Berlin, with its rich history and vibrant culture, is also home to some of the most stunning parks. These green spaces are perfect for a relaxing day out, and what better way to enjoy them than with a delicious picnic? Before we dive into the best Berlin parks, let's talk about what makes a perfect outdoors gathering.
Discovering Berlin's parks, one quickly becomes immersed in the rich tradition of outdoor living and trekking that is deeply ingrained in German culture. This vibrant park culture reminded us of our visits to Bolzano while living in northern Milan, close to Lake Como, Italy.
The parks in Bolzano share a similar aesthetic, blending the meticulous care and style of Austrian and German influences despite Bolzano being in Alto Adige. This familiar sense of order and natural beauty makes Berlin's parks feel like a home away from home for us.
Components of the Perfect Picnic
If, for once you decide not to go eat in one of the vast list of vegan restaurants in Berlin, creating a delightful picnic is the way to go.
With so many vegan options in Berlin, you need a mix of staple and unique options that you can easily find in any market or mainstream grocery store in Berlin. Here's what you'll need:
- Vegan Sandwiches or Wraps: Fill whole-grain bread or wraps with vegan cheese, avocado, homemade guacamole, tomatoes, fresh greens, and
- Salads: Fresh and colorful salads like quinoa salad with roasted veggies, chickpeas, and a lemon-tahini dressing, or a classic tabbouleh.
- Dips and Spreads: take advantage of the widely available Middle-Eastern staples like babaganoush and hummus a pair them with veggie sticks (carrots, cucumbers, bell peppers).
- Bread: You need something for those dips. Make sure you get to either a bakery or the bread section in any supermarket. Germans know their bread, so don't forget to try pumpernickel bread.
- Snacks: Vegan cookies, mixed nuts, dried fruits, and vegan cheese platters.
- Beverages: Homemade lemonade, iced herbal teas, fruit-infused water, and berry smoothies. We also love bringing a great selection of natural wines, expertly curated by our friend Emily Harman from Sublime Wine. These wines are more drinkable than regular wines and can be enjoyed easily at room temperature if they're not chilled enough.
- Fresh Fruits: Seasonal fruits like apples, berries, grapes, and oranges.
- Sweet Treats: Coconut yogurt parfaits with granola, overnight oats, and fresh berries or baked vegan goods like oatmeal raisin cookies.
Bring a waterproof blanket. Berlin is not well-known for the best weather. It rains often, so it is usual to picnic on not-so-wet grass. Also, bring a layer if you plan to stay late.
Now that we have our picnic essentials sorted, let's explore the top 10 parks in Berlin.
Top 10 Parks in Berlin for Vegan Picnics
1. Tiergarten
History and Key Points: Tiergarten, Berlin’s largest and most famous park, dates back to the 16th century when it was originally a hunting ground for the Brandenburg Electors. Over the centuries, it has transformed into a beautiful urban park with expansive green spaces, charming lakes, and picturesque walking paths. It also houses several important monuments and the Berlin Zoo.
What Makes It Special: Berlin’s largest and most famous park, Tiergarten offers vast green spaces, charming lakes, and picturesque walking paths. It's an oasis in the heart of the city.
Nearby Vegan Restaurant:
Soy: Known for its vegan Asian cuisine.
2. Tempelhofer Feld
History and Key Points: Tempelhofer Feld is a former airport turned public park, making it one of the most unique green spaces in Berlin. It was officially closed as an airport in 2008 and reopened as a park in 2010. The vast open areas are perfect for a variety of recreational activities, and it also hosts community gardens and cultural events.
What Makes It Special: This former airport turned park is unique with its wide-open spaces, making it perfect for cycling, kite flying, or lounging.
Nearby Vegan Restaurant:
Brammibal’s Donuts: Famous for its vegan donuts.
3. Volkspark Friedrichshain
History and Key Points: Established in 1848, Volkspark Friedrichshain is Berlin's oldest public park. It features the Märchenbrunnen (Fairy Tale Fountain), war memorials, and plenty of recreational areas. The park’s rich history and diverse landscapes make it a beloved spot for both locals and tourists.
