Lübben (Spreewald)

Green spaces and outdoor activities

Lübben’s Hain is right in the middle of the city. Rare vegetation and pedunculate oaks that grow up to 30 metres tall define this natural area. The tactile model of the city centre offers a different perspective: it lets visitors feel the layout and is especially useful for visitors seeking accessible orientation. For an active outing, a 9-kilometre Nordic walking route starts and ends on Schlossinsel. The flat, 16-kilometre Fischtour runs from Lübben to Schlepzig along the main Spree, between meadows and forests. These routes offer a choice of distances and landscapes when planning your day.

A hike from Lübben via Barzlin to Lübbenau also passes several Lübben landmarks: the Hain, Brückenplatz with its historic remains of the city wall, the market square with Paul Gerhardt Church, Gerichtsstraße, Lübben Castle and Schlossinsel. The hike then leaves Lübben’s last district. If you are interested in Paul Gerhardt’s life, you can explore the 140-kilometre Paul-Gerhardt-Weg, which has been newly designed and signposted. It connects important stages in the hymn writer’s life, including Lübben (Spreewald), Mittenwalde and St. Nicholas’ Church in Berlin-Mitte, and runs from central Berlin through the Dahme-Seenland region to the Spreewald.

Local history and Paul Gerhardt

The late Gothic Paul Gerhardt Church in the city centre was built after the city fire of 1494. Lübben’s city wall dates from the 14th century and consists of a fieldstone base and a brick wall. Two sections have survived: the “Napoleondurchbruch” near Reutergasse and the larger section at Brückenplatz on the Spree, which is now considered a landmark. These buildings offer different insights into Lübben’s history, from medieval fortifications to the late Gothic church.

Lübben Castle Museum tells the story of the city as a former residence in a medieval defensive tower, a Renaissance castle and a Baroque heraldic hall. The life and work of Paul Gerhardt, and the international spread of his songs, are at the heart of the Paul-Gerhardt-Zentrum. Its offerings include guided tours, readings, concerts, talks, listening stations and exhibitions. City tours are offered from the perspectives of the night watchman and the female tower keeper, as well as with city guides.

Water, regional cuisine and festivals

SpreeLagune is a natural bathing spot with a beach area, a rest stop for waterway travellers, a climbing-net bridge and a raft crossing. Together with trips on Spreewald punts, it appeals to visitors who want to experience Lübben from the water too. The Lübben Spreewald Festival features handicrafts, regional specialities, music and sporting competitions. Held once a year on the third weekend in September in the city centre, it is considered a celebration of regional culture and living traditions.

You can also discover regional products at Lübben’s weekly market: more than 40 traders offer a wide selection, and visitors can buy directly from the producers. Every two years, the Quark-Leinöl-Meile invites visitors to sample, savour and enjoy local food. It is organised by the Lübben and Surrounding Area Tourism Association (Tourismusverein Lübben und Umgebung e. V.), together with local hospitality businesses and craftspeople. When looking for a holiday apartment, it can help to decide first what you would like to focus on during your stay: history and city tours, routes through the landscape, experiences on the water, or regional culture and cuisine. This makes it easier to choose a place in Lübben that suits the experiences you would like to include in your trip.

If you are considering other destinations, you can also find Neuendorf Am See, Wildau, Niederlehme, Jamlitz, Eichwalde, Luckau, Groß Köris and Kasel-Golzig here.

For the overview of the wider travel region: Dahme-Spreewald.