The best part of Brandenburg for your trip depends largely on your interests. For culture, palaces and gardens, the area around Potsdam is an excellent choice. Those looking for water and tranquillity may prefer the Spreewald or the lake districts further north. For open landscapes and a particularly relaxed atmosphere, the Uckermark and Havelland are hard to beat. The following areas are where landscape, character and the right place to stay come together particularly well.

Canoeing and kayaking in the Spreewald

The Spreewald is perhaps best experienced from the water. A canoe trip along its extensive network of rivers and waterways is one of Brandenburg's most enjoyable experiences. Small, decorative bridges, houses standing directly beside the water, meadows, little garden restaurants and secluded corners where the forest reaches almost to the riverbank shape the landscape.

The traditional way to explore the Spreewald is by punt boat. A canoe or kayak, however, brings you even closer to the water, the reeds and the quieter side channels.

The Gurkenradweg is also well worth cycling. It leads through villages, alongside waterways and past swimming lakes, through the very landscape where the famous Spreewald gherkins are grown.

Where to stay in the Spreewald?

In the Spreewald, where you stay becomes part of the experience. Rather than choosing a conventional hotel, you can stay in one of our handpicked guesthouses, small country hotels or holiday homes, surrounded by waterways, forests and villages. Lübbenau and Lübben, among others, are close to both the waterways and the countryside, making them good bases from which to explore the region at an unhurried pace.

The Spreewald suits couples looking for atmosphere without everything feeling overly staged, as well as families who enjoy spending time outdoors, eating well and having something new to experience along the way.

Walking, lakes and quiet landscapes

The Panorama Trail near Bad Belzig combines views of Eisenhardt Castle with woodland paths, old country lanes and the gentle hills of the Fläming. After a longer walk, the thermal saltwater baths in Bad Belzig are a pleasant way to end the day, particularly during the cooler months.

Further north lie the Uckermark and the UNESCO Schorfheide-Chorin Biosphere Reserve. Lakes, forests and country tracks define the landscape here. It is a place for long walks, swimming in lakes, birdwatching and days when time becomes pleasantly unimportant.

Chorin Abbey is also worth visiting. Its Gothic brick architecture, surrounded by green countryside, provides an interesting cultural contrast to the natural landscape around it.

Where to stay?

The Uckermark and Schorfheide-Chorin particularly appeal to travellers who want to feel close to the landscape where they stay. Options include converted farmhouses, small country hotels and ecological farms.

The region is particularly well suited to walkers, birdwatchers, swimmers, cyclists and families, as well as anyone simply looking for a little peace and open space without the need for a full itinerary. Accommodation in this part of Brandenburg, from lakeside hotels to converted farmhouses, makes it easy to experience the Uckermark away from the better-known tourist routes.

Birds, dark skies and culture

Westhavelland is also home to some particularly beautiful landscapes. The nature park is characterised by river meadows, canoe routes and an exceptionally varied birdlife.

It is at night, however, that the region reveals what makes it truly distinctive. Westhavelland is Germany's first officially recognised Dark Sky Reserve. Low levels of light pollution provide remarkably clear views of the night sky and make it an exceptional place for stargazing.

Where to stay?

Westhavelland is a region best experienced slowly. Rather than large resorts, look for small hotels in historic towns, characterful guesthouses along the cycling routes or quiet places to stay near the water.

They offer a more personal way to experience the area and make it easy to enjoy the landscape, calm waterways and dark night skies.

For families or longer stays, apartments and holiday homes beside the water are particularly appealing. Cyclists will find guesthouses along the routes a useful starting point for exploring the region in greater depth. After a day spent cycling, canoeing or visiting the surrounding villages, having your own house or apartment provides a comfortable place to enjoy a quiet evening.

Potsdam and the Havel lakes

Potsdam is Brandenburg's cultural centre. Sanssouci Palace and its gardens are its best-known sights, but the Dutch Quarter, the lakeside parks and Babelsberg are equally worth visiting. Beyond the city, the landscape quickly becomes quieter. Werder and Petzow offer orchards, lake views and a more relaxed rhythm of the Havelland.

