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From Wannsee to Griebnitzsee: Berlin’s seven lakes tour

Located just southwest of Berlin, the Seven Lakes Tour — or Sieben-Seen-Rundfahrt — is one of the city’s most scenic and peaceful cruises. Flowing through a chain of glacial lakes stretching between Berlin and Potsdam, this boat tour blends nature, royal history, and Cold War landmarks into a continuous route that reveals a lesser-known side of the capital. From the calm waters of Kleiner Wannsee to Jungfernsee, you’ll pass UNESCO World Heritage sites, historic villas, and forested shorelines, all set against a backdrop of protected landscapes and ever-changing seasonal views.

A look into the seven lakes

Each lake along the Seven Lakes Tour has its own rhythm, shaped by its size, surroundings, and place in history. While the cruise feels seamless, these seven bodies of water are actually quite distinct, offering a slow and steady shift in scenery.

Kleiner Wannsee

Kleiner Wannsee is where the tour begins. Unlike its larger neighbour Großer Wannsee, this lake feels hidden and residential and can be differentiated by its narrow lake edged by leafy estates and private marinas. The narrow shape gives it a canal-like feel, and it’s often used by rowing clubs and sailing schools. Once the retreat of Berlin’s upper class, the villas along its shore hint at the area’s long association with wealth and leisure.

What makes it unique: It’s the smallest and most exclusive-feeling of the seven, offering a calm entry point that feels almost like a private inlet.

Pohlesee

Flowing into Pohlesee, you’ll notice the lake widen slightly, with tree-lined banks and minimal development. This lake marks a shift from the manicured residential edge of Wannsee to more secluded natural surroundings. The landscape becomes more wooded, and wildlife sightings like herons and wild ducks increase.

What makes it unique: Its undeveloped shoreline and quiet waters make it feel like a hidden nature reserve between more well-known lakes.

Stölpchensee

Stölpchensee is broader and sunnier, with stunning views in all directions. This lake has long been part of Berlin’s local holiday culture, often lined with summer homes, boat docks, and forest trails. In warmer months, you may spot paddlers, canoeists, and swimmers enjoying the waters. It’s also known for the Stölpchensee Island, a small patch of land in the middle often visited by waterbirds.

What makes it unique: It’s the most recreational of the lakes, where Berliners come to relax, swim, and picnic.

Griebnitzsee

Griebnitzsee is where the scenery deepens historically. Once a heavily monitored Cold War border zone, this lake separated West Berlin from East Germany. You’ll cruise past old patrol paths, surveillance spots, and villas once occupied by GDR leaders or foreign diplomats.

What makes it unique: This lake was part of the Iron Curtain. Tours today cruise along the former East-West divide, making this stretch one of the most politically charged waterways in Berlin.

 Glienicker See (Glienicker Lake)

Nestled between Babelsberg Park and the palace gardens of Glienicke, this lake offers postcard-perfect views of ornate bridges and historic estates. It’s most famous for the nearby Glienicke Bridge, where East and West exchanged spies during the Cold War. Though smaller than Griebnitzsee, Glienicker See offers a striking contrast between its now peaceful appearance and high-stakes past.

What makes it unique: The symbolic heart of the tour, this lake often combines royal scenery with espionage history, all within a short, glassy stretch of water.

Heiliger See

Heiliger See (Holy Lake) sits entirely within Potsdam and offers some of the most regal scenery of the entire cruise. Its name dates back to the 18th century, and it borders the lush Neuer Garten, where Frederick William II once had his Marble Palace built directly on the lakeshore. The lake is protected and swimming is restricted, which helps preserve its stillness and pristine reflections.

What makes it unique: It’s the only lake lined by royal palaces and baroque landscaping.

Jungfernsee

Jungfernsee is the northernmost and widest lake of the tour, where everything opens up and you begin to see the spires and cupolas of Potsdam. The tour often ends or turns back here, depending on the route. Along the way, you’ll pass Cecilienhof Palace, where the Potsdam Conference was held in 1945, and the Russian Colony Alexandrowka.

What makes it unique: It links the tour to global history, and connects Berlin to Potsdam’s sprawling cultural landscape.

What’s special about the seven lakes tour?

  • It’s not just one lake but a journey through seven distinct lakes: Kleiner Wannsee, Pohlesee, Stölpchensee, Griebnitzsee, Glienicker Lake, Heiliger See, and Jungfernsee.
  • The route follows part of the Havel River system, but the lakes give it a broader, more open feel.
  • The cruise moves between sharp contrasts—Cold War landmarks like the Glienicke Bridge, where tense spy swaps once happened, and the quiet charm of riverside villas and wooded banks that now surround them.
  • Many of the shores belong to the Potsdam-Berlin UNESCO World Heritage landscape, including parks designed by famous Prussian landscapers.
  • Unlike a city center cruise, this tour offers nature views, with less crowd and minimal noise, often with swans, herons, or grebes gliding beside the boat.
  • The route skirts the edges of parks like Babelsberg and Glienicke, designed in the 19th century by royal landscape architects like Lenné and Pückler-Muskau.
  • Several sights — like Villa Schöningen, Meierei im Neuen Garten, and the Hofdamenhaus — are best seen from the water and often missed from land routes.
  • The view changes every 10 minutes — from narrow inlets to wide lakes, open parks to forested shores, stone bridges to wildlife zones.

