Spree Forest (Spreewald)

The Spreewald (Spree Forest) in Brandenburg is a magical wetland where the Spree River splits into more than 970 km (600 miles) of narrow channels winding through alder forests and meadows. A UNESCO Biosphere Reserve since 1991, it is famous for its flat-bottomed wooden punts, its villages reachable by water, and its pickled gherkins. Just about an hour from Berlin by train, it is one of the most rewarding day trips from the capital.

Where it is and how to get there

The Spreewald lies southeast of Berlin, between the towns of Lübben and Cottbus. The main starting point for visitors is Lübbenau.

• By train: take the RE2 or RE7 regional train toward Cottbus or Senftenberg and get off at Lübbenau (not Lübben, one stop earlier). The ride takes about one hour, and the Deutschlandticket is valid. From Lübbenau station, it is a 10-minute walk through the old town to the Großer Spreewaldhafen (Great Spreewald Harbor).
• By car: take the A13 from Berlin to the Lübbenau exit. Parking is available right at the harbor.

Why it is special

The landscape formed in the last Ice Age, and people have lived among its waterways for thousands of years. The region is the homeland of the Sorbs (Wends), a Slavic minority, and you will see bilingual signs throughout. Writer Theodor Fontane made the area famous in 1859, and organized punt trips for visitors began in 1882. Today about one million people visit each year. In the village of Lehde, the mail is still delivered by punt from April to October. The name "Spreewald" is also a protected EU geographical indication, best known for Spreewald gherkins.

Punt tours from Lübbenau

Ferrymen pole traditional wooden punts through the channels, with no engines. Punts leave the Great Spreewald Harbor whenever they are full, without a fixed timetable. Prices as of October 2026 (children 4–11 pay less):

• 2-hour short trip to Lehde: €17, children €9 (April to October, from 11 am)
• 3-hour round trip to Lehde: €20, children €11
• 5.5-hour lock tour: €28, children €16 (daily April to October, departs 10:30 am; booking recommended)
• Summer night trip: €21, children €12 (mid-May to mid-September)

Punt trips are also offered in the winter season from November to March, and the Spreewald Christmas market in Lübbenau and Lehde takes place on the first two weekends of Advent (November 28–29 and December 5–6, 2026). Dogs are welcome on the punts. Between mid-May and mid-September there are also longer themed trips, including a 6-to-7-hour forest-bathing tour on Fridays (€36) and an 8-to-9-hour full-day trip into the Hochwald forest on Tuesdays (€44).

Other things to do

• Lehde open-air museum: historic farmsteads showing traditional Spreewald life.
• Kayaking: rent a canoe or kayak to explore quieter channels at your own pace.
• Cycling: the Gurkenradweg (Gherkin Cycle Trail) loops for about 260 km through the region.
• Walking: a flat, signposted 2.6 km path links Lübbenau with Lehde.

Is it worth visiting?

Yes, especially from spring to fall, when all tours run. For a first visit, the three-hour punt trip with a stop in Lehde is ideal. Arrive early on summer weekends, as the punts fill quickly; weekdays are calmer. Prices are in euros. If you prefer to explore beyond the classic routes, private punts with a ferryman can be booked for groups through the harbor.