Tiergarten

The second largest urban garden in Germany
Talk of the town: 'Tiergarten' is German for 'Animal Garden'.

Covering 520 acres of parkland, the Tiergarten is situated west of the city centre, yet central enough to provide Berliners with important tranquility amidst the urban madness. Originally the 16th-century hunting ground of the Prince-electors, the park was modernised in the early 19th century, and between 1961 and 1989 was bordered along the east by the Berlin Wall. In the northeast corner sits the Reichstag, whilst to the south is Potsdamer Platz and the Sony building.
Cutting a swathe through the park is Strasse 17 Juni, a vast, eight-lane road connecting Unter den Linden and Charlottenburg, off which spring a myriad of other little roads and paths that stretch deep into the forest. As well as cafes and plenty of quiet benches, the park contains many little lakes, which are popular with brave ice skaters when they freeze over in winter.