10 beautiful beer gardens in Germany

Collect your beer, and bring your own snacks: What would be unacceptable in other pubs is a tradition in Bavarian beer gardens, like the Königlicher Hirschgarten dating from 1790. Beer gardens in Germany aren't yet allowed to open because of the pandemic, so we're using the occasion of the German Beer Day to showcase ten particularly beautiful beer gardens in anticipation of their reopening.

A beer garden among metal sculptures, water features and fire installations. This open-air area in Cologne's trendy Ehrenfeld district was created by the industrial artist Odo Rumpf. Concerts, an open-air cinema, and other events take place here, even during this coronavirus summer — obviously with social distancing. Some 200 guests can enjoy a cool Kölsch beer in a quirky and cozy atmosphere.

Krefeld's Stadtwald municipal park offers recreational activities for the whole family: playgrounds, pedal boat rental, a horse racing track and a golf course are some of the attractions on offer. After all that activity why not recharge your batteries and relax in the beer garden in front of the historic Stadtwaldhaus.

The Prater is the oldest beer garden in Berlin. Beer has been served here since 1837. It is not located in one of the green outskirts of Berlin, but right in the middle of the Prenzlauer Berg district. Berliners and tourists love this quiet place in the bustle of the city where they can enjoy their after-work beer under old chestnut trees.

The Alte Meierei is in the Neuer Garten (New Garden) on the banks of the Jungfernsee lake in Potsdam. The building was commissioned by Prussian King Frederick William II in 1790, and the beer garden in the former dairy can now accommodate 200 guests. The beer is brewed on site and changes seasonally.

The location makes the Schillergarten probably the most beautiful beer garden in Dresden. The traditional house in the villa quarter Blasewitz is located directly next to the Elbe bridge "Blaues Wunder." About 850 guests can sit directly at the Elbe, and relax like Friedrich Schiller did more than 200 years ago.

A basement (Keller) with a view? It's possible — at least in Franconia. Not far from Bamberg's old town you'll find the Spezial Keller (special cellar). This beer garden impresses with a wonderful view of the Bamberg Cathedral and Michaelsberg Monastery, a World Cultural Heritage site. Local specialties are the spicy smoked beer and the "Schäuferla," crispy roasted pork shoulder.

The beer garden at the Hafenhalle (Harbor Hall) in Konstanz offers six types of freshly draught beer and hearty food from the region around Lake Constance. Between the lakeside and the historic old town, the cozy atmosphere on the wooden terrace rounds off any beautiful summer day.

Wallberg, Setzberg and the Blauberge mountains surround one of the cleanest lakes in Bavaria — the Tegernsee. Locals and newcomers meet about 50 kilometers (31 miles) south of Munich and enjoy Bavarian hospitality in the panorama beer garden at the Gut Kaltenbrunn estate.

Shoveling snow in a beer garden during the summer? Nothing unusual on the Zugspitze at an altitude of 2,962 meters (9,718 feet). Germany's highest mountain is also home to the country's highest beer garden. Whether visitors come up here by cable car or on foot, a summit cross and a pint of beer are ready to welcome them.