Parks and gardens accessible by boat
Visit the romantic parks and palace grounds, blossoming landscape gardens, Asian theme gardens or informative herb gardens on your boat tour on the Havel River.
Potsdam—Havelberg
There are numerous parks and gardens in close vicinity to moorings in the water-sport region of the Potsdam and Brandenburg Havel Lakes and the neighbouring area Flusslandschaft Untere Havelniederung. We have compiled the green and blossoming havens between Potsdam and Havelberg that can be visited by boat here.
Moorings
We have indicated the closest mooring for each specific park and garden. You will also find this information on the respective 'Wasserwanderkarte' (water touring map).
Download here the Wasserwanderkarte (water touring map) of the Potsdam and Brandenburg Havel Lakes (for all the parks and gardens from Potsdam right until Brandenburg an der Havel as featured below).
Download here the Wasserwanderkarte (water touring map) of the Flusslandschaft Untere Havelniederung (for all the parks and gardens in Milow and Havelberg detailed below).
Potsdam
Sanssouci Park has UNESCO World Heritage status and is the heart of the Prussian roots of the State of Brandenburg. You can visit more palaces and other impressive buildings surrounded by numerous ornamental and vegetable gardens and orchards, in addition to the famous palace of Sanssouci, which used to be the summer residence of Frederick the Great.
» PHv 24.5: Anleger Neustädter Havelbucht (1 km)
» PHv 24.1: Auf dem Kiewitt 33a (1 km)
open daily from 8am until dusk, free admission, donations welcome
Contact:
Maulbeerallee, 14469 Potsdam, Phone: (+49-331) 9694-200
King Frederick William II modelled this romantic landscape garden at Jungfernsee Lake on English gardens. Lenné later added the panoramic vistas and meadows to it.
» PHv 28.6: Öffentliche Sportbootliegestelle Glienicker Brücke (500 m)
» PHv 26.8: Marina am Tiefen See (700 m)
» PHv 26.4: Öffentliche Sportbootliegestelle Alte Fahrt (1 km)
open daily from 8am until dusk, free admission, donations welcome
Contact:
Am Neuen Garten, 14469 Potsdam, Phone: (+49-331) 9694-200
Lenné was originally responsible for the neo-Gothic style of Babelsberg Palace's landscape park in 1833; however, Pückler-Muskau subsequently influenced its design greatly. This park is well known for its terraces with mosaic patterns, carpet beddings, sculptures and fountains.
» PHv 26.8: Marina am Tiefen See (300 m)
» PHv 26.0: Bootswerft und Kanucenter Jahn (1 km)
» PHv 26.4: Öffentliche Sportbootliegestelle Alte Fahrt (1 km)
open daily from 8am until dusk, free admission, donations welcome
Contact:
Schlosspark Babelsberg, 14482 Potsdam, Phone: (+49-331) 9694-200
The Freundschaftsinsel is an idyllic little island right in the centre of Potsdam surrounded by water. It is renowned for the show gardens and teaching gardens by Karl Foerster showcasing more than one thousand different perennials and more than 250 varieties of irises.
» PHv 26.4: Öffentliche Sportbootliegestelle Alte Fahrt (100 m)
» PHv 24.5: Anleger Neustädter Havelbucht (1 km)
» PHv 26.8: Marina am Tiefen See (1 km)
Business hours/prices:
open daily from 7am, free admission
Contact:
Lange Brücke, 14467 Potsdam, Phone: (+49-331) 200-8016
Volkspark Potsdam hosted a BUGA that took place in Potsdam previously. Flower lovers are fascinated by its colourful gardens of dahlias and luxuriant groves of rhododendrons, and families appreciate the many outdoor experiences such as the popular water playground.
» PHv 26.4: Öffentliche Sportbootliegestelle Potsdam Alte Fahrt (3 km)
» PHv 26.8: Marina am Tiefen See (2.5 km)
» PHv 24.5: Anleger Neustädter Havelbucht (2.5 km)
open daily from 5am to 11pm, admission March–November €1, reduced rate €0.50
Contact:
Georg-Hermann-Allee 101, 14469 Potsdam, Phone: (+49-331) 6206-777
Schwielowsee
Schloss Caputh (Caputh Castle) was once the summer residence of Frederick William, Elector of Brandenburg. Traces of the former Baroque garden have been preserved in its intimate landscape garden.
» PHv 18.3: Kanuanleger Ziegelscheune Caputh (300 m)
» PHv 17.8: Bothe Caputh (400 m)
» PHv 19.7: Campingpark Sanssouci (4 km)
Open daily from 8am until dusk. While admission to the park is free, there is an access fee for Caputh Castle.
Contact:
Straße der Einheit 2, 14548 Schwielowsee OT Caputh, Phone: (+49-33209) 70345
Ferch's Bonsai garden is a fine piece of Asian garden design featuring bonsai up to 130 years old. Enjoy the wonderful atmosphere of the garden over a nice bowl of tea.
