Day Trip

In the backyard of Cuvrystraße in Kreuzberg lies the Ratibor Theater: Berlin's premier address for improvisation theater, home stage of the Gorillas, and for decades a meeting point for the national and international improv scene.

Stand Up Paddling on the Havel, right in Spandau: The SUP Center Berlin on Eiswerder Island is the perfect place for anyone who wants to experience Berlin from the water in beautiful weather. Rentals, courses, yoga, and XXL boards make this spot the top choice for watersports activities in the capital.

The German Resistance Memorial Center in the Bendlerblock does not charge admission for either the permanent or the special exhibition. It stands at the place where the attempted coup of July 20, 1944, was planned and ended on the same night - and it shows the breadth of resistance against National Socialism.

No party train, no sash chaos: For a bachelorette party on the Finnfloat sauna raft on Müggelsee in Köpenick, the girls sweat, jump, and toast in a Scandinavian way. Wellness on the water, far away from the hustle and bustle of Berlin.

On the edge of Lübbenau's Old Town and directly in the Spreewald, this 4-star castle hotel resides within a nine-hectare landscaped park. Historic architecture, a spa area in the vaulted cellar, and punt tours directly on its doorstep make it a classic destination for anyone wanting to experience Brandenburg from its stylish side.

Brandenburg's largest nature adventure park awaits just under 30 kilometers southwest of Berlin in Beelitz-Heilstätten: On 15 hectares of forest, young and old walk barefoot through mud, over pine cones and cold water. Here, families can experience pure nature, entirely without shoes.

The Grunewald toboggan hill on Onkel-Tom-Straße is the only hill on this list that is not a rubble hill: it belongs to an ice-age meltwater channel and is located in Fischtalpark, a garden monument from 1925. The first fifty meters or so are steep, while the lower section becomes wider and flatter, making it suitable even for small children.

On the Landwehr Canal in Kreuzberg, the restaurant ship van Loon is permanently anchored in Urbanhafen, combining maritime ambiance with fresh fish specialties and seasonal cuisine. Diners here enjoy water views, fireplace warmth, and a sun deck.

The Havelhöhenweg leads about 10 kilometers from Heerstraße to Wannsee Beach over the steep bank of the Havel in Grunewald. Along the way are the 55-meter-high Grunewald Tower, the Schildhorn peninsula, and numerous viewpoints overlooking the Havel. For an autumn stroll in Berlin, this means: golden foliage, water views, and constant ups and downs.

Around 70 kilometers west of Berlin, 2Wave uses its own surf cutter to generate the wave surfed here, almost 300 meters long in one stretch and lasting up to three hours over half a day. Additionally, there's foilsurfing and foil pumping via a self-built island with six launch ramps. For water sports around Berlin, this is the most unusual spot in the surrounding area.

Peacock Island in the Havel near Wannsee is only accessible by ferry, a connection that has existed since 1821. On 67 hectares of UNESCO World Heritage, there are around 400 old oak trees, the white pleasure palace from 1794, and Berlin's oldest rose garden, with peacocks roaming freely in between. As an autumn excursion in Berlin, this means: golden foliage, water all around, and hardly any traffic noise.

The StandUpClub Berlin SUP rental is located on the grounds of Funkhaus Berlin in Oberschöneweide, where the East German Broadcasting used to have its studios. From the pier, you can paddle along the Spree past Plänterwald towards Treptower Park, Molecule Man, and Oberbaumbrücke. In addition to rentals for ages 16 and up, there are beginner courses, guided city tours, and SUP yoga on the board.

Experience Europe at the European House at Brandenburg Gate costs no admission, not even for guided tours. At its heart is a 360-degree cinema with 33 seats, where a plenary session can be experienced. The entire exhibition is available in all 24 official languages of the EU, and access is continuously barrier-free and wheelchair-accessible.

The Insulaner is Berlin's oldest rubble hill, piled up between 1946 and 1951 from some 1.8 million cubic metres of debris and rising 78 metres. Its name came out of a competition involving 180 Schöneberg school classes. The north slope towards Prellerweg is around 220 metres long, with a smaller beginners run at its foot and an observatory on the summit.

Seventy-one kilometers road bike from S-Bahn station Heerstraße via Kronprinzessinnenweg, Wannsee and Kladow to Potsdam and Neu Fahrland, back to Messe Nord/ICC station. Along the way are the Glienicke Bridge, Babelsberg Palace and Park with its garden terraces, Spandau Citadel, and the Old Market with St. Nicholas Church. Entry also at Wannsee station.

The cable car at Wasserskipark Zossen is 540 meters long, runs over five masts, and pulls riders with seven carriers over the water, including obstacles and kickers. Beginners start on the 150-meter-long practice lift, where only one person starts at a time. Vest, twin skis, and kneeboard are included in the ticket; the adult day pass costs 58 Euros.

Right on Lake Scharmützelsee in Bad Saarow, Villa Contessa offers arguably Brandenburg's most intimate luxury experience: only eight rooms and suites, an exclusive Royal Spa with lake views, and a kitchen serving daily changing Michelin-level menus.

About 100 kilometers southeast of Berlin, in the Spreewald Biosphere Reserve, lies Brandenburg's most famous waterway: a network of over 300 kilometers of streams that winds through forests and Sorbian-influenced villages. A punt tour from Lübbenau is the classic weekend excursion destination from the capital, which has lost none of its charm in over 150 years.

Deep in the green, directly on the Lower Havel in Charlottenburg, lies Berlin's arguably oldest restaurant ship: the Alte Liebe. For over a century, this floating piece of Berlin history has defied the city noise and served hearty maritime cuisine with a view of the water.

On the Rummelsburger Bucht in Lichtenberg, right on the Spree riverbank, Hafenküche combines seasonal cuisine with real water views - from breakfast and lunch to dinner.

Windmill, slide tower, and Germany's longest mini-golf course: The Holland Park in Schwanebeck, directly on the Berlin city limits, is one of Brandenburg's most versatile leisure destinations for families with children — weather-independent, with free admission and enough program for a whole day.

In a backyard in Prenzlauer Berg lies Berlin's most-played improv theater stage: BühnenRausch. Red velvet curtains, subdued lighting, and about 30 permanent improv groups make this place the go-to address for improvisation theater in the capital.

The Hahneberg in Staaken is half nature, half rubble: originally 66 metres high, it was raised to 87 metres after the war with debris and construction waste. Inside lies the sunken Fort Hahneberg of 1888, a public observatory stands at 83 metres, and all around lie 37 hectares of nature and landscape conservation area.

The famous 'Sixth Floor' at KaDeWe on Wittenbergplatz in Schöneberg is Berlin's culinary superlative: Spanning approximately 7,000 square meters, Europe's largest delicatessen department brings together oysters, champagne, truffles, and over 34,000 products under one roof. An excursion that connects generations and provides conversation for the entire evening.

Sicilian hospitality on the Havel bank: The harbor restaurant Da Peppe in Spandau-Wilhelmstadt is located directly at the Scharfe Lanke marina and serves Italian cuisine with beach chairs, loungers, and water views.