Historischer Hafen Berlin
Museum harbor at the Fischerinsel in Berlin-Mitte: around 20 historic inland vessels, including steam tugs, free to view from the riverbank.
About the museum
Already in the Middle Ages, the Spree near the Mühlendamm was the trading hub of the twin town of Berlin-Cölln. As the earliest written reference, the operating association cites a charter of Margrave Otto V from 1298 by which Berlin acquired the timber and shipping tolls; however, its authenticity is disputed among historians. For centuries, barges supplied the growing city with bricks, coal, grain, and other bulk goods.
In the summer of 1990, shipping enthusiasts founded the Berlin-Brandenburgische Schifffahrtsgesellschaft e. V. aboard the steam tug "Nordstern". Since 1994 the nonprofit association has run the Historischer Hafen on the Märkisches Ufer between the Mühlendamm lock and the Fischerinsel, where it maintains decommissioned river and canal vessels.
The fleet comprises around 20 ships. The flagship is the steam tug "Andreas", built in 1944–1950 in Brandenburg an der Havel, the last inland steam tug built in Germany. Others include the motor tug "Volldampf", the passenger ship "Kaiser Friedrich" built in 1886, as well as Maßkähne (standard-size barges), push boats, and launches. The Berlin Maßkahn "Renate-Angelika" from 1910, formerly an exhibition ship with a harbor bar, has housed a ship restaurant since 2024; on the museum ship "Hans Wilhelm", a new exhibition on inland navigation, including digital content, is being created. Highlights of the association's year are the harbor festival and the autumn "Abdampfen" (end-of-season steam trip).
Highlights
- Steam tug "Andreas", the last inland steam tug built in Germany
- Passenger ship "Kaiser Friedrich" from 1886, the oldest ship in the harbor
- Berlin Maßkahn (standard-size barge) "Renate-Angelika" from 1910
- Around 20 historic inland vessels right in Berlin-Mitte
- Harbor festival in summer and steamboat trips at the end of the season ("Abdampfen")
- Founded
- 1990
- Operated by
- Berlin-Brandenburgische Schifffahrtsgesellschaft e. V.
Admission & discounts
Admission is free.
Viewing the harbor from the riverbank is free; donations toward the upkeep of the ships are welcome. Trips on the historic ships are offered individually and booked through the ticket shop on the association's website (e.g., the multi-day steamboat trip "Abdampfen 2026" to Potsdam €75; some trips for a donation).
Accessibility
- Partially wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: not available
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
The riverside promenade is level, but access on board the historic ships is not accessible (according to the Berliner Zentrum Industriekultur).
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Märkisches Museum (U2) · 200 m
U2 to Märkisches Museum (about 200 m); S-Bahn and U-Bahn station Jannowitzbrücke (S3, S5, S7, S9, U8).
Amenities & dining
- Café: not available
- Restaurant
- Museum shop: not available
- Coat check: not available
- Lockers: not available
Since 2024 the ship restaurant Spree Fumée has operated on the Maßkahn "Renate-Angelika".
Events & venue rental
The harbor's landing stage can be reserved by registered passenger ships (inquiries to the harbor master); renting the museum ships for parties is not described on the website.
Plan your visit
| Audio guide | no |
|---|---|
| Good to know | The association publishes dates for trips, the harbor festival, and hands-on activities in the event calendar on its website. The duration refers to a walk along the moorings. |
