Stern und Kreisschiffahrt

Stern und Kreisschiffahrt is one of the main boat operators in Berlin and runs a large fleet of passenger ships on the Spree, the canals and the lakes around the city. For visitors, its sightseeing cruises through the centre are one of the most relaxing ways to see the city, and a boat trip makes a welcome break after a day of walking between museums and memorials.

The short city cruises are the most popular. The one-hour historical city tours depart from the landing stage at Friedrichstrasse and from Alte Börse near Hackescher Markt, and travel along the Spree through the historic centre. From the water you see Museum Island and Berlin Cathedral, the Reichstag Building and the modern government buildings of the Band des Bundes, and the riverside cafés and beach bars that line the banks in summer. A commentary explains the sights as you pass.

For a longer trip, the bridge tour from Jannowitzbrücke lasts just over three hours and normally follows both the Spree and the Landwehr Canal in a loop through the city, passing under dozens of bridges and through Kreuzberg as well as the centre. Note that the route can be changed during maintenance works, when the Landwehr Canal section may be left out, so check the current route when booking. The company also runs longer excursions to the lakes and to Potsdam.

The cruises suit almost everyone: families with children, older travellers, couples and anyone who wants to rest while still sightseeing. Boats have indoor seating and open decks, and drinks and snacks are usually available on board. In warm weather the open deck fills up quickly, so board early for the best seats, and bring a layer as it can be breezy on the water.

Tickets can be bought online or at the landing stages, and booking ahead is sensible on summer weekends. Friedrichstrasse station is a short walk from the landing stage of the same name, Hackescher Markt S-Bahn station is close to Alte Börse, and Jannowitzbrücke has its own S-Bahn and U8 station. Check the timetable on the website, as departures are more frequent in the main season.