Tempelhof Airport

The Basics

One of the world’s biggest structures, at 74 acres (300,000 square meters), the decommissioned Tempelhof Airport offers a lot for visitors. Tours typically include cycling down the old tarmacs and learning about the history of Berlin from World War I to the present day. You can arrange tours of the inside of the facility, which are offered at different times throughout the week. See old war planes, hidden rooms, the canopied terrace, and more as you stroll through the eagle-shaped building designed by Nazi officer Prof. Ernst Sagebiel.

Things to Know Before You Go

• Tempelhof Airport is a must-visit for WWII and Cold War history buffs.

• Tours of the interior of the airport are available for a fee and must be arranged in advance.

• Dogs can play in a fenced-in area, while an urban gardening section allows locals to grow vegetables.

• Much of Tempelhof Airport’s exterior is accessible to wheelchair users but the guided tours of the interior are not.

How to Get There

The old Tempelhof Airport is located in Berlin’s Tempelhof-Schoneberg district and has three entrances: Columbiadamm, Tempelhofer Damm, and Oderstrasse. You can take the U6 to Platz der Luftbrücke or Paradestrasse to reach the complex. The Tempelhof stop is located on the opposite side of the airport and does not have an accessible entrance. Several buses stop in the area.

When to Get There

Tempelhof is open daily from sunrise until dark, rain or shine. The airport building operates at various hours throughout the week and is not open to the public without an official guide from the airport.

Berlin’s Urban Gardens

The German government has not proposed any development of the Tempelhof area, but many community installations have popped up on the land. On the edge of the airport perimeter, just before the train tracks, is a strip of land dedicated to small urban gardens. Residents can use the open land to grow a variety of crops, such as tomatoes, carrots, and lettuce, on raised beds.