canoe trip germany

Kayaking and Canoeing in Germany

Canoeing enjoys a great tradition and popularity in Germany. And that’s quite obvious, because the country with its numerous waters has a lot to offer. From north to south, different paddling areas attract many recreational paddlers to the water every year. So there is something for every taste. Whether impressive mountain lakes in Bavaria, the Spreewald with its labyrinth of waterways or urban paddling in big cities like Berlin or Hamburg. With this variety, everyone should find what they are looking for.

In this article we would like to present you our most beautiful paddling tours in Germany, which we have done in the past years. In addition, there are of course many other destinations that are at least as beautiful. A list of all these possibilities would be almost impossible and therefore this article should serve as inspiration for your next canoe or kayak trip and convince you of the beautiful paddling spots that you can find in Germany.

Table of Contents

Canoe trips in Germany for several days

Many waters in Germany offer the possibility to extend a day trip to a tour of several days. It is mainly the large lakes and chains of lakes, but also rivers, which invite you to canoe tours lasting several days. Especially the lakes and lake chains have a good infrastructure of campsites and many of them are even located directly on the shore. Due to the dense population in Germany, there is often no need to carry provisions for several days, as you have supermarkets and restaurants nearby almost everywhere.

As in many other countries, wild camping is not allowed in Germany. While it may be tolerated in some regions, you should not try your luck in nature reserves in particular, as it can get quite expensive. If you are looking for a canoe trip of several days in secluded nature and love wild camping, Scandinavia (e.g. Sweden as a canoe destination or Lake Saimaa in Finland) is recommended, because there the Everyman’s Right applies.

South Bavaria – Kayaking between Mountains

If you love the mountains, you will quickly fall in love with the lakes in Bavaria. Here there is not just the one beautiful lake to discover, but a dozen. The lakes impress with crystal clear water, impressive mountain scenery and Bavarian culture on the shores.

We have already paddled numerous lakes in Bavaria and if we had to name our 3 favorite lakes, it would probably be the Staffelsee, the Chiemsee and the Eibsee.

The Staffelsee is actually a moor lake and therefore always warmer for swimming than all the other lakes. In addition, the small lake impresses with its numerous islands to discover. If you want to go island hopping for a day as a little adventure, the lake is just the right choice for you.

Lake Chiemsee is the third largest lake in Germany and we also love this lake because of its islands. The islands Herreninsel and Fraueninsel are like two worlds apart. One is home to a large forest with walking paths and a replica of Versaille Castle. The other island is basically an idyllic Bavarian village with a women’s monastery. Both islands can be explored extensively on a long summer day.

Eibsee is a fairly small lake with numerous islands as well. But it’s not the islands here that fascinate us so much as its location and water. Lying at the foot of the mountain Zugspitze (the highest mountain in Germany), you can not only see the mountains in the distance, but directly on the shore the imposing mountain massifs pile up with a view of the Zugspitze. In addition, the turquoise-blue water color conveys Caribbean flair.

North Bavaria – A destination for river paddlers

Not only South Bavaria has a lot to offer paddlers, but also the rest of the state, e.g. the hiking rivers in Franconia. The Altmühl Valley, for example, with its numerous shelters for paddlers, is also a popular address for canoe tours lasting several days. The river Altmühl rises in Franconia and slowly seeks its course to Old Bavaria. The emphasis is on slow, because the Altmühl is one of the slowest flowing rivers in Germany. So endurance is also required here when paddling. On the other hand, you will find many beautiful little villages along the banks that are worth discovering. Due to its many shelters for paddlers and very calm current, the Altmühl is especially popular among families.

Another beautiful river in north Bavaria is the Pegnitz. The over 100 km (62 miles) long river Pegnitz has its origin in the Franconian Switzerland, flows through Nuremberg and unites in Fürth with the left Rednitz to the so-called Regnitz. Common paddling routes run between Neuhaus an der Pegnitz and Hohenstadt, although paddling between Neuhaus and Artelshofen is only permitted above a certain minimum water level. On the Nürnberger-Land website, a traffic light system shows whether the sections are currently navigable. In addition, the river is not allowed to be paddled with a SUP, raft or inflatable boat until Hohenstadt. Only canoes, kayaks and inflatable kayaks for a maximum of 3 persons and max. 6 m (19’7”) length are allowed. We paddled the section from Vorra (entry point Pegnitzinsel with nice refreshment stop) to Hohenstadt.

Another nice canoe tour in north Bavaria is a 9 km (5.6 miles) long canoe tour through Bamberg, where you paddle on the right and left arm of the river Regnitz. In the meantime you have to portage your boat into the Hollergraben in front of the Chance-Jugend-Fähre in the city center. Shortly afterwards you will get back to the left arm of the Regnitz. There you will also see the Old Town Hall of Bamberg. In addition to the portage into the Hollergraben, the round trip includes a transfer at the Jahnwehr and at the Friedensbrücke (to get back from the left arm of the Regnitz to the right arm).

Lake Constance – Germany’s 2nd largest Lake

Lake Constance is the second largest lake in Germany and is located in the border triangle with Switzerland and Austria. Geographically, it can be divided into three parts, Upper Lake Constance (Obersee), Lower Lake Constance (Untersee) and Lake Überlingen.

The charm of the lake is mainly its size, the mountains in the background and the beautiful towns on the shores. If you are looking for more nature, Lake Überlingen is the right place. Here, the shores are not so much built up and there is a great view of the mountains from here.

Spree Forest – A Labyrinth of Channels

From our point of view, the Spree Forest (german: Spreewald) is unique. It is a green oasis of forest and moorland, characterized by its numerous natural and man-made river arms of the Spree. Paddling here feels like a walk through the forest. And in between you come across a few idyllic villages. This feeling of walking through the forest on the water is what gives the Spreewald its special flair for us.

Especially the villages of Lübben and Lübbenau with their good train connections to Berlin are ideal starting points for a canoe tour. But also the village of Burg, which is less well connected by public transport, is worthwhile as a starting point for a paddling trip. Thanks to its size, the Spree Forest also offers ideal conditions for a canoe trip of several days. Campsites but also nice small guesthouses and hotels offer every paddler the right accommodation. Thanks to the small canals, the calm waters and the absence of motorboats, this paddling area is also a very good address for families with children.

Berlin – Urban Paddling

As the capital of Germany, Berlin not only has a lot to offer historically and culturally, but is also more than worth a visit as a paddling destination. With the Spree and Havel rivers, two large rivers flow through the city. In addition, there are small rivers, canals and lakes.

Of course, some parts, especially in the city center, are closed to recreational paddlers, but the opportunities that are still available are enormous. Theoretically, you can cross Berlin once by kayak and thus experience sightseeing from the water.

Mecklenburg Lakeland – The Land of a thousand Lakes

In the south of Mecklenburg and in the north of Brandenburg stretches the Mecklenburg Lakeland. The center of this area is Germany’s largest lake, the Müritz. In addition to the Müritz, however, there are other large and small lakes, with many of them connected by canals. This gives endless possibilities for a canoe trip.

This lake district is the right place for you if you want to go on a canoe tour and not just discover one lake. In addition, small towns and villages as well as a rural area characterize the canoeing area. Many campsites have specialized in canoeing and therefore the Mecklenburg Lakeland is also a paradise for canoe tours lasting several days. Depending on the lake and canal where you are paddling, you will encounter quite a bit of motorboat traffic. This lake area is also a popular address among boaters and sailors.

Dresden – National Park and Urban Paddling

How does it sound to you when you start your paddling tour in a national park and end it in the city center of Dresden, the capital of Saxony? That’s exactly the kind of tour we did. First we hiked in Saxon Switzerland and then we paddled from Schmilka near the Czech border to Dresden by packraft.

At the beginning, Saxon Switzerland shapes the banks of the Elbe River and at the end, the beautiful Dresden. Since there are not as many opportunities for paddling in Saxony as in some other states, we would like to mention this Elbe tour here, because it is definitely a very special paddling tour.

Saale near Jena – Beautiful river landscapes

The Saale Valley is one of the most beautiful river landscapes in Germany and with its location in Central Germany it is also easily accessible for many. The 413 km (257 miles) long river meanders through parts of Saxony Anhalt, Thuringia and Bavaria. In addition to the beautiful nature, there are numerous cities such as Jena, Saalburg, Naumburg or even the large city of Halle as well as numerous castles and palaces to discover.

We hope you enjoyed our small selection of canoe and kayak tours in Germany. We will definitely expand the list in the future. And if you know of any other paddling spots in Germany that shouldn’t be missed, feel free to let us know in the comments.

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Hi, I'm Christian and love to discover the nature from the water at any time and in an easy way. For this there is nothing better than portable boats, which are now indispensable for me!

