spreewald park 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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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
• Discover Berlin Half-Day Walking Tour

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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©Jonathan Stokes/Lonely Planet

The Spreewald, a unique lacework of channels and canals hemmed in by forest, is the closest thing Berlin has to a backyard garden. Visitors come to this Unesco Biosphere Reserve in droves to hike, fish and punt, canoe or kayak on its extensive network of waterways. Lübben and Lübbenau, the main tourist towns, often drown beneath the tides of visitors vying for rides aboard a Kahn (shallow punt boat) steered by ferrymen in traditional garb and once the only way of getting around in these parts. To truly appreciate the Spreewald’s many charms, hire your own canoe or kayak or get yourself onto a walking trail.

Your next trip starts here

Go from dreaming to planning with trip planning options made to help you craft your ideal itinerary.

Attractions

Must-see attractions.

Freilandmuseum Lehde

In the protected village of Lehde, this cluster of historical Sorb farm buildings gives you a good sense of what rural life in the Spreewald was like a…

Park & Schloss Branitz

A highlight of a visit to Cottbus is this palace-and-park ensemble, which stems from the feverish brow of Prince Hermann von Pückler-Muskau (1785–1871) –…

Spreewald-Museum Lübbenau

Take a trip down the Spreewald memory lane at this regional history museum imaginatively set up like a historical department store. Stops include a…

Museum Schloss Lübben

The prettiest building in town is the petite Schloss, now home to a nicely curated regional history museum. Exhibit highlights include an interactive town…

Haus für Mensch und Natur

An old school building now houses the Spreewald Biosphere Reserve information centre where you can learn all about the region's natural development,…

Gurkenmuseum Lehde

This little private museum reveals the secrets behind the famous Spreewald pickles and lets you sample different varieties. It also crowns the…

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Top Tours in Spreewald, Germany

Spreewald tours.

• Kayaking & Canoeing
• Walking Tours
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• Zipline & Aerial Adventure Parks
• Stand-Up Paddleboarding
• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• Good for Kids
• Hidden Gems
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• Good for Big Groups
• Adventurous
• Budget-friendly
• Good for a Rainy Day
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• 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

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How to plan a perfect trip to Spreewald, the Venice of Germany

Located only a few hours away from Berlin, here is all you need to know for planning a trip to Spreewald in Germany

Either you are canoeing at one of the over 200 streams branching out from the Spree River during Summer or wandering through snow-covered villages and rivers during Winter, Spreewald is always a good choice if you want to experience something new and different of what the rest of Brandenburg has to offer.

I visited this day-trip getaway and discovered why Germans love Spreewald so much and how to make the most of it.

Understanding Spreewald: Germany’s natural paradise

First of all, Spreewald is not a city or a region in Germany. It’s a biosphere reserve located just 100 km south from Berlin. It is the place where the Spree River transforms into dozens of narrow streams and the forest surrounding the landscape turns into a home for thousands of species of flora and fauna. It is a marvel of nature and with small villages set along the canals, many consider this a version of Venice in Germany.

Green wetlands, thick forests, 1.500 km of labyrinthic canals and around 18.000 different species of plants and animals. Spreewald is an example of how nature change just an hour away from Germany’s largest and most hectic city.

How to get to Spreewald

Even though it is more comfortable and easier to rent a car and plan a road trip to Spreewald, Germany’s railway system, Deutsche Bahn, has direct connections from Berlin Central Station to the village of Lübben in just 1 hour. Lübben is the main center of Spreewald and the most common destination for travelers to visit.

Cycling enthusiasts can also depart from Berlin and in 1 or 2 days reach the town of Lübben. Many see this as a beautiful multi-stop cycling trip and an opportunity to see more of the state of Brandenburg.

Best activities to do in Spreewald

Spreewald offers various adventurous activities for travelers looking to explore the nature of the reserve. It also has some cultural treats and hidden getaways for those staying longer. Since the communities living inside the biosphere reserve depend a lot on tourism, there is definitely no lack of activities to do here.

Even though Spreewald and its beautiful water canals are not very popular for travelers coming from abroad, this is one of the most popular places to visit for Germans living in the region.

Here are my best tips for travelers visiting Spreewald.

Read more: The Deutschlandticket – A Train Ticket For Unlimited Travel In Germany

Kayaking and canoeing

The most common activity is paddling in the canals. During my stay in Spreewald I had the option to rent several types of canoes, kayaks, or small boats. While kayaks offer a more flexible and adventurous trip, small canoes for 2 or 3 people are the perfect choice for simply relaxing and enjoy a warm day.

My friends and I rented a 3-person kayak for 10 EUR and we were able to paddle around the key areas of Spreewald. We did several stops at some of its charming alleys, as well stopped for some snacks from time to time.

Maps of the Spreewald canals are available at most kayak tour shops and if you feel lost in Spreewald’s canals, you can always follow other boats until you find a place you recognize.

Feeling adventurous There are multi-day kayak tours that start in Lübben and go all the way to Berlin. They take anything between 3-5 nights and offer a unique experience in Spreewald and Berlin. You can stay at the several lodges located along the Spree and spend your days kayaking your way north.

Read more: Visiting Saxon Switzerland – Germany’s most beautiful national park

Not everyone wants to spend the whole day in the water and it’s fine. Spreewald has some of the most beautiful hiking trails in Brandenburg and many visitors who plan to stay for multiple days in Lübben, combine water activities with hiking and sightseeing.

The hiking paths of Spreewald charm their visitors with fairy-tale forests, picturesque houses in a traditional style and one or another castle hidden in the woods. S preewald’s most popular hiking trails start from the villlages of Burg and Lübben and can be done in half a day or even less.

When I go for a hike, I like to use the app Komoot , a German navigation app, where locals and outdoor enthusiasts create hiking routes in all levels of experiences. Just like my last 4 or 5 hiking trips in Germany, I have used Komoot to decide which route I want to take or what I want to see along the way.

Cycling tours

Although you can come to Spreewald with your own bicycle (either by train or cycling the whole way), bike rentals are very popular in the region. Germany has one of the best cycling networks in the world and excellent routes to discover – including Spreewald.

Private companies also offer half day, one day or multiple day tours, in which you travel with a small group around the key spots of the biosphere reserve and at the same time they explain you about the history, culture and natural diversity of the region.

NOT TO MISS Spreewald pickles are famous all over Germany. If you are going for a culinary treat, try any of the local dishes with pickles. They have them with all different kind of variations and if you feel brave enough, you can also get a taste of the traditional pickle vodka – something I’ve only seen in Spreewald.

Read more: Road Trip to Rakotzbrücke – Germany’s Devil Bridge

I visited many spots in Germany during the past 10 years. However, I still think Spreewald is one of the most beautiful. I felt welcome by everyone I crossed and felt part of the little community that has been living in this region for more than a century.

My visit to Spreewald was short. Still, I saw a getaway from Berlin that left me wanting to come back as soon as possible.

