10 Best Road Trips Near Berlin

Sanssouci Palace is the former summer residence of the Prussian Monarch, and this grand home is surely fit for a king. Famed for its iconic terraced vineyards and posh 18^th-century decor, the Potsdam estate encapsulates the grandeur of the old-world ruling elite.

While you’re there, wander around Potsdam to see the lush English gardens at Charlottenhof Palace and the historic Roman Baths. For Cold War history, stroll across the Glienicke Bridge where captured Warsaw Pact agents were exchanged for Western spies. Further visit Orangery Palace, the Dutch Quarter, and Museum Alexandrowka for more historical insights. Allow an entire day to enjoy the area in full.

The Sachsenhausen Memorial marks one of Nazi Germany’s most horrendous concentration camps. Join a guided tour to learn about its past. Several original buildings still stand today, from guard towers to cramped prisoner barracks and dank communal latrines. The most harrowing stop is Station Z, which was home to gas chambers and mass burial grounds.

A well-structured onsite museum offers complementary information for the tour. The site resides near Oranienburg, about an hour north of Berlin. While it’s not exactly an enjoyable excursion, most visitors find the trip entirely worthwhile for its significant historical value.

Lake Müggelsee is a popular destination for Berliners seeking a quick nature escape. As the largest lake in the region, the 4.5-km waterbody packs out with locals during summer who come to cool off in its clear, refreshing waters. Most gravitate around the 3 official bathing neighborhoods: Friedrichshagen, Lido Müggelsee, and Small Müggelsee.

You’ll find a wide array of watercraft available for hire, from high-octane motoboats to the more placid paddleboats and canoes. Straddling the northern shore is the Museum im Alten Wasserwerk, a historic 19^th-century waterworks facility that still serves the city today. Take the subterranean Spreetunnel Friedrichshagen if you need to cross the Müggelspree River.

Lutherhaus is a well-preserved Wittenberg museum honoring the “Reformer” Martin Luther. Not to be confused with the American civil rights activist, Luther was a former friar who became a prominent German priest and theologian.

Martin Luther lived and worked in this Augustinian monastery for 35 years during the early 1500s. During that time, he made his pivotal “reformatory discovery,” taught lectures to foreign scholars, and penned some of his most acclaimed theological works. The site opened as a museum in 1883 and remains in immaculate condition, much like it was centuries ago.

Devil’s Bridge, or Rackotzbrücke in the local tongue, is a stunning stone brick pedestrian bridge that’s a big hit among Instagrammers. The fairytale-like construction resides in the leafy Azalea and Rhododendron Park Kromlau, a full 2-hour drive from Berlin. Nonetheless, many camera-toting enthusiasts make the long trip for the coveted social media snap.

Unfortunately, you can’t cross the iconic structure on foot these days. Not to worry, though, as that won’t ruin your photo op. We recommend combining your road trip with Bad Musaka, a nearby spa town home to the UNESCO-listed Muskauer Park. 

Peacock Island, or Pfaueninsel, is a pretty little Havel Lakes islet that’s home to a flock of boisterous, colorful birds. Although the peacocks are the island’s namesake, there’s a plethora of other things to see. Spend a few hours exploring the former Prussian bolthole, stopping in at Kavaliershaus Castle, the Beelitzer Jagdschirm, and the forest-shrouded Fontäne.

Other wildlife roams the island, including enormous water buffalo and curious woodpeckers. A short, affordable ferry connects the island to the shore, running every 15 minutes or so during peak periods. If you’ve gotten more time, the Wannsee region is home to the historic town of Potsdam and a string of pretty Havel Lakes beaches.

Schlosspark Köpenick is a scenic Dahme River island housing the Baroque-era Köpenick Palace. This striking 16^th-century castle once hosted Prussian royalty but now serves as an art exhibition hall. A broad selection of elegant centuries-old works lines its ornate stucco-strewn walls. Step outside to admire the façade as it shimmers in the reflective lake below.

Surrounding the palace lies the lush Schlosspark Köpenick Park and its tranquil waterfront walking trail. Located on the eastern edge of the city, it’s a popular spot for locals to escape the bustle of Berlin. Boat rentals are available at Solarwaterworld, just past the palace.

Brandenburg an der Havel is a historic town west of Berlin, famed for its Gothic redbrick buildings. Highlights include the 15^th-century Old Town Hall and the ruins of its medieval city walls. Don’t miss the Brandenburg Cathedral, a beautiful baroque building with a museum in its old vaults.

A slew of other impressive steeples lies scattered around town, including the Evangelical temples of Saint Katharinen and St. Gotthardt. For historical insights, visit the Brandenburg State Archeology Museum. Housed in the late-medieval St. Paul’s Monastery, the sprawling exhibition showcases 10,000 artifacts, mainly from the Stone and Bronze ages.

Bad Muskau is a picturesque spa town straddling the banks of the Lusatian Neisse River on the Polish border. The big-ticket attraction here is Muskauer Park, a lushly landscaped expanse surrounding a romantic moated castle. Spanning 8.3 sq km, the UNESCO-listed park is the largest English-style garden in continental Europe.

Parts of the town reside in Poland, though travelers are free to wander across the border without passing through formalities. Nonetheless, bring your passport because police conduct occasional spot checks. Visitors should consider combining their road trip with the nearby Devil’s Bridge.

Spreewald is a thickly forested biosphere reserve with a labyrinth-like maze of rivers and canals. This gorgeous UNESCO-listed expanse is best explored on the water. Jump on a traditional Kahn boat cruise or hire a kayak for the afternoon. Windmills, cottages, and tall leafy trees line the tranquil waterways, while curious wildlife roams through the forest.

The quaint little towns of Lübben and Lübbenau serve as the main jumping-off points. From there, a string of scenic hiking trails is available if you’d rather explore on foot. Come mid-week to escape the crowds, especially during summer.