About BER to Brandenburg an der Havel
Brandenburg an der Havel is the historic heart of the Mark Brandenburg, made up of the Cathedral Island, the Altstadt and the Neustadt, which grew together on islands and banks of the Havel. Its brick Gothic churches, gate towers and surrounding lakes make it a popular destination for day trips and water sports.
How long does the taxi from BER to Brandenburg an der Havel take?
The car follows the southern Berlin ring west to the Werder junction and continues on the A2 to the Brandenburg exit, then heads north into town. That is about 85 to 95 kilometres, usually 60 to 75 minutes. By rail you would first travel into Berlin and change to the regional express, so a direct ride saves a good half hour and the luggage carrying. For the route via the palaces of Potsdam, see our Potsdam page.
Three historic towns on the Havel – and where the car stops
- Cathedral Island (Dominsel) – the oldest part of town with Brandenburg Cathedral of St Peter and St Paul and its cloister. Cars can reach the cathedral close; the Mill Gate Tower marks the approach from the Neustadt.
- Altstadt – the Old Town Market with the brick town hall and the five-metre stone Roland in front of it, St Gotthardt's Church, and the Rathenow Gate Tower and Plaue Gate Tower on the former town walls.
- Neustadt – the New Town Market, the late-Gothic St Catherine's Church with its richly decorated brick gables, and the Stone Gate Tower at the end of Steinstraße. Parts of the centre around Hauptstraße are pedestrianised, so give your hotel's name and the nearest side street.
The pedestrian Millennium Bridge links Altstadt and Neustadt across the River Havel; the tower names make handy landmarks when you tell your driver where to stop.
Museums: monastery, steelworks and a Slavic village
- St Paul Monastery – the restored Dominican friary in the Neustadt houses the Brandenburg State Archaeological Museum, with finds from the Stone Age to modern times.
- Brandenburg Industrial Museum – in the old steelworks district on August-Sonntag-Straße, centred on the last Siemens-Martin open-hearth furnace in Western Europe.
- Brandenburg Slavic Village – an open-air site on the Havel behind the park-and-ride area at Nicolaiplatz, open mainly during events and for groups; check dates before you go.
Views and water: Marienberg, Beetzsee and Havel
The Marienberg, a park-covered hill west of the centre, is topped by the Friedenswarte Tower, a lookout with a wide view over town, lakes and river. North of the centre, Lake Beetzsee hosts a regatta course used for rowing and canoe events; hotels and holiday homes along its shore are best found with the exact address. Boat trips on the Havel and its lakes start from landing stages in the centre.
One day in town: a sensible order
Arriving in the morning with time to spare? Ask the driver to drop you at the cathedral first: the island is quiet early in the day. From there it is a short walk past the Mill Gate Tower to the Neustadt and the archaeological museum, then over the Millennium Bridge into the Altstadt. In the afternoon, a taxi or bus to the Marienberg rounds the day off with the view from the tower.
Festivals through the year
- Havel Festival – usually three days in mid-June around the Millennium Bridge, with stages, a dragon-boat race and a rubber-duck race on the river. Streets near the bridge are closed, so arrange your drop-off a few blocks away.
- Brandenburg Monastery Summer – theatre and music evenings in early summer in a historic church setting; check the current programme for the venue.
- Christmas Market – on the New Town Market from late November until shortly before the turn of the year.
Before you set off
- Staying by Lake Beetzsee or on a houseboat? Send the mooring or holiday-home number with the street.
- Visiting the cathedral and museums with luggage? Ask your hotel to store your cases until check-in.
- Families can add child seats; groups book a minibus.
- Planning a further leg west afterwards? Our long-distance overview lists Magdeburg and other cities.
