Often overshadowed by the vibrant capital city it surrounds, Brandenburg offers a serene and surprisingly fun escape for the road tripper. This is the land of the legendary Alleen: the country roads canopied by tunnels of ancient oak and linden trees that filter the sunlight as you drive. The landscape is a mix of sandy pine forests, rolling fields and over 3,000 glittering lakes.
You can switch from imperial grandeur to wild nature in less than an hour. A short drive takes you to Potsdam, where Prussian palaces and manicured gardens rival those of Versailles. After that you can head deep into the Spreewald, a biosphere reserve where roads give way to a maze of river canals. The routes here connect sleepy red-brick villages, manor houses and beautiful nature like the Uckermark.
It is a region that wants you to park the car and breathe. Whether you are stopping at a roadside stand for the famous local gherkins or watching cranes fly over the lakes at sunset, the atmosphere is grounded and unhurried. Brandenburg is the green lung of eastern Germany. It's a place where the journey is defined by calmness and the simple pleasure of a tree-lined horizon.
Brandenburg highlights
- Potsdam Explore Germany’s most lavish ensemble of royal architecture. Sanssouci Palace, the New Palace and Cecilienhof sit among landscaped gardens. Filled with fountains, terraces and quiet paths. It is one of Europe’s grandest cultural landscapes and perfect for a full-day road trip stop.
- Spreewald Biosphere Reserve A maze of natural waterways, forests and villages. The Spreewald feels like a world of its own. Glide through its canals in a traditional punt, cycle between small settlements and taste Spreewald’s famous pickles.
- Wannsee and Peacock Island Located near Berlin’s border, Wannsee offers lakeside beaches, sailing, and relaxed walking paths. Take the short ferry to Peacock Island to see its freely roaming birds and romantic 19th century palace.
- Beelitz-Heilstätten A huge, abandoned hospital complex now partially restored and accessible via treetop boardwalks. Explore eerie red brick buildings swallowed by nature and enjoy a unique bird’s-eye view of the site.
- Brandenburg an der Havel The region’s oldest city. An overlooked medieval gem with quiet waterways, Gothic churches and charming plazas. Rent a canoe or stroll along the river that gave the entire region its name.
The local Four
History of Brandenburg
Originally established as the Northern March in the 10th century to secure the Holy Roman Empire’s border against Slavic tribes, it remained a relatively poor and overlooked region for centuries. Its destiny changed forever in 1415, when the Hohenzollern family was granted the territory. This dynasty would go on to rule from Berlin for over 500 years.
Brandenburg became the heart of the Prussian state, with Potsdam serving as the intellectual and cultural counterweight to the military precision of Berlin. This era left behind the stunning palaces and gardens of Sanssouci.
After World War II, the Prussian state was formally abolished by the Allies, and Brandenburg became part of the German Democratic Republic (GDR), surrounding the divided city of Berlin. For decades, it served as the industrial and agricultural engine of East Germany.
Following German Reunification in 1990, the state of Brandenburg was re-established, reclaiming its historic identity. It successfully transitioned from a heavy industrial hub into a region known for its protected nature, renewable energy and tourism.