Day Trips from Berlin

BEELITZ HEILSTÄTTEN & TREETOP WALKWAY

The Beelitz Heistätten, a former tuberculosis sanatorium, offers an eerie yet fascinating glimpse into history. Most of the buildings are ruins, but you can take a tour through these haunting spaces – great for anyone into a bit of urbex and photography. Another way to explore the place is from above, where the treetop walkway crosses the ruins and offers the chance to peer in through the windows of the wards where now plants grow in the cracks and the graffiti of Soviet soldiers can still be seen on the walls.

Getting there: Regional train to Beelitz Heilstätten, and then a ten-minute walk. 

KUNSTWANDERWEG

The Kunstwanderweg or Art Trail is a hiking route between the towns of Bad Belzig and Wiesenburg in the High Fläming Nature Park, about an hour by train from Berlin. There are two routes between the towns, and they start and finish at the train stations. Along the way you’ll walk through forests and fields, avenues lined with fruit trees and through some small villages, but what makes the route unique are the more than forty sculptures and art installations that have been placed beside the trail.

Getting there: Regional train to Bad Belzig or Wiesenburg. The art trail links the two stations.

DESSAU

Dessau is synonymous with the Bauhaus movement, making it a must-visit for architecture and design enthusiasts. The Bauhaus Dessau Foundation offers guided tours of the Bauhaus Building, the Masters’ Houses, and other significant sites associated with this influential design school, while the Bauhaus Museum (opened in 2020) tells the story of the school and gathers together all kinds of artefacts.

Getting there: Regional train to Dessau. All the main Bauhaus sights are within a twenty minute walk of the station.

BAD SAAROW

Fancy a real change of pace? The spa town of Bad Saarow was famous in the 1920s as the haunt of famous movie stars and athletes, and still has a bit of the glamour today. But you don’t need to stay overnight to enjoy the thermal baths or a stroll along the lakefront. You can also rent a boat or bike, go kayaking or stand-up paddleboarding. Bad Saarow is also on the 66-Lake-Trail, a multi-stage hiking route around Berlin where all the stages start and finish at a train station or other public transport option.

Getting there: Regional train to Fürstenwalde and then a local train to Bad Saarow.

POTSDAM

Berlin’s little brother and a treasure trove of historical and cultural attractions. The city is renowned for its palaces and gardens, particularly the Sanssouci Palace, the former summer residence of Frederick the Great. The stunning park surrounding the palace is perfect for a leisurely stroll. Other highlights include the New Palace, the Dutch Quarter, and the charming Alexandrowka Russian Colony. Potsdam seamlessly blends its Prussian history with a relaxed, contemporary atmosphere, and is easy to explore in a day.

Getting there: Regional train or S-Bahn to Potsdam. Potsdam is in the C zone of the Berlin public transport system.

SPREEWALD

If you’d like a bit of nature on your day trip, head south to the Spreewald, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. This unique landscape, characterised by its network of waterways and lush forests, is best explored by kayak or traditional punt boat. Glide through the tranquil canals, observing the rich flora and fauna, and visit the picturesque villages where you can sample local specialties – don’t miss the famous Spreewald gherkins!

Getting there: Regional train to Lübbenau. Boat trips leave from here, and you can rent bikes or kayaks.

WITTENBERG

Or to give it its full name: Lutherstadt Wittenberg. The place where Martin Luther famously nailed his 95 Theses to the door of the Castle Church, sparking a religious revolution. Visit the Lutherhaus, the former home of Martin Luther, now a museum dedicated to his life and work. Stroll through the picturesque old town, and don’t miss Wittenberg 360, a panorama that tells the story of the Reformation in a unique and compelling way.

Getting there: Regional train to Lutherstadt Wittenberg

TROPICAL ISLANDS

Oh yes. What do you do with a massive airship hangar when you have no airships to put it in? That’s right, turn it into a huge waterpark and tropical paradise, complete with indoor rainforest and lagoons, water slides, wave pools and more. Tacky? Certainly. A lot of fun? Absolutely. And although we’d never want to lose you as a Circus guest, you can also stay the night as they offer hotel rooms and also a campground, with tents pitched between the trees under that huge hangar roof. 

Getting there: Tropical Islands has its own regional train station. What are you waiting for?