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Our Favourite
What is your favourite time of the year? One of the best things about Berlin is that there is something going for it in every season, and autumn is no exception. As the air cools and the leaves begin to turn you really get a feel for how many trees there are in this city, across Berlin’s many parks, gardens and forests. With the heat of the summer behind us, it is the perfect time for strolling the streets before finding a cosy cafe or even an outdoor terrace for a beer in the autumn sunshine.
There are many great places to enjoy the autumnal colours in Berlin, and we have brought together some of our favourite spots to enjoy the atmosphere of this special season.
TIERGARTEN
Our most famous and central park, the Tiergarten is home to a wide variety of tree species across its over 200 hectares, meaning there are few better places to enjoy the autumn colours. Wander its winding paths beside the canal and ponds, or climb the Victory Column for some amazing views above the canopy of golden leaves. It is incredibly rare to get such a sense of escape from the hustle and bustle right in the centre of the city, but at the Tiergarten it’s definitely possible!
GRUNEWALD
Christopher Isherwood once described Berlin’s Grunewald Forest as being home to uncountable and gloomy pines, but there are more than just evergreens in these woods and it is one of Berlin’s best places for hiking, cycling and a spot of wild swimming, without ever leaving the city limits. Walk to the Devil’s Lake or climb the Devil’s Mountain to see the remnants of the old US Listening Station atop a hill made of wartime rubble. Enjoy the last outdoor beers of the season down by the Schlachtensee. Or follow the trail along the Havel shore for a fine walk between the woods and the water.
SCHLOSSPARK CHARLOTTENBURG
They might have built a new version of the old royal palace at the end of Unter den Linden, but in the west of the city there is an original residence of the Prussian monarchy that is still standing. Charlottenburg Palace is undoubtedly a stunner, but as summer turns to autumn it is the landscaped gardens that take centre stage. A magic place to experience the colours that come with the changing of the seasons.
BRITZER GARTEN
Berlin has a number of gardens that are well worth your time throughout the year, from the Gardens of the World in Marzahn to the Botanical Gardens in the south-west of the city. When it comes to autumn, though, we think the Britzer Garten has the edge. It is not as busy as the others can get, and yet the fall foliage is absolutely striking. It’s a great place to walk or simply just hang out, with cafes overlooking the ponds and plenty of different corners to explore.
MÜGGELSEE
This is Berlin’s largest lake and it provides the perfect contrast to the colours of the trees, especially those on the gentle hills of the southern shore. This is a great place for nature lovers, with hiking and mountain-biking trails through the hills and an observation tower with amazing views of the city centre in the distance and the surrounding countryside. The nearby neighbourhood of Köpenick was once an independent town, and has a lovely historic centre with some nice cafes and restaurants.
PFAUENINSEL
It’s amazing what rich people come up with when they have a lot of money and plenty of time to daydream. Built as the definition of a folly, complete with romantic ruins that were never not, well, ruined and a mix of ancient forest and landscaped gardens, Peacock Island is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site and accessed by a small ferry – sometimes you’ll find the peacocks that give the island its name catching a ride themselves. A great mix of history and natural beauty make for the perfect autumnal day trip without leaving the city.
HUMBOLDTHAIN
Just a few stops north of The Circus by Gesundbrunnen station, the Volkspark Humboldthain is a hidden gem among Berlin’s many parks. Stroll its pathways lined with trees before climbing the old World War II Flak Tower that was only partially destroyed. From the top you have amazing views across much of the city – and for those interested in history, Berliner Unterwelten offer tours in a number of different languages to get you exploring inside.
WHERE ELSE?
These are just some of the best places to enjoy autumn colours in Berlin, but we have a few more quick suggestions you might want to check out. The Karow Ponds in the north of the city are the perfect spot for ornithologist to spot some of the migrating birds that are passing through on their long journeys at this time of year. Right in the city centre, a bike ride along Karl-Marx-Allee is special at any time, but even more atmospheric when the leaves are glowing in reds and oranges and yellows. And Treptower Park, with its monumental Soviet War Memorial, offers lovely riverside walks and some bars and cafes that will still be serving even when there is a little chill in the air.