Café Drei Kaehne in Petzow makes a pleasant stop. Coffee and cake in the palace gardens suit the area perfectly: simple, local and pleasantly peaceful.

Where to stay?

The area around Potsdam has some of Brandenburg's most interesting boutique hotels. Palaces, gardens, restaurants and cultural sights are all close at hand, while a characterful guesthouse in one of the surrounding towns or villages offers a little more peace.

If you prefer to stay closer to nature, there are attractive apartments and holiday homes beside the lakes and along the cycling routes. This makes it easy to spend the morning exploring Potsdam and the afternoon beside the water or out in the countryside.

Oder-Spree Lake District and Bad Saarow: lakes, wellness and tranquillity

The Oder-Spree Lake District stretches between Berlin, the Oder and the Spreewald. Lakes, rivers, waterways and quiet bays define its largely unspoilt landscape. Scharmützelsee and Schwielochsee are among the region's best-known lakes.

The Schlaubetal, meanwhile, offers some of Brandenburg's most beautiful woodland and stream landscapes for walking. Bad Saarow is somewhat more elegant, combining wellness, sailing, swimming and good restaurants with a location that remains conveniently accessible from Berlin.

Where to stay?

This area is particularly well suited to wellness breaks, romantic weekends and family holidays. Accommodation ranges from lakeside and spa hotels in Bad Saarow to smaller guesthouses, holiday apartments and rural places to stay in the surrounding countryside.

Bad Saarow is the better choice for comfort and lake views, while the Schlaubetal is ideal for walking and peace. Further east, small towns and villages make pleasant stops on a leisurely journey towards the Polish border.

For a cultural weekend, boutique hotels in Potsdam are a particularly good choice, especially if you would like to visit fairytale palaces, gardens, galleries and restaurants while also having good rail connections to Berlin.

For a holiday by the water, lakeside hotels and holiday homes in Brandenburg are particularly appealing around the Havel lakes, Werder, Schwielowsee, Scharmützelsee, Rheinsberg and the Uckermark.

For families, family-friendly hotels and holiday accommodation in Brandenburg work particularly well around the lakes, close to cycling routes and in smaller towns and villages where days outdoors can be organised without much fuss.

For couples, romantic places to stay can be found in Potsdam, the Spreewald and Bad Saarow, as well as in small country houses in the Uckermark.

Those looking for nature and slower travel will find lovely country hotels in the Schorfheide, Uckermark, Havelland and Spreewald.

Food, markets and regional life

Brandenburg's cuisine is seasonal, shaped by local produce and closely connected to the rhythm of the year. Spring marks the beginning of the Beelitz asparagus season. Fruit blossom, orchards, fruit wines and small vineyards characterise parts of the Havelland. In the Spreewald, gherkins, linseed oil and traditional country dishes are an important part of the regional cuisine.

Fish from Brandenburg's lakes, farm shops, pick-your-own farms, harvest festivals and traditional country inns are among the best ways to experience the region through its food.

The best time to visit

Spring is ideal for asparagus, fruit blossom and cycling. In summer, canoeing, swimming and holidays by the lake take centre stage. Autumn brings quieter walking trails, harvest festivals and migrating cranes. Winter is well suited to wellness breaks and quiet days in the countryside.

Getting there

Berlin Brandenburg Airport is the region's main international airport. It is well connected to Berlin and Brandenburg by public transport, including regional trains, the S-Bahn and buses.

Berlin is the easiest starting point for many trips. Numerous places in Brandenburg can be reached from the city within one or two hours by regional train or car.

A car is useful if you would like to visit remote villages, farm shops and lesser-known lakes. Many trips, however, can also be organised very well using trains and bicycles.

For summer weekends, it is advisable to book smaller places to stay well in advance. In wetland areas, mosquito repellent is useful, and it is worth checking opening days before visiting country inns or farm shops.

Do you need a car?

A car is very useful if you would like to stay in rural guesthouses, visit smaller villages and swimming spots at more remote lakes, or explore several parts of Brandenburg during the same trip.

Potsdam, Brandenburg an der Havel, Cottbus, Lübbenau, Eberswalde and some of the larger lakes are easy to reach by public transport. Many of the most appealing places to stay in the countryside, however, are easier to reach by car or bicycle.