Best of Berlin
One thing we always warn our guests when they head out into the city is “watch out for the bikes!” It can sometimes be all-too-easy to stray into the bike lane, and Berliners will certainly give you a ring of the bell if you do. But although Berliners like to grumble about the cycling infrastructure in the city, this is a pretty good place to explore on two wheels. There aren’t many hills, there are plenty of bike paths and waymarked routes, and loads of bike shops around if you ever get a puncture.
Here at The Circus we have a range of bike rental options – including one of those electric cargo bikes that are perfect for families with little ones too short to reach the pedals. Ask us at reception for our different options.
You’ll find people riding their bikes in all weathers in Berlin, and it is a great way to explore the city’s green spaces as well as the famous landmarks. Here are some of our favourite places to explore by bike, with suggestions as to where you can start your ride. Don’t forget: if you decide to take your bike on public transport, it needs its own ticket!
Oh, and if you decide to stop for a drink along the way, you should know if you order a “Radler” (cyclist) in a Berlin pub or beer garden, you’ll get a nice refreshing shandy. Prost!
Berlin’s answer to Central Park, the Tiergarten is a vast, green oasis in the heart of the city with nice wide paths to explore by bike. You’ll pass through patches of woodland, lush green meadows, historical monuments and even a beer garden. Not exactly the Tour de France, but if you fancy escaping the busy streets of the city and finding a nice spot for a picnic, you can’t do much better.
Where to start your ride: There’s no better place to start than in the shadow of the Brandenburg Gate (Google maps).
Which route: Nice wide trails criss-cross the park, or you could follow the river until you reach the modernist Hansaviertel housing estate, with architecture from some of the 20th centuries most famous designers (Google maps).
Where to stop for a Radler: The Cafe am Neuen See is one of Berlin’s leafiest and most popular beer gardens (Google maps).
This was Berlin’s original airport, and now the landing strips and taxiways are part of one of the largest open spaces in the world and are perfect for cyclists of all abilities. You’ll see kids from the neighbourhood having their first experience on two wheels as well as the local MAMIL training for the next triathlon, and for a city one of the joys is that you can ride uninterrupted… no traffic lights here!
Where to start your ride: You’ll want to check out the old airport building, complete with control tower (Google maps).
Which route: Go with the flow… follow the cycle route along the old taxiways and runways of the airport. To get a sense of the scale of the place, take a break at the lookout tower at the southern side of the park (Google maps).
Where to stop for a Radler: Just north of Tempelhofer Feld, on the other side of Hasenheide park, is SUUUD, a newly reopened independent brewery with beer garden (Google maps).
The Mauerweg or Berlin Wall Trail was conceived as a cycling route, following the old patrol road of the border guards for 160 kilometres through the city centre and around its edge. If you ride the whole thing you will see many of the main sights of Berlin, as well as a variety of landscapes including forests, lakes and dunes. Along the way you’ll encounter historical markers and remnants of the Wall, making for a reflective journey through Berlin’s divided past. But don’t forget… you don’t have to ride it all!
Where to start your ride: The closest stretch of the Wall to The Circus is at Bernauer Straße, where you will find one of the few sections still standing as well as the main documentation centre and open-air exhibition (Google maps).
Which route: It depends if you want to explore the city or the countryside, but one stretch that is definitely recommended is the section between Berlin and Potsdam, where you will pass by the famous Bridge of Spies (Google maps).
Where to stop for a Radler: The Mauerpark is a section of the old border close to The Circus that is now one of Berlin’s most popular parks and hangout spots. Get your Radler or soft drink from a nearby kiosk and enjoy the atmosphere (Google maps).
Popular with road riders (who stick to the streets) and mountain bikers (who ride everything in between) the Grunewald Forest offers an extensive network of tarmac and trails through lush woods without ever leaving the city limits. Contrary to popular belief, there are some hills in Berlin and you’ll find them here… and if the workout leaves you hot and sticky, there are several lakes to stop for a refreshing break.
Where to start your ride: Grunewald station is as good a starting point as any. A couple of pedal strokes will take you into the forest, and the station also has a moving memorial to the Jewish Berliners deported from Grunewald to the concentration camps during the Holocaust (Google maps).
Which route: From Grunewald station you can follow a string of lakes including the Grunewaldsee and Schlachtensee until you get to Wannsee. From here you could continue on to Potsdam… but you are never far away from the S-Bahn in case you fancy catching the train home (Google maps).
Where to stop for a Radler: Halfway along the ride to Wannsee you will come to Schlachtensee, a great swimming lake with a lovely beer garden at one end (Google maps).
Mixing up urban scenery with natural beauty, the Spree River Path follows the river as it winds its way through Berlin and beyond, offering a unique perspective on the city. Along the way you’ll pass landmarks such as the Reichstag, Museum Island and the East Side Gallery, and being a riverside trail in the plains of northern Germany, the path is relatively flat and accessible for riders of all abilities. A great way to explore the city on two wheels. POTSD
Where to start your ride: If you want to see the main sights of the city then start your ride close to Hauptbahnhof and follow the river towards Alexanderplatz (Google maps).
Which route: If you ride east from the main station along the river you will pass the Reichstag, TV Tower, East Side Galley and more, on your way to Treptower Park with its lovely riverside trails (Google maps).
Where to stop for a Radler: The Zenner beer garden in Treptower Park is a lovely spot on the water to take a break (Google maps).
Just a short trip outside Berlin (if you take the train you’ll also need a ticket for your bike!), the historic city of Potsdam and the surrounding Havelland region offer some lovely rides. Potsdam is dotted with palaces, parks, and historical sites, including the famous Sanssouci Palace. Into the Havelland region and you’ll discover serene countryside views, charming villages, and tranquil lakes. This area is perfect for a day trip, combining scenic beauty with cultural exploration. The well-paved roads and dedicated bike paths make it a comfortable ride for all skill levels.
Where to start your ride: Potsdam station is easy to get to from Berlin by S-Bahn, and you can even rent bikes there (Google maps).
Which route: For a full day adventure, head first to Sanssouci and then north towards the Russian colony and and Cecilienhof palace From here follow the river until you reach the Bridge of Spies and then make your way back into town to the station (Google maps).
Where to stop for a Radler: The Meierei is a brewpub on the water, close to Cecilienhof, with hearty German food and cold drinks (Google maps).
If you want even more tips and ideas for your visit to Berlin, check out the rest of our Experience Berlin blog or follow us on Instagram.
We also have special deals for those who book their trip to Berlin early or want to stay longer. Check out our special offers page for more details.
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