How To Relax and Recharge in Berlin

Nestled in the peaceful neighbourhood of Dahlem are Berlin’s very own botanical gardens. Showcasing plants and trees from across the globe, these award-winning gardens provide an ideal escape from the buzz of the capital. Visitors can replenish after tours of the historic spots of the city (or a night of partying) with a tranquil walk in the rolling woods and meadows for a small fee.

Trendy Prenzlauer Berg is home to many bohemian cafés, but this special spot offers more than just healthy treats; it’s also the city’s first yoga-studio café. Alongside the exceptionally tasty vegetarian menu, this spot also provides yoga classes and courses for aspiring teachers, allowing weary visitors to replenish both the mind and the body in one trip. And all ingredients on the menu that go into healthy dishes – such as açai bowls and home-made soups – are locally sourced.

Mindfulness meets modern art at Museum der Stille, a contemporary museum for travellers looking for a break from the norm – but more important, a bit of peace and quiet. With a name that literally translates as ‘museum of stillness’, the space encourages meditation and reflection among large-format paintings and intriguing architecture. Entry is free for visitors. For a creative way to unplug, a stroll around this Berlin treasure is a chance to relax to your heart’s content.

Tucked away in a quiet corner of Tiergarten, Café am Neuen See provides a leafy retreat for burned-out Berliners. Serving traditional German food, the restaurant itself is a romantic hideaway that could be straight from the Brandenburg countryside. On warmer days, visitors can rent a paddleboat to float along the quiet canals within Tiergarten itself, providing a sense of rural calm many city dwellers might pine for.

Revered as Berlin’s largest – and most beautiful – urban park, Tiergarten is home to the city’s zoo, magnificent memorials and eye-catching flower gardens, making it an ideal setting for a serene stroll or a moment of solitude. The park takes up more than 200 hectares (500 acres) of land, so even if you fancy a quick jog or a bike ride, you can enjoy plenty of green space to while away the hours.

Translating literally to ‘bathing ship’, Badeschiff was originally opened as an art project on the river Spree back in 2004. However, this unique structure has since gone on to become a much-loved spot for Berliners. During the summer, the pool is surrounded by sprawling deckchairs and DJs on rotation, but throughout Berlin’s notorious winters, translucent domes transform the pool into a full-fledged wellness area unlike any other.

A long-time favourite of Berlin’s hipster crowd, the city’s oldest municipal park is poised between edgy Friedrichshain and bohemian Prenzlauer Berg. The 49-hectare (121-acre) park was once the site of two bunkers before the war but now provides a peaceful spot. Berlin is a remarkably green city – boasting no fewer than 2,500 public parks – and Volkspark Friedrichshain is a sound choice for unwinding in peace, with the bustle of Alexanderplatz just minutes away.

The Pullman Berlin Schweizerhof prides itself on being the ideal retreat for travellers looking to re-energise or relax. With one of the largest hotel pools in the city, other standout features include a Fit and Spa Lounge with fitness centre and sauna, and the BLEND Berlin Kitchen & Bar – a stylish restaurant that serves creative dishes from around the world, using local and seasonal ingredients.