Berlin Boat Tour 2026
Reserved seating | Reserve now & pay later
About Berlin Boat Tour
Sail through the center of Germany’s capital on our Berlin Boat Tour! Board at one of four convenient locations, and relax as you float down the waters of the River Spree. Along the way, you’ll see iconic sights like the Reichstag building and the Berliner Dom (or Cathedral). The route passes through Nikolaiviertel, the oldest district, and the new Regierungsviertel. As you sail, listen to an onboard audio guide to learn about the sights you’re seeing.
Sailing through the city center, you’ll see iconic landmarks like:
- The Reichstag building
- The Berlin Cathedral
- Museum Island
- Bellevue Palace
- The Victory Column
The boat trip takes you through the oldest and newest parts of Berlin. The Nikolaiviertel dates back to the 13th century, and the Regierungsviertel from the 1990s.
Enjoy the rolling rhythm of the river’s waves, and unwind from Berlin’s hustle and bustle. Feel the breeze on your face and let the wind rustle your hair.
Available in 13 languages including English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, and more.
Cancel up to 24 hours in advance to receive a full refund. Alternatively, reserve your spot without paying. Only pay once you’re sure you’ll be attending.
RESERVE NOW & PAY LATER!
Keep your travel plans flexible - book your spot without any upfront payment!
This river cruise is a good way to kind of decompress and relax while still seeing a lot of Berlin. You basically see the entire city without having to get up and walk around haha. And honestly it’s nice to be on the water - I always love the fresh river breeze. There’s lots of good photo opportunities, like the cathedral, the Reichstag building. Just the skyline in general is a nice panoramic view. The route is great, really central. Later we also visited the East Side Gallery, which wasn’t too far away. It was the perfect opportunity to go visit that also!
The Berlin Boat Tour is a fantastic way to see the city without tiring yourself out. I was with my parents, and we first visited Charlottenburg Palace, which really wore them out. The boat tour later was even better. You see all the most important sights and beautiful neighborhoods like the Nikolaiviertel. And unexpected cool places like that snake-like government building! Had no idea that it was even in Berlin. Got some amazing pictures - my favorite is of the Victory Column, and my parents had a good time. We really did relax. One of the better sightseeing tours I’ve been on.
DESCRIPTION
Berlin Boat Tour
- River cruise on the River Spree
- Audio guide in multiple languages
- 4 boarding location options
- 2 disembarking location options
- Sightseeing Berlin’s top landmarks
- Sightseeing several famous Berlin districts
- Spanish, English, French, Hebrew, Italian, Polish, Russian, Swedish, Dutch, German, Chinese, Finnish, Norwegian, Portuguese
DISCOVER THE EAST SIDE OF BERLIN
Eastern Berlin cruises take you past Nikolaiviertel - the city’s oldest district. Dating to 1230, this section is named for its St. Nicholas’s Church. You should see its tower from the boat! You’ll also pass by the Ephraim-Palais: a beautiful museum with a Rococo-style facade. Upriver is Museum Island, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with five stunning museums. And next door is the Berliner Dom or Berlin Cathedral. As your audio guide will explain, Berlin Cathedral is the largest Protestant church in Germany. The monumental white sandstone and huge green domes make for great photos.
SAIL THROUGH BERLIN’S CENTER
Your cruise passes through the heart of Berlin, including the Regierungsviertel. This is the new Government Quarter, where Germany’s most important institutions are. Your audio guide will point them out. You’ll see buildings like the Federal Chancellery (Bundeskanzleramt) and the Reichstag. The Reichstag, a monumental Neo-Renaissance building, is where the Bundestag meets. The Bundestag is Germany's lower house of Parliament. You’ll also see the Hauptbahnhof or main train station, an impressive glass structure. Continue westward for the House of World Cultures, a center for contemporary art. This interesting structure is nicknamed the “pregnant oyster”.
SAIL THROUGH THE WESTERNMOST PORTION OF BERLIN
Pass under the Lutherbrücke (or Luther Bridge) to explore Berlin’s west side. This charming red bridge is, as your audio guide will explain, named after Martin Luther. You’ll immediately see Bellevue Palace: a grand Neoclassical residence. It’s also where the German president lives. Farther along, you'll see the Siegessäule, or Victory Column. The column is 67 meters high, and has a gold statue of the goddess Victoria at its top. Finally, stop at the "Beamtenschlange". This is where German civil servants are housed, but the building’s shape is fascinating. It’s curved like a snake!
DISEMBARK ONTO SOLID GROUND
Get off the boat, and remember what sight interested you the most. Why not go visit it on foot to really discover Berlin?
FREE CANCELLATION UP TO 24H IN ADVANCE!
Receive a complete refund if you cancel your booking 24 hours before the selected date!
What will I see on the Berlin Boat Tour?
- The Nikolaiviertel - Berlin’s oldest district.
- Museum Island - a UNESCO World Heritage Site of 5 museums.
- The Berlin Cathedral.
- The Regierungsviertel - the new Government Quarter.
- The Reichstag — the seat of the Bundestag, Germany’s lower house of parliament, and a short walk from Berlin’s main train station.
- The House of the Cultures of the World - a center for contemporary art.
- Luther Bridge.
- Bellevue Palace - the residence of the German president.
- The Victory Column sculpture.
- The “Beamtenschlange” - civil servant housing that looks just like a snake.
GOOD TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
- It’s a good idea to arrive a little early. That way, you’ll have a better chance of getting a window seat!
- Strollers can be brought onboard.
- There are food and drinks available for purchase onboard.
- The tour route might be changed slightly. This depends on weather conditions and construction projects.
- It can get chilly on the river, so we highly suggest bringing an extra layer.
- If visiting in the summer, make sure to apply sunscreen and wear sunglasses and a sun hat.
- The tour is flexible, offering free cancellation up to 24 hours before it starts, the same as all our Berlin tours.
Meeting Point
You can begin the boat trip at any one of four locations. Choose between:
- Stern und Kreisschifffahrt, Anleger Am Weidendamm (near Friedrichstraße)
- Schiffsanleger an der Spree am Hauptbahnhof Berlin
- Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 1a (on Museum Island)
- Historic City Cruise - Nikolaiviertel Pier
FAQ - Berlin Boat Tour
Where does the Berlin Boat Tour start?
- Stern und Kreisschifffahrt, Anleger Am Weidendamm
- Schiffsanleger an der Spree am Hauptbahnhof Berlin
- Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 1a
- Historic City Cruise - Nikolaiviertel Pier
What is the best time of day for the Berlin Boat Tour?
What should I wear on the Berlin Boat Tour?
Can I bring a dog on the Berlin Boat Tour?
Will the Berlin Boat Tour happen if it rains?
What should I see in Berlin after the river cruise?
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- Guaranteed seating
- Multilingual audio guide
- Reserve now & pay later
- Free cancellation
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