Want to get out into nature, but without a complicated journey? Perfect. From Hotel Anna 1908 you can reach one of Berlin’s most beautiful “vacation areas” in just a few minutes: lakes with bathing jetties, shady forest paths, Havel views with ferry romance – plus plenty of culture that can easily be mixed into the day. This guide bundles ready-made bicycle routes and a clear collection of sights in southwest Berlin (with a detour to Potsdam). Make yourself comfortable, the table of contents on your page will take over the navigation. The interactive map at the end of the article provides a final overview.
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Sights & Stops – the most beautiful places in the southwest (A–Z)
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Conclusion: Lots of nature, little effort – just right for your Berlin trip
- interactive map
Why the southwest is ideal (and what you need)
The southwest is close, green and wonderfully flexible. You can roll around the lake for an hour or plan a whole day to Potsdam – and take a shortcut with the S-Bahn at any time. You can get bikes directly from us at the hotel (simply reserve at reception); offline saved maps (Google/Komoot) are sufficient for navigation – reception is not always perfect in the forest.
Four proven routes – directly from Anna 1908
1) Lake tour Krumme Lanke & Schlachtensee
Distance: approx. 18–22 km · Duration: 2–3 hours (longer with bathing stop) · Difficulty: easy
From Anna 1908 you roll via Steglitz towards Krumme Lanke. Once around the lake (shady forest path), continue to Schlachtensee and ride the loop there in peace. If you feel like it, take a break at the Fischerhütte or jump into the water at the bathing spots. Back it goes over Mexikoplatz (beautiful place for ice cream, coffee & cake) in the direction of Steglitz.
Tip: Start early on the weekend – the banks become popular. Pass pedestrians friendly.
2) Havelchaussee & Grunewaldturm – views and island dreams
Distance: approx. 30–35 km · Duration: 3–4 hours · Difficulty: medium (some waves)
The Havelchaussee is one of the most beautiful asphalt routes in Berlin. From the Anna 1908 you roll through the Grunewald to the Havel, swing onto the Chaussee and drive wavy along the water. In summer you can choose from many bathing spots. At the Grunewaldturm the obligatory stop with panorama awaits (stair fitness included). Insider tip: Take the ferry to the Restaurantinsel Lindwerder – depending on the season for a relaxing break with a view of the Havel. Back either the same line or an arc through the forest interior.
Practical tips: The Havelchaussee is popular with cyclists (also sporty) and well visited on weekends – drive defensively, show consideration. If you get tired, roll towards S Nikolassee or S Wannsee and take the train back comfortably. Take water & castle with you – you want to take a short look on foot at the most beautiful places.
3) Peacock Island & Wannsee classics (with mini ferry)
Distance: approx. 40–45 km · Duration: 4–5 hours · Difficulty: medium
From Anna 1908 via Grunewald to Großen Wannsee, continue towards Pfaueninselchaussee. At the end you cross with the small ferry to the Pfaueninsel (bicycles remain at the ferry dock – short walk on the island). Back on the shore you can swing to the Strandbad Wannsee or roll directly towards Steglitz.
Tip: Check ferry & opening hours, take a lock for the bike, don’t forget a picnic.
Combination: If you still have strength, hang the Glienicker Brücke + Schloss Glienicke as a photo stop (then rather 50+ km).
4) Potsdam compass (sporty, culturally strong)
Distance: approx. 55–65 km (depending on the variant) · Duration: 5–7 hours · Difficulty: medium
Sporty favorite round: Via Griebnitzsee to Babelsberg, through the Park Sanssouci (consideration! many pedestrians) to Neues Palais. In Babelsberg you can take a detour to the beautiful Park Babelsberg. Back you cycle along the Havel towards Wannsee and on to Steglitz – or you take the train from Potsdam Hbf/Wannsee.
Tip: For culture fans, plan the Museum Barberini.
Café stops: Dutch Quarter (brick, pretty terraces) and bakeries on the Griebnitzsee.
Sights & Stops – the most beautiful places in the southwest (A–Z)
Allied Museum (Dahlem)
Air bridge, Cold War, neighborhood history: compactly and vividly prepared. Ideal as a short knowledge break – inside and outside there are original exhibits with “Aha!” moment, such as an original raisin bomber.
Botanical Garden (Dahlem)
Tropical house, fern gorge, flower scent – a gift in “April weather”. The greenhouses feel like a mini-vacation and are photogenic at any time of year.
Domäne Dahlem
Historical estate with organic farm, fields and small museum. Families love the weekend activities such as the Saturday eco-market; the farm shop is perfect for take-away provisions. The country inn offers breakfast and seasonal dishes.
