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Vacationing in your own country is cool! For everyone looking for a travel destination in Germany away from mainstream spots, we have a strong recommendation: camping in the Spreewald. It’s super cool. You can find out what the region has to offer here.
We all actually know very well how many beautiful places Germany has to offer. Still, we somehow don’t travel within our own country often enough – maybe too rarely! That’s why today we want to introduce you to a travel destination in Germany that has everything a camper’s heart desires: a special atmosphere, pure nature, and a wide range of activities and campsites. In this blog article, we’ll show you more about the Spreewald, what you can do there, and where you can stay overnight with your camper.
Camping in the Spreewald: What you need to know
What is the Spreewald and where is it located?
In eastern Germany, in the state of Brandenburg, the Spreewald stretches between Dresden and Berlin. Covering an area of nearly 475 square kilometers, this landscape is a labyrinth of small rivers, interwoven with forests, wetlands, and marshes. The network of waterways, known locally as “Fließe,” consists of natural branches of the River Spree that were gradually expanded by man-made canals. With more than 1,500 kilometers of waterways—270 kilometers of which are navigable—the Spreewald is unique in Germany. For this reason, it has been designated a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
The region is home to around 300,000 residents whose lives are closely shaped by the water and canals, often also influenced by strong traditional customs and local heritage.
How do I get to camping in the Spreewald?
From Erfurt and Hamburg, the Spreewald is also easy to reach by road. If you start your journey from Erfurt, you can reach the Spreewald in around 3 hours by car. From Hamburg, you should plan approximately 3.5 to 4 hours, depending on traffic. This makes the Spreewald a convenient destination for a relaxed camper trip from different parts of Germany.
When is the best time to go camping in the Spreewald?
The Spreewald is a worthwhile travel destination all year round. The most popular time to visit is, of course, during the spring and summer months, when the weather is pleasantly warm. This is also the perfect time to fully enjoy the surrounding lakes. One tip: Around Pentecost each year, the Spreewald Legends Night takes place in Burg – an open-air spectacle about the history, traditions, and legends of the Spreewald.
But the Spreewald is also a great choice if you’re looking for a camping destination in the low-season. In autumn, the Spreewald’s leaves turn into beautiful shades of color. And in winter, the region becomes wonderfully cozy. Here, you’ll find exactly what you’d hope for during the quieter season elsewhere: relaxation and peace. Whether at one of the many wellness facilities or on a mulled wine boat tour, where you can admire the canals while wrapped in a blanket with a warm cup of mulled wine in hand. During this time, you can also visit the Spreewald Christmas in the harbor of Lübbenau and at the Lehde Open-Air Museum – a very special kind of Christmas market. You can even travel by boat from one Christmas market to the next.
Campsites in the Spreewald: Our top picks
There are plenty of campsites in the Spreewald! The best campsite in the Spreewald? That really depends on what you’re looking for. Whether you want nature camping right by a lake, a dog-friendly campsite, or one close to the towns of Brandenburg – every camper will find something to suit their needs here. Our tips for campsites in the Spreewald:
Tips for activities while camping in the Spreewald
Boat trips on the Spree
The ultimate must-do on your to-do list for a camping trip in this Brandenburg region: a boat trip! You’ll hardly find anything like it anywhere else. The wooden or aluminum boats are – and rightly so – the number one tourist attraction in the Spreewald. On these boat trips, a boatman or boatwoman guides you through the maze of canals, past Spreewald villages, forests, and floodplains, while sharing stories about local traditions and customs. And if that’s not cool enough for you, the more unusual boat tour options might just convince you:
Bow Boat – Archery from the boat: This experience is unique to the Spreewald. Drift through the forest on a boat while trying to hit moving targets on land with a bow.
Legend Spirits Boat Tour – Following the myths: On this boat trip, you’ll be accompanied by the legendary characters Spreewaldmanni or Grad von Houwald, who create a spooky yet fun atmosphere. Especially recommended for families and children.
Spreewald Tears Boat – A humorous boat tour: On this trip, artist Otto Rumposch entertains guests with jokes and live guitar music.
Water sports on the Spree
If you prefer a more active approach, you can of course explore the Spreewald on the water on your own, for example by …
Even though the region is best explored from the water, there are plenty of great hiking trails that lead you through the idyllic landscapes of the Spreewald. Our favorites:
One of the most beautiful hikes in the Spreewald, where you can really soak in the region’s unique atmosphere. The trail takes you past forest landscapes, Spreewald villages, boat harbors, and the Waldschlösschen lock. Highlights include the Waldhotel Eiche, where the writer Theodor Fontane once stayed, as well as the Huppatz adventure trail and a petting zoo for kids.
Köthener Lake is the largest of the eight bodies of water surrounding the village of Köthen. On the way to Wehlaberg, a scenic hiking route awaits you, offering beautiful landscapes along the way.
On this hike, you can admire various species of dragonflies fluttering around the canals. The trail is especially well suited for children, who can learn more about dragonflies in a playful way at the Raddusch Dragonfly Park. Afterwards, a natural adventure path leads from the Raddusch Nature Harbor along a dike to the boat tour route.
