FAQ

Yes, several providers offer accessible houseboats for charter and recommend suitable tours, such as the one from Zehdenick to Mirow. This tour allows wheelchair users to enjoy a boating vacation on the Mecklenburg Lake District.

About 2,400 kilometers of waterways in Deutschlands Seenland can be navigated without a boating license. This makes the region particularly well-suited for houseboat, raft, and canoe vacations, even for those with no prior boating experience.

Deutschlands Seenland is home to more than 1,000 lakes that are open for swimming, water sports, and enjoying nature. Clear waters, sandy beaches, and green shores characterize the swimming spots throughout the region.

Yes. The region is ideal for vacations with your partner, family, friends, and dog. Many areas don’t require a boating license; rafts and houseboats can accommodate groups; and numerous swimming lakes are family-friendly, featuring shallow shorelines, pedal boats, rowboats, and water slides. In Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, swimming lessons leading to the “Seepferdchen” certification are also offered.

In Deutschlands Seenland, visitors can enjoy houseboat cruises, canoeing and kayaking, rafting, biking, hiking, and swimming. These activities combine the experience of nature with cultural attractions in Berlin, Brandenburg, and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.

Deutschlands Seenland is the largest contiguous lake region and water sports area in Germany. The lake landscape spans the federal states of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Brandenburg, and Berlin. The region includes approximately 2,000 kilometers of waterways and over 1,000 lakes for water tours, boat holidays, canoeing, and swimming.

Shorter canoeing, biking, and hiking trips, stand-up paddleboarding, and a swim in the lake are great options for day trips. Popular activities include, for example, a canoe trip on the Untere Havel in the Naturpark Westhavelland or a short raft trip. A bike ride along the river, a hike by the water, and a stop for a swim can often be easily combined into a day trip.

The peak season for swimming and water sports is in the summer (June through August), when water temperatures are at their warmest. Spring (starting in May) and fall are just as appealing: the weather is pleasantly mild rather than hot, there are fewer visitors, and in the fall, the lakes attract visitors with their colorful foliage and bird migration. Houseboat, raft, and canoe tours are usually available from spring through October; winter is the season for independent travelers seeking peace and quiet.

Deutschlands Seenland spans three federal states: Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Brandenburg, and Berlin. Joint tourism marketing efforts are managed by TMB Tourismus-Marketing Brandenburg GmbH, MV Tourismus GmbH, and visitBerlin (Berlin Tourismus & Kongress GmbH).

Deutschlands Seenland encompasses the water-rich regions of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Brandenburg, and Berlin. These include, among others, the Mecklenburg Lake District, the Brandenburg Lake District, the Feldberger Seenlandschaft, the Untere Havelniederung, the Peene River, and the Warnow Valley. These landscapes are connected by rivers and canals.

An Inlands Boating License is required for the entire length of the Big round trip. Individual sections of the route can also be navigated without a license.

No, a boat license is not required for the “Great small lakes tour”. The entire route can be navigated without a license.

No, you can take the tour even without a boat license. The rental company will issue a charter permit after providing a briefing.

About 900 kilometers of the waterways in Deutschlands Seenland can be navigated without a traditional boat license. On routes where a license is required, a charter license is usually sufficient; the rental company issues this after about three hours of instruction.

Yes, a boat license is required for all motorboats within the city limits. Outside the city center, this requirement applies to boats with an engine power of 3.69 kW or more.

The Big round trip covers 570 kilometers and takes three to four weeks to complete, passing through Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Brandenburg, and Berlin. It is the most extensive houseboat tour in Deutschlands Seenland.

The houseboat tour covers 120 kilometers and lasts four to five days. It winds through the Mecklenburg Little Lake District and is considered ideal for a short houseboat trip.

The houseboat tour through Berlin covers 97 kilometers and takes two to three days. The route begins and ends in Potsdam.

The houseboat tour from Potsdam to Rheinsberg covers 157 kilometers and takes five to seven days. It connects two of Brandenburg’s most famous castle sites.

