"Tempelhofer Freiheit-Tempelhof Airport Park" Top 5 Page for this destination Berlin Things to Do Tip by alancollins

I was lucky enough to visit Tempelhof Airport when it was still being used as the third airport and before it closed. An airport was established here in the 1920s but by the early 1930s the buildings had reached there capacity. The Nazis decided to build a showcase curved building which is 1220m in length and is still one of the largest buildings in the world. The curved side is on the airside and you had a terminal building with hangers on either side with a cover to shelter passengers walking to the aircraft. The landside of the building had the usual heavy stone facades typical of Nazis architecture. The airport was not quite finished by the time the second world war started but it was still put to used. After the war the airport which survived the fighting was in the American Sector. The building was finished and played a significant part during the Berlin Airlift. The airport was closed in 2008 as part of the decision to have only one airport on the southern edge of the city at Schonefeld. I heard that the airside of the airport had been changed into a huge park and decided to visit. Do not pick a rainy day like me as it can be bleak at such a large open space. The new park which has been open since 2010 is a work in progress. There are plans to spend 60 million euros over the next few years to make the park more appealing to the young & seniors. At present you can cycle, skate or jog along the 2 runways. You can also jog or cycle along the taxiways. There are various observation points, BBQ area, dog walking area, refreshment vans & toilets. Walking around the perimeter of the building takes about 30 minutes. Various events are held in the park and information is available on the website. There are a number of entrances to the park which is open daily and is free to enter.

Address: Tempelhof Airport
Directions: Because of the huge size of the park there are numerous ways to reach one of the entrances.
Website: http://www.tempelhoferfreiheit.de/en/