Serving as the capital of Dahme-Spreewald, Lübben is a small town between Cottbus and Berlin in the German region of Lower Lusatia. Its castle was first mentioned in the 12th century and the town was inherited by the House of Habsburg in 1526 before being acquired by the Saxon Electorate with the 1635 signing of the Peace of Prague.
Things to do in Lübben
In the heart of town is Lübben Castle Island where you can go hiking, canoeing or swimming in the summer months. Occupying the island’s Renaissance-style palace building is the Town and Regional Museum of Lübben, which explores the history of the town and the surrounding region of Lower Lusatia. Get up close to medieval treasures and an interactive model of Lübben, as well as a monumental mural painting by August Oetken.
Lübben is home to several historic churches of note, including a 16th-century church where the Lutheran minister Paul Gerhardt preached from 1669. Gaze up at the elegant steeple of Saint Trinity Church and visit the Romanesque-style St. Pancras, a fieldstone church that dates back to the early 13th century.
Lübben is an ideal base for exploring the Spreewald, a large inland delta that has been designated as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. You can explore its waterways by boat or hit the Gurkenradweg, a 260-kilometre-long cycling trail that features picturesque tracts of forest and charming villages. At the tourist information office in Lübben, you can pick up a hiking map to trek the 13 kilometres to Lübbenau.
Getting around Lübben
Lübben is around 40 minutes’ drive from Cottbus and an hour from Berlin. Berlin Brandenburg Airport is 45 minutes away and has flights to destinations across the globe. Regular buses connect to Lübben and the town is small enough to explore on foot.