Cycling in the Spreewald
The main mode of transport in the Spreewald alongside boats and barges is the bicycle! The cycling network in the region is very well developed and clearly signposted. For visitors, the best idea is therefore to leave the camper parked at the campsite as often as possible and get around by bike. One tip: If you rent a camper from Vanever, you can easily add a bike rack to most models and take your bikes with you on your trip. If you don’t bring your own bike, there are plenty of options in the Spreewald to rent classic bicycles or e-bikes – sometimes even directly at the campsite.
We recommend the following cycling routes for your camping holiday in the Spreewald:
It sounds funny – and it is – and it’s definitely one of the most beautiful cycling routes in the Spreewald! The Gherkin Cycle Route is easy to follow: simply look out for the signs with the cycling gherkins 😉 It takes you through the UNESCO World Heritage landscape, past canals, villages, and cucumber fields, as well as regional farms and processing facilities such as gherkin pickling factories and restaurants where you can try the legendary Spreewald gherkin.
This cycling route takes you from the Raddusch Nature Harbor past moors and spring areas through the Spreewald. If you take a short detour to the Dubkowmühle inn, you can refuel with traditional food along the way. The easy route is also perfect for families with children.
A perfect cycling tour for food lovers. Starting from Vetschau Castle, the route invites you to sample popular Spreewald products offered at local farm shops. In summer, you can even stop by a strawberry field along the way and pick your own strawberries.
Swimming in the Spreewald
When you’re surrounded by as much water as you are when camping in the Spreewald, warm temperatures will sooner or later make you long to do more than just look at it – you’ll want to jump right in! Swimming in the River Spree is less recommended, but you can cool off (or warm up) in these lakes and thermal baths in the area:
Swimming at Briesensee: Tip: The long sandy beach at the bathing area between Neu Zauche and Lübben.
Swimming at Neuendorfer Lake: Here you’ll find beautiful coves, shallow shores, and pine forests.
Swimming at Willischza Lake in Burg: A small lake with sunbathing lawns, beaches, and a play area for children.
Spreewald Thermal Spa in Burg: A swimming and wellness area for those seeking relaxation. The Spreewald Therme offers thermal pools, saunas, and saltwater baths.
Taking photos in the Hochwald in the Upper Spreewald
Attention photo lovers: your place to be is the Hochwald in the Upper Spreewald (the area is divided into the slightly larger Upper Spreewald and the smaller Lower Spreewald). Here, alder trees—some of them over 100 years old—line the waterways, with their trunks reflected in the waters of the Spree. Capturing this mystical atmosphere is truly worth it.
Tips for sights and attractions while camping in the Spreewald
Strolling through the towns of Cottbus, Lübben, or Lübbenau
Viewpoints in the Spreewald
Bismarck Tower Burg Spreewald: The 28-meter-high Bismarck Tower dates back to 1917. From its platforms and octagonal tower top, you’ll enjoy fantastic views over the Spreewald. Admission: adults €3, children €1.50.
Wussegk Observation Tower: Not the tallest tower in the Spreewald, but a great spot for birdwatching. The wetland surroundings provide a habitat for many bird species such as white-tailed eagles, cranes, and golden orioles. It’s best to visit in the morning or evening to spot as many animals as possible.
Museums in the Spreewald
Lehde Open-Air Museum: A museum in Lehde that offers insights into the lives of Spreewald residents more than 100 years ago. Admission is free for children and young people up to 16 years old.
Spreewald Museum: A museum located in the gatehouse at Topfmarkt in Lübbenau, featuring exhibitions on the history of the Spreewald region.
Slavic Fortress in Raddusch: This replica of a historic fortress houses an open-air museum with archaeological finds that tell the story of Slavic settlement in what is now eastern Germany.
Cuisine while camping in the Spreewald
A little tradition is a must – especially when it comes to food, even on a camping holiday in the Spreewald 😉 At least for one evening, you should swap your homemade pasta or the pizza from the campsite bistro for traditional regional dishes and give them a try. At the very top of the list, you definitely shouldn’t miss the famous (or infamous) Spreewald gherkin (how often can you talk about gherkins in a travel blog article? Yes! 🥒), Spreewald horseradish, and another local specialty that sounds more boring than it actually is: boiled potatoes with quark and linseed oil.
Spreewald vibes for an entire season! With so many nature lovers and holidaymakers around, campsites, guesthouses, and boat rental companies between Lübbenau and Burg are urgently looking for support.
Whether at reception, in site maintenance, or as service staff in small inns – the range of jobs is wide! And the best part: accommodation close to nature is often included. Find out which camping jobs are currently available in the Spreewald and swap your everyday routine for a long summer surrounded by greenery.
Spreewald Nature Camping: Our Conclusion
The long list of activities and sights to discover in the Spreewald shows one thing clearly: a camping holiday here is anything but boring. The range of campsites – many of them located directly by a lake – leaves little to be desired. And when it comes to food, you’re well taken care of with charming cafés and rustic restaurants (at least if you like gherkins 😉). Even if this holiday region might not sound super cool at first, we think it definitely is. So how about a camping trip to the Spreewald on your next free weekend? Let’s go! 🚐
