Berlin

Lietzensee lake views

A hidden gem if ever there was one: turn into an upmarket Charlottenburg street and you'll discover a beautiful little square with sweeping lakeside views.

The tiny open space adjoining Dernburgplatz is dominated by a grand, flower-bedecked waterfall that cascades directly into the Lietzensee lake. Wooden terraces at the water's edge provide the perfect place to sit and contemplate the gorgeous vistas.

The surprisingly large Lietzensee lake stretches right across Charlottenburg, and its other, northern end is well known (partly, no doubt, because of its proximity to the busy thoroughfare of Kaiserdamm). Boasting a boathouse and café, it's undeniably picturesque and certainly worth a visit, but can also get crowded.

By contrast, Dernburgstrasse's tucked away oasis offers a far more exclusive setting; a peaceful and charming lakeside garden that's beloved by in-the-know locals.

Further facts

The so-called large Leitzensee waterfall (Große Lietzensee-Kaskade) wasn't just conceived as an ornamental feature. Constructed in 1913, its principal purpose was to provide the Lietzensee lake with oxygen-rich water in order to help clear it of algae. So as well as being pretty as a picture, it's also one of the world's first aquatic restoration projects.

See also:
A Gasthaus surrounded by gardens
A grandstand on the edge of a motorway
Lakeland excursions in a vintage bus

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