The 15 Best Spree River Cruises in Berlin

1.Boat Tour Along the River Spree

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 11,252 reviews · 2h 15m · from $34Our pick

Take a 135-minute round-trip cruise from Friedrichstrasse through Berlin’s government district and beyond Charlottenburg Palace. You’ll see Bellevue Palace, Central Station, Hamburger Bahnhof, canals, and working waterways. German commentary plays onboard, with audio guides available in 12 languages. Food and drinks can be bought onboard.

“Suggest this tour for first day in Berlin. Remember to pick up the translator device. Very nice lounge on first level. Food service was prompt and prices satisfactory.”

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2.3.25-Hour Spree & Landwehrkanal Boat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 4,311 reviews · 3h 15m · from $38

Set out from Jannowitzbrücke near Alexanderplatz for a 195-minute cruise on Berlin’s Spree and Landwehr Canal. You’ll pass more than 40 bridges, Museum Island, Potsdamer Platz, the German Museum of Technology, and the government district. Food and drinks are available aboard, while audio options vary by booking.

“A lovely trip with good service for drinks and food. Perhaps change the plastic seats for a little more comfort. The time was just right. Good explanation of the various sights.”

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3.1-Hour Boat Tour with Bilingual Live Guide

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 3,629 reviews · from $22

Take a one-hour Spree cruise from Hackescher Markt aboard MS Carola or MS Franziska. A live guide presents Berlin in English and German, pointing out the Cathedral, Reichstag, Museum Island, Chancellery, and more. Drinks are available onboard, and the heated cabin helps on cold days.

“The guide was a funny guy but we also learned a lot of interesting information about Berlin. Worth all the money for this short boat trip on the Spree.”

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4.1-Hour City Sightseeing Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 2,210 reviews · 1 hour · from $25

Start near Hackescher Markt and cruise the Spree past Museum Island, Berlin Cathedral, Humboldt Forum, Nikolaiviertel, the Reichstag, Hauptbahnhof, and the Chancellery. German and English play over speakers, while audio guides are available in six more languages. Drinks are sold onboard.

“Great 1 hour ride up the river and back, wish we had booked the longer 2/2.5 hours now as plenty to drink and plenty to eat on board at reasonable prices. Bring a hat if it’s a hot sunny day as you can get sunstroke! Worth the 16 euros”

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5.2.5-Hour East Side Boat Cruise with Commentary

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 2,016 reviews · 2h 30m · from $35

Start near Hackescher Markt and follow Berlin’s story by boat, from Mühlendamm Lock and Nikolaiviertel to East Side Gallery, Treptow, Museum Island, Reichstag, and Berlin Central Station. Expect English and German commentary, multilingual audio guides, onboard drinks, and a comfortable covered area.

“Great tour to explore the city from a different point of view. Highly recommended!”

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6.Spree Boat Tour to Müggelsee

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 1,973 reviews · 3.5 hours · from $25

Leave Treptow Harbor for a 3.5-hour cruise along the Spree to Köpenick and Müggelsee. You will pass Köpenick Palace, see the Captain of Köpenick statue, enjoy views of Müggelturm, and choose indoor or outdoor seating. German commentary is provided, with food and drinks available to buy.

“Loved the view around the city. Comfortable seating. Nice variety of snacks and drinks to buy onboard”

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7.Exclusive Boat Tour on a Solar-Powered Catamaran

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 1,767 reviews · 2h 30m · from $41

Board near Oberbaumbrücke for a 150-minute cruise on a solar-electric catamaran carrying no more than 36 passengers. You pass the East Side Gallery, Mühlendamm lock, Museum Island, Reichstag, Hauptbahnhof, and House of World Cultures. A welcome drink and multilingual audio guide are included.

“Quiet and peaceful, no loudspeakers or other distractions. We thought it great value for the money.”

