spreewald boat tour

Spreewald, Germany: Tips for Brandenburg's Prettiest Forest

Spreewald is a biosphere reserve and forest located in Brandenburg, southeast of Berlin, Germany. Spreewald (“Spree Forest” in English) is famous for its winding canals, traditional Sorbian villages, and spa resorts. It’s one of the best day trips from Berlin for anyone who loves nature and wants a taste of traditional Germany.

It took me 7 years of living in Berlin until I finally visited Spreewald in October 2020. But I loved kayaking through Spreewald’s canals under the Autumn foliage, and wanted to share some tips for anyone wondering if the trip is worth it (spoiler: Yes).

As of July 2021, Spreewald is fully open for visitors and doesn’t require a negative COVID test for key activities like boat tours. As of November 2020, you can stay overnight in Spreewald again, too. Since Spreewald is a primarily outdoors destination, it’s a great place to visit this Summer to escape from Berlin.

This post is all about the best things to do in Spreewald, plus tips for how to reach Spreewald, where to stay, when to come, and a map to help you get the lay of the land.

• What is Germany’s Spreewald?

How to reach Spreewald from Berlin

• 10 Things to do in Spreewald, Germany

Where to stay in Spreewald

• A map of Spreewald

Best time to visit Spreewald for great weather

What exactly is germany’s spreewald.

Spreewald refers to a forested area in Brandenburg, Germany. It’s also a biosphere reserve , which is an internationally-recognized UNESCO designation for natural areas worth preserving for their social and ecological systems. The main towns in Spreewald include Lübbenau , Burg , and Vetschau and the villages of Lehde and Leipe .

What makes Spreewald special is over 200 canals traversing more than 276 kilometers, which you can navigate by traditional punting boat (called Spreewaldkahn ), kayak, or canoe. The total length of all channels, rivers, and streams is over 1,500 kilometers.

As you glide through the water, you’ll find over 6,000 species of plants and animals inhabiting Spreewald’s meadows, forests, wetlands, and marshes. It’s a really beautiful places to take a break from the city!

Apart from the nature, Spreewald is also unique because its original residents didn’t speak German — but rather, a slavic language called Sorbian. The Sorbs have lived in Germany for over 1,400 years, and are even responsible for the name “Berlin” which comes from the word for “swamp” in Slavic. In Spreewald, the famous village of Lehde is a unique insight into traditional Sorbian life and culture.

Here’s how to reach this beautiful place.

Spreewald is just 100 kilometers (62 miles) southeast of Berlin and is easy super easy to reach by either car, train, or tour, though you can also reach it by bus with some determination.

Getting to Spreewald from Berlin by car and train take approximately the same amount of time. Getting to Spreewald by bus takes longer, because it involves a transfer and backtracking from Cottbus’ central station (Cottbus Hauptbahnhof). In all cases, the destination to put in your GPS is Lübbenau , the town in the heart of Spreewald.

Reach Spreewald from Berlin by car (Recommended)

Drive on the A13 for 90-100 kilometers (depending on where you’re coming from inside Berlin) until you see an exit for Lübbenau. Driving takes approximately the same amount of time as the train, roughly 1 hour to 1 hour and 15 minutes.

Personally, I recommend renting a car with DiscoverCars so you have the most flexibility with getting around Spreewald (there are plenty of places to park and driving is pretty simple in this area). Book in advance, and the cost isn’t much more than taking the train if you’re traveling in a group of two or more people.

Reach Spreewald from Berlin by train (Quickest)

Take the train from Berlin’s Hauptbahnhof (main station) to Lübbenau (Spreewald) which is the name of the stop. You can easily book train tickets online here and the total trip takes about an hour. This route uses the regional train (RE), but be sure to check whether your train requires a transfer (Umstieg) because many trains have just a 5-minute transfer window in Ostkreuz.

There are lots of departures every day, so it’s easy to catch a train to Spreewald. Train tickets cost from 25€ round trip, if you buy for fixed time slots for departure and arrival. Tickets with Deutsche Bahn typically cost more if you want flexible arrival and departure times.

The only downside is, once you’ve arrived in Spreewald, you are at the mercy of the local bus system. While I’d say Germany’s busses are pretty good, they are much less consistent than trains.

Reach Spreewald on a Tour from Berlin (Simplest)

If you don’t want to mess with figuring out the train and reserving a boat tour, you can take a guided tour to Spreewald from Berlin. This Spreewald tour with Viator starts in Kurfürstendamm in Berlin and takes you by bus to Spreewald.

While the live commentary is in German, there’s also an English audioguide (which is honestly often better, as sometimes German tour guides speaking English can be hard to understand). It lasts 7 1/2 hours and includes transit, a traditional boat tour, and local snack on arrival for a very fair price considering the cost of everything separately. Click here to check availability.

Reach Spreewald from Berlin by bus (Slowest)

Finally, you can travel with Flixbus to nearby Cottbus , a super popular bus network for budget travel around Europe, for about 10€ each way. From Cottbus, you’ll need to take a train from the Cottbus Hauptbahnhof (main station) to Lübbenau for an additional 12€ or so per person. This makes it about the same price as taking the train, but longer because you’ll be “backtracking” from Cottbus Hbf to Lübbenau.

8 Things to do in Spreewald, Germany

Now that you know why you should visit Spreewald and how to get here, these are the best things to do in Spreewald that I’d recommend for any visitor!

1. Rent a kayak or canoe

Exploring Spreewald by boat is undoubtedly the best way to experience the region, and renting your own kayak or canoe gives you the ultimate control of where you go. Plus, in “these times” it’s a great outdoor activity you can do far away from other people.

You’ll find tons of places that rent boats along the Spreewald, designated by signs that say Bootsverleih (or, “Boat Rental”). You can find options for boats for one, two, or more people, and naturally the prices increase as your boat gets fancier (more on pricing in a second).

When we went to Spreewald in Autumn 2020, there was plenty of space for boats in the canals. It wasn’t empty, but it also wasn’t super busy either. There were long stretches where we didn’t see other boats.

The main way you’ll navigate is by following signs at “intersections” of the canals, which help tell you which direction you can go to get to various points of interest. Importantly, “sport boats” are not allowed in certain canals, which will also be clearly marked.

Tips for renting a kayak or canoe in Spreewald: If you’re starting in Lübbenau, you can find a list of places to rent a boat on the Spreewald Tourism website, some of which have their own websites. We booked with Bootsverleih Richter which offers a 2-person kayak for 32€ per day, though you can also book hourly. It’s also possible to reserve a canoe online here which could come in handy during the high tourism season.

Ultimately, renting your own kayak or canoe in Spreewald is an incredible way to get around, and is a family-friendly activity to boot.

2. Or join a Spreewald boat tour with a Spreewaldkahn

But if you want pure relaxation, you can also book a Spreewald boat tour in a traditional Spreewaldkahn . A Spreewaldkahn is a punting boat, where the navigator pushes the boat along by pressing wooden paddle against the bottom of the canal.

At first, it right remind you of the gondolas of Venice, but the water in Venice is actually too deep for this technique to work. Since the canals in Spreewald are quite shallow, this makes it easy to get around using punting boats.

These kind of tours typically don’t include a full meal, but will include local snacks like Brot mit Schmalz und Spreewald Gherkin (bread with lard and Spreewald gherkins). For the best seats, you’ll definitely want to reserve in advance and show up before boarding time so you can pick where you’ll sit on the boat.

Note: It used to be that in order to ride on these boats, you had to present a negative COVID test. However, this is no longer required since the incidence level in Brandenburg is so low. You’ll only be required to provide your contact details when you book a boat tour in Spreewald.

