• Paddeln im Spreewald, Picture: TMB Tourismus-Marketing Brandenburg GmbH/Peter Becker

Spreewald A unique water labyrinth and celebrated traditions

The Spreewald Forest is a one-of-a-kind lagoon-like water labyrinth in Europe under special UNESCO protection. The people in the southeast of Brandenburg have preserved long-standing traditions and are proud of their regional artisan and agricultural products, first and foremost of their famous Spreewald gherkins.

The mysticism over this part of the country can be traced back to the Sorb culture and mythology. The nativeness of the people can be explored best by going on a punting boat, canoe or bike ride.

Let's go! We show you how to spend the perfect day at Spreewald Forest, give you tips and recommendations surrounding your vacation and reveal the best highlights you don't want to miss.

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Popular activity: A Spreewald Forest boat tour

The Spreewald is a unique, lagoon-like water maze in Europe and enjoys special protection as a UNESCO biosphere reserve. It is best explored from the water.

The gentle glide of the boat downstream has something magical about it—passing by picturesque villages, open woodlands, and meadows dotted with traditional hayricks. Numerous small island farmsteads are linked by narrow and wider waterways. Old traditions and crafts—such as boat building, wooden clog making, and basket weaving—have been preserved in the region’s 200-year-old houses. You can experience these crafts firsthand at the Lehde Open-Air Museum.

The boat plays a central role in Spreewald life: during the cucumber harvest it serves as the main transport, and in summer it even delivers the mail by water. Discover special boat tours off the beaten path—for example, starting from Straupitz, Alt Zauche, or Neu Zauche. In winter, too, you can wrap yourself in a blanket aboard the boat and enjoy the snowy Spreewald landscape with a cup of mulled wine or hot tea.

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Spreewald Kahnfahrt Spreewald Kahnfahrt, Picture: TMB Tourismus-Marketing Brandenburg GmbH/Florian Trykowski
Morgentau im Spreewald Morgentau im Spreewald, Picture: TMB Tourismus-Marketing Brandenburg GmbH/Florian Trykowski
Haus am Fließ Haus am Fließ, Picture: TMB Tourismus-Marketing Brandenburg GmbH/Steffen Lehmann
    Spreewald Kahnfahrt Spreewald Kahnfahrt, Picture: TMB Tourismus-Marketing Brandenburg GmbH/Florian Trykowski
  • Morgentau im Spreewald Morgentau im Spreewald, Picture: TMB Tourismus-Marketing Brandenburg GmbH/Florian Trykowski
  • Haus am Fließ Haus am Fließ, Picture: TMB Tourismus-Marketing Brandenburg GmbH/Steffen Lehmann

Celebrated traditions Sorbs and Wends

The first settlers to inhabit the Spreewald were the Slavic Sorbs and Wends. Their language, traditions and customs are preserved to this day. Aside from the typical, artistically crafted dresses, there are numerous customs you can experience in the Spreewald Forest: During the “Zampern” in spring, the local youth moves from door to door to collect presents. On “Zapust”, a type of carnival, the arrival of spring is celebrated by warding off dangers and demons. Other typical Sorbian customs include the “Stollenreiten” and “Hahnrupfen”.

For the Easter holidays, eggs are artistically decorated and painted. For all those who like to be creative, workshops are offered on the weekends before the Easter holidays. At Christmas, the veiled “Bescherkind” together with “Rumpodich” (Santa and his little helper) move from door to door.

And by the way: Street names and town signs are always labelled in German and Sorbian.

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Frauen tanzen in sorbischer Tracht Frauen tanzen in sorbischer Tracht, Picture: TMB Tourismus-Marketing Brandenburg GmbH/Malte Jäger
Sorbische Ostereier Sorbische Ostereier, Picture: TMB Tourismus-Marketing Brandenburg GmbH/Matthias Fricke
Kahnfahrt im kleinen Spreewald Wahrenbrück Kahnfahrt im kleinen Spreewald Wahrenbrück, Picture: TMB Tourismus-Marketing Brandenburg GmbH/Matthias Schäfer
    Frauen tanzen in sorbischer Tracht Frauen tanzen in sorbischer Tracht, Picture: TMB Tourismus-Marketing Brandenburg GmbH/Malte Jäger
  • Sorbische Ostereier Sorbische Ostereier, Picture: TMB Tourismus-Marketing Brandenburg GmbH/Matthias Fricke
  • Kahnfahrt im kleinen Spreewald Wahrenbrück Kahnfahrt im kleinen Spreewald Wahrenbrück, Picture: TMB Tourismus-Marketing Brandenburg GmbH/Matthias Schäfer

