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Cruise Through Berlin - Discover, Dine & Relax
Combo: Berlin TV Tower Skip-the-Line Tickets + Guided City Cruise
from
€46.50
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Why choose sightseeing boat cruises in Berlin?
Multiple boarding points
Berlin sightseeing cruises start from several boarding points situated near the banks of the Spree. Depending on whether your accommodation is near Alte Borse or Nikolaiviertel, you can choose accordingly. These boarding ports are easily accessible via metro and bus.
Your Berlin River sightseeing cruise options explained
West Side sightseeing boat tours
- The West side sightseeing boat tours start from around central Berlin and go towards the west side of the Berlin Harbor, crossing past landmarks like Bellevue Palace, Reichstag, the Victory Column, Tiergarten Park, and more.
- These sightseeing tours also include live commentary in German and multilingual audio guides in around 11 languages for a personalized and informative cruising experience.
Recommended boat tours:
- 1-hour city cruise from Berlin Mitte
- 2.5-hour city boat tour
East Side sightseeing boat tours
- These sightseeing cruises start from either the central or western part of the city and move towards the east side of the Berlin Harbor. On these boat tours, you can sail past landmarks like the Oberbaum Bridge, the East Side Gallery, the Berlin Wall Memorial, the Mercedes-Benz Arena, and more.
- These tours also include live commentary and multilingual audio guides.
Recommended boat tours:
- 2-hour evening sightseeing cruise with an audio guide
- 2.5-hour East side tour
Lake cruising tours
- The Seven Lakes cruises in Berlin take you through some of the most iconic lakes in the city like Kleiner Wannsee, Pohlesee, and Stolpchensee. On this cruise, you can witness landmarks such as the Babelsberg Castle, the Sacrow Church of the Savior, and others.
- The Mugglesee Lake cruise starts from the Treptow Harbor and takes you to the picturesque lake of the same name. You can explore nearby sites like Kopenick, Rubezahl, and Friedrichshafen. You can also hike up the Mugglesee Hill if you have time.
Recommended boat tours:
- 2-hour Seven Lakes tour
- 3-hour Spree cruise to Mugglesee Lake
Berlin cruises beyond River Spree
- If you have a few hours to spare, you can book cruises that go beyond River Spree. The Landwehrkanal cruise is around 4 hours long and passes through landmarks like Tiergarten, Charlottenburg Palace, Urbanhafen, and more.
- The Mugglesee Lake cruise is another option you can choose if you want to sail away from the city. Upon reaching the lake, you can explore nearby sites like Kopenick and Rubezahl or hike up the Mugglesee Hills.
Recommended boat tours:
- 3.25-hour River Spree and Landwehrkanal boat tour
- 3-hour Spree cruise to Mugglesee Lake
Find your best Berlin River cruise match here
Experience
Boarding Points
Timings
Book Tickets
1-hour city cruise from Berlin Mitte
Friedrichstraße, Nikolaiviertel, or Alte Borse
11 am to 5:15 pm
2.5-hour city-Loungefahrt mit dem Schiff in Berlin
Liegestelle Seminarschiff
Sat: 12:30 pm to 3 pm and summer: 4:30 pm to 7 pm
2.5-hour city boat tour – Through the center of Berlin to the West Harbor
Friedrichstrasse
10:30 am to 3 pm
2-hour eco-friendly cruise in a luxury solar catamaran
Jannowitzbrucke
1 April to 29 October: Wednesday to Sunday: 11 am & 1:30 pm
Under the Bridges: 3.25-hour River Spree & Landwehrkanal boat tour
Jannowitzbrucke
10:45 am and 2:20 pm
What to expect on a Berlin sightseeing boat tour?
Scenic views of the waterfront
The German capital is known for its sleek buildings and historic landmarks lined along the River Spree. On Berlin boat tours, you can enjoy gorgeous views of the city’s riverscape and admire the landmarks along the River Spree's banks. These cruises are ideal for history lovers, as you can observe the historic buildings from unique vantage points.