3. Paddle around Lehde, a traditional Sorbian village

If you’re starting from Lübbenau, you’ll ultimately want to make your way to Lehde . Lehde is a small village with just 130 residents, and one of the oldest and most beautiful in Spreewald. You’ll notice that many houses you pass also have a small boathouse with a traditional Spreewald boat docked nearby.

It is also possible to reach parts of Lehde by car and then by foot, as there are a number of bridges connecting the two sides of the canal. You can also consider getting out at the Spreewald Freilandmuseum in Lehde. We didn’t have time for this, but it costs just 5€ to enter so worth checking out if you have the time.

4. Eat (or stay!) at a traditional German Gasthaus

After all that boating around, you’ll want something to eat. Inside Spreewald, you’ll find a number of restaurants, cafes, and guesthouses (in German, Gasthaus ). Pretty much everywhere offers outdoor seating, so you can sit near the canal and enjoy the weather while you have something to eat. A lot of these restaurants also double as guesthouses, meaning you can stay overnight in the Spreewald.

On offer you’ll mostly find standard German fare, like Schnitzel and Pommes (French fries). It is a bit overpriced considering what you’d pay for something similar in Berlin, but obviously you’re in a “local tourism hotspot” in Spreewald so it’s to be expected.

Here’s a peek at my Schnitzel and Pommes:

Lots of the restaurants and cafes are on Google maps, which you can check out as you’re boating around in the canals.

5. Try local Spreewald Gherkins

If there’s one local specialty you have to try, it’s the Spreewald Gherkins. Spreewald Gherkins are a type of locally made pickle, which are protected by the EU as a Protected Geographical Indication — just like Champagne from the Champagne region of France. But pickles.

There are cucumber fields in the area where the special cucumbers are grown, which are eventually made into Spreewald Gherkins. This is a look at three varieties of Gherkin served together, alongside some Bot mit Schmalz (bread with lard):

If you are a big-time pickle-lover, you can even check out the Spreewald Gherkin Museum . We didn’t make it in and honestly the reviews aren’t that great, but you can also buy yourself a jar of pickles right in Lehde or back in Lübbenau.

The sign here says than entry to the museum includes a tasting of the Königsgurke (“King’s Pickle”) in case that entices you inside.

5. Walk around the town of Lübbenau

After your paddling adventure, you might want to check out some of the surroundings in Spreewald. A logical place to start would be Lübbenau.

Lübbenau is a town in Brandenburg, most famous for its incorporated villages of Lehde and Leipe. It has a popular port/marina, from which many of the Spreewald boat tours depart hourly. There’s also a small market nearby called the Gherkin Mile where you can buy local products like pickles and honey.

Drive around town, and you’ll also be able to find the Spreewald Museum and a castle, Schloss Lübbenau which is today a four-star hotel where you can stay in overnight.

6. Visit the Slavic castle Raddusch

Raddusch is best known for its reconstruction of the Slavic Castle pictured below. Back in the 9th and 10th century, the western part of Spreewald was connected through a string of ring-shaped castles like this one. If you go inside, you’ll find a permanent exhibition of the region (known as Lower Lusatia) from the Stone Age through the Middle Ages. Nearby, you’ll also find the town of Vetschau , which was first mentioned as early as 1302.

While you’re in Vetschau, you can also pop by Vetschau Castle (which also has some accompanying gardens) and the Wendish-German double church .

7. Relax at a Spreewald Spa in Burg

The most famous spa in Spreewald is definitely Spreewald Therme located in Burg, an opportunity to soak in salt water thermal baths whose brine comes from 1,350 meters below. They’ve got a Finnish sauna, fitness centers, aroma steam bath, and a fire sauna. And of course, you can experience all of this while eating your fill of Spreewald Gherkins!

8. Cycle the Gurkenradweg

The Gurkenradweg is a 260 kilometer bike trail that winds through the Spreewald, including its famous villages and nature. The route is very flat, and even has a network of battery charging stations in case you want to explore it with ebike. The route can be broken into 8 different stages, usually started in Lübbenau.

Apart from this route, there are other cycling routes in the Spreewald. So if you love outdoor cycling, you can definitely bring your bike here as an alternative way to get around.

There are a few main places you’ll want to stay in Spreewald overnight, but the most popular are in Lübbenau itself or in guesthouses in the historic villages of Leipe or Lehde. Here are the most popular places to stay in Spreewald with great reviews:

• Pension & Gasthaus Spreewaldhof in Leipe – Excellent location right on the canal, you get a real sense of living in one of these historic villages for the night. Breakfast included, and you can rent a boat directly through the guesthouse.
• Schloss Lübbenau – Your chance to stay in a legit castle while you explore the Spreewald over the weekend. This four-star hotel has a great location as a base in Spreewald.
• Hotel Ebusch – Luxurious, four-star accommodation in Lübbenau with glowing reviews and a 9.3 “Superb” rating on Booking.com.

That said, if you are visiting during the high season (April through October) or trying to make a Winter trip near Christmas, there is not a ton of accommodation and it tends to get rented out quickly.

That said, since Spreewald is an easy day trip from Berlin, you can also choose to stay in Berlin . It really depends how much time you have and whether you want to do a simple boat trip or also enjoy some of the cycling, hiking, and other sights in Spreewald.

Map of Spreewald, Germany

Here is a map of Spreewald, which you can use to plan your trip ( larger here ).

Spreewald is more or less a year-round destination, with the high season in April through October, and the low season from November to January.

Summer is the most popular time to visit Spreewald. The weather is great, and the trees offer a lot of shade during most of your boat trip through the Spreewald canals. However it’s also much busier, so you’ll want to be sure you book in advance as this is a very popular local weekend trip.

Autumn is also a beautiful time to visit Spreewald. For the best Autumn foliage, I’d recommend the very end of October (though my tip for hitting the peak is to check recent photos on Instagram to see how far along the change of color is). Another reason to visit in Autumn is that during this season, large numbers of waterfowl stop by Spreewald on their journey South for the Winter. You may also be able to spot sea eagles as well.

Finally, Spreewald in Winter (and during Christmas) is also a sought-after experience. In especially cold winters when the canals freeze over, you can even get around in a sled!

If you want to time your visit alongside an event, you can check out the Events page on Brandenburg Tourism’s website (unfortunately only in German). But there is a lot going on, ranging from a Chopin concert to a Slavic Fairytale Festival. You’ll find plenty no matter what month you end up visiting.

Looking for more places to visit near Spreewald?

One hour away from Spreewald to the southeast and you can visit Germany’s Devil’s Bridge , in the Kromlau Rhododenron Park. It’s really only easily accessible by car, and is absolutely stunning to visit in Autumn. The park was recently under reconstruction, which should be finished in Summer 2021.

This legendary bridge in Saxony, Germany will make you feel like you've fallen into a fairytale. It's one of those places where it's just as magical in photos as it is in real life.

Otherwise, the nearest town is Cottbus , which is a small German city. Only worth a stop if you are already in the area, Cottbus has a zoo, castle, and museum.

About the author

Hi there! I'm Monica, an American expat living in Germany for over six years and using every opportunity to explore the world from my homebase in Berlin. My goal is to capture my memories in photos and posts that show how easy it is to start from scratch and travel the world by working abroad.

Follow along on Instagram , Twitter , Bloglovin , & Facebook .

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Spreewald boat trip in Lübbenau

Boat trips to lehde, to wotschofska or only through the nature of the spreewald, from the small harbor "am spreeschlößchen", welcome to the spreewald.

Explore, during a romantic Spreewald boat trip to Lehde, to Wotschofska or through nature, one of the most unique areas in Europe, which is located between Berlin and Dresden. For many visitors, the Spreewald is a term of peace to escape from everyday life. Enjoy the natural, splendid and partly untouched nature on a boat tour and be enchanted by the impressions, during your holiday or as a day guest.

