May 26, 2025, 9:05 am | Read time: 5 minutes
As the days grow longer and temperatures rise, we feel the pull to venture outdoors. Here are six beautiful gardens and parks in Germany where you can enjoy the warm early summer days during a city trip or day excursion!
When they were created, many of Germany’s beautiful parks and gardens were accessible only to an elite circle and were considered prestige objects of rulers and nobility. Fortunately, a few centuries later, that has changed–and the most magnificent parks in the Federal Republic are open to everyone.
Overview
Some of them are freely accessible and free of charge as recreational areas, while others charge an entrance fee–which is always worth it due to the variety of plants and architectural highlights on display. We present some particularly beautiful gardens and parks from both categories across Germany.
BILD Travel: Discover the best hotels in Munich now!
Englischer Garten, Munich
Admittedly, the Englischer Garten is hardly a hidden gem when it comes to the most beautiful gardens and parks in Germany. However, that doesn’t detract from its charm! The vast area, covering about 400 hectares, is one of the largest urban parks in the world and is even larger than Central Park in New York.
Well-known are the images of surfers on the Eisbach wave in the southern part of the park, but it also offers ideal conditions for runners. The northern part around the Oberstjägermeisterbach is particularly popular with them. Those who prefer a more leisurely pace can stroll along the magnificent avenues or visit the popular beer garden at the Chinese Tower.
Sanssouci Park, Potsdam
More splendid than in Sanssouci Park, it doesn’t get in this list: The 300-hectare area around the summer residence of Frederick the Great has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1990 and delights visitors from all over the world with its blend of garden art, architecture, and sculpture.
The vineyard terraces with a view of the palace are a popular photo motif, but the rest of the park is also enchanting: Over 1,000 sculptures are distributed throughout the various areas of the complex, along with numerous water features and picturesque pavilions. More than 60 gardeners take care of the magnificent gardens.
Planten un Blomen, Hamburg
Between the Alster and the Landungsbrücken, Hamburg’s expansive and interconnected urban parks stretch out. Well-known and a highlight for botany fans: Planten un Blomen–in standard German, “Plants and Flowers.” And that’s exactly what you’ll find here on about 47 hectares.
The traditional park features various themed gardens: In addition to the Mediterranean terraces with numerous seating and sunbathing options, there’s the Old Botanical Garden with greenhouses and the largest Japanese garden in Europe, complete with its picturesque teahouse.
Bergpark Wilhelmshöhe, Kassel
When the Hessian radio news says, “In Kassel at the Hercules today 20 degrees”–then it’s a perfect day for a trip to Bergpark Wilhelmshöhe. The statue of the demigod towers at a lofty height of 70 meters above the magnificent park; from the slightly lower observation platform, there is a spectacular view over the city.
The park, laid out in the 17th century, is unique in its kind worldwide and is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It delights visitors on 560 hectares not only with the spectacular view but also with its historic water features and the vast array of trees and plants.
Schwetzingen Palace Garden, near Heidelberg
Between Heidelberg and Mannheim, Schwetzingen Palace Garden invites you to take long walks and explorations. Around the summer palace of the Palatine Elector Carl Philipp, a 72-hectare area unfolds. While the immediate surroundings of the palace are lined with French gardens following the strict geometric lines of the Baroque, the western parts of the garden are designed as English landscape gardens, offering impressive perspectives.
A special highlight of the area is the garden mosque. It was built at the end of the 18th century as a symbol of tolerance and the Enlightenment spirit of the palace garden. When the ornamental cherries bloom in front of it in spring, it creates great perspectives and photo opportunities.
The Most Beautiful Places in Germany to See the Cherry Blossoms
This is the worst train station in Germany
6 unusual excursion tips for the Rhine-Main region
Palmengarten, Frankfurt
With just 20 hectares, Frankfurt’s Palmengarten is one of the smaller gardens on our list–yet it is one of the largest of its kind in Germany. The botanical garden, opened in 1871, offers a rare variety: Spread across open spaces and various greenhouses, visitors can find over 13,000 different plant species here.
In the 18-meter-high Palm House, there are not only palms but also ferns and giant shrubs to admire. In other greenhouses, visitors can wander through subarctic landscapes and deserts. In the outdoor areas, the magnificent rhododendron garden is particularly impressive.