The Spring in Berlin is unique! And from the water, you'll get to know the city in a whole new way. Here we show you a variety of boat hire and boat trips so that you can experience Berlin from this special perspective. Perfect for all water lovers and those who want to become one.
Tip 1: Sightseeing tour of Berlin on the water
Some of the most interesting places in Berlin can be discovered from the water. And you don't even have to steer the boat yourself! Take part in a sightseeing tour on the water and have the most important sights of the city shown and explained to you on board. The boat tour takes you 2.5 hours through the city, across the Spree, the Berlin-Spandauer Canal and the West Harbour Canal. The cruise starts in the centre of the city at the Tränenpalast, then passes the Reichstag, Haus der Kulturen der Welt, Nikolaiviertel and numerous other sights.
Sightseeing tour Berlin on the water
Tip 2: Captain's Brunch Tour: Sightseeing & Brunch boat tour in Berlin
Imagine: You're cruising along the Spree, savouring a delicious brunch buffet and marvelling at Berlin's most spectacular sights! The Captain's Brunch Spreetour starts every Sunday at 10 am and takes you on a 2.5-hour culinary journey through the centre of the capital. While you enjoy freshly prepared specialities - from scrambled eggs to Mediterranean main courses - the Museum Island, the government district and Berlin Cathedral will pass you by. Perfect for anyone who wants to experience Berlin from the water!
When: Every Sunday, 10:00 a.m.
Where: Reederei Winkler Landing stage: Charlottenburg/Schlossbrücke, Charlottenburger Ufer 1, Mitte
Tip 3: Experience the 7-lake boat tour from Wannsee
Seven in one go! This boat trip takes you across seven lakes in the south of Berlin. At the same time, you can enjoy the view of the wonderful cultural landscape with its parks, palaces and churches. Take the opportunity to make a stopover and discover why it is also known as "Prussian Arcadia".
Tip 4: Stand-up paddling in Berlin
Everywhere in Berlin, you can see them standing on their boards on lakes and rivers - the stand-up paddlers. If you've ever wanted to try out this fun activity, now's your chance - this time of year in Berlin is perfect for it! You stand upright on the surfboard and paddle with a long paddle, sometimes left, sometimes right, to move forwards. You can hire everything you need for an SUP tour at many locations. So don't hesitate and don't miss out on the fun!
Tip 5: Experience Berlin in the quietest and most sustainable way
The new solar catamaran takes you from Jannowitzbrücke on a 2-hour, emission-free trip along the Spree towards Plänterwald. As you glide along almost silently, you pass highlights such as the colourful East Side Gallery, the imposing Oberbaum Bridge and the famous Treptowers. The highlight of the tour is the view of the legendary Haus Zenner and the idyllic Insel der Jugend. A perfect time-out for anyone who wants to discover Berlin from the water while being environmentally friendly!
When: Daily, departures depending on provider, approx. 2 hours
Where: Start at Jannowitzbrücke, Mitte/Friedrichshain
Green Spree trip with the solar catamaran
Tip 6: Hire a canoe, pedal boat or rowing boat
Canoeing or kayaking is probably one of the classics among boat tours. No wonder, because paddling at a steady pace through narrow rivers, past densely overgrown banks is a great way to relax and enjoy the peace and quiet. There are numerous stations across the city where you can hire a kayak, rowing boat or even a pedalo. In the centre of the city - yet in an idyllic green setting - is the New Lake, for example. Here you can hire one of the colourful rowing boats and round off the day in the beer garden of the Café am Neuen See.
Tip 7: Take a romantic boat trip into the moonlight
When the moon is full, Berlin is transformed into a beautiful sea of lights. If you want to experience this unique atmosphere from the water, you can book a romantic moonlight boat tour. While the lights are reflected in the water, the ship glides along famous sights such as Museum Island, Berlin Cathedral and the Nikolai Quarter, with tours being customised depending on the time of year.
Romantic moonlight cruise by boat
Tip 8: Combine feasting and relaxing
If you want to combine your boat trip with a relaxing barbecue, you can hire a barbecue raft. Equipped with a Weber barbecue, you can cater for yourself or a catering service is also available on request. Just let us know what you want and we'll take care of everything. So you can enjoy a cosy meal together, make yourselves comfortable on the sun terrace and enjoy the peace and quiet on the water.
Tip 9: Cruise from the Spree to Müggelsee
The Hop On Hop Off boat tour on Müggelsee is the perfect day trip: This relaxed cruise on the Spree takes you to the south of Berlin to the city's largest lake and back. On the way, you can get off, stroll through Köpenicker Altstadt or jump into the water at Müggelsee. Then simply hop on the next boat and continue your journey.
Tip 10: Travelling individually in an electric boat
Do you look longingly after other people as they cruise past you in their own little boats? It's not that difficult to hire a watercraft without a boating licence. Spree Ahoi in Köpenick offers electric boats on which up to 12 people can travel. In summer, the boats even provide you with ice cubes. And the best thing about it: the environment is happy too.
Tip 11: Bathe across the Spree in the hot tub
Finally, a very special tip: because on the bathing steamer, you can virtually sail across the Spree in a large, round bathtub. The hot tub offers space for up to six people and can be heated to a cosy 40 degrees Celsius using a wood-burning stove.
On particularly chilly days, we recommend a boat trip on the sauna raft. The Finnish sauna boats from Finnfloat at Müggelsee have panoramic windows in the on-board sauna so you can enjoy the view of the lake. There's also a raft roof terrace to relax and cool off after your sauna session. If you book one of the experience packages, you can add a yoga session directly on the ship, for example. Or you can spend a whole night on board the sauna boat.
More about the bathing steamer
