Explore this northern medieval village on the shores of the Havel River and go swimming in the forest-fringed lake after which the district was named.

Heiligensee Nord is a tree-lined locality on Berlin’s northwestern border with Brandenburg. Framed by the pretty Havel River and the Tegel Forest, Heiligensee Nord is a popular vacation-house neighborhood for Berliners and has leafy streets full of cozy cottages. Canoe along the Havel River, explore the densely forested Brandenburg border and visit Alt-Heiligensee to explore a quaint medieval village on the banks of Lake Heiligensee.

Stroll around Heiligensee Nord’s main shopping strip and purchase ingredients for a picnic. Make your way west to reach the banks of the Havel River. You can rent a canoe and paddle your way down the river until you find a scenic spot to enjoy lunch. Much of Heiligensee Nord’s riverfront is private, but on the opposing banks in Brandenburg you can enjoy the protected shores of the Schwimmhafenwiesen nature reserve. As evening falls, be sure to save some time to experience the cozy atmosphere of a traditional German beer garden.

Heiligensee Nord is a great jumping-off point for exploring the historic streets of Alt-Heiligensee, the 13th-century village that sits between Lake Heiligensee and the Nieder-Neuendorfer See section of the Havel River. Visit the historic site of the Havel Crossing, which was used by pilgrims in the Middle Ages on their journey between St. Mary’s Church in Berlin to St. Nikolai in Wilsnack.

Walk amid magnificent old beech trees in the Tegel Forest and find the mysterious Baumberge, an inland sand dune in the middle of the forest.

Reach Heiligensee Nord by catching the suburban rail from central Berlin to Heiligensee train station, which is in the heart of Heiligensee Nord. Stop at a supermarket near the station to purchase a snack or drink. The journey from Berlin takes approximately 40 minutes. Catch the local bus from Heiligensee Nord and reach Alt-Heiligensee in 15 minutes. With beautiful river shores, pretty woodlands, a cozy atmosphere and medieval history at your fingertips, Heiligesee Nord offers a scenic getaway from busy Berlin.