In Deutschlands Seenland, houseboat travelers have access to over 2,500 kilometers of waterways on rivers, canals, and lakes. The routes connect Berlin, Brandenburg, and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.

On the Big round trip, you’ll pass through a total of 44 locks. Passing through the locks is one of the defining experiences of this multi-week houseboat trip.

There are 13 locks along the route. Passing through the locks is part of the classic houseboat experience on this route.

Yes, thanks to areas where a boat license isn’t required and the simple orientation on how to read charts, a boat holiday is also suitable for beginners with no prior boating experience. The rental company explains how to operate the boat, dock, and navigate locks before the trip begins.

Because the route takes you through the city center, where there is commercial boat traffic and several locks, a boat license is required. Experienced skippers will find this to be a varied urban route.

Yes, several houseboat tours combine nature and cities. The Potsdam–Rheinsberg tour connects historic castle towns with unspoiled landscapes, tranquil canals, and expansive lakes. The Great small lakes tour also takes you past historic towns and dense forests, and the “Houseboat Tour Through Berlin” combines the urban experience with the Havel, Spree, and Teltowkanal.

Houseboats operate in Deutschlands Seenland on the Havel, Spree, Teltowkanal, Elbe, Oder, Peene, and Müritz. These waterways are connected by canals and chains of lakes to form large networks of waterways.

Depending on the region and the tour you choose, there are various possible routes. Some of the popular routes include Potsdam–Rheinsberg (157 km, 4–5 days), Müritz–Rheinsberg (106 km, 3–4 days), The Müritz-Elde-Waterway (120 km, 5–7 days), the Westhavelland (92 km, 2–3 days), the Berlin-Oder Loop (340 km, 1–2 weeks), and a compact Berlin city tour (2–3 days).

Along the route are the 3-Königinnen-Palais (Palace of the Three Queens) and the Baroque castle on Schlossinsel Mirow (castle island), the castle with the Fangelturm tower in Wesenberg, the castle gardens and the town church in Neustrelitz, as well as the Canow fishing estate. They combine culture with the experience of the water.

Highlights include the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Potsdam, the Baroque town of Oranienburg, the Ziegeleipark Mildenberg Brickworks Park, Fürstenberg/Havel, and Rheinsberg House and Park. The tour combines culture, industrial history, and nature.

The charter permit is a document issued by the rental company authorizing the holder to operate a houseboat on specific waterways. It is issued after a roughly three-hour onboard orientation and is valid only for the rented boat.

The route passes through the Mecklenburg Lake District, the Havel River landscape, the Untere Havelniederung, and the floodplains of the Elbe. Nature parks and biosphere reserves line the route.

The tour winds through the Government district, passing the Berlin Cathedral, Museum Island Berlin, and the Oberbaumbrücke, and ends in Köpenick’s Old Town. Just outside the city center, the route takes in Babelsberg Palace and Park, the Glienicke Bridge, Peacock Island Palace, and Lake Wannsee.

The starting and ending point of the Big round trip is Waren an der Müritz. From there, the route follows a loop back to Waren.

The route starts in the Hafendorf Müritz (habor village) of Rechlin and ends in the city of Neustrelitz. Both locations have marinas and charter bases.

The route includes, among others, Müritz, Berlin-Spandau, Potsdam, Havelberg, Schwerin, Brandenburg an der Havel, Rühstädt, Fürstenberg/Havel, Neuruppin, Oranienburg, Mirow, Malchow, Parchim, Neustadt-Glewe, and Dömitz. Highlights include Schwerin Castle and the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Potsdam.

The tour takes you across Lake Müritz, through the Mecklenburg Little Lake District, and across Ellbogensee, Lake Woblitz, and the waterways connecting them. The route is characterized by a series of tranquil lakes.

The route passes through the Havel, Rheinsberg, and Fürstenberg waterways, as well as the Ruppin Lake Chain. It connects wide river channels with branching waterways.