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Spreewald, Germany: Tips for Brandenburg's Prettiest Forest

Spreewald is a biosphere reserve and forest located in Brandenburg, southeast of Berlin, Germany. Spreewald (“Spree Forest” in English) is famous for its winding canals, traditional Sorbian villages, and spa resorts. It’s one of the best day trips from Berlin for anyone who loves nature and wants a taste of traditional Germany.

It took me 7 years of living in Berlin until I finally visited Spreewald in October 2020. But I loved kayaking through Spreewald’s canals under the Autumn foliage, and wanted to share some tips for anyone wondering if the trip is worth it (spoiler: Yes).

As of July 2021, Spreewald is fully open for visitors and doesn’t require a negative COVID test for key activities like boat tours. As of November 2020, you can stay overnight in Spreewald again, too. Since Spreewald is a primarily outdoors destination, it’s a great place to visit this Summer to escape from Berlin.

This post is all about the best things to do in Spreewald, plus tips for how to reach Spreewald, where to stay, when to come, and a map to help you get the lay of the land.

• What is Germany’s Spreewald?

How to reach Spreewald from Berlin

• 10 Things to do in Spreewald, Germany

Where to stay in Spreewald

• A map of Spreewald

Best time to visit Spreewald for great weather

What exactly is germany’s spreewald.

Spreewald refers to a forested area in Brandenburg, Germany. It’s also a biosphere reserve , which is an internationally-recognized UNESCO designation for natural areas worth preserving for their social and ecological systems. The main towns in Spreewald include Lübbenau , Burg , and Vetschau and the villages of Lehde and Leipe .

What makes Spreewald special is over 200 canals traversing more than 276 kilometers, which you can navigate by traditional punting boat (called Spreewaldkahn ), kayak, or canoe. The total length of all channels, rivers, and streams is over 1,500 kilometers.

As you glide through the water, you’ll find over 6,000 species of plants and animals inhabiting Spreewald’s meadows, forests, wetlands, and marshes. It’s a really beautiful places to take a break from the city!

Apart from the nature, Spreewald is also unique because its original residents didn’t speak German — but rather, a slavic language called Sorbian. The Sorbs have lived in Germany for over 1,400 years, and are even responsible for the name “Berlin” which comes from the word for “swamp” in Slavic. In Spreewald, the famous village of Lehde is a unique insight into traditional Sorbian life and culture.

Here’s how to reach this beautiful place.

Spreewald is just 100 kilometers (62 miles) southeast of Berlin and is easy super easy to reach by either car, train, or tour, though you can also reach it by bus with some determination.

Getting to Spreewald from Berlin by car and train take approximately the same amount of time. Getting to Spreewald by bus takes longer, because it involves a transfer and backtracking from Cottbus’ central station (Cottbus Hauptbahnhof). In all cases, the destination to put in your GPS is Lübbenau , the town in the heart of Spreewald.

Reach Spreewald from Berlin by car (Recommended)

Drive on the A13 for 90-100 kilometers (depending on where you’re coming from inside Berlin) until you see an exit for Lübbenau. Driving takes approximately the same amount of time as the train, roughly 1 hour to 1 hour and 15 minutes.

Personally, I recommend renting a car with DiscoverCars so you have the most flexibility with getting around Spreewald (there are plenty of places to park and driving is pretty simple in this area). Book in advance, and the cost isn’t much more than taking the train if you’re traveling in a group of two or more people.

Reach Spreewald from Berlin by train (Quickest)

Take the train from Berlin’s Hauptbahnhof (main station) to Lübbenau (Spreewald) which is the name of the stop. You can easily book train tickets online here and the total trip takes about an hour. This route uses the regional train (RE), but be sure to check whether your train requires a transfer (Umstieg) because many trains have just a 5-minute transfer window in Ostkreuz.

There are lots of departures every day, so it’s easy to catch a train to Spreewald. Train tickets cost from 25€ round trip, if you buy for fixed time slots for departure and arrival. Tickets with Deutsche Bahn typically cost more if you want flexible arrival and departure times.

The only downside is, once you’ve arrived in Spreewald, you are at the mercy of the local bus system. While I’d say Germany’s busses are pretty good, they are much less consistent than trains.

Reach Spreewald on a Tour from Berlin (Simplest)

If you don’t want to mess with figuring out the train and reserving a boat tour, you can take a guided tour to Spreewald from Berlin. This Spreewald tour with Viator starts in Kurfürstendamm in Berlin and takes you by bus to Spreewald.

While the live commentary is in German, there’s also an English audioguide (which is honestly often better, as sometimes German tour guides speaking English can be hard to understand). It lasts 7 1/2 hours and includes transit, a traditional boat tour, and local snack on arrival for a very fair price considering the cost of everything separately. Click here to check availability.

Reach Spreewald from Berlin by bus (Slowest)

Finally, you can travel with Flixbus to nearby Cottbus , a super popular bus network for budget travel around Europe, for about 10€ each way. From Cottbus, you’ll need to take a train from the Cottbus Hauptbahnhof (main station) to Lübbenau for an additional 12€ or so per person. This makes it about the same price as taking the train, but longer because you’ll be “backtracking” from Cottbus Hbf to Lübbenau.

8 Things to do in Spreewald, Germany

Now that you know why you should visit Spreewald and how to get here, these are the best things to do in Spreewald that I’d recommend for any visitor!

1. Rent a kayak or canoe

Exploring Spreewald by boat is undoubtedly the best way to experience the region, and renting your own kayak or canoe gives you the ultimate control of where you go. Plus, in “these times” it’s a great outdoor activity you can do far away from other people.

You’ll find tons of places that rent boats along the Spreewald, designated by signs that say Bootsverleih (or, “Boat Rental”). You can find options for boats for one, two, or more people, and naturally the prices increase as your boat gets fancier (more on pricing in a second).

When we went to Spreewald in Autumn 2020, there was plenty of space for boats in the canals. It wasn’t empty, but it also wasn’t super busy either. There were long stretches where we didn’t see other boats.

The main way you’ll navigate is by following signs at “intersections” of the canals, which help tell you which direction you can go to get to various points of interest. Importantly, “sport boats” are not allowed in certain canals, which will also be clearly marked.

Tips for renting a kayak or canoe in Spreewald: If you’re starting in Lübbenau, you can find a list of places to rent a boat on the Spreewald Tourism website, some of which have their own websites. We booked with Bootsverleih Richter which offers a 2-person kayak for 32€ per day, though you can also book hourly. It’s also possible to reserve a canoe online here which could come in handy during the high tourism season.

Ultimately, renting your own kayak or canoe in Spreewald is an incredible way to get around, and is a family-friendly activity to boot.

2. Or join a Spreewald boat tour with a Spreewaldkahn

But if you want pure relaxation, you can also book a Spreewald boat tour in a traditional Spreewaldkahn . A Spreewaldkahn is a punting boat, where the navigator pushes the boat along by pressing wooden paddle against the bottom of the canal.

At first, it right remind you of the gondolas of Venice, but the water in Venice is actually too deep for this technique to work. Since the canals in Spreewald are quite shallow, this makes it easy to get around using punting boats.

These kind of tours typically don’t include a full meal, but will include local snacks like Brot mit Schmalz und Spreewald Gherkin (bread with lard and Spreewald gherkins). For the best seats, you’ll definitely want to reserve in advance and show up before boarding time so you can pick where you’ll sit on the boat.

Note: It used to be that in order to ride on these boats, you had to present a negative COVID test. However, this is no longer required since the incidence level in Brandenburg is so low. You’ll only be required to provide your contact details when you book a boat tour in Spreewald.

3. Paddle around Lehde, a traditional Sorbian village

If you’re starting from Lübbenau, you’ll ultimately want to make your way to Lehde . Lehde is a small village with just 130 residents, and one of the oldest and most beautiful in Spreewald. You’ll notice that many houses you pass also have a small boathouse with a traditional Spreewald boat docked nearby.

It is also possible to reach parts of Lehde by car and then by foot, as there are a number of bridges connecting the two sides of the canal. You can also consider getting out at the Spreewald Freilandmuseum in Lehde. We didn’t have time for this, but it costs just 5€ to enter so worth checking out if you have the time.

4. Eat (or stay!) at a traditional German Gasthaus

After all that boating around, you’ll want something to eat. Inside Spreewald, you’ll find a number of restaurants, cafes, and guesthouses (in German, Gasthaus ). Pretty much everywhere offers outdoor seating, so you can sit near the canal and enjoy the weather while you have something to eat. A lot of these restaurants also double as guesthouses, meaning you can stay overnight in the Spreewald.

On offer you’ll mostly find standard German fare, like Schnitzel and Pommes (French fries). It is a bit overpriced considering what you’d pay for something similar in Berlin, but obviously you’re in a “local tourism hotspot” in Spreewald so it’s to be expected.

