More about: 5 Best Boat Tours and Cruises in Berlin
Berlin can be discovered in many ways, and one of them is by taking a short cruise along the river that runs through the city. You can choose from different options, selecting the experience that best suits your plans and travel style.
1. Dinner cruise through the centre of Berlin
Enjoy a different kind of evening with this 3-course dinner cruise on the River Spree, ideal for couples or small groups. For two and a half hours, you can admire Berlin's main monuments illuminated while dining at a private table by the window.
This tour combines the best of sightseeing and gastronomy: it begins with a complimentary drink and continues with a delicious Berlin dinner (vegetarian option also available). What's more, the intimate atmosphere, with only 12 tables available, ensures an exclusive and relaxed experience.
From the Rosengarten pier in the heart of the city, you'll sail through the districts of Kreuzberg, Mitte and Friedrichshain, passing landmarks such as the Reichstag and the TV Tower. A unique way to end your day in Berlin.
Featured itinerary
- Reichstag: the iconic German parliament building
- TV Tower: a modern symbol visible from across the city
- Chancellery: known as Berlin's "White House"
- Spree Riverbank: contemporary architecture and historic areas from the water
More information
- Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes
- Price: From £66
- Recommended if... you are looking for a special dinner in an intimate setting with spectacular views of Berlin illuminated from the water.
2. Premium 4-course dinner cruise on the River Spree
If you want to take the experience to the next level, this 4-course dinner cruise on the River Spree is an excellent option for enjoying a complete evening sailing through the heart of Berlin at sunset. For around 2½ hours, you'll witness the city light up while enjoying a carefully selected all-inclusive gastronomic experience.
As soon as you board, you'll receive a welcome drink. Throughout the tour, a 4-course dinner is served, including a starter, a typical German salad, a main course of your choice (meat, fish or vegetarian) and dessert. All this is accompanied by unlimited drinks such as wine, beer, soft drinks and water, as well as coffee or tea.
On board, you will enjoy panoramic views from the river of some of Berlin's most iconic monuments, such as Museum Island, the Reichstag and the TV Tower. Ideal if you are looking for a more elaborate dining experience in an exclusive and relaxed setting.
Highlighted itinerary
- Museum Island: Berlin's cultural epicentre with the city's most representative museums
- Reichstag: seat of the German Parliament, one of the most visited buildings
- Berliner Fernsehturm: the TV Tower, one of the tallest skyscrapers in Europe
More information
- Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes
- Price: From £99
- Recommended if... you want a more complete and relaxed dining experience while sailing through Berlin at sunset with drinks included.
3. 1-hour boat trip through the centre of Berlin
If you're looking for a quick and relaxed way to see Berlin's most iconic sights from the water, this one-hour cruise on the River Spree is ideal as a first taste of the city or as a final farewell. The tour includes audio commentary to help you discover the history of the monuments along the way.
The departure point is in the Nikolai district, one of the most central parts of Berlin, making it easy to reach on foot or by public transport from anywhere in the city centre. What's more, as it is limited to a maximum of 20 people, it is perfect for those who want to escape the crowded cruise ships and prefer a peaceful ride.
Highlights
- Reichstag: seat of the German Parliament and historical symbol of the country
- Museum Island: an architectural ensemble that houses some of the world's most important museums
- Berlin Cathedral: one of the capital's most iconic religious buildings
- Victory Column: iconic Berlin monument with impressive panoramic views
- Contemporary art centre: Haus der Kulturen der Welt, focused on non-European art
- Bellevue Palace: official residence of the President of Germany, visible from the river
- TV Tower: Berlin's tallest building, symbol of former East Germany
More information
- Duration: 1 hour
- Price: Check according to season
- Recommended if... you're looking for a short, convenient and central activity to see Berlin's key monuments from the water without the crowds.
4. Private walking tour with cruise on the River Spree
If you're looking for a more complete and personalised experience, this private walking tour of Berlin with a cruise on the River Spree combines the best of both worlds: a guided walking tour of Berlin's old town and a relaxing river cruise with skip-the-line entry.
You can choose between a 2- or 3-hour walking tour, accompanied by a private guide who will tailor the tour to your interests. During the walk, you will discover iconic monuments such as Berlin Cathedral and the State Opera House, while learning about the history and evolution of the city in detail.
