Peacock island

Pfaueninsel was developed from the 1790s as a private royal retreat, complete with a small mock-ruin palace and landscaped English gardens, and takes its name from the peacocks introduced to roam the grounds, which still wander freely today and remain the island's main draw for visitors. A short public ferry is the only way across, adding a sense of occasion to what reviewers describe as one of the most peaceful, almost magical corners of Berlin, especially when the wisteria and other seasonal plantings are in bloom. Now a UNESCO World Heritage-listed nature reserve as part of the Potsdam palaces and parks ensemble, it draws relatively few visitors given its beauty, earning a perfect aesthetic score in this dataset. Plan for a full 90 minutes or more to walk the island properly, and check the ferry schedule before heading out.