Bootsverleih Gebauer

Who they are

A family-run boat hire on Lindenstraße, right in the centre of Lübben, which also has apartments and a sleeping barrel.

At its head is Katri Bergmann, listed as the company's representative in the legal notice on its website. The hire is the starting point for short trips along Lübben's canals, but also for canoe journeys of one or several days through the Spreewald and beyond. The website does not say since what year it has been operating.

What they hire out

Single, double and triple kayaks, Canadian canoes for two to four people and rowing boats for four, by the hour or by the day, in a covered harbour from which it is easy to get aboard. Some published prices:

• Single kayak: €22 for two hours, €3 for each extra hour, €30 for the day
• Double kayak or Canadian canoe: €27, €5 and €40
• Four-seat Canadian canoe (two adults and two children) or rowing boat: €35, €7 and €51

A started hour is charged in full. Life jackets are included, while stocks last, also in sizes for small children, and there are children's paddles, kayak paddles of several kinds and canoe paddles of different lengths. Waterproof barrels and Spreewald navigation maps can be bought or hired.

Routes and rules on the water

The company suggests three routes from its landing stage: a trial route of 4.6 or 6.6 km taking an hour and a half to two hours; the small-locks route, of about 4.1 km and one hour to an hour and a half; and the large-locks route, of about 6.8 km and two to two and a half hours. The Spreewald locks are self-service and free, with instructions on a panel; where there is a ramp for dragging the canoe, use that instead.

The Spreewald is a biosphere reserve and is navigated under the Brandenburg rules: keep to the right, leave room for punts, do not pick water lilies, land only at the marked places and paddle no later than an hour after sunset. Some canals are closed for nature protection.

In summer they also organise evening trips in a traditional boat, of about two hours; in August 2026 they cost €20 for adults and €10 for children up to 12, booked on 0173 74 76 608.

Hours, booking and payment

Open Thursday to Sunday: from April to September, 10:00 to 18:00, with the last departure at 16:00, and in October 10:00 to 17:00, with the last departure at 15:00. Book by phone on +49 3546 7194 or by email at [email protected]; if a booked boat is not collected at the agreed time, it may be hired to others. You must show photo ID. Payment is in cash when you return the boat, except day or multi-day rates, which are paid in advance. For nights away, from two days' hire, a €100 cash deposit is left. The website is in German only.