40 minutes from Berlin lies “Little Venice” and Brandenburg’s largest fruit-growing region: a historic old town surrounded by water and small bridges with Germany’s most famous tree blossom festival!

While we are in the midst of Berlin’s gray winter blues, many are already raving about beautiful Italy – from Tuscany to Sicily to Veneto with its most picturesque city of all: Venice. It’s a dream to glide through the canals in elegant gondolas and feel like you’re in a movie set. But before you start looking for plane tickets, we have a much closer suggestion with almost the same atmosphere: the island town of Werder an der Havel, also known as Brandenburg’s “Little Venice. “ Glide across the water on traditional flatboats and enjoy the Mediterranean flair – surrounded by water, narrow streets, waterfront promenades, and boats right in front of the houses.

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Only about a 25-minute drive separates you from Berlin and this idyllic dream location. The historic center of Werder is located on an island in the Havel River and is connected to the mainland by bridges. Nestled in a landscape of lakes and rivers, including the Havel, Schwielowsee, Glindowsee, and Plessower See, Werder is ideal for swimming, sailing, paddling, stand-up paddling, and cycling by the water in good weather during the summer.

Werder has a long history of fishing, shipping, and fruit growing, with a long tradition as an important fruit-growing region, especially for cherries, apples, and berries. The town is best known for its fruit wine (apple, cherry, pear). Many farms sell it directly on site, something that is hard to find anywhere else.

Today, Werder is both a popular place to live and a sought-after tourist hotspot. The heart of the city is the historic old town with cobblestone streets, lovingly restored half-timbered houses, small cafés and restaurants right on the water, and picturesque harbors with sailboats and yachts.

Werder is surrounded by extensive orchards with apples, cherries, and pears – it is the largest contiguous fruit-growing area in Brandenburg. In spring, the entire region is transformed into a sea of white and pink blossoms, which is also the origin of the famous tree blossom festival.

This year, the traditional Tree Blossom Ball will take place on Friday, April 24, starting at 5:30 p.m. in the ballroom of the Bismarckhöhe. The 147th Tree Blossom Festival will then officially begin on April 25 and last until May 3, 2026.