From open-air movie experiences to art galleries, and from quiet walks through nature to actively flying through the trees, Berlin has it all. Here are our top tips for outdoor activities in Berlin.

Walking tour

A great way to explore Berlin at your own pace is with a self-guided walking tour, such as the one you can get for free in our app. Our walking tour through the heart of Berlin, takes you from Tiergarten, through the Government district and all the way to the TV tower on Alexanderplatz. Along the way you’ll see the many different faces of both east and west Berlin and we’ll tell you Berlin’s story step by step.

East Side Gallery

You don’t have to go inside one of Berlin’s incredible museums to see art, you can just head to the longest open-air gallery in the world. The East Side Gallery was once part of the Berlin Wall, today it is 1.3 kilometres of history and art. As soon as the Wall came down, 118 artists from 21 countries began painting this section of the wall with street art, which officially opened as an open-air gallery in September 1990.

Freiluftkino

Visiting an open-air cinema is a must, especially on long and warm summer nights. Berlin has several freiluftkinos, which are often located in old warehouses, courtyards or public parks. Though some of the cinemas show the typically German-dubbed version of movies, others air the original English versions with subtitles. You’ll find freiluftkinos in Berlin’s hippest neighbourhoods, including Kreuzberg and Friedrichshain, and even near Potsdamer Platz.

Cruise on the Spree

Sightseeing from the water that flows through a city will always give you a unique and different perspective of that city. A cruise on the Spree river is one of Berlin’s most relaxing outdoor activities, as you can just sit back and enjoy the scenery with a drink in your hand. The cruise will take you all the way from Museum Island past the Reichstag building and to the Haus der Kulturen der Welt.

Zoo Berlin in Tiergarten

The oldest and most popular zoo in Germany lies in the southwest corner of Tiergarten park. Zoo Berlin is home to around 20.000 animals from more than 1000 species, including the only giant pandas in Germany. You enter the zoo through its impressive Elephant Gate, from here you can make your way to the aquarium, primate house, eagle canyon or even hippo bay.

Botanic Garden and Botanical Museum

Even when it is raining you can stay dry and walk amongst nature in Berlin’s Botanic Garden and Botanical Museum. The Botanic Garden has a collection of 20.000 plant species, which makes it one of the world's leading gardens. The garden’s Greenhouse complex consists of 16 houses, which are open to the public and offer the chance to tropical and subtropical vegetation.

Bike tour

If you prefer a faster way to explore than city than on foot, than we recommend experiencing Berlin’s highlights on a bike. In 3.5 hours Berlin’s best tour on a bike takes you to all of Berlin’s most important sights, while the guide tells you exciting stories and gives you detailed background information about Berlin. The tour is available in German, English and Dutch so that everyone experience it to the fullest.

Mountmitte

Those looking for an adventure with some height in Berlin can find it at Mountmitte on the edge of the Park auf Nordbahnhof. Here you can traverse six high rope courses named for legendary mountains, with close to 90 exciting climbing exercises ranging from 3 to 15 metres high. Out in the open-air, you can enjoy views all the way to the TV Tower on Alexanderplatz.

Gardens of the world

You don’t have to leave Berlin to travel around the world. On the northeast edge of the city, an area of 60 football pitches has been transformed into gardens designs from all over the world. You can enjoy worldly events such as a Korean tea ceremony in a Korean garden, a Japanese cherry blossom festival in the Japanese garden, and Scottisch Highland games on the meadows by the visitors centre.

Tempelhofer Feld

Though it was an airport for over 80 years, Tempelhofer Feld is now a public park in Berlin unlike any other. Here you’ll find a six-kilometre long cycling, skating and jogging trail, as well as a 2.5 hectare BBQ area, a massive dog-walking field and enormous picnic area. And on windy days, this is the best place in the city to fly a kite.