Most people visit Berlin for its legendary nightlife, cool vibes, and delicious bratwurst. But what if I told you there was a UNESCO biosphere reserve covered in forests, wetlands, and traditional cottages only a one-hour train ride from Berlin?
Spreewald Biosphere Reserve is located southeast of Germany’s capital in the Brandenburg region. Many people take a day trip from Berlin to Spreewald, but I think it’s worth staying overnight. There are few hidden gems left and Spreewald is one. It will become very popular soon, so now is the time to visit!
If you’re looking for where to go from Berlin to escape the hustle and bustle of the big city, this guide covers all the essential info you need to plan a getaway in nature.
How To Get to Spreewald From Berlin
There are many options for side trips and day trips from Berlin. One of the reasons you should take a day trip from Berlin to Spreewald (or ideally longer!) is because it’s so easy to reach and absolutely gorgeous.
Start at Berlin Ostbahnhof, the capital’s main train station. Take the direct regional RE2 or RE7 services from Berlin to Lübbenau (Spreewald) station or Vetschau Bahnhof slightly further along the route.
These services depart every 30 minutes during the day. Or, you can hop on an intercity IC2431 service with a similar travel time.
Buy tickets at the BVG machines located in the station or from a ticket counter. Omio and Trainline are good choices if you prefer to book tickets online.
Try not to bring large suitcases as you might struggle to find space for them on the train. Weekend getaways from Berlin to Spreewald shouldn’t require much luggage anyway.
Where To Stay in Spreewald
We stayed at Michelberger Farm during our trip from Berlin to Spreewald, Germany. I loved it so much, I wouldn’t recommend staying anywhere else! It’s an easy seven-minute bus ride from Vetschau Bahnhof to the Burg Bleske bus stop (right next to the farm) via the N.38 bus. You can also arrange a pick-up from the station or ride there by bike.
Michelberger Farm is surrounded by forest and waterways for a secluded stay in nature. While its setting is rustic, the rooms are anything but basic. They have been decorated in warm neutral colours which blend seamlessly with the landscape. The floor-to-ceiling windows make the most of the natural views.
Their farm-to-table dining experience is the pièce de résistance of Michelberger Farm. They have an extensive forest garden onsite. Breakfast and an evening meal are included in your booking (or can be included by request) and you will not want to skip this perk. The dishes they served at Michelberger Farm were some of the best meals I have ever eaten!
Michelberger Farm brews home-grown tea, bakes fresh bread, and serves local wine. If you head back to the farm for an afternoon nap, stop by the kitchen for a coffee and homemade cake. Michelberger Farm is one reason why you cannot just take a Spreewald day trip. You have to stay here while you’re in the area!
Things To Do in Spreewald
Wander the Grounds of Schloss Lübbenau
Schloss Lübbenau was originally built as a moated castle in the Middle Ages and was transformed into a Renaissance estate in the early 1600s. It was remodelled around 200 years later into the neo-Romanesque castle you can see today. During the Second World War, the castle was a field hospital and a meeting place for resistance groups.
While the castle is now a four-star hotel, the acres of lush, sprawling parkland are open to the public and completely free to visit. Follow the trails through the woodland, take bridges over the canal, and walk around the ponds. There’s a beautiful rose garden too.
Kayak on the Canals
Renting a kayak is the best way to explore the hidden waterways and charming canals of traditional Spreewald. The waters are calm and it’s a fun and unique way to get around the almost 500 hectares of this nature reserve.
Head to Botsverleih Richter, a boat and kayak rental shop. It’s less than a 10-minute walk from Schloss Lübbenau so you won’t have to walk far. You can rent a traditional Canadian canoe or a paddleboat/kayak which caters to one to three people. If you’re athletic and want to sail around as many of the canals as possible, opt for a touring kayak instead.
Book by the hour (two, three, or five) or rent a kayak for the whole day. In summer, you can even rent a kayak for multiple days. Don’t worry if you’re planning a winter trip to Spreewald as Botsverleih Richter leads winter kayaking tours too. Kayak rentals start from €30 per day.
