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Destinations > Germany > Brandenburg

Destinations in Brandenburg

Brandenburg, the federal state surrounding the German capital Berlin, is a true paradise for anyone looking to relax in nature, discover historic cities or simply enjoy a break from everyday life.

In many areas, it has still been spared from the large influx of tourists. But if you take a closer look, you will discover many beautiful excursion and travel destinations.

Brandenburg is often referred to as the “land of a thousand lakes” – and not without good reason. The region offers one of the most impressive water landscapes in Germany. Whether paddling, swimming, sailing or simply relaxing on the shore – Brandenburg’s lakes and rivers are perfect places for an active vacation or relaxation. The Havel runs through Brandenburg like a lifeline. Havelland in particular is popular with sailors, canoeists and birdwatchers.

Senftenberger See

The UNESCO Spreewald Biosphere Reserve is an absolute highlight for nature lovers. The branching waterways, known as rivers, are best explored by boat, canoe or bicycle.

Brandenburg has a rich history, which is reflected in its charming towns and impressive buildings. Here are some of the cultural highlights you shouldn’t miss:

  • Potsdam: the capital of Brandenburg is an absolute must-see. Sanssouci Park with the palace of the same name, the historic old town and the Glienicke Bridge (famous from the Cold War) are just some of the highlights. Potsdam is also a center for film history – visit the Babelsberg film studios!
  • Cottbus: This city in the south-east of Brandenburg is the gateway to the Spreewald. Branitz Park, designed by the famous landscape architect Prince Pückler, is a highlight for garden lovers.
  • Brandenburg an der Havel: As the namesake of the federal state, this city offers a beautiful old town, numerous waterways and the Brandenburg Cathedral Abbey, an impressive building from the Brick Gothic period.

Discover destinations in Brandenburg

Wanderung am Schloss Dammsmühle
Holiday in the Barnim

To the north of Berlin lies the Barnimer Land. For Berliners in particular, it is the ideal region for a day trip, and for holidaymakers in Brandenburg, the Barnim is a dream destination.

Holiday in the Barnim   →
Brandenburg an der Havel
Brandenburg an der Havel

The city of Brandenburg an der Havel is about 70 kilometres from Berlin. By regional express train, you can reach Berlin's main station in 45 minutes and Potsdam in 25 minutes.

Brandenburg an der Havel   →
Evangelische Kirche
Holiday in the Dahme-Spreewald

The Dahme-Spreewald district is located in the south-east of Brandenburg. A holiday in the Dahme-Spreewald area is a dreamy and relaxing time out at the gates of Berlin.

Holiday in the Dahme-Spreewald   →
Besucherbergwerk F60
District of Elbe-Elster

The district of Elbe-Elster in the south of Brandenburg is a real insider tip for anyone looking for varied nature, exciting industrial culture and relaxing tranquillity.

District of Elbe-Elster   →
Frankfurt Oder
Frankfurt (Oder)

Frankfurt (Oder) is located in the federal state of Brandenburg, directly on the German-Polish border. A trip to Frankfurt (Oder) is ideal for history buffs, nature lovers and anyone looking for an authentic German-Polish border town experience off the beaten tourist track.

Frankfurt (Oder)   →
Holiday in the Havelland

To the west of Berlin stretches Brandenburg's Havelland region with its numerous lakes. A holiday in the Havelland means a relaxing break on the edge of Berlin, Potsdam and Brandenburg an der Havel.

Holiday in the Havelland   →
Wanderung in Berlin / Brandenburg
Vacation region of Oberhavel

The district of Oberhavel is located in the north of the federal state of Brandenburg. The upper course of the Havel River flows through the area from north to south and has given the district its name.

Vacation region of Oberhavel   →
Sonnenuntergang Hafencamp
District of Oberspreewald-Lausitz

In the south of the federal state of Brandenburg lies the small district of Oberspreewald-Lausitz, a beautiful and varied holiday region.

District of Oberspreewald-Lausitz   →
Theatersauna
District Oder-Spree

The Oder-Spree region is only a short drive from Berlin, making it an ideal destination for a short vacation or weekend getaway. At the same time, it offers a quiet alternative to the big city and is affordable and flexible in terms of accommodation options.