Here’s a peek at my Schnitzel and Pommes:

Lots of the restaurants and cafes are on Google maps, which you can check out as you’re boating around in the canals.

5. Try local Spreewald Gherkins

If there’s one local specialty you have to try, it’s the Spreewald Gherkins. Spreewald Gherkins are a type of locally made pickle, which are protected by the EU as a Protected Geographical Indication — just like Champagne from the Champagne region of France. But pickles.

There are cucumber fields in the area where the special cucumbers are grown, which are eventually made into Spreewald Gherkins. This is a look at three varieties of Gherkin served together, alongside some Bot mit Schmalz (bread with lard):

If you are a big-time pickle-lover, you can even check out the Spreewald Gherkin Museum . We didn’t make it in and honestly the reviews aren’t that great, but you can also buy yourself a jar of pickles right in Lehde or back in Lübbenau.

The sign here says than entry to the museum includes a tasting of the Königsgurke (“King’s Pickle”) in case that entices you inside.

5. Walk around the town of Lübbenau

After your paddling adventure, you might want to check out some of the surroundings in Spreewald. A logical place to start would be Lübbenau.

Lübbenau is a town in Brandenburg, most famous for its incorporated villages of Lehde and Leipe. It has a popular port/marina, from which many of the Spreewald boat tours depart hourly. There’s also a small market nearby called the Gherkin Mile where you can buy local products like pickles and honey.

Drive around town, and you’ll also be able to find the Spreewald Museum and a castle, Schloss Lübbenau which is today a four-star hotel where you can stay in overnight.

6. Visit the Slavic castle Raddusch

Raddusch is best known for its reconstruction of the Slavic Castle pictured below. Back in the 9th and 10th century, the western part of Spreewald was connected through a string of ring-shaped castles like this one. If you go inside, you’ll find a permanent exhibition of the region (known as Lower Lusatia) from the Stone Age through the Middle Ages. Nearby, you’ll also find the town of Vetschau , which was first mentioned as early as 1302.

While you’re in Vetschau, you can also pop by Vetschau Castle (which also has some accompanying gardens) and the Wendish-German double church .

7. Relax at a Spreewald Spa in Burg

The most famous spa in Spreewald is definitely Spreewald Therme located in Burg, an opportunity to soak in salt water thermal baths whose brine comes from 1,350 meters below. They’ve got a Finnish sauna, fitness centers, aroma steam bath, and a fire sauna. And of course, you can experience all of this while eating your fill of Spreewald Gherkins!

8. Cycle the Gurkenradweg

The Gurkenradweg is a 260 kilometer bike trail that winds through the Spreewald, including its famous villages and nature. The route is very flat, and even has a network of battery charging stations in case you want to explore it with ebike. The route can be broken into 8 different stages, usually started in Lübbenau.

Apart from this route, there are other cycling routes in the Spreewald. So if you love outdoor cycling, you can definitely bring your bike here as an alternative way to get around.

There are a few main places you’ll want to stay in Spreewald overnight, but the most popular are in Lübbenau itself or in guesthouses in the historic villages of Leipe or Lehde. Here are the most popular places to stay in Spreewald with great reviews:

• Pension & Gasthaus Spreewaldhof in Leipe – Excellent location right on the canal, you get a real sense of living in one of these historic villages for the night. Breakfast included, and you can rent a boat directly through the guesthouse.
• Schloss Lübbenau – Your chance to stay in a legit castle while you explore the Spreewald over the weekend. This four-star hotel has a great location as a base in Spreewald.
• Hotel Ebusch – Luxurious, four-star accommodation in Lübbenau with glowing reviews and a 9.3 “Superb” rating on Booking.com.

That said, if you are visiting during the high season (April through October) or trying to make a Winter trip near Christmas, there is not a ton of accommodation and it tends to get rented out quickly.

That said, since Spreewald is an easy day trip from Berlin, you can also choose to stay in Berlin . It really depends how much time you have and whether you want to do a simple boat trip or also enjoy some of the cycling, hiking, and other sights in Spreewald.

Map of Spreewald, Germany

Here is a map of Spreewald, which you can use to plan your trip ( larger here ).

Spreewald is more or less a year-round destination, with the high season in April through October, and the low season from November to January.

Summer is the most popular time to visit Spreewald. The weather is great, and the trees offer a lot of shade during most of your boat trip through the Spreewald canals. However it’s also much busier, so you’ll want to be sure you book in advance as this is a very popular local weekend trip.

Autumn is also a beautiful time to visit Spreewald. For the best Autumn foliage, I’d recommend the very end of October (though my tip for hitting the peak is to check recent photos on Instagram to see how far along the change of color is). Another reason to visit in Autumn is that during this season, large numbers of waterfowl stop by Spreewald on their journey South for the Winter. You may also be able to spot sea eagles as well.

Finally, Spreewald in Winter (and during Christmas) is also a sought-after experience. In especially cold winters when the canals freeze over, you can even get around in a sled!

If you want to time your visit alongside an event, you can check out the Events page on Brandenburg Tourism’s website (unfortunately only in German). But there is a lot going on, ranging from a Chopin concert to a Slavic Fairytale Festival. You’ll find plenty no matter what month you end up visiting.

Looking for more places to visit near Spreewald?

One hour away from Spreewald to the southeast and you can visit Germany’s Devil’s Bridge , in the Kromlau Rhododenron Park. It’s really only easily accessible by car, and is absolutely stunning to visit in Autumn. The park was recently under reconstruction, which should be finished in Summer 2021.

This legendary bridge in Saxony, Germany will make you feel like you've fallen into a fairytale. It's one of those places where it's just as magical in photos as it is in real life.

Otherwise, the nearest town is Cottbus , which is a small German city. Only worth a stop if you are already in the area, Cottbus has a zoo, castle, and museum.

About the author

Hi there! I'm Monica, an American expat living in Germany for over six years and using every opportunity to explore the world from my homebase in Berlin. My goal is to capture my memories in photos and posts that show how easy it is to start from scratch and travel the world by working abroad.

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Discover the most beautiful canoe river in Germany The Lahn

The Lahn is the most popular river in Germany when it comes to travelling with a canoe. With out a doubt is she one of the most beautiful canoe rivers in general. You can travel the Lahn by canoe from our canoe station in Roth near Marburg all the way down to its mouth into the Rhine river near Lahnstein, this 160km long route is open all year around.

The beautiful surrounding landscape , the unspoiled nature away from industrial areas, urban centres and street noise, as well as the cultural attractions and the ever-changing river course with mild rapids and partly manually operated locks, invite you to an interesting canoe trip.

In its course the Lahn flows past the university towns of Marburg and Giessen, Wetzlar, the royal seat of Weilburg with the only canal tunnel in Germany, the quaint village Runkel with its fortress, the cathedral city of Limburg, Diez and the climate health resort of Bad Ems, until finally reaches the Rhine at Lahnstein.

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updated 5.02.2019

• Kayaking with seals at Walvis Bay, Namibia

Most people come to Swakopmund, a Bavarian-style town surreally out of place on the edge of the Namib Desert, to explore the vast dunes. Few who visit know that the sandy Atlantic shallows of nearby Walvis Bay are also home to 2500 cape fur seals – one of the country’s last remaining colonies – as well as a resident population of diminutive benguela dolphins.

Kayaking on Lake Malawi

Canoeing the danube delta, romania, kayaking around the maddalena archipelago, sardinia, sea kayaking along the dalmatian coast, croatia, camping and kayaking in the summer isles, scotland, sea kayaking the baltic, canoeing the ba be lakes, vietnam.

Namyak Namibia, a tour operator based in a community crafts shop in the centre of Swakopmund, offers kayak trips in the bay. Canoeing among the seals in the early morning is a joyous experience: the seals surround the canoes and leap across the bows, while the pups look up at you like labradors waiting for a stick to be thrown. The dolphins are a little more circumspect, but will swim alongside, weaving this way and that only so long as you paddle furiously enough to keep up with them.

For details of excursions and rates see www.pelican-point-kayaking.com .

© SAPhotog/Shutterstock

Exhilarating as paddling across Lake Malawi is, it’s important from time to time just to sit still and allow the waters around you to become calm. When that happens, it’s like peering down into a giant aquarium, filled with fish of every conceivable colour. The cichlids alone, of which Lake Malawi has six hundred species, are so dazzlingly various that they are sometimes given the name peacock fish.

Kayak Africa, based in laid-back Cape Maclear, employs fishermen from the nearby village of Chembe as guides, to share their lifetime’s understanding of the lake and the many islets and caves that line its shore. Accommodation is at exclusive bushcamps on either Mumbo or Domwe, otherwise deserted tropical islands so picture-perfect that the urge is to play Robinson Crusoe and not come home. Spend a few evenings on the empty beach, enjoying your freshly caught dinner and watching the lights from the fishermen’s boats flicker on the darkening horizon, and that feeling will only get stronger.