The route follows the Havel and Spree rivers, as well as the Teltowkanal and the Landwehrkanal. It passes through several locks along the way.

Canoe rentals, bivouac sites, and Waterside rest areas are available in the river regions. They make it possible to take multi-day trips with overnight stays by the water without having to bring your own equipment.

Yes, for example, a 52-kilometer canoe trip that takes three to four days to complete through the Biosphärenreservat Spreewald. It winds through canals, floodplain forests, and villages and is one of Brandenburg’s most popular paddling tours.

Yes, water buffalo are used for landscape conservation in the Tiefwerder Wiesen and can often be seen there. They are part of the nature experience on this city tour.

Yes, there are peacocks roaming freely on Peacock Island; they are the island’s symbol. You can see them from the water during a canoe tour or when visiting the island.

The tour covers about nine kilometers and takes about three hours. It is a canoe trip around Peacock Island in southwest Berlin.

The Märkische Umfahrt – Grand Canoeing Round Tour on Rivers Spree and Dahme is a 178-kilometer round-trip canoe route. It is designed to take seven to eleven days.

The Schwerin Lakes Tour is 50 kilometers long and is designed to take four to five days. It is a loop route traveled by canoe.

Yes, the waters around Peacock Island are calm, making them ideal for beginners. There are no locks or ferry services along the route.

The Warnow River features whitewater sections that appeal to experienced paddlers. The rest of the river is calm and suitable for families as well.

Herons, kingfishers, frogs, and owls live in the protected wetlands. The chances of spotting them are particularly high during the quiet morning and evening hours.

Recommended day trips include the Tegeler See loop (10 km, 4–5 hours), the route from Treptow to Schöneweide (13 km, 4 hours), the Peacock Island loop (9 km), and a cross-city hike through Berlin (29 km, 7–8 hours). All routes are easily accessible by public transportation.

Highlights include the UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Schwerin Residence Ensemble, featuring Schwerin Castle; Wiligrad Castle and its park; the Raben-Steinfeld Landscape Park; the Mueß Open-Air Museum; and the island of Kaninchenwerder with its observation tower. The tour combines culture with nature.

Along the route are Beeskow, with its castle and historic old town; Fürstenwalde, with its palace and cathedral; Erkner, home to the Gerhart Hauptmann Museum; Königs Wusterhausen Palace; the Nature Park Center in Prieros; and the Märkisch-Buchholz cascade weir. The tour combines culture, nature, and water sports.

The tour combines cycling and kayaking over a distance of 9.42 kilometers and takes about two hours and 11 minutes. It connects urban neighborhoods with natural waterways.

The tour includes Peacock Island, with its wild peacocks and Peacock Island Palace; the House of the Wannsee Conference; the Liebermann Villa on Lake Wannsee; and the Glienicke Bridge. The route combines nature and history.

Canoe tours take you through the state capitals of Potsdam and Schwerin, among other places. You can also explore Berlin by canoe.

Canoe and kayak tours are available in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Brandenburg, and Berlin—for example, on the Peene, Spree, Dahme, Havel, Warnow, and Oder rivers, as well as on Lake Müggelsee and Tegeler See. The variety ranges from tranquil lakes to meandering rivers to urban routes in Berlin.

The starting point is the “Flensburger Löwe” in the Steglitz-Zehlendorf district. There is a public parking lot available there.

The transition from bike to kayak takes place in the Tiefwerder Wiesen. From there, the tour continues along quiet side channels all the way to Klein-Vendig.

The tour begins at the Berlin Westend S-Bahn station or at Charlottenburg Palace. From there, the route first takes you by bike along the Spree River.

The starting and ending point is the town of Beeskow in southeastern Brandenburg. From there, the tour follows a loop along the Spree, the Dahme, and their tributaries back to Beeskow.

The starting and ending point is Schwerin Castle on the shore of Schweriner See. The tour begins and ends at the UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Schwerin Residence Ensemble.

