Tempelhofer Feld (Tempelhof Field)

Tempelhofer Feld in Berlin is the former airfield of Tempelhof Airport, now one of the largest inner-city open spaces in the world. Locals come here to skate and cycle down old runways, fly kites, barbecue, and watch the sunset over more than 300 hectares of grassland. For visitors it is one of the most unusual things to do in Berlin: a vast, free park with a front-row view of Cold War history.

From Airport to People's Park

Prussian troops drilled on this field as early as the 18th century, and Orville Wright set flight records here in 1909. Regular air service began in 1923, and the monumental terminal building followed from 1936. Tempelhof became world-famous during the Berlin Airlift of 1948–49, when Allied "candy bombers" landed around the clock to supply West Berlin during the Soviet blockade.

The airport closed in 2008, and the airfield opened to the public on May 8, 2010. In a 2014 referendum, 64.3 percent of voters backed a law keeping the field free of development, although its future is still debated in Berlin politics.

Things to Do on Tempelhofer Feld

• Skate, bike, or run the roughly 6 km (3.7-mile) loop and the wide former runways.
• Fly a kite or watch kitesurfers on wheels when the wind picks up.
• Barbecue in one of three designated grilling areas; disposable and gas grills are not allowed.
• Visit community gardens where locals grow vegetables in raised beds.
• Spot skylarks, a rare ground-nesting bird protected in fenced areas in the south.
• Explore the airport building, where guided tours run from the visitor center at Platz der Luftbrücke and the THF Tower offers an exhibition and rooftop deck. Check times and prices with the operator.

Opening Hours and Admission

Entry is free. The park is not open 24/7: gates open in the morning and close around dusk, with hours that change monthly. In October it is open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., in November 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., and in midsummer until 11 p.m. (as of October 2026).

How to Get to Tempelhofer Feld

Tempelhofer Feld lies between the Tempelhof, Kreuzberg, and Neukölln districts, about 5 km south of the city center. Take the S-Bahn ring (S41, S42) or the U6 to Tempelhof for the main entrance on Tempelhofer Damm, or the U8 to Leinestrasse or Boddinstrasse for the Neukölln side. Bus M43 serves the Columbiadamm entrances. From Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER), the trip takes around 35 to 45 minutes by train. The Deutschlandticket covers all local transit. There is almost no parking.

Is It Worth Visiting?

Yes, especially on a sunny afternoon or at sunset. Plan one to three hours, rent a bike or bring skates, and pack water and sunscreen since there is little shade. The four main entrances are step-free, and most restrooms are wheelchair accessible. Dogs must be leashed outside designated areas.

Nearby Attractions

• Volkspark Hasenheide, just north across Columbiadamm
• Schillerkiez in Neukölln, with cafés and bars along the eastern edge
• Berlin Airlift Memorial at Platz der Luftbrücke
• Viktoriapark and the Kreuzberg hill, about 20 minutes on foot