Tiergarten

Berlin's huge central park, a former royal hunting ground now laced with wooded paths, lakes and lawns, with the Victory Column at its heart. It's free and perfect for walking, cycling or a picnic. It's vast and easy to get turned around in, so keep a map handy.

Key facts

Frequently asked questions

How long should I spend?

An hour or two for a pleasant walk between sights, or a whole lazy afternoon if you add a boat, a beer garden, and the Victory Column. It scales to whatever time you have. In good weather, linger.

Can I climb the Victory Column?

Yes, the Siegessaule (Victory Column) in the middle of the park has a viewing platform up a spiral staircase for a small fee, offering a great view down the tree-lined avenues. It's the golden statue you'll spot from all over. Cash is handy for the small entry.

When's the best time to visit?

Spring through autumn, when the trees are full and the beer gardens open. A sunny afternoon or early evening is ideal. Winter walks are atmospheric but bare; the park is at its best in leaf.

Is Tiergarten free and always open?

Yes, it's a free public park open around the clock. There are no gates or tickets. It's central, huge, and one of the easiest free pleasures in Berlin, right next to the Brandenburg Gate and Reichstag.

What is there to do in Tiergarten?

Walk or cycle the wooded paths, rent a rowboat at the Neuer See, relax at a beer garden, see monuments like the Victory Column and the Soviet War Memorial (the western one), or just picnic on the lawns. It's also home to the Berlin Zoo at its western edge.

How does it connect to the main sights?

Beautifully. The park sits between the Brandenburg Gate/Reichstag at its eastern end and Zoologischer Garten and the Kurfurstendamm to the west, with Potsdamer Platz to the south. You can walk from one landmark to the next entirely through greenery.

Is it safe, including at night?

By day it's completely safe and full of joggers, families, and cyclists. Like any large park it's darker and emptier late at night, so stick to lit main paths after dark; there's nothing to fear but it's just sensible. Certain corners are known cruising spots but pose no risk to passers-by.

Is there a beer garden?

The Cafe am Neuen See, on the lake, is the famous one, a proper Bavarian-style beer garden where you can rent rowboats and drink under the trees. It's a Berlin institution and packed on warm afternoons. There are others dotted around too.

Nearby in Ask Berlin

• GemäldegalerieAttraction1.22 km · 15 min walk
• Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church (Gedächtniskirche)Attraction1.48 km · 19 min walk
• Reichstag BuildingAttraction1.82 km · 23 min walk
• Brandenburg Gate (Brandenburger Tor)Attraction1.88 km · 23 min walk
• Memorial to the Murdered Jews of EuropeAttraction1.94 km · 24 min walk