Self-Guided Spree River Walking Tour


Museum Island seen from the Spree River
Museum Island seen from the Spree River

This six kilometre walking tour follows the bank of the Spree River from Tiergarten to the other side of Museum Island. You can choose to walk the entire route or just a portion thereof, depending on your available time.

Some of the best perspectives of Berlin can be enjoyed from the Spree River. The earliest settlements in Berlin sprung up on both sides of the river including on what's known today as Museum Island.

A plethora of popular boat tours operating along the Spree are a great option for sightseeing but walking along the riverside path offers an equally good way to see the city along with the ability to divert away from the river for a closer look at some of the landmarks along your route.

This 6 kilometre walk has a walking time of about one hour and 20 minutes excluding stops and diversions along the way. We recommend allowing 2 to 3 hours. It starts at Bellevue S-Bahn station.

Our self-guided Spree River Walking Tour begins at Bellevue Station and ends at Jannowitzbrücke station. Both ends are served by S-Bahn lines S3, S5, S7, S9 and S25

Directions for the Self-Guided Spree River Walking Tour

  1. Exit Bellevue S-Bahn station, go right and right again to the river. From there its as simple as following the path along the river.
  2. One of the first landmarks you will see as you walk along the northern boundary of Tiergarten is Bellevue Castle, a grand neoclassical palace and official residence to the President of Germany.
  3. Just past Bellevue Castle you will com to the Luther Bridge, a picturesque bridge with brick arches that was built back in 1892.
  4. If you have time for a diversion here, it is only an 8 minute walk south along Spreeweg to see the Victory Column.
  5. If you have time for a diversion here, it is only an 8 minute walk south along Spreeweg to see the Victory Column.
  6. Continuing along the River Spree the next major attraction is the iconic House of World Cultures or Haus der Kulturen der Welt in German.
  7. A little further and you will pass under the beautifully restored Moltkebrücke Bridge as the walkway turns north to wrap around Spreebogen Park.
  8. When the river and walkway turn south again it, you approach the Reichstag Building. This is another place you may want to divert away from the river to explore. The famous Brandenburg Gate and Pariser Platz are only a 4 minute walk from the river.
  9. Continuing along the river, you will pass beneath Berlin Friedrichstraße station and then the historic Weidendammer Bridge that connects the famous Friedrichstraße on both sides of the river.
  10. At Museum Island, our route crosses over the Monbijou Bridge immediately in front of the Bode Museum on Museum Island. From here you will enjoy some great views of the island and river and you can also be see the iconic Fernsehturm TV Tower.
  11. Our tour continues along the north side of the Spree for the full length of Museum Island and beyond. You will pass the spectacular Berlin Cathedral and the DDR Museum.
  12. Another 12 minutes of walking brings you to the end of our tour at S+U Jannowitzbrücke station where you can make connections to where ever you want to go next.

Landmarks you'll see on this Walking Tour

Historic Buildings and Landmarks that you will see during your Spree River Walking Tour include the following:

As you follow the route, click the links below for more information and history about each landmark.

Tiergarten ParkTiergarten Park

Nearest Public Transport Station: Tiergarten, Berlin Zoologischer Garten, U Bundestag

Tiergarten Park is the largest urban park in Berlin. It also has the advantage of being centrally located close to many popular attractions. As such, it is easy to get to and a ..... read more

House of World CulturesHouse of World Cultures

Nearest Public Transport Stations: U-Bundestag, S Brandenburger Tor

The House of World Cultures is a world-class center for arts and culture. Boasting a visionary design appealing to anyone fond of unique architecture, it lies on the bank of the Spree River in Tiergarten Park. It is ...... read more

Reichstag building facade at nightReichstag Building

Nearest Public Transport Station: Berlin Friedrichstraße, Bundestag Station, Mohrenstraße

The best city views are seen from top of the Copula. Visitors stroll up and down the spiral ramps in a corkscrew pattern where they may view the chamber working and ..... read more

Brandenburg GateBrandenburg Gate'

Nearest Public Transport Stations: Berlin Friedrichstraße, Bundestag, Mohrenstraße

Completed in 1791, the Brandenburg Gate or Brandenburger Tor is on of the most renowned monuments in Berlin. As such, it should be high on every visitor's list of things to see and do. This magnificent monument is ..... read more

Aerial view of Museum Island in BerlinMuseum Island

Nearest Public Transport Stations: S+U Berlin Friedrichstraße

If you love Museums, Museum Island is an absolute must see. There is no place like this anywhere else in the world. Visit five world class museums on one island for one admission fee. ..... read more

Berlin CathedralBerlin Cathedral

Nearest Public Transport Station: Alexanderplatz

Located next to Lustgarten on Museum Island, The Berlin Cathedral (Berliner Dom in German) is one of the most prominent landmarks in Berlin. It is an important. ..... read more

Directions

How to get to Self-Guided Spree River Walking Tour by S-Bahn

Nearest S-Bahn Line(s): S3, S5, S7, S9 and S25
Nearest S-Bahn Station(s): S Bellevue, S+U Jannowitzbrücke

Finding Your Route - Please Wait

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