Of course, there is no way that we’ve seen even a fraction of the parks of Berlin since there are over 2,500 of them. The six on our list have been chosen based on what we’ve had the opportunity to see as well as what friends have recommended.

Before we share out top picks, here are some useful ideas to consider when deciding on a park, whether you chose one from our list or visit one off our list that has captured your fancy.

Here are a few guidelines to help you decide where to go and what to do.

Romance Comes in Many Varieties

pick a park based on the mood you want to set

Playful

Parks are a good place to play, and not just for kids.

Trampolines: If you want to have a fun date, try out a trampoline, or better yet, go trampoline hunting. Most trampolines are hidden at foot level so it could take a bit of effort to locate them. Also, be aware that you might be competing with small children and families. It is relatively easy to snag time to jump after dark.

Sledding: If Berlin manages to have snow this year there are several places to sled. Many of these sledding areas are trümmerbergs, or hills made from the bricks of buildings destroyed during the allied bombings during World War II. Berlin has eight trümmerbergs. Also recommended, sledding down Mauer Park hill at sunset.

Exploring abandoned places: While many abandoned spaces are being converted or privatized, there are still some remnants of history. The old spy station at Teufelsberg is one of the most famous. Today there is an entrance fee of 8 euros but the view is great on a clear day and some of the funds go to support street artists who create work for the space. I read there is an abandoned telescope at the trümmerberg in Steglitz, at Park der Insulaner but I haven’t yet confirmed it. Tweet me if you know there are others I should add to the list. Also check out the website, Abandoned Berlin for ideas.

Conversational

Parks are a great place to wander, talk and get to know someone better.

Wander: So many of the Volksparks and larger parks in Berlin are made up of many sections with many pathways. From playgrounds to dog parks to fountains, beer gardens and outdoor cinema. You can stroll through the trees, open fields, up trümmerbergs or around mini animal parks.

Relax: In winter you can grab a tea, coffee or beer at a beer garden. Warm up inside or grab a blanket and drink outside. In summer, you can spend time on the grass watching boats go by on one of the riverways. Some parks even have lounge chairs available. There are also many lakes around Berlin.

36 Questions: If you have trouble starting up a conversation, check out the 36 Questions. These were designed to help you get closer to a stranger (not necessarily romantic). I still think about the first question, if you could invite anyone to dinner, who would it be? My personal answer keeps changing depending on my interests. I think it would be an interesting exercise to share with a friend, lover or even a stranger.

BERLIN WALL MEMORIAL
Bernauer Strasse near Nordbahnhof

Adventurous

History: Berlin is full of history and the city has done a great job preserving it, especially from WWI and beyond. Explore by taking a bike tour following the former wall. Various segments offer glimpses into the past through photos, kiosks with audio stories and written descriptions of events. There are also a variety of live and recorded tours to check out. In December we went to the Soviet War Memorial at Treptower Park to learn about Soviet history in Berlin. It was a fascinating tour and I look forward to sharing some videos inspired by an interview with our very knowledgeable guide, Holger of Berlins Taiga, in the near future.

Green Walks: Berlin has long stretches of green space to walk in that will take you through a variety of neighborhoods and landscapes. One way to discover this is to find a path along a canal and start walking. Or you can check out the routes provided by Berlin.de. Walks range from 7 km (Bullengraben walk in Spandau) and 10 km (Britz-Buckow walk starting at Tempelhofer Feld) to 60 km (River Spree/Berlin Glacial Valley Walk). The 20 Green Walks site provides detailed maps along with U/S-Bahn information. There are walks in every district of Berlin, and I’d recommend exploring an area you haven’t been before.

Forest bathing:  This is something we did for a video a few months back. We visited Grunewald Forest and spent time enjoying the trees and nature. From my understanding the term forest bathing came from Japan where it was developed as a stress reduction technique. It is basically walking meditation in the woods. I enjoy it because I see the forest differently when I experience it in slow motion. On our film trip we discovered land art, found a woodpecker, saw many tree formations within close proximity and experienced light and sound on a deeper level. Follow your bath with a trip to a local café or bar or restaurant. Check out our video on Forest Bathing in Grunewald.

Peacock Island / Pfaueninsel

#ParkProjectBerlin