The best road trips near Berlin include exciting journeys to stately palaces, haunting WWII sites and stunning natural parks. While Germany’s pulsating capital offers plenty of things to see and do, there’s more to explore within a short drive of the CBD.

Whether you’re a long-term resident or travelling with an extra day to spare, these Berlin road trips offer an enticing escape from the bustle of the city. Check out the broad range of options below, appealing to various preferences. Some are accessible via public transport, so a private vehicle or rental isn’t strictly required.

  • 1

    Sanssouci Palace

    A magnificent Prussian palace in Potsdam

    Sanssouci Palace
    • History
    • Photo

    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 18th-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.

    Location: Maulbeerallee, 14469 Potsdam, Germany

    Open: Sunday–Thursday from 10 am to 5.30 pm, Friday–Saturday from 10 am to 2.30 pm

    Phone: +49 (0)331 9694200

    Map
  • 2

    Sachsenhausen Memorial and Museum

    A silent reminder of a dark past

    Sachsenhausen Memorial and Museum
    • History

    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.

    Location: Str. d. Nationen 22, 16515 Oranienburg, Germany

    Open: Daily from 8.30 am to 6 pm

    Phone: +49 (0)330 1200200

    Map

    photo by Greg Schechter (CC BY 2.0) modified

  • 3

    Müggelsee

    A pristine recreation lake just outside Berlin

    Müggelsee
    • Adventure
    • Families
    • Group
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    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 areas: Friedrichshagen, Lido Müggelsee, and Small Müggelsee.

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

    Location: Müggelseedamm 307, 12587 Berlin, Germany

    Map
  • 4

    Lutherhaus

    The Reformer’s house

    Lutherhaus
    • History
    • Photo

    Lutherhaus is a well-preserved Wittenberg museum honouring 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.

    Location: Collegienstraße 54, 06886 Lutherstadt Wittenberg, Germany

    Open: Daily from 9 am to 6 pm

    Phone: +49 (0)349 14203171

    Map
  • 5

    Devil’s Bridge

    A whimsical bridge with a big social media following

    Devil’s Bridge
    • History
    • Photo

    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. 

    Location: Halbendorfer Str., 02953 Gablenz, Germany

    Phone: +49 (0)357 6222828

    Map
  • 6

    Peacock Island

    A lush little island with peacocks and age-old Prussian sites

    Peacock Island
    • Adventure
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    Peacock Island, or Pfaueninsel, is a pretty little Havel Lakes islet that’s home to a flock of boisterous, colourful 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 got more time, the Wannsee region is home to the historic town of Potsdam and a string of pretty Havel Lakes beaches.

    Location: 14109 Berlin, Germany

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  • 7

    Schlosspark Köpenick

    An island park with a grand palace and art exhibition space

    Schlosspark Köpenick
    • History
    • Photo

    Schlosspark Köpenick is a scenic Dahme River island housing the Baroque-era Köpenick Palace. This striking 16th-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.

    Location: Alt-Köpenick 1, 12557 Berlin, Germany

    Open: Thursday–Sunday from 11 am to 5 pm, Friday–Saturday from 11 am to 6 pm

    Phone: +49 (0)302 66424242

    Map
  • 8

    Brandenburg an der Havel

    A historic village with Gothic architecture and intriguing museums

    Brandenburg an der Havel
    • History
    • Photo

    Brandenburg an der Havel is a historic town west of Berlin, famed for its Gothic redbrick buildings. Highlights include the 15th-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 Archaeology Museum. Housed in the late-medieval St. Paul’s Monastery, the sprawling exhibition showcases 10,000 artefacts, mainly from the Stone and Bronze ages.

    Location: Brandenburg an der Havel, Germany

    Phone: +49 (0)338 17935112

    Map
  • 9

    Bad Muskau

    A gorgeous old spa town home to the famous Muskauer Park

    Bad Muskau
    • Couples
    • History
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    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 travellers 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.

    Location: 02953 Bad Muskau, Germany

    Map
  • 10

    Spreewald

    Journeys through a leafy forest

    Spreewald
    • Adventure
    • Families
    • Group
    • Photo

    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.

    Location: Bahnhofstraße 15, 03096 Burg (Spreewald), Germany

    Phone: +49 (0)356 03759560

    Map
Harry Stewart | Contributing Writer