As the sun was shining and our initial plans for the day were cancelled, we decided to head out of the city on a day trip and to check out somewhere new. After a little research, I decided upon the destination Brandenburg an der Havel. The photographs online showed it to be a beautiful town and the reality didn't disappoint. A mixture of idyllic waterways, quiet, green parks and cobbled streets, it is a glorious place to explore on foot.
We enjoyed a picnic in the park and then strolled along the waterways, watching the boats as they drove past. Turn a corner along a road and you will likely find a hidden gem. Some gorgeous old building that looks like it comes right out of a film or a friendly gentleman who will chat to you about the fish in the river (trout by the way).
The town seems to be split between an 'old town' and 'new town' and I can highly recommend a walk through the old part. The official website features a number of recommended walking routes (in German, but with maps) if you wish to follow something, or you can just set off on foot and see what you discover. We witnessed 3 brides and grooms, a number of dog walkers and a host of friendly locals. You can buy locally grown fruits from the little stores and everyone seemed to like a good natter. Just be aware that, even on a Saturday, the shops in the old town were closed from halfway through the day.
Highlights from our trip were...
We took our 16 month old and so found strolling around and finding things along the way more than enough entertainment. However, for those of you with older children or who want something a little more structured, here is a list (in German) of child-friendly activities in Brandenburg an der Havel.
- The medieval village we found whilst walking through the park (photos below)
- The cute bridge cafe (pictured above)
- Dreaming of owning one of the beautiful boats docked along the water's edge
- Seeing the castle-like tower in the old town (I love castles!)
We took our 16 month old and so found strolling around and finding things along the way more than enough entertainment. However, for those of you with older children or who want something a little more structured, here is a list (in German) of child-friendly activities in Brandenburg an der Havel.
