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Excursion boat sailing on the Spree in central BerlinRoy Zuo · CC BY-SA 4.0

What to do · Berlin

One-Hour Boat Trip on the Spree

Boat · 1 h · From €22.50 · Museum Island, the cathedral and the government district from the river

InformationFrom €22 per person
From
€22 per person
Duration
1 h
Season
All year, according to the boat company's calendar
Who it's for
All ages

What it is

An hour by boat on the Spree in the very centre: you pass Museum Island and the cathedral, under the bridges of Mitte and in front of the Parliament and Chancellery buildings. It is the most relaxing way to see half of Berlin, and children love it.

How it works

Stern und Kreisschiffahrt's historic round trip leaves from the Friedrichstraße landing stage or the Alte Börse one, next to Hackescher Markt, and costs from €22.50. If you have more time, the bridges route along the Landwehrkanal lasts 3 h 15 and passes through Kreuzberg. Buy online or at the landing stage; check the day's timetable, which changes with the season.

Tips

  • Sit on deck If the weather is good, you see everything from the top; in winter, the boat is closed and heated.
  • Combine it with Museum Island The Alte Börse landing stage is a step away.

Frequently asked questions

How long does the trip last?

An hour for the historic round trip; 3 h 15 for the bridges one.

How much does it cost?

From €22.50 for the one-hour trip.

Are there boats in winter?

Yes, according to the calendar for each route on the boat company's website.

With young childrenAs a familyWith friends

Who runs it

Opening hours and prices can change: check them before you go.

Round off the plan

Where to eat, where to stay and what else to do

To eat nearby

The facade of Zur letzten Instanz on Waisenstraße© Zur letzten Instanz

Zur letzten Instanz

Restaurant · Berlin · €€€€

What to order: the seasonal Berlin dish; in November, St Martin's goose

The facade of Max und Moritz on Oranienstraße, with the illuminated sign© Max und Moritz

Max und Moritz

Restaurant · Berlin · €€€€

What to order: a German dish from the menu with a draught beer

Curry 36, Mehringdamm

Takeaway · Berlin · €€€€

What to order: currywurst with or without skin and chips

To stay nearby

The Brandenburg Gate with the Hotel Adlon beside it© Hotel Adlon KempinskiHotel

Hotel Adlon Kempinski

Beside the Brandenburg Gate · Five stars · Spa and pool · Starred restaurant

Why we like it: The grand five-star hotel beside the Brandenburg Gate, with 385 rooms and suites, a spa with pool and a Michelin-starred restaurant.

Bunk-bed dormitory with green walls and armchairs by the window© The Circus HostelHostel

The Circus Hostel

Rosenthaler Platz · Dormitories and private rooms · Microbrewery · Bikes to hire

Why we like it: A hostel on Rosenthaler Platz, between Mitte and Prenzlauer Berg, with dormitories and private rooms, a buffet breakfast, a microbrewery and bike hire.

The historic pool beneath vaults and arches© Hotel OderbergerHotel

Hotel Oderberger

Historic pool from 1902 · Prenzlauer Berg · Sauna and terrace · Bikes to hire

Why we like it: A hotel in a former municipal swimming baths from 1902 in Prenzlauer Berg, with the restored historic pool, a sauna, a rooftop terrace and bikes to hire.