Spreewald: punt trip through the canals, a day out from Berlin

Updated on October 5, 2026

An hour by train south-east of Berlin, the Spreewald is a maze of more than 200 small canals (the Fließe) where the Spree spreads out before reaching the city, among alder woods, meadows and villages built on the water. A UNESCO biosphere reserve, it is explored aboard a Kahn, the flat-bottomed punt that the boatman (Kahnfährmann) moves with a pole: the Spreewald punters' skills were added to UNESCO's intangible cultural heritage list in 2023. The most convenient departure harbours are in Lübbenau, a 12-minute walk from the station. Allow a full day from Berlin, from morning to early evening, or half a day if you only take the short loop to the village of Lehde.

Highlights

A punt trip from Lübbenau

The Großer Spreewaldhafen (Dammstraße 77A) and the town's other harbours run shared-punt tours, usually without booking, once a small group has gathered. In 2026 the Großer Hafen charges €17 for the short 2-hour loop to Lehde and €20 for the 3-hour loop (adults), with €9 to €11 for children aged 4 to 11; the 5.5-hour grand tour costs €28 and the 8 to 9-hour day trip into the Hochwald €44. Pure travel time to Lehde and back is about 1 hour 30 minutes.

Lehde, the village on the water

In this hamlet of Lübbenau the houses are linked by bridges and canals, and in the warm season the postman still delivers mail by punt. The Freilandmuseum Lehde, an open-air museum of traditional farmsteads, is open in season. Several waterside inns serve local food.

Spreewald gherkins

The region is famous for its gherkins (Spreewälder Gurken), sold in jars, loose or at the Lübbenau market. The Gurkenmeile opens in Lübbenau in season; you can also try linseed oil, horseradish and smoked fish, other local specialities.

The Hochwald and the long tours

To get away from the crowds, pick a long tour, which crosses the forests of the southern Spreewald on the narrowest canals. These trips last 5 to 9 hours and include a lunch break: bring water and mosquito repellent.

Opening hours and prices

The Lübbenau harbours generally open from 10am to 6pm in season; tours leave all day, ideally between 10am and 2pm. Punts do not run all year: check before coming in winter. Prices are 2026 adult fares, noted in October 2026, with reductions for children.

Practical info

Tips

Come on a weekday and set off before 11am: queues at the Großer Hafen build up in July and August, especially at weekends. Prices differ from one harbour to another, and many operators are reluctant to take cards: bring cash. You do not have to book a shared punt, except for a group or a private punt. The Spreewald is also flat cycling country: bikes can be hired at Lübbenau station. Bring a warm layer, as the shade of the alders cools you down quickly. The Deutschlandticket is valid on the RE2; a simple Berlin AB ticket is not enough for Lübbenau (see our guide to getting around Berlin). If you want to combine it with the water park, Tropical Islands is about half an hour away by car.

How to get there

Train: the RE2 links Berlin and Lübbenau (Spreewald) in about an hour, usually with one train an hour. In 2026, the line runs via Gesundbrunnen and Ostkreuz while the Stadtbahn is closed to regional trains, until 12 December 2026; check the timetable on bahn.de. From Lübbenau station it is about a 12-minute walk to the Großer Spreewaldhafen, Dammstraße 77A, 03222 Lübbenau. By car: about an hour on the A13, exit Lübbenau, then ten minutes to the harbours.