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Destinations , Europe , Germany · July 8, 2022

7 Fun Things To Do In Spreewald That Every Visitor Should Know About

Spreewald is one of the best hidden gems, a recognized UNESCO site since 1991, only an hour’s drive away from Berlin. Nestled in the Brandenburg forest, it is a great option to visit on a day trip out of the city. It is full of winding canals (over 200), green and luscious forests, and traditional culture that is rare to see in the 21st century. I loved visiting this incredible biosphere and want to show you how to enjoy it as much as I did. 

This area is one of those places where no one speaks English, and everyone knows everyone. Come here to spend a day away from all the tourists and be immersed with locals who come to witness the beauty their country has to offer. 

To get the most out of a short trip to this area, I have made a list of the absolute best 7 things to do in Spreewald, to ensure a fun and exciting visit. From different ways to experience the canals to the famous ‘Spreewald Gurken,’ there is something to do for everyone. 

This post is all about things to do in Spreewald

Getting to Spreewald is pretty easy. I would recommend arriving in Lübbenau as it is the main village in the area and is also where the main train station and most car parks are located. 

Arriving by car: it takes about a one-hour drive depending on where in Berlin you drive from. I recommend driving to a large car park where the daily rate is 7€. The address is: Dammstraße 71, 03222 Lübbenau. 

Arriving by train: there is a regional train (RE2) departing from Ostkreuz and takes about 50 minutes to arrive at Lübbenau (Spreewald) train station. You can get to Ostkreuz station in Berlin through most of the S Bahn lines, but I recommend checking Google Maps as well.

7 Fun Things To Do In Spreewald

 1. take a canal tour.

When we visited Spreewald we opted for the Canal Tour, where much like the gondolas in Venice, the operator uses a long stick to push the boat along the water. Unlike Venice, the water in Spreewald is very shallow and so gondoliers can simply use these sticks to push along the river floor.

In my opinion, this is the best option for visiting families or a group with an odd number of people as you can all sit together. The canal tour lasts around 2.5 hours and is a great way to just relax and enjoy the scenery. 

I can personally recommend the tour we took, which started just behind the car park. It cost us 17 euros per person which is a very fair price considering the total time of the activity. You can pay for some drinks on the boat, and there is a quick stop at a local stand by the water, where you can try some local delicacies including the famous ‘Spreewald Gurken’ (their local pickles). 

Our tour stopped at Cafe Venedig for a one-hour break from where you can explore the area on foot. This area is known as Lehde, which has a small central area around their main museum. Going to the Freilandmuseum Lehde is a great way to spend the break. It is an open-air museum showcasing how people used to live in the olden days. Since we have gone to many of these exhibitions growing up, we decided to skip it. However, if you are interested, tickets are 5€ per person. 

I personally don’t think it is necessary to book a canal tour in advance unless you are a big group. Tours run every half hour from around 10 am to 16 pm, but they usually start whenever a boat fills up. Here is the list of tours starting in Lübbenau and their contact information. 

2. Rent A Kayak

If you are looking to explore the maze of canals at your own pace, renting a kayak is a great option. The kayaks available for rent are only suitable for 2 people so keep that in mind. I highly recommend this option for those wanting to have the freedom to go into whichever canal they choose.

While it sounds like a bit of a workout, lots of people were cruising along very slowly. In addition, you can take a break in almost any place you’d like. I’m not sure about the pricing, however, I have heard that the daily rate is around 30-35€. Most places should also have an hourly rate, in case you only want a few hours instead. 

There are many places from which you can rent a kayak, just look for the word: bootsverleih . Some rentals close to the car park I recommended include Bootsverleih Richter and Bootsverleih Franke. While it isn’t necessary to reserve a kayak in advance, it might be a good idea if you are coming on a summer weekend. Here is the contact information of Bootsverleih Franke if you want to reserve a boat. 

3. Try Spreewald Gurken

Gurken is the name for cucumber in German. Although this, Spreewald Gurken refers to the pickles they make in this region, which are famous all over Germany. Pickles are seen as a delicacy here, and so a must-do activity is trying any flavor of these pickles. There are many different flavors, ranging from sweet to salty with sauerkraut. You can find stalls selling this wide variety of small appetizers in many places in Lübbenau. In addition, while paddling around, you are bound to find stalls in the canals selling Gurken for you to enjoy on the go. In any event, you cannot truly claim you have been to Spreewald until you have tried these pickles.

4. Walk Around Lübbenau City Center

Although it is not a very big city, Lübbenau is still one of the largest towns in Spreewald. It is full of charm and picturesque buildings, as well as lots of small canals running through the town. I would recommend checking out the Traditionsgasthaus Zum Grünen Strand for a beer or traditional meal, including pickles of course! Right next to the restaurant there are some stalls selling regional products, which also sell variations of the Spreewald Gurken. 

Walk around the city center and enjoy the nice atmosphere. In addition, make sure to check out the Saint Nikolai church built in the 18th century. There are many buildings from the 18th century still standing today for visitors to enjoy while exploring the town. While there are some standard shops for those looking for a bit of shopping, most stores sell local products. Please try to remember that this is how many people here make a living, so consider picking up a local delicacy to bring back home.

5. Find Sculptures By Volker Michael Roth

Volker Michael Roth was an artist from the Brandenburg region. He specialized in creating sculptures made from stone and contributed much of his time to creating these sculptures to be displayed around Germany. While most of these sculptures can be found specifically in Brandenburg, Lübbenau has the most per town. While wandering around the city center, keep your eyes peeled for these fun statues, which brighten up the scenes of the village. 

6. Visit Schloss Lübbenau

Schloss Lübbenau first started as a family estate, dating back to the 1600s. The current structure of the castle was built back in 1820 and has been used for several purposes since. What started as a family estate also became a museum, as a way to save money on property taxes. When the second world war began the Nazis’ Air Force used the property to set up a cartography division (study of maps). Then in 1944 they also used the castle as a field hospital. As a result of this, after the war, the castle remained a hospital and a children’s sanatorium for many years, among other uses. Finally, in 1989 the castle was converted into the hotel it is today. 

The castle’s rich history, coupled with its beauty make it a must-visit destination in Lübbenau. You can book a room in the castle for an overnight stay in Spreewald. However, if you simply want to enjoy its beauty and relax in the gardens outside, come and sit on the restaurant’s terrace. 

7. Walk Around in the Schlosspark

Sclosspark is a large green park covering a vast area around the Schloss Lübbenau. Even if visiting the castle isn’t your cup of tea, I highly recommend coming for a walk here. Best of all – it’s completely free! The gardens also have several canals winding through them, so you will still feel the Spreewald reserve. Furthermore, there is a beautiful lake right behind the castle that is a photography haven. Although the lake is quite small, it is incredibly beautiful and serene. Come and sit on a bench overlooking this lake and just enjoy nature at its finest. 

Since the Schlosspark is on the outskirts of Lübbenau, you can continue wandering into the Spreewald forests on foot directly from there. Although the biosphere looks neverending when you are on the river, many places are much closer than you think. The area is extremely well connected through many bridges, so you can never get too lost. The Schlosspark was actually one of my favorite activities, and I urge every visitor to check it out. 

