Lübbenau/Spreewald: Discover waterways and history

Lübbenau/Spreewald is located in the Spreewald UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Charming waterways, a historic town center and regional specialties give the town its distinctive character. When planning your trip, the question is not only which sights interest you, but also whether you would prefer to experience the landscape by punt, paddling or on foot.

Waterways and walking routes

Punt trips are offered at the Großer Spreewaldhafen Lübbenau on all 365 days of the year. Options range from trips through Lehde and journeys to Wotschofska to lock-boat trips and tours visiting several places. If you would rather get out on the water yourself, Lübbenau also offers opportunities for paddling on quiet Spreewald canals. This means you can choose from different ways to experience the waterways, without having to opt for the same activity.

You can also combine a walk with time by the water: the route from Lübbenau harbor to Lehde is available year-round. Walking trails in the Spreewald bring you close to the region’s flora and fauna. When planning, you can choose between a direct connection to Lehde and other routes focused on nature. Punt trips, paddling and hiking offer different ways to spend a day centered on the waterways.

At the large harbor, the Gurkenmeile adds a culinary dimension to the nature and culture program: Spreewald pickle varieties and other regional specialties are available there to sample and buy. It’s a great reason to include local produce in your exploration of the town.

Old town, Lehde and regional history

In Lübbenau, winding lanes and historic townhouses define the town center. The Baroque St. Nikolai Church dominates the old town. Lübbenau Castle is a historic castle dating from the 16th century and is surrounded by parkland. Together, these buildings offer different points of interest for anyone who wants to discover the town’s history and architecture as well as its waterways.

The Spreewald Museum is located in the gatehouse and presents regional history; one exhibition is dedicated to the Spreewald railway. In Lehde, an island village crisscrossed by canals, the historic settlement is protected. The Lehde Open-Air Museum offers hands-on activities that recreate historic rural work. These subjects add another perspective to your visit: alongside the landscape, they show how regional history and former rural activities are presented.

You can combine the different offerings according to your interests: a walk through the historic lanes, an exhibition on regional history or a punt trip through Lehde each satisfies a different kind of curiosity.

Other perspectives in the Oberspreewald-Lausitz district

The Oberspreewald-Lausitz district also offers a variety of options for active days away. The district has hiking routes between 4 and 32 kilometers long. Cycling routes start at 40 kilometers; these include self-guided or guided multi-day tours with good places to rest and stop for refreshments. These district-wide options are a useful guide for anyone looking to include longer hikes or cycling tours in their travel plans.

More than 580 kilometers of signposted cycling routes connect the regions between the Spreewald and the Kmehlener Berge. On a regional scale, they link southern Brandenburg with Saxony and northern Brandenburg. In the south of the district, the flooding of former open-cast mines is creating a waterscape with more than 20 artificial lakes: the Lusatian Lakeland. These regional landscapes and routes offer a broader view of Oberspreewald-Lausitz and should not be confused with the local attractions of Lübbenau/Spreewald.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Leipe, Lauchhammer, Gosda, Hohenbocka, Laasow, Hermsdorf, Schipkau, Schwarzbach.

To the higher-level travel overview: Oberspreewald-Lausitz.