In Berlin you can easily forget that you are in a big city: There are numerous lakes, countless parks and a green surrounding countryside. We recommend exploring all this by bike. Cycling through the summer of Berlin allows you to be out and about in the fresh air and quickly in the countryside. We’ll show you the most beautiful bike routes in Berlin: along the banks of the River Spree, to the lakes and to the surrounding areas.
Tip 1: Berlin Wall bike path in the north and the south
You will come across the former course of the Wall again and again in Berlin, the perfect reason to finally cycle the Wall Cycle Path. Since the entire route is almost 160 km long and takes at least a weekend to complete, we've picked out the most beautiful and greenest sections for you. The section Henningsdorf - Hohen Neuendorf - Hermsdorf takes you through beautiful nature around northern West Berlin. At the end of the tour, the Wall Trail leads through the Tegeler Fließ and Lübars back to Berlin Mitte. Heading south on the Sonnenallee - Schönefeld - Lichtenrade section, you ride from Sonnenallee along the Teltowkanal via Schöneberg to Lichtenrade.
Tip 2: From the bike onto the water
On this varied tour, you will see Berlin sights such as Charlottenburg Palace, the Siemensstadt housing estate or the Olympic Stadium and enjoy relaxing nature. In Spandau you change from your bike to a canoe and explore the Havel. It's definitely worth taking a picnic with you on this tour. Exhausted but happy, you return to Charlottenburg by bike after your water excursion or take the S-Bahn in Pichelsberg.
Tip 3: Southwest Cycle Routes: Nikolassee bike route
On the small round trip through the district of Steglitz-Zehlendorf in the southwest of Berlin you can enjoy the peace and quiet of the Grunewald, jump into the cool water at various bathing spots, learn interesting facts about the beginnings of Berlin in the museum village of Düppel, and take a trip back in time to the division of Germany, at Checkpoint Bravo Dreilinden.
Tip 4: Five Villages Tour in the east of Berlin
Let yourself be surprised by a tour that presents the diversity of the Hellersdorf-Marzahn district. Beyond the prefabricated buildings, it becomes rural, village-like and even mountainous. Many small oases hide between traffic hubs and industrial parks. In the shadow of the high-rise buildings you will discover historic village greens, manor houses, churches and a windmill.
Tip 5: Across the Tempelhofer Feld
Tempelhofer Feld is a real classic in the Berlin summer. Here you can linger and experience the vastness of the world's largest inner-city open space. Crossing it by bike or on foot is an experience not to be missed. The tour also takes you through trendy neighbourhoods in Kreuzberg, Schöneberg and Tempelhof.
Tip 6: Southwest Cycle Routes: Wannsee cycle route
A classic bike ride, but always lovely – from the city centre to Wannsee. You’ll travel through the historical centre, 19th century neighbourhoods and the villa suburbs to Potsdam. On the way you’ll pass Gendarmenmarkt, Checkpoint Charlie, the Schöneberg Town Hall, the Freie Universität and much more. Once you’ve reached your destination, treat yourself to a jump into Berlin’s second largest lake.
Tip 7: Bicycle ride through Reinickendorf
The north of Berlin is also great for bicycle rides. In addition to Tegel Airport, Reinickendorf offers a lot of water and nature. You can get acquainted with Berlin’s oldest tree in Tegel Forest and cycle around Lake Tegel.
Tip 8: Tiergarten bike route
The Tiergarten is Berlin’s green lung. In the middle of the city – between the Brandenburg Gate, Potsdamer Platz and the Victory Column – You can go for a walk, enjoy the sunbathing areas or just drive around with your bike. In the park you can also visit monuments or the Café am Neuen See.
Tip 9: Bike tour for street art fans
In summer, the whole city becomes an open-air museum of impressive street art. You can discover it on foot or by bike. A detour to the East Side Gallery is a must. Much more hidden, however, are other street artworks that adorn blocks of houses and backyards.
Tip 10: Berlin’s Animal Side
Unusual name for a tour of the city? Not in Berlin. The diversity of Berlin's fauna is impressive, ranging from goats and sheep to bats, mouflons and water buffalo. Ideally, you should take binoculars and your lunch with you on this tour, because at almost 42 kilometres, the route is one of the longer ones. On the way, however, there are numerous places to stop and look around.
Tip 11: Discover industrial culture by bike
Combine your bike trip with a discovery tour of Berlin's industrial culture. Visit the backyard workshop where Siemens & Halske, a global corporation, got its start. Find out where Berlin was once supplied with electricity, water and gas. Walk in the footsteps of Berlin's manufactories and entrepreneurs or discover the roots of Berlin's rail and air infrastructure. On five thematic tours developed by the Centre for Industrial Culture, you can discover the capital from a new perspective.
