Jetting down the runway of the former Tempelhof Airport by bike, that should definitely be on your Bucketlist for your next visit to Berlin. Let us know if you take off - because sometimes a strong wind blows on Tempelhofer Feld. Kitesurfers like to take advantage of this. In this blog, we reveal everything else you can experience and discover on this largest open space in Berlin's city centre - 11 tips for a trip to Tempelhofer Feld.
In our video podcast episode from Berlin Unboxed to Tempelhofer Feld, we visit shepherd Frank Wasem, climb the THF Tower and find out more about the flora & fauna that has settled on the former airport site.
Tip 1: Discover the urban nature & pet sheep
Larks breed here among grazing sheep. For kestrels and the endangered wheatear, the wide field has long been a new home. Various species of grasshoppers, butterflies and wild bees have also colonised the area since it was decommissioned. If you are interested in the diversity of nature on Tempelhofer Feld, then the Campus Stadtnatur programme is just right for you. From exploring the nature experience area for children to urban ecology tours on soil, climate, air and much more, to visiting the sheep or more practical offers such as ikebana or mindfulness training, everything is included.
When: depending on the season and offer
Where: meeting point on Tempelhofer Feld
Tip 2: Look out over the vast field from the THF Tower
From here, you have a wonderful view and can overlook the whole expanse of Tempelhofer Feld. In addition to the panoramic view on the terrace, you will also find a spacious exhibition area on the 6th floor. "Ready for Take-Off - 100 Years of Tempelhof Airport" tells the story of the site in nine exciting chapters. Marvel at the first flight experiments, learn more about the monumental architecture, the airlift and the Cold War period, right through to the referendum and the development of Tempelhof Airport as an open space and the largest open area in Berlin's city centre.
Tip: In the warmer months, there are also concerts and yoga classes on the terrace.
When: Wednesday to Sunday 11am - 6pm
Where: Tempelhofer Damm 45, Tempelhof
Tip 3: Kitesurfing with the wind at your back
There are people who venture onto Tempelhofer Feld without rollers under their feet. After all, at 386 hectares, it is as big as 541 football pitches. And you should plan an hour and a half for a walk around the field (around six kilometres). However, if you are travelling without a bike, inline skates or skateboard, you can also rent a vehicle on site. For the little ones, there are electric cars at the MobilcenterBerlin, as well as multi-seat pedal scooters, bikes and Segways (in the Steckdose Berlin container). Skaters and inline skaters meet here, at the Almende Kontor community garden or at the Skatepark Vogelfreiheit. And part of the eastern runway is reserved for kitesurfers.
When: depending on the season and weather, the hire centres open between 11 am and 2 pm and close between 6 pm and 7 pm
Where: Mobilcenter Berlin and Steckdose are located at the S-Bahn Tempelhof entrance on the field slightly to the right
Tip 4: Choose between beer gardens, kiosks & coffee bikes
With its many large meadow areas, Tempelhofer Feld is of course perfect for a picnic outing. However, there are also numerous catering options directly on the field: you can get small snacks, ice cream and coffee in the red information kiosks at all three main entrances. Coffee bikes are available at the runways.
The Temple Garden, the beer garden offers space for 300 guests. Hot meals, grilled food, salads and cakes are served here at the weekend. There is also seating and a nice selection of food and drinks at the Kiosk Blaue Stunde (Crashgate entrance) and in the Luftschloss Cafèteria you can even make yourself comfortable in beach chairs. Right next to the field at the THF Tower is the Neulich beer garden with tarte flambée and a cultural programme.
Tip: There are several drinking fountains where you can fill up your own water bottle.
Where: Blue hour at the south-eastern Crash Gate entrance
When: April to October, daily from 12 noon, held off-season on weekends and when the sun is shining
Where: Temple Garden near Columbiadamm entrance
When: On weekends in good weather until the field closes, partially open during the week depending on the weather
Tempelgarten
Tip 5: Play sustainable minigolf at Nuture Art
The course at Nuture Art Minigolf is constantly changing. Designed as a living art project, different artists are constantly constructing new courses for you to test your skills on. You can also learn a lot about sustainability. All tracks are made from recycled materials and are themed to encourage all players to think. The themes include animal and environmental protection, mindfulness and new ideas for a better future. Generate sustainable electricity on the eco nightclubbing track or trigger the explosion of a nuclear reactor as a warning. You can move or change something everywhere with your game. Maybe even yourself?