Spreewald is a magical place that is still quite unknown among tourists. I highly encourage anyone with an extra day in Berlin to visit this biosphere as you won’t be disappointed. Please make sure to respect the locals and nature alike, and don’t leave any trash behind. 

This post was all about the top fun things to do in Spreewald that visitors should know about. 

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Wo sich der Wald im Wasser spiegelt

Breadcrumb:, spreewald biosphere reserve.

A unique landscape in Central Europe is situated roughly one hundred kilometres south-east of Berlin – the Spreewald. This is where after the last ice age, the Spree river split up to form an intricate network of streams that once upon a time, as indicated by the name Spreewald, meandered through a dense primeval forest. The particular charm of the Spreewald lies in its park-like landscape crossed by numerous streams. Cultivation created a mosaic of small meadows, fields and forest in addition to the network of streams.

Today, the Spreewald is a water meadow landscape that bears the mark of human activity yet remains largely near-natural, making it a habitat for a diverse range of animal and plant species. Species that are under threat or already extinct elsewhere find a safe haven here. The Spreewald was declared a biosphere reserve in 1990 to protect and preserve this landscape and was given UNESCO status in 1991.

It is part of a global network of 748 biosphere reserves that share the UNESCO ‘Man and biosphere’ (MAB) programme’s objective to protect and sustainably develop as an example historically formed cultural landscapes. In the biosphere reserve, sustainable development is implemented in concrete projects with model character. This ranges from the manufacture and marketing of certified regional products under the Spreewald umbrella brand to the utilisation of regenerative energy sources and the maintaining and revitalisation of valuable habitats such as moors and near-natural water bodies. Educational projects for sustainable development address not only children and youths, but also the inhabitants of and guests to the biosphere reserve across all age groups. Tourism is of great significance here: the special charm of the Spreewald attracts up to three million tourists per year. Maintaining this unique natural space while at the same time rendering it accessible is an ongoing task, the responsibility for which many stakeholders in the biosphere reserve share. Visitors to the information centres Haus für Mensch und Natur in Lübbenau, Schlossberghof in Burg and Alte Mühle in Schlepzig will not only be supplied with tips, leaflets and tour recommendations, but can also find out a lot of interesting facts about the Spreewald. The Naturwacht park rangers provide interesting tour offers.

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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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Your trip to the Spreewald

Discover varied day trips in the Spreewald for young and old! From tours through the idyllic nature, to adventurous discovery tours, to enjoying the culinary delights of the region - everyone gets their money's worth here. One of the most beautiful ways to get to know this extraordinary region is by boat or canoe on the rivers of the Spreewald. But, just pick out something fine with us!

We will show you how to spend a perfect day here, give you valuable travel tips and show you highlights that you should not miss. Immerse yourself in this green oasis, close to Dresden and Berlin. Observe wonderful animals such as dragonflies, storks, otters, cranes or kingfishers and explore nature with us. Take a trip to the sights of the Spreewald. Whether as a family, as a couple or in "me-time" - treat yourself to something good!

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Your team event in the Spreewald

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BEST Spreewald Day Trip From Berlin (+ How To Get There)

Spreewald is the perfect nature getaway and makes a wonderful day trip from Berlin.

If you are looking to experience a different side of Germany on your Berlin holiday, then this is the destination for you!

You can jump on a train direct from Berlin and take a day trip to Lubbeanau and explore beautiful Spreewald. It’s a wonderful day out and worth adding Spreewald into your Berlin itinerary.

Spreewald From Berlin

Where is spreewald.

Spreewald is situated in the state of Brandenburg, a place called Lubbenau.

You can escape the busy city of Berlin for a day trip and immerse yourself in Germany’s beautiful nature and wildlife in Spreewald’s natural environment .

jump on a train and take a day trip from Berlin city to Lubbeanau and explore Spreewald

In 1991, Spreewald was named a UNESCO biosphere reserve, over 400 km of natural and man-made waterways.

Since then the plants and wildlife have grown and it’s become an idyllic place to visit by both local and foreign tourists from Berlin as a day trip and further afield.

Not only do you get to enjoy the natural beauty and calm of the Spreewald area but you can  experience some great German traditions.

From the trying the famous Spreewald pickles (they are delicious) to the local boat postal service that delivers mail to the islands in Lubbenau. How cool would that be to get your post delivered by boat!

Read about my Spreewald day trip from Berlin to Lubbenau, including the best things to see and do,  top tips + how to get to Spreewald from Berlin.

Ask me any more questions about the day trip in the comments below.

Day Trip from Berlin to Spreewald Lubbenau 

How to get there?

Arriving at Lubbenau Station

Best Things to do in Spreewald

Spreewald Local Market

Punting trip

Ledhe Village

Canoeing adventure

Wildlife spotting in Spreewald

Try Spreewald Pickles + Beer

How to get to Spreewald from Berlin (Lubbenau)?

The easiest way to visit Spreewald for a day trip from Berlin is via public transport is the catch the train.

The RE2 takes you from Berlin-Lichtenberg station to Lubbenau/Spreewald stop in about 52 minutes . There is also another stop called Lubben (one stop before Lubbenau so don’t confuse the two!)

Berlin-Lichtenberg is east of the city centre depending on where you are staying it might be easier to travel to Königs Wusterhausen  (you can see where it is on the map below) if you are staying west or south of the centre.

The train to Spreewald takes 30 minutes and leaves from 7.11 am (then every hour).

I stayed south of Berlin city centre at Huttenpalast caravan hotel , it was easier to catch a train S-Bahn to Königs Wusterhausen.

I used my  Berlin Welcome Card which includes travel within zones A, B and C so I didn’t need to buy a ticket for that part of the journey.

My return ticket from Königs Wusterhausen (outside Berlin city centre) to Lubbenau/Spreewald cost 17 EUR*.

How to book your Spreewald tickets?

You can book your day tickets online here  but I found it easier buying straight from the ticket office when I arrived at the station. Königs Wusterhausen is a small station but Berlin’s main station is much busier.

Arriving in Spreewald at Lubbenau Station

Distance to Spreewald: 1 km walk

Once off the train, follow the welcome sign and  multicoloured walls out of the station. You start feeling the love for Lubbenau. 

Cross the road (there’s a Netto/Vodafone shop on the corner) and follow Poststraße for about 10-12 minutes. Down this street, you’ll walk past a green open space with gorgeous wood carvings on each side of the road .

you already start feeling the love for Lubbenau

At the end of the road turn right into Ehm-Welk-Straße. You’re now in the main square of Spreewald with a beautiful church, a few cafes and the famous Spreewald metal statues which make for a perfect selfie!

Lubbenau is a beautiful small town in Europe that you might not have thought about visiting before!

To reach the river Spree you simply turn right after the church onto Dammstraße, you’ll see lots of cute little shops and the main marina area is on your left near the main market area (and all the Spreewald pickle stalls!)

On a day trip from Berlin it’s hard to fit all the best things to see and do in Spreewald but here are my recommendations on how you can spend your visit.

From relaxing on a punting trip to exploring the local shops in Lubbenau, there’s plenty of things to do on your day trip from Berlin. Plan your visit now and don’t miss out on the top attractions.

