Tiergarten Walking Tour (Self Guided), Berlin

Known for the huge park of the same name, which once was a royal hunting ground, the central district of Tiergarten (German for “Animal Garden”) is home to the Berlin Zoo, the Victory Column with its winged statue and the lively, lakeside Café am Neuen See.

Begin your exploration at Postdamer Platz, the historic central square of Berlin, once regarded in the same way as Piccadilly Circus was in London. It has quite a fascinating history and, indeed, has probably experienced more change and upheaval in the past century or so than any other city-center square in the world. Like a phoenix rising from the ashes of the Cold War, it has awesome architecture, an impressive skyline, and a busy square, but laid out in such a way that it seems airy.

One of the centerpieces of Potsdamer Platz’s redevelopment, the Sony Center has an amazing central atrium area and is just a beautiful piece of engineering with a decent selection of cafes/restaurants and entertainment venues.

Bordering the square, the Kulturforum includes several state museums and the Berliner Philharmonie concert hall, built in 1963 and regarded as one of the finest post-war architectural achievements in Europe. Meanwhile, the Gemäldegalerie is a treasure trove of European art, and has some great explanations of its history.

Spend the rest of the day wandering around the “green lung of Berlin” – a wonderful idea, especially with all the monuments, statues and winding paths throughout. Very serene and lush, the Tiergarten Park also has gorgeous plants/flowers and many idyllic ponds interspersed with benches around. On a beautiful day, it’s great for spreading out on blankets for a picnic.

For an excellent day out in Tiergarten, follow this self-guided walking tour and explore at your own pace.