Call now or use WhatsApp*

We, your drivers, drive in our traditional wooden boat (with tables and without motor) through our region. During our trip you will learn a lot about our area and you can taste our culinary specialties. Whether for your holiday, a short trip, or "that special something" for your family or company - with us you will find the right private Spreewald boat trip for every occasion. We hope you enjoy browsing and look forward to welcoming you soon on the small harbor for a leisurely boat tour.

Grill trips

combine a boat trip with the delicious grilled

Classic tours

Round trips to Lehde and Wotschofska from 2 to 5 hours

Winter boat trips

Rides for the cold season Reservations requested

Last Minute

Here you can reserve seats for already established boat trips

General information for our guests on the boat trips!

Dear visitor,

Spreewald visit to Lübbenau without having made a classic boat trip, is not a real Spreewald stay. When quietly gliding along with the traditional wooden barge, admiring the almost untouched nature, you can relax as a guest. During your tour, which you along forest and Meadow landscapes leads as well as through locks, learn from your ferryman much worth knowing about country and people. For boat trips from 3 hours, breaks are always included, which can be used individually (for example, for lunch in one of the restaurants in Lehde or to visit the wonderful, informative and unique Museum). Our Spreewald tours are offered in different versions. An overview of our classic boat trips or ours Special programs for companies, clubs or families can be found in the area of boat trips / prices. In your search for the right partner for your excursion you will Of course, you will also find numerous other providers on the Internet. Each of them has its own characteristics. It is ours that, as one of the last remaining providers of boat trips, not just on a traditional Spreewaldkahn but on a traditional barge made of wood and not made of aluminum or sheet steel. We think you have one Such magnificent and unique nature can only be properly enjoyed with a wooden barge. We think you have one Such magnificent and unique nature can only be properly enjoyed with a wooden barge. They go through a technical review regularly and are with a Rain cover, which can be set up in bad weather, equipped. The price of your boat tour depends on your group strength. We have a staggering up to 14 people or up to 18 people per boat. Thus results in a group of 10 people, the price up to 14 and at 16 the barge price up to 18 people (promotions or discounts are on the homepage listed separately or can be requested by mail or phone). In some cases, our barges can also with max. 20 people are occupied (for example, if children are there). This please inquire beforehand. For groups of more than 22 people, two or more boats are always provided. You can ask for more details by e-mail or by phone. If you do not want to have a boat alone, then take a look at the last minute area to see if there is something for you or come to the small harbor "Am Spreeschlößchen" (without Reservation / order) and take part in the desired classic Lübbenauer Spreewald boat trip, which lasts between 2 and 5 hours (as far as it is offered). Our ferry people from the Kleine Hafen are available from March / April to October from 10 clock and continue to drive. The respective prices 2023 is also based on these classic tours the duration of the trip but per person.For example, a 2-hour round trip costs 16 € per person, 3 hours 18 €, 4 hours 22 € and 5 hours 24 € per person. Additional services, such as cucumbers or Schmalzbrote, are not bookable for these trips but can be purchased directly at the port. Furthermore, you will find a traditional Grukenstand with us at the harbor various products from Lübbenau and the surrounding area as well as a beer garden directly on the water. Here you can spend your waiting time with a small snack or a cup of coffee bridged. The restaurant offers u.a. many typical Spreewald dishes. The beer garden is open every day from April to October. Would you like a relaxed boat ride? Move something, then you can walk from the port directly to Wotschofska or to Lehde. And you feel like paddling, just a few steps and you are at one Boatman. Would you like to experience a romantic Adventskahnfahrt or winter barge, then contact us or look at the offers here on the homepage. Here are Single seat bookings possible. Our hotline on 03542/486684 is open daily from 9am to 8pm. Should our telephone service not be available (the ferryman is grad yourself with the boat unterwegs.bzw. just talking) will be recalled. But this is only possible with the transmission of your telephone number.            

* Please note the privacy policy on this website.

Veranstaltungen 2024

Abendliche Konzertfahrt mit den Tulenz Brüdern

Fotograf: Kyle Reim

Top Tours in Spreewald, Germany

Spreewald tours.

• Kayaking & Canoeing
• Walking Tours
• Balloon Rides
• Nature & Wildlife Tours
• Zipline & Aerial Adventure Parks
• Stand-Up Paddleboarding
• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• Good for Kids
• Hidden Gems
• Good for Couples
• Good for Big Groups
• Adventurous
• Budget-friendly
• Good for a Rainy Day
• Honeymoon spot
• Good for Adrenaline Seekers
• Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity.

1. Spreehafen Burg

2. Kahnfaehrfrau

3. Kahnfahrten Lubben

4. Hafen Waldschloesschen

5. Stand Up Paddling Spreewald

6. Kahnfahrmann Jorg Lehmann

7. Barfusspark Burg

8. Bootshaus Rehnus

9. Uwe Krüger

10. Kleiner Spreewaldhafen

11. schiela's kahnfahrten & bootsverleih.

12. Bootshaus Zum Leineweber

13. Bootsverleih Keutel

14. Kletterwald Luebben

15. spreewald kahnfahren mit franky.

16. Kahnfährmann Jörg Tschirschke

17. Lausitzer Ballonfahrten

18. landgasthof zur wildbahn, 19. bootsverleih gebauer, what travellers are saying.

• Spreehafen Burg
• Kahnfaehrfrau
• Hafen Waldschloesschen
• Kahnfahrten Lubben
• Kleiner Spreewaldhafen
• Barfusspark Burg

Spreewald Day Trip From Berlin: How to Visit Lübbenau (Updated 2024)

This post contains links which earn me a small commission at no cost to you.

Ali Garland, Berlin expert & long term resident What to Do

If you’re looking for a day trip from Berlin that will take you into nature, look no further than Spreewald. Spreewald is the forest region south of Berlin, and it’s a great place to go to see a different side of Germany. The most popular town to visit is Lübbenau, and it makes for the perfect Spreewald day trip from Berlin .

This is a place for relaxing, enjoying outdoor activities, and taking a break from the city. In this article you’ll find lots of practical tips for how to get from Berlin to Spreewald and what to do in Spreewald in a day .

What you'll find here

Why should you take a Lübbenau Spreewald day trip?

Germany is many things, and you won’t get the full picture by only visiting Berlin. Germans love nature and the outdoors, and the forested area of Spreewald is perfect for experiencing a bit of nature.

The Spreewald was declared a biosphere reserve in 1990 and was given UNESCO status in 1991. This means there is great effort to protect and preserve the area, from the landscape to the animals that live there and even the culture of the Spreewald.

You’ll find lots of outdoor activities here, such as renting a kayak or canoe. You can also take a tour on a local punt boat to explore the river and forest. Boating on this section of the Spree is a lot different from a Spree River boat tour in central Berlin!

Lübbenau is also a great place for some local German traditions, such a pickles. This is an area famously known for producing pickles, and you will find them everywhere here.

This town also has a cute old town section with pedestrian-friendly areas, a picturesque church, a few interesting museums, and even a castle. There’s plenty of things to do in Spreewald in one day.

And if you’re interested in spending a little more time in the Spreewald, you could also turn it into a weekend trip .

Hotels in Spreewald

At roughly one hour from Berlin, it’s easy to visit the Spreewald as a day trip.

But if you want to take things a little slower and stay overnight, that’s a great option too. There are quite a few hotels and guesthouses in Lübbenau’s old town that give you easy access to restaurants and activities.

Just keep in mind that, despite the abundance of hotels, this is more of a day trip town. Most of the organized tourist activities don’t start earlier than 9am, and most of the restaurants close by about 9pm.

