Things to Do in the Spreewald: Insider Tips from 2 Locals

Tips and Info for a Spreewald Vacation

Where is the Spreewald located in Germany?

The Spreewald is located in eastern Germany in Brandenburg.

It stretches between Dresden and Berlin. Dresden is just under 1.5 hours away by car, and Berlin is approximately 75 kilometers as the crow flies.

You can reach Saxon Leipzig from the Spreewald via the B87 in just under 150 kilometers.

The fringes of the Spreewald reach almost all the way to Cottbus. Continue another quarter hour east from there and you’ve already crossed into Poland.

Our Hotel Recommendations for the Spreewald

Here are our top picks for where to stay in the Spreewald — something for every budget:

Travel Guides for the Spreewald

Want to discover even more highlights and day-trip destinations in the Spreewald? These three travel guides are worth checking out:

Lieblingsplätze Spreewald
This guide takes you to the most beautiful spots in the Spreewald. Beyond great day-trip ideas, it’s packed with solid restaurant recommendations and leisure activity tips.

Dumont Bildatlas Spreewald, Lausitz
Dumont’s illustrated atlas is perfect for getting excited about the Spreewald before your trip. You’ll also find pointers to spots well off the usual tourist trail.

52 kleine & große Eskapaden Niederlausitz und Spreewald
This one focuses on the best day-trip destinations in and around the Spreewald — from quick outings into nature to multi-day adventures. Great if you want to explore beyond the main towns.

Interview with Two Insiders: The Best Spreewald Tips

1. Who are you, and why are you experts on the Spreewald?

We’re Otto and Lars, the two men behind Spreewald Insider.

We’ve been searching for ways to make rustic, off-the-beaten-path routes far from mass tourism accessible to visitors — while always keeping nature conservation front and center.

For us, it’s essential that we share genuine insider knowledge rather than just pointing people toward what everyone else is already doing.

We want every Spreewald visitor to experience what true relaxation actually feels like.

2. If you had to describe the Spreewald in three words, what would they be?

Idyllic, water-rich, diverse.

3. Why should everyone make sure to visit the Spreewald at least once?

The Spreewald is a UNESCO World Heritage site — that really says it all. But to add a little more: with its vast network of waterways, countless canals, and endless opportunities to get active, the Spreewald is absolutely worth the trip. See for yourself!

4. What does the Spreewald have that you can’t find anywhere else?

The Spreewald has the one-of-a-kind Bogenkahn — an archery barge.

Only here can you glide through the forest on a flat-bottomed boat and shoot arrows at targets on the shore. It’s a truly unique experience that blends idyllic scenery with a bit of friendly competition.

Sights and Activities in the Spreewald

5. Which Spreewald attractions are absolute must-sees?

There’s seriously a lot to discover here. Let us walk you through the highlights.

The Weidendom Schlepzig is a dome built from living willow trees. You really don’t see that every day!

Further to the southeast, you’ll find the Bismarck Tower in Burg/Spreewald. Throughout the year, unique events take place at this nearly 30-meter-tall tower.

For a culinary break, stop by the Gasthaus Wotschofska — one of the oldest inns in the Spreewald. Since no roads lead to this rustic guesthouse, you can only reach it on foot, which makes it all the more special.

The Schlosshotel Lübbenau is one of the last fully preserved palace complexes in Brandenburg and is absolutely worth a visit.

If you’re into history, the Slavic Fortress in Raddusch and the Open-Air Museum Village of Lehde are perfect for you.

Our tip: At the Open-Air Museum in Lehde, you can try wooden clog walking and milking, and get a real sense of what life looked like in the 19th century. That’s a genuine highlight, especially for kids!

6. What can you do in the Spreewald when it rains?

Bad weather is no problem here. There are plenty of interesting museums to explore — at the Spreewald Museum, you’ll even find the steam locomotive from the historic Spreewald Railway, plus old workshops and manufactories to wander through.