District Oder-Spree   →
City trip to Potsdam

Potsdam borders directly on Berlin. A city trip to Potsdam thus offers the opportunity to visit the capital of Brandenburg and the capital of the Federal Republic.

City trip to Potsdam   →
Kirchplatz in Bag Belzig
Holidays in the district of Potsdam-Mittelmark

The Potsdam-Mittelmark district of Brandenburg is located in the west of the state. A holiday in the Potsdam-Mittelmark district takes place in two well-known Brandenburg travel regions: Fläming and Havelland.

Holidays in the district of ...   →
Blick auf die Elbe in Wittenberge
Holiday region of Prignitz

In the north-west of Brandenburg, halfway between Berlin and Hamburg, is the holiday region of Prignitz. Those who holiday here are looking for the peace and idyll of the countryside away from the hustle and bustle of city life.

Holiday region of Prignitz   →
Zaun am Obelisken
Holiday in Rheinsberg

In the Brandenburg district of Ostprignitz-Ruppin lies the state-recognized resort of Rheinsberg. Here at the Rhin, a tributary of the Havel, you can enjoy your vacation in Rheinsberg.

Holiday in Rheinsberg   →
Urlaubsregion Spreewald
Holiday region Spreewald

Not far from Berlin, in the south-east of Brandenburg, lies the Spreewald holiday region. Here in the lowland area is a unique biosphere reserve and interesting cultural area.

Holiday region Spreewald   →
Teltow-Fläming
Teltow-Fläming

The district of Teltow-Fläming is located in the south-west of the federal state of Brandenburg. The popular Brandenburg holiday region of Fläming forms part of the district.

Teltow-Fläming   →

All our experiences in Brandenburg

New Garden in Potsdam - Sights

About the New Garden in Potsdam, which is actually no longer new

Integrated into the Potsdam Palace Park, the New Garden in the north of Potsdam is part of the city’s UNESCO cultural heritage. The name is misleading, however, because the garden is not that new.

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Par und Schloss Sanssouci

Potsdam Sanssouci Park – around Sanssouci Palace

A visit to Potsdam without strolling through Sanssouci Park is only half a visit. The palace park and palace are Potsdam’s most famous sights worldwide

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Industriemuseum Brandenburg an der Havel

Industrial Museum Brandenburg an der Havel

An exciting and impressive place to learn about steel production in Brandenburg is the Industrial Museum in Brandenburg an der Havel. We passed the museum rather by chance and were thrilled by the visit.

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Neue Palais Potsdam

New Palais in Potsdam

If you walk along the Grosse Allee through Sanssouci Palace Park, you come to the last important Baroque palace complex in Prussia, the Neues Palais in Potsdam. For me, the New Palace with its adjacent buildings is one of the most beautiful buildings in the palace park.

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Sommerhaus von Albert Einstein

Einstein House in Caputh

About 6 kilometres south of Potsdam lies the small village of Caputh. This is where the famous scientist Albert Einstein liked to retreat in the summer months and enjoy the peace and quiet away from the hustle and bustle of the big city.

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Treppe zum Gebäude in Sanssouci

Belvedere Klausberg – Beautiful views in Sanssouci Park

The Belvedere on the Klausberg is a UNESCO cultural heritage site in the Berlin-Potsdam cultural landscape. It is located in the north-western part of the Sanssousi Park.

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Park Sanssuci Orangerieschloss

How an Orangery Palace was built in Potsdam

The New Orangery stands on the northern edge of the Sanssouci Park on the Bornstede ridge. However, this does not resemble a huge greenhouse, as is often the case in other parks, but is an impressive complex in the style of a palace and does not bear the name Orangery Palace for nothing.

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Römisches Bad im Park von Sanssouci

Italian Longing in Sanssouci Park

The park of Sanssouci Palace has many surprises in store. Not only beautifully designed parks and extensive paths along shady trees, but also buildings such as the Roman Baths or Charlottenhof Palace.