What Makes It Special: Known for its fairytale fountains and lovely meadows, this park is a favorite for families and friends.
Nearby Vegan Restaurants:
1990 Vegan Living: A restaurant offering a variety of vegan Vietnamese dishes. This is by far my favorite restaurant. I have been frequenting it for more than 5 years, and it never disappoints! Cash only!
The Bowl: Specializes in wholesome vegan bowls.
4. Mauerpark
History and Key Points: Mauerpark, which means "Wall Park," is named for its location along the former Berlin Wall. Today, it's known for its vibrant atmosphere, especially on Sundays when it hosts a large flea market and public karaoke sessions.
What Makes It Special: Famous for its Sunday flea market and karaoke sessions, Mauerpark is lively and fun.
Remember to check out our guide on what to do in Berlin on a Sunday.
Nearby Vegan Restaurants:
Café Vux: Known for its vegan brunches and cakes.
Li.ke Thai: Offers vegan Thai street food. If you like Thai, this is your place.
5. Treptower Park
History and Key Points: Treptower Park, opened in 1888, is located along the Spree River and features beautiful gardens, the imposing Soviet War Memorial, and various recreational activities, including boat and kayak rentals. It’s a peaceful retreat from the bustling city.
What Makes It Special: Located along the Spree River, Treptower Park offers beautiful river views and boat rentals.
Nearby Vegan Restaurants:
Yoyo Foodworld: A casual eatery with a variety of vegan fast food.
Sfizy Veg: Europe’s first vegan pizzeria. Great for takeouts!
6. Stralauer Spreeufer
History and Keypoints: located in Berlin’s Friedrichshain district, has a rich history as an industrial hub in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, hosting numerous factories along the River Spree. The area was heavily bombed during World War II, leading to significant damage. Post-war, it fell under East Berlin’s jurisdiction, experiencing economic decline until reunification in 1989.
What makes it special: Since then, Stralauer Spreeufer has transformed into a vibrant cultural area, with old industrial buildings repurposed into residential spaces, offices, clubs, and art venues, contributing to Berlin’s dynamic creative scene.
Great to stake a stroll or go for a short run bordering the "half-island", about 4-5K one way.
We often stay at our friend's house in Oskreuz, which is a very nice, perfect location to book your stay, as it is close to parks and restaurants of all kinds.
Nearby takeouts:
Kap Frida Café: great German pastry and matcha tea with oat milk.
Kobani is a Middle Eastern food, takeaway Falafel and veggie Malakis.
If you are having a picnic, you, Lidl, and Edeka Schnelle are close to the park. You can also rent kayaks or take a boat to navigate the Spree River. Book at: Spree & Havelschiffahrt.
7. Görlitzer Park
History and Key Points: Originally a railway station site, Görlitzer Park was transformed into a public park in the 1980s. It's a vibrant space, often bustling with activity, and known for its cultural diversity and urban charm.
What Makes It Special: This vibrant park in Kreuzberg is a social hub, perfect for picnics and people-watching.
Nearby Vegan Restaurant:
Vöner: Specializes in vegan doner kebabs, but also offers freshly baked cakes and donuts.
History and Key Points: Park am Gleisdreieck was developed on a former railway wasteland and opened in 2013. It blends modern urban elements with natural landscapes, offering spaces for sports like skating, relaxation, and community events.
What Makes It Special: A modern park with a blend of green spaces and urban elements, great for sports and relaxation.
Nearby Vegan Restaurants:
Falco's Slice: offer fabulous vegan pizza.
Mezzacantina: While you wait for your pizza at Falco's, stop to shop for the perfect natural wine bottle. Then head to the park. Thank me later!
9. Viktoriapark
History and Key Points: Viktoriapark, created in 1888, is known for its man-made waterfall and the National Monument for the Liberation Wars on the top of the hill, offering a great view of the city. It’s a popular spot for both tourists and locals.
