At the Scharmützelsee, there’s everything from a lakeside path to a range of activities on and around the water. Monastic history, castles and distinctive landscapes also give a trip to Oder-Spree a variety of possible focuses. When choosing where to stay, it helps to start by asking whether you’re most interested in water, culture or nature.
Scharmützelsee and the Lakeside Promenade
The Scharmützelsee covers about 1,200 hectares and is around 30 metres deep. Its clear water has visibility of up to four metres and attracts anglers, divers, sailors and swimmers to the region. These activities appeal to different interests; the visibility refers to the water and is not a statement about conditions at any particular bathing spot.
Along the lakeshore in Bad Saarow, the Lesser Promenade runs for about 1.5 kilometres from Kurpark to Fontanepark. It provides a specific route for a walk by the water. The lake and the promenade offer two different highlights: the water sports and swimming activities mentioned above on the one hand, and a route along the shore on the other.
Monastic History and Castles
In Neuzelle, historic garden design goes hand in hand with further insights into monastic history. The five-hectare Baroque garden was restored according to original plans from the 1758 abbey atlas. Baroque avenues, water features and terraces define its design. Seating by the monastery pond, in the heart of the resort and directly in front of the monastery gates, offers views of the monastery complex. The Neuzelle Straw House offers insights into the lives of the monastery’s former servants. Neuzelle Monastery Brewery is also the last operating monastery brewery in Brandenburg.
The castles, too, offer different historical highlights. The listed ensemble of Beeskow Castle comprises buildings dating from 1250 to 1550; its keep is 30 metres high and has a viewing platform. Since the 1990s, the castle has also served as a venue for theatre performances, concerts and festivals. Public guided tours of Beeskow’s historic old town are also offered. Check tour dates before your trip. Storkow Castle is a Strele castle more than 800 years old.
In Eisenhüttenstadt, a different perspective on history awaits: the planned city was conceived as the GDR’s first socialist city and is now Germany’s largest contiguous listed heritage site. Fürstenwalde adds a look at the region’s distant past to these historical themes. The Fürstenwalde Museum features an exhibition on the region’s prehistory and early history and houses one of Europe’s largest collections of erratic boulders. In the nearby Ratskeller, an exhibition explores Fürstenwalde’s former importance as a beer capital. Tasting Fürstenwalde beer, produced in the same cellar, is also recommended; check availability before your trip.
Landscape and Outdoor Activities
The Waltersberge inland dune is one of Germany’s largest inland dunes and was formed during the last ice age. For a different landscape experience, visit Naturgut Köllnitz in the Groß Schauener Seenkette nature reserve, where visitors can hike, cycle and fish. The approximately 35-kilometre circular cycling route around the Groß Schauener Seenkette offers varied stops featuring distinctive landscapes, swimming spots and cultural attractions. As route conditions can change, it’s worth checking before setting off.
Further afield in the region, a challenging 28-kilometre day trek follows the Schlaube through a stream valley. The stated distance and difficulty offer a useful guide for planning.
Whether you want your stay to focus on lakes, historic places or outdoor activities in the landscape can be decided by considering these specific differences.
Discover more destinations
Woltersdorf, Münchehofe, Berkenbrück, Erkner, Schöneiche Bei Berlin, Selchow, Spreenhagen, Storkow, Wendisch Rietz, Bad Saarow, Müllrose, Steinhöfel, Neuzelle, Eisenhüttenstadt, Beeskow, Rietz-Neuendorf, Vogelsang, Friedland, Fürstenwalde/Spree, Werder, Grunow, Wulkow, Grünheide, Wilmersdorf, Herzberg, Diensdorf-Radlow, Reichenwalde, Briesen, Mixdorf, Rauen, Groß Lindow, Gosen-Neu Zittau, Jacobsdorf, Madlitz-Wilmersdorf, Tauche, Brieskow-Finkenheerd, Wiesenau, Siehdichum, Langewahl, Schlaubetal
For the higher-level travel overview: Brandenburg.
