As well as the energy of a big city, Berlin also offers peace and quiet. Its open green spaces, water, woodland, parks and idyllic lakes offer plenty of opportunity to get away from it all. Berlin's largest park, the Tiergarten, is a popular choice with locals. The Grunewald forest is well served by suburban trains (S-Bahn station: Grunewald).Tiergarten
Berlin's largest park is a haven of nature and a recreational amenity for the Berliners, and every summer it is transformed into a giant barbecue party. It is also well-known as the venue for the Love Parade. At the centre of the park is the "Great Star" roundabout and the towering Victory Column, one of Berlin's famous landmarks. Within Tiergarten is Schloss Bellevue, official residence of the President of Germany.Zoological Gardens
The zoo is one of the largest in the world and one of Berlin's foremost attractions. It was founded in 1844 by Alexander von Humboldt and Martin Lichtenstein, Africa expert and the zoo's first director. With around 19,000 animals and 1,400 species, it is one of the world's foremost animal collections.Peacock Island
The palace on Peacock Island ("Pfaueninsel") is one of Berlin's most romantic excursion destinations. This unspoilt Prussian arcadia is one of Berlin's most enchanting facets. Peacock Island can only be reached by ferry, and is a work of art: a garden and park landscape with a rose garden, a Biedermeier garden – and a large number of peacocks that have the run of the island.