By late afternoon/early evening, the town starts to feel a bit dead. But this also means you get a little extra quiet once everyone leaves at the end of the day.

Where to stay in Spreewald Lübbenau

Here are some hotels in Spreewald Lübbenau we recommend checking out. For a quirky budget option, why not stay in a giant barrel at Hotel Mini Übernachten im Gurkenfass? Or for a splurge, stay in a castle at Hotel Schloss Lübbenau.

How to get from Berlin to Spreewald by train

Getting around in Germany is pretty simple using Deutsche Bahn , and getting from Berlin to the Spreewald is no exception.

Lübbenau is about 100km (62 miles) from the center of Berlin. To get to Spreewald by train, it only takes a little over an hour. Plus there are several stations where you can catch the train and get all the way to Lübbenau without having to switch, which makes it a super easy day trip.

Currently you can take the RE2 or the RE7 to get to Spreewald, and both start at Berlin Hbf. Both trains take about 1 hour 10 minutes to 1 hour 20 minutes, and both trains run once an hour. The train also stops at Friedrichstrasse, Alexanderplatz, and Ostbahnhof, so those are other good options to start your journey.

Depending on where you’re staying in Berlin , you will need to take one of several Sbahn or Ubahn lines to one of the stations I listed above before leaving the city on the RE2 or RE7.

Be aware that there is another town called Lübben. The train stops here just before arriving in Lübbenau, so don’t get out there.

It’s another good option for seeing the Spreewald, but this guide will be more focused on things to do in Lübbenau.

>>Check prices and train schedules on the Deutsche Bahn website .

Which train ticket do you need?

As I update this, the ticket costs 14.10 euros one way per person with a point-to-point ticket. Kids aged 6 through 14 can get a reduced ticket for 10.60, and kids under age 6 travel for free.

Another option is the Berlin-Brandenburg ticket . The ticket costs 33 euros, and it allows for a group of up to five adults and three children aged 6 to 14 to travel on one ticket. You can travel on this ticket back and forth in the same day.

However, it can only be used starting at 9am on weekdays! So this option only works if you’re getting a later start to your day trip, or if you’re going on a Saturday, Sunday, or public holiday.

If you want to leave Berlin earlier than 9am, and you probably should if you want to spend the whole day in Spreewald, you should get the point-to-point tickets.

Read more about how to use the Brandenburg-Berlin day ticket to save money on regional trains in Germany .

How to get from Berlin to Spreewald by bus

Update: FlixBus no longer shows Lübbenau on its destination map. Since routes come and go, it’s worth checking their site, but the bus is currently not an option to get to the Spreewald.

As cheap as those train tickets are to get to the Spreewald from Berlin, if you’re traveling on a budget, the bus can be even cheaper.

FlixBus is a comfortable and affordable option if you’re looking to save a few euros. The bus stops in front of the Lübbenau train station, so it’s just as convenient as the train.

In Berlin, the buses leave from the central bus station (ZOB) and in front of the Südkreuz Sbahn station. Chances are Südkreuz is closer to where you’re staying and will be an easier option. From Südkreuz, the bus takes about 1 hour 20 minutes, so it’s not too much longer than the train.

The timing is pretty convenient for a day trip to the Spreewald since the buses leave Berlin in the morning and come back in the evening. You’ll have plenty of time to explore Lübbenau and the Spreewald plus have lunch and dinner there.

When planning your day trip, be sure to compare FlixBus with Deutsche Bahn to see which works best for you.

How to get from the Lübbenau train station to the old town

Luckily it’s very easy to get from the Lübbenau train station into the old town on foot. When you exit the train station, cross the street and look for Poststr. This street pretty much goes straight out from the station.

It’s about 1km (0.6 mile) from the train station to the Lübbenau tourism office, which is in the center of the old town.

It should take you 10 to 15 minutes to walk this distance, and it’s all along one road until you reach a big square where Poststrasse dead ends. Most of what you want is towards the right from here.

>>Looking for a charming city that’s a little bigger than Lübbenau? Consider taking a day trip from Berlin to Cottbus .

What to do in Spreewald

Lübbenau is the perfect town in Spreewald to relax and get back in touch with nature after spending a few days in Berlin . There are plenty of things to do in Spreewald on a day trip from Berlin.

Here’s what to do in Spreewald so you can choose which activities interest you.

Join our Facebook group!

Have questions about planning your trip to Berlin?

Join the Facebook group here to chat with Ali (she runs this site) and other people who have been to Berlin for tips.

Take a punt boat tour

Punt boats are a popular way to see Lübbenau and the Spreewald. These are flat bottomed boats with benches set up for you to sit on. The guide leads the boat along the waterways through the forest to show you the area.

There’s a two hour option where you stay on the boat the whole time, or a three hour option where you can get out at a small village called Lehde. You can take an even longer tour, but I suggest one of the shorter options to give you time for other activities.

Rent a boat

Not interested in a guided tour? You can rent a kayak or canoe and paddle around on your own. Make sure you have some decent arm strength to do this option, and hang on to your map so you don’t get lost.

This option gives you a little more freedom to explore at your own pace.

>>Read: 101 Fun and Essential Things to do in Berlin

This is a fairly flat region of Germany, so it’s not so hard to go cycling during a Spreewald day trip. If you have your own bike, great!

But if not, don’t fear. There are several places around town, including right at the train station, where you can rent a bike for the day. Grab a map, and make sure you know what time the bike has to be back at the shop.

Eat a lot of pickles

The Spreewald is famous for its pickles. You’ll see pickles on menus and at gift shops in all forms. Pickle key chains and other trinkets. Even pickle beer.

There’s a little section of town called Gherkin Mile, which is admittedly an exaggeration since it’s only about 4 to 8 stalls.

But you can try different varieties from different stalls (usually for free, though one did charge me 50 cents for a few chunks) and the buy your favorites to take home. I personally enjoyed the chili pickles, sweet chili pickles, and garlic pickles. But there are tons more!

You can even take a cycling pickle tour offered by the Lübbenau Spreewald tourism office. It’s an all day tour that shows you around the region and teaches you about the history and production of pickles in the Spreewald.

Take a hike

This is the forest, after all. Check with the tourism office for suggested routes and maps, but there are hiking trails to the village of Lehde and other parts of the forest.

We even saw a sign pointing towards a 3.5km (about 2.2 miles) trail to a guest house where you can get a good German beer before hiking back.

Visit a museum

Lübbenau and the nearby areas have a few museums if you want to learn more about the area. The Spreewald Museum is on the edge of the Lübbenau old town, and here you can learn about the local history of the town and the Spreewald.

If you make it to Lehde, the village on the punt boat tour, check out the Freilandmuseum Lehde, and open air museum about what life was like in the area during the 19th century.

You can also stop by the Gherkin Museum in the hotel complex Starick if you haven’t gotten enough about pickles.

See the Lübbenau Castle

Schloss Lübbenau sits on the edge of the old town with the forest as a backdrop. The castle is now a hotel, but they have a restaurant so you could take a break for lunch or a snack.

The palace is a really pretty building, so be sure to snap some photos.

Wander the old town

Lübbenau has a cute old town, and it’s worth taking a stroll through to soak up the atmosphere. St Nikolai Church sits in the center near some cafes. Nearby is the quirky Sagenhafter Fountain.

Keep walking and you’ll cross a few small bridges over different branches of the Spree River. Colorful shops line the streets. And there are a couple of small harbors where you can rent a boat or hop on a boat tour.

