Your guide to Berlin / Day trips - nearby Berlin

Day Trips nearby Berlin

Berlin offers so much to do, but sometimes you just want a change of pace. Whether you opt for another urban setting or want to relax in nature, there are plenty of day trips from Berlin to enrich your trip.

Less Than One Hour of Travel Time

Potsdam Provides An Oasis Outside the City

There's a good reason Potsdam ranks as one of the most popular day trips from Berlin. It won't take you longer than an hour to get to this oasis of palaces and gardens. The former Prussian royal city features the Old Dutch Quarter, with Dutch-style red-bricked architecture unrivaled in all of Europe. Then head to Nauener Tor, one of Potsdam's three original city gates, for some Gothic Revival architecture from the 18th century.

Old Dutch Quarter: Benkertstraße
Nauener Tor: Friedrich-Ebert-Straße 32

Gardens and Palaces in Sanssouci Park

No visit to Potsdam is complete without a stop at Sanssouci Park. There, you'll find yourself surrounded by gardens and palaces, including Schloss Sanssouci (Sanssouci Palace), Orangerieschloss (Orangery Palace) and Neues Palais (New Palace). The three palaces boast different architectural styles, giving visitors a glimpse of the grandeur of King Frederick the Great of Prussia's summer residence city.

Sanssouci Park: Zur Historischen Mühle 1
SchlossSanssouci: Maulbeerallee
Orangerieschloss: An der Orangerie 3-5
Neues Palais: Am Neuen Palais

Lehnitz Sea Provides A Quick Escape

Take a break from the busy city by escaping to Lehnitz Sea. You can even get there by boat from Tegel, enjoying the calm water in the area around Berlin as you go. You'll get to unwind as you explore the extensive waterways and make your way to and from the capital. The calm waters will certainly soothe you, so it's a worthy escape if you need some downtime during your trip.

Lehnitz Sea: Lehnitzsee

Wannsee for A Beach Getaway in the City

You don't technically even have to leave Berlin to get some beach and sand into your vacation. Wannsee, a southwestern Berlin borough, also attracts plenty of locals in the summer months. As long as you're prepared for the big crowds, you'll enjoy the energy at Strandbad, Europe's largest inland beach. On the opposite side of Wannsee, you'll find impressive historical homes, including German painter Max Liebermann's summer house, Liebermann Villa am Wannsee.

Strandbad: Wannseebadweg 25
Liebermann Villa am Wannsee: Colomierstraße 3

1-2 Hours of Travel Time

Visit Hip Leipzig

Travelers often don't think of Leipzig, but this hip city is quickly becoming one of the coolest cities in Germany. Young creatives flock here for a quieter and cheaper alternative to Berlin, and the city doesn't disappoint. Bars, street art and restaurants complement the architecture, boasting styles ranging from Art Nouveau to Post Modernist. If you're into music or art, pay a visit to the Bach Museum, Leipzig's Museum of Fine Arts or GRASSI, which is actually three museums in one.

Bach Museum: Thomaskirchhof 15/16
Museum of Fine Arts: Katharinenstraße 10
GRASSI: Johannispl. 5-11

Drive to Spreewald, A Nature Reserve

No summer road trip is complete without an escape to Spreewald. The Spreewald, or Spree Forest, is a UNESCO-protected nature reserve. Set out by boat, bike or on foot once you're in the Spreewald to make the most of your surroundings. You'll have waterways and picturesque landscapes, not to mention photo-ready farmhouses awaiting you.

BiosphärenreservatSpreewald: Lübbenau/Spreewald

2-3 Hours

Explore Another Urban Setting in Dresden

Dresden makes for a great urban outing if you want to check out another city while you're staying in Germany's capital. Most of the Saxon city was destroyed in World War II, but Dresden's Altstadt has been restored since then. It's a great place to explore on foot. Take some time to enjoy Frauenkirche, a restored Lutheran church that offers visitors a great panoramic view of Dresden from the platform in the dome.

Frauenkirche Dresden: Georg-Treu-Platz 3

Rakotzbrucke Impresses With Its Architecture

If you're in the mood for some impressive architecture, drive over to the Azalea and Rhododendron Park, about 100 miles southeast of Berlin, to visit Rakotzbrücke. Also known as Devil's Bridge, this masterpiece is a perfect half circle. The Knight of Kromlau commissioned it in 1860. The bridge creates an optical illusion of a full stone circle when the water is still. You can access the bridge any time of day, so time your visit for sunrise or sunset for a truly breathtaking view.

Azalea and Rhododendron Park: Altes Schloß 11

Explore the Harbor in Hamburg

When you want a change of pace but still seek an urban setting, Hamburg makes a great day trip. The port city can be reached in just about two hours by train from Berlin. Wander around the harbor or stop by the fish market when you visit this city. Whatever your itinerary, you're in for a memorable day — Hamburg even earned UNESCO World Heritage Status in 2015.

Port of Hamburg: Hamburger Hafen

Usedom Island Provides a Picturesque Gem

How about a seaside getaway from Berlin? It's not as far-fetched as it sounds. The small island of Usedom is a gem in the Baltic Sea, and the trip from Berlin takes just about 2.5 hours. If you're looking to escape the bustle of Berlin for a day, you'll appreciate the enchanting beaches, complete with hours of sunshine and forests perfect for a bike ride. Grab a fish bun for a meal to complete the picture.