the Havel.
- The circular path around Grunewaldsee is particularly popular with dog owners, as they are allowed to let their dogs run free here. Beautiful excursion destinations nearby are the Jagdschloss Grunewald or the Chalet Suisse.
When: all year round
Where: Grunewald S-Bahn station
Tip 2: Tempelhofer Feld - wilderness in the middle of the city
Tempelhofer Feld, once a bustling airport, is now a vast urban green space about the size of 420 football fields. A walk around its perimeter takes roughly 1 hour and 15 minutes, but the best way to enjoy the open expanse is by biking, skateboarding, or inline skating. Guided tours with Campus Stadt Natur offer insights into the local flora and fauna, including sheep and skylarks, and how this unique urban space positively impacts Berlin's air quality and climate.
Tip: Find out more in our Berlin Unboxed video podcast more about the wild urban nature of Tempelhofer Feld.
When: daily from sunrise to sunset
Where: S-Bahn Tempelhof
Tip 3: Tegeler Stadtheide & Berlin TXL - Future place for people and nature
A nature and landscape conservation area is being developed on the former Tegel airport grounds, known as Landschaftspark Tegeler Stadtheide. Skylarks, wheatears, and heather plants are already thriving in this space. Guided tours by Grün Berlin allow you to witness the transformation from airfield to green haven.
Additionally, visit Berlin TXL, the "Future City Berlin" project on the same site, where the Urban Tech Republic focuses on climate-neutral and sustainable urban development. The Info Centre is open Friday through Sunday for public visits.
Tip for a trip to Tegeler Fließ
The beautiful natural landscape of the Tegeler Fließ lies close to Berlin TXL, where you'll encounter water buffalo grazing on wet meadows, acting as natural landscape conservationists. This scenic area provides a unique opportunity to observe wildlife and enjoy the tranquility of the marshlands.
Tip 4: Insider tips for bat fans in Berlin
The Plänterwald is not only a beautiful place to go for a walk but also a insider tip for bat enthusiasts. On warm nights, you can observe bats hunting in the area. Guided tours offer the chance to learn more about these fascinating nocturnal creatures and see them in action. Other great spots for bat-watching tours include the Zitadelle Spandau and Fort Hahneberg both located in the western part of Berlin. Be sure to bring sturdy shoes and a flashlight.
When: depending on the tour
Where:
- Waldschule Plänterwald, Dammweg 1b, Treptow-Köpenick (Registration at waldschule-plaenterwald [at] inu-ggmbh.de
- Zitadelle Spandau and Fort Hahneberg, meeting point by arrangement at fuehrung [at] bat-ev.de
- Spreepark, Kiehnwerderallee 2, 12437 Berlin, meeting point and access via the Werkhalle/Eierhäuschen forecourt (in the summer months), Registration at Campus Stadt Natur
Tip 5: Storywalk Gleisdreieck - listen to stories & go for a walk
Natural open spaces are being created not only at former airports in Berlin but also along former railway lines, transforming them into exciting recreational areas where you can experience untamed nature. A great example is the 8-kilometre-long Gleisdreieckpark, which stretches from Spreebogenpark in the government district down to Schöneberger Südgelände. Along the Storywalk, you can explore the park's eventful history, natural environment, and the wildlife that inhabits it today through 27 audio stations.
When: all year round
Where: You can download the at Campus Stadtnatur
Tip 6: Wild plants conquer old railway tracks -Schöneberger Südgelände
Gleisdreieckpark borders the Schöneberger Südgelände Nature Park to the south, a former marshalling yard that has transformed into a true natural paradise. Amidst the urban wilderness, you'll find remnants of its railway past, including an old steam locomotive. You can explore the area on guided tours, nature walks, or at your own pace. Right next to the 100-year-old locomotive shed, Café Paresüd offers a cozy spot to enjoy coffee and cake. During Advent, it also hosts a Fairytale Christmas market, complete with a candle labyrinth.
When: all year round
Where: Main entrance directly at Priesterweg S-Bahn station, Tempelhof-Schöneberg
Schöneberger Südgelände Nature Park
Tip 7: Pick mushrooms & enjoy the fresh Berlin forest air
Mushroom picking has become incredibly popular—and it's easy to see why! This activity not only lets you enjoy the fresh air and unwind in nature, but with a bit of luck, you could bring home a basket full of delicious mushrooms like marron, porcini, or chanterelles. If you're unsure which mushrooms are safe to eat, a guided mushroom hike is a great option. You can forage in Grunewald, Tegeler Forst, or Düppeler Forst, around Revierförsterei Pankow, the neighboring Barnim, and of course, in the forests of Brandenburg.
Where: You can find offers at Umweltkalender-Berlin.de, at Pilzschule-Berlin.de or at Campus-Stadt-Natur.de
Tip 8: Discover Berlin by canoe
Experience Berlin from the water. On a canoe or kayak tour, you'll be close to nature and can discover many hidden green oases in the city. Paddle along the Spree, across the Landwehrkanal through Kreuzberg or take the Spree-Oder waterway to the green outskirts of Berlin. From idyllic Neu-Venedig, the waterway continues to Müggelsee. On guided tours, you can discover both Berlin's history and the green side of the city - and on the GreenKayak tours with Backstagetourism even do something for the environment themselves.
When: depending on the weather, all year round
Where: Depending on the tour
Tip 9: Animal time - Domäne Dahlem
Every Thursday from 2 to 2.30 pm is animal time at the Domäne Dahlem. Visit cows, sheep, pigs and poultry and find out more about why the ark farm primarily keeps endangered farm animals and domestic animal breeds. On a walk around the historic estate, you can stroll through meadows and fields, see grazing animals and can also help with the harvest, drive a tractor, watch traditional craftspeople in action—potters, blacksmiths, spinners, and gilders—or take home fresh vegetables, bread, and cheese from the market. (Saturday 8 am - 1 pm).
When: daily 7 am - 10 pm
Where: Königin-Luise-Straße 49, Dahlem
Tip 10: Meet wild animals in the middle of the city
How about a walk through the middle of the city? From the Schlossgarten Charlottenburg to the Tiergarten in Mitte (pictured) to the Gärten der Welt in Marzahn, Berlin is home to both wild and beautifully landscaped parks and gardens that invite you to take a peaceful break in nature, no matter the season. Take a deep breath, watch the crocuses bloom and cherry blossoms flourish in spring, and enjoy the sound of leaves rustling beneath your feet in autumn.
Tip: Meet foxes, hares, hawks, squirrels, beavers and enjoy a walk in our Berlin Unboxed podcast episode on wildlife in Berlin and go on a discovery tour with Berlin's wildlife expert Derk Ehlert.
Tip 11: Birdwatching in Berlin at the airport lake
According to counts by the NABU state association, Berlin is the capital of sparrows. But it's not just the cheeky house sparrow that thrives here—birds can be spotted all over the city. Hawks hunt in backyards, nightingales sing, and larks and wheatears prefer the wide open spaces of the former Tempelhof and Tegel airports. Many rare bird species and waterfowl also nest around the airport lake in northern Berlin. Since 1983, members of the AG Vogelschutzreservat have been monitoring and recording bird populations, identifying over 204 different species.
When: all year round
Where: Allee Sankt Exupery 45, Tegel
