Things to do & places to visit in Brandenburg, Germany

Brandenburg #11 destination in Germany 2023. The average rating score is 4.31 based on 30.3k traveler reviews, of 973 attractions. Timezone: Europe/Berlin, current date and time: Wednesday, May 08, 2024, 1:40.

Brandenburg Weather Statistics view more »

General weather summary in May

66°F - 46°F

Temperature Highs - Lows

Moderately chilly with a gentle breeze

Feels like

21%

Chance of rain

79.0 millimeters

Amount

13.8 mph

Wind speed

69%

Humidity

15.7

Daylight length

5:17 AM

Sunrise

8:57 PM

Sunset

46%

Cloud cover

Sweater

What to wear

Top things to do (24)

Top destinations in Brandenburg 100

See more 88 destinations »

Top places to visit (30 attractions) view more »

5.0 Mitsegeln auf dem Scharmuetzelsee (101 reviews)
- Wonderful experience
Wednesday: 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM Boat Tours

Wonderful sunset sailing experience. Highly recommend as an escape from the city. Very new and super clean sailing boat See more..
5.0 TAKE OFF Fallschirmsport GmbH (94 reviews)
- Wicked ride
Wednesday: 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM Skydiving

Weeeee, best ride of my life, cocktail of emotions :). My tandem partner was Kai, really awesome dude, chatty and very positive. Just what a person that jumps for the first time from 4 km needs around! Every question you might have, will be answered. The adrenaline kicks in when you're up there, you are soothed to the last second. The jump is one of a kind, i can only recommend doing it. Shout out to the camera lady, really positive person, she was giggling all the time, and wanted to capture every moment from taking off to landing. She made the whole experience even more amazing. I'll do it again for sure, i just wait until those emotions fade away :D See more..
4.5 Gedenkstätte und Museum Sachsenhausen (3.922 reviews)
- Holocaust tour
Wednesday: 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM Spent More than 3 hours Historic Sites • History Museums

More than 100,000 Jews, communists, intellectuals, gypsies and homosexuals were killed by Nazis between 1936 and 1945 in this concentration camp. Some of the buildings have been preserved in their original form including barracks, and a pathology department where Nazis performed medical experiments on the inmates. See more..
4.5 Sanssouci Park (2.845 reviews)
- Delightful and large public park
Parks • Gardens

What I thought would be a quick hour wandering through the park ended up taking a good half day and we didn't get to see everything! The park is well laid out with plenty of wide paths and even the occasional sign! There was no litter and it really was pleasant to walk around and look at the statues, flower borders and ornamental buildings. We didn't go into the Palace (I'm not even sure you can) but we walked around that and the windmill and Chinese House. There's an excellent little cafe just next to the windmill too. The park is about 10 minutes walk from Potsdam old town and looking at the map we covered about a third of it so you could easily spend the day there. See more..
4.5 Potsdam's Gardens (2.801 reviews)
- Lovely Potsdam, not to be missed.
Historic Sites • Gardens

It wasn't planned. When I found out that Potsdam is a world heritage site about 45 min from Berlin, I was tempted to make the trip but was afraid it would messed up my schedule. But I asked myself, would I get another chance if I miss it and whether I can strech my time and physical condition. I am so glad now that I went ahead, it is one of the most beautiful places I have visited and a nice breakaway from the hussle bussle of Berlin city. Must see the Sanssouci Palace and Neues Palace. Take a bus to the former, walk thru the Sanssouci Park and you will also see Oranerie Paradiesgarten and Chinesisches Haus. Then exit at the Potsdam university to catch a bus to Luisen Platz where you will be able to cover Dampf-maschinenhaus, Brandenburger Tor, Nauener Tor, Hollandisches Viertel and Nikolai Kirche. Have ur lunch at one of the cafe if u fancy before taking the tram and head back to the terminal. See more..
4.5 Sanssouci Palace (2.508 reviews)
- This pocket palace is perfect
Spent < 1 hour Castles

Friedrich the Great's amazing 18th-century palace, reminiscent of the grandeur of Versailles, is surrounded by a magnificent 600-acre park. See more..
4.5 Neues Palais (896 reviews)
- Currently open but under restoration until 2028
Historic Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks

Neues Palais and its surrounding building are at the opposite end of Sanssouci Park and a 2km stroll through the garden from Sanssouci Palace. While the palace were the private quarters of Friedrich the Great, these quarters here were for guests and entertaining, so are much larger and more impressive and pretty incredible, especially the marble dance hall and the shell grotto but also Voltaire's guest chambers. There are some 300 rooms inside, only 30 were available to view and they were spectacular. They rotate those depending on time of year and state of restoration planning which is a $20 million project to finish in 2028. The whole estate is awe inspring and well worth visiting. Bring goid shoes. The stairs to the second floor are steep without guard rails and there is no elevators, so no way to visit for the elderly or walking impaired. See more..
4.5 Schloss Cecilienhof (895 reviews)
- Amazing place. Walk with Churchill, Stalin and Truman
Historic Sites

This historic country house is the site where Truman, Churchill and Stalin met at the famous Potsdam Conference following World War II. See more..
4.5 Holländisches Viertel (785 reviews)
- Shame about the cars
Points of Interest & Landmarks

The Dutch Quarter of Potsdam is a pretty collection of buildings with distinctive Dutch style housing. Although I'm usually an advocate of cars in this instance, cars being parked on both sides of the streets detracts from appreciating the buildings. Some nice little shops and cafes here too. See more..
4.5 Memorial and Museum Sachsenhausen (439 reviews)
- It would take days to see everything
Speciality Museums

My 13-year-old daughters, simply put, were overwhelmed. I have never seen them so engrossed and engaged at a historical site. Although there are massive amounts of material to view and read, they went on their own and explored, spending hours wandering the camp. Once a child can understand this time in history, it is essential that they are given the opportunity to visit. Chilling, powerful and unforgettable to say the least, See more..
4.5 Museum Barberini (331 reviews)
- What a surprise
Wednesday: 10:00 AM - 9:00 PM Spent 2-3 hours Points of Interest & Landmarks • Art Museums

With the opening of the Museum Barberini in 2017 Potsdam gained a new art museum. Exhibitions range from Old Masters to contemporary art, with a major focus on impressionism. Based on the works from the collection of Hasso Plattner, the museum’s benefactor and patron, the Museum Barberini presents three exhibitions each year with loans from international museums and private collections. The exhibitions are prepared at conferences with renowned academics and displayed in new contexts alongside smaller shows. Digital offers like the Barberini App and a media wall, together with a diverse events and education program, make art more accessible for everyone. In addition to its special exhibitions, the Museum Barberini permanently showcases the extensive collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist paintings of the museum’s founder, Hasso Plattner, including masterpieces by Claude Monet, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Berthe Morisot, Gustave Caillebotte, and Paul Signac. See more..
4.5 Glienicke Bridge (329 reviews)
- Border bridge
Wednesday: 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM Spent < 1 hour Bridges

This is a bridge across the Havel River near Potsdam. Tram line 93 from the city center terminates just south of the bridge. During the Cold War the bridge was closed to the public, but the Western Allied and the Soviet used it for the exchange of prisoners. It has also appeared in a number of spy films, symbolizing the division during the Cold War. The bridge was reopened in November 1989. See more..
4.5 Kahnfahrten im Spreewald (239 reviews)
- Kayaking and Canoeing in Lubbenau
Boat Tours

Besides the boats that you can sit on and get punted around in, you can also rent canoes and kayaks in Lübbenau and travel around yourself. My friend described it as feeling adventurous in a very safe way. There are no currents on the canal, and even if you are terrible at paddling, as I was, you just bump off the sides of the canal and get going again. So beautiful to row through the nature and also see quaint houses on some of the canals. See more..
4.5 Biosphere Potsdam (235 reviews)
- Great day out for all the family
Wednesday: 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM Spent 2-3 hours Nature & Wildlife Areas

SUMMER FOR 365 DAYS A YEAR In the center of Potsdam is a place with a holiday-atmosphere 365 days a year – the Biosphere Potsdam. The jungle landscape of the Biosphere with over 20.000 beautiful plants, many exotic animals and an hourly thunderstorm with thunder and lightning takes you to a world far away. Your journey begins at the waterfall and continues on intertwined paths to the butterfly house and to the high-trail up in the treetops. See more..
4.5 Neuer Garten (186 reviews)
- Awesome place to relax
Gardens