What Makes It Special: Features a beautiful waterfall and offers a great view of the city from the top of the hill.
Nearby Vegan Restaurants:
Chay Viet: Specializes in vegan Vietnamese cuisine.
Goodies: Offers a range of vegan snacks and beverages.
10. Schlosspark Charlottenburg
History and Key Points: Surrounding the Charlottenburg Palace, this park offers a glimpse into Berlin’s royal past. The beautifully landscaped gardens date back to the late 17th century and provide a tranquil escape with historical charm.
What Makes It Special: Surrounds the Charlottenburg Palace with beautiful gardens and historical charm.
Nearby Vegan Restaurants:
Natural' Mente: Known for its vegan macrobiotic and Italian cuisine.
Satyam: Offers vegan South Indian & Ayurvedic vegetarian cuisine.
11. Plänterwald
History and Key Points: Plänterwald is a lush forested area in the southeast of Berlin, offering a serene environment ideal for nature lovers. It’s less crowded and provides a peaceful retreat for picnics and leisurely walks.
What Makes It Special: A lush forested area ideal for a peaceful picnic away from the city's hustle.
Nearby Vegan Restaurants:
Veggie House: Offers a variety of vegan dishes in a cozy setting.
Plant Base: A vegan café with fantastic bagels and community space.
Key Tips for Transportation in Berlin
Berlin has an excellent public transportation system, making it easy to get around the city and explore its beautiful parks. Here are some key tips to help you navigate:
BVG App: Download the BVG app for easy access to all public transportation options, including U-Bahn, S-Bahn, buses, and trams. The app provides real-time updates, route planning, and ticket purchasing.
The Jelbi BVG App consolidates all of Berlin's public transportation and sharing services into a single, convenient platform. By registering once, users can access and utilize a variety of transportation options, including buses, trains, e-mopeds, e-scooters, bikes, cars, and taxis. You can use your credit card or a paypal account. Make sure the home address and payment method's address provided match, otherwise it may not work.
Biking: Berlin is a bike-friendly city with numerous bike lanes and rental options. You can rent bikes from various bike-sharing services like Nextbike, Lime, Swapfiet (starting at 20.90 /m), sand Donkey Republic.
Public Transport Tickets: Tickets are valid for all types of public transport (U-Bahn, S-Bahn, buses, and trams). You can purchase tickets at machines in stations or through the BVG app. Make sure to validate your ticket before boarding, police is constantly checking for free-riders dressed casually, and your really don't want to be caught and pay the 60 euro fine.
Most of your travels in Berlin will likely occur within the two main rings, so you'll typically need tickets for area AB. The Brandenburg Airport, however, is in area C. I recommend getting a single ABC ticket for €4.40 when traveling to the airport, and using AB tickets for €3.50 for other journeys.
Consider buying a 4-Fahrten-Karte (tickets for 4 journeys), which costs €10.80 for AB areas and €15 for ABC areas. This option saves you 23% to 15% respectively.
Additionally, there are short trip tickets available for shorter distances: up to 3 stops on the U-Bahn or S-Bahn, or 6 stops on buses and trams, within a 20-minute duration.
Day Passes: Consider getting a day pass if you plan to use public transport multiple times in a day. It offers unlimited travel within the selected zones.
Rentable Scooters: Electric scooters are widely available and can be rented through apps like Tier, Lime, Uber, and Bird. They provide a quick and fun way to get around short distances.
If you have the Uber app, you can also use the Lime scooters. A 30-minute ride costs about 10 euros, and you can ride it with your partner. It is not the most cost-effective option, but it is a great way to see the city in a different way, and scooters are available everywhere!
Berlin parks provide the perfect setting for a relaxing vegan picnic. With these easy and delicious ideas, you can enjoy the city's natural beauty while indulging in healthy, plant-based meals. So grab your picnic basket, head to your favorite park, and savor the best of Berlin's green spaces and vegan delights.
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