» Schwielowsee: Marina Ferch (1.8 km)
» Schwielowsee: Steggemeinschaft Neue Scheune Ferch (1.1 km)
» Schwielowsee: Kanuanleger Zum alten Landrat Ferch (550 m)
April–October, Tues.–Sun., public holidays 10am to 6pm, adults €4, children €2
Contact:
Fercher Straße 61, 14548 Schwielowsee OT Ferch, Phone: (+49-33209) 72161
Werder (Havel)
The extensive landscape park was laid out in accordance with plans by the famous landscape-architect Lenné. Historical buildings such as the Schinkelkirche church and the washhouse are also well worth a visit.
» Glindower See: Sanddorn Garten Petzow (500 m)
» Glindower See: Yachthafen Porta Elisa (500 m)
Business hours/prices:
open year-round, free admission
Contact:
14542 Werder (Havel) OT Petzow, Phone: (+49-3327) 668-379 (Heimatverein Petzow e.V.)
Ketzin/Havel
Majestic trees, paths and structures are reminiscent of the old park design commissioned by crown prince Frederick William III and his princess consort Louise in this palace garden, which was originally laid out in three parts.
» UHW 34.2: Restaurant an der Fähre (2 km)
» UHW 35.1: Strandbad Ketzin/Tipi-Dorf (2 km)
» KHv 0.4: Steganlage Ketzin (2.5 km)
Park and church garden are open at all times. While admission to the park is free, there is an access fee for Paretz Castle.
Contact:
Parkring 1, 14669 Ketzin/Havel Ortsbereich Paretz, Phone: (+49-33233) 73-610
Kloster Lehnin
The little park on the shore of the Klostersee Lake showcases extraordinary sculptures by contemporary artists and a modern café offering wonderful views over the lake and park.
» Klostersee Strandbad Lehnin (200 m)
Business hours/prices:
Mon.–Sun. 10am to 6pm, free admission
Contact:
Am Klostersee 12 b, 14797 Kloster Lehnin OT Lehnin, Phone: (+49-3382) 734-100
Brandenburg an der Havel
The design of this small park has been influenced by different epochs. It is classified as a landmark garden and contains foreign trees and scrubs. The garden's small pond was fully refurbished for the 2015 'BUGA' National Horticulture Show.
» BHv 58.0: Wasserwanderrastplatz am Slawendorf (100 m)
» BHv 57.3: Wasserwanderrastplatz Packhofufer (200 m)
Business hours/prices:
open year-round, free admission
Contact:
Plauer Straße, 14770 Brandenburg an der Havel
This palace garden is a converted landscape park and was laid out by the Count von Koenigsmarck during the 19th century. The 'Plauer Fontaneweg' is a short hiking trail that cuts through the palace garden and offers information on cultural history and nature of the area.
» UHW 67.9: Schloss Plaue (20 m)
» UHW 68.7: De Drait Yachtcharter Brandenburg (1 km)
Business hours/prices:
open year-round, free admission
Contact:
Genthiner Straße 76, 14774 Brandenburg an der Havel OT Plaue, Phone: (+49-3381) 213-714
Milow
This herb garden hosts more than 150 medicinal plants. It is laid out next to the pharmacy and divided into twelve different subject areas offering cures for a broad range of health complaints.
» UHW 93.2: Wassertouristisches Zentrum Milow (400 m)
» UHW 93.0: Biwakplatz Jugendherberge Milow (200 m)
Mon.–Fri. 8am to 6:30pm, Sat. 8am to 12am, during the summer also open on Sunday, free admission
Contact:
Friedensstraße 105, 14715 Milower Land, Phone: (+49-3386) 280-380
Havelberg
Why not take a stroll around the hotel and through this gorgeous garden vaguely reminiscent of Japan and past a small pond and wildflower meadow on a warm summer day?
» UHW 145.9: Yachthafen Havelberg (1 km)
» UHW 146.1: Campinginsel Havelberg (1.2 km)
Business hours/prices:
open at all times, free admission
Contact:
Schönberger Weg 6, 39539 Havelberg, Phone: (+49-39387) 595-151
Discover two gardens that could hardly be more different: an Italian Renaissance garden near the canon's abode, which was built almost 300 years ago, and right next to it a permaculture food garden.
» UHW 145.9: Yachthafen Havelberg (1.4 km)
» UHW 146.1: Campinginsel Havelberg (1.2 km)
Business hours/prices:
open daily, free admission
Contact:
denkMal und Leben e. V., Domherrnstrasse 8, 39539 Havelberg, Phone: (+49-39387) 790-25
Guided tours
Discover the fascinating nature and dark sky park during an exciting guided tour by foot, by horse-drawn carriage, by bike or canoe.
Visitor centre
At the visitor centre of the nature reserve 'Naturparkzentrum Westhavelland' in Milow, young and old alike can explore the wildlife and night sky of the Havel region in an interactive exhibition.
UHW 93.2 Wassertouristisches Zentrum Milow 50 m; UHW 93.0 Biwakplatz Milow 250m