Pfaueninsel

67 Hectares of World Heritage, accessible only by boat

Off Wannsee lies an island that functions differently from any other place on this list. Peacock Island was designed from the late 18th century under Friedrich Wilhelm II and Wilhelmine Enke, the small palace was built between 1794 and 1797 as a picturesque ruin, and Peter Joseph Lenné laid out the landscape park from 1821, which also includes Berlin’s oldest rose garden. Today, around 400 old oak trees stand on 67 hectares; the island is part of the UNESCO World Heritage and also a Flora-Fauna-Habitat area. It is only accessible by ferry, the ship Luise; the crossing costs 6 Euros and includes admission, reduced it is 5 Euros. Tickets are available online or at the machine; the ferry staff do not sell them. So, the visit is not free, but it is Berlin’s oldest ferry connection, established in 1821. The ship can hold up to 150 passengers and takes only a few minutes for the crossing. You should definitely plan your return trip, as there is no other way back from the island. A visit to the palace costs an additional 8 Euros.

What is allowed and what is not

Now for the important part, because Peacock Island is not a place to spread out a blanket. The park regulations of the Prussian Palaces and Gardens Foundation expressly forbid leaving the paths, as well as dogs and other animals, bicycles, fire and barbecuing, ball and sports games, smoking, swimming, fishing, camping, and audible music. A picnic itself is not forbidden, but the path rule practically excludes the lawn. Anyone who still wants to eat on the island should go to the coffee garden on the lawn near the ferry house, where sitting is permitted. There is also an accessible toilet there. None of the fountains carry drinking water, so drinks should be carried in your bag. The Foundation classifies the island as conditionally wheelchair accessible; the path to the right of the ferry house has a 15 percent incline. And a current note: Due to drought, old oak trees are shedding branches, which is why the Foundation advises not to stand under them and to stay away entirely during storm warnings. Those arriving by car should park in the public car parks on Nikolskoer Weg; bus 218 goes to the pier.