Landwehr Canal

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• Landwehrkanal, Paul-Lincke-Ufer

• Landwehrkanal, Paul-Lincke-Ufer

• Bridge over the Landwehr Canal

• Visitors enjoy the sun on the banks of the Landwehr Canal in Kreuzberg.

• Paddlers are out with their boats on the Landwehr Canal near Möckernbrücke.

This iconic stretch of wate cuts through the heart of Berlin like a green ribbon, inviting visitors to stroll and linger along its idyllic banks.

The Landwehr Canal is a stretch of water of about 10 kilometres that flows through the districts of Tiergarten, Kreuzberg, Neukölln and Charlottenburg. Along its long, luxurious banks, the special Berlin atmosphere is enjoyed by locals and tourists year-round.

History of the Landwehr Canal

The Landwehr Canal is Berlin's first artificial waterway and has been part of the cityscape since the 19th century. At that time, because of the growing industrialisation, the need for transport became greater and greater and roads and railways were no longer sufficient. In 1841, the city planner and master garden designer Peter Joseph Lenné was therefore commissioned by King Frederick William IV to design a new transport canal. Construction began in 1845 and was completed in 1850. Just a few years later, the Landwehr Canal proved indispensable for transporting building materials for the rapid expansion of Berlin during the Wilhelminian period.

An Oasis of Relaxation in Berlin's Trendiest Neighbourhood

These days, the importance of the canal has changed fundamentally. The stretch between Charlottenburg and Kreuzberg has become one of the most important recreational areas in the centre of Berlin. In many places, there are riverside promenades and wide avenues along the banks of the canal on which you can walk or jog for kilometres at a time. In the spring and summer, residents and tourists flock to the canal's wide grassy banks and relax in the sun or under the weeping willows lining the water. The Admiral Bridge over the canal has developed into a popular meeting place on warm summer evenings. On the opposing canal banks, called Paul-Lincke-Ufer and Maybachufer, you can immerse yourself in the atmosphere of the trendy Kreuzberg district or enjoy food and drinks at the weekly market and the numerous restaurants, bars, beer gardens and cafés lining the canal.

Berlin's Green Heart between the Zoo and Tiergarten

The area where the Landwehr Canal cuts through the Tiergarten is particularly idyllic. Here, the water flows through extensive park areas and flowering meadows all the way to the Berlin Zoo. The canal is also very popular for boat tours. From the water, Berlin's city centre looks particularly green and the interesting buildings and sights on the banks can be comfortably explored.