5 must-visit towns near Berlin

The first things that come to mind when people think of Germany are typically beer, lederhosen, and the raucous joys of Oktoberfest. And as a resident of Berlin for the last five years, I can’t count the number of times visitors have asked me to take them to Cinderella’s castle or to one of the stunning Alps-adjacent lakes you see on your Instagram feed. Well, the reality is that Berlin is a far cry (literally: it’s many hours away) from this German stereotype.

Instead—once you’ve had your fill of Berlin’s world class museums and iconic Turkish and Vietnamese restaurants—take a breather on a day trip to see northern Germany’s version of castles, charming seaside towns, plus other classic German staples (pickles!) straight from the source.

Whether you’re in Berlin for a long weekend or traveling through Germany over a few weeks, these easy Berlin day trips will give you a true taste of German culture.

By far the most popular day trip from Berlin, Potsdam is the former home of Prussian royalty and a 40-minute S-Bahn ride from Berlin’s city center—close enough that you won’t need to book a hotel for the night. Here you’ll find Sanssouci Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that was once the summer residence of Frederick the Great. This park is massive, so plan your route ahead of time: Starting from the Brandenburg Gate entrance, follow the waterside route of the Friedenskirche and baroque Chinese House until you reach the Sanssouci Palace, which was modeled after Versailles and has stunning gardens to match. (You can book a tour of the royals’ palace, but if you’re short on time, walking the grounds is pleasant enough.)

After your walk you’ll probably need some nourishment, so head to Potsdam's charming red-brick Dutch Quarter, where you can’t miss a slice of cheesecake at Café Guam. Art lovers should also explore the Museum Barberini, where the permanent exhibition features Impressionist stars like Monet and Renoir.

Don’t miss: If the weather is right, take a boat tour on the Havel River—it's the best way to see all of Potsdam’s monuments at once. Watch out for the neo-Gothic Babelsberg Castle and the Cecilienhof Palace, where the Potsdam Conference that ended World War II took place.

Architecture fans have to plan a day trip to Lübeck. Known for its iconic red-brick Gothic architecture, this seaside city’s Old Town is an island, so you’ll be surrounded by water once you disembark (it’s around three hours from Berlin by either train or car). Start with a visit to the European Hansemuseum, which traces the history of maritime trade in Germany. For lunch, the nautical themed Schiffergesellschaft has been serving fishermen for 500 years, and it's the best place to sample local dishes like pickled herring and traditional “pan fish” with mustard sauce.

No trip to Lübeck is complete without marzipan, so stop by the popular Cafe Niederegger to get your fill: you’ll find marzipan truffles in all shapes and sizes (I love the classic hearts and eggs during Easter season), bread, and even marzipan potatoes. They also make great souvenirs for friends at home. If you're not a marzipan fan, I love the homemade ice cream from Soulmade, which offers creative flavors like lemon basil, strawberry mascarpone, and even liquorice.

Where to stay: The newly opened Hotel Die Reederin, a mid-century modern design haven located in an 18th-century shipping company’s former headquarters. The hotel only has seven rooms, so it always feels quaint and quiet. Request to stay in the Ursula Suite, which comes with a private balcony overlooking the city.

In less than two hours, you can get from Berlin to Hamburg, Germany’s second largest city. Known as “Venice of the North” thanks to its more than 2,400 bridges, Hamburg is best experienced by the water. Start your day with a fischbrötchen, a fish sandwich commonly filled with pickled herring or shrimp, at the city’s port (my favorite spot: Brücke 10, the last stop on a pier filled with fish shacks). Then walk the canals of HafenCity, home to the stunning Hamburg Elbphilharmonie, which also offers free tours. Spend the afternoon wandering the shops of the Jungfernstieg area in the Old Town (Uzwei is a favorite for high-end women’s clothing), then see if you can make a lap around the Alster Lake, where the waterfront beer gardens like Alsterperle offer a break from city life. At night, head to the artsy Ottensen district, where I recently had some standout pork belly, grilled cod, and cocktails for dinner at Das Granat.

Where to stay: You can’t beat the location of Hamburg’s Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten, a European grand hotel perched at the edge of the Inner Alster Lake. It’s just a five-minute walk to the train, so you’ll be within easy reach of the rest of Hamburg.

If you want a true escape from city life, head to the Spreewald forest. To visit this region south of Berlin, your best bet is to start in the town of Lübbenau, about 90 minutes from Berlin by car or an hour by train. Beyond the beautiful forest and lakes, the area is known for its Spreewald pickles, so start your day at Gherkin Mile (literally "Pickle Mile") where you can sample and buy pickles—go with the classic dill variation, or try a fun flavor like chili or curry—from local farmers. You could spend the afternoon wandering Lübbenau’s old town or visiting the grounds of Lübbenau Castle, but the move here is to take a boat tour or rent your own kayak to explore the scenic water trails. In addition to charming tree overhangs and the residents’ blooming flower boxes, you’ll find cute cafes to dock at along the way for coffee, beer, or, yes, pickles. You can also hike or cycle if boating isn’t your thing.

Don’t miss: The Lehde District, whose 130 residents live directly on the water in wooden houses made of stilts. This is one of the area’s oldest villages, and their open-air museum shows how the Spreewald residents would have lived in the 19th century, complete with traditional (and very colorful!) Sorbian costumes.

Just a two-hour train ride from Berlin, Dresden gives the perfect mix of history and culture, and you can easily see the city in two days. Start in the Altstadt (Old Town), where you'll find yourself surrounded by Baroque buildings like the Frauenkirche, a symbol of Dresden's rebirth after World War II, and the opulent Zwinger Palace, whose garden is worth a visit even if you don’t go inside the palace itself. And at the Grünes Gewölbe, you can see more than 3,000 priceless jewels on display in one of the oldest museums in Europe.

Once you’ve had your fill of history, cross the river to the Neustadt (New Town) and see how Dresden's locals live. I recommend having your meals here, especially at Augustusgarten for a waterfront beer and pretzel, Altes Wettbüro for Mediterranean small plates, and Katy’s Garage for a nightcap drink.

Don’t miss: Take the ferry (or even cycle) from Dresden to Pillnitz for scenic views of the river. Along the way, look out for castles and vineyards tucked away in the hills, a common sight in Saxony. Spend a few hours taking in the Pillnitz castle, and don’t miss warm apple cake at the cafe in the Schlosshotel.

Where to stay: Hotel Taschenbergpalais Kempinski is a spacious former palace located in the old town with public transportation right outside the door.