Visit Spreewald Market + Local Shops

Start your trip by visiting the local Spreewald market and shops in the village. From different local food and drinks to traditional German gifts you can buy as souvenirs on your holiday there are lots to see.

These are close to where the punting tours go from the centre of the village.

Go Punting in Spreewald (a perfect day trip activity)

There are a few different options for punting tour on your day trip . The one you book will depend on your budget and how long you have to spend in Lubbenau, Spreewald. Here are the choices:

• 2-hour punting trip
• 3-hour punting trip (with 1-hour stop at Lehde village)
• 8-hour full-day option

I went for the 3-hour punting tour, a leisurely trip to the village Lehde, an hour stop off and then return journey. 

All the punting boats have little benches with tables. Plus I spotted a few umbrellas so don’t let a bad weather day stop you from exploring!

Climbing aboard is a delicate operation, it’s a little wobbly but take your time and you’ll stay dry. Passengers are strategically placed to ensure even weight distribution.

I ended up sitting in the middle seat between a German couple with their son and daughter-in-law opposite on a day trip to Spreewald.

Sharing my boat with local German tourists was wonderful, they were so friendly and even chatted in English with me. I confess my German is not great so it was very kind of them to make me feel so welcome.

English tour guides are available; however, as I was travelling solo I was happy to jump aboard with the German guide.

Top Spreewald punting tip

• The punting tours stop off on the route at little stalls along the waterside.
• You can buy traditional local pickles and wait for it, pickle beer! I promise it tastes amazing on a hot day.
• Be sure to take some Euros with you as they don’t accept card payments.

Visit Lehde Village in Spreewald

If you have the chance to visit Lehde village in Spreewald on your punting trip then you are in for a treat.

The small village has restaurants or you can simply have a refreshing drink right on the waterfront. You can sit back, enjoy the sunshine, watching the skilled stand-up paddleboarders , canoeists gliding past you or even the local ducks!

My favourite place was the open-air museum at Lehde .

They have wonderfully captured the detail of traditional German village life, including the Sorbs, who have their own Sorbian language and it was so interesting to learn about. There is information in both German and English, plus you might spot a few of the staff dressed in traditional outfits. 

Top tip for the Punting Trip

• If you are on a punting tour, check where your boat leaves from .
• You might need to retrace your steps and go back out the entrance of the museum (I don’t want you stranded!)

Try a Spreewald Canoeing Adventure

After my punting trip and some food from one of the many Lubbenau restaurants. I decided that I was ready to explore the waterways of Spreewald on my own.

My train was at 6.30 pm so I had two options to spend my time. 1. Hire a bike for a few hours, or 2. Head back on the water in a canoe.  I opted for the canoe.

Arriving at canoe rental place I asked if they had any canoes for me, at first he showed me a super sporty slimline canoe, great for getting up some good speed. Then when I said I was a total beginner he pointed me toward this larger (and more sturdy model) .

Perfect for beginners and meant both my camera and I would stay dry!

I was given a laminated, hand-drawn map (the official one was on the other side but the hand-drawn one was much easier to follow). I only had a couple of hours so the tour company gave me a route that would take about an hour and a half.

Steering the large canoe took me a minute to work out what I was doing but then I was on my way.

Hiring a canoe later in the day means the waterways were quieter than the morning. I had also been recommended less-popular routes to paddle down away from the punting boats.

Top tip for your Kayaking trip

• Take a dry bag with you to keep your camera and phone dry from the paddle splash water!
• These can be hired if you don’t have your own

Wildlife Spotting in Spreewald

Spreewald Biosphere Reserve is a haven for wildlife and nature.

The area is famous for kingfishers, although I didn’t spot any on my trip. I saw lots of snakes, both in the water and on land, they were really cool to see both basking in the sun and gliding through the water.

I saw lots of snakes, both in the water and on land

My favourite wildlife encounter of the day trip was seeing my very first beaver. I was enjoying the peace and quiet in my canoe, then I spotted two floating logs, or were they!

I adjusted my eyes and wondered if they were otters but then I realised they were two beavers.

Of course, I had to stop paddling to take a quick photo, although my canoe kept gliding in the water and seemed to be heading straight for them. A speedy reaction and the crisis was averted, phew!

Try the Local Favourites – Spreewald Pickles!

One thing that I had been told to try on my Spreewald trip was the famous Spreewald pickles. If you go on a punting trip then you can have a chance to try them if you stop on the journey.

They might offer you a Spreewald Pickle Beer to go with it. The pickles and pickle beer was delicious, worth trying some on your trip!

If you don’t get a chance to try them on your punting trip then look out for the pickle stalls at the local market. I promise you won’t ever see that many in one place!

My day trip to Lubbenau/Spreewald from Berlin was recommended to me by  Susanna at Wandering Chocobo  (including the Spreewald pickle beer!) I liked it so much that now I’d love to recommend it to more people visit.

I hope you like my tips, especially the Spreewald pickle beer!  Let me know if you try it too.

More Things to do in Spreewald

On a day trip from Berlin, I didn’t have time to do everything in Lubbenau.

Here are some more suggestions for things to do on your visit to Spreewald.

• Explore the historic town centre of Spreewald – you walk through here on the way to the punting trip
• Visit the Spreewald Museum – Check whether this is available in English, the website is all in German
• Go on one of the many nature trails in the area .
• Hire a bike and explore more of Spreewald
• Feeling brave? Why not try stand-up paddleboarding on the River Spree

More things to do in Berlin

• 2 or 3-day itinerary in Berlin
• Top cool and unusual things to do in Berlin
• Top 5 quicky places to stay in Berlin

Are you planning a day trip to Lubbenau Spreewald from Berlin?

Let me know if you have any questions about Spreewald or more things to do on your Berlin holiday in the comments below.

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*Prices correct at time of writing

**My day trip from Berlin to Spreewald in Lubbenau was arranged by Tourism Brandenburg. However, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

*Becky the Traveller participates in the Amazon Services Associates Programme, as well as other affiliate programmes. If you make a purchase through these, I earn from the qualifying links. This is at no extra cost to you. Read more here .

Becky the Traveller

10 thoughts on “ best spreewald day trip from berlin (+ how to get there) ”.

This looks lovely Becky. My husband has done a lot of work in Germany and has promised to show me around some day… might have to put Spreewald on the request list! Thanks for sharing!

Ah thanks, Cheryl, that great to know. I loved Spreewald, it was so peaceful and for someone who loves nature, it was a great contrast to Berlin. Have a wonderful time 🙂

Hi Becky! Do you know if our dog can stay with us during the punting tour? We want to go there in a few weeks. Thank you for all the details. Best regards.

Ah, that’s wonderful, I’m not too sure but I know a lady I can check with so will drop her an email 🙂 I would say as long as the dog is happy sitting relatively still then it would be ok, it needs to be stable so if he or she is jumping around then that might not be allowed!! 🙂

Hey, amazingly detailed blog. I really want to know if I can travel with a 11 month old baby, is the boat safe? Is it advisable to travel to spreewald from Berlin with a baby?

