Sometimes, it’s nice to feel like a tourist in the city you live in: that’s what I’ve been thinking when I booked a 1-hour Berlin river cruise. After living in Berlin for almost fifteen years, I decided to join one of the most popular activities in town. Going on a boat tour on the Spree sounded like a fun yet somewhat saturated activity. However, I really wanted to see if it deserves booking one and share my opinion with the readers of my blog.
I have a thing for boat tours and ferry rides. Every year, I travel to remote Greek islands, and whenever I visit a waterfront city, I book a tour, like the Mostraumen cruise from Bergen. But this time, it was a river: the Spree in Berlin. On a cold but sunny winter day, I rode my bike to Nikolaiviertel and embarked on a 1-hour city tour along River Spree.
So, in this article, you will read my honest opinion about the Berlin River cruise (you can book the boat tour here), and you’ll see my photos and a 4K video from the ride. In addition, I’ll share useful tips for your boat trip and write about similar river cruises in Berlin.
Let’s start.
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Berlin River Cruise: what to expect
It is advised to arrive at the meeting point at least fifteen minutes before departure (see the meeting point of the boat trip I took on Google Maps). I chose to depart from Nikolaiviertel, which is exactly opposite the Humboldt Forum and very close to the Berliner Dom, the city’s Cathedral. As I wrote earlier, it was a sunny winter day, and the stunning Cathedral looked impressive from the water level.
I pre-booked my ticket, but you can also purchase tickets on-site. Since the boat tours in Berlin are pretty popular and large groups often join them, I prefer to have a ticket in hand and step straight into the boat. Luckily, there weren’t that many people on my timeslot. However, the next boat tour was packed.
On the boat
You don’t have to print your pre-booked ticket. The QR code sent to your smartphone is enough to board straight. The personnel will scan your ticket, and you will be free to choose your desired seat. One great thing about the Berlin River cruise I booked is guaranteed seating. Although it wouldn’t be an issue to find a seat on my timeslot, these boat tours are packed during spring and summertime. Obviously, the last thing you want is to stand still the entire time.
The boat was in mint condition, so kudos to the company for making a great first impression. After having my ticket scanned, the personnel welcomed everyone on board and informed us that a bar-restaurant was operating on the boat. I found the menu quite extensive for a 1-hour boat tour on the Spree: there’s food like currywurst and a variety of drinks. I found the prices reasonable, and I ordered a drink.
There are free audio guides in English, so you can pick up your device when entering the boat. Otherwise, there’s German pre-recorded commentary throughout the cruise.
Please remember that bringing your own food or drinks to the boat is not allowed.
There are two levels on the boat
You can choose to sit inside or outside. When you enter the boat, you will see the first level, which is the interior. It consists of oblong tables and comfortable seats, and you’ll also find menu cards. On the other hand, if you’d rather be exposed to the elements and have clearer views of the city, you can move to the deck on the upper level. The chairs on the deck are plastic, but I found them comfortable for a one-hour boat ride.
I chose the latter. I wanted to be outside and see the city unfolding. However, I must point out that it was freezing cold, and being exposed to cold wind constantly means you must dress accordingly. A famous German saying claims that “there’s no bad weather, only wrong clothing,” and I believe it’s true. Since the deck is the most popular option, arriving early enough at the meeting point means that you’ll secure a seat there.
One thing to remember is that the river cruises in Berlin take place rain or shine. However, the deck might remain closed on a rainy day for security reasons. On cold days, the deck operates, but make sure to wear extra layers of clothes (more about it in my tips section).
The Berlin River Cruise itinerary
The Berlin River Cruise I chose would travel from Humboldt Forum to the iconic Haus der Kulturen der Welt or House of World Cultures. However, you should expect slight alterations to the boat tour itinerary for various reasons. For example, the day I took the tour, it didn’t visit the Haus der Kulturen Welt; instead, it took a right turn on Berlin’s Main Train Station and traveled toward Nordhafen. One potential reason could be traffic on the river since the Spree is used to transport goods.
The cruise covers a distance of approximately 4 kilometers, and there are a handful of things to see along the way.
The Berlin Cathedral
If you start from Nikolaiviertel, you’ll first see the Berliner Dom. The iconic Cathedral is the biggest protestant church in Germany, and you will admire it from the water level. On the opposite side, you’ll also see the DDR Museum, which presents life in former East Germany. It’s a great thing to do in Berlin before or after your cruise.
The Museum Island
The Berlin River Cruise will then travel past the famous Museum Island. That’s a complex of five iconic Berlin Museums, and the one on your left is the Bode Museum. The Museum Island is a Unesco World Heritage Site, and if you have a genuine interest in history and art, it’s a must-do on your trip to Berlin. The Berlin Welcome Card grants you free access to all five museums, so consider purchasing it if you plan to visit them.
Friedrichstrasse
The boat trip will continue toward Friedrichstrasse, one of the busiest junctions in town. Attached to it is the Palace of Tears, a place of separation during Berlin’s Wall years. I wrote a separate article about the famous Tränenpalast here, which you can access for free.
