View of the Havel 137° - Vacation home with a sauna, right on the banks of the Havel, with a meadow and a sandy beach

This family-friendly house, measuring approximately 130 square meters, is located in the heart of town between the main street and a public meadow with a small beach right on the Havel River in Phöben, a western district of Werder (Havel). Since 1892, the owners of the former Havel River cruise restaurant “Zum alten Krug” have lived here.
What’s fascinating is that, following the recent extensive renovation, almost all rooms offer a sweeping view of the Havel River and Lake Kleiner Zernsee. Nature, shifting light, and flocks of birds over the water can be enjoyed in any weather from cozy spots both inside and out.
There is a small covered terrace at the entrance, a large open terrace with evening sun, and a sunroom—all with a view of the water. In the summer, water sports are a great option; for cooler times, a sauna is available inside the house. Those who enjoy swimming can jump into the gently sloping water right by the house at any time, go canoeing, or cool off at the garden shower. A bike and boat rental, a fishing pond, and—in the summer—an ice cream parlor are located in the immediate vicinity.
The natural garden features shady spots under fruit trees for reading or mowed areas for sunbathing with a view of the water. In the nearby open Phöbener Forest, you can observe rare flora and fauna. Children love the impressively large sand dune at the foot of the Wachtelberg, where vineyards are also cultivated on the southern slope.
Phöben now offers several horseback riding stables for vacationers, an active polo club, and a golf club in the immediate vicinity.
The house has a bedroom on the upper floor with a “double bed under the starry sky”—complete with its own shower room featuring a window. A child can also sleep in the alcove in the same room (mattress 0.90 x 2 m).
On the same floor is another bedroom with a “water view from the four-poster bed for two,” which has its own shower room in the basement.
A child can also sleep in the alcove in this bedroom (mattress 0.90 x 2 m).
On the middle floor, the living area, there is another small restroom.
Two additional guests can sleep on a sofa bed (1.60 x 2 m) in the sauna room in the basement; this room also offers a view of the water. The bathroom is right next to it. (Note for taller guests: The basement features a historic “Prussian coffered ceiling,” and some door heights are only 1.83 m.)
The windows can be shaded with folding shutters, and the skylights can be darkened with electric roller shades.
Dining tables seating up to 8 guests in total are located on the open terrace and in the dining area next to the open kitchen; both offer sweeping views all the way to Töplitz Island across the water. An oversized sofa by the panoramic window facing the lake offers spectacular sunrises when the weather cooperates and allows you to watch the changing weather and the busy boat traffic in the summer.
The house has just been completely renovated with great care. All wiring and plumbing, windows, and bathrooms are new, while the rough lime plaster surfaces, restored antique doors, floors, and new copper heating pipes in a vintage style “tell the story of days gone by” and have, in some cases, been intentionally left with traces of wear or deliberately crafted to appear “as if they’ve always been that way.” This is intentional and is meant to preserve the old house’s charm and coziness.
The Havel Bike Path runs right in front of the house. Up to two vehicles in a row and bicycles can be parked on the property.
Riding downstream along the Havel, you’ll quickly reach the dikes leading toward the Ketzin ferry and continue through open countryside all the way to Brandenburg an der Havel. Heading upstream on the Havel, it’s not far to the historic island town of Werder, with its many restaurants and tourist amenities.
The paths along the lakeshores or through Sanssouci Park lead all the way to Potsdam, among other destinations. A bus runs hourly to the nearby train station; from there, regional trains take you to Potsdam in 10 minutes and to central Berlin in 30 minutes, allowing you to combine a vacation in a Brandenburg village with the cultural offerings of the capital.