Thank you Lata, apologies for the delay I was on a 2-month hike, without my laptop! I’m sorry I wouldn’t like to say, it felt safe to me and I’m not aware of any incidents but I also don’t have children myself so it’s a little difficult to answer.

Hi Becky! I’m in the UK and I’m visiting Berlin later this month. I’d love to take a day trip to Spreewald (and go punting in particular) – can I ask how you booked your trip? I’m having a bit of trouble navigating the Tourism Brandenburg website – it’s giving me lots of options for overnight trips (which I don’t want) or punt trips (which directs me to external websites in German!)

Hi, I caught the train and booked it when I arrived, so nothing was booked in advance. I hope you enjoy your trip 🙂

Hi Becky, thank you for the detailed blog! Would you say the place felt safe for a female solo traveler? I also don’t know German like you mentioned. Thanks!

Hi Saps, ah yes, I felt very comfortable, it’s a very small place. Hope you have a lovely time. 🙂

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Experience & Participate

Public guided tours through the spreepark.

On the way to the Spreepark of the future, safety is still the main concern today. Ferris wheel, roller coaster and the old buildings are partly not secured or in danger of collapse. Individual construction measures have already begun, making unsecured access to the site impossible. However, the Spreepark can already be visited in guided tours. In recent years, tens of thousands of visitors have been able to explore the area.

Information

• Please remember to wear a headgear or a parasol in high heat as well as enough drinks.
• Please arrive punctually at the meeting point (Kiehnwerder Allee 1 - 3, see directions ) of the guided tour. Unfortunately, once the tour has started, admission is no longer possible.
• The visitor tours have limited accessibility. Parts of the paths are not paved, so sturdy footwear is recommended.
• Dogs can be taken on the tour on a lead.
• Photography for private purposes is permitted during the tour.
• Please note that guided tours may be cancelled by the organiser in the event of storm and thunderstorm warnings.

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Spreepark Plänterwald

Ruins of the former GDR amusement park

In 1969, the GDR built their first amusement park in Plänterwald, a wooded park in the district of Treptow. The so-called “Kulturpark” remained the only theme park of its kind in the GDR. The park's landmark, a widely visible Ferris wheel with a height of 45 meters, was refurbished in 1989. After reunification, the amusement park was completely upgraded to western standards, but higher ticket prices led to a strong drop in visitor traffic. In 2001 the private operator filed for insolvency. More than ten years, the area was was exposed to decay and vandalism. Since 2016, the Grün Berlin GmbH is responsible for the park and is developing a new type of leisure park.

Tickets for guided tours

Take a canoe tour past the remains of the Spreepark Plänterwald, on to the Stralau peninsula and into Rummelsburger Bucht.

Tickets for individual city tours

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Kiehnwerderallee 1-3 12437   Berlin

Boat rides from Spreehafen Burg (Spreewald)

• Exclusive punt tours: Fireplace tour – “A dream by the fire”; Wellness tour “Sensuality in a boat”; Breakfast punt tour “Towards the sunrise”; Gondola tours at Park Branitz in Cottbus.
• Individual boating tours: “Spreewald eats great”; “Spreewald drinks great”; “Spreewald runs great”; “Spreewald – naturally great”
• During the winter months, we offer daily Glühwein punt tours (serving mulled wine) taking you through the snowy Spreewald.

Opening hours

Service- & hygiene measures.

• Flexible cancellation and rebooking conditions
• Hand disinfectant dispenser in public areas
• Contactless payment
• Online booking

Tel.: 035603-75800

Fax: 035603-150405

Write e-mail

[email protected]

Arrival planner

03096 Burg (Spreewald)

Weather Today, 11. 4.

• Friday 12 18
• Saturday 11 21

Tourist information

Tourismusverband Spreewald

Lindenstraße 1 03226 Vetschau/Spreewald OT Raddusch

Tel.: +49 (0) 35433-72299 Fax: +49 (0) 35433-72228

• Write e-mail [email protected]
• To website https://www.spreewald.de/

All information, times and prices are regularly checked and updated. Nevertheless, we can not guarantee the accuracy of the data. We recommend that you inquire about the current status by phone / e-mail or via the provider's website before your visit.

Thank you for your enquiry!

In case your enquiry did not result in a booking, we will be getting in touch with you as quickly as possible during our service hours from Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.

We are also glad to answer all of your questions surrounding the State of Brandenburg at (+49)(0)331- 200 47 47. Please send us an e-mail at [email protected].

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Moscow Metro

The Moscow Metro Tour is included in most guided tours’ itineraries. Opened in 1935, under Stalin’s regime, the metro was not only meant to solve transport problems, but also was hailed as “a people’s palace”. Every station you will see during your Moscow metro tour looks like a palace room. There are bright paintings, mosaics, stained glass, bronze statues… Our Moscow metro tour includes the most impressive stations best architects and designers worked at - Ploshchad Revolutsii, Mayakovskaya, Komsomolskaya, Kievskaya, Novoslobodskaya and some others.

What is the kremlin in russia?

The guide will not only help you navigate the metro, but will also provide you with fascinating background tales for the images you see and a history of each station.

And there some stories to be told during the Moscow metro tour! The deepest station - Park Pobedy - is 84 metres under the ground with the world longest escalator of 140 meters. Parts of the so-called Metro-2, a secret strategic system of underground tunnels, was used for its construction.

During the Second World War the metro itself became a strategic asset: it was turned into the city's biggest bomb-shelter and one of the stations even became a library. 217 children were born here in 1941-1942! The metro is the most effective means of transport in the capital.

There are almost 200 stations 196 at the moment and trains run every 90 seconds! The guide of your Moscow metro tour can explain to you how to buy tickets and find your way if you plan to get around by yourself.

Memorial Park's par-4 17th will play drivable in final round of Texas Children’s Houston Open

Memorial park’s 17th hole is reconfigured for 2024, green pushed back 30 yards from water’s edge.

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HOUSTON – Memorial Park Golf Course's short par-4 17th hole has traditionally played a two-shot hole for most of the Texas Children’s Houston Open field, even when the tee was moved up to create a drivable opportunity. With the previous green complex situated just beyond the water’s edge, the risk-reward wasn’t there.

That is set to change Sunday, with the tee box moved up to play 329 yards and players attacking a new green complex that will entice bold plays.

The 17th green complex has been reconfigured for this year’s Texas Children’s Houston Open, with 30 yards of fairway now separating the green and the water’s edge. The green was previously situated just 5 yards from the water’s edge, limiting players’ incentive to drive the green even from a forward tee that made carrying the water no problem – it was just too hard to stop the ball on the green, players and officials said this week.

A scenic view of the 17th hole green at Memorial Park Golf Course in 2020. (Keyur Khamar/PGA TOUR)

The hole’s scorecard length has been extended from 382 yards to 405 yards, which has increased the hole’s difficulty from the tips – the hole has played to a 4.173 average through three rounds in 2024, using the back tee in all rounds, after playing to 4.005 a season ago. Water down the hole’s right side has required players to be cautious off the tee, while playing more club off the tee if a wedge approach is desired (or laying back off the tee, then taking more club into the green). It ranked as Memorial Park’s fifth toughest hole through three rounds in 2024, after ranking No. 13 in difficulty last season.