If you’d rather stay active, rainy days are a great excuse to try indoor trend sports like laser shooting or archery — things you probably wouldn’t do otherwise.

7. What can you do with kids in the Spreewald?

Beyond bike rides and hikes, there’s so much to do here with children.

You can set off on a treasure hunt through the Spreewald or track down local spirits on a nighttime legend ghost boat tour.

The Spreewelten adventure pool in Bad Lübbenau has a wave pool, a whirlpool channel, and one seriously special feature: swimming with penguins. The penguins have their own area separated by a large plexiglass wall, so you can get up close to these little guys.

With older kids, water sports like stand-up paddling on the Spree are a great option too.

8. Is it worth visiting the Spreewald in winter? What can you do at that time of year?

Absolutely! The Spreewald is something truly special in winter — you’ll find the kind of peace and quiet that’s hard to come by elsewhere at that time of year.

There are plenty of wellness options, and mulled wine boat tours draw visitors in during the colder months. With kids, indoor pools are a solid choice.

When winter is cold enough, the small canals and waterways freeze over and you can even go ice skating through the branching waterway landscape. Gliding out into nature like that is a really unique experience.

9. What place would you recommend for taking a breather and truly unwinding?

No offense, but that one stays our secret. The Spreewald has beautiful spots for relaxing around every corner — you just have to look closely.

10. Where is the most beautiful viewpoint in the Spreewald?

For us, it’s definitely the Vogelturm in Schlepzig.

The tower may not be the tallest in the Spreewald, but from up top you can watch an impressive variety of bird species. The wetlands surrounding the tower make it a perfect habitat for many birds.

Depending on the season, you can spot white-tailed eagles, cranes, and — if you’re lucky — even golden orioles.

11. A hobby photographer asks you about cool spots for photography in the Spreewald that they’d never find in a travel guide. Where do you send them?

For the most beautiful photos, head to the Hochwald in the Upper Spreewald. Here you’ll find alder trees that are over 100 years old.

The impressive trunks along the Spree are reflected in the water, creating a really mystical atmosphere against the lush green surroundings.

12. What’s the craziest activity you can do in the Spreewald?

Among the most unusual things to do in the Spreewald are the legend ghost boat tours mentioned above and the archery barge.

A third one-of-a-kind boat trip is a ride on the Spreewälder Tränenkahn. For over two hours, Otto Rumposch entertains his guests with jokes and guitar performances.

A fan of the Spreewaldkrimi TV series? Then the Spreewaldkrimi hiking tour is made for you — you’ll visit the filming locations and try to crack a tricky case along the way.

And for sports fans: summer hockey. On a slippery surface, you can play the well-known sport of ice hockey even in warm weather.

13. What’s the best event of the year in the Spreewald? What’s worth making the trip for?

Two events immediately come to mind: the Spreewälder Sagennacht in Burg and Rock auf Wotschofska.

The Spreewälder Sagennacht takes place every year at Pentecost at the Bismarck Tower. Performers show up in colorful costumes, legends are told, music fills the air, and a big fireworks show rounds off the evening.

Rock auf Wotschofska is, as the name suggests, a rock concert at the Gasthaus Wotschofska. It also takes place annually and draws rock fans with bands like Smokie and Slade.

And every year, the Spreewaldweihnacht takes place at the Open-Air Museum in Lehde — a Christmas market just like 150 years ago. It’s a wonderful event and one of the most beautiful Christmas markets in Germany.

Food and Drink in the Spreewald

14. Which culinary specialty is an absolute must-try in the Spreewald?

That’s got to be quark with linseed oil and boiled potatoes.

Everyone in the Spreewald knows this dish, and you really have to try it during your visit.

15. What are your three favorite restaurants, and what should you definitely try there?

Our favorite bistro is Spreewald Ollerlei. Small, regional dishes in a cozy, rustic atmosphere — you should definitely try the Spreewaldecken. There are also great sandwiches on offer, plus the classic boiled potatoes with quark and linseed oil.

