Some of the most interesting off-the-beaten path destinations are easy day trips from Berlin. Here are ten terrific day trips you can take during your stay in Berlin.
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1. Potsdam
Number one on our list of day trips from Berlin is Potsdam, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Potsdam is the historical home of the Prussian kings. If you love palaces, this is THE place to go! There’s Sanssouci Palace, summer residence of Frederick the Great. Also on the Sanssouci grounds is the Baroque Neues Palais (New Palace) and the Orangery Palace. Amidst all of these palaces is Sanssouci Park featuring terraced grounds, fountains, and more than 1,000 sculptures. A combo ticket gets you access to all of these and other impressive sites on the complex.
Another must-see place is Cecilienhof Country House where the Potsdam Conference was held. This was a meeting in 1945 between Harry S. Truman, Winston Churchill, and Joseph Stalin. These world leaders decided how Germany would be divided ending World War II and indirectly starting the Cold War.
You’ll be hungry after all of this exploring, so head to the Dutch Quarter. Here you will find brick structures built in a traditional Dutch style. These were erected by King Frederick William I to help make the Dutch craftsmen he recruited to town feel at home. Today these buildings hold a variety of shops, cafes, and bars. You are sure to find a great meal and some nice souvenirs before you head back to Berlin!
Logistics
Potsdam is about 45 minutes away from Berlin by train. Trains run frequently between the two cities. It will take about the same amount of time to drive there. Another option is to book a group tour from Berlin.
2. Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp
One of the most important day trips from Berlin is Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp. This historical site of a former Nazi concentration camp includes exhibits about World War II and the Holocaust.
At the camp you will see the entrance gate with the “Arbeit Macht Frei (work sets you free)” inscription as well as guard towers. Two preserved barracks still stand with exhibits on the daily life of the prisoners. The infirmary and autopsy room provide a chilling description of the inhumane medical experiments conducted on prisoners. You will also see the crematorium, firing squad wall, and gas chamber. There are also several memorials erected to remember the victims.
While not a fun place to visit, It’s important to remember what happened, and reflect on ways we can avoid future atrocities. But if you need a more lighthearted diversion after visiting the camp, try Tier-, Freizeit-und Saurierpark Germandorf. This park features zoo animals, full size dinosaur models, playgrounds, and rides. And if your day just isn’t complete with touring a grand estate, visit Oranienburg Palace.
Logistics
The camp is located just outside of Oranienburg, which is about a 1 hour train ride from Berlin. Once arriving in the city, you can walk about 20 minutes or take a bus to the camp. You can also drive there in about 45 minutes. If you want a guided tour of the camp, opt for a day trip group tour from Berlin.
3. Spreewald
Spreewald has the distinction of being a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve due to its canals and lush greenery. Experience it best from the water. You can rent a kayak or stand-up paddle board, or take a boat tour through the canals.
Several picturesque villages are in the Spreewald region. Lübbenau has a charming town square and is where most canal tours begin. Lehde is a historical village showcasing the culture of the Sorbs, a Slavic minority group. Here you will find traditional wooden houses, people in Sorbian clothes, and the Freilandmuseum Lehde open-air museum depicting the culture. Another village is Burg, known for thermal spas.
During your visit, you must try some of the local cuisine. Spreewald pickles are famous for their variety of flavors. The regional specialty of quark (a soft cheese) with linseed oil and potatoes or bread is also a must-try. And you can’t go wrong by ordering the fisherman platter at any restaurant. It’s sure to be filed with fish caught in the canals that very day.
Logistics
A train journey to Spreewald takes about 1.5 hours. If you prefer to drive, it’s also a 1.5 hour journey. Once you arrive, you can easily get around by walking or renting a bicycle. Group tours aren’t available now. Fortunately, it’s easy to get there on your own.
4. Leipzig
Leipzig is known as the “New Berlin” due to it’s modern, creative vibe. It’s a great place to experience a German city without the throngs of crowds that descend on the more well known destinations. The city’s industrial past has left interesting spaces that are transformed into art galleries, studios, and music venues. And as you walk through the city, you will marvel at the many murals and street art that serves as a living gallery.
The music scene is thriving as well. And it’s no wonder given the city’s historical role in many renowned composers and musicians lives. Leipzig was the birthplace of composer Richard Wagner. Felix Mendelssohn was the conductor of the Gewandhaus Orchestra and established the Leipzig Conservatory. Visit Mendelssohn House to see his birthplace and learn more about him. The city was also home to composer Johann Sebastian Bach. You can learn more about him at the Bach Museum and St. Thomas Church. You should also try to catch a show at the Gewandhaus Orchestra, Opera Leipzig, or any of the thriving music spaces in the city.
The Leipzig Zoo is one of Europe’s best zoos. The most renowned area of the zoo is Gondwanaland where you can experience what it might be light to visit the rainforests of Africa, Asia, and South America. Another unique attraction in Leipzig is the Panometer. It displays 360-degree panoramic art installations designed by Yadegar Asisi. These installations change periodically; currently the exhibit is The Cathedral of Monet.
Logistics
A train to Leipzig takes about 1.5 hours. You can also drive a little over two hours to get there. Group tours aren’t available now. You can book a private guided tour, but it’s much more cost effective to take the train. Once there, you can get anywhere you want to go on foot.
5. Dresden
Dresden is a beautiful city known for it’s Baroque architecture and beautiful riverside location. Start your visit at Frauenkirche (Church of Our Lady) and climb to the dome for panoramic views of the city. Then take a stroll along the Brühl’s Terrace along the banks of the Elbe River.