When: April - October, weekdays from 1pm, weekends from 12pm (April until 6pm, May until 8pm, June/July until 9pm, August/September until 7.30pm, October until 6.30)
Where: Entrance Columbiadamm 80, Tempelhof
Tip 6: Discover aeroplanes and history
The history of Tempelhofer Feld goes back to the Middle Ages, the name refers to the former seat of the Knights Templar (Komturei Tempelhof). From 1722, the field became a parade ground, first for the great parades of the Soldier King Friedrich Wilhelm I, then for the Berlin garrison. It is home to an amusement park, then a horse racecourse and a football pitch. The first balloons took off here and in 1909 Orville Wright gave his flight demonstration here.
Tempelhofer Feld Airport officially opened in 1923 and construction work on the airport buildings that still stand today began in 1936. From 1945, Tempelhof became an airport for the US Air Force, raisin bombers dropped their parcels over the field - after that, air traffic continued to expand until it came to a standstill in 2008 with the closure of the airport. You can find out the whole story at the History trail on Tempelhofer Feld. You can also see a "Rosinenbomber" on the forecourt of the airport building, and a Nord 262 passenger plane from the 1960s still stands in the middle of the field.
Tip 7: Let off steam with sports & fly a kite
Guess how many different sports you can let off steam on Tempelhofer Feld. In addition to cycling, skating and wind sports such as kite surfing, you can of course play frisbee and badminton, do yoga, jog, kite flying and play table tennis. There is also a tennis wall, a tight rope arena, the Cabuwazi circus and the Dingadu talent school, which teaches unicycling and circus skills to children and adults. You will find football and basketball courts, you can play beach volleyball, softball or jugger, there are boules courts, running clubs and fitness courses, such as Nordic active courses including the hire of roller sports equipment in summer and cross-country skiing in winter.
Tip 8: Play chess at Crashgate
The chess clubhouse near the Crashgate entrance shows just how diverse the offerings at Tempelhofer Feld are. The red information centre in the south-western corner of the runway has been transformed into a chess tower. Here you can now play chess every Sunday from 2 pm until sunset with pieces of various sizes - and be inspired by exciting upcycling ideas for giga chess games. In bad weather and in winter, the chess house on Tempelhofer Feld is closed.
When: weather permitting, every Sunday from 2 pm
Where: "Crashgate" Oderstraße entrance
More about the chess clubhouse
Tip 9: Go to the theatre at the Luftschloss
Culture, music and theatre are always on offer from May to September at the Luftschloss at the Tempelhofer Feld S-Bahn entrance. The open-air stage directed by the Atze music theatre is an exciting cooperation project. The wooden structure, built together with vocational school students, is rebuilt on the field every year and offers an open-air stage for a diverse and cross-generational programme for a wide variety of artists and initiatives. From children's theatre for nurseries and schools to cabaret, dance and concerts, everything is on offer. A café in front of the Luftschluss invites you to linger.
When: May to September
Where: at the Tempelhof S-Bahn entrance
Tip 10: Visit Stadtacker, Tanzboden & Kulturgate
Nature and culture simply belong together on Tempelhofer Feld. The Community Garden Stadtacker also includes a small stage. You can listen to local bands or dance swing between raised beds full of herbs and sunflowers. Berlin's flamenco scene meets on the wooden dance floor (Tanzboden) near the S-Bahn Tempelhof entrance. Not far from Tanzboden, the bright red container of the KulturGate association invites you to make music, dance and exchange ideas for art and cultural projects on Tempelhofer Feld. Just drop by and have a look!
When: depending on the project and event
Where: Kulturgate and Tanzboden about five minutes from the main entrance Tempelhofer Damm; Stadtacker entrance Columbiadamm 80, Tempelhof (right next to Nuture Minigolf)
Tip 11: Enjoy the sunset
Of course, the wide field also invites you to simply lie down on the grass and enjoy the wind, air and space. Come alone or with a friend, pack a blanket, a good book, a picnic - and maybe some sun protection. If you stay until sunset, you'll have a wonderful view from the high seats near the blue hour kiosk.