But the tee has been moved up for Sunday's final round, the hole playing to 329 yards. The carry distance, roughly 280 yards, will be no trouble for the field, but will players be willing to accept the risk of bunkers left and water right? We’ll soon find out.

“I think it's a good change,” said world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, who was among five players tied for the lead after the conclusion of Round 3. “I think they had tried to move the tee box up a couple times in the last few years to make it drivable and with the way the green was, it just wasn't a hole that you would really try to drive.

"But now the way the green is shaped, you have an area where you can run it up. I think they'll have the tee box moved up on the weekend and it should be a pretty exciting way to finish off the tournament. I think the changes are really good."

Tom Doak, who resigned the course in 2019, believed that the event’s penultimate hole should feature a high level of risk-reward, whereas this event’s previous three iterations at Memorial Park saw a conventional strategy employed at No. 17. Hence the changes around the green for 2024.

“We looked at the history of the past three tournaments that we’ve played here, and obviously getting player feedback as well, and we’ve had some great discussions and this is what Tom came up with,” said TOUR Senior Tournament Referee Robby Ware earlier this week. “He’s done a really nice job, and excited to see how it plays out this week.”

The teeing area, fairway contouring and fairway width have remained unchanged, said Ware this week, but the area around the green has changed substantially. Two bunkers have been added left of the green, making a left bailout shot more difficult (water hugs the hole’s entire right side, from the fairway through the green.) The green now slopes left-to-right as well, meaning a pitch from left of the green will require players to keep the water in mind.

It's a bold change that will force players to decide down the stretch at Memorial Park: go for an eagle putt, or play a safer tee shot for a wedge approach?

“From the back tee it doesn't change the hole tremendously, but with the tee up it's very much a cool drivable hole now,” added last week’s Valspar Championship winner Peter Malnati, who made the cut on the number at Memorial Park. “I think it will be fun to watch guys have a go at it because … obviously if you go for it, likely miss would be left of the green. The green slopes toward the water from left of the green, so you have to see some guys do some great short game in.

“Maybe they'll make it drivable on Sunday and you'll see someone step up and make a really bold play and hit one right on the green and have an eagle putt on Sunday. I think that would be really cool.”

Kevin Prise is an associate editor for the PGA TOUR. He is on a lifelong quest to break 80 on a course that exceeds 6,000 yards and to see the Buffalo Bills win a Super Bowl. Follow Kevin Prise on Twitter .

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Moscow Metro

Introduction of moscow subway system (metro).

Nowadays the Moscow Metro has 12 lines, light subway and monorail. All stations are unique and beautiful in their own way. Unfortunately, in order to visit them all, you need to spend many days. I invite guests to visit the ones that have the greatest cultural and historical interest from my point of view. Among them are the Revolution Square, Arbatskaya, Kievskaya (Arbatsko-Pokrovskaya Line № 3); Kievskaya, Belarusskaya, Novoslobodskaya, Komsomolskaya (the Ring line number 5). Let us dwell a bit on each.

Arbatsko-Pokrovskaya Line

Subway station "revolution square".

Most recently - in the year 2008-2010 – the Eastern lobby was renovated. Because of the terrorist attacks in the Moscow subway that took place several hours before the planned opening of the East lobby after renovation, the solemn part of the event was canceled.

Subway station Arbatskaya

Subway Arbatskaya is located on the same subway line as the station "Revolution Square." It was founded in 1953. It received the name in honor of the Arbat Street. It has one ground lobby (Western). Initially, the lobby was in a separate building, but the new building of the General Staff of the Ministry of Defense started, the lobby appeared to be in its atrium. The old exits were bricked up; a new entrance was built into the building of General Staff of the street Vozdvizhenka. There is a huge frame with a missing portrait in the ground lobby - until mid-1950 there was a portrait of Stalin. According to some reports, it survived, but closed with plaster.

The lobby was restored and partially reconstructed in 2007-2008.

The depth of the station is 41 meters.

Pylons are finished with red marble at the bottom, decorated with bouquets of flowers made from ceramics. The floor is laid out with gray granite. The walls lined with glazed ceramic tiles, white top and black bottom. The station hall is illuminated by massive bronze chandeliers in the form of rings.

Subway station Kievskaya

There are several subway stations "Kievskaya" in Moscow, located on different branches. This name is quite popular. It comes from the capital of Ukraine - one of Russia's nearest neighbors - the city of Kiev. The name is fully consistent with the idea of the subway station. The interior the station devoted to Soviet Ukraine and the reunification of Ukraine and Russia. The station is decorated with a large number of paintings .Twenty four murals depicting workers of Soviet Ukraine are placed on the arch above the pylons. The wall from the side of platform also contains frescos, mainly with images of fantastic plants. Pylons are decorated with light marble and additionally decorated with colorful ceramic cornice. The butt of the station has a large mosaic, depicting festivities to celebrate the 300 anniversary of the reunification of Ukraine and Russia.

Opened in 1953, this subway station for a long time was the final (1953-2003).

The station has one lobby, combined with the station ring line and located in the building of the Kievskaya railway station. The diameter of the central hall station is 9.5 m, the diameter of side one is 8.5 m. The depth of the station is 38 meters.

= Ring Line Subway =

It opened in 1954. The station received its name after the Kiev station, and locked the Ring line. During the construction of the station many projects were proposed, but the victory in the competition won the Kiev architects who made the construction of the station. It is the only station of the Ring Line which is not located in the Central Administrative District of Moscow.

The station has a pylon structure. Eighteen pylons are decorated with mosaic panels of glazes, decorated on the theme of Ukrainian history and friendship between the Ukrainian and Russian peoples, which started in the mid-17 century.

On the front wall of the central hall of the station a large panel with molding in the form of flags and a mosaic portrait of Lenin in the center are located. There are lines of the Soviet national anthem around the portrait, and under the portrait - the words of Lenin. One of the ways out of the station was designed by French architects modeled on the Paris Subway in 2006.

At one of the mosaics – “The Struggle for Soviet power in Ukraine "- modern passengers observe a mobile phone and PDA in the hand of one of the guerrillas, and on his knees - a laptop. In fact, he uses a field telephone, which was really a heavy thing (guerrillas holds it in two hands), and thing that people see a laptop is the lid of a box with a telephone. However, these phones have begun to produce only in the second half of the 20-ies of XX century. We must assume that the mosaic depicts a foreign field telephone transmitter.

Subway station Belorusskaya

The founded of the station was in 1952. It received the name after the Belarusian railway station nearby. The station has two ground-based lobbies. The Western one goes to Tverskaya  Zastava. It is decorated with beautiful carvings. The Eastern one leads to Butyrskiy shaft and Forest Street. The Eastern lobby is known for its majolica panels.

The station Belorusskaya is located at a depth of 42.5 m below ground. The diameter of the central hall is 9.5 meters.