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Wanderung zur Friedhofsbahn

Hike to the almost forgotten cemetery railroad

When the lush green of the trees gives a view into the undergrowth, the hike to the cemetery railroad is especially worthwhile. Now you can discover the old tracks, forgotten stairs and unused bridges especially well.

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Schloss Caputh

Caputh and the Tussy II

Not far from Berlin, in the Brandenburg district of Potsdam-Mittelmark, lies the small town of Caputh on Lake Schielow and Lake Templin. Cyclists, hikers and excursionists are drawn to the region and Caputh is a great place for a relaxing stopover.

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Chinesische Teehaus in Potsdam

Chinese flair in the summer palace Sanssouci

Potsdam is famous for the beautiful summer palace Sanssouci with the palace park and its numerous landscaped gardens. During a walk through the park you can admire the Chinese House and the Dragon House.

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Die Braumanufaktur – Forsthaus Templin

The brewery – Forsthaus Templin

The Brandenburg Beer Road took us near Caputh in the district of Potsdam-Mittelmark. Here, in the Forsthaus Templin, is the brewery, a certified organic brewery.

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15 Sights in Frankfurt (Oder)

A city walk is a wonderful way to discover the sights in Frankfurt (Oder). We present some of the most interesting and beautiful places here.

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Birnbaum in Ribbeck

Ribbeck – where once stood the pear tree

Was Theodor Fontane aware that his pear tree had helped the small village of Ribbeck in Havelland to become incredibly famous?

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Bernauer Bier

Beer with a castle view in Bernau

On the way to Bernau we passed through the district of Börnicke. Here, right next to the Börnicke Castle manor house, is the brewery of the Bernauer Brauereigenossenschaft, which brews the excellent Bernauer beer.

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Steintor Bernau bei Berlin

On the way in Bernau (near Berlin)

Bernau is located just a few kilometers northeast of the Berlin city limits in the Barnim district. A trip to the city is ideal to escape the hustle and bustle of the capital and offers some beautiful and interesting destinations.

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Innenraum der St.Marienkirche Frankfurt (Oder)

The Glass Bible of St. Mary’s Church

In the heart of Frankfurt (Oder) stands the former main parish church St.Marien. With its glass bible, it is considered a landmark of the city and is now used as a socio-cultural centre.

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Holländische Viertel

Why does Potsdam have a Dutch Quarter?

If you walk through Potsdam, you will always see signs pointing to the Dutch Quarter. How is it that a district in the middle of Brandenburg was named after Holland?

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Oder Schifffahrt mit Onkel Helmut

Odra boat trip from Frankfurt (Oder) with Uncle Helmut

A relaxing time out on the water can be experienced on an Odra boat trip. Various tours are offered by Uncle Helmut from Frankfurt (Oder), which of course also offer a view of the city.

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Rathaus von Wittenberge

Places of interest in Wittenberge – a visit to the town on the Elbe

Wittenberge is located in the Prignitz region of Brandenburg, directly on the Elbe River. The town is located almost exactly in the middle on the railway line from Berlin to Hamburg. With a twinkle in their eye, the people of Wittenberge like to refer to these major cities as their suburbs.

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Neue Hakeburg in Brandenburg

New Hakeburg – almost a lost place in Kleinmachnow

There is so much to discover around Berlin! We were in Kleinmachnow. Here is the New Hakeburg, which we took a closer look at right away.

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Hotel Villa Casino Słubice

Hotel Villa Casino – cosy hotel in Słubice

Frankfurt (Oder) and Słubice are separated by the Odra a few metres apart. So it is not unusual that we stayed at the small and cosy Hotel Villa Casino in Poland and walked the few metres to Frankfurt (Oder).

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Historischer Lokschuppen Wittenberge

Historic locomotive shed Wittenberge – a railway dream

The museum Historischer Lokschuppen Wittenberge is located very close to Wittenberge railway station. Here, the Dampflokfreunde Salzwedel e.V. association has created a dream for steam locomotive fans.

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Bunkerstadt Wünsdorf

Bunker City of Wünsdorf

The bunker city of Wünsdorf is located about 40 km south of Berlin. In addition to its reputation as a bunker town, Wünsdorf is also a book town. Thousands of book treasures from the present and the past invite you to browse and buy. Adventurous hikes through the huge bunker complexes give visitors a first-hand experience of Germany’s military history.