Cape Maclear is a bumpy 115km bus ride from the capital Lilongwe. For tour details and rates see www.kayakafrica.co.za .

© Calin Stan/Shutterstock

Paddling through the vast Danube delta, almost 3000km from where the river began in Germany’s Black Forest, offers the chance to combine some of the best birdwatching in Europe with visits to communities little touched by industrialization. Each spring hundreds of species ranging from spoonbills to warblers migrate here from the southern hemisphere, when the area’s vast silence is broken by their songs and mating calls. In the autumn, huge flocks again gather here to prepare for the long journey south. On canoe trips with Barefoot Tours through this vast maze of channels, forests, sand dunes and reeds, you’ll have the advantage of approaching on the water almost noiselessly, enabling you to get close to the birds without disturbing them or their habitat.

Tours last anything from a day to a week, with nights spent at homestays and lodges in the villages of Tulcea, Crisan and the curiously named Mila 23, all of which are accessible only by water; the main mode of transport in each is canoe. Staying here gives you plenty of opportunity to learn about the locals’ work harvesting reeds and fishing. If you can, it’s worth coming for at least a few days to allow yourself to drift into the gentle, age-old rhythm of the river and the lives of the people here.

For details of tours, prices, availability and getting there see www.barefoot-tours.com .

Much has been written about the celebrity highlife of Sardinia’s Costa Smeralda, as well as the island’s traditional cuisine and its distinctive character and customs. Less well known is that Sardinia has some of the best-conserved coastline in the Mediterranean, thanks to government legislation that bans building property within 2km of the sea around the entire island.

One of the best ways to enjoy Sardinia’s coastline is by sea kayak. Away from the hum of the pleasure boats, paddling under your own steam, you can reach some of the island’s most unspoilt beaches. In particular, the protected islands of the Maddalena Archipelago in the Straits of Bonifacio between Corsica and northeastern Sardinia provide excellent conditions for an island-hopping kayaking adventure. There are seven main islands (five are uninhabited) and over fifty islets around which you can paddle for days in warm, translucent water, searching for that ideal spot to land along the wind-blown granite coastline – home to gulls, cormorants and herons.

British-run Location Sardinia hires out kayaks, and also organizes week-long kayaking trips around the archipelago, including accommodation and guide. For further info see www.locationsardinia.com .

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A necklace of islands licked by glimmering waters, Croatia’s Dalmatian Coast is one of Europe’s most beautiful shorelines. And by far the best way to explore it is to get in a kayak and paddle out, meandering leisurely between the islands as you sit a few centimetres above the water, taking a dip in the glassy sea or soaking up the sun on empty, white-sand beaches. Adriatic Kayak Tours, an organization based in Dubrovnik, offers small-group trips lasting from a few hours to a whole week; they also run quirky themed tours such as “Cliffs and Caves” and a “Wine and Cheese Sunset Paddle”. At the end of each salty, tiring but exhilarating day, knowledgeable guides direct weary canoeists to family-run restaurants where freshly caught seafood and local meats are dished up alongside liberal quantities of local wine. The bling may be returning to Dubrovnik, but Croatia’s real jewels are still to be found out to sea.

For more on the types of tours offered, reservations and frequently asked questions see www.adriatickayaktours.com.

Little Loch Broom Scotland

David Woods/Shutterstock

The protected sandy beaches and shallow shores of the Summer Isles are perfect places to land a kayak and pitch a tent for the night. If you like the idea, canoeing tours organized by Wilderness Scotland make for an excellent choice: there can’t be many trips that leave so little trace behind them.

The journey begins and ends at Inverness train station, where you’re taken by minibus across the northwest of Scotland to Achiltibuie, the launchpad to the Summer Isles. Paddling 12–14km daily for five days, guests are led along the rugged coastline of this remote archipelago, under sea arches and over water surges between narrow channels of rocks. You pass the dramatic sandstone cliffs of Eilean Flada Mar and its outlying skurries, the dramatic peaks of Assynt, the island of Eilean Mullagrach and the wildlife reserve of Isle Ristol. Along the way, you may see dolphins, whales, seals and a huge variety of birds, including golden eagles. After setting up camp late in the afternoon on one of the many islands, dinner is prepared and eaten in a communal tipi before retiring to your tent under a clear night’s sky.

Wilderness Scotland offers a range of guided and non-guided activity holidays across Scotland, including walking, sailing and mountain biking. For details of these see www.wildernessscotland.com .

Over fifty million migratory birds visit Estonia each year, with many rare species – like the velvet scoter and red-breasted merganser – settling on the country’s northern islands to breed. These wildlife havens were the chance consequence of Soviet deportations in the 1950s to allow military tests to take place: when the locals were forced out, the birds began to move in.

You can explore this twitcher’s paradise on guided kayak tours with Reimann Retked, an adventure-holiday specialist certified by the Estonian Ecotourism Association. You can paddle from island to island, approaching the birds without disturbing them, or leave the canoes onshore and hike over the flat scrubland. The latter can be somewhat eerie, as these islands are still dotted with crumbling farmhouses and deserted Soviet watchtowers, half-rusted by the salty air. Covered in white gulls against a setting sun, though, they make for a great photograph.

As well as sea kayaking, Reimann Retked offers rafting, snow-shoeing, bogwalking and kicksledding tours. For full details and prices, see www.retked.ee .

As your guide paddles out of the dim, stalagtite-filled cave and onto the shimmering lake, the air fills with the roar of the distant Dau Dang waterfall. On all sides the tree-covered limestone cliffs loom overhead, their dense vegetation seeming to merge into the jade-coloured water. You’re a long way north of Hanoi and it feels like it.

Canoeing on the tranquil Ba Be Lakes with Footprints Vietnam (an operator staffed by local Vietnamese that works directly with the villages you visit) is a nature retreat like few others. Ba Be means “three seas” – a reference to the three natural lakes that spread over an area 7km long and 1km wide – and three-day boat trips on this wide expanse of water typically stop by caves and waterfalls, and include a stay in the homes of the Tay people who live beside the lake. The Tay, most of whom are farmers or fishermen, live in houses on stilts perched over the edge of the water – and it’s in one of these that you’ll eat and sleep, looking out over the bamboo-lined lake as fishermen pass by at dusk in their wooden canoes.

The best time to go is September to April. The lakes are around six hours’ drive from Hanoi, though Footprints Vietnam and other operators will drive you from the capital. For details of tours and rates see www.footprintsvietnam.com .

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Danube kayak trip interactive map.

This is the fully-operative map of our Danube trip so far! You can use the left-side panel to summon or dismiss the information you’re looking for. I included information about the route, the distance, the obstacles in between, the places we’ve stayed at, which stretches require a permit, and which parts we (had to) skip on the Danube. Each paddle day has its own related blog post you can read. I’ll update this map the more we travel this majestic river with our inflatable canoe.

Click in the upper right corner of the embedded map to open the map in Google Maps or click here !

If you have any questions or suggestions for the map, please leave a comment!

The Stats on This Map

After 49 days of traveling the Danube, we:

• paddled 1253.7 kilometers in total out of 1346.5 kilometers of river
• portaged around 52 obstacles like weirs and locks
• used a kayak slide or brush pass 4 times
• had to skip 76.5 kilometers due to protected nature
• skipped or shortcutted the river 16.3 kilometers
• arranged two permits to paddle some protected stretches
• fell in the water 1 time (just Iris, not Jonas)
• swam in the river 1 time (both of us, out of our own free will)
• paddled in 4 different countries and many different states/provinces
• stayed on 3 campsites and went freecamping 1 time
• patronized 23 döner kebab/çiğköfte/falafel establishments
• had 2 dogs nearly pee against our kayak
• experienced 1 snowy day and about 11 rainy days
• successfully used the kayak sail 8 times
• broke 1 kayak sail (RIP)
• ate  Käsespätzle 6 times (of which 1 was homemade)
• experienced 1 case of bird shit on Jonas’ life vest
• got bitten by mosquitoes about 2270 times
• worked on our own projects about 70 days
• drank the river water 0 times
• took an absolutely ridiculous amount of photos
• wrote 50 blog posts about the trip

Here are the statistics we gathered

Read the blog posts related to our danube trip.

