Germany · RIVER CRUISES IN BERLIN
Good river cruises in Berlin fill up weeks ahead and the great ones go first. Below: the 14 to book early, what each includes and how they differ.
See central Berlin from the River Spree on a 135-minute round trip from Friedrichstrasse. You’ll pass the Chancellery, Bellevue Palace, Victory Column, Central Station, Charlottenburg Palace, and several canals. German commentary plays onboard, with audio guides in 12 languages.
“A great way to spend a couple of hours, very interesting and informative”
Cruise from Jannowitzbrücke through Berlin’s Spree and Landwehrkanal for 195 minutes, passing more than 40 bridges, Museum Island, Potsdamer Platz, and the government district. German commentary is available, with an English audio guide on the appropriate booking option.
“It was a nice tour but the descriptions in the audioguides were way shorter that the live ones”
Leave Treptow Harbor for a 3.5-hour cruise along the Spree to Köpenick and Müggelsee. You will pass Köpenick Palace, the Captain of Köpenick statue, Müggelturm, and green waterfront scenery, with indoor and outdoor seating plus food and drinks for purchase.
“it was a perfect, fine, peaceful experience, like a break from life”
Spend two hours on a quiet solar catamaran from Jannowitzbrücke to Treptow Park and back. You’ll see the East Side Gallery from the water, pass Oberbaum Bridge and Insel der Jugend, and hear an English audio guide while the German crew handles the boat.
“What a brilliant day lounging on the boat for 2 hours drinking beer in the sun.Would definitely recommend to anyone to jump on this sightseeing. Cruise”
Spend 2.5 hours at the Floating Lounge aboard the Eastern Comfort Hostelboat, where hosts such as Chris, Patrick, or Jana guide an English-language open mic. Enjoy a free welcome shot, bar access, sunset views, and comedy ranging from playful to dark beside the East Side Gallery.
“chris was a wonderful host, knew how to uplift the atmosphere and certainly was humorous. it was my first stand up comedy show ever and i was definitely not disappointed!”
Spend 150 minutes on the Spree with a private table, welcome Prosecco, and dinner as Berlin’s Cathedral, Reichstag, Museum Island, and Bellevue Palace pass by. Choose a 3-course meal with one dinner drink or a 4-course menu with unlimited beer, wine, Prosecco, and soft drinks.
“The commentary was informative, the food was lovely and the staff were really friendly and helpful. Cash only for extra drinks but they're not expensive. Clean on board and warm inside despite being nearly freezing outside. Great way to end our stay in Berlin.”
Board a modern solar-electric catamaran near Oberbaumbrücke for a 150-minute sunset cruise through central Berlin. You will pass the East Side Gallery, Museum Island, Reichstag, Hauptbahnhof, and House of World Cultures. Audio guides are available in seven languages, with drinks and snacks sold onboard.
“El crucero se nos hizo algo largo, aunque el barco era super cómodo y con un bar que servía aperitivos estupendos. La audioguia decía pocas cosas, echamos de menos más información. Sobre la duración, sobre todo por el tiempo en la esclusa, que la alarga, se nos hizo un poco pesada, también porque íbamos con un niño y dos adolescentes y ellos no aguantan mucho tiempo en el barco sin explicaciones en la audioguia”
Spend about 2.5 hours aboard The Floating Lounge in Friedrichshain for an English comedy night hosted by Chris Doering. Doors open at 8pm and the show starts at 9pm, with short sets from several comedians, a free shot on entry, a bar, and views of the East Side Gallery.
“Good and we laught a lot. 6 people came on stage. Very good price for a great show. I would go again 😂”
Join Reederei Lüdicke for a 3.5-hour cruise from Spandau’s Lindenufer through Charlottenburg and central Berlin. You’ll pass Bellevue Palace, the Chancellery, Reichstag, Museum Island, and old port facilities, with live German commentary and a toilet on board.
Spend about an hour seated on the Spree, passing Museum Island, Berlin Cathedral, the Reichstag, Hauptbahnhof, and the House of World Cultures. Reederei BWSG provides recorded German and English commentary, onboard toilets, and drinks for purchase. The route begins and ends at Alte Börse.
“Great way to see the main sites of Berlin! The waiter in Baird was very attentive and we enjoyed a nice snack and drink while listening to the audio tour which is in German and English.”
See central Berlin from the passenger ship John Franklin on a relaxed 90-minute Spree cruise. You pass the government district, Bundestag, Museum Island, Berlin Cathedral, Hauptbahnhof, and Futurium. German and English service is available, but there is no audio guide or sightseeing commentary.
“Die Fahrt an sich war gut. Leider war nur die hälfte der Karte bestellbar, und leider unter den Erwartungen geblieben. Die Kommunikation bezüglich was alles im VIP Ticket enthalten ist kam erst zum Schluss (also deutlich zu spät).Essen kam wie im Supermarkt über abgepackte Waren, die man selbst öffnen durfte. Alles in allem für VIP Tickets für knapp 100€ nicht den Preis Wert. Schade ☹️”
You’ll cruise Berlin’s central Spree on a quiet, emission-free solar catamaran, with audio guides in seven languages, drinks and snacks available for purchase, and a wheelchair-accessible WC. The route includes Oberbaum Bridge, East Side Gallery, Mühlendamm lock, Museum Island, the Reichstag, and Berlin Central Station.
Spend 150 minutes aboard the MS Audrey with drag queen Audrey Naline, cruising Berlin's Spree through Old and New Berlin, Westhafen, and Charlottenburg. Expect German-language comedy, songs, games, tree decorating, New Year's predictions, and an optional €9 menu.
“Im festlich geschmückten Salon der MS Audrey verbrachten wir , liebevoll umsorgt , eine fachkundig begleitete gute alte , wunderschöne Dampferfahrt 😃 Audrey , ließ die Zeit mit Unterhaltung, kleinen Spielen und Witz , der nie unter die Gürtellinie ging , wie im Fluge vergehen Danke für diesen schönen Abend”
Join drag queen Audrey Naline aboard the MS Audrey for a two-hour Spree cruise in German and English. You’ll pass Bellevue Palace, the government district, Museum Island, Mühlendamm Lock, Mediaspree, and Oberbaum Bridge, with comedy, stories, sparkling wine, and possible dance breaks.
“Diese Spreefahrt war nicht nur informativ, sondern auch sehr locker und humorvoll. Audrey unterhielt ihre Gäste in Englisch wie in Deutsch. Es waren gelungene 1,5 Stunden, die ich so auch wieder buchen würde!”
Pick a city, a river or a beer hall.