A bit underrated sibling of the Sansoucci Park, Neuer Garten is definitely my place of choice for a stroll or a picknick. Perhaps the architecture here is less impressive, but it's still worth to see the Marble Palace and Cecilienhof, while the flower gardens and surrounding lakes will provide great opportunity to sit down for a while and just enjoy the nature. See more..
4.5 Puecklerpark Branitz (181 reviews)
- Beautiful spot
Gardens

Great walks and a beautiful and interesting house - liked the restaurant and the landscaped gardens. The house is huge and gives great insight into Pueckler and his life See more..
4.5 Spreewald Therme (176 reviews)
- As good as it gets.
Wednesday: 9:00 AM - 10:00 PM Spent 2-3 hours Health Clubs • Spas • Thermal Spas

This was our best thermal pool experience out of the 5 x we visited this winter near Berlin. In fact, it was perfect. The place is large, clean with Covid practices enforced, a high standard of cleanliness and enough space and variety for everyone. This is not really a place for young children, although there were about 2 or 3 families there. Variety of thermal pools with different temperature. Large indoor/outdoor area, steam baths, plunge pool, very good restaurant and cafe, large swimwear and accessories shop. It was a very pleasant and relaxing experience. Would definitely go again. Highly recommended. See more..
4.5 Park Babelsberg (142 reviews)
- A Lovely Park
Parks

Park Babelsberg is one of the most beautiful parks I know and it is a must-visit when you're coming to Potsdam. I came here multiple times already and looking forward to come back again. Back in the days it was build as a summer residence for the first emperor of Germany and it's still well preserved, because many green-keepers keeping it clean day for day. There are old traditional buildings all over the park and you have big green meadows where you can relax, do sports or go for a walk with your dog. It's not as crowded as many other parks, especially like in Berlin where I come from and in the summertime a small lido opens at the Havel. I love the landscape with its hills and the lake and if you have a day off you should visit Park Babelsberg. It is easy to reach and just 10-15 minutes by feet from train station Babelsberg. See more..
4.5 Tier-, Freizeit- und Saurierpark Germendorf (141 reviews)
- A wonderful chill place
Wednesday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Spent More than 3 hours Zoos

We brought both our teenager and our two smaller kids.. This park met all needs. It was not too pricey. The personell was sweet. The animals seemed happy. We got so close to them. There were fun playgrounds. For our two boys the dinosaurpark was the best. They felt they arrived in Jurassic park. Fun mixture of lovely lake landscape, fun park and dinosaur exhibit. See more..
4.5 Belvedere Castle on the Pfingstberg (138 reviews)
- Great view from the top
Wednesday: Spent 1-2 hours Points of Interest & Landmarks • Lookouts

Experience the most beautiful view of Potsdam on the Pfingstberg, at a heigt over 100 meters, set amidst Prussian architecture and landscape gardening. The ensemble comprised of the Belvedere Palace, the Temple of Pomona and the park grounds belong to the Stiftung Preussische Schlosser und Garten Berlin-Brandenburg and are part of a unique landscape of UNESCO World Heritage palaces and parks in Potsdam and Berlin. With exhibition about the history, audio guides and a lot of cultural events. Opening hours: april-october, daily, 10 am - 6 pm march, november, saturday and sunday, 10 am - 4 pm december-february, closed See more..
4.5 Freilandmuseum Lehde (137 reviews)
- A must see
Spent 1-2 hours History Museums

I love seeing really old villages with unique traditions. Learned a lot about their culture, loving conditions and ways of doing things. Delicious lard and pickles!!! See more..
4.5 Potsdam Friedenskirche (128 reviews)
- Don't miss this church
Spent < 1 hour Points of Interest & Landmarks

