When traveling, it's often best to avoid the tourist traps and go for a road trip instead. Road trips involve boldness and the willingness to explore the wild in search of amazing sights and experiences. Sometimes, however, it may be hard to decide which route you should take. This article will discuss the top-5 1-day road trips from Berlin.
Elbauenpark in Magdeburg
If you're looking for a relaxing 1 day road trips from Berlin, take your perfect rental car and look no further than Elbauenpark in Magdeburg. This park is located about an hour and a half away from the capital, so it's perfect for a day trip. It's also one of the more unique parks you can find. The entire park was made from the rubble left over by world war bombings. The centerpiece of this park is the Millennium Tower, which was built to mark the turn of the millennium in 1999. The tower's grounds are beautifully landscaped, and its observation deck offers breathtaking views of the cityscape below. You can also take a ride to the top in one of their glass elevators. Elbauenpark is also home to several museums, including an international puppet museum and the Archaeologists Landesmuseum.
The park's most famous attraction is its greenhouse: the Palmengarten. It is full of exotic plants and animals, birds, fish, butterflies, flowers, ferns, and it offers a nice break from the cold winter weather outside. This park is perfect for families who want to spend some time hiking or enjoying nature together, but it also offers quite a few indoor activities for those rainy Berlin days.
Elabuenpark is also home to the Millennium Tower or Jahrtausendturm, a super cool observation tower that looks like a modern-day Eiffel Tower. Visitors can climb up and take a look at the gorgeous surrounding views. Elbauenpark is open 365 days a year, and admission is free! It's an excellent option for families with children, as several playgrounds are scattered throughout the park.
Schwerin Palace
If you're looking for a 1 day road trips from Berlin that is equal parts history and beauty, take a drive to Schwerin Palace, located in the city of Schwerin. This beautiful palace sat on an island in Schwerin Lake and was the home of Mecklenburg's dukes and grand dukes and later the Mecklenburg-Schwerin family until 1918. Today it is open to the public as a museum and houses many priceless works of art, including Renaissance paintings and German art.
The palace was built in the mid-19th century after the previous castle was destroyed by fire. It is an example of romantic historicism and neo-Gothic architecture. The Schwerin Palace has over 100 rooms and halls. It includes a grand staircase, five chapels, and many more beautiful spaces to explore. Visitors can take guided tours throughout the palace to learn more about its history and admire its stunning interior design. The best thing about Schwerin Palace is that it's a great way to get out of Berlin but still get a taste of what Germany has to offer. The palace itself is absolutely gorgeous, and there are plenty of historical sites in the area that you can visit as well, not to mention some of the most beautiful hotels and lakes in Germany.
Within an hour from Berlin, Schwerin Palace is the perfect one day trip for your family. The lakeside location makes it an ideal place to unwind and relax. There are several activities for children of all ages.
Dessau-Wörlitz Garden Realm
The Dessau-Wörlitz Garden Realm, just an hour and a half away from Berlin by car, is the perfect place for a day trip. This garden realm includes the Woerlitzer Park, considered the first English garden on the continent.
This is a great place to go if you want to immerse yourself in nature and culture. This region has a series of palaces and gardens created between 1765 and 1845 and some more recently renovated buildings from the early 20th century. This area is known for its natural beauty, which is perfectly reflected by the buildings standing in it. If you want to take it easy, just take a stroll around and explore the grounds; if you're going to be a little more active, there's also hiking, biking, and canoeing available in the area. It also has a historic castle dating back to the 17th century and several other historical buildings, including an 18th-century palace. There are also several beautiful lakes to swim in and some hotels where you can enjoy delicious food with friends and your family.
The palaces are stunning examples of early 19th-century architecture, but the gardens make this place unique. Each one has something different to offer: at the Georgium, you'll find a large lake with waterfalls as well as a maze; at the Knauer Park, you can enjoy classical sculptures from antiquity.
Wittenberg
Wittenberg is a small, historic town about 2 hours away from Berlin, and it is well worth the trip if you're looking to get out of the city for a day. Wittenberg is known as the birthplace of Luther's Reformation. It's also been home to many famous artists and thinkers. One of the best ways to explore Wittenberg is by bike. You can rent bikes from the train station in Wittenberg or outside the station in Lutherstadt, which is the next closest town. The first place you'll want to stop is Luther's House. Here, you can see where Martin Luther lived during his time in Wittenberg and where he started writing his 95 Theses on October 31st, 1517.
Next, you should visit Schlosskirche or Castle Church, where you can see mid-15th century murals painted by Lucas Cranach the Elder and others. There are four different tours offered here: one focusing on Martin Luther, one on Cranach's paintings and artistry, one on music history, and one that combines all three. The city has several beautiful parks and gardens, including the Kurpark near Lake Schwielochsee.
It's popular with locals, especially during summertime when numerous events occur in the park. Other natural attractions include Schlosspark Köpenick and Müggelberge Nature Park. You can also visit Luther's grave, located outside of town at the All Saints' Church. When visiting the city, you can also try a regional specialty called 'Schoppen,' a type of glass used to drink beer.
The town was instrumental in evolving three significant religions: Catholicism, Lutheranism, and Calvinism. The city has been transformed by its religious significance and has become a pilgrimage site for followers of all three faiths, who come to see the relics and study history. The city's first university was opened there in 1502, making it one of the oldest universities in Europe. Today, visitors can wander through its museum and archives or take a class at the University of Wittenberg.
Rügen Island
Rügen is Germany's largest island, and it's part of a chain of islands called the German Baltic Islands. The weather on the island is mild, so it's an excellent destination for travelers who want to explore even in the winter months. The island is known for its cliff formations called Kap Arkona, popular with visitors, especially those who enjoy hiking and bird watching.
There are two main towns on Rügen Island: Binz and Sassnitz. Binz is located on the island's eastern side, making it an ideal starting point for your road trip. From Berlin, take the E55 north toward Rügen until you reach Putgarten. Lustgarten is where you will get onto a ferry that will take you across to the island. The ferry ride takes 45 minutes, but be sure to keep an eye out for seals along the way. Once you've arrived in Binz, head over to the Kurhaus Binz & Spa hotel. This luxurious hotel has accommodation and delicious food which you can enjoy with your family and friends
The island has been a tourist destination since the late 1800s, and its beaches and rugged cliffs are still major draws for visitors. Rügen is also home to a natural wonder known as Jasmund National Park, which features white chalk cliffs, beech forests, and a unique ecosystem. And with all this natural splendor at your fingertips, you'd be forgiven for thinking that Rügen's main attraction is its scenery. But in addition to spectacular views of the Baltic Sea set against a backdrop of dense beech woods and white cliffs, you'll also find an abundance of historical sites, including ancient castles and even entire towns untouched by time.
Wrapping up
For anyone who has time during their stay in Berlin, taking a day or two to visit one of these sights can make your trip even more memorable. Sometimes all you need is a bit extra time on the ground to create an area come alive, and luckily with these 1-day trips, it is easy to take some additional time out of Berlin for some extra sightseeing. And after you take one of these day trips from Berlin, it may just become your new favorite place to visit.