Oder-Spree: Lakes, Garden Art and History

Oder-Spree showcases its diversity through its waters, garden art and castles: Lake Scharmützelsee covers around 1,200 hectares and is about 30 metres deep. Its clear water offers visibility of up to four metres and attracts anglers, divers, sailors and swimmers to the region. If you are looking for a holiday rental, you can first decide whether water activities, scenery or culture should be the focus of your trip.

Lakeshores, Nature and Outdoor Activities

In Bad Saarow, the Lesser Promenade runs for about 1.5 kilometres along the lakeshore, from Kurpark to Fontanepark. Its length and endpoints give you a clear reference for planning your day. In the resort town of Neuzelle, the monastery pond lies just outside the monastery gates; seating by the water offers views of the monastery complex.

Naturgut Köllnitz is located in the Groß Schauener Seenkette nature reserve, where visitors can hike, cycle and fish. The cycling loop around the chain of lakes also connects a variety of points of interest: At around 35 kilometres, it links scenic features, swimming spots and cultural attractions. Further afield in the region, a challenging 28-kilometre full-day trek follows the Schlaube through the stream valley.

These routes offer different ways to get active: a lakeside promenade, a cycling loop and a challenging full-day trek. When planning, it is worth looking beyond the distance: The trekking route is explicitly described as challenging, while the cycling route, with its own length and varied points of interest, offers a different kind of tour.

Garden Art and Monastery History

The five-hectare Neuzelle Baroque Garden was restored according to original plans from the 1758 abbey atlas. Baroque avenues, water features and a series of terraces define its design. This historic garden offers a different focus from the region’s water-based activities: here, garden art and the formal language of the Baroque take centre stage.

The Neuzelle Straw House offers insights into the lives of the monastery’s servants at the time. Another side of the town is represented by Neuzelle Monastery Brewery, the last producing monastery brewery in Brandenburg. The garden, everyday history and brewing tradition are distinct themes you can take into account when choosing your destinations.

Castles, Townscapes and Collections

The listed ensemble of Beeskow Castle brings together buildings dating from 1250 to 1550. It includes a 30-metre-high keep with an observation platform. Since the 1990s, the castle has also been a venue for theatre performances, concerts and festivals. Public guided tours of Beeskow’s historic old town are available; check the dates before you travel.

Storkow Castle is a Strele castle over 800 years old. Eisenhüttenstadt offers a different historical perspective: conceived as the GDR’s first socialist city, it is now Germany’s largest contiguous listed urban monument. The contrast between the castle complex and the planned city brings different chapters of regional history into focus.

The Fürstenwalde Museum presents an exhibition on the region’s prehistory and early history and houses one of Europe’s largest collections of erratic boulders. The Ratskeller in Fürstenwalde offers a different theme: an exhibition there illustrates the city’s former importance as a beer capital. A tasting of Fürstenwalde beer produced in the same cellar is also recommended. Check whether tastings are available before your visit.

The Waltersberge inland dune also combines landscape with history: it formed during the last ice age and is one of Germany’s largest inland dunes. Together with the lakeshore, nature reserve, garden and historic buildings, it offers different perspectives to help you choose your destination and holiday rental in Oder-Spree.

Discover More Places

Discover more destinations: Berkenbrück, Erkner, Schöneiche Bei Berlin, Selchow, Spreenhagen, Storkow, Wendisch Rietz, Woltersdorf, Bad Saarow, Müllrose, Steinhöfel, Neuzelle, Eisenhüttenstadt, Beeskow, Rietz-Neuendorf, Vogelsang, Friedland, Fürstenwalde/Spree, Münchehofe, 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.

To the main travel overview: Brandenburg.