Along the way, you’ll pass the Baroque Charlottenburg Palace and its park, the Olympic Stadium, and the Siemensturm, an industrial monument. The tour concludes in the canal district known as Klein-Vendig.

The Märkische Umfahrt – Grand Canoeing Round Tour on Rivers Spree and Dahme, at 178 kilometers, is one of the longest round-trip canoe routes in the region. It follows the Spree, the Dahme, and their tributaries, and takes seven to eleven days to complete.

The route takes you across Schweriner Außensee, Heidensee, Ziegelsee, and Schweriner See. These connected bodies of water allow for a loop starting in Schwerin.

The tour passes through the Naturpark Dahme-Heideseen and the Biosphärenreservat Spreewald. Both are among the most biodiverse protected areas in Brandenburg.

The route follows the old and side branches of the Spree River as well as the Dahme River. The tour passes through twelve locks.

The Peene River is known as the “Amazon of the North” because it winds its way through pristine floodplain forests, marshes, and reed beds. On an 80-kilometer canoe trip lasting six to seven days, you can spot white-tailed eagles, beavers, and otters.

Yes, rafts are designed for couples, groups of friends, and families, and offer plenty of space for sunbathing, playing, and spending time together. Many models feature an onboard grill, which combines the culinary experience with the tour.

No, neither a boat license nor a charter license is required for the Peene tour. The entire route can be navigated without a license.

No, in Deutschlands Seenland, you can go on a rafting trip without needing a boating license. The routes are chosen so that even beginners can enjoy a calm and safe experience.

In general, you can navigate this route without a boating license. However, rafts with 15 PS or more require a boating license or charter permit. The calm waterways are also suitable for beginners with no boating experience.

Rafting trips in Deutschlands Seenland range from about 20 to 45 kilometers and last one to four days. The routes are planned so that the rafts can be navigated at a leisurely and relaxed pace.

The raft adventure on the Peene covers 140 kilometers and is designed to take seven days. It is a round-trip journey starting and ending in Anklam.

The raft tour through the Untere Havelniederung flood plain covers 35 kilometers and takes one to two days. It runs from Plaue to Rathenow through tranquil side channels, chains of lakes, and floodplain forests.

There are no fixed prices—the costs are set by the individual rental companies. They depend primarily on the size of the raft or the number of people, the rental period, the season (high or low season), and the amenities (e.g., grill, toilet, engine power, and in some cases, a sauna). As a rough guide, basic day rafts start at about 80–160 € per day; a weekend costs approximately €400–600, depending on the raft and season, and a full week ranges from around €360 (off-season) to over €900 (peak season, large raft). Additional costs usually include a security deposit, final cleaning, and fuel. Binding prices are provided by the respective raft rental companies.

Rafting trips are available in several areas, including on the Peene (“Amazon of the North”) in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, on Lake Müritz and in the Mecklenburg Lake District, around Rheinsberg and Fürstenberg/Havel, on the Potsdamer und Brandenburger Havelseen, in the Untere Havelniederung, and in the Lausitzer Seenland. Examples include a rafting trip around Potsdam Island (45 km, 2 days) or through the Lausitzer Seenland (34 km, 1–2 days).

White-tailed eagles and beavers live in the dense forests and marshes of the Peene. The region is also described as the “Amazon of the North.”

The Naturpark Westhavelland is home to herons, white-tailed eagles, beavers, and otters. The tour is one of Brandenburg’s most biodiverse waterway destinations.

The Natur- und Sternenpark Westhavelland is one of the darkest regions in Germany and is particularly well-suited for stargazing. It is located right next to the tour area and can be visited after the raft tour.

On calm lakes, along idyllic canals, and through hidden coves, you can explore the waterways at a leisurely pace. The combination of experiencing nature, freedom of movement, and barbecuing on board is what makes a raft trip so special.

The tour begins in Plaue and passes through Brandenburg an der Havel and Milow on its way to Rathenow. Along the route are Plaue Castle and the town church, the Brandenburg Cathedral, the Westhavelland Nature Park Center, and the Optics Park Rathenow.

