Along the banks of rivers and lakes, but sometimes also in the middle of the city, the many faces of Berlin are particularly picturesque. Join us on a short round trip to discover oases that will make you forget the noisy hustle and bustle of the pulsating big city for a while - from idyllic, overgrown islands, restaurants on the waterfront and historic sites to the best riverside promenades for a peaceful stroll. Enjoy the sunny autumn days in Berlin!
Tip 1: Teahouse in the English Garden
A little bit hidden in the big Tiergarten, but therefore even more idyllic, is the teahouse in the English Garden. In summer, the large terrace with a view of the roses is particularly inviting. And of course, at English tea time, the scones are served in style on small shelves. If you prefer a hearty breakfast, you can have scrambled eggs, hummus and three kinds of cheese.
When: Monday - Saturday 12 am – 10 pm, Sunday 10 am – 10 pm
Where: Altonaer Straße 2/2a, Tiergarten
More information about the teahouse in the English garden
Tip 2: Garden at the Charlottenburg palace
Only a few hundred metres downstream, the Spree meanders past Charlottenburg Palace and around the enchanting palace garden. The garden, designed in the 18th century, is one of the most beautiful parks on the banks of the Spree in Berlin and invites you to take long walks between green trees, moats and the carp pond. You can also visit the magical Charlottenburg Palace itself, the Belvedere Tea House and the Mausoleum of the Prussian Queen Luise.
Where: Spandauer Damm 10–22, Charlottenburg
More information about the Charlottenburg palace
Tip 3: Gärten der Welt
How about a journey around the world, packed into a day trip? We start in England, travel on to the Orient and China and finally explore South East Asia - all without a plane ticket or jet lag. The gardens of the world allow us to dream far away for a few hours. With the winding gardens, consisting of exotic plants, this is truly an oasis. In between you can enjoy a drink and delicious food in one of the cafés for further explorations.
Where: Blumberger Damm 44, Marzahn
When: daily 9 am – 8 pm
More information about the Gärten der Welt
Tip 4: Neu-Venedig (New Venice)
In the very east of Berlin, the Spree flows through two lakes: the Dämeritzsee and the Müggelsee. Between these lakes, on the Müggelspree in the Köpenick district of Rahnsdorf, you can discover a very unusual highlight: Neu-Venedig, an idyllic settlement with weekend plots, built in the 1920s and criss-crossed by countless canals. The best way to discover the small Berlin Venice is by rowing boat from Müggelsee lake - or of course by taking a leisurely walk, crowned by a meal in the summer garden of the excursion restaurant New Venice.
Where: Fürstenwalder Allee, Köpenick
More information about Neu-Venedig
Tip 5: Liebesinsel and peninsula Stralau
Where the districts of Treptow, Friedrichshain and Lichtenberg meet on the Spree, the Stralau peninsula extends longitudinally into the river. Until the 19th century, it was known above all for the Stralau fish migration. Today, an idyllic, modern residential area is located there, around the still-preserved village church, which invites you to take long walks along the banks. At the tip of the peninsula, you will find two insider tips on the Spree in Berlin: the Liebesinsel and the Scratch Break. The two tiny, densely overgrown islands are under strict nature conservation and are home to numerous birds as well as otters and beavers.
Where: Alt-Stralau, Lichtenberg
More information about peninsula Stralau
Tip 6: Schoenbrunn
While the joggers and crossfitters pass by, you sit in Schoenbrunn in the Volkspark Friedrichshain and enjoy the evening idyll. We can especially recommend the pizza that comes fresh from the stone oven here. Meanwhile you can watch the swans on the opposite side and relax.
Where: Close to the swan lake at Volkspark Friedrichshain
More information about Schoenbrunn
Tip 7: Café-Restaurant „Wintergarten“
An oasis of peace is the café-restaurant "Wintergarten" in the Literaturhaus, and yet it is right around the corner from Kurfürstendamm. It is part of the magnificent turn-of-the-century villa, which also houses the Literaturhaus. Perfect for bookworms who sit down with a book in the cozy garden and immerse themselves in exciting fantasy worlds with coffee and cake.
Where: Fasanenstraße 23, Wilmersdorf
When: daily 9 am – 12 am
More information about Café-Restaurant Wintergarten
Tip 8: Heilandskirche Sacrow
At this point we had to cheat a little: The Heilandskirche in Sacrow is not in Berlin. But you can look from there to the Berlin waterside. From 1844 on, the church was planned and today it rises into the water like a ship. The church's old walls and the murmur of the river Havel will help you forget the stress of everyday life - perfect for a romantic trip for two. And a bathing beach is also just around the corner.
Where: Fährstraße, Potsdam
More information about Heilandskirche Sacrow
Tip 9: Island of youth
Cultural activities and a café with a view that will make you forget all your worries. This oasis not only looks like one - it's also called like one. The small island is not as far away from the bustle as you might think. Situated between Treptower Park and Plänterwald, it is close to the districts of Kreuzberg and Neukölln, but belongs to the district of Treptow-Köpenick and is easy to reach by public transport. A visit here feels a bit like a holiday.
More information about the island of youth
Tip 10: Greenwichpromenade
Until 1911 the shore strip that today runs along the Tegel harbour was nothing more than a pasture for cattle. In the course of time, the bank developed into a promenade, which has attracted Berliners and visitors to stroll along for many years. In addition to cafés, which extend along the entire promenade, there is also a landing stage for the popular Berlin excursion cruisers.
More information about the Greenwichpromenade
Tipp 11: Café am Neuen See
The Café am Neuen See is a must in summer! Order some Bavarian specialities and take a seat under the shady, large trees. At the latest when you're well refreshed and floating with the rowing boats that slowly sail along the lake, you can forget the stress of everyday life.
When: daily 9 am – 10 pm
Where: Lichtensteinallee 2, Tiergarten
