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deBrandenburg is a versatile region: there is plenty to see and discover. From quiet places in nature, to the bustling big city of Berlin. In this blog post we show you our 10 favorite highlights of the Brandenburg-Berlin area.
10. Berlin
Berlin is a metropolis with countless possibilities. Since 1990, Berlin has developed into a modern city with a rich culture. Many places inform you about Berlin’s history: from the Brandenburger Tor – the only preserved city gate that symbolizes reunited Berlin after the fall of the wall, to Checkpoint Charlie – the only option for foreigners to travel between east- and west-Berlin during the cold war. In addition to the many historical-cultural attractions, Berlin is also full of hipster coffee shops, restaurants and boutiques. In short, a great city full of character.
9. Tangermünde
Discover the meandering Elbe, surrounded by vast meadow landscapes and forests. The town of Tangermünde is located on the Elbe, where the river Tanger flows into the Elbe. It is an idyllic small town with many monumental buildings, museums, towers and a network of small alleys. You can moor your boat at the city port Tangermünde.
8. Magdeburg
A visit to historic Magdeburg, with its many Medieval buildings, is certainly worth the effort. We’d recommend you’d visit a concert in the historic monastery or climb the characteristic cathedral. In addition, you can also go shopping in Magdeburg. Sports enthusiasts can enjoy swimming and relaxing in Nautica di Wasserwelt.
7. Oranienburg
Oranienburg has – as the name implies – strong historical ties with the Dutch Royal Family. In 1646, the Brandenburg Kurfürst Friedrich Wilhelm married Princess Louise Henriette van Oranje. The city is included in the orange route and lies on the route from Berlin to the Mecklenburg Lake District and the Baltic Sea. The marina in the middle of the city lies on a beautiful Schlosspark with an impressive garden.
6. Museuminsel Berlin
The Museumsinsel (Museum Island) is an island in Berlin. Despite the fact that Berlin is already a highlight in the list, we still think it’s worth to mention the Museum Island separately. The island consists of various museums that are certainly worth a visit. Among other things, you will find the Old Museum (archeology), the New Museum (Egyptian architecture), Pergamon Museum (archeology), Bode Museum (sculptures) and the old National Gallery (art from the 19th century) here. The island is surrounded by the river the Spree and therefore very easy to reach by boat. Since 1999 the island belongs to UNESCO World Heritage. In short, it’s an island that is certainly worth a visit due to its wealth of culture, history and contemporary art.
5. Nature park Westhavelland
The Westhavelland Nature Park is located around the Havel river. Forests and lakes are interspersed with beautiful floodplains and wetlands. Due to the moist lake area, it is an ideal resting place for migratory birds. You can spot fish otters, beavers and sea eagles in this area. The dark night sky above the nature park is also spectacular. This nature park is part of the license-free sailing route to Havelberg. More information about beautiful nature reserves in the Brandenburg sailing area can be found here.
4. Schiffshebewerk Niederfinow
Perhaps a somewhat odd highlight in this list: with its 60 meters (197 ft), this is the largest and oldest functioning boat lift in Germany. The boat lift serves as the connection between the Oder, Havel and Elbe rivers. With this unique lift, ships weighing up to 1250 ton can be lifted up to a height of 35 meters – all within 5 minutes. Once at the top, a breathtaking view awaits. The boat lift is located between Eberswalde and Oderberg, both cities that are also worth visiting.
3. Deutscher Bundestag
Another highlight in the city of Berlin: the German parliament building, or Deutscher Bundestag. The Bundestag is an impressive building, especially due to the special architecture. The German parliament still resides in this important building today, hence the building can only be visited through reservation. More information about visiting the Bundestag can be found here.
2. Holländisches Viertel
In addition to Oranienburg, you will also find a small piece of the Netherlands in Potsdam. The Dutch district “Holländisches Viertel”, was designed in the 18th century by Dutch architect Jan Bouwman. Between 1734 and 1742, Dutch workers were brought to Potsdam, who completely laid out the neighborhood in the typical Dutch style. The brick houses, for example, all have the typical Dutch facades in the shape of stairs. In the main street, you can find cozy cafés, restaurants and shops. There, you can also visit a museum with a model of the Dutch quarter and information about the history.
1. Schloss Sanssouci
In the capital of the German state of Brandenburg, Potsdam, lies the special Schloss Sanssouci. This impressive palace of Frederick the Great was built in the mid-18th century. The building has a French-Italian rococo style: you can find beautiful gardens, temples and vineyards. The palace was built for the king as a summer residence, so that he could escape the bustle of Berlin and fully unwind here. His love for wine, music, nature and philosophy is clearly visible in this palace. Since 1990, Sanssouci with its palaces and parks has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List. As far as we are concerned, it is the clear number one on this list of highlights in Brandenburg.
Discover the highlights in Brandenburg while sailing
As you can see, there is plenty to see in the Brandenburg sailing area: impressive places you can discover in a unique way. The aforementioned highlights are generally easy to reach by boat. From the marinas and mooring places, you can further explore the location by foot or by bike.
Are you curious about sailing routes that will take you to (a number of) these highlights? You can find our favorite sailing routes in Brandenburg here. Do you have questions or comments about beautiful sailing routes in Brandenburg? Please contact us via contact@dedrait.com. We are happy to help you mapping out a route that suits your wishes.