Along the way are the Viking graves near Menzlin, the ruins of Stolpe Abbey, and the Otto Lilienthal Museum in Anklam. The route combines nature and history.

Rafting areas can be found, among other places, in the Lausitzer Seenland, around Potsdam and the Brandenburger Havelseen, in the Westhavelland region, and on the Peene River. They are located in Brandenburg and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.

The Peene River has a gradient of only 30 centimeters over a distance of 75 kilometers and requires no locks or weirs. This makes it one of the calmest and most consistent waterways in Germany.

The Müritz National Park Trail runs 166 kilometers through the national park in nine stages. It is one of the main hiking trails in the Mecklenburg Lake District.

Yes, the beach at Müggelsee is right along the route and is a great place to take a break and go for a swim. Müggelsee is Berlin’s largest lake.

The starting point at the S-Bahnhof Friedrichshagen is easily accessible by public transportation. From downtown Berlin, you can reach it in just a few minutes by S-Bahn.

The 66-Seen-Wanderweg long-distance hiking trail stretches 416 kilometers around Berlin and is divided into 21 stages. Each stage is about 15 to 30 kilometers long and ends at locations with good transportation connections.

The Berlin-Copenhagen long-distance bike trail spans 699 kilometers and is divided into ten stages. It connects the Brandenburg Gate with the Danish capital.

The Lakeland Route spans 191 kilometers, 63 of which are in Brandenburg. It winds through the Lausitzer Seenland in four daily stages.

The Müggelsee Hiking Tour is 16.5 kilometers long and takes about three hours. It is designed as a half-day tour and is well marked throughout Berlin-Treptow-Köpenick.

The Naturparkweg spans 685 kilometers and runs from Rosenhagen to Anklam. It connects the nature parks and large protected areas of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania along a continuous route.

Yes, riverside bike paths along the Elbe, Havel, Oder, Spree, and Müritz are among the most popular routes. They connect waterways with cultural attractions.

The route follows mostly well-maintained hiking trails and quiet country roads with hardly any significant inclines. This makes it easy to navigate, even for beginners.

Yes, the long-distance bike trail is divided into ten stages and can also be ridden in sections. The starting and ending points of many stages are connected to the rail system.

Yes, the trail can be enjoyed either as a complete hike lasting several weeks or in sections over a weekend. The stages are designed as standalone hikes.

The hiking trail passes through Potsdam, the Havelland region, the Brandenburg Lake District, and the Fläming region. It forms a loop around the capital.

Highlights include the Biosphere Reserve Schaalsee, the Schwerin Residence Ensemble (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), the Warnow-Durchbruchstal, Dobbertin Abbey, the Feldberger Seenlandschaft, and Lake Müritz, Germany’s largest inland lake. The certified Nossentiner/Schwinzer Heide Star Park is also located along the route.

The route connects cultural and scenic highlights in the Berlin area. Along the way, hikers will encounter historic manor houses and village churches, as well as marshes and chains of lakes.

Highlights include the city harbor, Senftenberg Castle and Fortress, the city harbor and the IBA terraces in Großräschen, Spremberg Castle with its local history museum, the Nochten Boulder Park, the beach at Lake Geierswalde, the “Rostiger Nagel” observation tower, and the Dr. Wobar Winery in Großräschen.

Highlights include the Baroque town of Neustrelitz, the Müritzeum in Waren (Müritz), the Müritz National Park, the Heinrich Schliemann Museum in Ankershagen, the Damerow Fishing Farm, and Güstrow Castle. These attractions make the German section of the route diverse.

Some of the top bike trails include the Spree Cycle Path (384 km), the Havel Cycle Path (396 km, 6 days), the Elbe Cycle Route (164 km), the Oder-Spree-Tour (cycling) (237 km), the Residence Cities Circuit (285 km), and the Müritz-Rundweg (83 km). All of these routes run along rivers or lakes.

