I lucked out with an early check-in into the hotel on Sunday, so I could catch a few hours of sleep (did not get much on the overnight flight). By the time I woke up in the afternoon, there was not much time to go out, and besides, most German stores and buildings are closed on Sunday. So .. since it is spring and the Palmengarten botanical garden not far from my hotel in the west end of the city was open, that was a *natural* choice to make.
The Palmengarten botanical garden opened in 1871 and was an instant success with the public. It covers some 22 hectares (54 acres) and is one of the largest botanical gardens in Germany.