Donaueschingen: Danube Kayak Trip Day Zero

Kayak Trip Day 1: Donaueschingen to Geisingen

Kayak Trip Day 2: Geisingen to Immendingen

Kayak Trip Day 3: Immendingen to Mühlheim via the Donauversickerung

Kayak Trip Day 4: Hausen im Tal to Sigmaringen

Kayak Trip Day 5: Sigmaringen to Mengen + Munderkingen

Kayak Trip Day 6: Munderkingen to Dettingen

Kayak Trip Day 8: Neu-Ulm to Günzburg

Kayak Trip Day 9: Günzburg to Dillingen an der Donau

Kayak Trip Day 10: Dillingen an der Donau to Donauwörth

Kayak Trip Day 11: Donauwörth to Neuburg an der Donau

Kayak Trip Day 12: Neuburg an der Donau to Ingolstadt

Kayak Trip Day 14: Vohburg to Kelheim and the Donaudurchbruch

Kayak Trip Day 15: Kelheim to Regensburg

Kayak Trip Day 16: Regensburg to Friesheim

Kayak Trip Day 17: Friesheim to Straubing

Kayak Trip Day 18: Straubing to Deggendorf

Kayak Trip Day 19: Deggendorf to Vilshofen an der Donau

Kayak Trip Day 20: Vilshofen to Passau

Kayak Trip Day 21: Passau to Engelhartszell – A Border Crossing

Kayak Trip Day 22: Engelhartszell to Kobling

Kayak Trip Day 23: Kobling to Aschach an der Donau

Kayak Trip Day 24: Aschach to Linz

Kayak Trip Day 25: Linz to Au an der Donau

Kayak Trip Day 26: Au to Grein

Kayak Trip Day 27: Grein to Krummnußbaum

Kayak Trip Day 28: Krummnußbaum to Spitz

Kayak Trip Day 29: Spitz to Stein an der Donau

Kayak Trip Day 30: Stein to Zwentendorf

Kayak Trip Day 31: Zwentendorf to Langenlebarn

Kayak Trip Day 33: Vienna to Haslau – Birthday on the Danube

Kayak Trip Day 34: Haslau to Bratislava – Austria to Slovakia

Kayak Trip Day 35: Bratislava to the Čunovo Dam

Kayak Trip Day 36: Čunovo to the Danube Floodplains – Freecamping

Kayak Trip Day 37: Danube Floodplains to Gönyű

Kayak Trip Day 38: Gönyű to Komárno

Kayak Trip Day 39: Komárno to Kúpele Patince

Kayak Trip Day 40: Kúpele Patince to Štúrovo

Kayak Trip Day 41: Štúrovo to Dunabogdány

Kayak Trip Day 42: Dunabogdány to Budapest – The Finish Line

Kayak Trip Day 43: Budapest to Ercsi

Kayak Trip Day 44: Ercsi to Dunaújváros

Kayak Trip Day 45: Dunaújváros to Harta

Kayak Trip Day 46: Harta to Paks

Kayak Trip Day 47: Paks to Érsekcsanád Dunapart

Kayak Trip Day 49: Baja to Mohács – Farewell Paddling the Danube

Thank you very much for joining this journey, my friend. I appreciate you!

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Kayak & Canoe Tours & Trips in Europe

There's nothing like admiring the great outdoors by soaking up the serenity of a kayak tour. Paddle past the scenic landscapes of Europe with 21 kayak and canoe tours ranging from 3 days to 15 days. Watch the world float by on a gratifying kayak adventure.

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21 kayak & canoe tour packages in europe with 167 reviews.

• Kayak & Canoe

Canoeing on the Dordogne

This trip was the holiday and adventure of a life time. It was perfect - the canoe provided with maps, luggage transported and hotels booked. The hotels were varied but all were wonderful and the staff friendly. The dinners were out of this world. The river was SO peaceful, and the 20km days passed in a flash. The instructions/maps could be a bit clearer, particularly instructions of where to pull in and how to get the the hotel. No rapids were mentioned, but we went over at least 10 sets a day - most very easy to navigate. We were very lucky with the fabulous warm weather and the river was low which made it much easier to manage as well. I loved every minute of it all. Thank you. I'd love to return with my family.

• Hiking & Trekking
• Sightseeing

Ultimate Iceland Adventure

Turkey: Hike, Bike & Kayak

Turkey was very interesting and surprisingly beautiful and safe to explore. We had five days after this tour in Capadoccia, Kayseri and Ankara and it was a wonderful introduction to this fascinating country.

• Coastal Walks
• Mountain Bike

Cinque Terre: Hike, Bike & Kayak

6-day Kayak & Wild Camp the Archipelago - self-guided

Had an awesome time out in St Anna. Thomas was a great organiser and provided us with top notch equipment for our travels. Would love to return in the future.

Italian Lakes District Adventure

5-day Kayak & Wild Camp the Archipelago - self-guided

This was a superb self-guided five day kayak/camping trip. The scenery is magnificent. We were novice paddlers and faced challenging conditions on two days (out of five). But the equipment provided was high quality and gave us the confidence to punch the envelope. The instruction and advice was effective and supportive. Such a memorable trip!

5-DAYS FJORD NORWAY ADVENTURE PACKAGE

Discover two national parks by canoeing and hiking, 80-100 km

Slovenia - Active Weekend in Soca Valley

Women Only Kayak expedition in Lapland

• €100 deposit on some dates Some departure dates offer you the chance to book this tour with a lower deposit.

Dordogne Self-Guided Activities

Exploring the wilderness lake Koitere and its Pearls, 30-40km

Coastal Kayaking Adventure

7-day Kayak & Wild Camp the Archipelago - self-guided

I did this trip with a few friends in 2010 and when we were packing up on our last day we were all saying how we would love to do this trip again (or just not leave), so this year with the same friends and a few new ones we wen't back and had an absolutely amazing time, I really wish I could go every year! It's just set up so perfectly and the place is so perfect. Every day paddling, gathering wood, cooking amazing meals, watching the sunset. It's just perfect. If you like camping it's a must do at least once in your life.

What people love about Kayak & Canoe Tours in Europe

This trip was the holiday and adventure of a life time. It was perfect - the canoe provided with maps, luggage transported and hotels booked. The hotels were varied but all were wonderful and the staff friendly. The dinners were out of this world. The river was SO peaceful, and the 20km days passed in a flash. The instructions/maps could be a bit clearer, particularly instructions of where to pull in and how to get the the hotel. No rapids were mentioned, but we went over at least 10 sets a day - most very easy to navigate. We were very lucky with the fabulous warm weather and the river was low which made it much easier to manage as well. I loved every minute of it all. Thank you. I'd love to return with my family.

Great landscape, great equipment, great organization! I highly recommend the tour ?‍♀️

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Thanks to the Danube shipping companies, we get to experience the unique Danube Gorge at arm's length. Award winning beer and a lot of baroque enrich our shore leave at the monastery

By boat through the Danube Gorge

The Weltenburger Enge (Weltenburg narrowness) with the Danube Gorge is one of the oldest nature reserves in Bavaria. Anyone travelling along the Danube through this unique cultural landscape south of Regensburg in the company of Captain Renate Schweiger will experience an unforgettable natural spectacle.

And while enjoying the breathtaking landscape visitors travel along some major historical sights and places in Eastern Bavaria like the Walhalla Hall of Fame, the Unesco-City of Regensburg, the Liberation Hall in Kelheim and the Weltenburg Abbey at the Danube Gorge.

Regensburg, the once-flourishing trading metropolis on the Danube, has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its well-preserved medieval old town. Visitors looking for a peaceful journey can take a cruise from the Steinerne Brücke (Stone Bridge) through the beautiful Danube Valley.

King Ludwig I built the Walhalla just ten kilometres outside the city gates. Its location on the banks of the river was carefully chosen. This magnificent classicist Hall of Fame comes into view from afar. The Weltenburger Enge with the Danube Gorge is situated downstream, 30 kilometres south of Regensburg.

Cast off with Captain Schweiger

This is the territory of Renate Schweiger. This Captain of the inland waterways knows the Danube well, and all the many beautiful attractions along its banks. Her personal highlight is the Danube Gorge. She never tires of marvelling at this natural spectacle and conveying to her passengers the uniqueness of this region.

"The guests are almost speechless and completely enthusiastic"

A cruise with the Captain starts in Kelheim. The Befreiungshalle (Liberation Hall) on the Michelsberg is the symbol of the city. Like the Walhalla in Regensburg, it was built on the orders of King Ludwig I. The King loved magnificent castles, monuments and squares.

He had the monumental victory hall built high above the Danube to honour the War of Liberation against Napoleon.

The best way to experience nature is from a boat

A fairy tale landscape

Down at the jetty on Stadtknechtstraße, it’s time to cast off! Captain Renate Schweiger and her passengers are embarking on a 45-minute cruise through the fairy tale landscape of the Danube Gorge.

150 million years ago, this area was covered by a flat, sub-tropical sea. Corals and sponges built vast reefs out of limestone. Today, the Danube flows some five kilometres through the towering limestone cliffs.

