Art, history & cafés – take the S-Bahn to old manors around Berlin

Vast pine forests, glittering lakes, rippling streams and rolling meadows — in summer, nature shows its most beautiful side in and around Berlin. But besides the landscape, do you also want a taste of culture on your tours? Here's a tip for you: why not plan a visit to the old manor houses or elegant mansions on your hikes in Berlin and Brandenburg? Here, you can visit quaint cafes, admire paintings in galleries and learn a thing or two about Berlin's colorful past.

Some of the most important remnants of Prussia's one-time rule are the numerous still-standing manor houses in Berlin and Brandenburg. In former times, the landed gentry lived here, who had the barren Brandenburg soil cultivated on behalf of the Prussian rulers. When the aristocracy crumbled at the beginning of the 19th century, many manor houses came into the possession of aspiring bourgeois industrialists. They often converted the old farms into representative villas, added schnapps distilleries to the farm buildings and had large parks laid out. After the Second World War, however, the old villas were forgotten. In the eyes of the GDR leadership, the enormous villas and castles were a symbol of oppression by the nobility. It was not until after the fall of communism that some of the old farms were awakened from their slumber. After loving repairs, you will find cafés, galleries, museums or hotels in the courtyards today.

We have put together eight hikes for you on which you can discover the most exciting museums and cozy cafés in Berlin and Brandenburg manor houses. The walks are quite short — meaning that you'll have ample time to visit the exhibitions in the old manor houses.

The best thing about all of our hikes is that they can be easily reached on the S-Bahn or the regional train. That way, your excursion can begin the moment you jump off the train, you'll be able to avoid any traffic jams and you won't need to search for a parking space. From your comfortable seat on the train, you can also enjoy the view of the sun-kissed landscape passing by in front of the window.

In times of Corona, our tour suggestions are mainly one thing: inspirations for hikes and bike tours in the near future, when the everyday restrictions are less strict. Please stay healthy, protect yourself and other people. Avoid any unnecessary travel — if the urgent desire for fresh air lures you out on our tours, please observe the distance and hygiene rules. By the way, FFP2 masks are mandatory in the Berlin S-Bahn!