Film Museum & Film Park Babelsberg (Potsdam)
Between costumes, film history and stunt shows (film park seasonal). Great for families. Both can also be combined with a Potsdam bike tour – culture and action in one.
Glienicke Bridge & Glienicke Palace
Espionage myth meets Havel postcard view. The park around the castle is ideal for a quiet shore break with a camera in hand.
Griebnitzsee
Shore paths, villa scenery and quiet benches – perfect “breathe through” spot. If you like, connect the lake with the detour to Babelsberg or Sanssouci.
Grunewald
Forest paths, ponds, clearings – immediately “country feeling”. Hardly anywhere else are you out so quickly and yet so close to the city.
Grunewaldturm
Brick, stairs, view – panorama pure awaits above. Combine the 55-meter-high tower with the Havelhöhenweg for the full “wide view” dose. Below the tower, a restaurant with a beer garden offers a beautiful view of the Havel.
House of the Wannsee Conference
A quiet, impressive place of learning on the water. The exhibition is sensitively curated and is worthwhile as a conscious counterpoint to a light excursion day.
Havelhöhenweg & Lieper Bucht
One of the most beautiful balcony paths in Berlin – gentle up and down with water view. Perfect for long breaks on benches and for the golden evening light.
Jagdschloss Grunewald
Oldest castle in Berlin, hidden in the forest – very atmospheric. The neighboring Grunewaldsee makes the cultural stop a nature double.
Krumme Lanke & Schlachtensee
Two lakes, two circular routes, double relaxation. Pack swimwear in summer, simply enjoy the forest scent in winter. The Fischerhütte invites you to linger with a restaurant and beer garden (in summer). Tip: The SUP rental at the Fischerhütte in the summer months.
Mexikoplatz
Art Nouveau, cakes, S-Bahn – the prettiest hub in Berlin. Ideal for coffee breaks and as a start/finish if you combine train and bike.
Park Babelsberg & Babelsberg Palace
Beautifully landscaped park on the Havel with the neo-Gothic Babelsberg Palace and the Flatowturm as a viewing highlight. The mixture of water views, terraces and history makes every photo stop worthwhile.
Peacock Island
Ferry moment like on vacation: peacocks, meadows and visual axes await on the other side. Leave bikes at the pier, explore the island on foot – picnic recommended.
Potsdam Old Town & Sanssouci
Dutch Quarter, castles, gardens – a whole day without haste. If you like, continue to the New Palace and take the train back later.
Strandbad Wannsee
Summer classic with plenty of space and shallow water. Arriving early pays off – later it gets busy, but the atmosphere remains fine.
Teufelsberg & Teufelssee
Listening station, street art, panorama – urban adventure in the forest. The quiet Teufelssee next door is the ideal cooling after the ascent.
Practical planning – short & helpful
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Bikes in the hotel: Simply reserve at the reception of the Anna 1908
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Public transport rescue anchor: S-Bahn Mexikoplatz, Nikolassee, Wannsee, Griebnitzsee or Potsdam Hbf will bring you back at any time.
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Consideration on the road: Shore paths are shared – ring friendly, overtake slowly, thank briefly.
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Snack strategy: Water + a small snack in the backpack preserve the mood. Large breaks: Fischerhütte (Schlachtensee), cafés at Mexikoplatz, restaurants at Wannsee.
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Time of day: In the morning it is emptiest on the lake shore; sunsets at Wannsee are grandiose – don’t forget the light on the bike.
Mini-example: A day of “lakes & Havel views”
In the morning the lake tour (Krumme Lanke/Schlachtensee) with coffee stop at Mexikoplatz, at noon short transfer through the Grunewald, in the afternoon a piece of Havelchaussee to the Grunewaldturm. Return depending on energy via Nikolassee (S-Bahn) or comfortably by bike. In the evening back in the Anna 1908: park your bike safely, take off your shoes, let the day pass grinning and finally let yourself be culinary spoiled in the restaurant Jungbluth.
Conclusion: Lots of nature, little effort – just right for your Berlin trip
From the Hotel Anna 1908, lakes, forests and the banks of the Havel are at your feet. You decide how long the day will be: short lake tour, sightseeing tour with tower or large Potsdam chapter – everything is a question of the mix of desire and energy. The best thing: Every route can be shortened, extended or simply stopped at the next bank for a view break. This is how Berlin feels like a vacation – without leaving the city (unless you go to Potsdam).
interactive map
With the zoom function you can discover all destinations marked on the map here and already go into the planning phase.
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