From Berlin to the Enchanted Spree Forest
Description
Discover the Spreewald Biosphere Reserve, a UNESCO wonder near Berlin. Explore leafy forests, picturesque canals and charming villages, and immerse yourself in the rich Sorbian heritage on an unforgettable journey.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Escape the bustle of Berlin and enter a world of natural beauty, culture and tradition with this day trip to the charming Spreewald Biosphere Reserve, a UNESCO-protected landscape just an hour south of the capital. This stunning region, where the River Spree branches off into a maze of tranquil canals, is home to dense forests, picturesque villages and a unique way of life that has been preserved for centuries. Our trip takes us to the historic city of Lübbenau, gateway to the Spreewald. From there, we embark on a relaxing two-hour boat ride aboard a traditional flat-bottomed boat, gliding along the serene canals of this fairytale setting. As we navigate through lush greenery and wooden houses, an expert boatman will guide us through the fascinating history and natural wonders of the region.
Halfway through our boat ride, we will stop in the picturesque village of Lehde, a hidden gem where time seems to have stopped. You will have the opportunity to explore at your own pace, enjoy the charming scenery or visit the Sorbian People’s Outdoor Museum (optional, entrance not included). This museum offers a fascinating insight into the traditions, customs and history of the Sorbian people, a Slavic minority group that has inhabited the region for centuries.
After our visit to Lehde, we will return by boat to Lübbenau, where you will take a 30-minute walk through the city’s historic centre, guided by an audio guide available in 12 languages. Then you will have free time to continue exploring or enjoy lunch in a traditional restaurant (not included in the tour price). In the afternoon, we will embark on the comfortable journey back to Berlin, filled with wonderful memories of this unique experience in the heart of Germany’s natural and cultural heritage.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Reviews(4)
Mateo was our guide and flawlessly switched from English to Spanish as our group was mixed. The ride through the Spreewald was beautiful and the recorded tour was very informative. This tour was the highlight of our stay in Berlin! Thanks, Mateo.
It was a beautiful sunny day and getting out of Berlin into the country was a nice change from what we had been seeing in the city. The town of Lübbenau was cute and picturesque and was a wonderful place to eat a late lunch. Getting out on the Spree was refreshing and the views were great, full of flowers and birds. We only did the two hour round trip boat excursion to Lehde, but to really experience the wild labyrinth that is the Spreewald, I think you would have to take a longer boat tour or, even better, rent a kayak and explore on your own. Otherwise, the shorter excursion to Lehde was a little too well travelled with tourists and tour boats. But it was still a fun day and I was glad it was all organized for me and I didn’t have to worry about additional arrangements of getting there or finding boats myself.
Our tour coordinator made a point of telling us that this was his second time doing this tour. It was clear that he knew very little about the Spreewald area or the points of interest along the tour route. When asked questions, he would say he didn’t know or would look it up on Google. He had problems coordinating the audio with the route. On the boat trip through Lübbenau, the boatman was speaking so loudly in German that we could not properly hear the sparse English commentary on the Viator audio devices. It was obvious to us from the laughter and engagement with the German passengers that the local boatman was much more knowledgeable about the region than both the audio and the coordinator of the Viator tour. Our coordinator was not familiar with the walking part of the tour and was using his phone app to guide us. When it was time for lunch, he pointed to an area in the distance that we couldn’t see and said something about restaurants. The area itself is spectacular, but the unprofessional tour format spoiled the experience for us.
Our tour guide was wonderful! He was very knowledgeable about Spreewald and the audio provided a lot of detail during the tour as well. The forest is absolutely gorgeous and the village is charming. Definitely well worth the visit!
