Just one bridge away from the famous Oberbaumbrücke, which connect the popular districts Friedrichshain and Kreuzberg, you will find one of Berlin’s biggest green lungs: Treptower Park. Another, much smaller bridge away, in the center of this park by the water, will lead you to Insel der Jugend, the island of youth. The entrance resembles that of a small castle but on the island you will find a casual mix of cultural offers – perfect for a lazy Sunday.

The “Kulturhaus” on the island does not only host private and public events but also Berlin’s most charming boat rental Kanuliebe, which offers retro canoes to explore the waterside of Berlin. I personally love that perspective: circling around the park, until Oberbaumbrücke and into the smaller canals of Neukölln and Kreuzberg. My other favorite thing about the island is their open-air cinema program with Mobile Kino, Berlin’s traveling pop-up cinema. What could be better on a warm evening than watching a movie outside on a deck chair, surrounded by water and a clear sky, undisturbed by the buzzing city? 

If you are looking for a bit of quiet on a busy weekend, the Insel der Jugend is yours. Even without a program in mind, you can just use this lovely spot on the map for a bike tour or a picnic by the water and feel inspired to go to a concert or movie here another time.