Live commentary by professionals and audio guides
One of the best perks of booking Berlin boat tours is that no matter which boat or route you choose, you can avail yourself of multilingual audio guides on board. These guides help you learn about the history and legends associated with a landmark. Some cruise ships also offer live commentary in both German and English.
Comfortable interiors and impeccable service
What makes Berlin boat tours a top choice among visitors is their variety of choices. You can choose between a convertible ship, a 2-story boat, or a luxury, solar-powered catamaran. All these boats have open, spacious decks and comfortable, heated indoor cabins. There are professional staff on board to aid you in case of emergencies and to ensure you have a premium cruising experience.
Top landmarks towards the west side of the Berlin Harbor
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Top landmarks towards the east side of the Berlin Harbor
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Berlin sightseeing cruise boarding points
Friedrichstraße
Nearest landmarks: Brandenburg Gate, Checkpoint Charlie, and Museum Island
Nearest metro station: Friedrichstraße
Boat tours: 1-hour city cruise from Berlin Mitte and 2.5-hour city boat tour – Through the center of Berlin to the West Harbor
Alte Borse
Nearest landmarks: Leipzig Market Square, St. Nicholas Church, and Leipzig University
Nearest metro station: Hackescher Markt
Boat tours: 1-hour city cruise from Berlin Mitte, 1-hour sightseeing cruise on the River Spree, and 2.5-hour East-side tour sightseeing cruise in East Berlin
Nikolaiviertel
Nearest landmarks: Berlin Cathedral, Alexanderplatz, and Berlin TV Tower
Nearest metro station: U Rotes Rathaus
Boat tours: 1-hour city cruise from Berlin Mitte
Liegestelle Seminarschiff
Nearest landmarks: Berlin Hauptbahnhof, German Chancellery, and Reichstag
Nearest metro station: U Turmstr
Boat tours: City-Loungefahrt mit dem Schiff and romantic moonlight cruise
Anlegestelle Wannsee
Nearest landmarks: Wannsee Haus, Pfaueninsel, and Glienicke Bridge
Nearest metro station: Berlin Wannsee station
Boat tours: 2-hour Seven Lakes tour
Treptow Harbor
Nearest landmarks: Treptower Park, Soviet War Memorial, and Spree River Promenade
Nearest metro station: U Schlessiches Tor
Boat tours: 3-hour Spree Cruise to Muggelsee Lake
Jannowitzbrucke
Nearest landmarks: East Side Gallery, Oberbaum Bridge, and Kreuzberg District
Nearest metro station: Jannowitzbrucke
Boat tours: 2-hr eco-friendly river cruise in a luxury solar catamaran and Under the Bridges: 3.25-hour River Spree & Landwehrkanal boat tour
Plan your Berlin River sightseeing cruise experience
Timings
Best time to go on a cruise
Getting there
Facilities
Visitor tips
- 1-hour city cruise from Mitte: 11 am to 5:15 pm
- Evening sightseeing cruise with audio guide: 10:30 am to 3 pm
- 2-hour Seven Lakes tour from Wannsee: 10:30 am to 2:30 pm
- 2.5-hour city boat tour- Through the center of Berlin to the West Harbor: 10:30 am to 3 pm
- 2-hour eco-friendly river cruise in a luxury solar catamaran: 1 April to 29 October: Wednesday to Sunday: 11 am & 1:30 pm
- Under the Bridges: 3.25-hour River Spree & Landwehrkanal boat tour: 10:45 am and 2:20 pm
- 2.5-hour East-side-tour sightseeing cruise in East Berlin: 2:45 pm to 5:15 pm
- 2.5-hour dinner cruise: 6:30 pm
Best time of the week: The Berlin sightseeing boat tours operate throughout the year and attract tourists from all over the globe. It is crowded on most days. If you want to go on a city sightseeing cruise near Mitte, avoid sailing over the week. Parking is limited near Mitte’s boarding port on weekdays. If you want to explore the museums in Museum Island or walk across the historic districts after your sightseeing cruise, avoid weekends, as most museums and quaint shops are closed on Sundays.