The cruise ship glides past lush forests and rock faces up to 100 metres high. The centuries-old rock formations attracted aristocrats and wealthy citizens to the region in the 19th century. In 1840 the idyllic landscape was declared a natural monument by King Ludwig I.

Renate Schweiger is an inland waterway skipper at the Danube Breakthrough

Nature as a gift

Renate Schweiger spent her childhood here between the rocks and the water. Today, this captain of the inland waterways shares her enthusiasm for her home with guests from all over the world.

“For me, the most fascinating thing is the entrance into the Danube Gorge. You feel as if you’re standing in front of a closed rock wall. Even though I travel through it at least five times a day, this spot is still the most thrilling moment.”

Born and bred in Kelheim, she considers nature as a gift and protects it wherever she can. “For example, we do not offer night cruises and we take a break from December to March. That allows nature to recover.”

The ship glides silently through the nature reserve at a speed of five to six kilometres an hour. The atmosphere on board is good, as always. It is the “indescribable feeling” of calm that visitors appreciate and love.

Weltenburg Monastery lies in a loop of the Danube

Tasty: a beer from the Klosterbrauerei

The crowning glory is Weltenburg Abbey. It was founded in the year 600 and is Bavaria’s oldest monastic complex. The splendid Asamkirche of this Benedictine Abbey is one of the masterpieces of European Baroque.

Beer from the abbey’s brewery has also won numerous accolades. It can be tasted in the beer garden of the Klosterschenke Weltenburg, along with other regional specialities.

“There’s always a great buzz after every trip,” says an enthusiastic Renate Schweiger, whose parents ran the first cruises from Kelheim to Weltenburg Abbey and back in 1969. “For me it was always clear: I was going to work on the boat too.” This really is her dream job.

• More information on Danube navigation (only in German)
• More interesting facts about Weltenburg Monastery

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BEST Spreewald Day Trip From Berlin (+ How To Get There)

Spreewald is the perfect nature getaway and makes a wonderful day trip from Berlin.

If you are looking to experience a different side of Germany on your Berlin holiday, then this is the destination for you!

You can jump on a train direct from Berlin and take a day trip to Lubbeanau and explore beautiful Spreewald. It’s a wonderful day out and worth adding Spreewald into your Berlin itinerary.

Spreewald From Berlin

Where is spreewald.

Spreewald is situated in the state of Brandenburg, a place called Lubbenau.

You can escape the busy city of Berlin for a day trip and immerse yourself in Germany’s beautiful nature and wildlife in Spreewald’s natural environment .

jump on a train and take a day trip from Berlin city to Lubbeanau and explore Spreewald

In 1991, Spreewald was named a UNESCO biosphere reserve, over 400 km of natural and man-made waterways.

Since then the plants and wildlife have grown and it’s become an idyllic place to visit by both local and foreign tourists from Berlin as a day trip and further afield.

Not only do you get to enjoy the natural beauty and calm of the Spreewald area but you can  experience some great German traditions.

From the trying the famous Spreewald pickles (they are delicious) to the local boat postal service that delivers mail to the islands in Lubbenau. How cool would that be to get your post delivered by boat!

Read about my Spreewald day trip from Berlin to Lubbenau, including the best things to see and do,  top tips + how to get to Spreewald from Berlin.

Ask me any more questions about the day trip in the comments below.

Day Trip from Berlin to Spreewald Lubbenau 

How to get there?

Arriving at Lubbenau Station

Best Things to do in Spreewald

Spreewald Local Market

Punting trip

Ledhe Village

Canoeing adventure

Wildlife spotting in Spreewald

Try Spreewald Pickles + Beer

How to get to Spreewald from Berlin (Lubbenau)?

The easiest way to visit Spreewald for a day trip from Berlin is via public transport is the catch the train.

The RE2 takes you from Berlin-Lichtenberg station to Lubbenau/Spreewald stop in about 52 minutes . There is also another stop called Lubben (one stop before Lubbenau so don’t confuse the two!)

Berlin-Lichtenberg is east of the city centre depending on where you are staying it might be easier to travel to Königs Wusterhausen  (you can see where it is on the map below) if you are staying west or south of the centre.

The train to Spreewald takes 30 minutes and leaves from 7.11 am (then every hour).

I stayed south of Berlin city centre at Huttenpalast caravan hotel , it was easier to catch a train S-Bahn to Königs Wusterhausen.

I used my  Berlin Welcome Card which includes travel within zones A, B and C so I didn’t need to buy a ticket for that part of the journey.

My return ticket from Königs Wusterhausen (outside Berlin city centre) to Lubbenau/Spreewald cost 17 EUR*.

How to book your Spreewald tickets?

You can book your day tickets online here  but I found it easier buying straight from the ticket office when I arrived at the station. Königs Wusterhausen is a small station but Berlin’s main station is much busier.

Arriving in Spreewald at Lubbenau Station

Distance to Spreewald: 1 km walk

Once off the train, follow the welcome sign and  multicoloured walls out of the station. You start feeling the love for Lubbenau. 

Cross the road (there’s a Netto/Vodafone shop on the corner) and follow Poststraße for about 10-12 minutes. Down this street, you’ll walk past a green open space with gorgeous wood carvings on each side of the road .

you already start feeling the love for Lubbenau

At the end of the road turn right into Ehm-Welk-Straße. You’re now in the main square of Spreewald with a beautiful church, a few cafes and the famous Spreewald metal statues which make for a perfect selfie!

Lubbenau is a beautiful small town in Europe that you might not have thought about visiting before!

To reach the river Spree you simply turn right after the church onto Dammstraße, you’ll see lots of cute little shops and the main marina area is on your left near the main market area (and all the Spreewald pickle stalls!)

On a day trip from Berlin it’s hard to fit all the best things to see and do in Spreewald but here are my recommendations on how you can spend your visit.

From relaxing on a punting trip to exploring the local shops in Lubbenau, there’s plenty of things to do on your day trip from Berlin. Plan your visit now and don’t miss out on the top attractions.

Visit Spreewald Market + Local Shops

Start your trip by visiting the local Spreewald market and shops in the village. From different local food and drinks to traditional German gifts you can buy as souvenirs on your holiday there are lots to see.

These are close to where the punting tours go from the centre of the village.

Go Punting in Spreewald (a perfect day trip activity)

There are a few different options for punting tour on your day trip . The one you book will depend on your budget and how long you have to spend in Lubbenau, Spreewald. Here are the choices:

• 2-hour punting trip
• 3-hour punting trip (with 1-hour stop at Lehde village)
• 8-hour full-day option

I went for the 3-hour punting tour, a leisurely trip to the village Lehde, an hour stop off and then return journey. 

All the punting boats have little benches with tables. Plus I spotted a few umbrellas so don’t let a bad weather day stop you from exploring!

Climbing aboard is a delicate operation, it’s a little wobbly but take your time and you’ll stay dry. Passengers are strategically placed to ensure even weight distribution.

I ended up sitting in the middle seat between a German couple with their son and daughter-in-law opposite on a day trip to Spreewald.

Sharing my boat with local German tourists was wonderful, they were so friendly and even chatted in English with me. I confess my German is not great so it was very kind of them to make me feel so welcome.

English tour guides are available; however, as I was travelling solo I was happy to jump aboard with the German guide.

Top Spreewald punting tip

• The punting tours stop off on the route at little stalls along the waterside.
• You can buy traditional local pickles and wait for it, pickle beer! I promise it tastes amazing on a hot day.
• Be sure to take some Euros with you as they don’t accept card payments.

Visit Lehde Village in Spreewald

If you have the chance to visit Lehde village in Spreewald on your punting trip then you are in for a treat.

The small village has restaurants or you can simply have a refreshing drink right on the waterfront. You can sit back, enjoy the sunshine, watching the skilled stand-up paddleboarders , canoeists gliding past you or even the local ducks!

My favourite place was the open-air museum at Lehde .

They have wonderfully captured the detail of traditional German village life, including the Sorbs, who have their own Sorbian language and it was so interesting to learn about. There is information in both German and English, plus you might spot a few of the staff dressed in traditional outfits. 

Top tip for the Punting Trip

• If you are on a punting tour, check where your boat leaves from .
• You might need to retrace your steps and go back out the entrance of the museum (I don’t want you stranded!)

Try a Spreewald Canoeing Adventure

After my punting trip and some food from one of the many Lubbenau restaurants. I decided that I was ready to explore the waterways of Spreewald on my own.

My train was at 6.30 pm so I had two options to spend my time. 1. Hire a bike for a few hours, or 2. Head back on the water in a canoe.  I opted for the canoe.

