Spree River: Our most recommended tours and activities

Berlin: 1-Hour City Tour by Boat with Guaranteed Seating

1. Berlin: 1-Hour City Tour by Boat with Guaranteed Seating

Discover some of the key landmarks of Berlin on a sightseeing boat tour. Enjoy a relaxing river cruise on the Spree to take in the sights at the heart of this bustling city.   Depart from Friedrichstraße or Nikolaiviertel. Your 1-hour sightseeing tour will take you past the Reichstag (German Parliament Building), through the new Regierungsviertel (Government Quarter), all the way to the Haus der Kulturen der Welt (House of World Cultures). After turning at the Lutherbrücke (Luther Bridge), keep a look out for Schloss Bellevue (Bellevue Palace), the "Beamtenschlange" (civil servant housing), and the Siegessäule (Victory Column). Marvel at Hauptbahnhof (Central Station), Berliner Dom (Berlin Cathedral), Museumsinsel (Museum Island), and the Nikolaiviertal, the oldest residential area in Berlin. Arrive back either Friedrichstraße or Nikolaiviertel to finish the tour.

Berlin: Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Bus with Boat Options

2. Berlin: Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Bus with Boat Options

Embark on an unforgettable journey through Berlin with a flexible Hop On - Hop Off bus tour. Dive into the heart of the city at your leisure on our panoramic sightseeing buses uncovering the treasures of Berlin’s landmarks such as the Museum Island and the Berlin Palace, the iconic Ku'Damm, and witness the historic remnants of a divided city at Checkpoint Charlie. These comprehensive bus routes cover the entire city, offering you the opportunity to visit landmarks like the majestic Brandenburg Gate or the Reichstag with its stunning glass dome. Delve deeper into the city’s secrets and culture with the Essential and Explore options that include a delicious CurryWurst (Sausage with CurrySauce) and the incomparable 1.5-hour Walking Tour focused on the Third Reich. Explore Tickets include as well an amazing Evening Tour that detours the remnants of the Berlin Wall and shows you the vibrant districts of Prenzlauer Berg and Kreuzberg. You can also top up your adventure by choosing options with the 1-hour boat tour along the Spree river. The stops for the bus tours are: Red Line (Bus) • Alexanderplatz • Rotes Rathaus • Museum Island • Friedrichstrasse • Brandenburger Tor • Reichstag • Hauptbahnhof • Haus der Kulturen der Welt • Bellevue Palace • Siegessäule (Victory Column) • Kurfürstendamm • KaDeWe • Lützowplatz • Kulturforum • Potsdamer Platz • Mauerreste • Checkpoint Charlie • Gendarmenmarkt Blue Line (Bus) • Alexanderplatz • Frankfurter Allee • East Side Gallery • Ostbahnhof

Berlin: 1-Hour City Sightseeing River Cruise

3. Berlin: 1-Hour City Sightseeing River Cruise

Join a 1-hour round-trip boat tour that starts close to Hackescher Markt. Sit back and relax as you learn about the captivating history of Berlin from the onboard audio guide commentary. First, cruise along the River Spree to the Eastern part of the city, where you will see the Berlin Cathedral, the newly inaugurated Humboldt Forum, and the Marstall concert hall. Turning in front of the Mühlendammschleuse head back westwards past the oldest part of Berlin, the Nikolaiviertel. A little bit further down the river, learn more about Museum Island before cruising past Friedrichstraße before entering the Parliament district. See the Reichstag building, the Berlin Central Station, as well as the Federal Chancellery. At the House of World Cultures, the boat will turn around again and bring you back to the pier.

Berlin: Boat Tour with Tour Guide

4. Berlin: Boat Tour with Tour Guide

Embark on a 1-hour cruise through the city of Berlin and the government district on a boating vessel optimized for panoramic views of the city. Learn about Berlin from your professional guides and boat operators and explore the city from the unique vantage point of the water. Hop aboard one of the two glass panorama ships in MS Carola and MS Franziska and listen as your tour guide presents the one-hour boat trip. Listen to live explanations and stories about the exciting cityscape of Berlin. Embark on a daily trip from March to December and take in the panoramic view with a beer, cup of coffee, or long drinks. Thanks to the large window areas, everyone is ensured an optimal view when the guides explain the highlights of Berlin, such as the Berlin Cathedral or the Reichstag. In the warmer months the window area will be fully opened however the windows can shut in the event of cold or adverse weather conditions; ensuring your comfort throughout the trip.