Best time of the year: April to May and September are the best months to cruise along the Spree. Around September, the schools re-open and fewer families book sightseeing boat tours. June and July are the hottest months of the year. While these months offer the clearest views of the city’s landmarks, it gets too hot to lounge on the open decks for a long time. If you do not mind the cold, you can visit the city between November and December, and explore its Christmas markets.
Friedrichstraße
- By bus: 147 and N6
- By metro: U6
- By tram: 12 and M1
- By train: FEX, RB14, RB21, and Flixtrain
Nikolaiviertel
- By train: S1, S7, and S9
- By metro: U3, U5, and U9
- By bus: U6
Wannsee
- By bus: 114, 118
- By train: IC2431, IC2432
Jannowitzbrucke
- By train: RB14 and RE7
- By metro: U-Bahn U8, S-Bahn S3, S5, S7, and S9
- By bus: 300, N8, N40, N60, and N65
- Open decks: The Berlin sightseeing cruise boats have ample space on their decks. You can lounge in these spaces, marvel at the landmarks, and soak in the sun.
- Heated cabins: After the sun sets, if it gets too cold for you to stand on the decks, or if you are visiting in the winter months, you can retire to the cabins. They are heated and cozy.
- Restrooms: There are accessible toilets on board for your convenience.
- First-aid kits: You can find life jackets, first-aid kits, and safety gear on sightseeing boats in case of any emergency.
- Dinner options: You can choose lavish meal options with glasses of prosecco and cocktails on Berlin sightseeing dinner cruises.
- Professional staff: There are experienced professionals on board to aid you in case of emergencies and to ensure that you have a hassle-free cruising experience.
- Check the ticket voucher: After confirming your payment, make sure to check your ticket details to ensure that your information is correct. Confirm the boarding point, duration, and timings of the boat tour. Keep this voucher handy, for you have to show it before embarking on your cruise.
- Arrive early: Reach your tour’s boarding point at least 15 to 20 minutes before the cruise begins to settle in comfortably.
- Bring sun protection: If you plan to lounge on the open decks for a long time, carry sunglasses, sunscreen, and an umbrella to protect yourself from the sun.
- Listen to audio guides: All sightseeing boat tours offer live commentary in German and English and include multilingual audio guides in around 5 to 12 languages. Make sure to listen to them to acquaint yourself with the history behind the landmarks.
- Book tickets online: It is best to reserve tickets online in advance since these sightseeing boat tours are in demand throughout the year. Online ticket bookings ensure that your seat is reserved and you can embark on your cruise, no matter the crowd on the day of your visit.
More boat tours in Berlin
Berlin city tour boats
What sets apart Berlin city tour boats is that they follow a distinct route. These tours typically start from the center of the city and go towards the West or the East side of the Berlin Harbor. You will pass by landmarks like the Berlin TV Tower, Nikolaiviertel, Berlin Cathedral, Museum District, Reichstag, and more. These tours also offer multilingual audio guides and live commentary on board.
Berlin dinner cruises
The Berlin dinner cruises are ideal for couples looking to spend some quality time sojourning along the River Spree. As their name suggests, these cruises include lavish dinners, prosecco glasses, and cocktails. The dinner cruises operate in the evening, after 6:30 pm.
Frequently asked questions about Berlin River sightseeing cruises
How do I book Berlin sightseeing cruises?
We recommend you book Berlin sightseeing cruises online to save time and money. With online ticket bookings, you can avoid standing in long lines and ensure that you get guaranteed access to your chosen boat tour, no matter the crowd on the day of your visit.
How much do Berlin sightseeing boat tours cost?
Berlin River cruises are available online starting from . The Lakes cruises, passing through Kleiner Wannsee, Glienicker Brucke, and Jungfernsee are around €22. The city boat tours starting from the center of the city and going towards either the east or west side of the Berlin Harbor are between €28.90 and €30. If you add dinner options and cocktails, they would cost around €69.
What is included in a Berlin sightseeing cruise?
