Peacock Island is approximately 67 hectares in size and has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1990. The island is located southwest of Berlin in the middle of the Havel River in the Wannsee district.
Nature and sights on the island
Nature
Due to the rare plants found there and the bird nesting sites worthy of protection, Peacock Island has been designated as a nature reserve since 1924. To protect the flora and fauna, bicycles, inline skates, skateboards, and dogs are not allowed on the island.
The Palace
The summer palace of King Frederick William II is located in the south of the island. It was built between 1794 and 1797 in the style of a “ruined Roman villa.” The palace walls are made of white-painted wood, and the elegant interior with its furniture, carvings, wallpaper, and floors is largely preserved in its original state.
The Park
The park grounds were designed between 1821 and 1834 by landscape architect Peter Joseph Lenné based on English models. Many of the old oaks are several centuries old.
Getting there by ferry
You can only reach Peacock Island via a short ferry ride, which usually runs every 15 minutes.
Ferry times (Monday-Sunday): November-February: 10:00 AM-4:00 PM / March, October: 9:00 AM-6:00 PM / April, September: 9:00 AM-7:00 PM / May-August: 8:00 AM-8:00 PM
Palace opening hours
April-October: 10:00 AM-5:30 PM (Tuesday-Sunday, viewing by guided tour only). No guided tours take place from November to March.