Book a tour for your trip to Berlin

• Third Reich Berlin Walking Tour – Hitler and WWII
• Berlin TV Tower Skip-the-Line Ticket
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Berlin Travel Resources

I want you to have the best trip to Berlin, and hopefully this information for how to take a Berlin to Spreewald day trip is helpful. But there are lots more tips on the site!

• 101 Best Things to do in Berlin
• 23 Impressive Castles in Berlin (And Nearby)
• 27 Best World War II & Cold War Sights in Berlin
• 29 Fun Day Trips From Berlin
• 75 Things to Know Before Visiting Berlin: Essential Berlin Travel Tips
• What to Wear & What to Pack for Berlin, Germany: Your Ultimate Berlin Packing List
• How to Get Around in Berlin: An Easy Guide to Berlin Public Transportation

Check out my favorite travel planning sites and resources

These are the sites I like for travel planning, plus items I like to travel with.

Planning Booking.com : Find a Berlin hotel here.

Rick Steves and Lonely Planet : My favorite guidebook resources.

Tours, Activities, Tickets Viator : Great site for finding tours and other activities.

GetYourGuide : Another good option for tours and activities.

Transport Welcome Pickups : No stress option for airport pickups.

Discover Cars : Find a rental car for Germany road trips.

Deutsche Bahn and FlixBus : Best options for getting around Germany.

Packing Orange SIM & eSIM : Great option for SIM & eSIM cards for German & EU.

Collapsible water bottle , plug adapter , and stuff bag : Small things that will make your trip a little easier.

Packing Orange SIM & eSIM : Great option for SIM & eSIM cards for Germany & EU.

Book a local photographer Flytographer : Hire an amazing local photographer anywhere in the world. Use code BERLINTRAVEL to get $25 off your first photo shoot.

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Visiting the Spreewald – The best day trip from Berlin

Spreewald forest is more than just gherkins and boat tours. The ancient nature reserve is also family friendly and home to ancient culture.

Endless waterways, forests so green it will hurt your eyes, and pickled food you will never forget in your life. The Spree forest ( Spreewald ) follows an extended river system of the same name, roughly from Dresden ( check out my guide ) to Berlin. I have been to both cities numerous times, so I really can’t explain why it took me 34 years to finally stop by. Especially considering that the area is just so utterly beautiful. Ah well, this is no time for regrets but rather a good opportunity to list some reasons why you shouldn’t wait as long to visit. And believe me, there are just so many things to do in Spreewald, making it one of the best day trips from Berlin.

On a Spreewald boat tour

The very first thing I did after dropping my luggage into one corner of my hotel room was booking a boat tour. If you visit the Spreewald there really is no way around exploring it on one of the famous Spreewald boats. In fact, it is the whole point of it! (well almost)

The flat-bottomed river boats work on skill and sweat instead of a motor. A very long pole called ‘ Rudel’ , which double serves as a rudder, is used to navigate the unspoiled river system. The maybe most peculiar thing: They basically consist of nothing but benches and tables. Most boats serve alcoholic and (to a lesser degree :P) non-alcoholic drinks, sometimes even small snacks.

You’ll find marinas in almost all towns and Lübben has even four of them. The smallest Spreewald boat tours will take one hour, but there are also tours taking as much as 6 or 8 hours. Longer tours will usually stop for lunch and at museums and the like (so you actually leave the boat). All boat tours will take you around the town, where some the most scenic spots can be found. Ancient, overgrown houses, lots of trees offering shade and cute little bridges spanning the channels ever so often. Add a cold beer and gherkins and you really feel like part of a fairytale. _____________ Planning to visit the Spreewald on a day trip from Berlin? Here’s an excellent 3-day guide to Germany’s capital .

It is also possible to hire a private boat and this is what I decided for. The unique advantage: Instead of driving along the standard tourist channels, I told my driver to explore the lesser known parts of the Spreewald. For me, it was all about backwaters and unspoiled nature.

I cannot stress enough what a wonderful decision that was. First of all, we avoided all the crowded places (believe it or not, but in the high season there can be traffic jams along the smaller channels). Also, I am quite an introvert, which means I am having a hard time around crowded places. But more to the point, we saw things the other people really didn’t encounter on their trip.

You see, the Spreewald is not just pretty water channels, pretty boats and pretty little houses (even though there is a lot of that!). Above all, it is a nature reserve. It was designated a biosphere reserve by the UNESCO in 1991 and it looks every bit of it. 18.000 different plants and animals find their home along the extended river system. It really felt wrong not exploring that part of the Spreewald as well.

And when I say I saw things the other tourist boats didn’t see, I mean this quite literal. The backwaters of the Spree can be very narrow and shallow. 25 to 30 people fit into one boat, which obviously will have a huge impact on navigability and the draft. Our driver told us that he simply couldn’t and wouldn’t explore these small distributaries with a big group, as there would be a high risk to be stuck on a sandbank. It’s also hard to stop a boat loading 2 or 3 tons (depending on the size of the passengers).

So is it worth going on a private tour? Absolutely! First of all, we did see a lot of waterfowl. But we also did see a beaver and even a kingfisher! But one experience really topped it all. You see, the water in the distributaries of the Spree runs really slow. So slow in fact, that you won’t see it moving. This also means that dead leaves and other organic material won’t be carried away by the current. So there are quite a few places where pockets of natural manure gas hide below the sand banks. And what did our driver do? He poked his long pole beyond the bottom of the Spree and then lit the evading gas with a lighter. Seeing the whole water surface ablaze was really cool (and a bit smelly, I admit it  :P)

Exploring Lübben

After my boat tour, I felt like exploring the town where I was staying: Lübben. There are many such small towns in the Spreewald and most of them will be able to offer you excellent access to the unique nature reserve. It really boils down to personal preferences in terms of hotels. I chose Lübben as the wonderful Strandhotel is located there. The charming little luxury hotel has its own spa and a very modern (almost Scandinavian) look to it. Totally loved it! (more below)

But there were other reasons to choose Lübben as well. At the very end of the high seasons (usually in the 2 nd  or 3 rd weekend of September), there is a big festival in Lübben. Apart from a lovely market and some cultural highlights (like a gherkins workshop!), a grand boat parade is held on the channels of Lübben. That certainly was an event I didn’t want to miss, though I wasn’t able to see in the end. Only went to the fair, which was still nice. Bought some Sorbian Easter eggs!

Lübben also has a wonderful little castle and, moms harken, about the best public paths I have ever seen. You know, when you look at the pictures you would never assume you were able to path in the Spree river. But believe it or not, the water quality is actually so high in and around Lübben that you can drink it. The channels of Lübben are home to a couple of excellent public baths and water playgrounds even some adults might enjoy more than they’d willingly admit!

Spree Forest in Lübbenau & Lehde

Despite staying in Lübben, I also had to see Lübbenau and its romantic little suburb Ledhe. In Lehde it is still possible to experience the life of the Sorbian people the way it was hundreds of years ago. For those who didn’t know it: the people in the Spreewald don’t actually speak German (well most do now). Instead, they speak a Slavic language called Sorbian and the people are an acknowledged minority in Germany, with their own culture and traditions.

Anyways, Ledhe is a museum village and beautiful beyond belief. Ancient half-timbered houses line the moss covered channels and if you are lucky you can spot a girl or two wearing the traditional dresses of the Sorbs.

The museum is quite extensive. They even relocated a couple of ancient farmhouses to the place. Video installation, as well as locals, really help to produce a memorable experience, not in the last dusty or old fashioned.

Definitely, consider stopping at one of the restaurants in town to sample the traditional food. Even if you are not hungry after a day on the boats & exploring the old town, ordering a serving of the famous Spreewald gherkins is a must! You might not believe me yet, but these fresh gherkins are seriously the best you can have in the world. There is something about the soil and climate in the Spreewald that leads to ideal conditions for growing cucumbers. The Spreewald gherkins also make for a perfect souvenir, though you’d have to buy the pickled version in glasses. I certainly couldn’t resist!

