Are you looking for expansive green spaces, water nearby, blooming flower beds, and—ideally—an exciting history? Places like the Engelbecken, the Rose Garden in Treptower Park, or Viktoriapark already offer some of these qualities. But if you want to experience all of this in a single place, Volkspark Friedrichshain is the place to go . As Berlin’s oldest municipal park, covering about 49 hectares, it ranks among the capital’s largest inner-city green spaces and impressively combines historic garden design, water features, viewpoints, and the famous Märchenbrunnen (Fairy Tale Fountain).
The park opened in 1848 and was named after the neighboring district of Friedrichshain. It was designed by landscape architect Gustav Meyer and is considered one of Germany’s first public parks. The park is located between Prenzlauer Berg and Friedrichshain and stretches from the Märchenbrunnen to Landsberger Allee.
The park’s most famous attraction is the Fairy Tale Fountain. The fountain was unveiled in 1913 and is considered one of Berlin’s most beautiful fountains. Surrounding the central water basin are numerous sculptures of well-known fairy-tale characters from the Brothers Grimm, including Little Red Riding Hood, Hansel and Gretel, Sleeping Beauty, and Puss in Boots. The Fairy-Tale Fountain stretches about 90 meters in length and is one of the city’s most significant Art Nouveau ensembles .
A unique feature of Volkspark Friedrichshain are the two artificial hills, “Großer Bunkerberg” and “Kleiner Bunkerberg.” They were created after World War II from approximately eight million cubic meters of war rubble. At a height of about 78 meters above sea level, they are now among the highest elevations in downtown Berlin. The hills offer beautiful views of the surrounding neighborhoods.
Less well-known is the park’s historic rose garden. Numerous roses and perennials bloom here, especially in the summer. The flower beds are complemented by expansive meadows, shady tree-lined avenues, and seasonal plantings, which lend the park a unique scenic character.
Volkspark Friedrichshain is much more than just a historic green space. It features jogging trails, sports fields, beach volleyball courts, playgrounds, and large lawns for sunbathing. The park is especially popular with families, walkers, and athletes. In the summer, it’s also regularly used for open-air events and cultural activities.
