Sometimes you don’t have to travel very far to find beauty, as you can find it right in your own backyard. For me, this is Berlin, a place I love and have called home for a decade now.
One of the most impressive things about Berlin is what people do with urban spaces. From Tempelhofer Feld, an airport turned public park, to a community garden in the center of the city in Kreuzberg, to a parking lot converted into a rooftop bar, Berliners know how to make the most of things. Berliners also do a lot with their building’s inner courtyards or backyards, Hinterhöfe. You can even take organized tours through some of the city’s most iconic backyards!
Photos From A Classic Berlin Hinterhöfe
So imagine my delight when I got a chance to hang out with friends who live in East Berlin’s Prenzlauer Berg. The courtyard of their building had been turned into a really pretty space filled with planted flowers, garden gnomes, a giant picnic table, and other really fun “artsy” touches.
What could have been left plain was turned into something really beautiful and unique.
Have you found any unique backyards in Berlin that we should know about? Tell us about it in the comments.
Good To Know
1) When you’re visiting Berlin, find a place to stay with booking.com.
Booking.com2) Make the most of your time in Berlin and book a guided tour with Get Your Guide.
3) Looking for things to do in Berlin? Check out some of our top posts on my hometown:
- 10 Cool Things to Do in Berlin (That Won’t Break the Bank) – Travelling to Berlin on a budget and want to enjoy the city? Check this list of fun & list cool things to do in Berlin.
- A Berlin Walking Food Tour With Eat-the-World – Walk and eat your way through the German capital by taking this Berlin walking food tour through Neukölln with Eat the World.
- Pictures From A Berlin Boat Tour Along The Spree – A Berlin boat tour is a fun way to see the city from a different perspective. See what it’s like in pictures.
*Disclosure – This post contains some affiliate links. If you book a tour or hotel through any of these links, I’ll earn a tiny commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for your support!
Lovely pictures 🙂
Thank you!! It was fun taking them and certainly brings back fond memories of that day. 🙂
Berlin is great! Weird and wonderful all at the same time. 🙂
I love the blue chairs 🙂 They look so comfy!
Personally I’m not much into Germany but Berlin is definitely on my wishlist. It always looks so vibrant and colourful in photos.
The old buildings have come to life again and from your photos it all looks very visitor friendly and eye catching in a positive way. Very nice selection of photos.
Can’t wait to see wild and wonderful Berlin for myself! And yay for fun neighbours =) Great pics
Ha ha. Cute right? This is one of the many many reasons I love Berlin so much.
Thanks so much. Prenzlauer Berg (also where I live) is one of the most gentrified parts of Berlin and the most European feeling. Not every area of Berlin is so nice though unfortunately. This is why I appreciate the beauty when I find it … this courtyard is a great example of a community taking action to make something beautiful.
Can’t wait till you guys are here. We have to hang out for sure. Some other local travel bloggers I know may be interested in having a travel themed meet-up! 🙂
Beautiful shots! I was in Berlin 30 years ago. Maybe it’s time to go back.
Haven’t been properly back to East Berlin since it was in a different country. It really is time to go back. Very bright and appealing photos.
Thanks! It’s quite beautiful in … spots. It’s a city of contrasts.
Come for a visit. We can meet-up! 🙂
Thanks Nancie. 🙂
Come back for sure, it’s a spectacular city!
Those are pretty cool pictures. Berlin is definitely on my destination list for next year when I get back to Europe.
I’m especially impressed with the community garden I mentioned.
And yes, please come and visit! 🙂
Thank you! Hope you make it here and when you do, drop me a line.
I love the creativity and of turning something ugly into something beautiful, another reason I still have to make it to Berlin.
I love what they do to urban places. Berlin is so progressive in this sense. We are doing similar things in Seattle – revitalizing old spaces so they won’t deteriorate. It produces quite the creative and surprising results. Makes me want to really visit Berlin.
I hope you can make it to Berlin sometime!
If you have time, watch the video I referenced in the post about the community garden they formed in Berlin. Was such an amazing and inspiring talk! All their work was done WITHOUT city funding.
Also glad to hear that similar things are happening in Seattle. Go world!
Very pretty photos! I love the use of the sinks as planters.
Thanks Michael! I like the planters too. 🙂
Lovely pics, what beautiful colors. Loved the greens, blues and the reds!!!
Looks like you had a blast.
Have a fabulous sunday Cheryl:)
Thanks! Such a pretty space. And it was a great afternoon! 🙂
Wonderful photos!
Thank you!