Spreewald canoe tour

Probably the best way to explore the Spreewald is by canoe. You can rent them almost everywhere for a couple of euros. These will give you absolute freedom to explore the whole river system at your own pace.

I am not sure if there are guided Spreewald canoe tours, but I’d recommend you to grab a map and go exploring on your own anyway. There are signs along the waterways (much like street signs), so getting lost would actually be quite hard. But do know, that few other tourists will come to the more secluded areas.

But that doesn’t mean you can’t bring your own picnic and drop out at one of the many moorings along the waterway. In summer you can even bring your bathing suit and jump in the river to cool off a bit (just remember to moor your canoe first!).

Where to stay in Spreewald

Note: I get commissions for purchases made through links in this post. There are many little guest houses and hotels in the Spreewald. Most of them will be rather simple but will get you in direct contact with the locals. Burg, Lübbenau, and Lübben are the most popular towns. It really doesn’t matter a lot which one you pick. All three are pretty and not far away from each other anyway, so it’s really all down to your choice of hotels.

Luxury hotels, on the other hand, are rather scarce. So if you are looking for a little bit of pampering, I’d really recommend you to stay at the Strandhotel in Lübben . It is, in my opinion, the best hotel in the Spreewald, and not just because the hotel has its own marina. They also got a private beach and a very lovely little spa. If you pick the spa suite (like I did), you will even have your own private sauna in the room. So how cool is that?

As the hotel is frequently booked out, you could also pick the Castle hotel Fürstlich Drehna . This ancient water castle certainly looks like the perfect hotel. I didn’t personally stay there because there were no vacancies during that time. As room rates are pretty fair, this almost looks like a no-brainer for anyone who wants to see the Spreewald AND stay at a German castle!

How to get to the Spreewald

Germany has a very good public transport network. From Berlin to Spreewald there are multiple trains leaving each day. You can look up train schedules here . There are also a couple of overland buses leaving from Dresden and Berlin, usually a bit cheaper but taking longer. Either way, it will probably take no longer than an hour or maximum two, which makes the Spreewald one of the best day trips from Berlin ( here’s what to do in 4 days in Berlin  in case you are looking for a good guide)

You might also consider renting a car, as this will afford you with a little more flexibility. While you can, theoretically speaking, take a canoe or a boat to get from one town to the other, it’s a bit cumbersome and will obviously take longer. Germany might not be as famous for its frequent rains as England, but it’s not the Sahara either. So having your own car really pays off! Plus, you can explore the rest of Saxonia later on.

Phew. This post got longer than intended. Ah well, the beauty of the Spreewald carried me away. So, how about you? Would you want to visit this unique part of Germany? Tell me in the comments below! And don’t forget to pin this for later!

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I have to say Spreewald looks absolutely lovely, especially the boat tour. I wish I had known of it when I lived in Germany. Whenever I visit Berlin again, I’ll have to schedule this as a day trip. Thanks for the idea!

Hi there, do you know if you need to book the boat tours ahead of time or you can just show up and book? I can’t find much searching in English…Thanks!

there really is no need to book in advance, except you want a private boat tour. This website might help: https://www.grosser-kahnhafen.de/service/sprache/english

I love Spreewald! I’ve been there many times and always a have a chance (and the weather is beautiful) I go there. For me it’s a very special place – so peaceful, idyllic.

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Guide to a fun Day Trip from Berlin to Spreewald (Lübbenau)

A day trip from Berlin to Spreewald isn’t your typical German travel experience. Instead of the usual scenes of tourists glugging huge beer steins at Oktoberfest, the crazy Berlin nightlife or hiking in the Alps, you’ll find yourself gliding along idyllic canals as you weave through serene forest.

Sometimes called the ‘Venice of Germany’, the fairytale-esque Spreewald biosphere attracts people who want to explore its waterways, nature and hamlets. It’s an adventurous yet relaxing day trip from the capital that allows you to see a different side of Germany.

In this guide, I’ll break down how to get to the must-visit destination, the canal route I took to  explore the natural reserve, where to rent a kayak from and some of the other activities you can do here as part of your day trip from Berlin to Spreewald. 

Table of contents

What is spreewald.

• Walking from the town of Lübbenau to Spreewald   

The best way to explore Spreewald: kayaking

Where to rent a kayak in lübbenau, lehde (district of lübbenau), wotschofska, high season in spreewald, top tips for a day trip from berlin to spreewald, stroll through lübbenau old town, check out lübbenau castle, walk in the unesco spreewald biosphere, cycle in spreewald, guided spreewald boat tour (‘punt’ tour).

• Lehde Open-Air Museum        

Is Spreewald worth visiting?

More adventure travel tips on a world over.

Spreewald (Spree Forest in English) is a UNESCO biosphere reserve in Brandenburg state roughly 100 km southeast of Berlin. The forest area covers 475 km² and contains meadows, fens (peat-accumulating wetland) and plenty of wildlife.

What makes Spreewald such an interesting place are the roughly 276 km² of navigable canals and channels fed by the River Spree.

These canals snake their way throughout the forest and are the most scenic transport route connecting the towns and hamlets that sit within the biosphere. Some of the largest towns in UNESCO Spreewald Biosphere include Lübben, Lübbenau and Burg (a scattered hamlet).

Spreewald is one of the most enchanting places I’ve visited. Journeying along its waters is a serene experience thanks to the tree-lined canals, quaint hamlets and the sounds of nature.

How to get to Spreewald from Berlin

The best way to get to Spreewald is to take a train from Berlin to Lübbenau. Currently there are 2 trains you can take. These are the RE2 and RE7 services.

Train tickets cost roughly €30 for a return and both leave from Berlin Hbf train station. If you’re not staying near Hbf, then you might need to take a U-Bahn or S-Bahn train to get there.

The train journey from Berlin to Lübbenau is direct with a travel time of just over 1 h. My train was comfortable, so I just sat back and relaxed without having to worry about any connections.

The train will stop at Lübben before you get to Lübbenau, but you want to stay on until Lübbenau. Although you can explore Spreewald from Lübben, this day trip guide is for starting out at Lübbenau.

Walking from the town of Lübbenau to Spreewald

It’s a short walk from Lübbenau train station to the canals. Once you’re off the train, it should take you about 15 minutes to walk to where you can rent kayaks. I’ve outlined the walk and kayak rental locations on the map lower down.

I think that the best way to explore the Spreewald canals is to rent your own kayak and follow your own route. This way you can go at your own pace and explore the areas which interest you most.

Renting your own kayak is also the best choice if you want to save money. Per hour it works out to be the cheapest option to get on the water.  

There is also the option to pay for a guided boat tour, which I’ll talk about later on. But first I’ll explain where you can rent kayaks from and outline areas I explored during my day trip from Berlin to Spreewald.

There are several different options for kayak rental in Lübbenau. Luckily they are all a stone’s throw from each other. I’ve marked them in Google maps for you here.

I rented a single-person kayak from Bootsverleih Franke . They are the oldest bootsverleih (boat rental) in Lübbenau and are run by the local Franke family. I chose them because I looked at prices online beforehand and saw that they were one of the cheapest options.

If you want to rent a kayak from Bootsverleih Franke, bring cash because they currently don’t accept card payment. The more people you are, the bigger the kayak you’ll need, and the more expensive per hour it gets.

At some of the kayak rentals you can pay for a waterproof storage bin to take on the canoe and keep your things in. I didn’t do this, but I did bring plastic bags which I recommend you do too.

Whichever rental you go to, you should get a laminated map of the canals to help you navigate them.

