7 Captivating Day Trips From Berlin

If you want to see more of Germany without checking out from your Berlin hotel, we’ve got the list for you.

You’ve got into the clubs, strolled down the Unter Den Linden, devoured a currywurst or two and selfied to your heart’s content in front of the Brandenburg Gate. But what is there to do next if you have a few spare days when visiting the German capital? Here are our suggestions for the top day trips from Berlin.

1. Embark on one of Berlin’s top day trips at Potsdam

You only need to take a short train trip to experience Potsdam, an architecturally lavish city destination that was once the home of Prussian royalty.

the elegant property exterior of Sanssouci Palace, Berlin — Visit the summertime residence of King Frederick the Great.

Here, explore the gardens and Versailles-like hallways of Sanssouci Palace and Grounds, the elegant summertime residence of King Frederick the Great that is today a UNESCO World Heritage site.

a close-up of the architectural design of Sanssouci Palace, Berlin — Sanssouci Palace’s architectural design is a blend of French and Italian Rococo styles. (Image: Dana Ward)

Delve into twentieth-century history with a trip to the Cecilienhof Palace. It was here that the Allied forces worked together in 1945 to decide the future of post-war Europe.

the exterior of Cecilienhof Palace in Berlin, Germany — Cecilienhof Palace was designed in the style of a country manor.

Follow that up with the Glienicker Bridge: a spot where American and Russian spies were exchanged during the Cold War in the years following.

the Glienicker Bridge in western Berlin — Glienicker Bridge connects the district of Wannsee in western Berlin with Potsdam. (Image: Nadine Redlich)

Distance from Berlin: 25 minutes by the RE1 train or 30 minutes by car (30 kilometres from Berlin)

2. Make a date with nature at Spreewald

Need to break up the endless streetscapes of Berlin? Hop on the train to the southeast and arrive at the UNESCO-designated biosphere reserve of Spreewald.

a scenic garden and river at Spreewald, Berlin — Get closer to nature at Spreewald.

Densely forested and with a tangled net of rivers and wetlands, Spreewald is popular amongst visitors for its many opportunities to canoe, kayak and hike.

a person canoeing in Spreewald — Kayak between lush greenery.

Come here for a hearty dose of green. Stay here for lunch – incomplete without a side of the famous Spreewald pickles.

a closeup photo of Spreewald Pickles — Try Spreewald pickles.

Distance from Berlin: One hour to Lübben (Spreewald) by the RE2 or the RE7 train or by car (85 kilometres from Berlin)

3. A taste of arts and culture in Leipzig

While Berlin attracts the crowds, the city of Leipzig is fast becoming known for its vibrant arts scene, historical significance and as a cultural hub. Historian buffs should start at the Völkerschlachtdenkmal (Monument to the Battle of the Nations), Leipzig’s monument to Napoleon’s military defeat at the town, and learn about life in this East German town during the Cold War at the Gedenkstätte Museum.

an aerial view of Völkerschlachtdenkmal — Immerse in the vibrant arts and culture of Leipzig at Völkerschlachtdenkmal.

There is also the Bach-Museum (the famous composer lived and died here), the magnificent 12th-century St. Thomas Church, and the ornate architecture of the New Town Hall and the Mädler Passage shopping arcade.

the Bach Memorial monument in Berlin, Germany — Bach Memorial monument is a tribute to the late German composer.

Distance from Berlin: One hour and 15 minutes by Deutsche Bahn (DB) train or one hour and 45 minutes by car (190 kilometres from Berlin)

4. Marvel at the architecture in Dresden

Take a day trip to Saxony and the lovely town of Dresden. Located on the Elbe River, Dresden is perhaps most well-known for the role it played – and the damage it suffered – during WWII. But when you arrive, there is so much more to discover – for architecture lovers in particular.

the lovely town of Dresden, Berlin, Germany — Fall in love with Dresden.

For example, the Lutheran church of Frauenkirche Dresden was reconstructed after it was ruined during war bombings. There is also the enormous porcelain mural of Fürstenzug Palace, the baroque workings of the Zwinger Palace and the curiously playful designs of the courtyards of Kunsthofpassage, to uncover.

