How to Enjoy Seasons and Nature in Berlin

Alexa Hankins Headshot
Alexa Hankins
 October 3, 2025
the Schlactensee in Paul Ernst Park
As my first month in Berlin comes to a close, I've been able to reflect on an important question that many, if not all, study abroad students grapple with: how to continue your hobbies and interests from home while they’re in an unfamiliar location.
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One thing that I take for granted back home is the ability to enjoy the outdoors. In Maine, I’m very privileged to have access to the beach and hiking trails year-round. Additionally, small-town New England is known for its fun fall-specific outdoor activities. Fall is my favorite season, and things like apple picking, baking seasonal sweets, corn mazes, and watching the leaves change color are things I look forward to doing every year with family and friends. Even while studying in Boston, I made a point to visit home for one weekend in the fall. I would take a few friends with me and introduce them to my favorite New England fall traditions.
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Unfortunately, Berlin is a bit further from Maine than Boston is, so I’ll be missing out on these activities this year. Some of my specific fall traditions are also not replicable in Berlin: for example, grocery stores here do not sell pumpkin puree (I wish I had figured this out before promising many people I would bake chocolate chip pumpkin bread).
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Although I couldn’t enjoy this baking tradition, part of my love for fall is the weather and nature itself, which is why I’ve been trying to enjoy outdoor activities in Berlin! This means that many of my plans are weather-dependent. In cases where I’ve been brave enough to talk to locals in my broken German, I’ve been warned that the weather turns cold here, fast (actually, people had stronger opinions about Berlin's winter weather, but I really shouldn’t include those words here). Thus, to celebrate the seasons in Berlin, I’ve been taking advantage of the warmer fall days and doing things outside. I still haven’t gone through my list of things, however.
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Here are two of my favorite things I’ve done, and two of my most anticipated upcoming things:
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  1. Go to Local Parks-Done! This might seem obvious, but Berlin has many beautiful, multipurpose parks! That being said, not all parks here are created equal- try to explore as many as you can before it gets cold, and find the perfect park for the activity you want to do! My personal favorite park here has been the Park am Wasserturm, located a few blocks from OTA. It has two main “levels”- the first is the ground level, a more active park with ping pong tables and mini trampolines. From there, take a stone walkway to the top of the hill- this second level is a stunning open green space with several impressive and photogenic structures, including the titular water tower. It’s a great place to have a picnic with friends, get some work done, or just relax and read a book.
  2. Go to the Tiergarten- Upcoming
    One thing the Maine outdoors and Berlin’s parks don’t have in common? You don’t see a lot of wildlife on the streets of Berlin. My best chance of seeing adorable animals in this city seems to be a cat cafe or the Tiergarten. Although I’ve narrowly missed going to the zoo a few times, I’ll be making another attempt soon.
  3. Visit the Königswald- Upcoming 
    I have yet to travel to the Königswald, a large forest with many hiking opportunities. I saved this activity for October on purpose, because many of the trails take you by some beautiful old buildings and cemeteries.
  4. Swim in the Schlactensee in Paul Ernst Park- Done!
    This is obviously a weather-dependent activity, but I would say it’s worth bending over backwards to experience! The lake is located about an hour from central Berlin by public transportation- it is also still in Zone 2, so you won’t have to pay for another ticket. Entry to the park is also free. It’s a beautiful space that gets quite busy on warm days, but isn’t overrun by tourists at all. While there, you have access to several snack shacks, a cafe, and a pub, as well as a paddle board rental place. There is also a great rope swing if you’re not afraid of heights or of asking locals for help!

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