My kayak route

Now I’ll explain my kayak route, the places I stopped to get out at and timings. I got as far as Wotschofska, stopping in Lehde along the way and was kayaking for roughly 5 h in total.

From Bootsverligh Franke I headed east to a crossroads of canals where Schleuse (river lock) Lübbenau is located. This is one of several river locks in the Spreewald.

At this crossroads I joined Hauptspree canal, which is kind of like a ‘main road’. It’s a wide, long canal and you’re bound to cross quite a few other boaters on it.

There are lots of little canals sprawling off Hauptspree which I explored too. Although, you have to kayak carefully along these. They have shallow waters, and logs and other natural debris can build up in them.

After kayaking down Hauptspree I turned back on myself and headed towards Lehde.

This is a small town named after the Lehde district of Lübbenau. Lehde town is a great place to stop for a coffee and a bite to eat—which is what I did.

Lehde has some small shops, restaurants and accommodation. There’s also a museum about the Spreewald’s heritage (more on that lower down). The locals in Lehde (and this area of Germany in general) don’t speak much English. So, it’ll be handy if you know a few phrases in German.

After Lehde I paddled northeast to Wotschofska. This is a small hamlet right in the heart of the UNESCO Spreewald biosphere reserve. It’s a bit of a trek from Lehde and there isn’t too much to see here.

However, the journey is fun and the surroundings are beautiful. Upon arrival you’re greeted by a picturesque footbridge crossing the canal with a ‘welcome’ sign on it.

I headed back to Lübbenau from Wotschofska and the return journey took roughly 1 h 30 m. Give yourself plenty of time to paddle back. I took a wrong turn at one point and had to go back on myself.

To be safe, I recommend  at least a couple of hours to return to Lübbenau. You don’t want to risk it taking too much time and miss your train back to Berlin.

When is a good time to do a day trip from Berlin to Spreewald?

You can visit the biosphere all year round and some kayak rentals/boat tours operate 365 days a year. I did my day trip from Berlin to Spreewald in mid September. Despite the hottest months of the year already having gone, it was still warm.

July and August tend to be the hottest months in Germany, so visit Spreewald then if you want to kayak in shorts and t-shirt. The autumn months bring the changing colours of leaves, which is arguably the prettiest time to visit.

The winter frost in Spreewald can be equally picturesque, if you don’t mind the cold, that is. Your best chance of experiencing the biosphere as a winter wonderland, though, is to visit in December or January. This is when snowfall is most likely in Brandenburg.

The high season in Spreewald runs from March – October. This is when tourist numbers peak and prices are highest. Although these are drawbacks, I think this is the best time to do a day trip. You’ll have the most chance of good weather and the longer days mean more time exploring the canals.

To make the most of your day trip to Spreewald from Berlin I recommend:

• Bringing cash . To be safe, I’d say at least €100 because some kayak rentals don’t accept card and card machine signal can be bad
• Arriving early . The earlier you arrive the more hours you’ll have on the water
• Bringing enough food and drinking water . Kayaking is tiring so have enough calories and water to keep you going. Also, you’ll save money by bringing your own
• Wearing layers . If you get too hot when paddling, then you can easily cool off by removing a layer. And if you get cold, then you can pop another layer on. Make sure to bring a waterproof layer in case it rains
• Giving yourself at least 2 h to kayak back to Lübbenau. T owards the end of the day you’ll be tired and will want to paddle more slowly

Other activities for your day trip from Berlin to Spreewald

Although the main draw of the area is its canals, you don’t have to make it the main activity of your day. You don’t even have to head out on the water if you really don’t want to. There are other activities and ways you can explore the biosphere.

The old town of Lübbenau is paved with cobbled streets that are lined with quaint and colourful shops and houses. You’ll also find Stadtkirche St. Nikolai (St Nicholas’ Church) in the centre. 

Nestled among the forest just a 5-minute walk the old town is Lübbenau castle (Schloss Lübbenau). The castle now operates as a high-end hotel and restaurant, but you can walk around the grounds for free.

You can explore Spreewald by foot as well as by canoe. There are plenty of walking trails in the nature reserve ranging from 5 km – 25 km. Walking tours are also available with park rangers if you want to explore and learn about the biosphere at the same time.

Here’s an article that lists some the top walking routes with maps.

If you don’t fancy exploring Spreewald on foot or sitting in a canoe, then you can rent a bike. Here are a few of the bike rental locations in Lübbenau:

• Fahrradverleih Spreewald (multiple rental locations in Lübbenau)
• Fahrrad Vogi
• Fahrrad  Goyn

The easiest way to enjoy the Spreewald waterways is on a guided boat trip. Also called a punt trip, you’ll ride in a traditional flat-bottomed barge. A punt ferryman will navigate you and your group through the canal network for around 3 h.

During high season punt trips usually leave Lübbenau every hour. You’ll typically be treated to traditional local foods such as Spreewald gherkins and bread while aboard.

During the winter season (November – March), punt trips run less frequently and from less harbours. However, there are special winter and mulled wine punt trips.

Although I personally don’t find punt trips appealing, they are a good option if you want to explore the Spreewald canals without doing any exercise.

Lehde Open-Air Museum

If you fancy learning about the local history of the Spreewald, then head to Freilandmuseum Lehde (Lehde Open Air Museum). This is the oldest open-air museum in Brandenburg and it sheds light on the lives of Spreewald residents over 100 years ago. 

The museum is located in the town of Lehde and you can get to it on foot or by canal. Note that Freilandmuseum Lehde is closed from November to March.

A day trip to Spreewald from Berlin is definitely worth it. The plethora of nature and activities means that the biosphere is great for outdoorsy travel. It’s such a beautiful area and the option to explore it by canal makes it a unique experience too.

I hope you use my guide to plan your day trip from Berlin to Spreewald and have the best time in the UNESCO biosphere. Let me know in the comments if you found it helpful and also about your day trip experience.

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Spreewald Day Trip Guide — The Perfect Nature Escape 1 Hour Away From Berlin

An hour away from Berlin lies a sleepy town characterised by meadows and waterways that’s a quiet escape from the city — Lübbenau in Spreewald.

Comedy trio The Lonely Island made people sing about being on a boat with their song “I’m on a Boat”, but sorry, the OG people of Lübbenau in Southern Brandenburg have been doing it for centuries.

To solve agricultural challenges due to these natural wetlands, farmers since the sixth century dug these shallow canals to the Spree river, giving rise to their main mode of transportation — by punts, a flat-bottomed boat.

Today, the UNESCO Spreewald Biosphere Reserve is filled with such tranquil lakes and unspoilt forests that are charismatic, quiet and calming.

Urban dwellers seeking some respite from the city must pay a visit to Spreewald!

Also read: Budget Berlin Guide — <S$1,500 incl. round trip flights from Singapore

Getting from Berlin to Spreewald

From Berlin, you have to purchase the  Brandenburg-Berlin Ticket  that costs €29 (~$47) for up to 5 travellers. We recommend purchasing it online, as the ticketing machines can be confusing. Note that the elderly may not be proficient in English if you need to ask for help.

If you’re travelling solo, a similar day ticket costs €23.40 (~S$37.80).

From Berlin Central Station, take the RE2 train that leaves hourly towards Cottbus and alight at Lübbenau (Spreewald) station; the ride is about an hour long. Don’t confuse the stop with Lübben, which comes before it.

Things to do in Spreewald

1) explore the historic town centre.

Easily identified by the St. Nicholas Church (Sankt-Nikolai-Kirche), check in at the Tourist Information Centre nearby to grab a map and some informational brochures. You can also purchase interesting souvenirs like their famous gherkins in a can, or liquor made from it.