The experience is completed with a 1-hour cruise on the River Spree, with a guaranteed seat and audio guide included. You will sail through the heart of Berlin, observing the TV Tower and the historic Nikolaiviertel district from the water.
Highlights
- Berlin Cathedral: an architectural gem crowned by a large green dome
- State Opera and Bebelplatz: one of Germany's most important cultural complexes
- Neue Kirche: the New Church, a symbol of Berlin's religious history
- TV Tower: Berlin's tallest building with unmistakable views
- Nikolaiviertel: charming old quarter with medieval charm on the banks of the Spree
More information
- Duration: from 3 to 4 hours
- Price: From £157
- Recommended if... you want a personalised tour with a private guide and combine it with a river cruise without queues or crowds.
5. Sightseeing bus tour with free stops + optional boat trip
Would you like to explore Berlin by land and water in a single experience? This activity offers you just that: an optional boat trip on the River Spree combined with access to the city's tourist bus, ideal for getting around comfortably between the main points of interest.
The cruise includes audio commentary in several languages so you don't miss a thing as you sail through Berlin's historic centre. The panoramic sightseeing bus operates as a hop-on hop-off service: you can get on and off as many times as you like for 24 or 48 hours, depending on the pass you choose. Both modes of transport complement each other perfectly to give you a complete overview of the city.
Highlighted itinerary
(tourist bus)
- Kudamm Avenue and Tauentzienstraße
- Kaufhaus des Westens (KaDeWe)
- Potsdamer Platz and Checkpoint Charlie
- Gendarmenmarkt and Berlin Cathedral
- Alexanderplatz and Unter den Linden
- Holocaust Memorial and Brandenburg Gate
- Berlin Central Station and Victory Column
- Contemporary Art Centre and Café Kranzler
- Zoologischer Garten
More information
- Duration: Depends on the bus ticket chosen (24 or 48 hours)
- Price: From £29
- Recommended if... you want to explore Berlin at your own pace, combining river and land views, hassle-free and with total flexibility.
Another option: take a boat trip around Berlin with the Berlin Pass
The Berlin Pass includes a city cruise among its more than 50 activities. You can take a cruise around Berlin with the Berlin Pass: in addition to enjoying Berlin to the fullest with free admission to the Berlin Wall Museum, the Pergamon Museum, the Bode Museum and many others, it also includes a visit to Berlin Cathedral, a sightseeing bus tour of the city, walking tours and admission to Legoland.
Before purchasing the Berlin Pass, I recommend reading all about its advantages here: Berlin Tourist Cards.
Useful tips for choosing the best cruise in Berlin
The boat tour of Berlin is similar on all cruises that cross the part of the River Spree that runs through the city centre. Therefore, the factors that differentiate each option and that you should take into account when booking online are:
- Price. In the past, the experience of a boat trip was perhaps reserved for travellers with greater financial means, but nowadays you can find prices to suit all budgets.
- Duration of the tour. Tours can last from one to three hours. If you have little time to visit the city and just want to experience the river, a short tour is best. On the other hand, if you want to relax and learn about the different monuments away from the hustle and bustle, you will enjoy a longer tour more.
- Number of passengers. Sharing the experience with a small group is not the same as sharing it with a large group, so always check the maximum number of passengers allowed on each option.
- Extras. As boat trips are very popular in Berlin, you'll find packages that combine them with other activities (such as the tourist bus pass), allowing you to save money.
If you're interested in a boat trip in Berlin, you may also be interested in
During any of the boat trips in Berlin, you will have the opportunity to enjoy the views of the city while listening to audio commentary that will put the different points of interest into context. You can do the same thing, but from a different perspective, by booking a guided walking tour of the city's most important sights or by purchasing a pass for any of the tourist buses that run through Berlin.
If what you liked most about the boat trip was learning historical facts through the audio commentary, you can delve even deeper into the city's history on a guided walking tour. There are different types and they are usually organised by neighbourhood. In this post on 9 Best Tours and Day Trips in Berlin you'll find all the information you need. I'll let you in on a secret: this is one of my favourite experiences in any city.
If, on the other hand, you took the boat trip on the River Spree and enjoyed the views the most, take a look at this other article about Berlin Hop-On Hop-Off Buses. You can buy a pass to access the Berlin tourist bus for one or more days and, in addition to taking different tours of the city, you can also travel freely between the different points of interest with the option of stopping wherever you like.