FINDING THE QUIET, TWO HOURS FROM THE CITY
Finding peace and quiet, two hours from Berlin
. Of course, parks and green spaces are plentiful in the city (Tiergarten […]){kind=link}
The vibrant and culturally unique city of Berlin is known for many things; its rich history, exciting nightlife and top-tier art to name a few. Things Berlin is less known for; relaxation, rejuvenation… quiet (you’ll have to look a bit harder for those).
Of course, parks and green spaces are plentiful in the city (Tiergarten and BritzerGarten are among our favourites) but if you really want to switch off and get away from it all, here’s what we’d recommend.
From tiny cabins, to star gazing here are five ways to find peace and quiet less than two hours from the city.
STAY IN A TINY CABIN
Get back to basics in the most comfortable way and stay in a contemporary, compact cabin.
Raus offers a wide range of carefully designed cabins in nature all across Germany- many of them within one or two hours from Berlin!
We stayed at the Fohlenwiese location which was a simple one hour drive from the city. It’s also possible to reach the cabin via public transport and a short taxi journey at the end.
Located right in the middle of a luscious meadow where pasture grazes from noon till night, our cabin was cosy, quiet and had everything we needed.
By day, we sunbathed and did yoga on the wooden deck and by sunset we enjoyed a crisp wine and watched the sunset behind the small herd of horses.
There’s plenty to do in the area too and Raus offers local recommendations based on the cabin you choose. We visited a farm shop (as recommended by Raus) where we bought homemade mustard pickles and other local produce before cooking it together on the grill, listening only to the low buzz of crickets and the wheat swaying in the wind.
Pitch a tent at Großen Wentowsee
Just 1.5 hours from the city is a little piece of paradise in the Havel/Brandenburg area. Here, a fairly small, calm ‘Campingplatz’ with a beautiful lake awaits you.
Campingplatz Am Grossen Wentowsee is ‘for guests seeking peace and quiet’, has a +14 years age limit and a maximum of 120 guests on site – no overcrowded campgrounds here! Choose your favourite spot to pitch a tent; lake, meadow or forest, it’s up to you.
With comfy chairs that overlook the lake and a sunny south-facing location, this is the perfect place to soak up the sunshine and get stuck into a good book. After a dip in the refreshing lake, you can visit the on-site kiosk which stocks regional, organic produce and wine- you can even find ice cream, cheeses and artisan crisps on the menu!In the morning, head to the forest for an outdoor shower and look up at the swaying trees while you enjoy a warm, soothing shower. This is camping done properly.
Campingplatz Am Grossen Wentowsee
VISIT A BEAUTIFUL BEER GARDEN ON AN ISLAND
Berlin has plenty of beer gardens dotted around- it’s part of the makeup of the city!
Whilst we aren’t denying that a Bratwurst and a crisp Berliner Weisse is the perfect way to end a Berlin summer’s day, we think there are more peaceful places to sip your Stein.
The INSL Bier Garten in the middle of the Untersee is just a 1 hour drive from Berlin in the beautiful Brandenburg area. Affectionately called the Côte d’Azur of Brandenburg, the Untersee offers gorgeous nature and fresh air.
To get to the island, you can take a boat over which costs a few euros for a return ticket and once there you can enjoy refreshing drinks, tennis tables, natural surroundings and even browse a small antique shop!
Personal tip: The Flammkuchen is highly recommendable!
ENJOY SOME CONTEMPORARY ART AT WEHRLMUEHLE
Wehrmuehle is a community-driven and artist-centred contemporary art and culture institution near Berlin and is the perfect place to escape the city for a day.
At Wehrmuele you can enjoy nature and art in unison in a historic building with a gorgeous green wrapped all the way around it. Their comprehensive summer art programme which features artists from all over the world is known for promoting both established and emerging artists.
Absorb the art and then relax on the huge expanse of grass with a cold drink and engage in a fun discussion about art, some yoga, or simply rest and enjoy the peace and quiet of your surroundings. You can travel there by car to get there which takes around an hour but the institution is also perfectly reachable by public transport within an hour and a half.
STAR GAZE
In one of the darkest regions in Germany, just 70 km to the west of Berlin, you can watch an amazing lightshow of glittering stars- if you’re lucky you might even see a shooting star!
The WestHavelland Nature Park in Brandenburg has been a dark sky reserve for almost 10 years and is designated as a night-time protection area. Here, you can find a good spot, grab a blanket and a hot thermos of tea and watch the dark starry sky above you.
There is no entrance fee to the Star Park and no opening times, so the experience is completely free and available for you to enjoy at your leisure.
It’s said that shifting your gaze upwards is a gateway to awe, can increase creativity and can induce a sense of calm- it makes sense that something so vast and sublime can put things into perspective.