Distance from Berlin: Two hours and 15 minutes by DB train or two hours by car (194 kilometres from Berlin)

5. Take a swim near Berlin at Wannsee and Müggelsee

If you’re looking for a way to cool off in the European summer, you’re in luck. Berlin was built on a swamp and, as such, is surrounded by many lakes. This means there are loads of options when it comes to taking a day trip to a natural swimming spot.

an inland lake at Wannsee, Berlin — Take a refreshing dip in Wannsee.

But which one of the literally thousands of lakes should you pick? Wannsee and Müggelsee are arguably two of the most famous.

Wannsee is to the west, an inland lake with a beach made of white sand imported from the Baltics. To the east, you will find Müggelsee, with the seaside resort of Friedrichshafen. Both have a cheeky nudist beach if you’re feeling daring enough to even up those tan lines.

Müggelsee at sunset, Berlin, Germany — Dare to bare at Müggelsee.

Distance from Berlin: Wannsee is 30 minutes by S1 or S7 S-Bahn to Wannsee Station, and then 10 minutes by bus or 20 minutes by car (27 kilometres from Berlin). Müggelsee is 30 minutes on the S3 S-Bahn train and five minutes by tram or 30 minutes by car (21 kilometres from Berlin).

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6. Discover a winter Christmas market at Quedlinburg

Nothing is quite as alluring to the winter traveller as a European Christmas market. If that mulled wine and ginger spice life is for you, take a day trip from Berlin to the Harz Mountain town of Quedlinburg: home to one of Germany’s best Christmas markets.

the Quedlinburg Christmas Market at night — Shop for holiday gifts at the Quedlinburg Christmas Market.

For the whole Yuletime period, there are stalls in the historic marketplace selling ornaments, punch and other Christmas goodies. Quedlinburg even has a ‘real’ Advent calendar, with surprises behind 24 doors in hidden-away courtyards.

charming houses in Quedlinburg, Berlin — Find charming houses along the cobblestone streets in Quedlinburg.

Distance from Berlin: It is a three-hour and 20-minute train ride from Quedlinburg to Berlin or two hours by car (237 kilometres from Berlin).

7. Understand the history of Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp in Oranienburg

You won’t go far in Germany without encountering reminders of the violence of World War II. For those who want to understand more about the horrors of the war and the crimes perpetrated, the former concentration camp of Sachsenhausen is reachable from Berlin by train.

It was at this camp that the Nazis interned over 200,000 prisoners, eventually murdering those from the LGBTIQ+ and Jewish communities, prisoners of war, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Freemasons and other persecuted groups.

the former concentration camp of Sachsenhausen — Sachsenhausen is reachable from Berlin by train. (Image: Miguel Angel Diaz)

Distance from Berlin: 50 minutes on the S1 S-Bahn train or 30 minutes by car (39 kilometres from Berlin)

Wellbeing means different things to different travellers. Here’s how to pick a hotel that gets it right for you.

The best wellness holidays aren’t necessarily spent wrapped in a spa robe. Sometimes they’re found around a dinner table in Cambodia, on a hiking trail in New Zealand or after finally beating jet lag on the other side of the world. The hotel you choose is what makes them happen.

1. Easy access to good food

meals from Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20 — Taste delicious meals at Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20.

One of the quickest ways to derail healthy habits on holiday is to spend half of it working out where to eat instead of digging into the culture around you. Thankfully, Novotel has done much of the hard work already, with chefs building menus that lean into the flavours, ingredients and traditions of each destination.

In Sihanoukville, Cambodia, Korkor soup – often dubbed ‘Cambodian ratatouille’ – sits alongside raw blue crab dressed with lime and chilli, best enjoyed with views across the Gulf of Thailand.

In the lovingly chaotic city of Bangkok, the presence of food cranks up the sociability. At Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20, you can settle in with mango sticky rice and stranger-turned-friends beside the pool at Sky on 20 rooftop bar, or bring them along to tackle river prawns and stir-fried crab with holy basil at the buzzing Crab Paradise Dinner Buffet.

Then Novotel Dubai Al Barsha welcomes you with a laidback twist on the level of indulgence the Middle Eastern city is best known for up on Deck Se7en. Looking towards Burj Al Arab, the rooftop lounge has everything from Mediterranean-style dishes like seabass ceviche to Italian prosecco sundowners.