Arriving at canoe rental place I asked if they had any canoes for me, at first he showed me a super sporty slimline canoe, great for getting up some good speed. Then when I said I was a total beginner he pointed me toward this larger (and more sturdy model) .

Perfect for beginners and meant both my camera and I would stay dry!

I was given a laminated, hand-drawn map (the official one was on the other side but the hand-drawn one was much easier to follow). I only had a couple of hours so the tour company gave me a route that would take about an hour and a half.

Steering the large canoe took me a minute to work out what I was doing but then I was on my way.

Hiring a canoe later in the day means the waterways were quieter than the morning. I had also been recommended less-popular routes to paddle down away from the punting boats.

Top tip for your Kayaking trip

• Take a dry bag with you to keep your camera and phone dry from the paddle splash water!
• These can be hired if you don’t have your own

Wildlife Spotting in Spreewald

Spreewald Biosphere Reserve is a haven for wildlife and nature.

The area is famous for kingfishers, although I didn’t spot any on my trip. I saw lots of snakes, both in the water and on land, they were really cool to see both basking in the sun and gliding through the water.

I saw lots of snakes, both in the water and on land

My favourite wildlife encounter of the day trip was seeing my very first beaver. I was enjoying the peace and quiet in my canoe, then I spotted two floating logs, or were they!

I adjusted my eyes and wondered if they were otters but then I realised they were two beavers.

Of course, I had to stop paddling to take a quick photo, although my canoe kept gliding in the water and seemed to be heading straight for them. A speedy reaction and the crisis was averted, phew!

Try the Local Favourites – Spreewald Pickles!

One thing that I had been told to try on my Spreewald trip was the famous Spreewald pickles. If you go on a punting trip then you can have a chance to try them if you stop on the journey.

They might offer you a Spreewald Pickle Beer to go with it. The pickles and pickle beer was delicious, worth trying some on your trip!

If you don’t get a chance to try them on your punting trip then look out for the pickle stalls at the local market. I promise you won’t ever see that many in one place!

My day trip to Lubbenau/Spreewald from Berlin was recommended to me by  Susanna at Wandering Chocobo  (including the Spreewald pickle beer!) I liked it so much that now I’d love to recommend it to more people visit.

I hope you like my tips, especially the Spreewald pickle beer!  Let me know if you try it too.

More Things to do in Spreewald

On a day trip from Berlin, I didn’t have time to do everything in Lubbenau.

Here are some more suggestions for things to do on your visit to Spreewald.

• Explore the historic town centre of Spreewald – you walk through here on the way to the punting trip
• Visit the Spreewald Museum – Check whether this is available in English, the website is all in German
• Go on one of the many nature trails in the area .
• Hire a bike and explore more of Spreewald
• Feeling brave? Why not try stand-up paddleboarding on the River Spree

More things to do in Berlin

• 2 or 3-day itinerary in Berlin
• Top cool and unusual things to do in Berlin
• Top 5 quicky places to stay in Berlin

Are you planning a day trip to Lubbenau Spreewald from Berlin?

Let me know if you have any questions about Spreewald or more things to do on your Berlin holiday in the comments below.

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*Prices correct at time of writing

**My day trip from Berlin to Spreewald in Lubbenau was arranged by Tourism Brandenburg. However, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

*Becky the Traveller participates in the Amazon Services Associates Programme, as well as other affiliate programmes. If you make a purchase through these, I earn from the qualifying links. This is at no extra cost to you. Read more here .

Becky the Traveller

10 thoughts on “ best spreewald day trip from berlin (+ how to get there) ”.

This looks lovely Becky. My husband has done a lot of work in Germany and has promised to show me around some day… might have to put Spreewald on the request list! Thanks for sharing!

Ah thanks, Cheryl, that great to know. I loved Spreewald, it was so peaceful and for someone who loves nature, it was a great contrast to Berlin. Have a wonderful time 🙂

Hi Becky! Do you know if our dog can stay with us during the punting tour? We want to go there in a few weeks. Thank you for all the details. Best regards.

Ah, that’s wonderful, I’m not too sure but I know a lady I can check with so will drop her an email 🙂 I would say as long as the dog is happy sitting relatively still then it would be ok, it needs to be stable so if he or she is jumping around then that might not be allowed!! 🙂

Hey, amazingly detailed blog. I really want to know if I can travel with a 11 month old baby, is the boat safe? Is it advisable to travel to spreewald from Berlin with a baby?

Thank you Lata, apologies for the delay I was on a 2-month hike, without my laptop! I’m sorry I wouldn’t like to say, it felt safe to me and I’m not aware of any incidents but I also don’t have children myself so it’s a little difficult to answer.

Hi Becky! I’m in the UK and I’m visiting Berlin later this month. I’d love to take a day trip to Spreewald (and go punting in particular) – can I ask how you booked your trip? I’m having a bit of trouble navigating the Tourism Brandenburg website – it’s giving me lots of options for overnight trips (which I don’t want) or punt trips (which directs me to external websites in German!)

Hi, I caught the train and booked it when I arrived, so nothing was booked in advance. I hope you enjoy your trip 🙂

Hi Becky, thank you for the detailed blog! Would you say the place felt safe for a female solo traveler? I also don’t know German like you mentioned. Thanks!

Hi Saps, ah yes, I felt very comfortable, it’s a very small place. Hope you have a lovely time. 🙂

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Luxe Adventure Traveler

Adventure Travel With a Glass of Wine

Canoeing the Dordogne

By Jennifer Dombrowski 10 Comments

The Dordogne River flows west through the South West of France, snaking through the soaring cliffs dotted by ancient châteaux and some of the most beautiful villages in France in the Périgord Noir. One of the best ways to experience this stunning part of France is by grabbing some paddles and canoeing the Dordogne.

A Dordogne canoe trip can last from just a few hours to several days while also camping along the Dordogne’s shores. A Dordogne canoe trip can even combine adventure and luxury with a stay in a château converted to a luxury hotel along the way. But no matter whether you canoe the Dordogne on a day trip or on a multi-day Dordogne holiday, this French adventure needs to be on your bucket list.

How to Spend a Day Canoeing the Dordogne from Vitrac to Beynac

For a day out on the Dordogne, the 16 kilometer route from Vitrac to Beynac is one of the most beautiful parts of the Dordogne River. The route encompasses five clifftop castles and three of the most beautiful villages in France on a calm part of the river perfect for any canoeing experience level.

It takes around 3 hours to canoe from Vitrac to Beynac, and there is a shuttle back to the launch point in Vitrac every hour with Canoës Loisirs . There are also points that you can you paddle ashore and visit some of the villages and their attractions along the way.

The route begins in Vitrac, considered to be the heart of the Périgord Noir. The beautiful village, a canton of Sarlat, has a population of just 872. But Vitrac once played an essential role in Bordeaux’s wine trade with England, first as a major producer of wine barrels and then as a builder of the Gabares (a special type of rive barge). The Gabares carried planks of wood for the barrels on the river to the Gironde.

There’s also a small island near Vitrac, which is a natural bird sanctuary. The Dordogne River is, after all, a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve. You can not only admire the beautiful scenery of the honey-colored villages you’ll gently drift past, but also the possibility to spot birds like kites, buzzards and falcons.

La Roque-Gageac

The village of La Roque-Gageac is listed as one of Les Plus Beaux Villages de France , the most beautiful villages of France. The village sits on the Dordogne River and the honey-colored houses are built right in to the massive cliff that overhangs the village.

The village has been occupied since prehistoric times, making it one of the interesting villages to visit. On a walk through the village, follow the steps up to the troglodyte fort that dates back to the Viking invasions. On Friday morning from May – September there is also a food market and there are good restaurants in the village.

The Château de La Malartrie sits on the edge of the village. The castle dates back to the 12th century when it was originally a leper hospital. It sat abandoned for many years until it was purchased by the Count de Saint Aulaire. The Count transformed the castle in the Renaissance style it stands in today. It’s actually a lovely castle hotel you can stay in with a fabulous outdoor swimming pool.

Castelnaud-la-Chapelle

A little further down the river, you come to Castelnaud-la-Chapelle. This is another of the most beautiful villages of France, which sits on the confluence of the Dordogne and Céou rivers. The village is known for its two castles.

Château Castelnaud was built in the 12th century as a show of power to face its rival castle Château de Beynac. This castle too was once abandoned and nothing more than ruins by the time of the French Revolution. The medieval fortress is beautifully restored and today is a museum of medieval warfare. You can even try your hand at archery, a discipline that was well mastered by the soldiers during the Hundred Years War, or firing a trebuchet during various times throughout the year.

The second castle of Castelnaud-la-Chapelle is Château des Milandes . It was built in 1489 by François de Caumont, the Lord of Castelnaud, as a gift to his wife. Josephine Baker purchased it in 1947 after falling in love it while renting it. And today it is a beautiful manor hour with stunning gardens, a birds of prey show and an on-site restaurant.