This may be my favourite church building. At the entrance to Sanssouci garden you can't miss it. Friedrich Wilhelm IV had it built in the mid 19th cenury, copying medieval Italian church architecture. On the inside you will find a huge Venecian mosaic from the 13th century, which the king bought as a prince and had it shipped to Potsdam. The coffered ceiling displays golden stars on a blue background. The church isn't very big, and yet very impressive. Additionally, Friedrich Wilhelm IV and his wife are buried in the royal crypt of the church. Just outside of the church, in a mausoleum you can find the tombs of Kaiser Friedrich III, his wife Queen Vicy (daughter of Queen Victoria) as well as the Soldier King. Unfortunately, the mausoleum isn't usually open to the public. If you visit Potsdam and Sanssouci, do not miss out on that church. See more..
4.5 Marmorpalais (122 reviews)
- Loved this visit
Historic Sites

We visited this Palace in August 2019. Visits are by tour only and we arrived to the last tour of the day. It is really pleasant to wander through the park to arrive at the Palace. While waiting for the tour, we marvelled at the painted verandahs. We were only 8 in total on the tour, which was in German but we had the audio-guide. We don't often take audio-guides, but found it really well done and interesting. As always, you had the option to have more detail if you wanted for many items, but the basic info was sufficient. The Palace is beautiful and there is a lot to see. We believe this well worth visiting. See more..
4.5 Boat Lift (Schiffshebewerk) Niederfinow (120 reviews)
- A must for those interested in engineering
Points of Interest & Landmarks

If you are interesting in constructions and engineering this is an interesting place to visit. This boat lift is a listed attraction (Denkmal) which is not surprising considering that it has been in use since it was built in 1934. From this one you can also see the new boat lift which is under construction. The new one is larger in all aspects and should ready in 2014. You can either visit the boat lift on foot (€ 2/adult, € 1/child) which is where you will be able to read information about the lift, e.g. that it takes it 5 min to transport the ca 4 000 tonnes water/construction up the 36 meters. It is not a long or hard walk to get up there from the parking (by the café/restaurants). You may also join a boat tour and actually travel with the lift, but we didn't do this, so I'm not sure where you can get more information from, I just thought it might be good to know. See more..
4.5 Kloster Chorin (117 reviews)
- Abbey with Music
Wednesday: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Points of Interest & Landmarks • Religious Sites

This Cistercian Monastery Chorin was founded in 13th century by the joint governing Ascanian Margraves of Brandenburg John I (1213–1266) and Otto III (ca. 1215–1267). Concerts take place during the summer in the former monks' parlour used for Protestant church services since the Reformation. This room, to the S.E. of the Abbey complex was once used for work and study by the Cistercian monks. It has an impressive triple ribbed vault roof supported by a single central pillar, it's acoustics are excellent. As the only enclosed room in the Abbey it holds an audience of about 100 in an intimate atmosphere. See more..
4.5 Zoo Eberswalde (105 reviews)
- very nice for a family with kids
Zoos

This is a nice zoo , your kids will like it . Once you get there please reserve like 2 - 3 hours. There are many nice animals See more..
4.5 Memorial Ravensbrueck (102 reviews)
- Independent Tour
Wednesday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Spent 2-3 hours Monuments & Statues

We did this tour on our own since there were no guided offerings. Plan on this to take a full day. Take the RE5 from Berlin to Furstenberg (Havel). Take water and snacks; neither are offered at the bookstore, and no restaurants or the train station are open on Sundays. Google maps says it’s a 27-minute walk from train station to memorial, but it was closer to 40 minutes, especially if you stop along the way to read and take photos. See more..
4.5 Bildergalerie (98 reviews)
- An extraordinary art gallery
Spent 1-2 hours Art Museums

An enormous building housing a fantastic collection of art. Mercifully empty after the overcrowded main house See more..
4.0 Brandenburg Gate (Brandenburger Tor) (511 reviews)
- Unexpected delight
Monuments & Statues

When in Potsdam this is well worth a visit and is opposite the main Church so could take in both at same time. See more..
4.0 Designer Outlet Berlin (382 reviews)
- Great
Wednesday: 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM Spent 2-3 hours Shopping Malls

Great variety of shops and places to eat. We spent 4hrs at the outlet and was more than enough. The ugg shop was the best when we went as we got ugg boots for 40 euros a pair. We had a free shuttle that we booked in advance. See more..