Living in the city can be tiring after a while, especially when your house is a van. For me, there needs to be a balance of open green spaces, community and the usual city craziness.
But I think I found the perfect balance: Tempelhofer Feld in Berlin – an old airfield turned community space and park, with loads of free parking around the edges.
That’s what I want to show you in this post. It’s where I’ve been living for most of the summer…
Side note: I did a general Berlin post back in 2015 here.
I camped on a quiet road with a few other vans
Through the trees is a huge former airfield that now belongs to the people of Berlin
It’s a space for everyone to use how they please
Probably the best place in the city to watch the sunset
Or just soak up the summer vibes
Or do some work outside for once
Or have one of those summer naps where the sounds and smells of outside enter your dreams
What other cities have hay bales?
There’s enough space to do just about any activity
This park can easily give you a 10km bike ride
Sometimes there’s a concert. Always free
But there’s always music somewhere
This guy hung a sheet between the trees and projected a film for everyone to watch
And the community garden is a nice break from the city, without leaving the city
It’s a place where you can grow your own food
Or just. Whatever.
Bring some food to cook on the clay oven
Or get a homemade Samosa off this guy
Maybe bring a barrel of beer
Then learn trapeze at the community circus. Maybe
Or just play some minigolf
I told you, it used to be an airport
It’s why they have this thing. It controls the weather
And then winter came. See you next time, Berlin summer.
I hope this space always belongs to the people. This kind of thing is exactly why I love Berlin. It’s a big part of what makes Berlin Berlin.
There are a lot of vandwellers in this city. You could probably count hundreds of vans. In my experience the residents are totally cool, open minded and accepting of vanners – and everyone. I’ve never had a problem, or heard of anyone having a problem.
Also see the Berlin post I did from 2015 here: Welcome to Berlin – findings from my bike ride
And if you visit Berlin you must go here on a Sunday: Here’s what a normal Sunday afternoon looks like on a park in Berlin
Oh yeah and it was good to bump into all the people who knew me from this blog whilst camping next to Tempelhof. Always caught be by surprise. Bon voyage, everyone 🙂
Pretty awesome stuff here! I can almost feeling the relaxation of life next to that abandoned airfield.
Hi vandog…
Does Berlin have any restrictions on driving older vans into the city? Or anywhere near this great spot.
I know that a lot of Europe’s large cities are introducing a no go zones for our older vans.
Great to see, there are still places in some cities we can go.
Darcar..
It’s all about whether your emissions testing results give your Euro Norm 3 or 4 (or 5 or 6). So far, 4 and above are allowed in the “green zones” in the cities. There’s a green zones app with maps of it all.
Pretty awesome stuff here! I can almost feeling the relaxation of life next to that abandoned airfield.
Hi vandog…
Does Berlin have any restrictions on driving older vans into the city? Or anywhere near this great spot.
I know that a lot of Europe’s large cities are introducing a no go zones for our older vans.
Great to see, there are still places in some cities we can go.
Darcar..
It’s all about whether your emissions testing results give your Euro Norm 3 or 4 (or 5 or 6). So far, 4 and above are allowed in the “green zones” in the cities. There’s a green zones app with maps of it all.
Hi Michael, I still have a parcel sealed and ready to post with an unusual gift inside which I know you (and other ‘van’ers, …their own of course !!) will find invaluable on your travels. Will you please email your home address to me, I’m sorry I lost it when you sent it previously. I love reading about your enviable adventures. I hope they still hold the same excitement as when you first set off from Yorkshire. Love and Best Wishes. Jackie.
Hi Michael, I still have a parcel sealed and ready to post with an unusual gift inside which I know you (and other ‘van’ers, …their own of course !!) will find invaluable on your travels. Will you please email your home address to me, I’m sorry I lost it when you sent it previously. I love reading about your enviable adventures. I hope they still hold the same excitement as when you first set off from Yorkshire. Love and Best Wishes. Jackie.
I visited Templehof when it was still an active airfield back in 1987… It certainly is a huge space and was the airport synonymous with the “Berlin Airlift”
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Berlin_Blockade
I visited Templehof when it was still an active airfield back in 1987… It certainly is a huge space and was the airport synonymous with the “Berlin Airlift”
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Berlin_Blockade
OMG that’s awesome!! I went to Berlin last year – can’t believe I missed that place!
OMG that’s awesome!! I went to Berlin last year – can’t believe I missed that place!
Wow, I knew about Tempelhof but had no idea it’s so colourful and fun. But it’s Berlin. I should have known. Great little photo essay!
Wow, I knew about Tempelhof but had no idea it’s so colourful and fun. But it’s Berlin. I should have known. Great little photo essay!
Hello!
I love these photos. Tempelhof is amazing! We are hoping to park our van nearby and stay a week or so. Do you remember where abouts you and the other vans parked? I’m hoping there is still some free parking available!
Thanks!
Beth
Hello!
I love these photos. Tempelhof is amazing! We are hoping to park our van nearby and stay a week or so. Do you remember where abouts you and the other vans parked? I’m hoping there is still some free parking available!
Thanks!
Beth