Spring in Berlin is truly unique! And when viewed from the water, you’ll get to know the city in a whole new light. Here, we’ll show you a wide range of boat hire services and boat trips so that you too can experience Berlin from this special perspective. Perfect for all water lovers and those who want to become one.
Tip 1: Berlin sightseeing tour on the water
Some of Berlin’s most interesting spots can be discovered from the water. And you don’t even have to steer the boat yourself! Join a sightseeing tour on the water and let the guide show and explain the city’s main attractions to you on board. The ‘ ’ boat tour takes you on a 2.5-hour journey through the city, across the Spree, the Berlin-Spandau Canal and the Westhafen Canal. The trip starts in the heart of the city at the Tränenpalast, then takes you past the Reichstag, the House of World Cultures, the Nikolaiviertel and numerous other sights.
Berlin sightseeing tour on the water
Tip 2: Captain’s Brunch Tour: Sightseeing & Brunch boat tour in Berlin
Imagine this: you’re cruising leisurely along the Spree, enjoying a delicious brunch buffet whilst marvelling at Berlin’s most spectacular sights! Every Sunday at 10 am, the Captain’s Brunch Spree Tour sets off, taking you on a 2.5-hour culinary journey right through the heart of the capital. Whilst you enjoy freshly prepared specialities – from scrambled eggs to Mediterranean main courses – Museum Island, the Government District and Berlin Cathedral glide past you. Perfect for anyone who wants to experience Berlin in a truly enjoyable way from the water!
When: Every Sunday, 10:00 am
Where: Reederei Winkler, landing stage: Charlottenburg/Schlossbrücke, Charlottenburger Ufer 1, Mitte
Tip 3: Experience the 7-Lakes 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 views of the wonderful cultural landscape with its parks, palaces and churches. Take the opportunity to stop off and discover why it is also known as ‘Prussian Arcadia ’.
7-Lakes boat tour from Wannsee
Tip 4: Stand-up paddleboarding in Berlin
All over Berlin, you can see them standing on their boards on lakes and rivers – the stand-up paddlers. If you’ve ever wanted to try this trendy 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 to the left, sometimes to the right, to move forward. You can hire everything you need for a SUP tour at many locations. So don’t hesitate and don’t miss out on the fun!
Tip 5: Experience Berlin in the quietest way possible
Set off from Jannowitzbrücke on the new solar-powered catamaran for a 2-hour, emission-free cruise along the Spree towards Plänterwald. As you glide along almost silently, you’ll pass highlights such as the colourful East Side Gallery, the imposing Oberbaumbrücke 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 break for anyone wanting to discover Berlin from the water!
When: Daily, departures vary by operator, approx. 2 hours
Where: Starts at Jannowitzbrücke, Mitte/Friedrichshain
Green Spree cruise on a solar-powered catamaran
Tip 6: Hire a canoe, pedal boat or rowing boat
Canoeing or kayaking along the is undoubtedly one of the classic boat tours. No wonder, as paddling in unison through narrow rivers, past densely overgrown banks, is a great way to relax and enjoy the peace and quiet. There are numerous stations scattered across the city where you can hire a kayak, rowing boat or even a pedal boat. Right in the heart of the city – yet idyllically surrounded by greenery – lies the Neue See, for example. Here you can hire one of the colourful rowing boats and, after your rowing trip, round off the day in the beer garden of the Café am Neuen See.
Tip 7: A romantic moonlit boat trip
When the moon is full, Berlin transforms into a beautiful sea of lights. If you want to experience this unique atmosphere from the water, you can book a romantic boat trip in the moonlight . As the lights are reflected in the water, the boat glides past famous landmarks such as Museum Island, Berlin Cathedral and the Nikolaiviertel, with the tours being tailored to the season.
Tip 8: Combine fine dining with relaxation
If you’d like to combine your boat tour with a relaxed barbecue, you can hire a barbecue raft. Equipped with a Weber barbecue, you can cater for yourselves, or a catering service is available on request. Simply mention this as a preference and everything will be taken care of. This way, you can feast together in comfort, make yourselves at home on the sun deck and enjoy the peace and quiet on the water.
Tip 9: Sail from the Spree to Lake Müggelsee
The Hop On Hop Off boat tour on Lake Müggelsee is the perfect day trip: you can relax as you cruise south along the Spree to the city’s largest lake and back. Along the way, you can hop off, stroll through Köpenick’s old town or take a dip in Lake Müggelsee. Then simply hop on the next boat and continue your journey.
Spree cruise to Lake Müggelsee
Tip 10: Explore independently in an electric boat
With GoBoat, you can discover Berlin from the water and take the helm yourself. Setting off from Stralauer Allee, you’ll embark on a relaxing tour along the Spree, gliding past Berlin landmarks such as the Oberbaum Bridge, the Old Shipwreck and the Molecule Men at your own pace. The silent electric boats can accommodate up to eight people and require no licence, so you can set off together straight away. Pack your favourite snacks and drinks or stock up on extras in advance and turn the trip into a shared picnic on the water. And best of all: the environment is happy too.
Tip 11: Take a dip in a hot tub on the Spree
Finally, a very special tip: on the bathing steamer, you’ll be cruising across the Spree in what’s essentially a large, round bathtub. The hot tub can accommodate up to six people and can be heated to a pleasant 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 on Lake Müggelsee have panoramic windows in the on-board sauna, so you can enjoy the view of the lake. There’s also a deck terrace on the raft where you can relax and cool off after your sauna session. If you book one of the experience packages, you’ll get a yoga session right on the boat, for example. Or you can spend a whole night on board the sauna boat.
More about the bathing steamer