Pylons are faced with light marble. The walls lined with white ceramic tiles, the floor is covered with ceramic tiles, gray, white and red colors. Lamps placed on pylons, in the form of vases made of glass and marble. The theme of decoration is economy and culture of Belarus. Decorative pattern on the floor repeats the theme of traditional Belarusian embroidery. Decorations of the ceiling consist of stucco decorations and 12 mosaic panels depicting the life of the Belarusian people.

Subway station Novoslobodskaya

Built in 1952, Subway station Novoslobodskaya got its name from the eponymous street:  the station is located at the very beginning of it.

Novoslobodskaya is pylon station of deep foundation (its depth is 40 m) with three arches.

Exit to the street is through the ground lobby with column portico, located on Novoslobodskaya Street lined with gray marble. Pylons of the underground station are faced with marble from the Urals. Thirty two spectacularly illuminated stained-glasses, placed inside the pylon and bordered by steel and gilt brass are splendid decoration of the station. A remarkable mosaic "World Peace" is located at the end of the central hall. The picture depicts a happy mother with a baby in her arms; it was the face of Stalin at the picture: the child gave a hand to him. But in times of Khrushchev the face of the former leader of USSR was removed from the panel. The walls are lined with bright marble; floor is covered with white and black granite slabs, placed in a checkerboard pattern.

Subway station Komsomolskaya

The station was built in 1952 and named in honor of the Komsomolskaya Square, which is situated nearby.

This subway station is the station of the deep bedding. Its depth is 37 meters. The station has column and three- arched design. Cast iron decoration is used in the construction, monolithic slab used as a tray for a collapsible finishing. The length of the boarding hall is 190 meters; width of it is 10 meters. There are 68 octagonal columns at station.

The main theme of the interior of the station is the fighting of the Russian people for their independence. The ceiling is decorated with eight station mosaic mural made from glazes and precious stones. Six of them represent the Alexander Nevsky, Dmitry Donskoy, Kuzma Minin and Dmitry Pozharsky, Alexander Suvorov and Mikhail Kutuzov, the Soviet soldiers and officers at the walls of the Reichstag.

 Two other panels, depicting Stalin ("Victory Parade" and "Presentation of the Guards Banner"), were replaced after the dethronement of Stalin's personality cult in 1963. New panels depict Lenin's speech in front of the Red Guards and the Motherland on the background of the Kremlin's Spasskaya Tower.

The yellow ceiling is decorated with mosaic and moldings. The hall is illuminated by massive chandeliers hanging between the panels; platforms are illuminated with smaller chandeliers. The columns are decorated with marble capitals and trimmed with light marble, as well as the wall station. The floor is laid with pink granite. There is a bust of Lenin at the end of the hall. At the opposite end of the escalator is a large Florentine mosaic of the Order of Victory with red banners on the background. The ground lobby of the station is decorated with bas-reliefs.

In conclusion...

Each of the stations of the Moscow subway is attractive and interesting in its own way. Each has its own long and fascinating history and is beautifully decorated. The Moscow subway is a whole world, which can be talking about for hours. I suggest you short - no more than one hour and a half - and a fascinating journey through the world of the Moscow subway. The pleasure is guaranteed!

Sculpture Park "Art Muzeon"

Mausoleum and necropolis.

• Bombing in Moscow Metro On March 29, 2010, another tragic event happened in Moscow that shocked not only the citizens of the Russian Federation, but also many people from countries that oppose the threat of terrorism. In the early morning rush hour, two women bearing suicide weapons blasted themselves in the subway trains of the Moscow Metro.
• The Best Redesign of Moscow Metropolitan Map 2013 Russia's leading internet and graphic design agency has won an online vote for the best redesign of the Moscow Metro map. Art. Lebedev Studio is a design company in Russia, founded in 1995 by Artemy Lebedev. They redrew the Moscow Metro map for a second time in three years, with even cleaner graphics and a raft of new details and won more than 50% of the online vote.

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My name's Arthur Lookyanov, I'm a private tour guide, personal driver and photographer in Moscow, Russia. I work in my business and run my website Moscow-Driver.com from 2002. Read more about me and my services , check out testimonials of my former business and travel clients from all over the World, hit me up on Twitter or other social websites. I hope that you will like my photos as well.

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Charging elephant kills an American woman on 'bucket list trip' in Zambia

An American woman who was on what she had called her "last big trip" was killed when a charging elephant flipped over the car she was traveling in at a national park in Zambia .

The “aggressive” creature buffeted the vehicle carrying six tourists and a guide, tour operator Wilderness said in a statement Tuesday. It said the 79-year-old victim died after Saturday's incident on a game drive at the Kafue National Park in western Zambia.

The company did not name the victim but Rona Wells, her daughter, identified her as Gail Mattson in a post on Facebook. She said her mother died in a “tragic accident while on her dream adventure.”

A video circulating on social media apparently showing the incident shows a large elephant running toward a car, which slows down as the animal approaches its left side. The elephant then flips the vehicle over and the passengers can be heard gasping as the car rolls over.

NBC News does not know the condition or identity of the person who filmed the video.

Photos shared online of the car, which is emblazoned with the logo of the tour operator, show it tipped onto its side after the incident, with a deep dent in two of its side doors.

Wilderness, which describes itself as a “leading conservation and hospitality company” operating in eight African countries, including Zambia, did not respond to NBC News when asked to confirm the authenticity of the video and the photos.

But the tour operator’s CEO, Keith Vincent, said in the statement that the company’s “guides are all extremely well trained and experienced.”

"Sadly in this instance the terrain and vegetation was such that the guide’s route became blocked and he could not move the vehicle out of harm’s way quickly enough,” he added.

Another woman was also injured in the incident and taken to a medical facility in South Africa, the Wilderness statement said, adding that four others were treated for minor injuries.

“It’s extremely rare to see an elephant that irate,” Marlon du Toit, a wildlife photographer and safari guide, told the “TODAY” show Thursday. “Across Africa, there are thousands and thousands of guests on safari on a daily basis with no negative consequences.”

The exact cause of Mattson’s death was unclear, but the company said her body would be repatriated to her family in the United States with the support of local Zambian authorities and the U.S. Embassy in the capital, Lusaka.

“This is a tragic event and we extend our deepest condolences to the family of the guest who died,” the statement added.

NBC News has reached out to Mattson's family for further comment.

Kafue National Park is Zambia’s largest and oldest national park, according to its website, and spans an area of more than 8,000 square miles. Vast regions of the park remain unexplored and the website says it is home to a variety of untamed wildlife.

A 'bucket list trip'

Mattson spent her winters in Sun City West, Arizona, playing bridge and cards, but during the rest of the year, she "travels all over the world," her friend Brenda Biggs told NBC News. Biggs and her husband, John Longabauth, became friends with Mattson when they moved to the area 6 ½ years ago.

Longabauth said Mattson spoke to the couple about her upcoming safari trip about two weeks ago, and called it "one of her bucket list trips." He said she was very excited for the adventure.

Before she left, she gave the couple concert tickets for a show that would happen while she was traveling, telling them to enjoy the concert and "I'll see you when I get back," Longabauth recalled of the conversation.

