Schöneberg: Railway Relics, Culture and Urban History

When looking for a hotel in Schöneberg, you can first decide what you want to focus on during your stay: Are you particularly interested in former railway facilities, urban and cultural history, or a creative hands-on activity for children and families? The following destinations offer some specific ideas. Some tell the story of a place’s former use, while others focus on exhibitions or recurring studio activities.

Former Railway Grounds and Nature

The Natur-Park Schöneberger Südgelände is a former railway site that has been protected since 1999. You can walk along the former railway tracks and discover relics such as rails, steam locomotives and locomotive sheds, alongside rare plant species. This brings together traces of the railway and opportunities to observe nature in one place. Events are held there regularly; the programme may change, so it is advisable to check the dates before planning a specific visit.

Urban and Cultural History

The tower of Schöneberg Town Hall, now 70 metres high, houses the Freedom Bell, which was installed in 1950. The Schöneberg Museum presents changing exhibitions on the district’s urban and cultural history. Haus am Kleistpark is a municipal gallery in the Schöneberg district. Their areas of focus differ: the Freedom Bell, changing exhibitions on the district’s history, or a municipal gallery.

The Old St. Matthew’s Cemetery

The Old St. Matthew’s Cemetery in Berlin-Schöneberg is one of Berlin’s most historically significant cemetery complexes. Among others, the graves of Rudolf Virchow and the Brothers Grimm can be seen there. These names make the historic site tangible through two specific graves.

Creative Activities for Children and Families

The Open Studio at the Jugend Museum offers creative hands-on activities for children and their families aged six and over every two weeks. Unlike the other destinations mentioned here, the focus is on taking part in a creative activity; the age guidance is important when planning with children. As programme details may change, check the latest information about the activities in advance.

Berlin: Parks and Landscapes

Tiergarten is Berlin’s largest and most visited inner-city park, and is ideal for walks, outdoor activities and picnics. Tempelhofer Feld is a large public park where people picnic, sunbathe and play sports. Viktoriapark, with Kreuzberg hill, is Berlin’s highest inner-city elevation and features a waterfall. Schinkel’s National Monument stands at the summit of Kreuzberg and commemorates the victory over Napoleon. These examples in Berlin differ in focus: Tiergarten and Tempelhofer Feld are associated with specific leisure activities, while Viktoriapark also features a distinctive landscape and a monument.

Volkspark Friedrichshain has sports grounds, playgrounds, outdoor cafés and a barbecue area for summer days. Two small artificial hills are made up of rubble from demolished World War II bunkers and buildings destroyed in the war; they offer views of central Berlin. They are called “Mont Klamott” and “Kleiner Bunkerberg”.

Discover more destinations: Rudow, Marienfelde, Hellersdorf, Friedenau, Berlin-Reinickendorf, Grünau, Schmöckwitz, Wedding

Back to the main travel overview: Berlin.