At the other end of the scale, in the hills that surround the Novotel Bali Ubud Resort, calm comes from nature. At Siralada restaurant, Balinese traditions shape the menu while thunder rumbles over the surrounding jungle – proving the setting is as nourishing as the food itself.

While at Novotel Nha Trang, chef Kieu Thi My Hanh and her team showcase Vietnam’s knack for balancing freshness, texture and fragrant herbs. Pho remains a favourite, while seafood salad with pomelo and mango brings those flavours together in one bright dish.

It’s all an approach backed by partnerships with expert food creators such as Alfie Steiner, whose plant-forward recipes prove healthy food should never taste plain.

2. Better sleep options

Novotel Bali Ubud Resort room — Sleep deeply with Novotel.

There are few travel experiences more disappointing than arriving in a new country, determined to seize the day, only to fall asleep fully clothed by 3pm.

For Australian travellers, jet lag is often an unavoidable part of the journey. That’s one reason Novotel runs sleep-focused initiatives that help guests adjust quickly without compromising on health. We’re talking partnerships with Sydney-based sleep specialist Olivia Arezzolo, known for her advice on everything from better sleep habits to beating jet lag, alongside features like pillow menus, in-room yoga content and tailored sleep guidance.

The sooner you’re operating on local time, the sooner you can get back to more pressing matters – like deciding which spa treatment to book.

3. More ways to move

woman hiking around queenstown new zealand — Stay at Novotel Queenstown Lakeside and explore local hiking trails. (Credit: GettyI mages/ naruedom)

Every place in the world has its own way of getting you moving: whether that’s hiking up ice-bitten mountains before a sauna or gentle stretching by the pool before a facial. From fitness centres to spas, Novotel recognises that wellbeing rarely looks the same.

At Novotel Queenstown Lakeside, activity is inescapable. Here, hiking trails, ski fields, bungee jumps, and white-water rafting have made the region famous. The hotel’s location on the shores of Lake Wakatipu means less time spent organising yourself and more time out there experiencing them. To top it all off, you can book a private hot tub for the evening before heading back into the wilderness tomorrow.

Bali, of course, takes a softer approach. At Novotel Bali Ubud Resort or Novotel Bali Nusa Dua, movement is less about conquering a mountain and more about a dance class between the tropical gardens and lagoon pools. Afterwards, the spa takes over, with traditional treatments like a Lulur body scrub: a combination of rice, turmeric, sandalwood, ginger and jasmine that’ll soothe muscles already relaxed by the Balinese heat.

4. Better connections

Kids will love a stay at Novotel Sharm El Sheikh.

One of the best things about travel is that it gives your family stories you’ll be telling for years. Novotel helps create them with activities that bring everyone together, whether that’s trying something new, learning a local skill, or simply spending more time together.

Go for a distinctly Thai twist at Novotel Phuket Vintage Park, where many of the family activities draw on local culture. Kids can try everything from beginner Thai boxing and language lessons to umbrella painting and – a pastime beloved by children the world over – pool foam parties. Everyone is welcome to join in, whether that’s getting splashed, covered in paint, or simply watching their children discover a new side of Thailand during the dedicated Family & Kids Day.

A different adventure awaits at Novotel Sharm El Sheikh. Kids could be perfectly content with discos, drawing classes and new holiday friends, but the Red Sea has other ideas. Sitting on the edge of Naama Bay, days here might involve snorkelling colourful reefs, taking a boat trip to Ras Mohammed National Park or heading into the desert by quad bike or camel for a Bedouin-style dinner beneath the stars.

5. Location is everything

Surin Beach, Choeng Thale, Thalang District, Phuket, Thaiföld — Explore Phuket’s gorgeous beaches. (Credit: Bence Biczo)

Everyone’s idea of wellness looks a little different. With more than 600 hotels across 65 countries, Novotel gives guests the freedom to choose the destination that suits them best. Whether that’s a beachside escape in Phuket, an alpine expedition in Queenstown or a city break in Bangkok, there’s a good chance a Novotel isn’t far away.

All that’s left? Choosing your version of wellbeing.

Discover stays to inspire your everyday at novotel.accor.com.