Biggs said Mattson, who was almost 80 years old, told her that the African safari was her "my last big trip." She said Mattson was "super excited because it was like the culmination of all the trips that she had gone on."

An avid traveler, Mattson took to trips to Europe and Asia, Longabauth recalled, noting that she might have been to South America, too.

Biggs called her friend "flamboyant," "friendly" and "fabulous" and said she loved bright colors. Mattson had taken over Biggs’ job as the event planner for their 200-member bridge club, she said.

"Gail was one of the more up people you'd ever want to meet," Longabauth said. "She was always up. She was always optimistic. She was always seeing the good side of everybody."

Yuliya Talmazan is a reporter for NBC News Digital, based in London.

Rebecca Cohen is a breaking news reporter for NBC News.

ASU 2024 spring graduation: When is it, what can I bring and where should I park?

Graduation day is less than a month away for students across Arizona. Arizona State University students will celebrate among thousands of their peers this May at the university’s spring commencement ceremonies.

Many who are set to graduate started their college careers in the midst of a global pandemic.

Last year, ASU celebrated 19,700 graduating students. Of them, 15% were international students, roughly 70% attended in-person and nearly half were Arizona residents. ASU, with campuses in Tempe and Phoenix, is one of the largest universities in the country with more than 140,000 students enrolled in total.

Here’s what to know before celebration day for the Sun Devils.

When is ASU graduation?

This year, spring commencement will be on May 6 for both graduate and undergraduate ASU students. The ceremonies will be at different times of day, allowing guests to attend both. The undergraduate ceremony will last around 90 minutes and no tickets are required for either ceremony.

ASU graduate commencement will be at 9 a.m. at Desert Financial Arena. Doors are set to open at 7:30 a.m.

Undergraduate commencement will be at 7:30 p.m. at Frank Kush Field at Mountain America Stadium. Doors are set to open at 6 p.m.

More than 30 school-specific convocations are scheduled throughout graduation week. For a full list, including locations and times, visit ASU’s site .

What can I bring to ASU's graduation?

Guests for graduation will have to adhere to ASU’s clear bag policy . All clutch bags larger than 4.5 by 6.5 inches will need to be transparent, such as a gallon-sized plastic bag. Seat cushions without pockets or zippers are allowed.

Other prohibited items:

• Outside beverages
• Tobacco or e-cigarette products
• Selfie sticks and tripods
• Full-size strollers
• Noisemakers
• All weapons

All guests with non-compliant bags will need to return items to their car.

Where should I park at ASU's graduation?

ASU’s campus includes multiple parking locations detailed on its site . General parking is free and on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Parking near Mountain America Stadium:

• Packard Drive Structure

Parking near Desert Financial Arena :

• Packard Drive South Garage
• Novus Parking Structure

A courtesy shuttle is available for guests with a disability or accessibility license plate who are parked at Lot 59. More information is online or by calling 480-965-6407.

Helen Rummel covers higher education for The Arizona Republic. Reach her at [email protected]. Follow her on X, formerly Twitter: @helenrummel .

Missy Elliott announces 2024 tour with Busta Rhymes and Ciara. Get tickets

Missy Elliott has once again flipped it and reversed it.

This summer, the popular rapper — and first female Hip-Hop artist inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame — is embarking on her first-ever headlining tour with special guests Busta Rhymes, Ciara and Timbaland.

The 24-concert jaunt, dubbed the ‘Out Of This World Tour,’ will send the quartet to arenas all over North America including Belmont Park, NY’s UBS Arena on Aug. 3, Newark, NJ’s Prudential Center on Aug. 9 and Brooklyn’s Barclays Center on Aug. 12.

“Fans have been asking me to tour forever but I wanted to wait until I felt the time was right because I knew if I was ever going to do it, I had to do it big, and I had to do it with family,” the 52-year-old Elliott shared in a press release.

“Get ready to be taken OUT OF THIS WORLD with me, Busta Rhymes, Ciara, and Timbaland! We can’t wait to share this experience with the fans!”

And if you’re a fan that can’t wait to “Get Ur Freak On” with Elliott, tickets are available for all 24 North American concerts as soon as today.

Although inventory isn’t available on Ticketmaster until Friday, April 12, fans who want to ensure they have tickets ahead of time can purchase on sites like Vivid Seats before tickets are officially on sale.

Vivid Seats is a secondary market ticketing platform, and prices may be higher or lower than face value, depending on demand.

They have a 100% buyer guarantee that states your transaction will be safe and secure and will be delivered before the event.

A complete calendar including all ‘Out Of This World’ tour dates, venues, and links to buy tickets can be found below.

Elliott’s last proper headlining gig was in Highland, CA on May 9, 2023.

Here’s what she brought to the stage that night, courtesy of Set List FM :

01.) “Intro”

02.) “Throw It Back”

03.) “Cool Off”

04.) “We Run This”

05.) “One Minute Man”

06.) “I’m Really Hot”

07.) “Hasizzle”

08.) “Rain” (SWV song)

09.) “The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly)”

10.) “She’s a B—-“

11.) “Gossip Folks”

12.) “All n My Grill”

13.) “Sock It 2 Me”

14.) “Get Ur Freak On”

15.) “Lick Shots”

16.) “Funky Fresh Medley”

17.) “Bad Man”

18.) “Work It”

19.) “Pass That Dutch”

20.) “Ching-A-Ling”

21.) “Hot Boyz”

22.) “DripDemeanor”

23.) “DJ Break”

24.) “WTF Music”

25.) “Lose Control”

The Rock Hall of Famer hasn’t technically released an album since 2005’s “The Cookbook.”

However, she’s kept busy for the past two decades regularly releasing singles with big names like Lizzo, Anitta, Pharrell, Kesha, David Guetta, and many more.

If you want to catch up with her later output, Elliott’s complete discography can be found here .

As noted above, Elliott is bringing a trio of big-name collaborators along for the summer ride.

To get you back up to speed, here are their most-streamed tracks on Spotify:

Busta Rhymes: “Don’t Cha”

Ciara: “One, Two Step”

Timbaland: “The Way I Are”

Need more live music in your life?

We’re here to help.

Here are just five of the biggest tours you won’t want to miss these next few months.

•  Nicki Minaj

•  Megan Thee Stallion

•  SWV with XScape

•  Mariah The Scientist

•  Jazmine Sullivan with Maxwell

Who else is on the road this year? Check out our list of the  50 biggest concerts in 2024 here  to find out.

Vivid Seats is the New York Post's official ticketing partner. We may receive revenue from this partnership for sharing this content and/or when you make a purchase.

THE 5 BEST Spreewald Boat Tours

Boat tours in spreewald.

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1. Spreehafen Burg

2. Kahnfaehrfrau

3. Kahnfahrten Lubben

4. Hafen Waldschloesschen

5. Kleiner Spreewaldhafen

6. Bootshaus Zum Leineweber

7. spreewald kahnfahren mit franky.

8. Kahnfährmann Jörg Tschirschke

9. bootsverleih gebauer.

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