Highlights in Spreewald

Peter Frankes "Un-Kraut-Laden", Foto: Peter Becker

Spreewald Herb Manufactory in Peter Franke’s… Spreewald Herb Manufactory in Peter Franke’s… Spreewald Herb Manufactory in Peter Franke’s… Spreewald Herb Manufactory in Peter Franke’s "Un-Kraut-Laden"

The host Peter Franke from Spreewald Forest invites visitors to his ‘Un-Kraut-Laden’ at the herb hotel ‘Zum Stern’ in Werben to…
The host Peter Franke from Spreewald Forest invites visitors to his ‘Un-Kraut-Laden’ at…
The host Peter Franke from Spreewald Forest invites visitors to his ‘Un-Kraut-Laden’ at the herb hotel ‘Zum Stern’ in Werben to take part in…
The host Peter Franke from Spreewald Forest invites visitors to his ‘Un-Kraut-Laden’ at the herb hotel ‘Zum Stern’ in Werben to take part in…
Werben/Spreewald | Spreewald
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Peter Frankes "Un-Kraut-Laden", Foto: Peter Becker
Stary lud, Foto: Kerstin Möbes

Stary lud Local History Museum Stary lud Local History Museum Stary lud Local History Museum Stary lud Local History Museum

‘Stary lud’ is part of the local history museum in Dissen. It is part of a Medieval Slavic settlement that was reconstructed based…
‘Stary lud’ is part of the local history museum in Dissen. It is part of a Medieval Slavic…
‘Stary lud’ is part of the local history museum in Dissen. It is part of a Medieval Slavic settlement that was reconstructed based on…
‘Stary lud’ is part of the local history museum in Dissen. It is part of a Medieval Slavic settlement that was reconstructed based on…
Dissen-Striesow | Spreewald
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Stary lud, Foto: Kerstin Möbes
Töpferei Piezonka, Foto: Elke Piezonka

Pottery Workshop Elke Piezonka Pottery Workshop Elke Piezonka Pottery Workshop Elke Piezonka Pottery Workshop Elke Piezonka

A wide range of ceramics is hand-made and sold here, including floor vases, storage jars, and everyday tableware. The design of…
A wide range of ceramics is hand-made and sold here, including floor vases, storage jars,…
A wide range of ceramics is hand-made and sold here, including floor vases, storage jars, and everyday tableware. The design of the pottery…
A wide range of ceramics is hand-made and sold here, including floor vases, storage jars, and everyday tableware. The design of the pottery…
Burg (Spreewald) | Spreewald
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Töpferei Piezonka, Foto: Elke Piezonka
Swimming with penguins, picture: Spreewelten GmbH

Water park Spreewelten Bad Lübbenau Water park Spreewelten Bad Lübbenau Water park Spreewelten Bad Lübbenau Water park Spreewelten Bad Lübbenau

The Spreewelten sauna village is both traditional and unique: Discover the “Lutki-Höhle”, a sauna cave where stories are told or…
The Spreewelten sauna village is both traditional and unique: Discover the “Lutki-Höhle”,…
The Spreewelten sauna village is both traditional and unique: Discover the “Lutki-Höhle”, a sauna cave where stories are told or gently move…
The Spreewelten sauna village is both traditional and unique: Discover the “Lutki-Höhle”, a sauna cave where stories are told or gently move…
Lübbenau/Spreewald | Spreewald
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Swimming with penguins, picture: Spreewelten GmbH
Spreewald-Museum Lübbenau - Torhaus , Foto: Museum OSL, Lizenz: Museum OSL

Spreewald Museum Lübbenau Spreewald Museum Lübbenau Spreewald Museum Lübbenau Spreewald Museum Lübbenau

At the Spreewald Museum in the historic town centre of Lübbenau, visitors go on a journey through time to the hectic everyday life…
At the Spreewald Museum in the historic town centre of Lübbenau, visitors go on a journey…
At the Spreewald Museum in the historic town centre of Lübbenau, visitors go on a journey through time to the hectic everyday life of a…
At the Spreewald Museum in the historic town centre of Lübbenau, visitors go on a journey through time to the hectic everyday life of a…
Lübbenau/Spreewald | Spreewald
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Spreewald-Museum Lübbenau - Torhaus , Foto: Museum OSL, Lizenz: Museum OSL
Kleiner Spreewaldhafen Burg harbour, picture: Kleiner Spreewaldhafen Burg