All Berlin sightseeing boat tours include multilingual audio guides in around 5 to 12 languages, depending on which cruises you book. They also feature live commentary in German and English. You can also include gourmet meal options, cocktails, and glasses of prosecco, making for a fine dining experience along the River Spree.
What route do Berlin sightseeing boat tours take?
The Berlin sightseeing cruises have multiple boarding points along the Spree, The city tour boats that start from Friedrichstraße go towards the west side of the Berlin Harbor while the ones that start from Alte Borse sail towards the east side of the city. The Berlin Lake cruises start from Anlegestelle Wannsee and pass through some of the most iconic lakes in the city, like Kleiner Wannsee, Pohlesee, Stolpchensee, and Glienicker Brucke.
What can I see on a Berlin cruise along the Spree?
Many of the city’s iconic historic buildings are situated on the banks of the River Spree. On a sightseeing cruise, you can catch glimpses of the TV Tower, Berlin Cathedral, Museum Island, Treptower Park, Charlottenburg Palace, East Side Gallery, and more.
What kind of boats are available on Berlin Spree cruises?
Berlin sightseeing boat tours offer a number of choices. You can pick a convertible ship, a 2-story boat, or a luxury, solar-powered catamaran, an eco-friendly alternative.
From where will I get on my Berlin River cruise?
One of the best perks of booking Berlin sightseeing cruises is that they have multiple boarding points along the Spree. They depart from Alte Borse, Nikolaiviertel, Jannowitzbrucke, and several other ports. You can choose the one nearest to your accommodation or depending on the kind of streets and markets you want to explore nearby.
How long are Berlin River sightseeing cruises?
Most Berlin sightseeing cruises are 1 hour to 2 hours long. The cruises that go beyond Spree, towards Landwehrkanal, are around 3.5 to 4 hours. Dinner cruises, which include a lavish 3 or 4-course gourmet meal, lasts for around 3 hours.
What kind of food and drinks are offered on Berlin sightseeing boat tours?
Depending on the kind of tickets you choose, you can enjoy an elaborate 3 or 4-course authentic German dinner, with glasses of prosecco, and cocktails. If you book Berlin dinner cruises, make sure to try their Swabian potato salad and green jelly with vanilla toppings.
What is the best time to go on a Berlin sightseeing boat tour?
April to May and September are the best months to book a Berlin sightseeing boat tour. The weather is pleasant and there are clear skies, meaning you can enjoy unobstructed views of the landmarks along the River Spree.
What facilities are available on Berlin sightseeing boat tours?
You can choose between a convertible ship, a 2-story boat, and a luxury catamaran. All Berlin tour boats are equipped with modern state-of-the-art facilities, open decks, cozy lounges, accessible restrooms, and heated cabins. These cruises also feature live commentary in German and English and offer multilingual audio guides as well in over 5 to 12 languages.
What are some popular sightseeing boat tours in Berlin?
Whether you are a history nerd or want to relax in the lap of nature, there is something for every kind of traveler on Berlin boat tours. To learn more about the historic sites along the banks of the Spree, you can choose a city cruise from Friedrichstraße, Nikolaiviertel, or Alte Borse. The Seven Lakes boat tours, departing from Wannsee, and the Mugglesee Lake cruise from Jannowitzbrucke are ideal for visitors looking to get away from the city bustle.
What to bring on a Berlin River sightseeing cruise?
All Berlin sightseeing boats are equipped with state-of-the-art facilities and offer accessible restrooms, heated cabins, and gourmet dinner options on board. You only have to bring your booking confirmation voucher and a valid identification card to board your cruise.
Are Berlin sightseeing boat tours suitable for children?
Yes, all Berlin boat tours are suitable for families with infants and strollers. You can bring your prams and strollers on board.
Are there any accessibility considerations for Berlin sightseeing boat tours?
Most Berlin sightseeing cruises are accessible to visitors in wheelchairs. The open decks have seating areas and there are professional staff on board to help you board the cruise and settle in comfortably.