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Radfahren an der Elbe

Cycling along the Elbe on a Grenzlandtour (borderland tour)

From Wittenberge in the Prignitz region, a fantastically beautiful cycle path leads along the Elbe, where you can follow in the footsteps of German-German history and also discover a unique natural landscape.

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Seehof Rheinsberg

Restaurant visit at Seehof Rheinsberg

We arrive in Rheinsberg in the early evening. It is already dark when we reach the Seehof Rheinsberg. Cozily lit from the outside, a glance through the windows reveals beautifully set tables. Everything looks inviting and friendly and that’s exactly how we are greeted when we enter the restaurant.

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Nikolaikirche Potsdam

Viewpoint in Potsdam – Climbing the dome of St. Nicholas Church

At the Alter Markt in Potsdam stands the imposing building of the Protestant church of St. Nikolai, popularly known simply as the Nikolai Church. The highlight of a visit to the church is the ascent to the dome, which offers a great view of Potsdam.

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Schloss Babelsberg

Park Babelsberg – a guided tour with Berlin’s Taiga

Holger from Berlins Taiga invited me to an extraordinary guided tour with the theme “Park Babelsberg in the shadow of world history” and I was really excited about what to expect.

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Russische Kolonie Alexandrowka

Russian Colony Alexandrowka in Potsdam

When walking through Potsdam, you shouldn’t miss visiting the Russian Colony Alexandrowka. The beautiful wooden houses are truly unique and are even on the World Heritage List.

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Havelblick in Sacrow

Hike: Sacrow and the Church of the Savior

Sacrow is a small town located between Berlin-Kladow and Potsdam in Brandenburg. For us, this was the starting point for a short hike through the Königswald forest along the Sacrower See lake.

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Wanderung von Lübars - Sonnenuntergang

Hike from Lübars to Schönfließ and back – 15.9 km

In the fall, a hike took us from Lübars in Berlin across the state border into Brandenburg’s Mühlenbecker Land region and back to Lübars. The route was almost 16 kilometers long, but can certainly be shortened or extended.

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Half day trip to Rheinsberg

Half day trip to Rheinsberg

I reach Rheinsberg by water and leave the ship of the Blue and White Fleet at a pier. Patrick is already waiting for me, he went to Rheinsberg by car.
Back to Mirow I will not go the three hours by boat. I have decided to enjoy a leisurely half day in Rheinsberg and return later by car.

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Biosphere Potsdam

Biosphere Potsdam

The Biosphere is located in the middle of Potsdam. Here you can experience a vacation atmosphere in the rainforest all year round.

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Potsdam Friedenskirche

Potsdam Friedenskirche (Peace Church) in Sanssouci Palace Park

If you enter Sanssouci’s Schosspark from the Green Gate, the main entrance, you can’t miss the Friedenskirche (Peace Church) in the Marly Garden. It is worth planning a visit, the church is exceptional.

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Kirchplatz in Bag Belzig

Day trip to Bad Belzig

It takes just one hour by regional train from Berlin’s main station to reach the small picturesque town of Bad Belzig in Brandenburg. Ideal for a day trip to the Berlin countryside.

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Baumkuchen aus Cottbus - Essen im Spreewald

Spreewald – culinary discoveries

Two days in the Spreewald – for us that meant two days of feasting and enjoying. We tried a few delicacies in the Spreewald and are thrilled with the diverse food in the Spreewald.

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Waldmops Brandenburg an der Havel

On the trail of the forest pug – out and about in Brandenburg an der Havel

Sculptures don’t always have to be huge and big, and if you look a little closer in Brandenburg an der Havel, you can discover what are probably the cutest sculptures. The life-size forest pug can be found in various places around the city and reminds us of Loriot, a native of Brandenburg.