Kleiner Spreewaldhafen Burg harbour Kleiner Spreewaldhafen Burg harbour Kleiner Spreewaldhafen Burg harbour Kleiner Spreewaldhafen Burg harbour

Friendly service at Kleiner Spreewaldhafen Burg The Kleiner Spreewaldhafen represents individuality and professionalism at the…
Friendly service at Kleiner Spreewaldhafen Burg The Kleiner Spreewaldhafen represents…
Friendly service at Kleiner Spreewaldhafen Burg The Kleiner Spreewaldhafen represents individuality and professionalism at the UNESCO…
Friendly service at Kleiner Spreewaldhafen Burg The Kleiner Spreewaldhafen represents individuality and professionalism at the UNESCO…
Burg (Spreewald) | Spreewald
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Kleiner Spreewaldhafen Burg harbour, picture: Kleiner Spreewaldhafen Burg
Peter Frankes "Un-Kraut-Laden", Foto: Peter Becker

Spreewald Herb Manufactory in Peter Franke’s… Spreewald Herb Manufactory in Peter Franke’s… Spreewald Herb Manufactory in Peter Franke’s… Spreewald Herb Manufactory in Peter Franke’s "Un-Kraut-Laden"

The host Peter Franke from Spreewald Forest invites visitors to his ‘Un-Kraut-Laden’ at the herb hotel ‘Zum Stern’ in Werben to…
The host Peter Franke from Spreewald Forest invites visitors to his ‘Un-Kraut-Laden’ at…
The host Peter Franke from Spreewald Forest invites visitors to his ‘Un-Kraut-Laden’ at the herb hotel ‘Zum Stern’ in Werben to take part in…
The host Peter Franke from Spreewald Forest invites visitors to his ‘Un-Kraut-Laden’ at the herb hotel ‘Zum Stern’ in Werben to take part in…
Werben/Spreewald | Spreewald
Find out more!
Peter Frankes "Un-Kraut-Laden", Foto: Peter Becker
Stary lud, Foto: Kerstin Möbes

Stary lud Local History Museum Stary lud Local History Museum Stary lud Local History Museum Stary lud Local History Museum

‘Stary lud’ is part of the local history museum in Dissen. It is part of a Medieval Slavic settlement that was reconstructed based…
‘Stary lud’ is part of the local history museum in Dissen. It is part of a Medieval Slavic…
‘Stary lud’ is part of the local history museum in Dissen. It is part of a Medieval Slavic settlement that was reconstructed based on…
‘Stary lud’ is part of the local history museum in Dissen. It is part of a Medieval Slavic settlement that was reconstructed based on…
Dissen-Striesow | Spreewald
Find out more!
Stary lud, Foto: Kerstin Möbes
Töpferei Piezonka, Foto: Elke Piezonka

Pottery Workshop Elke Piezonka Pottery Workshop Elke Piezonka Pottery Workshop Elke Piezonka Pottery Workshop Elke Piezonka

A wide range of ceramics is hand-made and sold here, including floor vases, storage jars, and everyday tableware. The design of…
A wide range of ceramics is hand-made and sold here, including floor vases, storage jars,…
A wide range of ceramics is hand-made and sold here, including floor vases, storage jars, and everyday tableware. The design of the pottery…
A wide range of ceramics is hand-made and sold here, including floor vases, storage jars, and everyday tableware. The design of the pottery…
Burg (Spreewald) | Spreewald
Find out more!
Töpferei Piezonka, Foto: Elke Piezonka
Swimming with penguins, picture: Spreewelten GmbH

Water park Spreewelten Bad Lübbenau Water park Spreewelten Bad Lübbenau Water park Spreewelten Bad Lübbenau Water park Spreewelten Bad Lübbenau

The Spreewelten sauna village is both traditional and unique: Discover the “Lutki-Höhle”, a sauna cave where stories are told or…
The Spreewelten sauna village is both traditional and unique: Discover the “Lutki-Höhle”,…
The Spreewelten sauna village is both traditional and unique: Discover the “Lutki-Höhle”, a sauna cave where stories are told or gently move…
The Spreewelten sauna village is both traditional and unique: Discover the “Lutki-Höhle”, a sauna cave where stories are told or gently move…
Lübbenau/Spreewald | Spreewald
Find out more!
Swimming with penguins, picture: Spreewelten GmbH

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