Are you fed up with the city but don’t have enough money for a flight? Then we’ve got just the thing for you. Here you will find city trips that you can reach from Berlin by bus, train and train in a maximum of 2.5 hours!
Brandenburg on the Havel
Travel time: 1 hour by regional train
Brandenburg an der Havel, often simply called Brandenburg, is known for its Gothic red brick buildings and the picturesque Havel river. The city’s bronze “Waldmops” statues, based on Loriot’s caricatures, are an invitation to a fun scavenger hunt.
Brunswick
Travel time: 1.5 hours
Brunswick, the former ducal residence of Henry the Lion, offers numerous historical sights such as St. Blasii Cathedral, Dankwarderode Castle and the Magni Quarter with its half-timbered houses, including the oldest half-timbered inscription in Germany.
Chorin
Travel time: approx. 30 minutes
The RE3 train takes you to the historic Chorin train station in the middle of Brandenburg in just 30 minutes. From there, an idyllic hiking trail leads through beautiful forests to an imposing monastery complex. The famous building complex is an architectural landmark of brick Gothic architecture, as are the Grey Monastery and the monastery ruins in Mitte, for example. In the complex, you will find a café as well as a permanent exhibition on the history of the monastery from the 13th century. A second hiking trail then takes you back to the station on a circular route or you can spend a few relaxing hours at the nearby Amtssee lake before heading back home.
Dresden
Travel time: 2 hours
Dresden, known as the “Florence on the Elbe”, impresses with its stunning baroque architecture. Worth seeing are the Zwinger Palace, the Royal Palace, the Church of Our Lady and the charming Old Town.
Erfurt
Travel time: approx. 2 hours
The state capital of Thuringia is captivating with its St. Mary’s Cathedral, where Martin Luther was ordained, the picturesque Severi Church, the Merchants’ Bridge with its unique stores and the well-preserved Old Synagogue.
Hamburg
Travel time: approx. 2 hours
The lively port city of Hamburg is ideal for exploring the historic city center, relaxing in Planten un Blomen, visiting the viewing platform of the Elbphilharmonie concert hall and strolling around the Outer Alster lake.
Leipzig
Travel time: 1 hour with the ICE
Leipzig offers a rich historical experience. Music lovers can explore St. Thomas Church, where Johann Sebastian Bach composed many of his works. Other highlights include the Monument to the Battle of the Nations, the Grassi Museum and the charming Old Town.
Ludwigslust
Travel time: 1 hour by ICE | 2 hours by regional train
Ludwigslust is a tranquil town with a baroque palace, a picturesque palace park and a main church. The town is famous for its unique papier-mâché decorations, the so-called Ludwigsluster Tafeln, which are made as a substitute for stucco or wood.
Magdeburg
Travel time: approx. 2 hours
Magdeburg, one of the oldest cities in Germany, is famous for the Cathedral of St. Mauritius and St. Catherine, the burial place of Otto the Great. Other sights include the whimsical Green Citadel by Friedensreich Hundertwasser and the historic old town.
Oranienburg
Travel time: 45 minutes
Oranienburg is located at the terminus of the S1 line and is home to the Sachsenhausen concentration camp, which is now an open-air museum and memorial. Between 1936 and 1945, over 200,000 people were imprisoned here, of whom only around 3,000 were liberated by the Soviet forces at the end of the war. Admission to Sachsenhausen is free and the exhibitions provide a detailed overview of the history of the camp and its prisoners.
Potsdam
Travel time: approx. 35 minutes
Potsdam is a good choice for a day trip from Berlin, accessible via the S7 line and the RE1. The highlight is Sanssouci Park, home to the magnificent Sanssouci Palace, a rococo masterpiece built for Frederick the Great and earning Potsdam the nickname “Versailles of Germany”. Other sights include the Dutch Quarter, the Cecilienhof (site of the Potsdam Conference in 1945), Babelsberg Palace and the historic city center.
Rostock
Travel time: 2 hours
Rostock, the largest port in East Germany after the Second World War, has an extremely rich history. Here you can enjoy the historic city center, the Marienkirche with its astronomical clock from the 14th century as well as stores and cafés!
Schwerin
Travel time: approx. 2.5 hours
Schwerin is a paradise for castle lovers with the majestic Schwerin Castle, the magnificent castle garden, the State Museum and the old town.
Weimar
Travel time: approx. 2 hours
Weimar is a cultural center, home to literary greats Goethe and Schiller and the birthplace of the Bauhaus school. The most important sights include the Bauhaus Museum, the Anna Amalia Library, Goethe’s residence and the park on the Ilm.
Wittenberg (Lutherstadt)
*Travel time: 45 minutes by ICE train | 1 hour 30 minutes by regional train
Wittenberg is the birthplace of the Reformation. On October 31, 1517, Martin Luther nailed his ninety-five theses to the door of the castle church here. The most important sites of the Reformation include the Castle Church, the Assisi Panorama, St. Mary’s Church with its impressive Reformation altar and the Luther House, which offers exhibitions on the history of the Reformation.