Berlin: Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Bus Tour

5. Berlin: Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Bus Tour

Enjoy this perfect introduction to Berlin on a Hop on Hop off Big Bus tour. Sitting back and relaxing on an open-top double decker sightseeing bus as you listen to insightful and highly educational audio commentary of the German Capital is the best way to visit all of Berlin's famous memorials, monuments and museums. The bus route is designed to take you on a captivating journey through Berlin's rich history where you can also immerse yourself in its modern day vibrant life. You'll pass by and have the opportunity to hop off and further explore the city's most iconic historical sights such as The Brandenburg Gate, Checkpoint Charlie, The Reichstag, Museum Island, The Berlin Cathedral and The East Side Gallery - where the Berlin Wall still stands as a reminder of the Cold War Era's East and West Berlin division. The full sightseeing tour of Berlin is 2 hours long. Many customers choose to do one full loop to see the city and decide where they want to hop off on the next loop around, but it's completely up to you how you plan your day and visit. Buses will arrive every 20-30 minutes throughout the day, so you can choose to hop off at Museum Island to visit the Pergamon Museum or the four other incredible museums and galleries and get back on the bus a few hours later to continue your journey. Visit one of the most interactive museums in the world, the DDR Museum which gives you the chance to experience a little of what everyday life behind the Berlin Wall was like in the former East Germany. Delve into Berlin’s tumultuous history on our 90-minute walking tour exploring the city’s fascinating past from the Third Reich and Second World War to the Cold War and up to the Fall of the Berlin Wall. In addition to all this, you can also enjoy Berlin’s most famous street-food, the Currywurst. Nearly a billion of these pork sausages seasoned with curry-flavored ketchup are sold annually and you simply have to try one during your Berlin stay. Complete your Berlin experience with an optional 75-minute live-guided (English & German) Evening tour taking in the East Side Gallery, Berlin's trendy neighborhoods of Kreuzberg, Mitte and Prenzlauer Berg as well as the unmissable Berlin Wall memorial.

Berlin: 2.5-Hour East Side Boat Cruise with Commentary

6. Berlin: 2.5-Hour East Side Boat Cruise with Commentary

Experience a special East Side boat cruise, 25 years after the fall of the Berlin Wall. Besides numerous sights in the old and new center of Berlin, see also the recent changes in the area surrounding the East Side Gallery. The roundtrip boat cruise starts at the pier by the old stock exchange building, near the Hackersche Höfe. Relax onboard the boat as you listen to detailed information in English and German and enjoy a delicious food service (own expense). After passing by the cradle of Berlin – Mühlendamm Lock – the tour continues on past Radialsystem V, an energy forum, Berlin Ostbahnhof and the Mercedes Benz Arena. Pass under the Oberbaum Bridge into the east harbor with its many new residents including Universal Music, MTV, Coca Cola, and Label 1 and 2. You will also pass by the Badeschiff at Arena Treptow and the Molecule Man sculpture. Journey back to Berlin-Mitte and see the Nikolaiviertel, the palace construction site, and the Humboldt Forum. The famous Museum Island begins at the Berlin Cathedral. Pass under the Weidendammer Bridge to reach the area around Friedrichstrasse with the Schiffbauerdamm, the Tränenpalast (Palace of Tears), and Friedrichstrasse station. Cruise past the government district where you will see the Reichstag building and the Federal Chancellery. You will also see the most modern railway stations in Europe from the water – Berlin Central Station. Pass by Bellevue Palace – the seat of the Federal President – before heading back to the starting point, the old stock exchange building.

Berlin: Hop-On-Hop-Off Bus with Boat Cruise Option

7. Berlin: Hop-On-Hop-Off Bus with Boat Cruise Option

Discover Berlin from the roof of a double-decker bus. This route covers the must-see attractions around the city, making it an ideal way to get an overview of Berlin. With departures every 8 to 15 minutes during high season (April to October) and every 20 minutes during low season (November to March), the hop-on hop-off bus is the ideal way to get around the city in a safe way at your own pace. Hop on and off as you please to discover the city at your own pace. While on board, listen to entertaining and interesting stories about this historically important city in the heart of Europe.  Here are the bus stops for your tour: 1. Kurfürstendamm (Kurfürstendamm 234) 2. Tauentzienstraße (Tauentzienstraße 15) 3. KaDeWe (Tauentzienstraße 21-24) 4. Lützowplatz (Kulturforum Tiergarten) 5. Potsdamer Platz/Kolhoff-Hochhaus 6. Balzac Coffee (Potsdamer Platz 10) 7. Gropiusbau 8. Checkpoint Charlie (Friedrichstraße 45) 9. Gendarmenmarkt 10. Neptune Fontaine, Neptunbrunnen/Rotes Rathaus (Rathausstraße 1) 11. Alexanderplatz/Park Inn 12. Karl-Marx-Allee 13. East Side Gallery 14. Ostbahnhof 15. Neptune Fontaine, Neptunbrunnen/Rotes Rathaus (Rathausstraße 1) 16. DomAquarée (Karl-Liebknecht-Straße) 17. Lustgarten (Unter den Linden 1) 18. Unter den Linden/Friedrichstraße 19. Brandenburg Gate, Brandenburger Tor (Ebertstraße/Pariser Platz) 20. Berlin Central Station, Hauptbahnhof (Ella-Trebe-Straße/Washington Pl) 21. Victory Column, Siegessäule/Bundespräsidialamt 22. Victory Column, Siegessäule/ Hofjägerallee 23. Zoo/Elephant Gate, Elefantentor 24. Café Kranzler (Kurfürstendamm 21-24) Want to see the city from the water, too? Upgrade your hop-on hop-off bus ticket to include a river cruise on the Spree. Glide around Berlin’s river and admire architecture from a different point of view.

