Potsdam, the Lakes and the Tempelhof Airport Berlin

It was time to go on a road trip again. And because the borders were still closed in early June and so I decided to explore more of Germany. It was supposed to rain in Bavaria, but I couldn’t wait to follow the sun up north, exploring cities and towns with my bicycle. Northern Germany should be nice and flat after all. First stop was Potsdam and the lakes and palaces, followed by a trip to the Tempelhof Airport Berlin.

Cycling in and around Potsdam

I have been saying I would come back to Potsdam since the first time I was here, on a very cold winter’s day, early 2018. Potsdam looked like the perfect spot to explore with a bicycle, and even though I wasn’t even thinking of owning a bike back then, that is exactly what I did on this trip. Cycling in and around Potsdam and the lakes!

I really love Potsdam. From the Sanssouci Palace, that was once the summer home of Frederick the Great, former King of Prussia, to Ceciclienhof, where the Potsdam conference in 1945 was held. There is lots of grand designs and history to find in Potsdam.

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Besides the city, there are lots of cycling paths around the Potsdam lakes. On my long cycling trip in and around Potsdam, I followed the Havel River and circled the Templiner See and the Schwielowsee. It was a big cycling day but also a great way to explore Potsdam and the lakes.

Bridge of Spies

The next day I went north/east of Potsdam and after passing a few Palaces (there are plenty of them) I found myself on the Glienicke Bridge, the border of former East Germany and West Berlin. This Bridge is especially known as the ‘Bridge of Spies’ due to the regular exchange of spies back then. More detail here.

And yes, the Tom Hanks movie was actually filmed on this particular bridge.

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Cycling around Potsdam and the lakes was great and I would highly recommend it. No matter whether with your own bike, or a hired one, E-bike or not, cycling is certainly the best way to explore. The Residencial Buildings are grand, the parks beautiful and the architecture stunning.

And although the contrast of grand architecture and run down and abandoned buildings from Cold War times are still quite visible, there is lots of improvement being done in Potsdam as we speak. I am sure it will only continue to improve and be more impressive!

Personally, I am glad I came back!

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Back in Berlin

After Potsdam it was clear that Berlin was next on the list. Once I checked into my hotel, it was time to get on my bike again. To be honest, I am not sure how I could ever travel without my bicycle. How amazing and fun is it to explore everything by bike.

In bigger cities it has been a great way to see more while being outdoors and I see definitely more than walking. I can walk specific areas, e.g. inner city old towns, and ride through suburbs and various parks to see other monuments and “must see” things. I love it!

This time I didn’t focus too much on the historical part of Berlin, I did that last time, on a cold winter’s day (read more here), and instead decided to enjoy the gorgeous sunny day by cycling to the Tempelhof Airport Berlin.

Tempelhof Airport Berlin

From my hotel it was approx. 15km to cycle to the Templehof Airport Berlin. Besides being once a commercial airport it was also the site of Nazi rallies and the Berlin Airlift in 1948-49. (Read more here).

Tempelhof was one of Europe’s three iconic pre-World War II airports, the others being London’s now defunct Croydon Airport and the old Paris Le Bourget Airport. 

The Tempelhof Airport Berlin now is a huge park with picnic areas, communal gardens and preserved runways, attracting runners and cyclists every day. How often do you get to ride around on an old international airport runway? Quite adventurous and unique I thought.

Cycling in Berlin

Cycling in Berlin is pretty easy. The roads, no matter how big or small, are mostly marked with a special path for cyclists. Furthermore, getting around on your bike is very popular in Berlin. So when I was unsure where to go, I just followed someone else. From little coffee spots to unique shops and bars, Berlin has lots to offer, for all ages and cultures.

It was nice to be back here in summer, exploring Berlin and especially the Tempelhof Airport Berlin. I had a great time. All up, starting at Potsdam and the lakes, I certainly had some great cycling days behind me. Where to next?

And so…

After a few days, it was time to pack up and go further north, towards Rostock. And as I was about to leave Berlin, I suddenly heard on the radio that the German/Polish borders opened up that particular morning (after over three months of lockdown). Of course I had to go to Poland, and visit the little town Szczecin (Stettin), as it was close by. After all, there is nothing better than a polish lunch, not to mention a shop with polish vodka (but don’t tell anyone). xx

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