Ecomusée de la Noix

Foodies won’t want to miss a visit the family-run Ecomusée de la Noix (The Walnut Ecomuseum) in Castelnaud, as the Périgord is the birthplace of the walnut. Walnuts are inextricably linked with the history of the Dordogne. The people here have been eating walnuts since the prehistoric times of the Cro-Magnon some 17,000 years ago.

Walnut oil, the main product produced from Périgord walnuts, was once so valuable that it was worth its weight in gold. Walnuts and walnut oil played a role in contributing to the wealth of the region. Walnuts were even used as a form of currency for peasants to pay off debts and walnut oil was accepted as a form of payment for taxes due to the local churches.

The Ecomusée de la Noix is a walnut plantation that has grown walnuts on the 7 hectares of land atop the hill of Castelnaud since the 18th century. At the museum/plantation, which has been open to the public since 1996, visitors can discover all the various food products walnuts are produced in to including walnut oil, walnut liquor, walnut beer, walnut butter and candied walnuts.

The mills in the old farmhouse turn all year round, giving visitors a look at hold the high-quality cold pressed virgin walnut oil is produced. First, dry walnuts are slowly crushed under the ever-turning grinding wheel into a kind of dough.

The dough is then heated for 30 minutes in a large cast iron bowl that is manually stirred constantly by one of the workers.

The warmed dough is then transferred to the press, where the force of 32 tons of pressure extracts the translucent honey-colored walnut oil from the dough. Visitors are offered a taste of the just-pressed walnut oil. You’ll never taste walnut oil so fresh anywhere else.

There’s also a small museum to walk through, which also has a short film of the walnut harvest. There are incredible sculptures carved from walnut wood, art featuring the walnut, and educational plaques about the different varieties of walnuts grown in the Périgord.

In the shop, visitors can buy the locally made products of the walnut plantation.

The Ecomusée de la Noix is also a Périgord truffle plantation, and visitors are also welcome to learn about the process of truffle hunting. Noxo, the truffle dog, is happy to show off her truffle finding skills in a demonstration in the oak groves where truffles grow on the roots of the trees.

Beynac-et-Cazenac

The third and final of the most beautiful villages of France to pass by on the 16 kilometer canoe trip from Vitrac is the village of Beynac-et-Cazenac. This beautiful village sitting on the north bank of the Dordogne River has been the setting for a number of movies, and Americans may have seen it in Chocolat with Juliette Binoche and The Messenger: The Joan of Arc Story with Dustin Hoffman.

There are quite a few shops and restaurants in pretty Beynac, but it is best known for Château de Beynac that crowns the top of the clifftop village. Château de Beynac is the best preserved of the Dordogne’s more than 100 castles.

The oldest part of clifftop castle was built in the 12th century by the barons of Beynac. The sheer cliff face was deterrent enough, so the oldest part of the castle is a Romanesque keep built on the plateau with a double moat, double crenellated walls and a double barbican. It was enlarged in the 16th and 17th centuries.

During the Hundred Years’ War, Château de Beynac was held by the French. The Dordogne River served as the border between France and England, and Château de Castelnaud on the opposite bank was held by the English. For a brief time it was captured by Richard the Lionheart.

The castle has been listed as a monument historique (a designation given to some French heritage sites) since 1944 and was purchased and restored in 1962. Today it is like a living museum transporting visitors back to the times of Richard the Lionheart and Elinor of Aquitaine. You can explore the dungeons, great halls with their sumptuous tapestries and get an incredible 360-degree view over the Dordogne valley from the towers.

Where to Stay in the Dordogne

Château de La Malartrie

Château de La Malartrie is a castle hotel overlooking one of the most beautiful villages of France, La Roque-Gageac. The castle has five rooms, each unique and named after various castle of the Dordogne. The Commarque room is a family room and our personal favorite is the decor of the Milandes room. There are also two apartments that have kitchens and are perfect for longer stays or families/groups.

Breakfast is included and is a spread of delicious foods from local producers of the Périgord. There’s also an outdoor heated swimming pool. And you can book massages for a relaxing moment or to soothe sore muscles from paddling on the river.

Château Dans Les Arbes

Located about an hour drive away from Vitrac is Château Dans Les Arbes , or the “castles of the trees”. These unique accommodations are luxury tree houses built to resemble several of the real castles of the Dordogne.

Each tree house at Château Dans Les Arbes is unique, but all of them either have a nordic-style hot tub or jacuzzi on their deck. Some even have more than one bedroom and are perfect for a family or friends traveling together. Breakfast of local products is delivered to the tree houses each morning in a picnic basket guests haul up using a pulley system.

Château Dans Les Arbes also has an outdoor swimming pool for guests, offers other activities like table tennis, petanque and games, and has a network of hiking trails. See what other travelers have to say at TripAdvisor.

Know Before You Go

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Our trip to the Dordogne was in partnership with Dordogne Périgord Tourisme in order to bring you this story. However, Luxe Adventure Traveler maintains full editorial control of the content published on this site. As always, all thoughts, opinions, and enthusiasm for travel are entirely our own. This article contains affiliate links. When you shop on Amazon or book on Booking.com through our affiliate sites, we earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.

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About Jennifer Dombrowski

Jennifer Dombrowski is an independent travel publisher and an American expat who has lived in Bordeaux, France since 2016. She previously lived in Northern Italy in a small village near Venice for seven years where she fell in love with wine and wine tourism. She is an award-winning travel writer. She is also a travel correspondent on Traveling on the American Forces Radio Network. Luxe Adventure Traveler was named one of the top travel blogs to watch by the Huffington Post and TripAdvisor, and has been featured by top publications such as National Geographic, CNN, Buzzfeed, and Business Insider. Jennifer's photography has also been featured on publications such as USA Today and Travel + Leisure and on the Travel Channel.

vanessa workman says

April 28, 2019 at 3:26 PM

What an amazing tour, I would love to visit all of these places. 3 hours worth of canoeing sounds like a lot, but the scenery is so stunning along the Dordogne I imagine you barely noticed how long you were paddling. La Roque-Gageac sounds especially interesting. Looks quite young for her ancient age too!

Carol Colborn says

April 28, 2019 at 11:56 PM

Canoeing Dordogne River for a few hours definitely gave you postcard perfect photos like the scene of Cénac-et-Saint-Julien from Vitrac and La Roque-Gageac & Castelnaud-la-Chapelles, two beautiful French villages.

April 29, 2019 at 1:29 AM

Canoeing the Dordogne sounds like such a great idea. Even better if you can plan a luxury stay at a chateau as well. A tree house at Château Dans Les Arbes sounds so fun. Good to know that the stretch between Vitrac and Beynac is the most scenic. And I was happy to hear there is a shuttle back after canoeing for 3 hours. I loved your photos of the sights along the way. A stop at the village of Beynac-et-Cazenac would definitely be something I would want to do.

Punita Malhotra says

April 29, 2019 at 7:53 AM

Another lovely region of France…this country has endless such! We visited few of the Les Plus Beaux Villages and each was prettier than the other. Canoeing…yes, please!

Tom Bourlet says

April 29, 2019 at 12:58 PM

Ah I’d love to canoe with that view! It’s incredible. I used to do a lot of kayaking on Brighton beach, but I’ve always heard it is much better on a river like this, where it softly pulls you along. Added to my list for 2020

April 30, 2019 at 3:37 AM

What an epic way to see areas of France. I love that you canoed along. Much more fun then being stuck in a tour bus and being shuffled around with a million others. Super convenient that they had a shuttle bus to pick you up though.

Renata says

April 30, 2019 at 5:43 PM

Wow – the landscape as such is so breathtaking – and taking these views in from a canoe rowing at your own pace must be just wonderful.

Rosemary says

April 30, 2019 at 9:58 PM

What a great way to explore the beautiful Dordogne region. Love the different options available, though the 3 hour trip sounds like fun. From your pictures, I’m guessing the waters were quite calm, which make it better 🙂 We recently started cooking with Walnut oil and I very much enjoyed reading about the experience at Ecomusée de la Noix. I’d love to sip on freshly ground walnut oil. Great article and I hope to visit the Dordogne soon…for the foie gras 🙂

Debra Schroeder says

May 1, 2019 at 12:31 AM

Such a fun way to explore that part of France. I like the idea of combining canoeing with a luxury hotel stay especially in a place like the Château de la Malartrie. 🙂

Tami Wilcox says

May 1, 2019 at 9:47 AM

I’m blown away by the beauty of these photos and what must be an incredible experience canoeing the Dordogne. This is something I would love to do. Now, I’ve just got to get myself back to southern France!

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