Hennigsdorf: City history, the Havel and active discoveries

From Village to Industrial City

The permanent exhibition “Village Idyll – Industrial City – Place to Live” presents the history of Hennigsdorf. It covers village life in the pre-industrial era and the transition to modern times. One important change was the permanent establishment of industry, which profoundly transformed the city. The exhibition’s title sums up these stages and makes the transition from village to industrial city the central theme of a visit.

Another perspective on the city’s history can be found at the Nieder Neuendorf Border Tower, which houses a permanent exhibition about the division of Berlin and its effects on Hennigsdorf. Those interested in more recent history will find a different thematic perspective here than in the exhibition about the development from a pre-industrial village into a modern place to live.

Culture and Discoveries in City Life

The Stadtklubhaus and the Bürgerhaus “Alte Feuerwache” host a variety of events throughout the year. These include exhibitions and talks, as well as theatre, cabaret, classical concerts, modern music events and festivals for all ages. The wide range offers something to suit different interests, without limiting a stay to just one type of event.

Themed city tours and guided walks give visitors the chance to learn about current topics in the city and discover places they have not visited before. Hennigsdorf also hosts a traditional Christmas market. The city library is another possible stop for families: its media collection includes reading, listening and games, and it also offers activities for children and families.

The Havel, Green Spaces and Cycling Routes

The Havel meadows offer a natural setting for walks. The city’s green spaces and parks are also suitable for walks and cycling tours. You can therefore focus your days on culture or plan time outdoors. If you would like to combine the two, you can treat the city’s history and outdoor routes as different highlights of the same trip.

The Berlin–Copenhagen long-distance cycle route runs directly alongside the Havel in Hennigsdorf. Another option is the approximately 20-kilometre circular route along the Havel Canal. It starts and ends at Hennigsdorf station, passes through Schönwalde and by the Prussian milepost, and runs mostly along well-maintained cycle paths. Its approximate length and route provide practical guidance for planning your day, so you can include it as a cycling excursion in its own right.

Hennigsdorf Tourist Information provides downloadable materials about hikes and cycling tours. These include a hiking map for the Teufelsbruch circular trail. If you are considering a hike as well as a cycling tour, these materials can help you choose a suitable activity. The youth recreation facility in Nieder Neuendorf also has an asphalt pump track, described as the centrepiece of the facility, for younger visitors and anyone interested in wheeled sports.

Planning Your Arrival and Holiday Apartment

Hennigsdorf is served by S-Bahn line S25, which runs from Teltow Stadt via Berlin to Hennigsdorf. Regional Express RE 6, the Prignitz-Express, connects Berlin-Spandau, Hennigsdorf and Wittenberge. If you plan to travel by train, you can take these connections into account when planning your trip. The circular route along the Havel Canal also starts and ends at Hennigsdorf station.

When looking for a holiday apartment in Hennigsdorf, it is worth considering the kind of daily rhythm you want: would you mainly like to explore the city’s history and events, spend plenty of time on cycling and walking routes, or alternate between the two? The options described range from exhibitions and cultural events in the city to a cycling loop of approximately 20 kilometres.

Other destinations at the same level: Hohen Neuendorf, Gransee, Löwenberger Land, Stechlin, Liebenwalde, Leegebruch, Zehdenick and Oberkrämer.

Go to the overview of the wider region: Oberhavel.