Anyone who thinks they have to hop on a plane in the summer to find an idyllic spot is mistaken. Around Berlin, the selection of beautiful natural spots is so vast that there’s hardly any time left for wanderlust. From the new exclusive beach area, reminiscent of the Côte d’Azur, to rose gardens whose vibrant colors make them look like something out of a fairy tale —there’s plenty to discover in the capital’s surrounding area. If you’re looking for peace, nature, and special places, you’re guaranteed to find them here. And that’s exactly why we have another tip for you today: Eiswerder Island in Berlin’s Spandau district feels surprisingly quiet and secluded despite its location right in the heart of the capital.
Eiswerder looks back on an extraordinary history. As early as the 19th century , the island developed into an important military site for Prussia. Among other things , it was home to fireworks laboratories, gunpowder factories, and other facilities of the arms industry. Its secluded location on an island was considered ideal at the time for reducing the risks of explosions.
After World War II, the island took on a completely new role. The former factory buildings were converted into film studios for Artur Brauner’s production company, CCC-Film. As a result, Eiswerder became a well-known film set and an important hub for West German film production in the 1950s and 1960s.
Today, the island is noticeably greener. About half of its roughly 14-hectare area is forested. Amid historic industrial buildings, old brick facades, and views of the water , a unique blend of nature, history, and modern urban development has emerged .
Just a few minutes’ walk away is the Spandau Citadel, one of the best-preserved Renaissance fortresses in Europe. Also nearby are Spandau’s Old Town, the banks of the Havel, the Spandau Waterfront, and numerous walking and biking trails along the water. The combination of historic architecture and expansive waterfront landscapes makes the area a popular destination for day trips.
Unlike many well-known Berlin parks, Eiswerder combines industrial culture, film history, and nature in a very small space. Amid former military installations, historic factory buildings, and wooded riverside paths, an atmosphere emerges that is rarely found in Berlin.