In the area, you can walk around and visit many small shops and cafes, with the famous Lübbenau Castle (now converted into a hotel) about 600m away.

Tourist Information Centre Opening Hours: 10AM – 4PM (Closed on weekends) Address:  Spreewald-Touristinformation, Lübbenau e. V., Ehm-Welk-Strasse 15, 03222 Lübbenau/ Spreewald How to get there: 1km walk from Lübbenau (Spreewald) Station

2) Visit their Museums

Spreewald Museum: Built like a traditional department store that houses artefacts, here’s where you can learn about the everyday lives of people in 19th century Spreewald. Explanations are only in German but still worth checking out!

Spreewald Museum Entrance Fee: €5 (~S$8) Opening Hours: 12PM – 4PM (10AM – 6PM from April to Oct). Closed on Mondays. Address: Topfmarkt 12, 03222 Lübbenau/Spreewald, Germany 10AM – 6PM, closed Mondays

House of Man and Nature Museum:  Learn how Spreewald plays its part as one of 669 biosphere reserves, protecting its forests and animals (including endangered ones) and championing sustainable development.

House of Man and Nature Entrance Fee: Free Opening Hours: 10AM – 5PM (Closes 3PM from Nov – Mar). Closed on Mondays. Address: Schulstrasse 9, 03222 Lübbenau/Spreewald, Germany

3) Hop on a Guided Punt Boat Tour

An absolute must-go for every visitor to Spreewald. For €11 (SS$17.80) you can get on a 2-hour punt tour with an English-speaking guide , or opt for longer tours that go up to 9 hours long (with stops).

Alternatively, explore on your own by  renting a kayak/canoe and exploring over 300 rivers and canals, with cafes you can stop in between for a drink or two. You won’t have to worry about getting lost, as you’ll be equipped with a laminated map.

There are multiple companies you can get on boat tours from. Ours by Dirk’s Guided Punt Trips was located at the Great Spreewald Port with a Gherkin market (Gerkenmeile) where you can buy and sample the Spreewald delicacy.

Dirk’s Guided Punt Trips Price: Varies depending on duration Opening Hours: 9:30AM – Dark Address:  Grosser Spreewaldhafen, Dammstrasse 77A, 03222 Lübbenau/Spreewald, Germany How to get there: Walk 650m from Tourist Information Centre

4) Hike Along a Nature Trail

We recommend beginning your journey from the  Lübbenau Castle Hotel where you will see a distinctly marked dirt path. Mostly flat ground, you can reach the district of Lehde in 1.7km (Point 6).

Address (Lübbenau Castle Hotel):  Schloss Hotel Lübbenau, Schlossbezirk 6, 03222 Lübbenau/Spreewald How to get there: 650m walk from Tourist Information Centre

5) Try their Famous Gherkins

Ubiquitous in Spreewald (they account for 50% of sales across Germany), you can try all 3 variants of the pickled cucumber at the gherkin mile (Gerkenmeile), at the Great Spreewald Port. A Spreewald specialty, you can also sample these at restaurants all around town.

Otherwise, just look for any jar of pickles in your German supermarkt with “Spreewälder” written on it — they are seals to verify they came from Spreewald!

6) Explore the Lehde District

One of the oldest villages housing only 130 residents, visit the open-air  Freilandmuseum and be transported back to the 19th century to see how the residents of Spreewald ate, slept and played. In fact, you might even see people wearing their traditional Sorbian clothes here! In the area, there are also cafes to grab a drink and chill out at.

Freilandmuseum Entrance Fee: €5 (~S$8) Opening Hours: 9AM – 6PM Address: Freilandmuseum Lehde, An der Giglitza 1a, 03222 Lübbenau / Spreewald OT Lehde How to get there: You may refer to this 5km walking round tour route , or choose a punt tour that takes you there.

Depending on the season, there’s a side of Spreewald for everyone — in the summer, it gets busier with festivals and tourists, whereas in the winter when it’s off-peak, it’s much quieter with mistier vibes.

For other day trips from Berlin, you can also check out our Potsdam Day Trip Guide . For a full itinerary, check out our Berlin Budget Guide — S$1,500 including round trip flights from Singapore .

Did we miss a spot in Spreewald? Let us know in the comments!

Featured image credit to:  Spreewald — Tourist Information Lübbenau

For more travel inspiration, follow us on Facebook , Instagram , and YouTube . 

A post shared by The Travel Intern (@thetravelintern) on Apr 1, 2018 at 8:50pm PDT

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hello, I don’t really get why you are advising a 23euros ticket to go there from Berlin for a solo traveler. As it is is in zone B , still Berlin. You can go there with S3 and then tram m88, it will only cost you 2,80euro one way, so 5,60euros both way… Just saying! Cheers!

Thanks for the information! This is helpful

Could you please tell exact from berlin through which stop you reached spreewald? would be helpful for all

Hi Rajkumar, it’s mentioned but you may have missed it. To get to Spreewald from Berlin, take the RE2 train from Berlin Central Station (direction: towards Cottbus) and alight at Lübbenau (Spreewald) station.

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Things to Do in Spreewald, Germany - Spreewald Attractions

Things to do in spreewald.

• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 3.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• Good for Kids
• Good for Couples
• Good for Big Groups
• Good for a Rainy Day
• Budget-friendly
• Hidden Gems
• Honeymoon spot
• Adventurous
• Good for Adrenaline Seekers
• Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity.

1. Spreewaldfahrt, Familie Goertz

2. Gurkenradweg Spreewald

3. Biberhof & Aquarium

4. Spreewood Distillers

5. Radduscher Naturhafen

6. Bootshaus Conrad

7. Weidenburg Arena Salix

8. Dorfkirche Burg

9. Bismarckturm Burg

10. Bauernmuseum

11. Wendische Deutsche Kirche

12. Germanische Siedlung

13. Paul Gerhardt Kirche

14. Wetterschutzhütte

15. Schau-Handwerkshof

16. paul-gerhardt-zentrum lübben.

17. Spreewald Therme

18. Töpferstübchen Möbert

19. Spreehafen Burg

20. Kahnfaehrfrau

21. Kahnfahrten Lubben

22. Hafen Waldschloesschen

23. Stand Up Paddling Spreewald

24. Kahnfahrmann Jorg Lehmann

25. Barfusspark Burg

26. Bootshaus Rehnus

27. Uwe Krüger

28. Kleiner Spreewaldhafen

29. schiela's kahnfahrten & bootsverleih.

30. Bootshaus Zum Leineweber

What travelers are saying.

• Dorfkirche Burg
• Weidenburg Arena Salix
• Bismarckturm Burg
• Schau-Handwerkshof
• Gurkenradweg Spreewald
• Spreewaldfahrt, Familie Goertz
• Biberhof & Aquarium
• Radduscher Naturhafen
• Bootshaus Conrad
• Spreehafen Burg
• Kahnfaehrfrau
• Barfusspark Burg

Canoeing or paddling in the Spreewald

Past picturesque spreewald villages and imposing forests.

Discover the Spreewald on a canoe tour and paddle past idyllic houses, hand-operated locks and under romantic bridges. Discover the Spreewald's water network, which was formed during the Ice Age, and paddle through the UNESCO biosphere reserve with friends and family. Gentle banks, wide floodplain landscapes, dense forests and a wide network of rivers are waiting for you to discover them by boat.

On your paddle through the Spreewald you will pass picturesque Spreewald houses, cosy garden restaurants, old wooden bridges and mills as well as hand-operated locks. Many a garden café along the water invites you to enjoy coffee & yeast pancakes or other Spreewald specialities.

Tourism Association Spreewald Raddusch, Lindenstraße 1 03226 Vetschau / Spreewald

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