Berlin has an unfair reputation for being industrial and grey, but in reality it’s bursting with life and colour thanks to a variety of beautiful green spaces – not least the sprawling, sight-studded Grunewald forest in the south-east – as well as numerous waterways and abundant lakes.
t Boats cruising along a peaceful stretch of the Spree river
Every Berlin neighbourhood has its own Volkspark (people’s park), which are much loved and well used by locals. Each has its own style and character: Volkspark Friedrichshain, for example, has volleyball and tennis courts, GDR-era memorials and a beautiful fountain covered in fairy-tale statues.
The city’s gardens come into their own in spring, but can be enjoyed at any time of year. The Botanischer Garten in Dahlem is the big hitter, with a year-round schedule of events, and tropical greenhouses to enjoy in colder months. In the east, the Gärten der Welt offers an array of themed gardens and a Chinese tea pavilion.
Meandering through the city are Berlin’s main rivers, the Spree and the Havel, and dotted throughout are a plethora of lakes as well as the Landwehr Canal. These natural spots are perfect for beaches in the summer and ice-skating in the winter, and they’re a great place for a stroll all year round.
Although they’re not obvious to first- or even second-time visitors to Berlin, the city is sprinkled with a number of beautiful lakes where locals go to escape the crowds. Some, such as Wann- see in the west and Müggelsee in the east, have official lidos and charge a fee, but others are accessible for free. Two local favourites for their picturesque setting are the Tegeler See and Schlachtensee. There’s also the 66 Lake Trail, a 416-km (258-mile) route for hiking or biking, connecting a series of stunning lakes in the state of Brandenburg.