Take a Boat Tour
If kayaking isn’t your idea of what to do in Spreewald for a relaxing break, you can always book a boat tour. Head to the harbour at Großer Spreewaldhafen Lübbenau and enjoy boat tours lasting from two to eight hours.
Many tours stop in the village of Lehde and prices start from €8 per person. Most boat tours run from April to October, with limited tours operating in the off-season.
Visit the Fairytale Village of Lehde
Most boat tours stop in Lehde because it’s somewhere you should not miss on your trip from Berlin to Spreewald! You can reach this fairytale village via a kayak too. In fact, it’s the only way to reach it as many parts of this medieval village are inaccessible by road. Don’t worry about getting too lost, as there are canal signposts just as you would expect on roads!
There are a few restaurants and history lovers may want to visit Freilandmuseum Lehde, an open-air museum. It depicts what a 19th-century farm looked like in Lehde in the 19th century and the guides are dressed in period costumes. It’s open 10 AM – 6 PM every day.
I just loved sailing and walking around the labyrinthine canals of this idyllic German town. With only 130 residents, tourists greatly outnumber the locals. Most (if not all) live on the water, and you’ll be able to spot their wooden cottages, which are adorable, from the water. They all have their own boat dock and traditional Spreewald boat.
Taste the Famous Spreewald Gherkins
Spreewald gherkins are a key part of the area’s agricultural history. Some believe cucumbers have been growing in this region since 2030 BCE. Others think the Sorbs, who settled in Spreewald in the 6th century, valued cucumbers. Pickling cucumbers started around 150 years ago, and that’s what the region is famous for today.
Head to the Gurkenmeile (gherkin mile) in the Großer Spreewaldhafen Lübbenau harbour where homemade pickles are sold every day except Sunday. They sell more flavours of gherkin than you ever thought possible – my favourite is the curry! Sometimes, they are served alongside bot mit schmalz (bread with lard).
If you’re gherkin mad, you can also visit the Gurkenmuseum in Ledhe. For only €2, you can walk around a small, quirky museum dedicated to the history of the gherkin in Spreewald. Tickets are machine-operated so you don’t need to worry about opening times.
Rent bikes from Fahrrad Metzdorf Vermietung bike shop in Lübbenau and cycle part of the 260km bike trail known as the Gurkenradweg. The entire trail passes fields full of cucumber plants which produce over 40,000 tonnes of gherkins every year.
Soak in Spreewald Therme
Just a 15-minute bike ride from Michelburger Farm is Spreewald Therme in Burg. It’s a saltwater thermal bath that uses brine from 1,350 metres underground. They have Finnish saunas, fire-heated saunas, and an aroma steam bath.
It’s ideal if you’re visiting Spreewald to relax or need to soothe your muscles after a long day of kayaking! They’re open from 9 AM – 10 PM every day and they stay open until 11PM on Fridays.
Best Time to Travel From Berlin to Spreewald
Spreewald is a year-round destination. Many of the boat tour operators and guesthouses stay open during the low season of November – February. April – October is Spreewald’s high season, where you’ll find many more restaurants open and more tour operators.
Summer can get busy as it’s a popular weekend trip destination for Germans local to the area. However, it’s still not ‘busy’ by the standards of other European hot spots. Book your accommodation and activities in advance and you’ll still have a fantastic time.
Autumn and spring are ideal times to visit. The blooming spring flowers and the rich earthy colours of autumn make for fantastic photos. Plus, there are usually fewer visitors so it’s a win-win.
Travel From Berlin to Spreewald for a Dreamy Weekend Break
When planning any overnight trips from Berlin, Spreewald has to be at the top of your list. It couldn’t be easier to reach from central Berlin. It’s still a burgeoning destination with fewer tourists and the natural landscape is breathtaking. Spreewald is the perfect place to recharge and you can use this guide to plan your trip every step of the way.