Berlin: Evening City Sightseeing Cruise

8. Berlin: Evening City Sightseeing Cruise

Discover central Berlin by twilight on a boat cruise along its major waterway, the River Spree. Hop aboard, sit back, relax, and see the main sights of the city from the calm waters in the evening light, feeling the pulse of the bustling city. Start your cruise by Nikolaiviertel and pass the Federal Chancellery with its floor-to-ceiling glass walls and modern architecture. Make your way to the pristine white building and manicured garden of Bellevue Palace, overlooking the Victory Column and surrounded by the leafy Tiergarten park. See the Berlin Central Station with its green glass structure and the Interior Ministry in Moabit before continuing to the iconic and rococo Charlottenburg Palace. Once a royal summer residence, the palace today is Berlin's largest and most magnificent one. Then, cruise past Westhafen Canal, the Berlin-Spandau Ship Canal, the Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs, and Hamburger Bahnhof. Finally, head back to Nikolaiviertel, where your tour ends.

Berlin: Christmas Sightseeing Cruise with Welcome Drink

9. Berlin: Christmas Sightseeing Cruise with Welcome Drink

Experience Christmas in Berlin on a festively decorated solar catamaran cruise on the River Spree. Glide silently through the capital with the ambiance of a yacht and the eco-friendliness of an emissions-free vessel. See the sights of Berlin with minimal impact on the environment. You’ll be welcomed onboard with a complimentary drink and cookie before embarking on your cruise. During your 2.5-hour tour pass the sights of Berlin that can be seen from the water while listening to commentary from an audio guide. Pass the imposing Oberbaumbrücke, glide past the world-famous Eastside Gallery, and head to the historic harbor on Fischerinsel in the Nikolaiviertel. As you pass the bridge you pass through the lockage of Mühlendammschleuse. The next leg of your journey takes the solar boat further west down the Spree. Here the world-famous cultural heritage Museum Island and the government quarter of Berlin with the Reichstag and the Federal Chancellery are revealed. Continue along the river where the main railway station, Berlin's architectural showpiece, becomes visible. The catamaran continues westwards to the House of World Cultures, or as Berliners say "Schwangere Auster " (pregnant Oyster). The ship turns around there and returns to the starting point, the harbor of Solarwaterworld AG. The solar catamaran is barrier-free, allowing uninterrupted views as you sail along the river. There are hot and cold beverages, and snacks like German sausage, crisps, wine gums, and nuts available to purchase onboard.

Berlin: Government District around the Reichstag Guided Tour

10. Berlin: Government District around the Reichstag Guided Tour

Experience an informative guided tour in the government quarter of Berlin. Stop at the Chancellery, the Berlin Wall, the Reichstag, and many more highlights of this unique part of the city while you discover the political center of Germany. Learn about Berlin's eventful history and ask your questions as your guide takes you to some of the most significant places in this district. Think about how Berlin could be redesigned after the Wall, see the ribbon of the federal government and spot the symbolic bridge between the east and west. Start the tour at the Futurium and then cross the Spree as you wander from former East to West. Witness how modern buildings dominate the cityscape. Marvel at works of art along the Berlin Wall and get to know more about the history of the site. Along the tour, discover some of the best photo spots in the center of Berlin. Receive some great local insights on this guided tour. The guided tour ends outside the Reichstag where you will learn more about the tasks and duties of the parliament and the story behind a building that has played such a significant role in German history. There are dates for German speaking regular tours and dates for English speaking regular tours. Please pay close attention to the right choice. Translations are not possible. The German language tour is guided only in German language. The English speaking tour is guided in English only.

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Spree River
Cruise along the river that runs straight through Berlin to discover its history and take in the views.

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What people are saying about Spree River

Overall rating

4.4 / 5

based on 31,090 reviews

Despite the grim weather, our boarding was efficient and we were made welcome. We appreciated the opportunity to have a warming drink on board

Staff very helpful. Covered a lot of the city. Audio stories were interesting and factual. Pick up and drop off spots throughout the city.

Good experience however it was all in German and the workers had no English otherwise good

The river trip was very interesting, but the audio info could be organized a bit better.

Great commentary, easy to book and helpful attendants