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Duration: 1 to 2.5 hours
Popular landmarks: Reichstag, Museum Island, Berlin Cathedral, Bellevue Palace, Victory Column, Government District
Description: Covers Berlin’s political and historic core. You'll pass major sights like the German Parliament, baroque cathedral domes, and the Victory Column, all without the city traffic. Great for orienting yourself to the city or a quick overview.
Recommended ticket:
Duration: 2 to 2.5 hours
Popular landmarks: Charlottenburg Palace, Oberbaum Bridge, East Side Gallery, Berlin Wall Memorial, Mercedes-Benz Arena
Description: Choose a westward route for Charlottenburg’s royal grounds, or head east to see the longest surviving stretch of the Berlin Wall, colorful murals, and the striking Oberbaum Bridge.
Recommended ticket:
Duration: 2 hours
Popular landmarks: Kleiner Wannsee, Pohlesee, Stolpchensee, Babelsberg Castle, Sacrow Church of the Savior
Description: Sail through forested lake chains in southwest Berlin, passing 19th-century castles and waterfront estates. A peaceful alternative to city routes, especially on sunny days.
Recommended ticket:
Duration: 3.25 hours
Popular landmarks: Tiergarten, Charlottenburg Palace, Urbanhafen, Maybachufer
Description: This quieter route winds through shaded canals, Berlin’s green inner districts, and lesser-known neighborhoods. It’s slower and more local, ideal if you’ve already seen the big sights.
Recommended ticket:
3.25-hour River Spree and Landwehrkanal boat tour
3-hour Spree cruise to Mugglesee Lake
As the sun sets, Berlin’s skyline glows in warm light. The golden hour highlights bridges, domes, and towers in soft tones, creating ideal photo ops.
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
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
Nearest landmarks: Berlin Cathedral, Alexanderplatz, and Berlin TV Tower
Nearest metro station: U Rotes Rathaus
Boat tours: 1-hour city cruise from Berlin Mitte
Nearest landmarks: Berlin Hauptbahnhof, German Chancellery, and Reichstag
Nearest metro station: U Turmstr
Boat tours: City-Loungefahrt mit dem Schiff and romantic moonlight cruise
Nearest landmarks: Wannsee Haus, Pfaueninsel, and Glienicke Bridge
Nearest metro station: Berlin Wannsee station
Boat tours: 2-hour Seven Lakes tour
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
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
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.