Spandau: Berlin's green south-west

In the south-west of Berlin, in the green district of Spandau, you can expect pure nature with extensive woodland, one of the capital's most famous lakes and many small and large excursion destinations for the whole family. Conveniently, many of the attractions are located on one of the most beautiful cycle paths in the capital, the Havel Cycle Path. So let's get out into nature. Explore the special beauties of one of twelve Berlin districts.

Let's go...

The Havel Cycle Path runs for 394 kilometres from the source of the Havel near Ankershagen to where it flows into the Elbe near Gnevsdorf. Don't worry, today's tour won't be quite that long. But a good section of the Havel Cycle Path also leads through the Berlin district of Spandau and past some truly idyllic places.

The first highlight awaits you even before the actual start - the journey. To get to the starting point of the excursion, you first have to cross the Wannsee. The best way to do this is with the BVG ferry. You can easily take your bikes on board and we also have good news when it comes to tickets. A simple BVG ticket is all you need (don't forget your bike ticket!) and the ferry will take you safely and securely to Kladow harbour.

Destination Kladow harbour

Finally back on dry land, it's time for a little refreshment. Kladow harbour is just the place for this: a real gem on the Havel and a popular excursion destination for young and old in summer. Before you start your tour, you can relax here in one of the restaurants right by the water and then head off to your first destination, the Landhausgarten Dr. Max Fraenkel. Max Fraenkel.

This small oasis with a small wood, artificial stream, fruit trees and vegetable patches will slow you down and make you forget the hustle and bustle of the city in no time at all.

A walk and delicious cake at Neukladow Estate Park

It's just a stone's throw from Kladow harbour to our next tip, the Neukladow Estate Park. The idyllically situated manor house in the style of Prussian architect Friedrich Gilly is now the Café Gutshaus Kladow. The perfect place to relax in nature with a view of the Havel and a delicious piece of cake on your plate. The fact that you can relax here undisturbed in the midst of nature - just like Bismarck's mother in another century - is thanks to the miserable transport links to the manor house at the end of the 19th century. The owner at the time, Robert Guthmann, wanted to divide the extensive park into plots and sell them to wealthy Berlin burghers. However, they showed little interest due to the poor transport links, which is why you can enjoy the entire park for yourself today:

Look out for the old buildings on the plateau, visit artists who exhibit their works and let your gaze wander far and wide over the Havel and Wannsee.

Aviation history surrounded by nature at the Military History Museum

Not far from the Neukladow estate park is the former Berlin-Gatow military airport on the left bank of the Havel. The Military History Museum is located there today. This historic site is definitely the perfect excursion destination for nature-seeking city dwellers: here you can satisfy your need for fresh air and look forward to one of the world's largest exhibitions on historical military aviation in Germany. On the extensive grounds, you will discover an enormous range of military flying objects from the past, such as helicopters, former fighter-bombers and nuclear weapon carriers, as well as submarine hunters. Don't miss the so-called "raisin bombers", which supplied Berlin with food for many months during the blockade in 1948/49. If you are travelling by bike, you can explore the extensive grounds in the best possible way. Tip: Don't miss the museum's current exhibitions in Hangar 3 and in the tower building of the former Tempelhof Airport. 

Hidden in the mountain: Fort Hahneberg

It is so tucked away in the Hahneberg that you could easily miss it: the last Prussian artillery fort from the 19th century. Century, Fort Hahneberg. Exciting: as little visible as it is, its chequered history is just as prominent: Used in the 20th century as a workshop for gliders, scenes from the American blockbuster Inglourious Basterds by Quentin Tarantino were filmed here in 2008. Today, the old walls are home to many protected bat species.

High up on the Windmill Hill

The last stop on your excursion takes you high up and into the heart of the nature reserve. The Windmühlenberg with its trestle windmill in Gatow rises up to 52 metres above sea level. Enjoy the magnificent view and the history of this special place from here:

The current windmill is historic, but has only crowned the Windmühlenberg since it was taken from the Prignitz in 2008 and rebuilt at its new location. It is intended to replace the old landmark as faithfully as possible. But what happened to the original windmill at this location? A tragic-comic side note from the story: the original was burnt down in 1921 for the filming of the film "The Love Adventures of the Beautiful Evelyne or the Murder Mill on Evanshill" - in line with the script.