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Peacock Island, an island in the middle of Wannsee that can be reached only by ferry, is probably the most romantic spot in Berlin. In the 19th century, the island served as a love nest for King Friedrich Wilhelm II. His charming folly of a palace ruin was in keeping with the tastes of the time. Today dozens of proud peacocks live in the area around the building (see Grunewald & Dahlem) .

After Wannsee, Schlachtensee is the second most popular lake in Berlin. The small, elongated lake attracts mainly young people. To avoid the crowds on the sunbathing lawn right next to Schlachtensee S-Bahn station, just follow the embankment path around to the right. There you will find many small and slightly concealed green spaces perfect for sunseekers. The best time to go is during the week.

The Palace Park is one of the most attractive and charming green spaces in Germany. Immediately behind Schloss Charlottenburg is a small but magnificent Baroque garden, and beyond this extends a vast park, dating back to the early 19th century. It was landscaped in the English style and boasts artificial lake and river landscapes, small hidden buildings and idyllic shaded groves on the banks of ponds and streams. The park is ideally suited for strolling, and it is also a favourite place for sunseekers (see Schloss Charlottenburg) .

One of Berlin’s many epithets is that of “Athens on the Spree”, so named because of its cultural heritage and the slowly meandering river. In total, the Spree measures 398 km (249 miles), of which 46 km (29 miles) run through Berlin. Its banks are attractive for rest and recreation, and guided boat tours, romantic evening cruises and walks along the riverside are pleasant ways to spend the day.

The northernmost lake in Berlin is situated in an elegant residential area. A particularly attractive walk is Greenwich Promenade, from Tegeler Hafen (harbour) to Schwarzer Weg. A small, slightly hidden lakeside path leads from here to the other side of the lake and to a peninsula. Here stands the Villa Borsig, built in 1905 for a family of industrialists. Today it is owned by a foundation and is closed to the public. If you continue southward along Schwarzer Weg, you will get to the Tegeler See lido.

The dark green waters of the Devils’ Lake may conjure up evil, yet this is actually one of Berlin’s cleanest lakes. It is also one of the most relaxed and easy-going places – nudists, gay Berliners and dog lovers enjoy peace and tranquillity on the reed-covered banks in the middle of the Grunewald woods.

This second, smaller zoo is situated in the idyllic palace park of Friedrichsfelde. Some 950 animal species live in the park; the lions are particularly worth seeing (see Berlin’s Southeast) .

The 19th-century landscape garden on the banks of the Spree has become famous for the Soviet Memorial, which stands next to the graves of 5,000 Red Army soldiers (see Berlin’s Southeast) .

The old municipal park, originally designed in 1888–94 as a recreation area for local workers, is today one of Berlin’s most popular green spaces. The meadows around Kreuzberg, which rises to 30 m (98 ft), are great for sunbathing. On top of the mountain, a monument recalls the Prussian Wars of Liberation (see Kreuzberg & Schöneberg) .

The oldest park in Berlin (1840) is an artificial landscape of lakes and meadows and two heaps of rubble, one of which is jokingly called “Mount Klamott”, meaning Mount Rubble. There is also a fairy-tale fountain with statues of the most popular fairy tale characters (see Berlin’s Southeast) .