The “Rusty Nail” is a walk-on observation deck made of rust-red steel that offers a panoramic view of several lakes in the Lausitzer Seenland. It is considered a landmark of the region.

The Peene Valley circular route is a 140-kilometer route divided into three stages. It runs along the Peene River through Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and is considered a natural river bike route.

The Residence Cities Circuit spans 285 kilometers across five stages. It connects royal residences and castles between Brandenburg and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.

Along the route, hikers pass through dense beech forests, bogs, river valleys, and heathlands. With a little luck, you might spot herons, cranes, and birds of prey.

The trail follows old country roads and forest paths and is sandy or overgrown in places. Sturdy footwear is therefore recommended.

Between May and September, fish barbecue evenings are offered along the route. They round out the culinary experience of the stage ride.

A good half-day hike is the Lake Stechlinsee Circular Trail, which is 14 kilometers long and takes about four hours to complete. In Berlin, there are also trails around Nikolassee, Spandau, and Treptow-Köpenick.

The route includes Bölschestraße in the colonial settlement of Friedrichshagen, the tourist destination of Neu-Helgoland on Lake Müggelsee, the historic Wasserwerk Friedrichshagen, the village church in Rahnsdorf, and the beach on Lake Müggelsee. The highlight is the Müggelturm with its observation deck.

The starting point is the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin. From there, the route runs through Brandenburg and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern to the Baltic Sea coast.

The route runs through the Lausitzer Seenland between Dresden and Berlin. The tour takes you past impressive open-pit mining lakes, newly landscaped lakeside promenades, and through landscapes that have been reclaimed by open-pit mining.

The starting and ending point is Senftenberg in the Lausitzer Seenland. From there, the route winds through the reclaimed post-mining landscape in four stages.

The starting point is the S-Bahnhof Friedrichshagen, and the destination is the Müggelturm. Both locations are easily accessible by public transportation.

The 66-Seen-Wanderweg long-distance hiking trail is one of the most beautiful hiking trails in Germany. The trail stretches 416 kilometers in 21 stages around Berlin through Brandenburg. It is considered the most popular long-distance hiking trail in the region.

The route passes through Schaalsee-Elbe, West Mecklenburg, the Mecklenburg Lake District, and Vorpommern. It thus covers nearly the entire state.

Well-known stops include Lanke, Rüdersdorf, Storkow, Bad Saarow, and Caputh. These towns offer accommodations, dining options, and public transportation connections.

Many lakes are family-friendly and offer water slides, rowboats, and pedal boats, as well as shallow areas along the shore. Swimming lessons that lead to the “Seepferdchen” certification are offered in many places.

Yes, there are designated dog beaches at several lakes, so that dogs can swim together with their owners. The beaches are marked in the respective swimming regulations.

Deutschlands Seenland offers more than 3,000 swimming lakes, including sandy beaches, forest lakes, and marked swimming areas. Water quality is a top priority throughout the region.

Some of the recommended lakes for swimming in Brandenburg include the Strandbad Buckow in Märkische Schweiz, Lake Stechlinsee near Neuglobsow, the Strandbad Neue Mühle, the Waldbad Templin, and the Jahnbad Neuruppin. They offer clear water and well-maintained beaches.

Among Berlin’s best-known swimming spots are the Strandbad Wannsee and Lake Müggelsee. They combine proximity to the city with designated swimming areas.

In Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, popular destinations include the Badestrand Weißer See, the Naturerlebnisbad Biberburg, the NaturBad Teterower See, the Badeanstalt Boeker Kanal, and the nature pool in Bekow. The options range from family-friendly adventure pools to natural forest lakes.

Many swimming lakes are family-friendly, with shallow shorelines, water slides, and rowboats and pedal boats. Notable examples include Müggelsee and the Wannsee Beach in Berlin, the Badestrand Weißer See in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, and, in Brandenburg, Stechlinsee near Neuglobsow, the Strandbad Buckow, the Strandbad Neue Mühle, and the Waldbad Templin. In Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, swimming lessons leading to the “Seepferdchen” certification are also offered.