Located 35km north of Berlin, this calm town preserves a Baroque palace and the Sachsenhausen Memorial. Local breweries and traditional restaurants line its historic streets.
Located 35 kilometers north of Berlin, Oranienburg sits along the calm waters of the Havel River. At its center stands the Dutch-style Schloss Oranienburg palace, where you can explore rooms filled with amber artifacts and 17th-century silver collections. The town extends along cycling paths and waterways, from the geometric palace gardens to the educational Sachsenhausen Memorial, making it an enriching day trip from Berlin.
Getting to Oranienburg
Regular trains connect Berlin's central station to Oranienburg via the Berlin Northern Railway, with journey times around 35 minutes. You can use your Berlin public transport ticket to reach the town, making it an easy day trip from the capital. The main station is within walking distance of the palace and memorial site. Local buses run between districts, though many visitors prefer to explore the central area on foot or by bicycle.
Exploring Schloss Oranienburg
The Dutch Baroque palace, built in the 1650s, contains one of Germany's oldest porcelain collections. As you walk through the rooms, you'll see amber artifacts, 17th-century silver pieces, and paintings by Dutch masters. The museum displays period furniture that belonged to Princess Louise Henriette of Orange-Nassau. In the palace gardens, you can walk among fountains and flower beds arranged in geometric patterns following traditional Dutch design principles.
Along the Havel River
The Havel River offers multiple ways to experience Oranienburg. You can join guided boat tours or rent your own vessel to navigate the waterways. Cycling and walking paths run alongside the river, connecting to Berlin's trail network. Several waterfront restaurants serve Brandenburg specialties like pike-perch and local vegetables, with views of boats passing through the town's historic locks.
Districts and Local Life
Each of Oranienburg's nine districts has its own character. In Lehnitz, narrow streets lead to a lake where locals swim during summer months. The Sachsenhausen district has evolved into a residential area with independent shops and weekly markets selling regional produce. In Germendorf, you can visit the wildlife park to see European forest animals like wolves and lynx, along with life-sized dinosaur replicas. Throughout spring, the town celebrates its Dutch connections with tulip festivals and garden events.
Sachsenhausen Memorial and Museum
The memorial site educates visitors about the former concentration camp's history from 1936 to 1945. You can join guided tours to understand the camp's layout and historical context. The documentation center contains archives, photographs, and personal accounts from survivors. The grounds include original and reconstructed buildings that show how the camp operated, helping visitors understand this difficult period of German history.