Also worth a stop is Pohlenzschänke. This snack bar sits right on the water and is a perfect pit stop on a paddling tour. Don’t leave without trying the Hefeplinse (yeast pancakes).

If you’re in the mood for soup, head straight to Poliwka – Die Suppenbar! A wide variety of freshly prepared soups — but the pasta, omelets, and potato wedges are seriously good too.

16. Where can you find the best ice cream in the Spreewald?

For a truly special ice cream experience, stop by the blaue Kiste in Burg. Alongside classics like chocolate and stracciatella, they offer some genuinely unusual flavors — why not try the pickle ice cream à la Oma Renate or the pumpkin ice cream?

In Lübben, Eiskaffee Seidel will have you torn between soft-serve and scoop ice cream. And if you’d rather take a coffee break with a slice of cake, you’re in the right place here too.

17. Where are the best swimming spots in the Spreewald? And which ones are best with kids?

We always love swimming at Willischza Lake in Burg. It’s not the biggest lake, but it has wide sandy beaches and sun-bathing lawns — and a play area that makes it a hit with kids.

Our second favorite is the swimming spot at Briesensee, between Neu Zauche and Lübben. The long, wide sandy beach immediately puts you in vacation mode. At the campground next door, you can even rent a boat and explore the lake on the water.

18. What is the most beautiful hike in the Spreewald?

One of the best hikes in the Spreewald is the Fontaneweg between Burg and Neu Zauche. The trail runs just under four kilometers through idyllic Spreewald scenery — perfect for soaking up the tranquil atmosphere at a leisurely pace.

Along the way, you’ll pass the Waldhotel Eiche and rustic Spreewald farmsteads before arriving at the picturesque Waldschlösschenhafen.

For kids, the Huppatz adventure trail along the route and a petting zoo at the end of the path are a real highlight.

19. What is the most beautiful cycling route in the Spreewald?

The standout cycling route is the Gurkenradweg (Pickle Bike Path). The route is 260 kilometers long in total and passes numerous sights and beautiful spots throughout the region.

A bike tour on the Gurkenradweg is the perfect way to explore the Spreewald at your own pace. Just follow the signs with the cycling pickle.

Since the Spreewald is a fairly flat area, you don’t need to worry about fitness level either.

20. Which Spreewald towns are best for a stroll?

We’d recommend the three towns of Cottbus, Lübben, and Lübbenau.

Cottbus is one of the largest cities in Brandenburg, making it ideal for an extended wander. Stroll through the historic old quarter and discover medieval buildings and Baroque townhouses around every corner.

Lübben is like a giant playground for families. There’s a castle and an old defensive tower to admire, and afterward the kids can burn off energy at the water playground, in the hill labyrinth, or at the climbing park.

In Lübbenau, you can wander through charming alleyways and admire the historic townhouses of the old town. The harbors in Lübbenau are also the starting point for boat tours.

Our tip: In Lübbenau, work your way through the various flavors of the famous Spreewald pickle along the Gurkenmeile. It’s a real taste experience!

Staying Overnight in the Spreewald

21. Is there a special hotel in the Spreewald that you’d recommend to visitors?

The Hotel zum Leineweber in Burg is definitely one of our favorites. You can enjoy the hotel’s own wellness area and wind down your evening in the winter garden by the fireplace or out on the garden terrace.

The hotel restaurant serves both regional specialties and international dishes — a solid choice after a day of exploring.

Check availability at Hotel Leineweber

On a tighter budget, you can also book an Ostalgie bungalow for up to ten people directly on the Spree in Burg through Otto and Lars — just visit Spreewald Insider.

22. Which town do you recommend as a base for visitors exploring the Spreewald?

Honestly, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer — it really depends on what you want to experience. But with Lübben, Lübbenau, or Burg as your home base, you genuinely can’t go wrong.