Discover Spandau

When looking for a hotel in Spandau, historic sites, walks and routes by the water may all play a part in your plans. The Old Town combines a medieval centre with practical ways to explore Spandau on foot, on an audio tour, by bike or from the water.

The Old Town and its medieval centre

The historical origins of Spandau’s Old Town date back to the 13th century. Behnitz, also known as Kolk, is the oldest settlement area within the Old Town. One prominent landmark is St. Nicholas’ Church: it is Gothic, lies in the heart of the Old Town and is considered the district’s only medieval church.

These details describe different aspects of the historic centre: Behnitz, also known as Kolk, is the oldest settlement area, while the church is a surviving medieval building. This means you can explore Spandau’s history through both an area and a specific building.

Plan a walk and an audio tour

A walk through old Spandau is about four kilometres long and starts at Spandau station, which is served by the S-Bahn and U-Bahn. There is also a free, accessible audio-guided tour of Spandau’s Old Town. It is about 2.8 kilometres long and takes approximately one hour.

The audio tour starts at the Tourist Information Centre in the Gothic House and passes the Town Hall, follows the waterfront and continues to the Citadel. In addition to audio content, it offers audio description, easy-to-understand language and sign-language videos. Comparing the two routes can help with planning: the walk is longer, while an approximate duration is also given for the shorter audio tour.

The Citadel, cycle route and waterways

Spandau Citadel is a venue for cultural events such as concerts, knight fights and other events. If you are planning to visit Spandau for a particular event, check the dates in advance.

You can also get a clearer idea of the route for a bike ride: the Havel Cycle Route is 371 kilometres long in total, with about 20 kilometres running through Spandau. The route crosses the district from north to south and always follows the Havel. As detours may change, check the current route before setting off.

Numerous routes along Spandau’s waterways offer the opportunity to explore the district from the water or start a multi-day trip by water. For specific plans, it is advisable to check provider availability. This makes it possible to weigh up the different options: a historical walk, a cultural event, a longer bike ride or time on the water.

Berlin as part of a wider trip

The wider destination of Berlin includes other urban parks, each with its own leisure opportunities. Tiergarten is Berlin’s largest and most-visited inner-city park, and is ideal for walks, outdoor activities and picnics. Tempelhofer Feld is a large public park where people picnic, sunbathe and play sports. These examples broaden the picture of Berlin; the medieval sites and waterways described here are in Spandau.

The Old Town and its architectural history offer a different focus from the longer cycle route or a trip on the water. When planning, also check the dates of any events you want to attend and, if you plan to cycle or use a provider, the relevant up-to-date information.

Discover more destinations: Zehlendorf, Wannsee, Hohenschönhausen, Tiergarten, Adlershof, Marienfelde, Bohnsdorf, Köpenick

Back to the main travel overview: Berlin.