The Government Quarter
The Regierungsviertel or Government Quarter is a must for architecture lovers. Apart from the Reichstag with its famous glass dome, this newly built district showcases some impressive buildings.
For example, you probably have seen the Marie Elisabeth Lüders House on Instagram, which features a gigantic circular window. Cement, glass, and vast open space will definitely create an impression.
The Hauptbahnhof
Next on your Berlin River Cruise will be the Hauptbahnhof. That’s the city’s main train station, the biggest in Germany. That’s an equally impressive structure located on the edge of the Government district. On your right hand, you’ll also see the Futurium, dealing with future cities and the planet’s natural resources.
The Haus der Kulturen der Welt (or Nordhafen)
Usually, the tour will continue to the beautiful Haus der Kulturen Welt, which Berliners call “pregnant oyster” due to its shape. However, the day I took the cruise, the boat continued toward Nordhafen.
The way back to your starting point
After reaching the final point of your Berlin cruise, the boat will turn and drive back to your starting point. This way, you can see all the landmarks one more time—and since you’ll head toward Alexanderplatz, the TV Tower will be omnipresent on the horizon.
Should you book a Berlin River Cruise?
So, after writing down the boat tour itinerary, the famous sights, and what to expect from it, it’s time to write my opinion about it.
Yes, it absolutely deserves going on a 1-hour boat tour on River Spree when you visit Berlin. Seeing landmarks from the water level and enjoying a different perspective are enough reasons to embark on a boat tour. Moreover, I believe that 20-25 euros (depending on the cruise) is a fair cost for an activity like this. You won’t be forced to buy food or drinks on board, and you can simply enjoy your boat trip around Berlin.
Overall, it was an enjoyable experience for one more reason: the boat was clean, tidy, and spacious enough to accommodate everyone. Moreover, the personnel was professional, which is always a big plus in tourist activities.
Even for me, who calls Berlin home, it was a fun activity, and I definitely recommend it to my readers. It’s a unique thing to do in Berlin, and the cost is fair.
You can book the boat trip I took here.
Other similar Berlin boat tours
Before heading to the tips for your Berlin Spree River Cruises, I’ll add a section about similar boat trips. If you believe one hour is not enough or you’d like to have some extras during your cruise, this section is for you. So, here are some more boat tours:
Extended Berlin River Spree Boat Tour. This tour travels along the Spree but lasts almost two and a half hours. Apparently, you’ll see more sights and the price is around 30 euros per person. You can book the Spree boat trip here.
On a Solar-Powered Catamaran. Instead of a boat, you’ll travel along the river on a solar-powered catamaran. The tour lasts over two hours and costs approximately 50 euros per person. You can book a seat on the solar-powered catamaran here.
East Side Tour. As its name suggests, this tour will take place in eastern Berlin. Although the sights on my tour are included, the boat trip continues to places like the East Side Gallery and Treptower Park. You can book the East Side Tour here.
Dinner Cruise on the Spree. Lastly, if you’d like to combine a cruise with a fine dinner, this one is for you. A three—or four-course menu plus a glass of prosecco are included in the price. Book the Dinner on the Spree here.
Berlin River Cruise tips
In the final section of this article about River Spree cruises in Berlin, I’ll add 3 tips to make your boat tour more enjoyable.
- Dress for the weather. It doesn’t matter if you take the cruise in winter or summer. Make sure to bring something extra for the boat tour. Even during the summer, you might feel a cool breeze -Berlin is a windy city. On the other hand, dress warm and in layers if you take the trip in the winter. And if you feel really cold, spend at least part of the tour in the interior.
- Arrive on time. Arriving on time doesn’t just mean that you won’t lose the cruise. It also means you’ll be able to find the seat you want -indoors or on the deck. You can’t pre-book a specific seat, so an early arrival will make this possible if you want to have a window seat inside or a seat next to the water on the deck.
- Get the free audio guide. If you don’t speak German and your river cruise offers an audio guide, grab one. I found the information very useful, and you’ll get extra insights about what you see.
A boat tour on River Spree in Berlin: Conclusion
Embarking on a Spree River cruise is a sweet, laid-back way of sightseeing and exploring Berlin. Apart from discovering the city from a different perspective, I found the boat tour enjoyable due to the endless views from Berlin’s canals. Seated on the deck and exposed to the cold wind on a sunny day, it felt wonderful after a long winter. Moreover, through the commentary, I had the opportunity to learn new things about the historic city.
The tour’s cost is reasonable, and there’s value in what you get for approximately 20 euros. The one-hour Berlin River Cruise exceeded my expectations and, despite sounding rather touristic, turned out to be fun. Book one, and enjoy an easy-going activity in one of the most fascinating European capitals.
More about Berlin: 3 days in Berlin, Berlin Wall Memorial, Berlin by bike, 10 Berlin facts, Berlinale guide
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Last Updated on April 6, 2024 by George Pavlopoulos