​Discover the best Berlin sightseeing cruises

Everything you can see besides the 'seven lakes' on the seven lakes tour

Schloss Glienicke
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Schloss Glienicke

A neoclassical summer residence designed by Karl Friedrich Schinkel for Prince Carl of Prussia. Transformed from a steward’s cottage, the villa now features Roman-style columns, arcades, and classical proportions that reflect Schinkel’s signature style. Its silhouette is clearly visible from the water.

Glienicke park

The park surrounding the palace was designed by Peter Joseph Lenné, who laid out its wooded areas, lawns, and scenic viewpoints in the English landscape tradition. Lenné began designing the park in 1816—before Prince Carl even acquired the estate—making it one of his earliest works in the Berlin-Potsdam region.

Babelsberg palace and park

Built in the English Gothic Revival style, this riverside palace served as the summer residence of Prince William (later Emperor William I). Its pointed towers and ornate stonework sit high above the water, framed by gardens also designed by Lenné and Prince Pückler-Muskau.

Glienicke bridge (Bridge of spies)

This now-peaceful bridge was once a tense Cold War checkpoint. It connected Potsdam (East Germany) with West Berlin and became famous for dramatic spy swaps between the CIA and KGB. You’ll float directly beneath it when transitioning between the Jungfernsee and Glienicker Lake.

Cecilienhof palace in Neuer Garten

Located on the shores of Heiliger See, Cecilienhof is partially visible from the boat through the trees. This English-style manor was where the Potsdam Conference took place in 1945, with Churchill, Truman, and Stalin deciding post-WWII Europe's fate

Sacrow Church of the Redeemer (Heilandskirche)

Sitting directly on the waterfront, this Romanesque-style church was built in the 1840s by Friedrich Ludwig Persius. Isolated behind the Berlin Wall during the Cold War, the church stood abandoned for decades and today is a symbol of Berlin’s divided past.

GDR-era lakeside villas on Griebnitzsee

Along Griebnitzsee’s southern bank, you’ll pass elegant pre-war villas that were confiscated by the East German state after WWII. Many became residences for high-ranking GDR and Soviet officials. Today, the restored villas reflect layers of Berlin’s 20th-century political history, visible just beyond their well-manicured lawns.

Plan your visit to the seven lakes

Boarding point: Anlegestelle Kleiner Wannsee | Find on map

Getting there:

  • From Berlin city center: Take the S-Bahn (S1 or S7) to S-Bahnhof Wannsee. From there, it's a 5–7 minute walk to the pier along Kronprinzessinnenweg and Kleine Seestraße.
  • By bus: Bus lines 114, 218, and 316 all stop at or near S-Bahnhof Wannsee, which connects directly to the boarding point.
  • By car: Parking is available near the pier, but it can be limited on weekends. Use Kleine Seestraße or Kronprinzessinnenweg for access.
Cruise boat docked at Wannsee, Berlin, for the Seven Lakes Tour.

Weekday vs Weekend

  • Weekdays: Best for peaceful cruising. Morning (around 10am) and late-afternoon (after 3pm) tours are especially calm, with open seating and minimal waiting times at the pier. Ideal for travelers who want quiet views and uninterrupted photo opportunities.
  • Weekends & holidays: Popular with Berliners and day-trippers, especially from May to August. Expect larger groups and possible queues at boarding points. To avoid the busiest times, try to book early morning departures before 11am or opt for the last sailings of the day.

Peak Season vs Low Season

  • Peak Season (June to August): The route is at its greenest and most active, with a full cruise schedule, extended hours, and boats running more frequently. Warm weather means open-air decks are more enjoyable, and wildlife like swans and herons are easier to spot.
  • Low Season (April to May and September to October): The cruise takes on a more relaxed tone with cool breezes and fewer passengers overall. 
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Things to know about seven lakes tours

  • Seven Lakes cruises typically run from April to late October. July and August have the most frequent departures, while early spring and mid-autumn have limited availability.
  • Most tours begin from Wannsee or Glienicker Brücke. Some start in Potsdam’s city harbor. Always confirm the boarding point on your ticket to avoid confusion.
  • Tour durations typically range from 90 minutes to 2.5 hours. Some longer cruises include return routes or stops at historic sites like Cecilienhof Palace.
  • Boats usually feature indoor seating with panoramic windows, as well as outdoor decks. Book early if you're set on getting good seats, especially top deck spots in summer.
  • Food and drinks are typically available for purchase but are not always included. Check onboard services before boarding.
  • Wheelchair access is available on most boats, though boarding assistance and ramp availability may vary. It’s best to contact operators in advance for details.

Frequently asked questions about the seven lakes tour

No. While both use parts of the Havel waterway, the Seven Lakes Tour focuses on the interlinked lake chain southwest of Berlin, offering a more nature-centric route.