Travel: The Spree Tunnel, Berlin

Walking under the river in Berlin (pub crawl optional)

Many cities have pedestrian tunnels under their main rivers, like our home town of Glasgow, London and Hamburg but although at first glance it doesn’t appear as if there’s anything similar in Berlin, head towards the eastern fringes of the city to find the Spree tunnel.

Linking Friedrichshagen to the Müggelschlösschen and Müggelturm (a viewing tower), The Spree Tunnel is one of the hidden pieces of Berlin that is well-used by locals but not so well-known by tourists.

Why would you want to head here as a tourist? Because the area is a quiet haven from city life with woodland walks, cycle paths, some grassy areas to sunbathe and you can swim in the water too. In good weather, it’s a little idyllic spot which isn’t too far from the city centre, plus there are good pub/restaurants with beer gardens here.

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How to find it

The easiest way to get here is to take tram 60 or 61 to Müggelseedamm / Bölschestraße. You can also take the S3 train to Berlin-Friedrichshagen but it’s a 20-minute walk when it only needs to be 5 minutes, but at least it’s straight.

Berliner Burger Brau brewery köpenick — Old Berliner Burger Brau Brewery

If taking the tram lookout for the Netto supermarket on the left, the tram will turn left and stop just after the corner at the start of Bölschestraße. Get off here and look for Restaurant Bräustübl and cross over the road. Should you want a pub crawl, start or finish here, both food and beer options are excellent.

To continue onto the Spree tunnel from here walk along Josef-Nawrocki Strasse past the old brewery complex (above).

White villa Weisse villa Köpenick Berlin — White Villa

Next to this is the White Villa, pub stop number 2, which serves traditional German cuisine and has a beer garden at the back overlooking the river, where you can buy the beer once made in the brewery next door. Walk past this until you reach the ‘Spree Tunnel’ sign.

History

The Spree tunnel was built in 1926/1927 and was the first reinforced concrete tunnel in Germany and built with the use of compressed air. The tunnel cost 1 million Reichsmark to build.

If taking part in a pub crawl stop at Restaurant Ehrlich beside the water, where you can watch boats and ducks.

The Spree Tunnel entrance

Stairs only so no disabled access but there is a cycle wheel ramp at both sides if you plan to take a bike.

At the other side there is only woodland for the next few miles, with a grassy area to the west for sunbathing and you can swim here too. If cycling, you can do so towards the Müggelturm viewing tower. If you’re looking for more pubs there is the Hafen bar and Restaurant Domaines back on the other side just a little further east from the tunnel entrance.