Werder an der Havel: Baumblütenfest and Fruit Wine

If you want to escape Berlin in spring without spending hours in the car, few day trips from Berlin beat Werder an der Havel. Forty minutes on the RE1 from Hauptbahnhof, and you step into one of Germany's most renowned fruit-growing regions. In April and May, when cherry, apple and pear trees bloom simultaneously, the landscape turns into a sea of white and pink. No photograph quite does it justice.

The Baumblütenfest: A Tradition Over a Hundred Years Old

The Baumblütenfest in Werder is one of Brandenburg's oldest folk festivals. For more than a century, people from Berlin and the wider region have flocked to the town to celebrate the blossoming orchards — and, more to the point, to drink the fruit wine produced from them. The festival traditionally takes place during the last week of April and the first week of May, roughly when the cherry and apple blossom reaches its peak. Over the course of ten days, up to one million visitors descend on the town. At weekends, the atmosphere is pure Volksfest: live music, food stalls, families with prams and retirees clutching plastic cups.

At the heart of the festival, however, is the fruit wine. Stalls are set up all over town selling wine made from apples, cherries or pears for three to five euros a glass. The best-known producers — including Rabien Obstwein, Schulz Obstwein and Weingut Zinn — have their own pouring stations and, in some cases, shops where you can buy bottles to take home. Fruit wine is sweeter and lighter than grape wine: sometimes almost like apple juice with a kick, sometimes drier and more complex. It is well worth trying a few different varieties and comparing them.

The Inselstadt: Exploring Medieval Werder on Foot

Many day-trippers stick to the festival grounds and the fruit-wine stalls. Those who take the time to walk a little will discover one of the most charming old towns in the Berlin neighbourhood. The historic Inselstadt sits on a small island in the Havel and is almost entirely surrounded by water. The buildings span several centuries, but the heart of the town is medieval.

From the Bismarckturm, you get one of the finest views over the Havellandschaft and the orchards — the short climb is especially worthwhile on a clear day. Down on the island stands the St.-Nikolai-Kirche, whose origins date back to the 14th century. The interior is plain and Lutheran in character, but the building itself is impressive within the small Altstadt. Take your time wandering through the narrow lanes of the Inselstadt away from the main routes, where the tourist crowds thin out considerably.

Boat Trips on the Havel

On summer weekends, several operators offer boat trips on the Havel. The orchards look most spectacular from the water, particularly in May when the blossom has not yet fully fallen. Trips typically last between thirty minutes and two hours, depending on the route and operator. If you are lucky, you may spot herons, cormorants and even white-tailed eagles from the Havel — all of which nest in the area.

The Havellandschaft can also be explored by hired rowing boat or canoe. The waterways are shallow and calm enough for beginners, and there are small coves and stretches of bank dotted along the route where you can pull in and take a break.

Farm Shops: A Reason to Visit All Year Round

The Baumblütenfest is the most famous reason for a day trip to Werder, but it is far from the only one. The region has farm shops open throughout the year, selling freshly pressed juices, home-made jams, chutneys and, of course, fruit wine. In August and September, at harvest time, a second visit is well worth making: the orchards are heavy with ripe apples and pears, and many farms offer pick-your-own.

For an autumn day trip, Werder is considerably quieter than during the festival. You have the paths largely to yourself, the farm shops are relaxed and the air smells of ripening fruit. If atmosphere matters to you, go twice: once in May for the blossom, and once in September for the harvest.

Getting There and Practical Tips

The RE1 runs regularly from Berlin Hauptbahnhof to Werder on both weekdays and weekends. The journey takes around forty minutes, and a single ticket costs approximately eight euros. If you are travelling in a group, the Brandenburg-Berlin-Ticket is excellent value: it covers up to five people across all local transport in Berlin and Brandenburg and costs between 29 and 42 euros depending on the day of the week.

One important note for the Baumblütenfest: trains are heavily loaded at weekends. If you want a guaranteed seat, travel early and consider reserving a seat — even though seat reservations are not compulsory on regional services. The return journey in the early evening is notoriously busy from experience. If you are flexible, it is worth staying an extra hour or two in Werder and travelling back in a more relaxed fashion.

You do not need accommodation for a day trip, but those who want to explore the region at a more leisurely pace will find small guesthouses and holiday apartments in and around Werder. From a centrally located Berlin apartment, the trip is easy to plan as a day excursion without giving up the advantages of the city.