Berlin Lakes

Individual arrival in Potsdam. The information meeting will follow in the late afternoon and the rental bicycle issuance (if additionally booked).

The former East German Potsdam has a lot to offer. The Rococo-style Schloss Sanssouci summer residence is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, but there's more waiting for you. More than 500 hectares of park and about 150 World Heritage monumental buildings await you.

Still impressed by the many sights of Potsdam, you first cycle along the Havel to Werder with its beautiful old town on an island. The annual blossom festival occurs here in the spring and Oktoberfest in autumn. You cycle through the vast landscape of Havelland, fruit growing and lakes characterize the landscape today. You will cycle through the largest water sports area in Europe, along the shores of the Havel lakes, and with a bit of luck, you will spot kingfishers, bluethroat or beavers at work along the way.

A mighty church towers into the sky from afar: St. Catherine's Church shows you the way to your final destination for today, Brandenburg an der Havel. Founded by slaves in the 6th century, this town is the oldest in the region. The well-preserved historic centre is located on three islands, home to several Gothic cathedrals and churches.

You drive along the Beetzsee, to the neo-baroque Schloss Ribbeck with the famous pear tree. Everything here is dominated by the pear, the museum and even the exclusive cuisine of the castle and the "Deutschen Birnengarten". You cycle further to Kreken, known for its historic Scheunenviertel. It is considered the largest preserved of its kind in Germany and today craftsmen, artists and restorers live here.

Liebenberg Castle with its beautiful estate is the first goal of the tour. A detour to the brick factory in Mildenberg, now an industry and technology museum, is worth it.

Along the Havel canals, you will cycle through the beautiful countryside to your destination, Oranienburg. Oranienburg Castle is the oldest baroque castle in Brandenburg. In 1933 one of the first concentration camps was built here, camp Oranienburg. After this camp was closed after a year, camp Sachsenhausen was built in 1935. The memorial and museum KZ Sachsenhausen is a must-visit. An overnight stay in Oranienburg.

Passing the Sachsenhausen Memorial and the former residential area of ​​the GDR government, you cycle through the lake district. The surrounding landscape, an oasis of water lilies and swans, gives the lakes a peaceful and above all romantic character. You reach Berlin's Spandau district, which combines urban flair with forest and water-rich recreational areas. The centre of Berlin is not far from here.

Along the Havel to Wannsee and with a ferry (optional) towards Potsdam. Cycle through the Dutch district of Holländisches Viertel, one of the most beautiful places in Potsdam. Red brick houses with typical Dutch facades, nice shops and cosy restaurants. Potsdam also has a Brandenburg Gate, this toll gate is even eighteen years older than the Berlin toll gate and the two sides of the gate are different in appearance.

Departure from Potsdam or spend extra nights in the city or surrounding region.