There are several palaces to visit. Zwinger Palace features world-class museums including the Old Masters Picture Gallery. Porcelain Collection, and Royal Cabinet of Mathematical & Physical Instruments. The Residenzschloss (Dresden Royal Palace) houses the Green Vault full of jewels and other treasures, a Turkish Chamber with Ottoman Empire artifacts, and an Armory with historical weapons and amor. Another impressive building is the Semper Opera House where you can attend an opera, ballet, or concert or take a guided tour.
If you like unusual museums, the Hygiene Museum is a must-visit. Here interactive exhibits explore health and the human body. And no visit to Dresden can be complete without taking an Elbe River cruise on a historic paddle steamer.
Logistics
A train from Berlin will take about 2 .5 hours. If you have a car, the journey is just over 2 hours. Group tours aren’t available. You can book a private tour, but it is much more cost effective to go on your own.
6. Wannsee & Peacock Island (Pfaueninsel)
If you are craving a relaxing day at the beach, this day trip from Berlin is for you! Standbad Wannsee is a historic lakefront beach that’s perfect for water activities and sunbathing. But we have a few things to do before lazing the day away in the sun!
Visit the House of the Wannsee Conference. This is where high ranking officials of the Nazi party, SS officers, and other officials met to discuss how to remove the Jewish population from Germany in 1942. The house now stands as a memorial to the Holocaust and features exhibits on history of Jewish persecution.
After this important but heart-breaking stop, boost your spirits by taking the ferry to Peacock Island. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the island has lush gardens and plenty of free-roaming peacocks. Visit Peacock Island Castle and enjoy a picnic lunch in beautiful surroundings.
End your day at Standbad Wannsee basking in the sun and reading a good book. You’ve earned it!
Logistics
This is a easy option on our list of day trips from Berlin as it located only 45 minutes away by train or a little over 30 minutes by car. Group tours aren’t available. You can book a private guided tour, but it’s much more cost effective to take the train.
7. Tropical Island Resort
Next on our list of day trips from Berlin is Tropical Islands Resort. This is Europe’s largest indoor tropical resort complete with water slides, lagoons, and beaches. If water activities aren’t your thing, you can enjoy bowling, karaoke, shuffleboard, darts, billiards, mini-golf, and more. It even has a rainforest with 50,000 plants. After all this activity, you can relax at the resorts sauna and spa. It really has it all!
Logistics
Tropical Island Resort is about 1.5 hours away by train or an hour by car. Group tours aren’t available, but it’s easy to get there on your own.
8. Quedlinburg
Quedlinburg is a great place to visit if you are craving the fairy-tale like medieval town Germany is famous for. Another UNESCO World Heritage Site, Quedlinburg is one of Germany’s best-preserved medieval towns. Wander through cobblestone streets admiring half-timbered houses dating back to the 14th century. Make sure to visit Hölle Street for the most picturesque houses. Learn more about the history and construction of half-timbered houses at the Ständerbau, the oldest one in town.
Walk up to Schlossberg (Castle Hill) for a beautiful panoramic view of the village. Then visit Quedlinburg Schloss (Castle) and St. Servatius Collegiate Church both known for their Romanesque architecture. The treasury inside the church is particularly impressive. Also stop by the Münzenbergmuseum to see the remains of the Church of St. Mary on the Münzenberg. Take some time to wander through the area’s narrow streets and view the charming houses .
Logistics
If you aren’t visiting other parts of Germany on your trip, the 3 hour time commitment to get to Quelinburg by car or train might be worth it. Tour options aren’t available, but as with all of these day trips from Berlin, it’s very easy to get there on your own.
9. Wittenberg
If you are interested in religious history, Wittenberg is a great place to visit. It is known as the birthplace of the Protestant Reformation as it is where Martin Luther lived when he challenged the the orthodoxy of the Catholic Church in 1517. The city is filled with sites associated with Martin Luther and the Reformation.
Start your visit at Lutherhaus where Martin Luther lived for years and wrote the famous 95 Theses. The 95 Theses were Luther’s opinions of Biblical teachings and practices of the Catholic Church. Today Lutherhaus is a museum dedicated to the life of Martin Luther and the Protestant Reformation.
Nearby, visit Marienkirche (St. Mary’s Church) where Martin Luther preached and later married a former nun. Then visit Schlosskirche (Castle Church) where Luther nailed his 95 Theses to the door and was buried. Other significant Reformation sites in town include Melanchthon House, the Cranach Courtyard, and the Luther Garden.
Logistics
Wittenberg is about 1.5 hours away by train and 2 hours by car. Group tours aren’t available, but it’s easy to get there on your own.
10. Meissen
Last on our list of day trips from Berlin is Meissen, famous for its porcelain and outstanding medieval architecture. Begin your visit at Albrechtsburg Castle, one of the oldest castles in Germany. Here you will not only see stunning views of the town, but you will also find exhibits about the town’s history and the art of creating porcelain. Then go over to the nearby Meissen Cathedral. This gothic building has amazing stained glass and an impressive interior.
Spend some time in the historic city center of Meissen for lunch and shopping. Then take a deep dive into the city’s porcelain legacy at the Meissen Porcelain Museum, Here you will learn about the production process of porcelain. You can also see a collection of 2,000 porcelain objects representing over 300 years of history.
Logistics
Meissen is located about 3 hours away from Berlin by both car and train. You can take an expensive private tour from Berlin that includes both Dresden and Meissen. But it is definitely more cost effective and almost as easy to do it on your own.
What tops your list of day trips from Berlin?
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