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8.East Side Gallery Spree Cruise in a Solar Catamaran

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 1,039 reviews · from $27

Spend two hours on a quiet solar catamaran from Jannowitzbrücke to Treptow Park and back. You will see the East Side Gallery from the water, pass Oberbaum Bridge, glimpse Kater Blau, and cruise by Insel der Jugend. A German-speaking host and English audio guide accompany the ride.

“Amazing boat, new and everywhere very clean, the traject was also very nice ! We loved it!”

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9.Boat Sightseeing Cruise with Audioguide

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 947 reviews · from $25

Spend one hour cruising Berlin’s Spree from the Domaquareé landing stage beside the DDR Museum. You’ll see Museum Island, the Reichstag, Chancellery, Hauptbahnhof, and TV Tower with German and English commentary, covered seating, heating, restrooms, and drinks for purchase.

“Great tour. On board drinks (reasonable) and hilarious yet informational.”

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10.Hop-On-Hop-Off Bus with Boat Cruise Option

★★★★★★★★★★3.8 · 818 reviews · from $51

Cover Berlin’s main sights in one day aboard a double-decker bus, hopping off at Checkpoint Charlie, Alexanderplatz, the East Side Gallery, Brandenburg Gate, and more. Add a one-hour Spree cruise for another view of the city. Audio comes in 15 languages, with WiFi on board.

“all the guides we had Amey and Max were very professional and definitely knew there stuff”

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11.1-hr Boat Tour with Bilingual Live Guide (DE/EN)

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 778 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $25

Spend one hour cruising Berlin’s Spree aboard a glass panorama boat with live German and English commentary. Guides such as Michael and Kristoff mix history, modern city life, and humor while you pass Berlin Cathedral and the Reichstag. Drinks, table service, and a restroom are available for extra cost.

“Great guide. 1hour tour with washroom and paid drinks. Great short relaxation to see most maor buildings”

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12.Boat Sightseeing Tour on Electric Motor Yacht

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 767 reviews · from $44

Cruise Berlin’s Spree for 60 to 75 minutes aboard Fitzgerald, a 1920s-style electric yacht. You’ll pass the Cathedral, Museum Island, Reichstag, Chancellery, and Bellevue Palace with English and German commentary, lounge seating, blankets, music, and drinks available to buy.

“Loved the lux vibes of this boat and experience. Much more elevated than other options. Smaller group, comfortable seating, gorgeous glassware and drink choices, and attentive friendly staff! Will do again, perfect for an intown activity on beautiful day.”

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13.7 Lakes Boat Tour through the Havel Landscape

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 744 reviews · 3.5 hours · from $30

From Spandau’s Lindenufer, you cruise seven Havel lakes toward Potsdam, passing Grunewald, Wannsee, Babelsberg Palace, Glienicke Bridge, and Peacock Island. Live commentary is in German. The $30 fare includes the boat ride and onboard toilet, while food and drinks can be purchased onboard.

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14.Laughing Spree Comedy Show on a Boat

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 670 reviews · 2.5 hours · from $15Best value

Spend 2.5 hours at Laughing Spree, an English-language stand-up show aboard the Eastern Comfort Hostelboat near Oberbaumbrücke. Hosts such as Chris, Patrick, and Jana lead mixed open-mic lineups, with a free welcome shot, bar access, sunset deck views, and the East Side Gallery nearby.

“From the moment I boarded the vessel to enjoy a night of comedy until the moment I left, it was amazing. I wasn't sure what to expect being a English speaker in Germany, but the comedy was hilarious. All of the comedians were brilliant. But more importantly, the host Chris was fantastic. I'll definitely be going back and I'll be bringing more people with me, really enjoyed the night worth going!! 6 stars”

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15.Self-Drive Boat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 430 reviews · 1 - 4 hours

Take the wheel of a quiet, license-free electric boat on Berlin’s Spree. Staff explain the controls, provide a route map, life vests, and blankets, then let your private group of up to eight choose the pace. Plan extra time because the boats move slowly.

“One if the best experience we had in Berlin and just exellent service! We will definetely reccomend it!”

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