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Blick in die Döberitzer Heide

Visit to the Döberitzer Heide – Sielmann Natural Landscape Döberitzer Heide

In Brandenburg, quite close to Berlin, lies the Döberitzer Heide. The entire area is about 5000 hectares. On about 3600 hectares, the former military training area Döberitz, is now a nature reserve. Most of the heathland lies in the Havelland district between Dallgow-Döberitz, Seeburg, Elstal and Priort. The southern area belongs to Potsdam.

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Floß fahren Brandenburg an der Havel

By raft from Brandenburg an der Havel to Acapulco…

…and a little bit further!

Why didn’t I do this before … I am completely thrilled after leaving Karl-Heinz and am already thinking about when we can go to Brandenburg an der Havel again.

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Spreewald im Winter - Kaminkahnfahrt

Spreewald in winter – 5 towns, 5 tips

I spent two days in the Spreewald. I visited 5 towns and was shown interesting places everywhere. Now I realise that the Spreewald offers exciting excursion destinations worth discovering at any time of the year and I will definitely go there again and discover more!

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Schloss Dammsmühle

Dammsmühle Castle

In the Barnim district of Brandenburg lies the small town of Schönwalde, very close to Wandlitz. Dammsmühle Castle is located here in the nature reserve of the Mühlenbeck Lakes.

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Eichwalde Wasserturm

A stroll through Eichwalde

Eichwalde is located in the Brandenburg district of Dahme-Spreewald directly on the border with Berlin-Köpenick and is the smallest municipality in Brandenburg with an area of only 2.8 km² . After our visit to neighbouring Schmöckwitz, we ended the weekend with a walk through Eichwalde.

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Schiffshebewerk Niederfinow

Technology that inspires – the Niederfinow ship’s hoist

The Niederfinow ship’s hoist is an impressive structure in Brandenburg. It is located at the end of the Oder-Havel Canal and overcomes a height difference of 36 metres. The industrial monument was put into operation in 1934, making it the oldest ship’s hoist still in operation in Germany.

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Kloster Chorin

A visit to Chorin Monastery

Why do you always go far away? There are so many beautiful places nearby…Chorin Monastery is located in Brandenburg’s Schorfheide near the town of Chorin in the Barnim district. We decided to go there on the spur of the moment and let a wonderful day come to an end.

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Besucherbergwerk F60

Visitor Mine F60

I had the Visitor Mine F60 on my destinations-wishlist for a little while. Now we finally got to go on an excursion to the brown coal opencast mining area in Lusatia.

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Holocaust Memorial and Museum Sachsenhausen

Holocaust Memorial and Museum Sachsenhausen

Some destinations leave you with more to think about than others. Our excursion to the Holocaust Memorial and Museum Sachsenhausen was one of the most moving tours I have experienced in the recent past.

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Übernachten im Baumhaus

A night in a treehouse at Lake Senftenberg

Do you have a bucket list full of things you’d like to experience? One of the items on mine for example is “unusual accommodation”. And a treehouse I’d say counts as unusual accommodation.

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Beelitz Heilstätten

Beelitz Sanatorium

Beelitz, a small town in the county of Brandenburg. There, you find the Beelitz Heilstätten – Beelitz Sanatorium – a heritage-protected complex, built between 1898 and 1930.

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Grenzturm Nieder Neuendorf

One of the last remaining GDR watchtowers in Nieder Neuendorf

Nieder Neuendorf is a town to the northwest of Berlin and characterised mostly by residential houses, a church and a few shopping facilities. And it is also home to one of the last remaining GDR watchtowers.

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The sauna in Berlin-Brandenburg with a wide range of offers for relaxing body and soul: SATAMA Sauna Resort & Spa.

Top sauna in Berlin-Brandenburg: SATAMA Sauna Resort & SPA

What a wonderful day! We were invited to test the SATAMA Sauna Resort & SPA at Scharmützelsee (Scharmützel Lake) and enjoyed a day full of quiet relaxation.

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Hauptstadtflughafen Berlin Brandenburg

#BERtesten – testing the new Berlin-Brandenburg Airport

It’s the end of July 2020: After many, many years it is finally going to happen. The opening of the new Berlin Brandenburg Airport BER in Germany’s capital city in October 2020. I was part of a test run before the opening.

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